Calling all photograghers

[YellowH3]

I am looking into buying a new camera. I am looking for some suggestions. The best one I found for the money was a Sony DSC-S600 6.0mp Can anyone tell me about the quality of a Sony camera. I am no photogragher. I just want it for HUMMER pics. Let me know what you guys/girls think. Thanks, Tim

[gc2488]

Have you guys seen the great camera reviews here?
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

How about these models:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr1/
(The Sony R1 succeeds the great F828
and the earlier F717 which I have.)


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/
(Panasonic FZ30 has great zoom with stabilization.)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons80/
(Canon S80 which I gave as a gift as a smaller camera.
Has XGA 1024x768 movie mode, and interesting accessories
such as an underwater case for $180:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B625H4/ref=e_deav_...ncoding=UTF8&s=photo

Sample photo of my Hummer taken with S80:
http://www.pbase.com/hummer2006a/ima...42676/original

[wannabeH3]

the sd300 takes burst pics and fits in your pocket very well, i use it for taking pics of my friends doin wheelies on the motocycle.. it also takes movies at 60fps for catching the action... like when your shooting guns.. u can catch the flames and ejecting shells nicely...

[evldave]

I agree w/the above. Canon seems to have the best point-and-shoot engine. Not superfast focus (none have that), but the image quality is great. I'm on my 3rd Canon in 3 years (S30, SD450, SD500) and loved them all until I broke them.

For a true digital SLR camera, though, the Nikon D50 is a good deal, and in the kit form can be had for almost as much as the S80 (a point-and-shoot I drool over, but is too big for me). Upgrade to a D70 and your image quality and features will be even better. Can't speak to the Canon SLRs, but I'm a Nikon SLR guy, so they can all piss off...

[HummerJim]

I am also a big Nikon fan! I think they have excellent optics and make rugged cameras. They have years of experience and when I look through National Geographic, Nikon digital and non digital seem to be the camera of choice. I've had an older Nikon 800 digital for many years. It's been dropped, frozen, gotten wet - you name it and it still takes good pictures.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

SO...

YELLOW H-3

Did you get a camera yet???

RYD

[1COOLH3]

I'm a semi-professional photographer and I use a Sony F717 and it does a great job. The only complaint I have is sometimes red's are a little over-saturated.

Here is my website if you want to see some of the pictures I've taken with it.

MW Photography

[thedieter]

YellowH3:

I use an Olympus C-750 and love it! Of course that model is not available any longer so I looked to see what was the closest available these days. This one seems to have similar features that I have found important; 10X Optical Zoom ratio, both LCD and SLR viewing and good optics. The lenses are not interchangeable but with a total of 50X zoom, it probably won't be missed. The SLR viewing is electronic and the camera status is visible while composing either through the viewer or on the LCD.
Link: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...duct=1189&fl=2

It is a little more expensive than the Sony that you listed but has far more capabilities.

Best regards, Happy Jack

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rubher yellow ducky:
The FINEST Point and Shoot Digital Camera on the market today is the Leica D-LUX 2.

I have been a professional photographer for over 36 years photographing in formats from 35mm to 8x10 including digital. Although in most of my shoots I still use film I do use digital backs on my Hasselblad and Sinar View
Camera.

I recently obtained the Leica D-LUX 2 for fun stuff and rate it just behind GOOD WOMEN, MY
H-3's and World Class Food.

It has 8.6 MP, 3 different ratio formats, uses SD cards, LEICA LENS, Optical Image Stabilizer,
Focuses down to 2", all sorts of auto exposure modes as well as full manual... ETC, ETC, ETC

For a Street Price of under $900 nothing can touch it , NOTHING

Look into it.

RYD </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


That Leica DOES look tasty! All aluminum even- nice

[f5fstop]

I love his waterfall on the front page; great colors, and thanks for the compliments.

