Up until recently my main interest in photography has been merely to document the many various experiences, things & people who are my life. Inspired by my excellent photographer family & friends, especially Alex & Joe, my interest in cameras and photography itself has increased (i.e. I no longer view the camera as just a recording tool). I’ve been taking all of my photos with a Sony point & shoot, which has been excellent for its portability, but I’ve decided 2010 is the year I’m going to “Get serious” about my photography hobby and purchase my first DSLR camera. I think I’ve narrowed down my search, and hopefully I will soon have a Canon EOS 5D Mark II in my hands. I’ve recently enrolled in my first photography class at our local & excellent community college, Cuesta College. I’m excited about & really looking forward to the learning process!
Michelle's World 
Getting serious about photography *does* involve a careful selection of the best tools for your job. Yet, I’m persuaded that, unless you really *need* it, a DSLR camera could maybe be avoided.
If only you could use a good compact camera like Canon G11…
I’ve been shooting for years with old, bulky film view cameras, Hasselblad, and I love them all. So, When I suggest you to stick to small cameras I really *mean* that.
Canon 5D an a couple of lenses *can* offer some advantages but also a lot of problems, the first of which is that they will not follow you anywhere.
I would buy a G11, definitely.
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Thanks for your comment. Funny, I was just on YOUR web site checking out your list of fashionable camera bags for women đ
Well, too late; I got the big DSLR a few weeks ago! I’m totally enjoying the learning process. But I’m not getting rid of my ultra compact Sony DSC-T700, which I always carry around in my purse, and when I don’t want to carry a purse, I stick it in my pocket (smaller than a deck of cards)! I’m definitely NOT going to be lugging the 5D *everywhere*!
That said, the 5D will definitely be useful for photography for our architecture firm. I’m also interested in creating multi-photo panoramas, and I have a special love for macro photography.
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Well, the internet seems so big but.. really funny, yes đ
In case you want, I have a page which you might like
http://www.facebook.com/kirpi.it
(no need to have a facebook account in order to read it, it is open to anybody).
The 5D beast is a wonderful tool, I used it for a while and I’m sure you will get the best out of it.
In case, consider using Lightroom in your workflow. And, no need to say, always shoot Raw.
If you need any help, please feel free to ask.
Anytime đ
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So funny you should say that as well: I was in San Francisco just *last* week for a Kelby Lightroom seminar! It was well worth it. It just so happens I already pretty much figured out how to go through and organize my thousands of photos the way that they recommended in the seminar, however Lightroom will do exactly what I was doing *manually*! Once I really get going with that it should save me hours. Needless to say streamline the whole process.
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Have a nice time with your new gears!
And please keep in touch: I’m really curious to see your new images.
As for panorama stitching, I can help if you like.
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Thanks. Oh yes, and I do shoot in both RAW & jpeg simultaneously…for now. I am also interested in archiving in DNG files, but I have not started. Here are some of the articles I’ve been reading lately regarding file types: http://delicious.com/flygrl67/raw+photography
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I forgot to tell you that, in case you do not have Lightroom already, you might want to get it from my page http://www.kirpi.it/photo
For you it does not change a bit, but will help me and stimulate to work on the website.
As for learning the software, here is an useful list of tutorials http://www.adobe.com/eeurope/products/photoshoplightroom/
Don’t bother with .dng files for the moment: there will be time for that and you now have more interesting issues to face first.
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