BajaNomad

Digital Camera

TMW - 3-22-2011 at 09:21 AM

Up till now I've been using the cheap happy snappy one time cameras. But I'm ready to get a digital camera. I don't know much about a camera other than point and click. What advice does anyone have on features to look for. I probably would go for something not too expensive while I learn more about them. Any help is much appreciated.

David K - 3-22-2011 at 09:28 AM

I have a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (for a while now) and it has been great... fits in your pocket, has zoom, movie with sound abilities, stuff I haven't used etc.

Russ - 3-22-2011 at 09:38 AM

For a starter camera I'd suggest one with a peep view besides the LED screen. Some times those screens are so washed out you can't see what you're shooting. I don't think the brand is important in the lower range snap & shoots but you'll probably appreciate one with at least 4 megapixels. Or 4 of what ever they call the chip sensitivity.

CDB - 3-22-2011 at 09:57 AM

Depends on your particular situation, But almost impossible to catch me without this in my pocket.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&am...

TMW - 3-22-2011 at 12:16 PM

Thanks to everyone. I'm off to Best Buy to look at some.

Debra - 3-22-2011 at 12:55 PM

Ditto on what Russ said, DO NOT get one with only the screen. My old camera? I had most pictures where you could not even see what the intended subject was. Inside pictures were fine and night shots, but, in the sun you can't see. Unless you get into the higher price range cameras, brand doesn't seem to make a difference, they all take decent pictures.

PS: zoom 10 is nice.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by Debra]

DENNIS - 3-22-2011 at 12:56 PM

I just got a Leica D-Lux 5. There isn't much it won't do.

fishabductor - 3-22-2011 at 01:04 PM

TW,

If you are an offroader, I would suggest a Olympus tough series. I have the 8010 model.

they are waterproof to 30', drop proof from 6', crush proof to 300lbs.

If you are like me and many offroader you will be hard on things. This this camera if you drop it in the sand, and it sand in the lense, just stick in under water and turn it on/off multiple times and it will clean the sand out.

It is a one heck of a tough camera.

tripledigitken - 3-22-2011 at 02:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I just got a Leica D-Lux 5. There isn't much it won't do.


That's hilarious DENNIS. Remember my B&W photo you "liked" so much. The one you thought was taken with an inferior camera. It was a D-Lux 4. Enjoy your new camera, it is quite good for a pocket sized one.

DENNIS - 3-22-2011 at 02:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
That's hilarious DENNIS. Remember my B&W photo you "liked" so much. The one you thought was taken with an inferior camera. It was a D-Lux 4. Enjoy your new camera, it is quite good for a pocket sized one.



I've souped it up a bit by adding the viewfinder and the lens barrel to take 52 MM filters.
I got a Canon 50-D to go with it. Added a lens adaptor to take all of my FD lenses. That saved me millions.

tripledigitken - 3-22-2011 at 03:09 PM

Try to get one that has manual controls in it. You do not have to use them, but if you get serious they will be there.

Try to get one with Video, most have them now.

View finder is nice, but a tight budget will make it difficult to find one.

What is your budget?

DENNIS - 3-22-2011 at 03:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Try to get one that has manual controls in it. You do not have to use them, but if you get serious they will be there.

Try to get one with Video, most have them now.

View finder is nice, but a tight budget will make it difficult to find one.

What is your budget?



The D-Lux 5 has all of that. The viewfinder with a Leica name on it costs around 400 bucks. If it's for the Panasonic Lumix [same body, as you know] the cost is 150 bucks. Same piece, different name. You get to pay more for the "Red Dot."
Leica now has a Med-Format DSLR that starts at around $38,000 bucks. Maybe I'll buy one online from my deathbed. You know what they say about the man with the most toys. :biggrin:

For WHAT it's Worth ...................

MrBillM - 3-22-2011 at 04:27 PM

Having bought a number of Low-Moderate Priced cameras, the LAST one I bought is the only one I consider a mistake and that's because I didn't read the details well enough. It's a Canon, but that doesn't really matter.

