Looking to Upgrade My Digital Camera

Hi, Judy,

I'm not as knowledgeable as you might think about consumer cameras currently on the market, because I only pay attention to the market for my specific needs and uses. However, I am very knowledgeable about photography generally, so I can help you figure out which features are important for your needs; which ones aren't; what to look for; what to avoid; how to make the most of what you have; how to plan for the long term; and so on.

Feel welcome to call me. I will be glad to help you figure out how to pick your gear, how to operate it, and how to capture your photographic visions and desires in your photos.

Warmly,

Mike
(831) 325-6917
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturography/show/
 
Totally Judy said:
Sigh...... Maybe I should have some sort of a contest on BFC where everyone pitches in and buys me the camera I need.
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Actually, I think that's a good idea. I would be willing to contribute a fine art photo print for a contest or an auction to raise money to get you photo gear.
 
Evolute said:
Actually, I think that's a good idea. I would be willing to contribute a fine art photo print for a contest or an auction to raise money to get you photo gear.
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Wow. Will you marry me? :D:p

I'm too independent and self-sufficient to allow my proposed contest to take place, but thanks for your generous offer!!! You know how much I admire your photography.
 
Evolute said:
Hi, Judy,

I'm not as knowledgeable as you might think about consumer cameras currently on the market, because I only pay attention to the market for my specific needs and uses. However, I am very knowledgeable about photography generally, so I can help you figure out which features are important for your needs; which ones aren't; what to look for; what to avoid; how to make the most of what you have; how to plan for the long term; and so on.

Feel welcome to call me. I will be glad to help you figure out how to pick your gear, how to operate it, and how to capture your photographic visions and desires in your photos.

Warmly,

Mike
(831) 325-6917
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturography/show/
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you sir are a kind gentleman
 
Cougar, thanks for the link to the G10 and it's timing. Boy, am I educated now. Two tenths of a second for a complete shot to process is quick indeed!

Mike, we're impressed but not surprised at your benevolence. Thanks. Judy, take him up on this. :)

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Mike, we're impressed but not surprised at your benevolence. Thanks. Judy, take him up on this. :)

Coop
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Take Mike up on his offer? Sheesh, I'm watching the clock waiting for him to wake up so I can call him!!!!! :D

Okay, I just fibbed a little. I *am* going to call Mike, but not until later as I should not even be on the computer right now - gotta zoom around and get ready to run out the door to work. When my car pulls up to my parking spot , there are 3-4 high up Management guys (but never MY boss) standing there looking at their watches and pen-to-clipboard. Only for ME!!! 'Cuz I are important!

Oh, wait. I am a seeker of the truth and they like to keep the truth hidden under a bushel instead of letting their lights so shine that men may see their good works. Dang. I did it again. They don't DO good works - so they fear me and they keep the truth from the Board of Edumacation. Sigh. It is a tough job fighting for truth, justice, and the American way.

rant over. :cool:
 
SharpByCoop said:
That said, the DSLR style cameras can shoot a bunch of frames at once, so you can get that 'action' shot and choose the exact one. that's how the best sport photographers shoot and *one* of those shots is the moment of choice. :)
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Coop,

Please excuse me for being argumentative, but I disagree with this.

DSLR cameras have frame-per-second rates usually within the range of 2 to 10 frames per second. That means your action will be captured probably every tenth of a second or worse. That's not nearly fast enough to capture peak moments.

The best sport, wildlife, and various-kinds-of-action photographers rely on anticipation, timing, and reflexes, to perfectly capture peak moments. They shoot their peak moment shots singly, not in bursts. If you rely on the frame rate, and try to pick the best from the sequence, you will almost always miss the exact peak moment by a small fraction of a second.

The best action photographers think of high frame rates per second as a feature for capturing full action sequences, not for letting the camera take over as a substitute for timing skills.

I know this is an unpopular and controversial view. I don't mean to be rude.
 
I agree -- full auto can be useful at times but it is NO substitute for the human brain. In fact if you try to capture the crucial moment that way you will be extremely frustrated, over and over -- it always comes in between frames. Wait for it, that's the only way that works.
 
:rolleyes:Hmm. I'm getting an interesting education here, too.

Book learning. Useful ... but just not enough.:grumpy:

I'm happy to see that TJ is in good (and experienced) hands.:D
 
Mike and I had quite a long talk on Thursday. I think I kept him from working on a very large project he has. Oops.

He sure knows his photography. And he is very patient and explains terms, etc. that I don't understand. I learned more in that one phone conversation than I ever knew about cameras.

Deciding on what camera will work best for me long-term and for the uses I have planned for it is going to take a while. Mike uses cameras and lenses that are a little more specialized than anything I will be doing.

It could takes months before Mike and I figure out a camera and the appropriate lenses I might initially need, along with a wish-list of lenses for future purchase.

