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Post by Eagle on Feb 9, 2006 1:38:16 GMT -5
Tony, no apologies necessary, your post sounded fine. I'm more familiar with Canon products than Nikon, so that's what I tend to recommend.
You're right that Canon seems to introduce products a lot more frequently than many other manufacturers (such as Nikon). I suspect that's at least partly due to the fact that most of Canon's manufacturing is "in house" -- they make the components in their own facilities, and therefore don't have to rely on other manufacturers for sensors or whatever. They also have a wider range of SLR Lenses to choose from (most of us would like to have "L" glass, but who can afford it!).
With regard to "screen size", I tend to prefer a larger and brighter display for two reasons (these may apply to others as well):
-- I'm somewhat "older" so kind of prefer a larger display. Even if I'm just reviewing photos, it's nice to have the larger size. This is also important if one is in a "group situation" where various people want to see the pictures that have just been taken. -- Most LCD displays "wash out" badly in bright sunlight. I found this to be a problem taking & reviewing photos during the day. Some newer Cameras have deleted the optical viewfinder, which is a DUMB decision IMHO! The "daylight factor" makes the "readability" of the display quite important, and I've found the larger display helps somewhat. BTW, the first accessory I ordered for my Camera was a Screen Protector, and fortunately this doesn't seem to degrade the image at all.
Incidentally, the display brightness of the Digital Rebel was one of the features that was criticized by a number of reviewers (apparently the original Rebel had a brighter display--why this was inhibited in the new model, only Canon's designers know for sure). I knew that when I purchased, but it's a minor detail and I should be able to function with the Camera regardless. I certainly agree that it's best to keep this toned-down if possible, to conserve battery power. I usually have two or three batteries when travelling (re-charge every night), so I should be OK if keeping the brightness at a higher level.
I tend to "hold onto" things like Cameras or other electronic gear for a long time, that's why I'm so careful with the "pre-purchase research" and tend to buy "leading edge". I think I bought my S-50 in late 2003, so it's over two years old already, and I have no plans to get rid of it; it still works well, and is a useful "throw in the pocket" Camera. On my next trip I won't be packing the dSLR around at night (for obvious reasons) but will likely have the smaller Camera with me most of the time. Having a small 5 MP Camera should still allow me to capture some great shots (I was amazed at some of the night shots I was able to get in England -- having a full range of controls is sure a benefit!).
Have you seen the previews of the PMA show on the various photo forums? It's interesting that new Cameras have been announced by a number of different manufacturers, but from what I've seen so far there's nothing from Canon yet? That leads me to believe that they might make several huge announcements, starting on the day the show opens on 26 Feb. - I guess we'll see? Wonder what new "bells & whistles" the new models will have?
In the meantime, I've got a lot of work to do in learning how to use the d-Rebel properly. I haven't been able to get out much for photo shoots due to my leg injury, but I've been going through the manual quite thoroughly. Hopefully I'll be able to get some good shots on my next trip to add to the GFE photo library (maybe even an updated photo of myself!).
Cheers!!!
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Post by Eagle on Feb 9, 2006 0:42:35 GMT -5
Tony, I agree that it's certainly possible to obtain excellent quality enlargements & crops from a 6 MP Camera. In many cases the difference between 6 MP photos and 8 MP won't be readily discernible.
My suggestions to those considering a Camera purchase were based on several factors:
-- 7 - 8 MP Cameras are becoming increasingly common these days, and the prices are not much higher than 5 MP models. If one is going to buy a Camera, why not get the best resolution one can afford as it will provide the flexibility for good quality enlargements or cropping if desired; many of the "experts" on various photo forums seem to recommend this approach.
-- 5 MP Cameras are quickly becoming the "low end", and I suspect this trend will become more pronounced after the PMA show at the end of the month. The range of 5 MP models on the market seems to be shrinking and many have already been discontinued (such as my venerable S-50). While 3.2 MP Cameras will take perfectly adequate 4 x 6 prints or photos for Internet use, it's getting increasingly difficult (and in some cases impossible) to find lower resolution Cameras in stores.
-- "Generally sensors of digital compact cameras are substantially smaller than those of digital SLRs with a similar pixel count. As a consequence, the pixel size is substantially smaller. This explains the lower image quality of digital compact cameras, especially in terms of noise and dynamic range". Therefore, those using the smaller P & S Cameras might not get the same results with a 13 x 19 enlargement, as those using a dSLR?
-- I've always tended to buy somewhat "leading edge" products as they don't become obsolete quite so fast (although with electronics, the market changes so quickly that products seem to become obsolete rather quickly these days). I don't usually use "price" as the prime factor in a purchase decision, but instead place more emphasis on features and buying a product that will best fit my needs (price is certainly important, but is not the most important criteria).
-- Finally, many of the newer 7-8 MP Camera models have some very nice additional features, such as 2.5" LCD displays, etc. Some models also have improved "photo engines" (such as the Digic II) which produce better images than some of the less expensive, lower resolution, older models.
Certainly everyone will have to decide which brand, resolution and features will best fit their needs in a Digital Camera. When I decided to buy a Digital Rebel at Christmas, I chose what I felt was the best model for me in terms of resolution and features, according to what I could afford at the time. If there had been a 10-12 MP version of that Camera available in the same price range, that's what I would have bought.
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Post by Eagle on Feb 4, 2006 15:24:40 GMT -5
Doug, congratulations on the dSLR purchase; I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it! You should be able to "compare notes" with Kim, as I'm sure the D50 shares a lot of the same control modes, etc. as her D70.
I've been finding with my Digital Rebel that one has to spend some time with the owner's manual to become familiar with all the different shooting modes, etc. There's definitely a learning curve! I bought my Camera at Christmas and am still trying to learn how to use it properly. One of the most common comments on some of the photo forums, is that the dSLR's don't produce the same quality images as some of the small P&S Cameras when used in the "auto" mode (possibly due to the sharpening parameters or whatever?). Consequently, I'm trying to become more familiar with shutter priority, aperture priority and the other "manual" features.
Cheers!!!
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Post by Eagle on Feb 1, 2006 13:50:42 GMT -5
patrickt, I wasn't able to see a link to the Camera that you bought on-lne? Which brand / model was it?
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Post by Eagle on Jan 28, 2006 18:38:49 GMT -5
patrickt, I don't have much information on Nikon models, so can't offer too many comments on the model in the web link. I wasn't able to find a review on that particular model on dpreview, however Steve's Digicams had a reasonably favourable review. Unfortunately, Steve's rating system is a bit different than dpreview, so the results might be interpreted differently depending on who is reading it. Dpreview at least provides a "Recommended" or "Highly Recommended" tag, so it's a bit easier to understand. ALL digi-Cams have weaknesses of one sort or another, so it's well worthwhile to read the "pros & cons" at the end of the review. However, one thought that occurred to me is that any of the small P&S Cameras might not entirely fit your criteria. Except for the S-70 & S-80, the lens on most models is a bit "limited" for "sweeping nature shots, and pics of the incredible architecture" (not sure if the Nikon model is capable of "stitching" ) As you want a Camera that "does it all", you will have to compromise features vs. budget. Also, be sure to check that the Nikon model in the web link is supplied with a "world charger"; that's important if you're going to be travelling with it! Also consider which type of Memory format is used -- CF is typically the cheapest and has the largest capacities, SD is almost the same, but XD and Memory Stick are usually somewhat more expensive. That has to be factored into the total cost of the Camera. Since you "really want to capture the best images I can", it's probably a good idea to establish a 5 MP limit as the low-end of your criteria. 7 or 8 MP would of course be better, and allow more flexibility in cropping or enlarging. Having the ability to shoot in RAW format can be an advantage in some cases, although most of these need some degree of post-processing (unfortunately, Canon deleted the RAW capability from the S-80, but the S-70 still had this). For good Camera prices, BH Photo has some good prices but also check www.jr.com as they also offer very competitive prices. You could also check EBay as lots of people sell off perfectly good Cameras in excellent condition, just so that they can have the newest model with all the "bells & whistles". There's an S-70 listed on there today. However, as with anything on EBay, it's "Caveat Emptor"! Again, good luck with your decision. It's a bit of a daunting chore to sift through all the information, as there are so many Cameras on the market!
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Post by Eagle on Jan 27, 2006 16:05:47 GMT -5
patrickt, a few points regarding batteries. Both of my digi-cams use rechargeable Li-Ion batteries. I prefer to have at least three batteries while travelling, so that I'll have adequate power if I have a "long day". So far I haven't had any problems travelling with these. I try to find an outlet in the Hostel room and recharge while I'm going to be there for a few hours. There's also the possibility of asking the staff at the desk to recharge, if "security" is an issue.
Although my Cameras use Li-Ion technology, I'm sure I could function equally well with AA Ni-MH batteries. Ni-MH tends to have a higher self discharge rate than Li-Ion, so one has to make sure the charge is "topped up" if the batteries have been idle for some time since last being charged. Of course alkaline AA batteries can also be used if nothing else is available, in many cases these only provide a small number of photos before the "low battery" warning appears, due to the discharge curve of alkaline vs. rechargeables. There is usually lots of power left in the alkaline cells at this point, but the voltage has decayed to the low voltage trigger point of the Camera.
Could you clarify what you are referring to by an "internal battery"? While the batteries on my Camera are mounted "internally", they are removable for charging. It's certainly no problem to change them in the field.
As far as which Camera to buy, it's difficult to make a specific recommendation. What size of Camera do you want to pack around while travelling? It's going to be difficult to fit all of your criteria with anything less than a dSLR. Most of the P&S models only have 3x optical zoom, which I find a bit limiting most of the time. Perhaps one of the "monster zoom" models would fit your needs? If you decide on a compact P&S, check out the Canon S-80. It received the coveted "Highly Recommended" on dpreview; it also provides somewhat of a "wide angle" lens, has 3.6x optical zoom and has an adequate amount of manual controls to offer some degree of flexibility. Keep in mind however that most of the compact models only provide limited ISO range.
Anyway, good luck with your selection!!!!
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Post by Eagle on Jan 24, 2006 17:38:39 GMT -5
Cat, I suspect you will be able to buy a Camera far cheaper in the U.S. than you would in Europe. I'm not too familiar with the pricing in the Netherlands, but in the U.K. the residents seem to pay an extremely high price once all the VAT, etc. is added. I checked Camera prices in the duty free shops in Gatwick, and I can get a better deal here in Canada in most cases, even paying full retail. I doubt that you will have any problem continuing to use the Camera in Europe. However, it's important that you choose a Camera that is supplied with a "world charger" as standard equipment - the input voltage should be shown as 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. (or something similar to that). That way you won't have to bother with voltage converters and other gadgets. You will need a Plug adapter though, as the Camera you buy will be supplied with a North American style plug. In my experience most (if not all) Canon models are supplied with "world chargers". I had no problems charging the batteries for my S-50 when in the U.K. There should be no problems at all with Memory Cards AFAIK. The Camera will be designed to accept a particular format of Card (Compact Flash, Secure Digital or whatever). One point to note though -- when formatting the Memory Card, I belive it's preferred to do this in the Camera, rather than using a PC or whatever. That ensures that the file structure is properly compatible with that of the Camera. Compact Flash is generally the least expensive format and currently has the highest capacities, followed closely by Secure Digital. XD cards and Memory Sticks are usually a bit more expensive. It's very difficult to recommend a particular Camera for you to buy, as everyone's needs and preferences are different. Also, it would help to know what type of Camera you are considering? I generally separate digital Cameras into three "basic groups" -- compact "point & shoot" Cameras, "monster zoom" Cameras and digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras. The compact P & S models are the smallest and easiest to put in a pocket, but these lack long zoom range and in some cases only have very minimal controls available (most only have 3x