Archive through March 03, 2006
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Jade Unregistered guest | What is a better buy? Sony Cyber-Shot T1 or Canon Power Shot S70 |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 2079 Registered: Dec-03 | Tough call, but Canon has been making cameras and lenses a lot longer than Sony. So they know what cameras need and how it should work. However, Sony makes the sensors that make digital cameras work. Sony uses all proprietary peripherals in their equipment, that means everything that you use must be Sony to make everything work right. Canon makes better pictures, I have seen less aberration and vignette on their lenses. |
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Unregistered guest | which is a better choice between Sony DSC T33 & Canon Ixus40 & NIKON Coolpix 5100 esp. from picture quality including night vision point of view?? is there any sony/canon digital camera which has both the options for Alkaline as well as lithium batteries?? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 2632 Registered: Dec-03 | Canon Ixus or Nikon Coolpix...either one would be great in picture quality, but Canon can handle low light better if somewhat grainy. You wouldn't want to print it at that quality anyway, but it is your choice. As far as batteries go, it is better to go with the rechargeables. This little point and shoots eat up a lot of power. Lithium Ions provide you with a lot of cycle time without the worries of NiCad. You can charge the Lithium Ions without having to do a complete discharge. Alkalines should be only for back up, they won't last too long in a point and shoot camera. Sony...don't bother. |
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Unregistered guest | Sony T33 or Canon SD500 which one to buy. Forget about pixel, for me 5.1 or 7.1 both are ok what for quality and other factors which one should i go for. Please let me know |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 2856 Registered: Dec-03 | Canon SD500. Better lens, no proprietary memory stick. Pixels is not an issue. |
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Unregistered guest | Thanks Berny But still i am confused when i see both of them, sony T33 is attractive and good looking than canon sd500. so i am so confused now. i am planning to buy within this week. But sony as 2.5 inch lcd which is good. but canon flash is good, etc, I am still unable to decide, |
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Bronze Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 65 Registered: Sep-04 | Canon is a camera company, Sony is not. I'd go with the Canon no question. I'll give the same arguments as Berny. LCD is nice to look at, but it's not taking the picture (1.8" on my old 995 does just fine), and a pretty case doesn't help make better pictures. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 2920 Registered: Dec-03 | Canon has a better track record with cameras. That flash will help your pictures better than a fancy LCD. You shouldn't be using the LCD anyway, it uses up too much battery power. Use your own eyes when composing, it develops good photo taking habits. |
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Unregistered guest | Excellent replies i have got from Berny and Chris Laudermilk. Now i am able to decide. I want quality inside than look outside Thanks very much for allthe information. I am going this weekend in one single mind to buy Canon SD500. Satish from Toronto |
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satish Unregistered guest | I bought Canon SD500 the weekend and went for outing and its amazing. Great Pictures, great clarity .. |
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Bronze Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 95 Registered: Sep-04 | Good to hear. |
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Vain Camera Unregistered guest | This is probably a totally retarded question for camera enthusiasts, but I'm gonig to ask anyway. There is a cute red case (Canon PSC90) for the SD200/300/400, does anyone know if Canon (or any other reputable company) makes a red (or something else that's cute) for the SD500? The PSC90 doesn't fit the SD500 and my daughter really wants a girly looking cae. Thanks. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3011 Registered: Dec-03 | try the PSC-50. It will fit the SD500, i just don't know if they have it in different colors. |
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Vain Camera Unregistered guest | Thanks, I have seen the PSC 50, but haven't seen it in any color other than the standard black. If anyone here comes across one. Please let me know. Thanks. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3012 Registered: Dec-03 | Check this out, if you like different colors and such http://www.jbox.com/PRODUCT/DAI297 |
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Adam J Unregistered guest | hey, ive been trying to decide between the Canon SD300 and SD400. The 500 is just too expensive for me now. Obviously the 400 would be better, but isn't there a 180 second limit on recording videos, while the 300 will record however long the memory card can hold? Any advice?? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3088 Registered: Dec-03 | Do you really prefer recording videos on a still camera? If you want longer videos, use a dedicated video camera. |