What matters is that the ONLY setting for resolution was the 12 Megapixels that its advertised with, resulting in HUGE file sizes. I found it bizarre that there was no way to change the resolution, but I know that I'll never buy another without knowing what is available in that respect.

Speaking of which, the habit of people today constantly sending photos of EVERYTHING to EVERYBODY and not taking the time to resize them has caused me to set the E-mail limit on my various addresses to 1MB so that I don't find myself downloading some Humungous attachments.

As one of the PC World Editors said in an article awhile back "If you don't think a photo is important enough to send it in a reasonable size, I don't need to think it's important enough to download".

Amen to that.

Bob and Susan - 3-23-2011 at 06:08 AM

i think having a camera that takes BIG pictures is GREAT

point and shoot...then cut and reduce the size

you NEVER get "another chance"
you need to "Sieze the moment"

Time to upgrade my camera?

Pompano - 3-23-2011 at 06:44 AM



I may upgrade soon....I'm running out of bulbs.

wessongroup - 3-23-2011 at 06:51 AM

Check Costco.. they run some really good deals... I got a Nikon D5000 with two lens... for like $500 dollars... it dose 720p and can do 86 minutes of movies with the SD card along with 5.1 surround sound... in other words ya can make HD movies ... and it will shoot right around 900 pictures with the SD card also , if one does not use any of the SD for movies... for the their price, get a second SD for movies and one for pictures...

Given the quality one can get today in a camera... its was a bit of decision between a cam corder of a SLR ... chose the DSLR this time, had a Sony Cam corder which got ripped off on a construction project we had done at the house... and thought I would try something different...

For me, its was a certain "color" quality of the D5000 over the other nikon's, and the Canon's which were also for sale ... looked at them all... and liked this ones picture the best... a truly personal choice... and one I've been happy with so far....

A great tool, and one I'm so happy so many use... I still have my Sony 5 megapixel point and shoot... which fits in my shirt pocket... but wear my Nikon around my neck, when I get lucky enough to get out some place...

These things should be part of all's camping gear... as we see what a wonder of thing are possible to share for a very long time.... and shoot away... big or small... shoot away.... don't even stop to think about what your shooting, it will be good for someone.....

Again, only wish I had taken a lot more pictures with my old 35mm when down in the Baja, in the early 60's. had with me, but was a young stupid kid...

Glad that other were thoughtful enough to record and share so many great things.. thanks to all...

And go spend a few bucks on a nice camera... and TAKE some pictures.!!!!

[Edited on 3-23-2011 by wessongroup]

Marc - 3-23-2011 at 07:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I have a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (for a while now) and it has been great... fits in your pocket, has zoom, movie with sound abilities, stuff I haven't used etc.


That's the best one. Also the Cannon PowerShot SD1400IS which is smaller.

Pacifico - 3-23-2011 at 07:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishabductor
TW,

If you are an offroader, I would suggest a Olympus tough series. I have the 8010 model.

they are waterproof to 30', drop proof from 6', crush proof to 300lbs.

If you are like me and many offroader you will be hard on things. This this camera if you drop it in the sand, and it sand in the lense, just stick in under water and turn it on/off multiple times and it will clean the sand out.

It is a one heck of a tough camera.


I agree with Fishabductor, if I were you I would get something along this line. Waterproof and can take a drop. I, too, do a lot of off-roading (and fishing) and I bought a Canon PowerShot D-10. It is similar to the Olympus tough series, I think. It is a 12.1 mega pixel camera and takes great photos. It is also small and compact. I think mine is waterproof to like 30 feet and while I don't think I would trust it to dive with; it is good to know it can take exposure to water. Good luck!

ncampion - 3-23-2011 at 08:49 AM

Check the Pentax Optio W90. It's slightly cheaper than the Canon and can take HD video as well. I'm sure they are all great and I agree that the waterproof, shockproof features makes them perfect for our lifestyle.

fishabductor - 3-23-2011 at 09:03 AM

The olympus tough 8010 shoots hd videos...even under water. I have video of dorado, schools of manta rays getting chased by an orca, you can barely see the orca as he travled too fast.

