The most I ever learned about photography is when the meter went dead on my Praktica MTL-5. I bought it on eBay because it is a near replica of the camera I learned on, my dad’s old Praktica LTL.
Once the meter died, I taught myself how to manually estimate exposure and continued to shoot with that camera. I learned about f-stops and shutter speeds and their relation to one another. I learned how to look at the available light and take my film ISO into consideration and set the aperture and shutter speed accordingly. After a while, I got really good at it. The picture of the black-eyed susans was done with that camera.
Lots of fun.
SS, Yes, I knew what you meant with the IS being in the body. I had a little Canon S2 IS that was like that, think they've gotten better. I gave it to one of my (older) grandkids and naturally it didn't last long. I bought it hoping the zoom was long enough that I could get around buying the 100-400. On the long end it was so blurry I couldn't find the target very fast. I guess it happens with the 100-400 too but I'm a little better with that one except birds in flight that are receding or in the distance, I can't track them at all.
I only use the tripod for night photos because it's heavy to lug around and set up. But the monopod I've used for macro shots and a parade. The bad thing is if I want to go portrait mode, I have to turn the whole "stick" or unsnap it which slows me down too much. The good thing is that I don't have to turn off IS. I haven't tried my car window tripod yet but when I can get out again, it will be limiting but I won't have to get so cold, etc. Drive by shooting lol. I got it at bh and can't remember the brand name, under $100 Giotto or something like that.
Just finished frosting some cupcakes and am tired. I think I'll take a photo of them later ha ha. It's a lot of work but people love cupcakes.