SL1/100D

Just for fun but also nostalgia, I bought an SL1 that arrived Monday. Played with it briefly yesterday. The SL1 was my first new DSLR about 8 years ago. I probably sold it about 3 years later and went on an upgrade path (treadmill?). Anyone else using an SL1 in 2023? I really like the touchscreen, fast operation, compact dimensions and simplified controls.

My other equipment is Canon FF DSLRs and Panasonic M4/3. So this is just for fun and given its lightweight and compact size, probably for travel. I am going to try it later today with a 55-250mm. If that works out, it might come with me on my (almost) daily walks.

It was the smallest DSLR for a while if I remember correct, We did use one also for a while, but It's 9 points AF system is a bit crippled and taken from earlier DSLRs models.
Even both successors 200D and 250D got the same old fashioned AF system...

It still is, at least in the APS-C world.

Here are some images from a morning walk a few days ago at my local lake. I usually use a 7D but the SL1 did fine and having such a compact camera was delightful. First posting images here. Hope I can get it to work!

To post an image, it asks for an address. I do not know how to do that if the image is on my hard drive. So, I uploaded files. Let's see if anyone can see the images.

OK. That worked. Here is another.

@2ndActScene2,

If you'd like to insert your photo into your post, right after you choose your file, there are two little overlapping rectangles next to your file name. If you hit that, it will insert your picture into the body of your post.
Your herons were nice.

Steve Thomas

Wow...just beautiful...love them both. :-)

I like that one too...wow...great photography. :-)

Great heron photos. 👍

Thanks for everyone’s nice comments. It has taken a few months to figure out how to be in the right place at the right time and also what settings to use.

I have concluded that worrying about noise gets in the way of getting good images. You need a fast shutter speed to avoid motion blur (the bird’s motion mainly but maybe yours too) and at least f/5.6 to get DOF at telephoto focal lengths. So let the ISO go and fix it in post (I prefer DXO but there is no perfect package IMO). Color can be a challenge also and I am working on that. I think the monochrome images I posted here work well, so that is always an option but I originally tried mono because the colors didn’t look good.

My experience is that failure a great teacher and patience is not just a virtue but a requirement to make incremental progress.

I also love that you can get an SL1 (or 7D) and efs 55-250mm STM in great condition for about $300. Unfortunately, upgrading from there gets way more expensive!

Final comment: I go to the lake because it is 2.5 mile walk around the lake and I need the exercise. Photography is a helpful distraction for a reluctant athlete!