The only issue that I do not like with the camera, is that there is a serious delay when you want to take a photo, and it takes about 3 seconds to turn on. However I am very hard on gear, so I would rather have a camera that can take a beating and deal with the delay. If teh canon is faster it may be the choice as long it is as tough.

wilderone - 3-23-2011 at 09:44 AM

If you're just getting digital now after disposables, I would guess you like things to work simply and easily, yet gives you reliability and quality photos. Most of the digitals have so many capabilities it's difficult to remember how to use them beyond your everyday point and shoot on "automatic" setting. It's fun to use self timer, video and change the setting to more specific exposures (like "sunset", "portrait", "landscape"), and pretty easy to learn. For all that you can get a Nikon Coolpix for about $100-125. 7, 8 pixels would be fine. Be sure you check out the type of battery your choice of camera needs. AAA or AAs are pretty cheap and available, but be sure you buy titanium batteries that last 4-8 times as long as regular. Always have extra batteries and memory chips with you - my biggest problem with my first digital was running out of memory or an exhausted battery at the worst times.

MitchMan - 3-23-2011 at 11:26 AM

I advise you to get a small point and shoot with between 8 megapixels and 12 megapixels. You do not need to spend more than $200 USD, and don't spend less than $100. Try to get one with a viewfinder if you can these days. Also, make absolutely sure that you get one that has a manual mode wherein you can individually set the shutter speed, f-stop, ISO settings and have the ability to turn off the flash. If you can't get the complete manual mode, at least make sure it has TV mode and/or P mode, at the very least.

When you get the P&S camera, generally set it to 3 megapixels and set the quality/compression to mid quality for most of your general photos. This will serve you just fine and it will limit your image files to just less than 1 megabyte each, which is all you need for viewing on a PC, a Television, in a slide show in a PC or or over the internet. A 4 GB SD card will hold 4,000 such images! Only set it to more megapixels and/or higher quality for special photos that you intend to print out larger than 4"x6" images. 3 MP is plenty for 4x6 printouts, all day long. Try to stay below an ISO setting of 800, and, in general, try to take as many photos as you can without flash.

Learn what a histogram is and learn to read your histogram on the images you take. The most important thing you can do to get great photos all the time in digital photography is to make sure you get the exposure right. The histogram is the exact reflection of your exposure for the image. For the most part, good exposure will provide you with great color, image sharpness, and a good looking all around image. And, you definitely do not need 8 or more megapixels for that. Actually, anything over 8 megapixels is overkill, and even 8MP is overkill for 98% of your photos anyway.

If you really want to take this up as a kind of hobby, get yourself a copy of Photoshop Elements software for under $100 USD as it has 95% of the stuff that the much more expensive CS version of Photoshop has, and 100% of everything that a non professional photographer will ever want/need.

[Edited on 3-23-2011 by MitchMan]

The BIG Picture

MrBillM - 3-23-2011 at 01:24 PM

Nothing wrong with taking a pic at the HIGHEST Resolution you'd like, whether it's better or not. The only thing wrong is when you DON'T reduce it to a manageable size before sending it as an attachment. THAT'S Rude.

As far as BIGGER being BETTER, a couple of years back one of the Network TV stations did a "Man in the Street" Blind poll with a bunch of photos done in various resolutions with One MegaPix being the lowest.

ONE person was able to distinguish correctly the proper order.

When the (surprised) Reporter queried her, she said that she'd just finished a Night College-course on Photography and knew what to look for.

Admittedly, if you're Blowing them up, there's a difference.

[Edited on 3-23-2011 by MrBillM]

Bajatripper - 3-23-2011 at 01:35 PM

While all of the talk about megapixels and viewfinders is important, I didn't see any reference to something of much more importance (now that decent megapixel file sizes are common on pretty much all digital cameras) and that is the OPTICAL magnification (referred to as zoom) range of the camera you buy. I emphasize optical because the digital zoom factor is something you can throw out with the garbage, it serves no purpose that you can't accomplish in your computer.

