Question for bearthedog (or any other photographers)

O

oruacat2

Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
233
Love the pictures, but your camera/gear setup looks too expensive and expansive for what I would use it for. So you have any recommendations for smaller digital cameras that would function well for outdoor shots such as yours? I'd love a high-quality digital camera that I could just slip into a pocket and have handy for wildlife sightings, scenery, etc. I've got an old Olympus Camedia that's performed okay, I guess, but it's bigger than I'd like, and there's a really annoying "lag time" between pressing the button and getting the actual picture - it makes catching any "action shot" virtually impossible.

I've read about this Nikon Coolpix model that can fire-off 5 shots/second - any thoughts there?

Thanks in advance,
Kenny D
 
Point.....Push button....curse at blurry picture....try again....

There's everything I know about photo-graphing.

(Sad part is, I have an associates in graphic design....)
 
I wouldn't call myself a photographer but I use a an Olympus point and shoot. Its a stylus model (one of the ones that can get crushed dropped submerged and frozen). It takes some pretty sweet pics especially combined with a small tripod. I've brought it through some pretty nasty stuff and I never have to worry about it. I did lose my first one in a lake tho... it would still work i'm sure... its just at the bottom of a lake. They are completely Marine proof, which is all I asked. If you're looking for something to throw in the pocket and forget about until you need it. I'd definitely give them a look.

This is the new one I got

olympus-stylus-tough-8000-digital-camera.jpg
 
Don't know what your budget is but the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS is a great little camera and easy on the wallet.

Canon-SD1200IS-Front-Copy.jpg
 
Although I'm a huge fan of Canon's SLR's (and shoot them regularly), in my opinion their point and shoot cameras plain suck. No offense intended.
 
My mom has a G11 that she likes better than her souped up Rebel XTi. She says it takes much better pictures-the colors and light are more true and the edges are cleaner. I have a Panasonic FH20 that I've been running lately-fits in a shirt pocket, durable as hell, Leica glass, and alot of really nice manual options (like macro focus, ISO, etc) and the controls are set up for extremely fast adjustment. I paid 147 dollars.

Here are some of the photos I've taken with it as of late.
P1020088-1.jpg

night shots are great for such a small point and shoot
P1010331.jpg

P1010280.jpg

P1010269.jpg

P1010248.jpg

P1010199.jpg

P1010447.jpg

P1010033.jpg


I'd upload some scenery, flower and bug shots but photobucket won't upload anything for some reason... sigh... at least you know it takes good knife pictures :D
 
Not trying to debate you but I have a G11 and it is one of the worst high-end point and shoot cameras on the market...Period. I love Canon. I shoot a 5D MKII professionally but their point and shoots plain suck.
 
I have no hands-on experience with em, just what my mom says... it's her backup for wedding and baby photography. I really miss my A650 though... and sure am happy with the Panasonic. It's been dropped 3-4 times now, and I carry it in my pocket. It's built like a tank, very practical for a trail camera.
 
I walked into a camera shop one day and said..."I'm an idiot, I like to do a lot of outdoorsy stuff, and I like stuff simple."

I walked out with an Olympus Stylus 720w. It's dated now...that was a few years ago...but it's shock-proof, water-proof,etc....
it's sorta "me proof". :)

Won't win any contests...but I can use it anywhere:
jan12010paddle005.jpg

yeah..that's ice on the water. I really enjoy cold weather trips. :)
 
Depending on your definition of "pocket sized", I'd grab an old Canon rebel. Point and shoots are almost always going to have some shutter lag. (almost). Even the old-ass original digital rebels will take great shots with good shutter response. 10D, 20D, 30D, all good bodies people are unloading for cheap. Slap on an EF50 f/1.8 for about $70 bucks and you've got a fairly tight package with a ton of flexibility.

Of course, there's no magic "i win" button. Any camera, you've got to go out and practice with it.
 
R.A.T. said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ic_DMC_LX5K_Lumix_DMC_LX5_Digital_Camera.html
Almost as good as Leica on the point and shoot
Click to expand...

