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Non Tool Forum => The Shutter Shop => Topic started by: Ben X on April 24, 2009, 01:03:18 AM

Title: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Ben X on April 24, 2009, 01:03:18 AM
I am perpetually frustrated by my crappy camera that takes blurry photos no matter what setting I use, especially up close. I want to buy a different one, but I don't want to take the shot in the dark my last two have been, any ideas anyone? Especially important is clear photos at a close range with good detail and no blur. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I do want good quality for sure. I thought Megapixels were the measure of quality but my crappy polaroid that is 7MP blew that notion out of the water. What do you all use for those mind blowing clear photos? :P
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: turbov21 on April 24, 2009, 01:06:03 AM
You might get more answers on the camera forum:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/board,18.0.html
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: nuphoria on April 24, 2009, 01:09:31 AM
My starting point is usually Olympus. I think the lenses they use are great value for money and they aren't total rocket science when it comes to learning the controls.

Good luck on your search  :tu:
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: skydan on April 24, 2009, 02:24:59 AM
Pixel resolution has utterly nothing to do with quality. "My camera has more pixels that yours" is simply a marketing attempt at pushing new tech.

What you want to do is spend the money on a high quality lens. Fixed focal length are better than zooms. The big names such as Nikon and Canon consistently make good lenses. Then pick a body that suits your needs. And use a tripod.

If you have any doubt about lens quality vs megapixels, consider this. The rovers that NASA sent to Mars took some amazingly high quality and very sharp pictures. The camera cost a ton of money. The sensor is only about 1 megapixel. Most of the cost was spent on the lens.

Anything upto 8 megapixels is good for 8x10" enlargements. Correct exposure, increasing contrast and unsharp filters can make a low resolution image seem much sharper.

Hope this helps ;)
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Ben X on April 24, 2009, 02:44:35 AM
Yes sir!  :salute: :salute: :salute:
Thanks for the information, I have been leaning toward maybe picking up one of those entry-level Nikons at Target, are those up to par with their higher end products? Or do you have to get away from those flat pocket cameras to get good photos?
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: edap617 on April 24, 2009, 03:39:01 AM
IMHO, I don't need an expensive camera to take pictures of my stuff for posting in here and for sending pics via email. A moderately priced pocket camera with macro mode can take fairly good pictures as long as there is enough lighting. I took all the recent pics I post here with a 100USD 6.0 megapixel point and shoot camera.

Sample pics.

Using macro mode
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/edap617/Various%20Pix/S7300780.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/edap617/Various%20Pix/S7300813.jpg)

Using optical zoom
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/edap617/Various%20Pix/S7300871.jpg)

Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Zack on April 24, 2009, 08:34:32 PM
Canon A570 IS is a very good camera, I use it as a backup to my DSLR (Nikon D70).  DSLR's have come down in price so much in recent years that it almost makes more sense to invest in one of those rather than a P&S since the lenses are what is most important for any camera.  Head over to the photographyreview.com's forum section.  They are a great bunch of people and I am member there.  Think of them as the MT.org of the camera forums.
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Pacu on April 24, 2009, 08:43:57 PM
My little Canon A560 i bought in new York City works real good but as Loudliam stated it does make better sense to get a DSLR if space allows. You can get a Nikon D40 for about 400 bucks with a gimme glass then purchase whatever you need to suit your photographic needs.

I still want a Canon 50d but $$$ >:(
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Zack on April 24, 2009, 09:12:29 PM
A decent used D70 kit with a decent used all purpose macro lens would cost you around $450.00,  My current kit consists of a D70, 50mm prime, 28-105 macro and sb-600 flash.  All told I have less than $700 invested and it all used.  You could sell a few of your mods and easily get a D40 or d50 kit.
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on April 25, 2009, 08:59:21 PM
I have been looking at the Nikon series DSLR's and I am impressed.  I think I'd pretty much stuck on the D60 for my next camera, but I wouldn't rule out another full bodied point and shoot unless you are looking for something more professional grade, and know a lot about photography.

I have said it before and I'll say it again- Kodak has impressed me far more than any other brand.  The full bodied point and shoot models have a number of built in presets as well as the option to customize all the settings, making it a great learning tool in addition to a great camera.  It comes with a Schneider/KRUZNACH lens, which I'll admit to knowing nothing about, but it takes gorgeous pictures.

This is it:

(http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/images/Kodak-Z650-lightbox.jpg)

Learning to use macro, lighting, a tripod and timer (or remote) will give you better results than investing in a new camera- again, unless you really want to go professional grade, which for me at least is a big waste of money since they include a lot of features and options I know little to nothing about.

Def
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on April 25, 2009, 09:00:26 PM
Oh yeah, and the menus and features are amazingly easy to use on the Kodak.  This is my second Kodak model, and they were both very intuitive, moreso than some of the other cameras I've owned.

Def
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Sea Monster on May 10, 2009, 03:36:44 AM
http://www.canon.com.au/Powershot/Range.aspx


I use the SX 110 for leisure and the SX1 for work.

The SX110 (not quite entry level, but pretty basic) is basically as much camera as a chump like me can learn how to use, I can generally get as good a picture of it as I can out of the SX1, (which costs four times as much)

The only problem with the Canon Powershot range is you need to use their proprietary software to manipulate photos on and off the Camera, which is a pain if you want to use it on someone elses computer. (There are ways around it, but it would be nice if you could just search through it the same way you do with any other removable storage device)



The Lady uses a EOS 40D, but that's a bit like saying Schumacher drives a Ferrari - If it's what you do for a living, it's probably worth having something fancy.
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: Zack on May 12, 2009, 08:28:16 PM
http://www.canon.com.au/Powershot/Range.aspx


I use the SX 110 for leisure and the SX1 for work.

The SX110 (not quite entry level, but pretty basic) is basically as much camera as a chump like me can learn how to use, I can generally get as good a picture of it as I can out of the SX1, (which costs four times as much)

The only problem with the Canon Powershot range is you need to use their proprietary software to manipulate photos on and off the Camera, which is a pain if you want to use it on someone elses computer. (There are ways around it, but it would be nice if you could just search through it the same way you do with any other removable storage device)



The Lady uses a EOS 40D, but that's a bit like saying Schumacher drives a Ferrari - If it's what you do for a living, it's probably worth having something fancy.

I keep a small card reader in my bag so I never have to plug the camera in to get the photos, and its much quicker.
Title: Re: OT: Good Cameras
Post by: BenH on May 21, 2009, 02:30:23 PM
I highly recommend the Samsung NV5. It's only 7.2MP, but the lens is great for a compact. Full range of manual controls, really good zoom, and the best supermacro I've ever found. They're cheapish, as well.