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Adam J Unregistered guest | well said...400 it is, thanks! |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3093 Registered: Dec-03 | Good choice Sometimes we get caught up in the added features we forget what we really want to do. I know I've done it plenty of times. enjoy the hobby! |
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japonica Unregistered guest | I am a first time buyer of a digital camera. Which would you reccomend? Canon SD300 or Sony DSC-T1? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3134 Registered: Dec-03 | try them both out and see which you like better. I am biased when it comes to Sony Digital cameras, I don't like their not so stellar durability. There is a new player in the market, the Casio exilim series. Nice camera with excellent features. I like it better than my Nikon 4300. I use it when I can't carry my big Nikons or when my wife is not hoggin' it, she loves that thing. |
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Japonica Unregistered guest | Thanks Berny! I went and looked at the Casio exlim Z50 and now I can not decide between that and the Canon SD300? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3143 Registered: Dec-03 | For the price of the Sony camera you were looking at, you could get the Exilim EX 750 |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3147 Registered: Dec-03 | The Casio uses Canon lenses, so optics will be great, plus the Casio has better power management than the SD300. |
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New member Username: JodyCullman, AL U.S.A. Post Number: 1 Registered: Jun-05 | O.K., this is the first post I've ever made on a message board, please forgive me if I trample some netiquette that I'm not aware of. To the point - I've got a Canon Optura 30 dv camcorder. It of course has a built in feature where you can take only 2.0 mega pixel stills onto an SD card. At one time we owned a 4.0 mega pixel still camera made by Phillips, or one of these lesser known names when it comes to photography which at the time (abt. 3 years ago) we paid about $400 for. The camera eventually wasted away, but to the point. The stills I've made with my Canon camcorder (even if it's the same picture made of the same object at the same time just with two different cameras.) always looked much more colorful, sharp, just altogether better, much better. WHY? I'm about to purchase another digital still, I'm thinking Canon. I've looked at most of there cameras and there's a ton of them even in my price range $200-$500. I really am looking for at least 5 mega pixels- with the intentions of blowing some work up. Perhaps 6-8 mega pixals, I realize this may be a bit out of my price range but perhaps I'm willing to extend my range. I was also looking at some of the Sony's but felt a camera company is where you buy your camera. If I'm looking for a Walk-Man I go to Sony. If anyone could recommend which Canons to look at, that would narrow down a very large field and be a tremendous help. Doesn't have to be Canon open to any true amateur or professional's opinions. Thanks, clarke7158@bellsouth.net |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 3159 Registered: Dec-03 | Look at the Canon SD500 or the Casio Exilim series. I recommend the Casio nowadays, because I really like this camera which seem to have been designed by an actual photographer. It has all the features you need, great battery life and a pretty fast shutter response. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 165 Registered: Sep-04 | I think you answered your own question on quality of your old Philips vs Canon picture quality; I'm really not surprised. As to the new question, I've always liked the reviews at www.steves-digicams.com, he is very thorough in his reviews. The cameras are broken by by sensor size (or DSLR if you want to go that route). |
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MRW Unregistered guest | I'm looking at compact 7 MP cameras, trying to decide between Canon SD 500 (good image quality, good flash, very fast, but has that scary LCD problem), Sony PC200 (probably the fastest shot times, but weak flash, dang Memory stick) and the Casio Z750 (also weak flash, but great menu and picture quality). Any advice??? |
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T.G.C.Das Unregistered guest | I have gone through many reviews available on the internet and finally choose Canon S2 IS after sidelining Sony DSC-H1 and Panasonic FZ5 and many others. However i donot understand the mplications of memory speed? Do I really require a 133 X SD memory to fully explore the facilities of Canon S2 IS. However i have in my mind to go for SanDisk Ultra II 1 GB SD memory card. Can any one educate me on this issue? Which memory should i go in finally? |
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Unregistered guest | I cant decide between Sd 500 and sony P200 and SOny W7.Which one do you think is better? Also,for sony you can record for the memoery size?AM i correct? |
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Unregistered guest | I cant decide between Sd 500 and sony P200 and SOny W7.Which one do you think is better? Also,for sony you can record for the memoery size?AM i correct? |