optical zoom and usually some amount of digital zoom, however this should be used sparingly as it degrades image quality); the "monster zoom" Cameras are somewhat larger in size, but offer much longer zoom range (often image stabilized to prevent blurring of the photos) and usually a greater amount of control flexibility; the dSLR Cameras are larger again, and offer the ability to change lenses and these have the most control flexibility but are also the most expensive. If you buy a Camera in the U.S., it would probably be a good idea to buy at least one spare Battery as these will undoubtedly be cheaper than in Europe. Some people prefer Cameras that take AA batteries (Ni-MH rechargeable are the preferred type) and some prefer Cameras which take Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Both types are good (my Camera uses Li-Ion and I've never had a problem with these -- they have an excellent power-to-weight ratio so are great for travel). It's also a good idea to buy at least one spare Memory Card as again these will probably be cheaper in the U.S., and perhaps a small Case to store all your new kit (I use LowePro Cases, and have found their quality to be excellent). The size of Memory Cards you buy will be dictated partially by the resolution of your Camera. If you buy a 5 MP or above Camera, I would suggest at least a 512 MB Card. Not sure how much you are planning on spending, but a few models you could look at are the Canon SD-550, SD-500, S-70, S-80, S2-IS or the Sony DSC-W5 or W7 (I find the menu system on the Canon models more logically organized, but the Sony models have received good reviews). I'm not too familiar with Nikon models, so can't suggest any. If you find a model that appeals to you, check www.dpreview.com or www.steves-digicams.com for detailed reviews. Have a look at the User Forums on dpreview also, as other users often have some very good information on how well various models work. Hope this has been some help. Good luck with your Camera decision and your trip to the U.S.!!!
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Post by Eagle on Jan 21, 2006 0:00:25 GMT -5
dougj, the 20D is a fantastic Camera. I looked at that model when I was shopping for a dSLR at Christmas, but ended up choosing the Rebel XT as it fit more of the points on my selection criteria (size and weight were important factors).
I was fortunate to find one Camera shop in my area (not one of the usual "big box" retailers) that was staffed with professional and very knowledgeable sales people. They seem to specialize in both Canon and Nikon products, and some staff were "experts" on one brand or the other. Not only did they have all the answers to my questions, they were able to supply "from stock", the precise package of body, lens & accessories that I wanted.
I believe the 20D has already been discounted at least once, but as you said I think further price decreases will occur once the new model is introduced. In addition, I'll bet there will be LOTS of 20D's on E-Bay when the new model hits the store shelves!
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Post by Eagle on Jan 20, 2006 18:00:04 GMT -5
Thank goodness Canon makes their own CCD / CMOS sensors. They don't have to rely on any other manufacturer.
DougJ, the successor to the 20D should be released any time now. The rumor mill says that the PMA show in February is probably when we'll first see the new model.
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Post by Eagle on Jan 19, 2006 20:15:52 GMT -5
Ging, I think the "writing is on the wall" with regards to film Cameras. From what I recall, Kodak has also started to downsize their film division quite drastically in favour of digital. I suspect that the wide selection in types of film will be a thing of the past very soon, and only a few types of film will be available.
When I first started using digital Cameras, I was a bit skeptical but I'm definitely a "convert" now. My experience with compact digital vs. film Cameras on my trip to England was an "awakening". By the end of the trip, I was using the digital almost exclusively. At the moment, I'm trying to become thoroughly familiar with my new digital SLR.
Most certainly there are pros & cons with both formats, and one should use whichever type they are most comfortable with. The issue of long term storage is something I haven't addressed yet, as hard drives DO fail and even burning to CD is not infallible (according to the "experts").
Hope your trip is going well; looking forward to your pictures!
