Looking for some solid and unbiased advice on what digital camera(s) or lenses are worth investing in?

Curious about which camera features will make a real difference in your photography?

Wondering about what upgrades and camera accesories are truly worth it?

Interested to work and test equipment hands-on before making a purchasing decision?

Then this Digital SLR Learn and Try Event is what you have been waiting for!

Thanks to our friends at Beau Photo, we will have virtually the entire line-up of Nikon and Canon Digital SLR's, lenses (both consumer and professional grade), fas well as dedicated Flashes (Speedlights) or you to lay your hands on and photograph with. Participants can use their own gear or try cameras and lenses provided by the folks of Beau Photo. We will have several setups ready for you to shoot everything from still-life product to fashion/portraiture. VPW instructors will be there to help with camera settings and to answer all your questions. You are welcome to bring your own memory card so that you can take images shot on our cameras home with you (note: digital cameras take SD and/or compact flash cards)

We begin the evening with a short yet information packed lecture by VPW Director Marc Koegel. Marc will focus on what camera features are important to know about, as well as what to look for when choosing a lens. Whether you already own a digital SLR or are thinking of buying in the near future, this presentation is aimed at giving you lots of practical advice.

Topics covered will include:

- Canon and Nikon Digital SLR Camera Model Overview
- The eternal debate: Canon versus Nikon versus 'other' manufacturers
- Digital SLR 'must have' feature list, what functionality to look for and what you can ignore
- APS versus Full Frame: What you need to know about DSLR sensor size
- Digital SLR cameras and video: what to expect and how to get great results easily
- Digital camera accessories: what to look for and a list of recommendations
- Lenses for every budget: recommendations based on budget and purpose
- Fixed versus zoom lenses: what should be in your camera bag and why
- Image Stabilization: Love it or leave it?
- High quality lenses: worth the extra money?
- Fast Lenses: Using shallow Depth of Field for added visual impact
- Choosing a dedicated Flash: Canon versus Nikon Flash Speedlite system
- Question and Answer Period
- Canon and Nikon best feature list

Following the lecture, we will begin the hands-on shooting sessions where you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of cameras, lenses and flashes.

Join us for this rare opportunity to learn and try the latest digital camera equipment.

Level:

All Levels. Everyone is welcome!

Enrollment:

Maximum 50 participants.

Equipment Needed:

None required. We will have many digital SLR's and lenses for you to try.
If you bring your own camera you will be able to test a variety of lenses with it.

We Provide:

Digital SLR recommended feature list and tips and tricks handout.
Canon and Nikon Digital SLR cameras and lenses for you to try.
Professional shooting setups, both still life and model/portraiture setups.

Early-Bird Discount:

Most of our courses and workshops offer a 10% discount is applied automatically if you register before the Early-Bird Discount deadline date listed in the registration table below.

Some courses and workshops offer a discount if you're among the first 3 people who register. This discount will replace the 'standard' Early Bird Discount mentioned above, and will be applied automatically during the online registration process (as long as it is available). Check the course/workshop listing page for more details.

Group Discount:

A 5% discount will be appplied if 3 or more people register at the same time for the same workshop. (All 3 tuitions must be paid for by one credit card to be considered a group registration.) Please follow the instructions on the online registration page.

In order to provide the best learning environment possible VPW keeps class and tour sizes limited to 10-15 people (depending on the workshop). This is but one reason that we count on you to attend your chosen class or tour, once you have registered for it.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Within 45 days of the Master Photographer Series workshop date all fees paid are non-refundable.

For our Photo Tours (national and international), the following charges will apply:

• If you cancel up to 3 months before the tour start date and we can fill your space, your reservation (or deposit) fee will be refunded
• There is no additional cancellation fee up to 8 weeks before the start of your tour
• From 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the tour: 25% of your balance
• From 4 weeks to 1 week before the tour: 50% of your balance
• From 1 week to 72 hours before the tour: 75% of your balance
• If you cancel within 72 hours of the start of the trip, no refund can be paid
• Transaction charges incurred on accepting and refunding payments will be deducted from the refund amount
• In the (unlikely) event that we cancel the Photo Tour, all monies paid will be refunded in full

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance to guard yourself against monies lost due to unavoidable cancellation by either party.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Instructor Replacement:

In the event that a listed instructor is unable to participate because of a change in his or her professional schedule, we will replace the instructor with someone of equal or similar credentials. If we cannot find a replacement in due time before the course is about to start, a particular class may have to be rescheduled.

Liability

In the event that we cancel your course, for any reason, the extent of VPW's liability is limited to the return of all monies paid. We will do everything we can to register you in another equivalent course. VPW will not be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses of any kind.

Please note: An administration charge of $50 applies to all refunds

Read complete refund and liability policy

The Canon + Nikon Digital SLR Learn and Try Event is taught by the following instructor:

Read Marc's Biography

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Also at this event we welcome the great folks of Beau Photo: