It's a Cannon T70 (i think it's an automatic slr) It has 3 lenses: > 50mm 1:1.8 Cannon > Sears 28mm Macro 1:2.8 lense > Lastly a Chinar 135mm 1:2.8 lense, really nice but broken I'm going to see if i can get it repaired it works but the focus ring is busted so if you stand 6-8 feet away from whatever your shooting it stays focused good but i want to get it fixed. I also have a book: John Hedgecoe's New Book of Photography.
Doug,
It sounds like a good setup to begin to learn the fun of photography. I have thousands of dollars of up to date photo gear right now, but I started out like you, with a hand-me-down Yashica SLR (manual focus, Aperture priority only) from my mother back in 1984. I only had a 50mm lens and a 28mm wide angle, neither of which took good macro shots, but by reading books I really was able to get some good shots out this old system. And some of my good shots from back them are as good as any I take today with "better" equipment.
I would suggest you read the whole Hedgecoe book and learn all you can. I might also look at some used bookstores and see if you can find any used copies of any of John Shaw's books on macro or wildlife photography. I think they are among the best learning tools.
Then get a few rolls of film and start playing. You can save some money buy ordering film in bulk online through places like Adorama. Wal-mart processing is usually the cheapest and shooting more film is the best way to improve.
Since you are in the Canon system, you have the flexibility to use this camera to learn and then you can move into the next camera body (possibly a Digital SLR) and still keep your old lenses, flashes, etc. Therefore, before I bought any new/used stuff for this body, I would make sure it will be forward compatible. Another advantage to Canon stuff is that there is a LOT of used stuff available for just a few bucks. Try looking in the used counters of camera shops or even pawn shops. You can get some real bargains there (particularly the latter). A quick look at KEH.com's used collection is also a good idea.
Also, before you spend any real money fixing the Chinar 135, I would suggest you decide what lenses you will need for the photography you plan on doing. Reading will help you answer those questions pretty quickly. A 135mm lens is a good portrait lens, but they generally aren't great for taking pics of herps.
I think you might want to look for a 70ish to 200ish (e.g. 70-210 or 80-200) zoom lens with some macro capability (at least 1:4 but 1:2 would be better). There a lot of cheap zooms made by reputable companies for the Canon mount. Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, and of course Canon, all make reasonable lenses in that mount. I would steer away from most Phoenix or Promaster lenses unless they are practically free (even then they are overpriced - LOL).
Another tip, if you are considering macro photography, is to look at the cost of either close up lenses or preferably extension tubes for the 50mm lens. For just a few dollars, you could add 50mm of extension and your lense would focus down to life size.
Then start studying other people's photographs. Find some herp shots you really like and then figure out what you like about them. Figure out exactly how the photographer achieved it based on what you have read about photography. Then you can try and emulate the stuff you like and avoid the stuff you dislike and soon you pics will be coming out just as you wanted.
The real key is to taking good photos is to think before you shoot (decide exactly what you are trying to capture and how to capture it). Good photos are rarely an accident.
Starting out in herp photography (I assume you are just starting out?) is a great time. It is a great hobby. One of the things I love about it is that even if you are out herping and finding only "boring" herps, there is always an opportunity for an exciting photograph of that boring herp.
I get tremendous pleasure out of my pictures, even if noone else ever sees them. I have sold a few to books and magazines, but mostly I take them for my own pleasure. Next to my computer here are 8x10 prints of some of my recent shots and I really enjoy looking at them. All of my desktop backgrounds are my shots and each one reminds me of a great herping or photographing moment.
Sorry if I sound too excited about your recent acquisition, it just reminds me of the day when I got my first hand-me-down SLR and all the great fun I have had taking pictures since that day.
Chris
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Chris Harrison
I'm going to see if i can get it repaired it works but the focus ring is busted so if you stand 6-8 feet away from whatever your shooting it stays focused good but i want to get it fixed. I also have a book: John Hedgecoe's New Book of Photography. Ive read the nature and animal sections of it. Any tips or suggestions on what to use (as far as lense, aperature, etc.) I want to photograph snakes if that's relevant. Thanks for your help guys!