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Silver Member Username: TafkamTexas Post Number: 177 Registered: Apr-04 | MRW, where and what did you hear about the LCD problem with the SD500? Just curious I read that myself on some of the ratings sites like eopinions but was always looking for a good explanation of it. I am a newbie when it comes to cameras and I bought the Canon but returned it not only because if what I read about the LCD screens but although it was a really cool and nice camera, was just too small for my liking among other reasons. Just curious about the LCD thing if you or anyone can expand on this, is this really an issue with these or just some isolated incidents? droids there is a thread further down with some opinions for your exact question, the SD500 versus the W7 anyhow, both great cameras from my research but when I compared them, there were just choices I made based on my comfort with the camera, and I liked the AA batteries with the Sony because I already have nice AA rechargeables, etc etc but I think it comes down to personal opinion you just have to look at both they both take great pictures from what I have read....... |
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Unregistered guest | Berny and Chris Laudermilk. I cannot decide which camera to buy ,Sony DSC-R1 or Canon EOS 350D. Please kindly advice me. Both are within my budget. Thank you. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 270 Registered: Sep-04 | If it were my money I'd go with the 350D hands down, no hesitation. I wouldn't even need to think about it. The 350D is a true SLR with interchangeable lenses, a wider ISO range, and a very popular & wide-ranging set of accessories available. The Sony is one of those 'tweener cameras, not quite a P&S any more, but not quite a true SLR. Don't get hung up on the MP count, for any normal printing the 350D sensor is plenty big enough. You will be able to go a lot further with the Canon. |
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Unregistered guest | Dear Chris Laudermilk, Canon EOS 350D and Canon EOS 5D , which one is better? The price is much different. If don't think about the price , which one will you recommand? TQ. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4838 Registered: Dec-03 | Meszmin, If you can afford the the Canon 5D, it is the better camera. The 350D is not even in the same league as the 5D. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 273 Registered: Sep-04 | They are totally different cameras. There is no question the brand-new 5D is a better, more capable camera. Think about it, it's positioned between the prosumer 20D & the professional 1D-series cameras, the price tag is nearly $3000 higher; the 350D is the entry-level DSLR. Given enough money I would go with the 5D; but it is aimed at someone who knows what they are doing with an SLR camera--there's no cute full-auto P&S modes on it, you have P, Tv, Av, and M and that's it. To make a better recommendation, what is your photographic experience? What are you going to be using it for? |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Chris and Berny, TQ very much for all your advice. I am not actually good in photographic experience. I am just P & S level. I am looking for amateur purpose. But I really love high quality color. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4847 Registered: Dec-03 | Then consider the Canon 20D instead. It is a great platform to start your photgraphic journey. Have you really heard of a person not liking high quality color? |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 275 Registered: Sep-04 |  Yeah, the 350D or 20D will probably be better choices to start. You can then use the money saved on the body for better lenses (you have seen all of our posts pointing out that high-quality glass is more important than a fancier body, haven't you?  ). Once you make the jump you might also want to invest in some good photo books. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is frequently recommended. I don't have that particular one, but I do have some of his other books & he's a very good author. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | TQ very much Berny and Chris. When I download and compare sample photos from DCS R1 and E)S 350 D, DSC is better color quality , brighter ( I guess ) . Why? Maybe the resolution on the web is not so similar to hard copy photos. Is it true? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4857 Registered: Dec-03 | What do you think, Mezsmin? If you believe that the DSC has better color quality then just get it. |
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mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny and Chris, If I wanna take EOS 350D, which lens shall I take for my entry level. TQ very much for your kind advices. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4859 Registered: Dec-03 | EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS-USM |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris Laudermilk, 1. EOS 350D with 17-85 mm lens 2. EOS 20D with 18-55 mm lens Which one to buy? The price is more or less same. TQ very much for all your kind suggestion. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4948 Registered: Dec-03 | EOS 20D. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4949 Registered: Dec-03 | 350D, I do NOT recommend. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | TQ very much for your kind advice Berny. I will go and get it soon. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris, I need your kind expert help again. Pls kindly look at the following link: http://www.infinitiphoto.com/viewitem-5574--Sakar-LENS-CLEANING-KIT Is it new camera or used one? Is it safe to buy from that site? I have no experience buying used item on the net. Pls kindly suggest me. I really want EOS 20D with 17-85 lens as you adviced. Thanks a lot. Sorry for disturbing you again and again. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4965 Registered: Dec-03 | Do not buy from this dealer. This is not an authorized dealer and have a lot of unhappy customers. Buy only from authorized dealers. Look at Adorama, Amazon, B&H. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 279 Registered: Sep-04 | Run, don't walk away from these guys. http://www.resellerratings.com/seller9662.html <-- for all the scary gory details. I personally have a problem with Amazon, so also stay away from them (too big for their britches now); for online photo shops you are best with B&H, Adorama, KEH, Calumet, & Samy's. I think 17th Street & Beach Camera have also been recommended, but those first few ought to be plenty. As you have seen, the 20D can come with the 17-85 as a kit lens, and from all I've heard is a better lens than the 18-55; I have the 18-55 & it has it's limitations. I also have the early 50mm/f1.8 & if you can handle a prime lens, it (and the current Mk II) are well-known to be fantastic optics for the price ($70 new). |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Chris , I heard a rumor that EOS 20D replacement model will come out soon. Is it true? If like that, I think I better wait for a while , the price to be cheaper. Pls comment. TQ. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 4973 Registered: Dec-03 | You can wait all you want for the next great thing to come along or for the next replacement model that will come out. Think about this. What will you do while you are waiting? You will not be taking pictures with a camera that you are anticipating to come out. You will not learn any skills while the replacement is none existent. You get my drift? There will always be a replacement in the near horizon, but the learning you need is now. The photographs that you want to take come and go while the camera world moves about its business. If I tell you now that a year after the replacement of the 20D is done, a newer model will come out after that. Will you still wait? You cannot take any photos while waiting. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 280 Registered: Sep-04 | THe PMA show is coming up soon--rumors fly thick every time, particularly about Canon offering. You may have noticed the favorite sport on the main photography fora is throwing Canon rumours around. It all boils down to speculation & wishful thinking. Nobody posting really has a clue what is going to be shown. I have no idea at all if there is a 20D replacement coming, and if there is what it might have that the current model does not. If you want to wait, go right ahead, the new model might be way better than the current for way less. Or (IMHO more likely), it my be an incremental improvement for about the same price or slightly more. It really boils down to whether you personally think it's worth the wait, or will the 20D do what you need; getting the 20D now means you can start taking pictures now. The digital camera market has become very much like the PC market--whatever is currently in the stores is essentially already "obsolete" as the next, better, generation is already on the engieers' drawing boards. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & chris, me again. Pls kindly suggest me a P&S camera around 8MP, easy to carry around size, good picture quality. My previous camera was Sony DSC V1 and someone had stolen from my house after breaking in. So I need new camera. This is the reason I am looking for a camera. Whta about Canon Powershot S80? Tq very much for all your advice. I am looking around Canon EOS 20D as well. |
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Anonymous | What is better to use memory stick or SD card. My only concern is that the memory stick is proprietory to Sony, so will it survive? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5346 Registered: Dec-03 | Mezsmin, Sorry to hear about your predicament. Hope all is well. The camera choices are both good. Either one will serve you well. |
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snanji Unregistered guest | Sony is a large company, and probably will not change their format, but you never know. You need to look at features in the camera, to see if that will serve you. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5353 Registered: Dec-03 | As long as Sony is around they will have some sort of support but I certainly doubt it for the rest of its usable life. Remember Betamax? Sony just loves their proprietary crap. You buy any of their proprietary products, you are theirs for the rest of your consumer spending life. Just look at this suckers with 8mm video. When their 8mm camcorder breaks down, they have no recourse but to get another Sony so that they can view their old tapes. |
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snanji Unregistered guest | You are right, SD is probably the better choice. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 282 Registered: Sep-04 | Hey, Berny! I resemble that remark! Long before I wised up to Sony I got one of their Hi8 cameras (still works, so they can do some things right); but I now eventaully have to get a Hi8 VCR off ebay to transfer the video to a more usable format. Sigh. Mezsmin, As Berny said both choices are good, however they are totally different animals. What do you intend to do with it? Where do you want to take your photography? The 20D will be a far more capable tool, but it will also demand more spending in the end and more study to truly use it. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5410 Registered: Dec-03 | oh sorry did I write suckers...I meant poor souls |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris, Today I buy EOS 20D with 18-55 kit lens, 1 GB PenDrive CF card, Card Reader, Soft Carrying bag ( which can accomodate an extra lens )not canon branded, all cost me US$ 1561. Because of tight budget I can't buy 17-85 IS lens at the moment, maybe next month. How is the price? I am very very happy with the camera 20D. Thanks a lot for all your kind and patient advice. If I get 17-85 IS lens, I will let you know again. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5540 Registered: Dec-03 | Good to hear Mezsmin. |