I'm really happy with my Canon PowerShot SX10IS. While it won't fit in a shirt pocket, it will give you 15X optical zoom (most entry-level cameras are in the 3X-to-5X optical zoom range), which will really get you up on a bird or lizzard or that cute San Juanito squirrel and still give you a nice wide-angle range, too. Best of all, it's relatively inexpensive and quite easy to use on automatic setting. The only gripe I have about the camera is the non-attached lens cap it uses, I'm on my third one.

MitchMan - 3-23-2011 at 04:07 PM

8 MP at highest quality = 4MB file size; 3MP at medium quality = 0.9MB file size. * MP takes up much more SD card space 4 times more), worse if even higher MP. Meaning a 4 GB sd card will hold only 1000 images and a 3 MP will get you 4,000 images on the 4 GB card. Takes much longer to move, copy images at 8MP, plus, most down sizing sftwe doesn't down size as much as on a 8 MP as it does on a 3 MP image. Also, your camera has a buffer that holds all recently taken photos. You use up more space on that buffer, 4 times more, with an 8MP image than on a 3MP image. As a result, if you are using continuous mode shooting or just shooting a bunch of photos quickly, you will fill the buffer and the camera won't let you take more photos until the buffer finishes saving those 8 MP images. So, you get abruptly interrupted. Also, since it takes a lot more battery power to save a 4 MB file than a 1 MB file, not only do you use up your battery appreciably faster, it drains power from your flash shots. As a result, you will have to wait much longer in between flash shots, waiting for the capacitor in your point and shoot to load up adequately.

All these will be a significant difference in your experience. Especially if you are on vacation shooting a bunch of photos.

The nomad was right, you should consider the higher magnifying capacity as part of your camera choice. I have heard of even 30x in a point and shoot. That's an amazing capacity. You won't use it that much, but it's nice to have.

LaTijereta - 3-24-2011 at 07:28 AM

Here is one from Panasonic "Lumix" that I just picked up for use on the boat and side trips around Baja..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Q=&am...

Alittle pricey, but has alot of nice features, including HD video w/ a Leica lens

DENNIS - 3-24-2011 at 07:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Here is one from Panasonic "Lumix" that I just picked up for use on the boat and side trips around Baja..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Q=&am...

Alittle pricey, but has alot of nice features, including HD video w/ a Leica lens


The Lumix line is a good product. Here is the model that the Leica is fashioned after:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/09/28/the-leica-d-lux-5-r...

gnukid - 3-24-2011 at 08:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Here is one from Panasonic "Lumix" that I just picked up for use on the boat and side trips around Baja..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Q=&am...

Alittle pricey, but has alot of nice features, including HD video w/ a Leica lens


Panasonic Lumix cameras are excellent. They have a leica lens and you can buy a camera at varying sizes and price points. You can't go wrong too wrong. Just decide whether you really want a camera that is slim and fits in your pocket which always helps or do you want a larger format and lens.

Here's a link to all panasonic lumix digital cameras

I think you would like the DMC-TS7. The lens is larger and wider plus it has 12x optical zoom and geotagging. You'll like the photos and the price at $249



[Edited on 3-24-2011 by gnukid]

tripledigitken - 3-24-2011 at 08:20 AM

I agree about the Lumix line. Many of my favorite shots of Baja were taken with the Lumix LMC-1 and the Leica D-Lux4. Great cameras if you need compact with pro features.

Bajatripper - 3-24-2011 at 10:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
]I think you would like the DMC-TS7. The lens is larger and wider plus it has 12x optical zoom and geotagging. You'll like the photos and the price at $249[/url]


As someone with a lifelong interest in photography, this sounds like a hell of a deal. I will take a serious look at their products when I'm in need of my next camera. And if it has a Leica lens, so much the better, they've been the industry's standard since before I was born.

DENNIS - 3-24-2011 at 12:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
they've been the industry's standard since before I was born.


Oh, yeah...right. Leica made it's debut in 1925. Remember? :light:

TMW - 3-24-2011 at 12:33 PM

I would like to thank everyone again for your input. I purchased a Samsung ST65 camera. It has a 5x zoom lense. I set the resolution to 2MP. It doesn't have a 3MP. It has 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, two 12s and a 14. Way more options and features that I may never use, but who knows. It cost $128 at best buy. I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.

nikon 7000

mcfez - 3-24-2011 at 12:46 PM

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingerrticles/564/ni...


