The Official S-T.N Digital Camera Thread

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I have had great luck with my little handheld camera and it takes great movies as well, Canon SD870.

[XLR8]

This is kind of Canon Rebel trivia but I was checking out some differences in dynamic range among them because I was wondering if any of the newer models are better in this respect. I have a 400D/Xti.

Model\\\\\Shadow\\\\Highlight\\\Useable Range

400D\\\\\\\-4.9\\\\\\\\\+3.5\\\\\\\8.4EV

450D\\\\\\\-5.1\\\\\\\\\+3.6\\\\\\\8.7EV

500D\\\\\\\-5.1\\\\\\\\\+3.4\\\\\\\8.6EV

7D\\\\\\\\\\-5.0\\\\\\\\\+3.3\\\\\\\8.3EV


There's nothing that really motivates me to upgrade but I did notice a new 15-85 IS EF-S lens which appears to get good reviews.

[Thunder7]

So its been a while since I've posted anything due to the fact that I just been too busy but I wanted to check in and say that I've been seeing some amazing work posted in the "methods" thread. Wow. A little product talk while I have the time- The Canon 7D is an amazing camera. I'm a Nikon shooter and all I can say is that if Canon had the 7D on the market when my Canon 30D puked I would have bought it. If you're hooked on Canon and looking for a crop-frame SLR I couldn't recommend it more. IMO it is every bit the equal of the Nikon D300/300s and is a great "apology" from Canon for the miserable 50D.

Panasonic: I haven't had a chance to play with the GH1 of GF1 but after fondling a G1 months ago I'd consider one as an alternative to lugging around my Nikon D3 and all the lenses I have for it if I knew I didn't need it. I like the idea of all the different adapters from companies like Novoflex which allow for the use of many different types of lenses, from the ultra-basic but still high quality Pentax Screw and/or K-Mount to the incomparable Leica M-Mount series (Which also include the less expensive Zeiss-Ikon lenses).

I'm not so impressed with their latest round of P&S cameras (ZS1 and ZS3). The ZS1/3 now uses a proprietary battery system that forces a user to only buy Panasonic brand batteries. Panasonic's excuse is tat aftermarket batteries are dangerous. A complete load of BS is what it is. Canon is kicking ass and taking names with the G11 and S90 compact cameras as well. If the G11 was available this time last year I wouldn't have bought my Leica D-Lux 4 (Which is STILL a sweet little camera and yes, closely related to the Panasonic LX3)

On another note, I will be traveling back to Turkey next year and will most likely be bringing along the new (Still waiting for release) Leica X1, thanks to my local Leica rep. I'll still be packing along my Nikon D3 and a load out that will allow me all the flexibility I need but having the opportunity to "play" with a camera such as that is something I dont want to pass up.

Thats about it from my end. Hope everybody is well and please enjoy this upcoming holiday season.

[Thunder7]

Working in a "toy store" has its upsides. At the end of the day I may very well be in posession of a (barely) used Micro Nikon VR 105mm f2.8 (Nikon says "micro", the rest of the world says "macro").

Yeah, merry-happy to me.  

[torags v2]

Happy holidays everybody. good shooting in 2010

Rags

[hobie1dog]

Bear with me...first post in the photo thread.  My wife has a film Canon 35mm unit that she loves, but she wants to switch over to the digital version.  She can get a Nikon D3000 free with her airline points.

Any opinions on this one?

[Avigar]

Bear with me...first post in the photo thread.  My wife has a film Canon 35mm unit that she loves, but she wants to switch over to the digital version.  She can get a Nikon D3000 free with her airline points.

Any opinions on this one?

The D3000 is considered to be a starter DSLR, much like the Canon Rebel XS series. It's geared towards the folks making the transition from P&S to DSLR. How are your wife's photography skills? Does she consider herself a beginner, amateur, or advanced? If she's a beginner, amateur, or a casual shooter, then yes, it's a great starter and simple to use DSLR. If she's more advanced, I'd recommend going with the Nikon D90 kit.

Here's another thought, if she has a collection of Canon lenses already, I'd recommend staying with Canon. Unless, of course, she wants to start fresh and make the switch to Nikon completely.

Here's a link to the Nikonians forum, which has tons of info on anything and everything Nikon.

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/

[David Morrow]

I'm on my 4th or 5th basic P&S digital and would like to step into something that would provide a better quality photo. My local photo shop suggested the Panasonic G1 and I've heard some great things about it. I know that I shouldn't turn up my nose at it just because of its proprietary battery but that really turns me off. But it is just about the right size and level of complexity (or lack of complexity). The standard lens looks like it would be sufficient for me so additional lenses aren't really an issue for me. I used to use a Canon EF 35mm back in film days and really miss it and what I could do. But things have changed and I haven't kept up.

Like the post above, I have enough points to get a "free" Nikon D3000 or Canon XSi.

My only real criteria are viewfinder and reasonable size. Keeping to the price to $1,000 would be nice. I'm sure more $$$ would get me a better camera but my skills wouldn't be up to it.

I'm really at a loss where to turn for advise. Suggestions for a make & model or web based resource would be great.