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antonia Unregistered guest | hi! i want to buy a camera but i am confused...which brand is the best generally? i am thinking either canon IXUS 55 or Sony DSC P200. what do you suggest? do you have anything else to suggest? i have heard about the error E18 of canon. i cannot decide... thanks! |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5623 Registered: Dec-03 | Read the rest of this thread and decide. Have you heard of faulty Sony cameras in general? But if you believe that Sony is a better camera then just get it. |
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antonia Unregistered guest | what do you believe? that was my question!i generally prefer canon. but i have also read that the 2.5 LCD will consume a lot of the battery. i just want an opinion of which camera will last longer and which one is superior. i am not willing to pay such a big amount of money and in a year to be looking for a new camera...Also in my mind are the canon powershot, maybe the A610. I have read many reviews for all of them. but all seem to suggest different things. that is why i am asking of a personal opinion. |
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kelliee Unregistered guest | hey berny, its me again i'm still saving up for the d70s (which is hard when you can only work 2 days a week and have bills to pay). maybe when i get my tax return i'll finally have enough. anyway, i was thinking about getting a point & shoot that i can just take with me everywhere and stick in my bag. i'm not going to be able to do any real photography until late may anyway, so maybe i'm better off waiting on the d70s since it would probably be collecting dust, and i'm sure the price will have gone down by the start of summer... first, a little history on the point and shoots i've had over the years... my first digital camera was a really really crappy polaroid about 5 or 6 years ago. it took cheap-web-cam quality photos, and you could only store 12 of them on the camera (on the lowest quality). i dont think a memory card was even an option for it... it was just bad. then my parents bought me a fuji (not my brand of choice... i wanted a canon a60 or a70) about 3 years ago, but it sort of stopped working about a year later. it took pretty decent pictures (200% better than the polaroid), but didnt have any real options (like setting shutter speed, aperture, etc). it was pretty much a true point and shoot because thats was about all you could do with it. then my parents got a kodak (again, not what i would have chosen) and i've just been using that for my digital photo needs. it also takes decent pictures and it has more options than the fuji had, but i'd like something better... and something that is my own. i had been looking at the sd450 for a while... my boyfriend got it for christmas and i really like it, but you cant buy any of those cheap fisheye lenses for it. since i dont think i'd ever be able to afford a good fisheye for the d70s, i'd want one for my point and shoot. i know i'm probably not going to get great quality pictures with one of those lenses, but its not a big deal. i would just want it for fun. i have an excellent fisheye (canon FD 15/2.8) for my ae-1 program that i can use for good quality fisheye shots if i really need them. so recently i started looking at the a610. i was looking at sample pictures last night on pbase and i came across this guy: http://www.pbase.com/hltam he uses like 20 different digital cameras (i saw d100, d70, 350d, a610, s2is, s80, g5...) and the images all look incredible (composition aside) and he doesnt do a whole lot of post processing. just a little USM and curve adjustment. most of the amature shots on pbase looked pretty good too. i forget why i wrote all of this. was i going to ask you a question? haha. do you think i should get the a610 to hold me over until i get the d70s, or just buy the d70s as soon as i get enough money and buy a p&s later? (also take into account that i wont really be able to take many photos until summer... i have a tough load of classes this semester). |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5638 Registered: Dec-03 | The sd450 and the 610 are great little camers if somewhat slow for my taste. But it will do in a pinch. Having a little point and shoot that has some sort of control is always a good starting point. It will make you focus more on learning composition. And you are wrong when you say that you are "not going to be able to do any real photography"! It's the photographer, not the camera that matters, first and foremost. You have the eye and the instinct to take the picture. Your camera records what you see and the material is subject to your manipulation. Since you are saving for a camera with more capabilities do not fall into the trap of buying any accessories for your proposed point and shoot. Save your money for the camera that you want, first. Learn the tool that you have at the present and use it to its limits, if you can find it. Trust me you will be hard pressed to do so, once you start looking at minor details in anything that you are looking at. The add on lenses and such on point and shoots are a waste of money, in my opinion, specially if you have plans of upgrading soon. If you have a camera already available, such as your boyfriend's, use it for now and save up for the camera that you want and then get a point and shoot much much later. Learn now and take pictures now. |