To add to cameras:
They are like the old Ford versus Chevy versus Dodge; everyone will like something in a brand that another person does not like.
If a person decides to go with an DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) or SLR (Single Lens Reflect-film), make sure that if you plan on working your way up the DSLR (or SLR) line, to make sure this is the line you want.
The biggest investment in any DSLR or SLR is the lenses, they really are what make the photo; other than your eye. Canon makes great products, but their lenses have always been too soft for me. So, back in the 70s, I sold my Canon equipment and went with Nikon.
Since all my film cameras (F5/F100) are Nikon, it only made sense to jump into the Nikon digital line, since the lenses are all interchangeable between bodies.
However, the reliability of any of the brand name SLRs or DSLRs such as Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Minolta are excellent, and probably on even keel.
In addition, you don't have to purchase the manufacturers lenses. In this day-and-age, some aftermarket companies make excellent lenses such as Tamron, Sigma and especially Tokina (I like Tokina because of their strong build, and their sharpness, which is similar to Nikon lenses, and I guess this makes sense, since Tokina was started by six or eight Nikon engineers a few decades ago.
So, if you prefer a Canon over a Nikon or a Nikon over a Pentax, etc., then look at the aftermarket lenses too.
As for ease of control, that is something you will get used to with the same camera line. Again for me, the major controls (not the menus, trash can, etc., but the controls common from a DSLR to an SLR) on the Nikon digitals were more convenient. But if you have learned on another brand, then it makes sense to stay with that brand.
Nikon was slow to get into the semi- or pro-DSLR market, but they continue to use the CCD sensors in their entry level cameras. Their high-end use expensive CMOS sensors as Canon does in their high-end bodies.
Just figure out what you want to do.
Ipedog is correct, point and shoots are not the best for kids or fast moving objects. The photo lag in these will drive you nuts. You may not notice it right away, but if you have ever shot with a decent SLR with good lenses, a point and shoot will not make it.
I have a decent point and shoot (somewhere), and it was great for static images, but trying to grab photos of my dog was impossible, by the time the shutter fired, the dog was on the other side of the yard. So, for those photos, the DSLR comes out of the bag.
I'm still not totally sold on DSLRs versus film, but with the release of the new D200, I can get my 12 x 18 inch photos, and continue to obtain a good color space and dynamic range. (A Fuji Velvia slide, scanned in at 4000x4000 is the equivalent to a 23 megapixal file.)
Another great DSLR not mentioned, but can be found on eBay for pretty good prices is the Fuji S2. It takes Nikon lenses, since it is a Nikon body with Fuji innards.
Another thing to consider if jumping to a DSLR is memory cards. When any manufacturer advertises X-number of frames per second, you will see the footnote states with XXXXX memory card. Compact and SD cards have different speed ratings, and the faster the card, the more expensive. So, if you are shooting kids in sports, you will require a fast card, if shooting static object such as landscapes, like I do, then speed of a card is not that important.

[Brian H]

I just purchased a Canon Digital Elph SD550. 7.1 mp, 3X optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD. It takes awesome pics, has tons of settings. I still have much more to learn on it. The picture is of one of my blueberry pie candles.

[SledgeHummer]

Are Sonys any good ?? Hmmm.... lemme see now, for guy who owns the following Sony Products :

F-707 (5MP camera)
F-828 (8MP camera)
T7 (5MP slim camera) (recently purchased)
PC115E Video Camera
HDV 1080i (HDV Video Camera-Boadcast quality)

Yeah, they're pretty good, I am not saying they're the best, I tested the Nikon D70 and was pretty impressed, but I still like the Sony, I am not a professional photographer, the Sonys are so user friendly and give professional output (I used the pictures to publish articles in a magazine)

And no, I dont work for Sony. how did I end up with so many Sonys ? well I bought costly accessories for the F707, theen when I decided to upgrade, I tought if I switch brands, I'd loose all the accessories I invested (1.7 optical zoom lens, filters) not to mention the battery chargers and memory cards.

When I go for a trip, I pack photo and video cameras that I need but I carry only one charger, as for the cameras I DONT pack, I take out their batteries and use them as spares.

SledgeHummer

[H3HUMVEE]

I have a sony that I have been using for a few years .. it's a great camera

[Ipedog]

I'm not a pro or semi-pro but I have been shooting for a while.

I prefer Canon. I find that the menu's and controls are easier to get to and use. I used to have a Nikon CP990 3mp cam and it was great but the shutter lag was too much. I upgraded to a canon Digital Rebel and overall I have loved it.