[Avigar]

I'm on my 4th or 5th basic P&S digital and would like to step into something that would provide a better quality photo. My local photo shop suggested the Panasonic G1 and I've heard some great things about it. I know that I shouldn't turn up my nose at it just because of its proprietary battery but that really turns me off. But it is just about the right size and level of complexity (or lack of complexity). The standard lens looks like it would be sufficient for me so additional lenses aren't really an issue for me. I used to use a Canon EF 35mm back in film days and really miss it and what I could do. But things have changed and I haven't kept up.

Like the post above, I have enough points to get a "free" Nikon D3000 or Canon XSi.

My only real criteria are viewfinder and reasonable size. Keeping to the price to $1,000 would be nice. I'm sure more $$$ would get me a better camera but my skills wouldn't be up to it.

I'm really at a loss where to turn for advise. Suggestions for a make & model or web based resource would be great.

David, it would depend on what type of photography you will be getting into. Are you looking into moving up into a DSLR, perhaps? Or do you want to get into a more advanced P&S camera?

[David Morrow]

David, it would depend on what type of photography you will be getting into. Are you looking into moving up into a DSLR, perhaps? Or do you want to get into a more advanced P&S camera?

I suppose that is part of my question. I understand that the G1 isn't technically a DSLR but is described by some as being a substitute or being in the same class.

I would like a better quality picture than what I am currently getting. Some of my shots are good but I'm feeling like a better quality camera and lens would give me a better result. I would also like to take some continuing education photography classes. That's what makes me think a DSLR would get me closer to what I want. Typically I'm just a roadside shooter but I do a lot of riding and so see an awful lot of roadside that I'd like to shoot. I'd like a bit more flexibility. And maybe a better camera would get me off the bike more to explore things that I might otherwise just ride past.

One of this past year's favorite shots from my P&S (or is that PoS ? )

[Avigar]

You'll first want to work on your post processing and composition. Combined with lots of practice, your pictures will gradually improve in quality. It's mostly about composition. There are plenty of websites that have basic photography info and tips such as the "Rule of Thirds" you might also want to look into.

I took the liberty of modifying your original picture and came up with this interpretation as a sample. I cropped it closer, sharpened, and boosted the colors a little to improve the final picture.

[Jeff]

I'm not familiar with the Panasonic G1, but if you want to keep size down to fit easily in a tank bag, you could also look into something like the Canon G11.

[Thunder7]

Back on Saturday evening I was a little bored so I headed off to my new studio just to goof around with my gear.

[Thunder7]

I'm not familiar with the Panasonic G1, but if you want to keep size down to fit easily in a tank bag, you could also look into something like the Canon G11.

Or get a Tank bag big enough to hold a larger camera

[Jeff]

Back on Saturday evening I was a little bored so I headed off to my new studio just to goof around with my gear.

  Kick ass Fred.

[ajf]

You'll first want to work on your post processing and composition. Combined with lots of practice, your pictures will gradually improve in quality. It's mostly about composition. There are plenty of websites that have basic photography info and tips such as the "Rule of Thirds" you might also want to look into.

I took the liberty of modifying your original picture and came up with this interpretation as a sample. I cropped it closer, sharpened, and boosted the colors a little to improve the final picture.

Just browsing because I'm thinking of getting a better camera, and I run across this.   This is a good example of why I can never take artsy-fartsy activities seriously.  You cropped out some interesting detail of the farmyard in the background, and your cropping of the sky and field destroyed the sense of the size of the farm, and your "sharpening" makes it harder to see some details on the airplane.  Improvement?  NO WAY.

[Jeff]

Calling other people's passions artsy-fartsy will never lend itself to taking it seriously. Avigar's cropping was an EXAMPLE. The good thing about art, in any form, is that it's opinion. You might not feel it's improvement, Avigar obviously does; who knows with the original shooter.

You might not like what Avigar did here, but I'd say he's at least moving it in the right direction. Maybe the cropping isn't quite right. Maybe sharpening was done a bit too much. But the good thing is, it's all based on opinion.

You should start shooting and posting up some samples of what you think is good.

Jeff

[Avigar]

Just browsing because I'm thinking of getting a better camera, and I run across this.   This is a good example of why I can never take artsy-fartsy activities seriously.  You cropped out some interesting detail of the farmyard in the background, and your cropping of the sky and field destroyed the sense of the size of the farm, and your "sharpening" makes it harder to see some details on the airplane.  Improvement?  NO WAY.

As Jeff mentioned, it's just my interpretation of the original post.    Just imagine how boring it would be if everyone's style and taste are the same. I encourage you to post and share some your work so we can see your interpretations.

[Avigar]

Back on Saturday evening I was a little bored so I headed off to my new studio just to goof around with my gear.

That's great, Fred!    Congrats. So, this is your own private studio setup?

[Thunder7]

Being the closest thing to a pro shooter here I have to say that the great majority of images I've seen here are just plain fantastic. A well thought out critique is never a bad thing but criticism based solely on uninformed opinions is about as welcome as a proctological exam.

Being an accomplished shooter I have my preferences and methods which are strictly subjective. Be that as it may, if somebody likes my work (Especially enough to buy it) then I'm gratified. If not- Well, tough shit- I shot it for me, and to put on MY walls.

In other words, your interpretation is completely subjective and is merely an (Uninformed, inexperienced) opinion. There isnt one bloody good reason to be insulting about it.