This just came up over at yahoo. I myself been looking for a decent camera. This $9.99 K Mart throw away I use...doesn't cut the cake ;D

[Edited on 3-24-2011 by mcfez]

MitchMan - 3-25-2011 at 05:46 PM

Don't forget the movie/video taking capabilitiesof your point and shoot. I am absolutely amazed at the great quality of video that these things take.

Just a pointer for taking video, stay as steady as possible all the time, limit most of your shots (60 -90%) to from 4 to 7 seconds, and, in the beginning before you get more experience, don't move the camera while taking video, keep it still. When you do move the camera, move it twice as slow as you think you should.

There, reasonably stick to those guidelines and your video will look acceptional.

[Edited on 3-26-2011 by MitchMan]

DENNIS - 3-25-2011 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.


My Gawwwd....you still shop in stores? Man.....not me. Gimme a computer, a credit card and a box of beer and I'm a consumer. :lol:

TMW - 3-25-2011 at 06:55 PM

I do a lot of on line shopping but for the camera I wanted to touch and feel and ask questions in person. Like I said the girl was very pretty.

wessongroup - 3-26-2011 at 07:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
Don't forget the movie/video taking capabilitiesof your point and shoot. I am absolutely amazed at the great quality of video that these things take.

Just a pointer for taking video, stay as steady as possible all the time, limit most of your shots (60 -90%) to from 4 to 7 seconds, and, in the beginning before you get more experience, don't move the camera while taking video, keep it still. When you do move the camera, move it twice as slow as you think you should.

There, reasonably stick to those guidelines and your video will look acceptional.

[Edited on 3-26-2011 by MitchMan]


Thanks ... good shooting points...:)

Bob and Susan - 3-26-2011 at 07:27 AM

damn...this string "jinxed" me...

looks like another camera is in the "future" for me...

camea.jpg - 45kB

Bob H - 3-26-2011 at 07:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I have a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (for a while now) and it has been great... fits in your pocket, has zoom, movie with sound abilities, stuff I haven't used etc.


That's the best one. Also the Canon PowerShot SD1400IS which is smaller.


I agree with this for a lower end camera. The Canon PowerShot series of cameras are fantastic. Just make sure you can adjust the resolution when needed to downsize your photo size, etc. depending on how many photos you want to take on one memory card.

For midrange, I really love my Nikon D40, which now is probably out of date. Check the selection at Costco and Best Buy. Talk to the reps there and ask them as many questions as you can think of for what you want use the camera for.


[Edited on 3-26-2011 by Bob H]

Bob H - 3-26-2011 at 07:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I purchased a Samsung ST65 camera. It has a 5x zoom lense. I set the resolution to 2MP. It doesn't have a 3MP. It has 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, two 12s and a 14. Way more options and features that I may never use, but who knows.

...I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.


Pretty sales girl and a nice camera. Great combination.

Here's the scoop on this camera. Seems like a great choice for the price and for what you want it for.

http://www.samsung.com/us/photography/digital-cameras/EC-ST6...

gnukid - 3-26-2011 at 07:43 AM

That's funny, after reading the thread, I recalled I had a Lumix with an error on startup in my drawer, so I decided to be like one of those Mexican fix-it shops like the picture above.

I took apart the camera putting all the parts in a circle around the camera so I would remember where they go, then vacuumed dust and dirt from all the parts, I actaully left the vacuum sucking against the lens for a while. I tapped it on the table a few times and powered it back up with the vacuum running a bunch of times-shazzam-it worked. The old Lumix is back and ready for the beach.

Bob H - 3-26-2011 at 07:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
damn...this string "jinxed" me...

looks like another camera is in the "future" for me...


That's hilarious Bob!

Yeah, it's time for a new camera dude.

wessongroup - 3-26-2011 at 07:54 AM

That D40 still takes a decent shot .... at some point you reach diminishing returns .... unless you plan on making some "indy" movies...

