Is this any good? (Camera Related) - Page 2

Admiral Huddy · 14-05-2007, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemc

Does the compact you have now have any manual features or is it fully automatic? You can get digital compacts that have full manual controls, like a DSLR. M for manual, Av for aperture priority, Tv for shutter priority, ISO control, white balance control, etc. They're quite good these days. If you want to learn a bit more about photography you can without the hassle of a DSLR.

The compact I have is all automatic with a few macro setting ets.. It's about 4 years old now..

It's the the light and focus I have a problem with. I think it's sad that a 35mm compact I have produces better quality prints than a digital. It's something I'd certianly like to get into but nothing too seriously.

Mark · 14-05-2007, 13:44

I got the Canon S3 IS. It wasn't the cheapest option available by far but in the end I got so fed up with the megapixel wars and the fact that most of the cameras I'd looked at were being superceded for various reasons, that I got something I knew I could trust, and it certainly hasn't been a bad decision. The only thing I hoped for and didn't get was RAW shooting, which a few of the other bridge cameras (including the Fuji) have.

Pete, the FZ8 isn't around much yet as it's a new model. The next month or so should fix that.

Admiral Huddy · 14-05-2007, 14:35

So is that a no for the OLYMPUS E400SEKIT Digital SLR?

Matblack · 14-05-2007, 14:46

Your going to Essex I guess?

If you are have a play with my camera and see what you think.

MB

petemc · 14-05-2007, 14:47

The other thing with DSLR's that you don't see at first sight is that you're not buying a camera you're buying into a lens system. Olympus lenses won't work on a Canon body for example. Generally Canon, Sigma, and Nikon lenses are the best so people buy either a Nikon or Canon body. The body can always be upgraded 3 years down the line and it'll work with your lenses. If after 3 years with the Olympus you find its not got the lenses you want or the quality you want you'll have to sell the lot. If you're going for a DSLR either Nikon or Canon imho.

Admiral Huddy · 14-05-2007, 15:22

Ok that's good advice which I would have overlooked. Thanks

@MB - Yes please, I'd love a fiddle with yours .. thanks.

As i said, I would love to be able to take pictures with more natrual light rather than harsh flash, or seeing nothing at at all because it's too dark, so I'd like it more for portrait work.

Mark · 14-05-2007, 16:30

While that's certainly the DSLR's strong point, I've been surprised just how much I've been able to get away with on the S3 so far. I'm certainly a supporter of image stabilisation now.

Admiral Huddy · 14-05-2007, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

While that's certainly the DSLR's strong point, I've been surprised just how much I've been able to get away with on the S3 so far. I'm certainly a supporter of image stabilisation now.

Are you able to control the shutter speed to gain more natrual light hence the stabilisation?

Mark · 14-05-2007, 16:35

Yes - it has all the modes Pete mentioned from full Auto to full Manual.

The general rule of thumb with shutter speeds is 1/focal length, so, for example, if I put the S3 on full telephoto then the rule of thumb would be 1/400 shutter speed for a good image. Image Stabilisation might buy you 1/200 or even 1/160 if used sensibly, for example, which gives you more low light flexibility.

It's not a panacea, but it helps.

Matblack · 14-05-2007, 16:41

I don't think theres a function on an inexpensive DSLR that my camera doesn't have. I specifically got the 6500fd because of the low light ability and believe me I did a LOT of research before I bought it, it doesn't have image stablisation but this is sacrified in favor of a more sensitive CCD, the same goes for pixel count, you don't really need 10MP and the more pixels the more issues you can have with noise.

Have a nose at my pics from the A1GP and any of the others taken since Christmas which include Chessington.

I find myself starting to use the viewfinder more and also playing with the manual controls and I suspect I will eventually trade up to a DSLR but right now the bridge does everything I need at ~£200 rather than ~£2000 which is what you would spend minimum to get the zoom you can get on a bridge camera.

MB

14-05-2007, 14:35	#13
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	So is that a no for the OLYMPUS E400SEKIT Digital SLR? __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

14-05-2007, 14:46	#14
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Your going to Essex I guess? If you are have a play with my camera and see what you think. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

14-05-2007, 14:47	#15
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	The other thing with DSLR's that you don't see at first sight is that you're not buying a camera you're buying into a lens system. Olympus lenses won't work on a Canon body for example. Generally Canon, Sigma, and Nikon lenses are the best so people buy either a Nikon or Canon body. The body can always be upgraded 3 years down the line and it'll work with your lenses. If after 3 years with the Olympus you find its not got the lenses you want or the quality you want you'll have to sell the lot. If you're going for a DSLR either Nikon or Canon imho. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

14-05-2007, 15:22	#16
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	Ok that's good advice which I would have overlooked. Thanks @MB - Yes please, I'd love a fiddle with yours .. thanks. As i said, I would love to be able to take pictures with more natrual light rather than harsh flash, or seeing nothing at at all because it's too dark, so I'd like it more for portrait work. __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

14-05-2007, 16:35	#19
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Yes - it has all the modes Pete mentioned from full Auto to full Manual. The general rule of thumb with shutter speeds is 1/focal length, so, for example, if I put the S3 on full telephoto then the rule of thumb would be 1/400 shutter speed for a good image. Image Stabilisation might buy you 1/200 or even 1/160 if used sensibly, for example, which gives you more low light flexibility. It's not a panacea, but it helps. Last edited by Mark; 14-05-2007 at 16:40.

14-05-2007, 13:44	#12
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I got the Canon S3 IS. It wasn't the cheapest option available by far but in the end I got so fed up with the megapixel wars and the fact that most of the cameras I'd looked at were being superceded for various reasons, that I got something I knew I could trust, and it certainly hasn't been a bad decision. The only thing I hoped for and didn't get was RAW shooting, which a few of the other bridge cameras (including the Fuji) have. Pete, the FZ8 isn't around much yet as it's a new model. The next month or so should fix that.

14-05-2007, 16:30	#17
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	While that's certainly the DSLR's strong point, I've been surprised just how much I've been able to get away with on the S3 so far. I'm certainly a supporter of image stabilisation now.

14-05-2007, 16:41	#20
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	I don't think theres a function on an inexpensive DSLR that my camera doesn't have. I specifically got the 6500fd because of the low light ability and believe me I did a LOT of research before I bought it, it doesn't have image stablisation but this is sacrified in favor of a more sensitive CCD, the same goes for pixel count, you don't really need 10MP and the more pixels the more issues you can have with noise. Have a nose at my pics from the A1GP and any of the others taken since Christmas which include Chessington. I find myself starting to use the viewfinder more and also playing with the manual controls and I suspect I will eventually trade up to a DSLR but right now the bridge does everything I need at ~£200 rather than ~£2000 which is what you would spend minimum to get the zoom you can get on a bridge camera. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"