+100 - it's "basically" the exact same camera as the Leica - slightly difference lens, and slight differences in the processor - the only BIG difference is in the price tag. I have the LX3 and have loved it since I played with it in the store. The LX5 is just a natural progression/update on a very nice camera. My LX3 is still going strong, but if I were buying a new point'n'shoot/compact today, it'll unquestionably be the LX5.

fyi, I'm a semi-pro hobbyist - I shoot a Nikon D700, D300's, and D200 at work, and a D3 and D90 for personal stuff (I usually do portraits, sports, and events... occasionally weddings). As much as I love Nikon, I vowed never to touch a Nikon Coolpix again - they're junk. Don't waste your money on them, especially when you have the Panasonic LX3 or LX5 to choose from.

R.A.T. said:
Not trying to debate you but I have a G11 and it is one of the worst high-end point and shoot cameras on the market...Period. I love Canon. I shoot a 5D MKII professionally but their point and shoots plain suck.
Click to expand...

I usually like Canon point and shoots, such as the SD870 or SD880 type. However, Canon really missed the mark on the recent G-series. They're clunky, and junk. My boss has the G10 and I've played with the G11. Just go with the LX5.
 
For the cost, the Canon Digital Elph family are some of the best compact point-and-shoot cameras, IMHO. I've had a few over the years and have never been disappointed. I have a digital SLR that I spent $2k on between the body and lenses (and that was a few years ago), and I still take the little Canon along for walks in the woods.

SP
 
I've got a Canon S90 for pocket use - takes great shots. The updated version (S95) should be even better. These cameras offer little in the way of advancement (add-ons), but are great at what they do. I ended up handing it off to my wife, and continuing on with my Nikon D90. Not a pocket camera.
 
I was in the market for a new camera too, and wanted something more than the point and shoot compact camera's but DSLR cams are too large too haul around all day.. I decided on an Olympus Epl1. Pretty small but with interchangeable lenses. I made pretty nice shots with it already and im new to photography. With the 14-42mm kit lens attached it fits in the pocket of my jacket.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1501
 
lmcq784 said:
+100 - it's "basically" the exact same camera as the Leica - slightly difference lens, and slight differences in the processor - the only BIG difference is in the price tag. I have the LX3 and have loved it since I played with it in the store. The LX5 is just a natural progression/update on a very nice camera. My LX3 is still going strong, but if I were buying a new point'n'shoot/compact today, it'll unquestionably be the LX5.

fyi, I'm a semi-pro hobbyist - I shoot a Nikon D700, D300's, and D200 at work, and a D3 and D90 for personal stuff (I usually do portraits, sports, and events... occasionally weddings). As much as I love Nikon, I vowed never to touch a Nikon Coolpix again - they're junk. Don't waste your money on them, especially when you have the Panasonic LX3 or LX5 to choose from.



I usually like Canon point and shoots, such as the SD870 or SD880 type. However, Canon really missed the mark on the recent G-series. They're clunky, and junk. My boss has the G10 and I've played with the G11. Just go with the LX5.
Click to expand...

I've also got a Nikon CoolPix. It's a real POS pile of junk, IMO. About as bad as the G11. The only difference being is you would think the flagship of Canon's point and shoot line would not be as worthless as it is...but it is. I see you and I see eye-to-eye on Camera gear :)
 
I'll caveat this post by saying I'm not a photographer and I really know next to nothing about the field.

solocanoe said:
I walked into a camera shop one day and said..."I'm an idiot, I like to do a lot of outdoorsy stuff, and I like stuff simple."

I walked out with an Olympus Stylus 720w. It's dated now...that was a few years ago...but it's shock-proof, water-proof,etc....
it's sorta "me proof". :)
Click to expand...

My Pentax Optio WS80 is what allows me to get pictures like this when I'm on the water:

STP82104_res.sized.jpg


But the image quality is borderline terrible. There's so much noise and the fixed lens really hinders it's ability to take quality stills, that the kayak is the ONLY place I take this camera. But having it survive the water and the bumps and drops is the tradeoff, a crappy camera on you is better then one you don't have (true for so many things!).

I've have great results with my cheap Samsung L85 when I use a tripod and set up the shot correctly. I think I got it from Woot for less than $100, and I wasn't expecting much but the glass and sensor seem to perform reasonably well, definitely better then I can take photos. I use it for stuff like this:

izula_tree.sized.jpg


Now, the only thing I wish the L85 had was more zoom. So to rectify that, I recently bought a used Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. I'm hoping it fills the gap for not so much money. Haven't recieved/tried it yet. You can find those bridge-type cameras (somewhere between a P&S and DSLR) for reasonable prices these days. Even if they're a few years old they still work fine. :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top