You can see my site at: ipedog.smugmug.com

Point & Shoots are great, but if you plan on having kids or like shooting moving targets a digital SLR is the way to go. Take a look at the Digital Rebel XT. Thats a very nice camera that will last you for years and you can definately grow into it.

Good Luck

just got a pentax istDSL. my oldschool film lenses fit, but haven't found a need for them yet. certainly doesn't fit in your pocket, but the pics come out great.

[Anonymous]

I'll play devil's advocate here and buck the trend. I prefer Canon's, but like some have said, it's like the Ford vs Chevy debate. Whatever you're comfortable with and what works best for your style. I used to shoot motorsports (CART Indycars back when those two words went together) professionally and always used Canons. The L series lenses worked the best for that particular type of work. A couple of years ago I decided to pick up the camera again and I shoot motorcycle races and trackdays semipro/hobby. I still had about 20K in Canon lenses so it was an easy choice. I use a 20D with a 400mm 2.8 L series and the pics are excellent, they have to be or I don't sell any. For messing around at the lake or out wheeling, a 300D usually with a 70-200mm 2.8 IS to get a clear shot of the subject with a good background blur (bokeh). Sounds complicated, and it can be, but once you start shooting more, you begin to see the differences in quality.

I'd say go with something you won't outgrow and can expand, a digital SLR. Any of the major brands will be fine, all are great quality. Tim, if you want to check out some of my equipment, let me know and I'll meet up with you sometime and you can try it out, take some pics out near Sycamore or something.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by k9tim:
Heh! Another Nikonians member. Been there for quite some time.

I usually go to dpreview for the latest scoop on announcements or rumors. Than after I wade through all the crap posts, I go back to Nikonians and get the slimmed down versions of the info.

For the original poster, if you can swing it and want to go the SLR route, look hard at the D200. I don't think you will find another SLR that is built as well as it is in the price range. Magnesium body, weather seals, etc... It is like a small version of my D2H. I have dropped the D2H from a height of about 4 feet with a big 70-200 2.8 lens on it into the bottom of a fishing boat in Alaska and it didnt even scratch it.

I have every confidence the D200 would be the same.

That and if there is no bear spray around, you could use it for some serious self defense </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was one of the original beta testers for Nikonians; JRP and Bo are personal friends. I don't spend much time there recently since I don't believe in the way they are progressing, but JRP and Bo are the owners, so it is their decisions.
Most of the photos from the Utah web pages I posted are from a Nikonian photo trip back in 2002. Since then, I have traveled in that area with another Nikonian who does not visit the site that much anymore.
Still a great site for info on Nikon cameras, but their censor policy, and their all-inclusive policy on photo trips drove me away.
Then again, it is due to a few of us in Utah in 2002 that they went to the all-inclusive trip for future photos trips.
Four of us seem to piss off Bo due to our going on our own without asking others if they wanted to go.

[YellowH3]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wannabeH3:
i started out with sony but now i got a canon.. their flash is way better and battery life seems to be better too! but my hardwares a year old... cannon sd300 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
wannabeH3, thats the kind of input I was looking for. I will check it out. Thanks for the quick reply.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

AH, GIRLS ...

Look at the mans post

Point & shoot
MSRP $ 200
Easy to use

Even my suggestion on the Leica P&S may be to high priced...

RYD

I second everything F5fstop said. I am a Nikon junkie big time. Even down to their point and shoot coolpix line.

Myself and my GF are both also semi-pro photogs. We both do landscapes, abstract, architectural and fine art nudes (studio).
She was a Canon Girl for many many years. Recently she got rid of the Canon gear and bought a Nikon D200. She was blown away with the colors she is seeing out of her D200. She loves it!
I shoot with my own D200 or my D2H. I sold a D100 for the D200. I can't imagine *not* shooting Nikon.

One aftermarket lens to consider that I didnt see f5 mention is Sigma. I have a couple Sigma lenses and I really like them.

@f5- nice posts! very informative!!


EDIT: forgot to add, if you think you will be doing any flash photography (on camera and slaves- not studio strobes or hot lamps), Nikon is widely considered to have the best flash system out there. Having played with my SB-800 master on the camera and the SB-80 or whatever the model number is as a slave, I can say I agree. Amazing results are there to be had.