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Post by Eagle on Nov 5, 2005 0:51:27 GMT -5
bluechigger, first of all, welcome to the Board! I'll try to answer some of your questions briefly. Now that more people are travelling with digital Cameras, these questions seem to come up more often. As mentioned previously, it's not really a good idea to pack your Laptop around with you, as it's just one more piece of kit to worry about. If it were to be stolen (especially towards the end of your trip), you'd lose not only the Laptop but also all of your photos! However, if you need this for school, you may have to take it along? It's highly impractical and perhaps impossible in some cases, to transfer photos via USB at Net Cafes, for a variety of reasons. With larger file sizes this becomes a VERY slow process, all of which you're paying for. In addition, my Canon Camera had a very strong warning that the Camera was NOT to be connected to a PC until the software was loaded. I can just about guarantee that Operators of each Net Cafe you visit will NOT allow you to load software. In addition you will find a variety of PC's in use with a variety of OS's in use. You might want to check www.adrianwarren.com for further information, as this topic is well covered there. Some Net Cafes might allow you to plug a Card Reader into the USB port. If they are using fairly current OS's on their computers, it probably won't be necessary to worry about driver software for the Card Reader. I find that transferring photos using the Card Reader is a bit easier than plugging the Camera in. Your best bet (again, as suggested previously) would be to find a Photo shop and have your Photos "burned" to CD when the cards are full. These shops are becoming a lot more common now, and the staff at the Hostel will likely be able to direct you to a local shop. You could also take a portable CD Burner along, such as the Apacer Disk Steno. I believe one of our members here used that method on her trip, and it seemed to work well. Another option would be Portable Photo Hard Drives (with built-in Card Readers) such as the Epson P-2000 or FlashTrax XT, but these are a bit on the pricey side, and carry some of the same "worry factor" as Laptops. You might have to wait until you have access to somewhat normal Internet facilities before you'll be able to transfer your photos to the Flicker site. This situation is improving all the time, so if you find a method that works well, let us know as I'm sure it will benefit all on the Board. Sorry for the delay in replying to your post. The last week or two have been very "hectic" and I haven't had much time to spend on the net lately. Good luck and happy travels!!!
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Post by Eagle on Oct 6, 2005 17:02:50 GMT -5
jumper, first of all, welcome to the Board! With regard to your Digital Camera questions, it's difficult to recommend a specific Camera as everyone's preferences are different. You would probably be able to obtain a lot of good information by reading some of the previous posts in this section of the Board. IMHO you might have to budget a bit more for your Camera purchase, as you'll need to buy Memory Cards, extra Batteries and a reasonably good Case is advisable as well. I'm most familiar with the Canon line of Cameras, so that's what I tend to recommend. It would help to know what type of Camera you're considering? From the brief description in your Post, it sounds like you might want a small "point & shoot" model, something like the Canon S-60/70/80, SD-550, A-XXX series or whatever. A Camera such as the S2-IS provides a lot more capability in a small package, but it's well above the budget amount you wanted to spend. Most of these have a somewhat limited 3x optical zoom (often with some degree of digital zoom which is a bit of a gimmick). The exception to this is the S2-IS which has a 12x optical zoom, with image stabiization! Some have a good range of both auto and manual controls as well. As you become more familiar with the Camera, you might appreciate having a greater range of controls to change aperture, shutter or exposure settings. As far as battery charging, most of the Canon models are provided with a "world charger" which operates on 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, so you won't have a problem using this in Europe. You will need Plug Adapters though (very inexpensive, check your local Radio Shack store). When you buy the Camera, you will have to verify that the Charger has this capability. Don't be too concerned about which type of batteries are used in the Camera. They will either be rechargeable AA batteries or the "proprietary" Lithium-Ion. My Camera uses Li-Ion and these have worked well so far. You might want to start by visiting your local Camera / Electronic stores and look at the various Cameras. Don't be in a hurry to buy, and don't be "badgered" into buying a Camera until you've had time to evaluate the different models. Keep in mind that some of the "sales associates" are on commission, and they don't really care if you get the best Camera for your needs - they just want the sale! Once you've narrowed down a few models that might be suitable, check the reviews and forums at www.dpreview.com or www.steves-digicams.com to find out how the Cameras you're considering have fared under professional scrutiny. The small P&S Cameras are easy to carry, but they do have limitations, so give that some thought. Whichever Camera you buy, make sure you become thoroughly familiar with it BEFORE you leave on your trip. There is a bit of a learning curve - read the Manual! Also, give some thought on how you're going to store the images once your Memory Cards are full (again, lots of information has already been posted here on that topic). Hope this has been some help. Good luck with your Camera purchase (BTW, Christmas is coming - maybe you can convince family members to give you an extravagant gift, or at least some of the accessories for the Camera). Cheers!!!
