Point and Shoot (a Camera Discussion)

[BRatigan]

Two cameras come to mind. One big one, Nikon D7000 with a zoom kit lens or the smaller Leica V Lux2. The Leica can be had in a Panasonic model for much less. The D7000 will be a great camera for its lens interchangeability and larger CMOS sensor as well as all the bells and wistles such as 1080 HD video. outstanding image quality because of the DX format. The leica/Panasonic is really the point and shoot with a ton of features, great lenses, extreme zoom 24x, HD video, etc. Sadly it has a small cmos chip so image quality may suffer.

I am looking at the Leica X1 also but it has a fixed lens and no video, but huge sensor compared to most consumer cameras. Image quality is superb.

There will always be tradeoffs.

BR

 

[everyother_time]

Does anyone know about Sony, my wife was looking into getting a Sony A33, I looked at it yesterday, and we're trying it out today, any thoughts?

 

[buelljek]

everyother time
I know of a couple people that have sony's. They have a great lense and work awesome with sony computers, all the software is already there for the camera.

 

[everyother_time]

Thats reassuring! thanks Buelljek. it seems like a good camera, however I'm at work right now and cannot play with it. I still prefer the 50D over it, but this camera looks like its perfect for what my wife wants, figers crossed for good reviews.

 

[delta one]

Sonys are ok but not great IMO

But 2 major drawbacks may not be an issue to you

Lens availability is lower, it's not yet a big name camera so there are not the same lens options

Durability, they are just not built as tough as other cameras, temperature and bumps are more dramatic to it's case

When I started looking fo a camera I really wanted to love the Sony, they bought out minolta, and I had grown up using my dads 35mm minolta SLR. I thought it would make an easy transition. But after comparing side by side I could not justify the Sony over a Nikon or canon and dropped it from my options as I narrowed down what I wanted (I started with 5 prospects over 3 brands)

But don't let me detur you, because if you don't plan on buying a lot of lenses and flash units or taking your camera to things where it needs to be more rugged than it will be a fine camera for you. There are no real issues with them that I am aware of, the build quality is nice and the components seem to last as well as the other main brands.

 

[Alfatango1]

yea I need to brush up on that and my ability to range by sight alone

Actually the older lenses all had depth of field scales on them, newer high end ones do to. Based on the lens and aperture there is a scale that would tell you what the closest and farthest focus point is, so if say you're shooting a race, and the area you want falls into say 30-60' depth of field scale all you do is fire away. You would make adjustments by aperture and or focal length, works great.

 

[Miami78]

The times I've played with the sony dslr's I haven't been the biggest fan of the in body image stabilization...just didn't seem as effective as in lens stabilization...


Manual is fine for subjects that are farther away where a large dof is applicaple...shooting portraits where my dof is sometimes a couple mm thick I really gotta have AF, I'd waste too much time trying to keep the exact spot I want in focus.

 

[delta one]

Actually the older lenses all had depth of field scales on them, newer high end ones do to.

yea I miss my old push pull lenses for that [sad]
not all my lenses have that now
but on the ones that do... I don't use it anymore

Manual is fine for subjects that are farther away where a large dof is applicaple...shooting portraits where my dof is sometimes a couple mm thick I really gotta have AF, I'd waste too much time trying to keep the exact spot I want in focus.

and I miss my old prism focusing for that


this discussion made me sad, can you tell?

LOL

 

[misternikko]

I would have to agree Alfatango, if i were to get a point and shoot at this point in time it would def be the S95...or even the S90 which is still remarkable for a nice chunk less used. Has manual control like a dslr but wont break the bank on lenses and such after the fact.

ive shot 400D, 30D, 40D, 5D1, 7D and 550D in that order and have been really impressed with canon's latest rebel. Substantially smaller and lighter than the 7D and no noticeable difference in IQ as far as I'm concerned. I also dont feel like i need to baby it as much being that its 50% cost of the 7D that I replaced it with. My suggestion, get a used rebel. The Xsi is still a great camera with outstanding IQ for the price. Invest the rest of your money on good glass.

some shots i took this weekend with my rinky rebel and just ran through lightroom real quick. glass>body.

 

[everyother_time]

WOW, those are some clean pictures! nice

 

[sk8ace]

I love that blue!! Very nice pictures. Makes me want to go out and shoot.. If only I had a zoom lens.. My 50mm is great but I am pretty limited in what I can shoot with it..

 

[misternikko]

Thanks guys

FWIW, the 50 will do just fine especially if you are talking about the plastic fantastic nifty 50/1.8 lol

the majority of these were shot with a 60/2.8 so the 50 will give you an even creamy bokeh. my longest lens is the 24-105L and I find im always reaching for my wide angle anyway. I gueess it just depends on your style of shooting.

i had a great time, all in all about an hour. get out and shoot and make sure to post em up so we can enjoy [up]

sorry to thread jack btw, all im saying is dont limit yourself to a P&S when there are so many affordable DSLRs out there for around the same price or less.

 

[sk8ace]

It's the 1.4 This is the only lens that I have had since I bought my camera in 2007.. Just getting bored with it I guess. I would prob use a wide angle more often than a long range zoom. I've wanted the 17-55 for a long time.. Too bad they never get cheap enough for me to buy. lol

I have a P&S as a backup but I would never go back to having just a P&S. Unless maybe I had the G12 or similar. the SX30is looked ok as an in-between camera but I haven't gotten a chance to play with one.

 

[misternikko]

even better! always wanted the 1.4 but decided to go with the 60 for its macro ability...which i never use lol...go figure. Trying to save up for the 24/1.4L II now for that creamy bokeh you enjoy with yours. Know what you mean about getting bored tho...i found my shots with the 50/1.8 always looked the same when i had it. Funny enough, that doesnt really happen with the 60...no idea why [confused]

I had the 17-55 back when I had the 40D, GREAT lens. Sold it along with the 40D and got the 5D/24-105 kit. Always regretted it because I love shooting wide. When i picked up the 7D and was back on the cropped sensor i picked up the 10-22 which is amazing and my current fave lens. More affordable used than the 17-55 also, check it out.

Ive always wanted a lighter camera to carry around, like a point and shoot, and almost pulled the trigger on the S90. Ended up selling the 7D and picking up the 550D (T2i) instead and have no regrets. You are right, could never go back.

Id like to see some shots of your bike if you have any, wish more people who are into photography on here would post more shots of their buells...

 

[sk8ace]

I've posted this before but I really don't have many of my bike.. I guess I spent too much time riding than thinking about taking pics. I will get some nice ones next summer for sure though! its hdr (but not too overly done like some pics I see) taken with the 50 1.4 and my xti.

 

[everyother_time]

serioulsy, how do you all make your bikes look so good... mine looks all worn out and what not... and I keep mine covered and sheltered... yours looks shiney...

 

[delta one]

Nice HDR
I love that you didn't over do it

 

[misternikko]

very nice HDR [up] People always overcook em. U using photomatix?

 

[misternikko]

been thinkin about getting those same rizomas...hows the visibility? would love to see some more pics if you have any!

bike looks dope!!

@everyother...a good wash before a photo goes a long way. If you are covering and sheltering it you are doing enough. I wash mine weekly too..maybe thats overkill?

 

[sk8ace]

Thanks

I used photoshop cs3 I believe.

Honestly the visibility is not that great lol They look nice though so I'll hang on to them. +65mph and I cant see anything in them.