Cameras. (Lise and SD)

[P.C.]

We are looking to buy a new camera.  In sorting out what we want out of a camera, we decided we might need 2.  I want a good camera for taking photographs that will capture images in any lighting.  (no flash)   Whether it's an indoor candlelit evening or a landscape after dusk.

  I also want a little pocket camera that is basically point and click.  I'm OK with a picture over a photograph for things that are captured for the moment.

  Lise.....your flower photographs are beautiful.  I wonder what your level of knowledge is in photography.....and what kind of camera you have.

  SD....you have also posted some lovely photographs.....I know I asked you before, but what kind of camera did you use.....and what is your level of knowledge in photography.

[Lil Me]

Mr LM agrees with you P.C.- buy 2 cameras.  Buy a CHEAp point and shoot as well as a "good" camera.  

[Lise]

PC. I'm an amateur photographer. Most of what I take is a point and shoot thing. I only know that you should choose either Cannon or Nikon. Don't go with Sony or whatever. Sorry, can't be much help there.

  I have a Nikon 4300 Coolpix but it's already a dinosauce compared to the newer ones out there.

[P.C.]

Oh really Lil Me ?  I wondered if it made sense.  I don't want to be extravagant.....but on the other hand, I find I don't bother taking photographs of some things, because I know they won't produce the look I'm trying to capture.   So why bother.

  As far as grabbing a pic just for the memory.....(the ones I don't care if they are artistically beautiful) a little pocket simple camera will do.

    So there are not Fstops and light meters involved with what you do Lise ?

  I have a Nikkon....but I've had it for 5 years, and as much as it was pretty skookum 5 years ago....there is better technology out there now.  I just don't know what it is.

  Does Mr Lil Me have any suggestions ?

[kitten]

I have a basic point and shoot that has worked well for years.  It's a Vivitar (German), and has a flash, but it is very basic.  I bought it at London drugs back in the early '90s, and have never had a problem with clarity.

[P.C.]

I didn't even know they had digital cameras in the 90's.  I haven't been happy with mine for the last couple years.  It's unreliable.....even on fully charged batteries, it decides to shut down before I even get one pic.  I find myself just not bothering to pull it out lately.

  As far as low light photos.....it requires a tripod because it is too sensitive to motion.  

[kitten]

Oops, sorry.  I didn't know you meant digital cameras.  Mine is just an ordinary one.

[Sportsdude]

 Hmm I was taught how to take pictures from a professional. Depends on what you're looking for. If you want to blow a picture up and frame it for example you want very high mega pixels. Usually the high mega pixels are the click and shoot cameras.  If you want zoom quality along with stability shot (my pics from the ferry for example came out stable when in reality I was 'blowin in the wind') aka shaky hand syndrome.  Then you go for a higher end point and shoot.

Those big bulky things are utterly pointless if you're just a fun pix person. They're a hassle and not really needed.

You want to find a camera that has high mega pixel along with awesome zoom qualities.
My camera has a x10 zoom. For example (any islander will get this scenario) you know the horseshoe bay ferry? When you're leaving you get a glimpse of Vancouver. My camera can zoom to the point where all the buildings in downtown can be seen pretty darn good. The point and click cameras the farther you go out the less stable it gets and shakey hands can ruin a great shot.

Downside to my camera is that it only has 4 mega pixel that means it can't be blown up as well if you wanted to print it and it has a hard time picking up light around blues colours. Like for example the ferry shots come out really dark, when it was a super bright day. No matter what mode I'm on in the camera if I do a sky shot or a blue colour outside. It comes out darker.


   

[P.C.]

Well....I used to do photography many years back and have had plenty of training as well. (not to mention enough camera and darkroom equipment to sink a ship).  (pre digital) So it's not really knowledge of photography I'm looking for.....it's the performance of the camera I'm after.  

  SD, with a 4 mega pixel camera, you should be able to blow up your pictures to almost poster size before it even thinks about pixelating.  My camera is also a 4 mega pixel....which was pretty hot stuff 5 years ago....lol

  A greater amount of mega pixels won't give you a better image.  Excessive pixels can even lead to a decrease in image quality.  Too many pixels can cause the sensors to be so small that the resolution of the sensor is greater than the what the lens can deliver.

  So with all this stuff that I have a limited understanding of, I'm basically looking for a camera based specifically on the results of the images it produces.

  Lise's and SD's pictures both have the quality of image I'm looking for......so what I'm asking, is what kind of camera it is.  Brand......features.

  (I'm really surprised to not see Pentax leading the digital camera world....what happened)

[Lise]

So there are not Fstops and light meters involved with what you do Lise ?       I think they do have them but you got me there. I don't fiddle with the dials. The only option I take when I'm doing photos are close-up and flash/no-flash.

[Sportsdude]

my camera is situated in between the point and shoot and the big bulky's. Its a Panasonic.  

[P.C.]

Well we got a Canon Powershot A570 IS.  We thought we'd go with a little pocket camera, and if we feel like we want or need more, we'll get another one.  So far it seems like a great little camera.  We'll have to give it a test run tomorrow, and see what kind of pics we get.

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• 4x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
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• Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) System
• Digic III Image Processor with Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction[/SPAN]

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[Lise]

Oooh. Looks good. Take some practise shots and let us know how it goes.

[P.C.]

Will do Lise.  Wish I had it with me when I just went over to water the neighbours garden.  I was just standing there, and hubby was up on their deck, and all of a sudden he YELLED.....HEY !!!!!!!

  A HAWK had buzzed me from behind.  Came right up to me....inches from my head until hubby yelled.  It was very exciting.  I wonder what brought that on.

  I now call myself ....The Hawk Whisperer.  [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="vny!://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a170.gif" border=0]   ....rofl  

[lazy Marik]

I have an older version of that Canon camera. Works well, I don't think you'll have any problems, P.C.

Good to see you didn't buy Sony's cameras... they suck!!