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kelliee Unregistered guest | by "not going to be able to do any real photography" i meant that i wouldnt have much time to dedicate to taking pictures, not that i'm not capable of taking good pictures. at least i hope i can take some good pictures, i've used a fully manual camera for nearly 10 years now... there might be like 1 or 2 days a month where i'll have time to go out and shoot. i'm just really busy with school this semester. i'd hate to buy the d70s now and only use it once a month, and then when i'd really be able to use it all the time, the price will have gone down significantly or something. and i would just like something to carry around incase i see something thats incredible or funny or whatever, and not have my parents nagging me to give the camera back. the camera could be gathering dust for weeks and the minute i take it, suddenly my mom needs to take a picture of one of the dogs sleeping... |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5646 Registered: Dec-03 | Yeah, I know what you meant...just giving you a nudge back to what's important. If you still have the manual camera, just use it for now, since you will not be doing a lot of photography that needs to be scrutinized immediately. Just save up for the camera and a good lens...you don't even have to buy the D70 if you will not be using it full time. Just imagine the money you'll save. Perhaps you might even buy a D200  |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 283 Registered: Sep-04 | kelliee, I agree with Berny. Use what you have now & save up for the DSLR. Anything spent on a P&S is just money that could have gone to the DSLR and/or lenses. If you have a P&S availablem use it to its limits--you will really know you're ready for the DSLR then (that's when I switched). Mezsmin, good to hear! I like your choice, but then I'm biased. The 18-55 isn't a great lens, but will work fine until you can afford a better one; mine has served me well, just remember that it performs best in good light & stopped down to around F8-F11. I'm not familiar with that CF brand, but the size is good (just stay away from Lexar--they have issues with Canon, SanDisk seems to like Canons best). For what you got the price seems fair. Now go out & be amazed that the great tool you have. |
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potato Unregistered guest | hey, i'm looking to get a canon powershot camera, something small, but there's lots of options; any recommendations? my price range is 200-500; thanks for any advice |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 5993 Registered: Dec-03 | Any in that range will work fine. Just pick one and you'll be happy with it. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris, Me again. Today I buy 17-85 lens, I cant wait until next month. It costs me US$ 548. I buy Understanding Exposure Revised Edition ( US$ 27) from my local book store. How shall I shoot night shot with low light condition? How much shall I set aparture , ISO and shutter speed in general night sence? Chris used to work in low light condition. Pls kindly advice me again. TQ very much for all of you 2 advice, otherwise I will end up with DCS R1. Now I am very happy with 20D. But the mechine is too great for me. I dont know anyhting about exposure yet. But I am willing to learn. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6097 Registered: Dec-03 | Congratulations Mezsmin! The questions you wrote down are all about exposure, so, read the book and you should have a basic understanding and answers for your questions. And of course the valuable benefit of practice and experience shall also come into play. We will answer your questions in due time, but first you have to do the hard work. Read, practice and learn. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 287 Registered: Sep-04 | Definitely give the book a read. With low light shots I use Av mode and center AF point only (I have my custom functions set for direct select). I set my lens wide open and for my subjects I get the best results with center-weighted metering. Even with my 50mm/f1.8 I often have to reduce by 1 or 2 stops to get an acceptable shutter speed. Since I shoot in RAW, I can adjust for that better. Now with all that said, get a feel for the camera in good lighting conditions first. Low light, no flash is very difficult. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6107 Registered: Dec-03 | Yup, learn to walk first before you run. Basics in good light. Learn to compose. Learn the camera. Understand proper exposure. Know about aperture, shutter speeds, depth of field. Learn about difficult shots after you master the basics. The best camera will not make you better than the photographer who mastered the basics who is using a cheap instamatic camera. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris, EOS 30D came out today. Dont know what are the differences. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | But I am very happy with my 20D. I am very excited to learn new things from it. TQ |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6182 Registered: Dec-03 | Good, enjoy it. Let the others worry about the 30D |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 288 Registered: Sep-04 | It's on Canon's site, so it is reality. Checking the specs, I don't see much reason to change if you have a 20D already. First, pointless stuff (IMHO), 2.5" LCD vs 1.8", selectable 5FPS/3FPS, direct print button. The nice additons, but still not worth a change: 3.5 deg spot meter, larger buffer (11 RAW vs 6 RAW). It is such a minor update that changing from a 20D to a 30D is foolish IMHO (and I could REALLY use that bigger buffer). I am not really all that surprised as Canon has chopped the market into pretty thin slices with the 350D - 20D/30D - 5D - 1D. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dear Berny & Chris, Today I get EF50mm, f 1.8 Mark II lens, cost me US$ 79. I cant get Mark I lens. I buy it as per advice of Chris. Thanks a lot you guys. I want to try out night shot with this lens. I will get back to you the outcome. Take care. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6425 Registered: Dec-03 | great lens Mezsmin. Have fun |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 290 Registered: Sep-04 | The Mk I's are harder to get, as they are only on the used market--they were replaced with the Mk II 15 years ago; mine was bought used at the fredmiranda Buy & Sell forum (and I had to fight for it). It doesn't make much of a difference as the optics are supposed to be the same. AFAIK the differences are the Mk II mount is plastic, no distance scale & the MF ring is right at the front of the lens (no hood); the Mk I is metal mount, has a distance scale & the MF ring is back on the barrel allowing use of a hood. Anyway, it's an excellent lens. Have fun with it--you will soon see why it's considered to be such a bargain. |
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yeseanul Unregistered guest | Hello Berny & Chris, I want to buy a digital camera...it will be my firs. I have studied the market for 2 weeks now... In what I've heard (shops, reviews, etc.) Canon is not the best any more (is it?)...the picture quality is low, the speed is low and the battery life is short… (all these thing I've heard; this is not my personal opinion, because I didn't try any camera yet). Therefore I've decided on Sony S80 (is not new, but it has a price that I can afford) - this comes with 2xAA NiMH, a charger and a Memory Stick (128 MB). The main convenience is the Carl Zeiss lens; but the main drawback is the memory type (very expensive). Another option can be Sony S600; it costs a little less than S80, but it has no batteries, charger or memory (so, adding these thing, the price rises a little too much). Also I liked HP. But R817 is too expensive and R717 has no Pentax lens. Canon...like I said, I don't know how good it is nowadays. An option can be A520...I don't know. The thing is that I don't want to spent too much money (~200$). Therefore I want the best camera for the money that I have...considering that I don't intent to change the future camera that I'll buy, in the next few years. But I want to be able to take outstanding photos (I'm not a pro, but I like the photo art very much, and also I like playing with the pixels in post editing -- Photoshop, GIMP; I like only one thing: the quality!!!). So, the question is: Canon or Sony? (Maybe you can express a personal opinion on this issue (Sony/Canon). If you were in my position, what would you do? Which camera would you buy? What is the best?) Thank you. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6483 Registered: Dec-03 | yeseanul, This whole thread deals with the whole Sony/Canon choice. Please take the time to read it. We have written much about the Sony vs Canon debate and we have made choices and recommendations based on our expereriences. You on the other hand strike me as a person who already made up your mind. You have made decisions based on what you read and on what you've heard. I don't know where you got the impression that Canon is the best or for that matter any camera brand being the best. There is no such thing as the best. But Sony is definitely not the best. A Carl Zeiss lens is not a matter of convenience, it is a matter of marketing. It is like putting a BMW badge on a Toyota. |
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yeseanul Unregistered guest | Berny, Thank you for the reply. I have read the whole thread, and also the other threads on this forum that deal with this issue. I haven't made up my mind…The decision isn't made. But, like you say, giving the fact that I don't have much experience with digital cameras, I take everything that I read/hear and put it on a balance. In the end I hope that the right decision will be made. I wasn't looking for "the best". I know that this is just an abstract concept. Although, I am looking for the best camera, in this particular case (what I want from it, the money, the investment, etc.). This is why I said in the end of my post "(Maybe you can express a personal opinion on this issue (Sony/Canon). If you were in my position, what would you do? Which camera would you buy? What is the best?)". Anyway, now I have 4 cameras on the "table": the Canon PowesShot A520, the HP R717, the Nikon Coolpix 4600 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-ST80 (alphabetical order). What do you think? Is there another camera that I can consider? The affirmation made in the previous post is of course valid "The thing is that I don't want to spent too much money (~200$). Therefore I want the best camera for the money that I have...considering that I don't intent to change the future camera that I'll buy, in the next few years. But I want to be able to take outstanding photos (I'm not a pro, but I like the photo art very much, and also I like playing with the pixels in post editing -- Photoshop, GIMP; I like only one thing: the quality!!!)