Bob H - 3-26-2011 at 08:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.


My Gawwwd....you still shop in stores? Man.....not me. Gimme a computer, a credit card and a box of beer and I'm a consumer. :lol:


Lots of good deals via the internet, saving on sales tax and sometimes free shipping, etc.

But, when buying a camera one must be aware of possibly buying a grey market camera. Beware and ask lots of questions before buying a SLR camera via the internet, i.e. the Nikon D series. Great prices on these via the internet from New York dealers... but, most likely a grey market camera with no warranty and sometimes no compatibility in the USA on some programs.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/buying-guide/checklist/gray-marke...

tripledigitken - 3-26-2011 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.


My Gawwwd....you still shop in stores? Man.....not me. Gimme a computer, a credit card and a box of beer and I'm a consumer. :lol:


Lots of good deals via the internet, saving on sales tax and sometimes free shipping, etc.

But, when buying a camera one must be aware of possibly buying a grey market camera. Beware and ask lots of questions before buying a SLR camera via the internet, i.e. the Nikon D series. Great prices on these via the internet from New York dealers... but, most likely a grey market camera with no warranty and sometimes no compatibility in the USA on some programs.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/buying-guide/checklist/gray-marke...



I buy most of my camera stuff via the internet at those NEW YORK stores. Adorama and B&H are my two favorites, both offering competitive pricing and excellent service. They cleary state if the camera is a grey market camera! (without USA warantee, otherwise identical)

This thread may help the Japanese economy come back.:cool:

Ken

bonanza bucko - 3-26-2011 at 08:50 AM

I think you should jump in and learn how to take pictures with a digital camera...."point and shoot" will not give you the results that are available in a digital camera to anybody who spends a little time..like an hour..learning how to use one.

Pictures are made my managing light...that's all there is to it. The tools you have to manage light are: 1.)shutter speed, 2.)aperture..the size of the hole in the lens and 3.)sensitivity of the "film"..or of the chip in a digital camera. That sensitivity is called ISO nowadays...used to be call "film speed"...ISO 400 is the same speed as the old "400 speed" color film Kodak sold. On a digital camera you don't buy faster film...you just select a faster ISO..or a slower one..see below.

Now comes the good stuff that "point and shoot" fails to use:

A. Adjusting the "stop"...the aperture..the size of the hole...by one setting cuts the light on the chip in half or doubles it. "Stops" have names like f:4, f:5.6 etc. The reason to use a smaller f stop is that small holes make big depth of field...the stuff close to the camera is in focus and so are the things far away. The reason for a large stop is that the stuff in the background is blurred...so the face of the girl you are shooting is in focus but the graffiti on the fence behind her ain't.

B. Adjusting the speed...for example, 1/100 of a second....lets you stop action or blur it......stop the football in flight or the Baja seagull in flight....blur the background as a little kid rides on a swing. The speed for stopping the football or the seagull is usually about 1/1000th of a second or faster. Conversely, a slow speed is useful to blur motion....like the propeller of an airplane which looks dumb if you stop it in your picture. Obviously also, if you are holding the camera in low light after drinking a glass of Cuervo TaKillYa, you will be shaking and need a faster speed. Adjusting the speed by one setting on the camera either doubles the light on the chip or cuts it in half...so you get to balance the speed with the aperture to get the result you want. It's like a teeter totter...speed and aperture get balanced with one up and one down with the objective of you getting the result you want.

C. ISO...lets you shoot faster with low ISO numbers...with low sensitivity of the "film"...or slower with high settings....if the chip is more sensitive with a high ISO number you can shoot with less light hitting it..with a smaller aperture or a faster speed. Having more ISO is like making the plank on the teeter totter longer...more leverage...more latitude. On a decent and recent digital camera you get ISOs that range from 100 to about 2500. High settings give you more "latitude"...more settings to play with...more tools to adjust your shot. But high ISO also sometimes produces "noise" in the photo..especially if you blow the picture up. The longer board on the teeter totter is more fun but it also is more dangerous! But an ISO of 2500 will also let you take pictures pretty much in the dark without a flash...now ain't that something? You can get a shot of a kid blowing out a candle on a birthday cake without the harsh lighting of a flash. Much nicer.