A special THANKS to PhilL for pointing me to Gadgets & Gear to ask about a new digital camera. LamarrK has also offered to assist me should I have any photography questions and I can talk with him. Thanks, Coop, for your input as well, and also to the rest of the BFC members who made some very good suggestions for a digital camera - many of which are under consideration.

BFC - it's not just about the knives. It's about the LOVE! ;)
 
Evolute said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturography/show/
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If you have never taken a gander at Mike's work - then you need to stop and take a few minutes to check out his photo gallery. This man is so in tune to what he is photographing that it is breathtaking.

And I can guarantee you that the camera and lenses Mike used are NOT anywhere in my budget for my new camera and lenses. I'd have to refi my house just to purchase one of the lenses he uses!

Check it out. You won't regret it and it will be a refreshing look at nature for all of us.

It is just incredible work.
 
Judy, for what it's worth, I bought a Canon Rebel XTi as soon as they came available, and I've been very happy with it. It's been on a lot of trips and held up well over the last 3-4 years, and it's more camera than I'll be able to fully use for a long time. I'd suggest going for one along the same lines, and then spending more time finding a lens or two that will work best for the types of pictures you like to take. The digital camera body will always be improved on (inside or out) every year, but a good lens will be a good lens for a long time:D

Good luck in your search:thumbup:
 
WalterDavis said:
Judy, for what it's worth, I bought a Canon Rebel XTi as soon as they came available, and I've been very happy with it. It's been on a lot of trips and held up well over the last 3-4 years, and it's more camera than I'll be able to fully use for a long time. I'd suggest going for one along the same lines, and then spending more time finding a lens or two that will work best for the types of pictures you like to take. The digital camera body will always be improved on (inside or out) every year, but a good lens will be a good lens for a long time:D

Good luck in your search:thumbup:
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Thanks for sharing your experience with the Rebel XTi. Coop had suggested the Rebel series. Mike and I are discussing the differences between Nikon and Canon and lenses for each, which will eventually lead me to the purchase decision. I am learning that it appears that lenses are the key to a good picture.

Thanks again,

Judy
 
Just to give a thought, I picked up a Nikon D40 that works quite well. I had been shooting a Canon SD750, but needed better low light capability and more control of the camera itself.

The D40 weighs less than most DSLRs because it is an entry level and plastic bodied rather than metal. The kit lens that comes with it is plastic. I know it all sounds bad, but the thing is light and works really well.

It has 3 buttons and a thumbwheel that let you change settings on the camera easily. Picture too bright? 1 button press and roll the thumbwheel to change it. Same for flash modes, flash exposure. Easy easy to change.

If you don't want to mess with it, put it on Auto and blast away. My first shot with the camera was in a dimly lit room taking pictures of moving subjects, and they were sharp, clear, and the exposure/flash was dead on.

The article that sold me on the D40 was on www.kenrockwell.com It was his article that sold me on the Canon point and shoot as well, so I figured I would like the D40 he recommended too.
 
Any Cal...... thanks for sharing your experiences with the Nikon D40. That is one of the models that Mike (Evolute) and I had discussed. Sometime to keep on the list of cameras to consider.

Judy
 
For fast "action" shots like your dogs running around, etc a dSLR is the way to go. You'll have the ability to focus and change zoom faster than any P&S, and shutter lag will definitely be an issue with the P&S.
I'd suggest looking at the entry level dSLRs from Canon and Nikon. Personally I prefer Nikon's dSLRs. Their entry level models just seem more robust than Canon's, at least the last time I checked.
You can get an entry level Canon or Nikon dSLR with a decent lens for well under $1K. That's just a few $100s more than a properly capable P&S as far as I know.
I've got 2 Canon Elphs (SD700IS and SD870IS), both rated as better quality P&S cams, but for anything other than shooting in broad daylight, you're gonna either miss or get blurred shots with those. For those fast paced events my Nikon D70 or D300 are the tools for the job.
All that being said, I've just pre-ordered the Canon G11 as my intermediate/travel cam. Can't wait to see how it performs.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Thanks, NaturalMystic, for the input on the Nikon's and Canon's. I will look into those models as well.
 
You don't have a camera yet? Sheesh... Buy the D40 and be done with it. Here, give me a minute and I will upload a photo. If the camera can catch this, it can probably catch your dogs. Of course, it needed the flash to make it happen.

By the way, the D40 was discontinued, again, so this is probably the time to get it if you want one. Check Adorama for a refurbed one, as they can be had for a good bit less.

I have got a couple thousand shots on mine since my last reply, and I still love it. I just put an older $50 second hand Nikon flash on it, and it's good to go. So far, w/ tax, extended warranty, and the flash, I'm under $600.

waterdrop600x366.jpg
 
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