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Post by Eagle on Sept 1, 2005 12:54:44 GMT -5
Melanie, glad you found a Camera for your trip. Happy shooting!!! We'll expect to see some photos here!!!
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Post by Eagle on Aug 31, 2005 15:49:56 GMT -5
Melanie, this doesn't have to be your "last question" regarding digital Cameras. Ask more if you want.
To add to what Muvver wrote, anything above 5 MP should be quite adequate, however this will depend on whether you intend on enlarging or cropping your images on a regular basis.
Based on your last post, I'm a bit confused on whether you're looking for a more "capable" Camera such as a "Monster Zoom" model, or whether you want a newer, more flexible and up-to-date Point & Shoot model? As it's your intention to become a "pro" Photographer, I wouldn't recommend something like the SD-500, due to the limited range of controls and "short" zoom.
If you want a compact and easily carried Camera with a good range of both auto and manual controls, you might have a look at either the Canon S-70 or the new S-80. These both provide 3.6x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (which is a gimmick and should be used sparingly), and somewhat of a wide angle Lens. More importantly these have an excellent range of both "scene" and "creative" modes, selection of Aperture or Shutter speed priority, etc. The newer S-80 has a beautiful large LCD screen on the back, but Canon has removed the capability for RAW files on this model, for some reason. You will probably just be shooting JPEG, so this might not be a concern for you? The S-80 will be hitting store shelves in October, but you can look at the S-70 now.
Again, to reiterate what Muvver wrote, you might find that having the long "reach" with a 12x zoom is something you will find is really useful during travel. The best way to find out which Camera will be best for your needs, would be to visit one of your local stores that carries a good selection of these. You might want to visit a couple of different stores, as I've found that some "sales associates" tend to push whichever model they're getting the best commission on, regardless of whether it's "right" for the buyer. Look at a variety of Cameras, and get a variety of opinions. Don't forget to "double check" any models you're considering on dpreview.
When you buy you will also have to budget for at least one extra battery / sets of batteries (depending on model), extra memory cards and a good robust Case is also a good idea. I bought a LowePro for my S-50 and it seems to be excellent quality -- I'm looking at another LowePro for my new dSLR (when I finally getting around to buying it), hoping to find one that will fit inside my Daypack so I can use the "stealth" approach; I like this better than wearing a Backpack that sticks out like a beacon because it looks like a Camera pack!
I've concentrated mostly on the features of Canon models, as that's what I'm most familiar with. By all means, check out whichever brands you like.
Hope this helps.
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Post by Eagle on Aug 31, 2005 0:21:27 GMT -5
Melanie, all the Cameras you listed look excellent! You might also add the Panasonic FZ-5 to the list, as it is the same "type" of Camera as the others. I checked dpreview, and the S2-IS & FZ5 came with the "Highly Recommended" rating, while the 8800 & A200 were given the "Recommended" rating. It's difficult to recommend a Camera for someone else, as everyone's needs and preferences are so different. Not sure which web sites you've looked at, but I usually check www.dpreview.com , www.steves-digicams.com and www.imaging-resource.com (be sure to check the "Dave's Picks" section). Make sure you check the Forums for whichever Cameras you're considering also, as there is LOTS of great information there from others who have bought the same Cameras. You might also enjoy having a look at www.luminous-landscape.com and www.fredmiranda.com, as they have some excellent examples of what some Photographers are doing these days. Good luck with your Camera purchase!
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