Lenses come with "stop" maximums....small stop numbers mean the lens can take shots with less light. A lens with a maximum aperture of f:2, for example, can take pictures in half the light of a lens with a max aperture of f:2.4 at any given speed. Lenses with small aperture numbers...with more light capability...are more expensive..and worth it. (one confusion here is that small apertures...like f:2...let in more light than large aperture numbers...like f:22). Also, a lens has a range of stops...an f:2 lens can also shoot all the way down to f:22 or smaller.

Zoom also happens in a good digital camera in the lens...not in the camera where "zoom" in a point and shoot camera is done digitally and with poor results. Zoom lenses are available now with big ranges...you can zoom from wide angle all the way to pretty big telephoto settings on the same lens. Most good lenses nowadays also have "stabilization" in them...you can shoot with a shaky hand or in low light without getting a blur.

Then there is flash which lets you "fill in" the shadows when the light is behind the pretty girl or when you gotta shoot the christmas tree against the bright window. Most "point and shoot" photographers think that the flash is for taking pictures in the dark..or low light. That's why you see all those flashes going off at the stadium on cameras that the shooters hope will capture the football player 200 yards away...won't...picture comes out dark. Now...a good digital camera with a good flash unit attached...or included on it...will AUTOMATICALLY fill in the shadows on something within range and ALSO expose all the other stuff perfectly. The christmas tree against the window won't come out dark while the window is exposed correctly.

This is kinda like having to drive to Baja with a 1972 Nash Rambler with worn Sears Roebuck tires......that's a "point and shoot" car...or with a 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with BFG TAS on it.....that's a good digital camera with a lot of tools on it. If you wanna take good pictures and to be proud of them skip the "point and shoot" cameras and learn how to use your "Tacoma." It's fun. It is not complicated. It takes about an hour...and a little practice which comes naturally.

BTW: If you find all the above somewhat confusing....you have a lot of company there....try going to www.lynda.com where they sell you streaming videos of training on these subjects for about $25 per month and you can cancel the membership any time. There is one called "Foundations of Photography" that is superb. It'll take you about two hours to learn how to be a photographer and not a pointer.

Take your pick.

BB:-)

DENNIS - 3-26-2011 at 08:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
I buy most of my camera stuff via the internet at those NEW YORK stores. Adorama and B&H are my two favorites, both offering competitive pricing and excellent service. They cleary state if the camera is a grey market camera! (without USA warantee, otherwise identical)

This thread may help the Japanese economy come back.:cool:

Ken


Only problem is you can't shop on Saturday after a robust bout of beer drinking. It's a church day in New York.

I wonder how many Japanese products are actually made in China?

tripledigitken - 3-26-2011 at 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
I buy most of my camera stuff via the internet at those NEW YORK stores. Adorama and B&H are my two favorites, both offering competitive pricing and excellent service. They cleary state if the camera is a grey market camera! (without USA warantee, otherwise identical)

This thread may help the Japanese economy come back.:cool:

Ken


Only problem is you can't shop on Saturday after a robust bout of beer drinking. It's a church day in New York.

I wonder how many Japanese products are actually made in China?


Actually very few. With Nikon you have to move up to the Pro level to find any that are made in Japan. None the less the profits go back there.

Ken

Skipjack Joe - 3-26-2011 at 10:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bonanza bucko

I think you should jump in and learn how to take pictures with a digital camera...."point and shoot" will not give you the results that are available in a digital camera to anybody who spends a little time.....


.... and money.

A lot more money. He just bought a camera for $128. And that included the lens. I don't think there's a good DSLR under $500 and that's without the lens.

TW just wanted to get his feet wet. I think that's fine.

But your point is valid. Look how long Diane struggled on this board until she upgraded to a good DSLR. Then suddenly she became a good photographer.

