Kodak Lens Kit vs Canon DSLR

[xcaret]

I was considering geting a Nikon or Canon DSLR camera in the $400.00 range , but came accross a telescopic and wide angle lens for my Kodak z710 not a SLR camera.
Being onlt $80.00 I thought I'd gamble on it and learn more about photography using my Kodak. It looks like a SLR but is more poinbt and shot , but has sevearl settings that I'd like to explore .like lens speed, iso, lens openning,and I forget thec rest , but thought It will keep mee busy and I don't really want to spend $400.00 on a camera at this time.
Has anyone heard of the lens kit I pasted below ? It is the one I ordered.

Kodak Easyshare ZD710 Z740 Z710 Z650 Ultimate Lens & Filter Set Includes Wide Angle Lens, Macro Lens, 3.5X Telephoto Lens, 3 Piece Filter + Mini Tripod, Lens Cleaning Kit + Tube Adapter + More
by Sunset

[Photo-John]

Using the camera you already have to learn is always a great, practical idea - especially if your camera has manual exposure controls, which I believe yours does. The most important difference between your Kodak and a DSLR is the sensor size. Compact cameras have tiny sensors compared to DSLRs - that's the reason DSLRs have image quality that's so much better. So, if you did buy a DSLR you'd have better image quality - especially in poor light. However, you'd be giving up the long, 10x zoom range your camera has. Buying lenses to get you the equivalent focal length would cost you hundreds more than the $400 you already don't want to spend. So you're probably best sticking with the Kodak for now.

You can definitely explore and practice with the Z710. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to move away from the auto controls and start learning about how exposure works. That means using the Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure modes.

I have not heard of the specific accessory lens set you bought. However, similar kits are available all over eBay, Amazon and the Web. If you'd asked before you bought it, most of us here would have advised you against it. The quality of the lenses in filters in those kits is generally very poor. There's a reason good lenses cost hundreds of dollars - good optics are costly and difficult to make. Also, if you already have a good lens on your camera, you don't want to put crappy accessory lenses or filters in front of it. Doing that effectively turns your good lens into a bad lens.

To help get you started with the exposure controls on your camera, here's a link to an article on the basics of exposure control:

Photography Exposure Guide

Let us know if you have more questions. There's a ton of knowledge here and the community is very friendly and helpful.

[xcaret]

Thanks for your advise and info . Oh yeah and the Photo exposure guide too.
You are right I should not have bought the lens kit now that you said what you did. Oh well, Better that than to have spent 445.00 on a camera that I couldnt afford .( but now I see I can buy a much better one as I have 15000 air miles and could even buy a Rebel 60d what ever that is. ) I'll learn on my Kodak ,yes it has manual settings I'm just not familiar with them,and as for picture quality I was always happy with my Kodak's quality. By the time I get used to using all the settings on this Kodak I'll have more airmiles and probably more cameras will be avaliable by then.. This time I'll ask before buying .. Thanks

[Photo-John]

Please ask if you have questions. We're here to help - whether it's about gear you want to buy or how-to questions. As for buying something you shouldn't have - we've all done it and we'll probably all do it again