." Thank you. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6505 Registered: Dec-03 | Out of those choices I will pick the Canon, hands down. Forget the HP and the Sony, too much chromatic aberrations for my taste. Although the Nikon is nice, the response time and the controls are just not user friendly enough. If you want a really good point and shoot camera, I highly recommend the Casio Exilim 750. Although, I believe the Canon has overall better picture quality, the Casio seems like it was really made for the lazy photographer. The controls are excellent and has a very rapid response when the photo opportunity arises. Ironically, the Casio lenses are made by Canon, if that matters to you. |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 291 Registered: Sep-04 | I agree with Berny, forget the HP & Sony. The Canon & Nikon are the better of the list & I keep hearing good things about the Casios. Keep in mind that at the price point you are looking at ALL of the cameras are going to be slow with short battery life & debatable image quality. |
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yeseanul Unregistered guest | I've heard that Canon (the A520 in particularly) has 3 major disadvantages: 1. the batteries run down very quickly (too quickly...); 2. the flash is low quality; 3. the response time is very high...the flash recharges in at least 5 seconds. What do you know about these issues? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6522 Registered: Dec-03 | yeseanul, 1.None of these cameras have a long battery life. And it is not unique to the Canon. 2.None have high quality flash. They are all too small to provide anything significant. Again not unique to the Canon. 3.I don't know what you mean by response time is high. What you need is a quick response time. If the flash rechardges in 5 seconds...consider yourself lucky. My professional speedlight recharges in 4 seconds. You seem to be trying to convince yourself that Canon is a bad camera and that you should not waste our money on it. If you are uncomfortable with it, don't get it because you will never be happy. Get the Sony if you believe that it is the camera you want. You will be happier. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dearest berny & Chris, Pls kindly suggest me again if I want to get an external flash. Which model code number and roughly how much it will cost me. Sometimes I feel like my build-in flash is a little bit weak, but generally I enjoy 20D too much. Thanks a lot for all your suggestions. |
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Mezsmin Unregistered guest | Dearest Berny & Chris, Pls kindly suggest me again if I want to get an external flash. Which model code number and roughly how much it will cost me. Sometimes I feel like my build-in flash is a little bit weak, but generally I enjoy 20D too much. Thanks a lot for all your suggestions. |
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yeseanul Unregistered guest | Sorry about that...I wasn't being comprehensible. I meant that the flash recharges slowly and that the response time is slow (again, this opinions are not mine). I wasn't trying to convince anyone (not even myself)…I was just trying to see my dilemma from all possible angles. Anyway, thank you very much for your time in explaining those things to me. The conclusion: Is Canon A520 better than Sony S80? I don't know. For now I bought myself the S80 (should be arriving on Monday). If anybody would like to read about how this turned out, I will add a post after I'll test the camera. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6556 Registered: Dec-03 | Mezsmin, i would recommend the 580EX or the 480EX for your Canon 20D. Excellent speedlight with fast recharge time and excellent guide numbers. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6557 Registered: Dec-03 | have fun with your new camera, yeseanul |
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Silver Member Username: ClaudermilkPost Number: 292 Registered: Sep-04 | yeseanul, Did you even read my last post? ALL P&S cameras have slow response times. ALL P&S cameras eat up batteries very quickly. ALL P&S cameras have a weak built-in flash. That's the compromise made to have a camera the size of a pack of gum--you just cannot get SLR performance out of a camera whose primary design objective is small size. I haven't even gotten into the compromises made for those little, bitty lenses. In any case, yes, enjoy the new camera. It's more important to be happy with whatever model you chose & get the most out of it. Mezsmin, If you can afford it the 580 is an awesome flash. It is on my way too long to-get list. I'm actually sometimes surprised by the built-in flash. Just did a shoot for a friend's show & used the built-in on some candids; wow it actually filled the room--I was shocked as I expected the typical flash look with one person overexposed & everything else blocked up shadows, not the case. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 6567 Registered: Dec-03 | yeseanul, Glad that you can come to conclusions with such a complete and thorough data from opinions. Please, just enjoy your camera. You do not need to post a review here. |