Ken Bondy - 3-26-2011 at 10:56 AM

There is certainly a place for P&S cameras, and it would include compactness, the ability to do spontaneous photos of people, and quick shots of things you simply want to remember or record. I have several P&S cameras (I never throw anything away), but I rarely use them anymore, my iPhone camera is adequate for that type of photography and I virtually ALWAYS have that with me. But for any serious photography you must be able to select the right lens, and then look through it. Only with SLR cameras can you precisely determine composition and point-of-focus, the two most important parameters in making a photograph that qualifies as art.

Plus P&S cameras don't let you do HDR, which is so much fun it should be illegal:



[Edited on 3-26-2011 by Ken Bondy]

DENNIS - 3-26-2011 at 11:30 AM

Nice job, Ken. Which HDR program do you use?

Ken Bondy - 3-26-2011 at 11:51 AM

Thanks Dennis. I use Photomatix.

Skipjack Joe - 3-26-2011 at 12:23 PM

Same Morro Rock with a Point and Shoot. Recorded when visiting Ken's photo gallery.

morro_rock.jpg - 44kB

MitchMan - 3-26-2011 at 12:24 PM

Good stuff, Bonanzo Bucko. Excellent info, well written.

When I shoot, I go completely manual with my P&S and DSLR, even the flash. It's not really as hard as most would think. If you understand light and how each of the settings and flash power/distance affect the exposure, your keeper ratio can go up to the high 90 percentiles. However, the automatic mode for P&S's in most situations is pretty darn good.

DENNIS - 3-26-2011 at 02:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Thanks Dennis. I use Photomatix.


The best.

landyacht318 - 3-26-2011 at 03:21 PM

Back in '07 I ordered a D 30 from one of those NY places, cannot remember which one. The guy on the phone tried so hard to upsell me on batteries, lenses, memory cards, one time I just hung up on the bastard.

I called back placed an order without any upselling, and 2 days later still did not get a confirmation e mail. when I called them they said they cancelled my order.

Most likely because they could not get me to spend 250$ for a 40$ memory card.

Anyway, I just Decided to get a P&S camera instead. A canon A640 which allows me do do many of the same manual functions as a SLR camera. It's far from perfect, but can take a nice photo. The Flip out screen is a huge bonus as it allows one to place the camera very low or high , or in a tight spot and still aim it where desired.


[Edited on 3-26-2011 by landyacht318]

bonanza bucko - 3-27-2011 at 07:53 AM

Ken's HDR shot of Moro rock and harbor is superb...needs to be entered in a contest....would win.

It's also a very fine example of what can be done with a camera and a computer nowadays. We have some fantastic tools.
BB:-)

DENNIS - 3-27-2011 at 08:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by landyacht318
The guy on the phone tried so hard to upsell me on batteries, lenses, memory cards, one time I just hung up on the bastard.



If you want to have some real "fun", call them and try to cancel an order. That as close as one can get to talking to the wall. :fire:

Ken Bondy - 3-27-2011 at 09:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Same Morro Rock with a Point and Shoot. Recorded when visiting Ken's photo gallery.


Glad you made it down there Igor!! Did you see Paulina while you were there?

Bob H - 3-27-2011 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Thanks Dennis. I use Photomatix.


Ken, good stuff. Now I'm learning something new to me.

http://abduzeedo.com/how-create-hdr-photos-hdrphotomatix-tut...

I've got a lot of studying to do.

Skipjack Joe - 3-27-2011 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Same Morro Rock with a Point and Shoot. Recorded when visiting Ken's photo gallery.


Glad you made it down there Igor!! Did you see Paulina while you were there?


Yes I did. We had breakfast within a few steps of where that shot was taken. All in all I could see why you were attracted to that lagoon. There was a sense of peace about it and the morning light was wonderful.

Paulina suggested that we visit the elephant seals at San Simeon and we were not disappointed.

PICS-003.jpg - 39kB

Bob H - 3-27-2011 at 12:06 PM

WOW, I have never seen so many seals gathered on one beach! Nice photo for sure.

Skipjack Joe - 3-27-2011 at 12:22 PM

The one in front could be a good candidate that liposuction I keep reading about.