Cameras

[SAV_117]

Now there seems to be alot off ppl here that know cameras i was just wondering i dont really wanna do much u know take pics of my car or pics of friends when were out and **** like i saw a 8 megapixel camera for like 150 is that good or can i do better keeping in mind i dont wanna spend alot

[danja]

Minux might be your man here, I think he's into photography.

I know a modest amount, and from that I can tell you it's not really the number of megapixles you need to look for, it's more the quality of the lens.

A DSLR is what you want to really good looking pics, because you can slap a top notch lens on it, but for compacts I think if you stick with the big players like Nikon, Canon, Pentax etc you can't go too wrong because they all know their game.

[SAV_117]

yeah i just want a digital i dunno what all that other stuff is lol

[Ozzie]

dont buy one from Aldi stores.

absolute crap quality!

Although you could buy it and if its not what you wanted take it back and get a refund

[SAV_117]

wats an aldi store

[minux]

What sort of pictures do you want to take?

Link me to some that you like and I will try and tell you what to buy

[SAV_117]

My vy lumina

something thats i dunno twice as good as those pics that ive taken maybe its just me but they look rough and edgy lol i just want little more detail and stuff i dont wanna go crazy with price but i want it to look good lol if that makes sense

[minux]

Ok, obviously you don't need a DSLR, best point and shoot would be Panasonic Lumix DMC FX38 - Ted's Camera Stores Australia

Can't go wrong here, they use a Leica lens and for point and shoots produce great images. I know a few guys who keep them in their kit bag and it is something I'd like to buy myself.

[SAV_117]

i do not know what a DLSR is lol but okay ummmm i was thinkin 550 is a littleee tooo much lol i was thinkin like under 200 bucks lol

[danja]

Best experience I ever had with a point and shoot was one of those Canon ones with face recognition (it automagically recognises faces in the frame and makes sure they stay in focus). I pointed it at my friends arse and it drew a face box around it lol.

[SAV_117]

should i wait than and buy a 550 one i wont use it all that much but is it worth it

[danja]

i do not know what a DLSR is lol but okay ummmm i was thinkin 550 is a littleee tooo much lol i was thinkin like under 200 bucks lol

DSLR = Digital single lens reflex, it's to do with the camera mechanism by which the viewfinder shows exactly what the lens sees, so what you see is exactly what you get basically. They start at around $1000 and go up from there.

For under $200 I reckon whatever off-the-shelf Canon you can find for that price. Minux?

[SAV_117]

ohhhh ok thanks for that very nice explanation

[minux]

Umm under $200?

I wouldnt waste your money then.

These are the best 3 in the 200-300 price range in my opinion only.

Panasonic Lumix DMC FS3 - Ted's Camera Stores Australia

Sony DSC W150 - Ted's Camera Stores Australia

Canon Ixus 85IS - Ted's Camera Stores Australia

[minux]

Sorry not endorsing Teds, its just they give prices AND pictures

[SAV_117]

ohhh kk thanks for ya time fellas really appreciate it ill prob go wit the canon just have to save up for it now

[danja]

If you're really keen Wikipedia will tell you more than you ever wanted to know:
Digital single-lens reflex camera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SAV_117]

illl read it and try to understand it

[danja]

Nothing wrong with Ted's in my book.

Hey Minux are you into HDR at all?

EDIT: Just saw your site, and I gather you are Can I ask what you use to composite your exposures, and how many shots you typically bracket?

[greenacc]

I agree with all this , if you don't want to spend $1000 and over , just get a decent Canon Powershot. We bought a Canon powershot 610 about 3 years ago. Since then we have used it for everything and haven't taken the mrs film SLR camera out of its box cos the digital is so easy, quick and cheap. It has 4x optical zoom and 5MP. These days you can het more zoom and more MPixels for less money. They are OK but not excellent indoors , but are great outdoors in the sunlight. Get one that has a decent size lens on it for best results. oh yeah, get some decent rechargeable batteries too, 2500mAh or more.

[danja]

Although I stand by my comments about going for the most megapixels is a waste, this is nonetheless impressive:
HARLEM-13-GIGAPIXELS.COM

[minux]

Nothing wrong with Ted's in my book.

Hey Minux are you into HDR at all?

EDIT: Just saw your site, and I gather you are Can I ask what you use to composite your exposures, and how many shots you typically bracket?

Yeah use HDR, although, It's not something I aim to do unless i feel a scene can be "enhanced" with it.

Just as an example:
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...by_fusionx.jpg

Was 3 exposures

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...ff-senator.jpg

was 5 exposures

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...insfallsda.jpg

was 15 exposures

http://fc33.deviantart.com/fs36/i/20...by_fusionx.jpg

was 7 exposures

I use both Photomatix and Photoshop, depends on the effect and how hard I want it to effect the image.

[danja]

Cheers mate, interesting stuff. I particularly like the Childers Cove shot.

I've played with HDR a little, and had some Ok results, but nothing stunning. I'm still experimenting with various exposures. The camera I use can only bracket 3 frames, so I've been curious how much that effects the end result.

I've only used Photoshop to composite, because I suspect dedicated HDR software would be wasted on me at this stage.

[minux]

Hmm, you are only using bracketing?

I use exposures.

The hopkins falls shot was shot using an ND400. 3 second increments starting at 3 seconds@F8, so 3,6,9,12,15 etc etc.

Its how I do all my HDR, bracketing is hit and miss with how it really exposes, I prefer to let my eyes expose the shot.

[danja]

So far yes. It's something I'm just getting into.

I work alongside print designers in a publications unit doing web design, so we have a reasonable camera for when we need specific shots for work. I sometimes play with it when I have a spare moment - I haven't had as much time to sit down and figure it out as I'd like to

But it's always good to know what works for other people, I might give "manual bracketing" a try next time I have a chance Doesn't help though that we don't have a tripod in the office Might bring one from home..