which camera? - Page 2

skeeter-doc · 08/29/2006, 07:07 AM

well i haven't said because I am still looking into what all those are, ...

I guess point and shoot, ... ? I want something I can take great pics of my tank/corals with, as well as nice pictures of my child to send to grandma!

drstupid · 08/29/2006, 10:24 AM

skeeter-doc,

i find that tank pics almost always need to be color adjusted w/photoshop. your best quality adjustments will be done to RAW format shots. with the canon SLR's that puts you fully in manual mode.

we've got a 30D and love it. there's a 10 megapixel rebel that just came out, worth checking out. the 30D is their current entry level professional digital SLR, the rebel is their consumer model.

i'd get a decent (probably used) macro lens and a tripod for tank pics. that way you can use long exposures in lieu of a flash. another idea is to put strobes/flashes on either side of the tank, and a piece of white reflective material (cardboard) on top. marc levenson's got some great advice on his website.

check out B&H in new york, they've got a ridiculous selection, great prices,deep used selection, they're a respectable firm with a reputation to protect, and they will ship anywhere. the store itself is quite an experience if you find yourself up our way on a sunday afternoon....

MCary · 08/29/2006, 11:24 AM

What do you wish to accomplish with your photos? I know you want to take more than just tank pictures. If all you want is to get some shots of the tank for posterity sake then I suppose any camera would work. I have discovered by try two of my own and every other digital camera I could get my hands on, that those gorgeous tank shots are not possible with most point and shoot cameras. As stated above, you definately need photoshop. You need a manual white balance. And auto focus sux.

I'm saving for a good SLR.

Mike

mattls · 08/29/2006, 12:08 PM

Do not get any Sony Cybershot cameras. They stink. SOny shouldn;t be allowed to make cameras. I have had 2 and they both take below average pictures in my opinion. Sony sells cause there name. I got 2 because the wife liked it. Little does she know.

Either go Nikon or Canon and you will be more than happy.

AZDesertRat · 08/29/2006, 12:53 PM

I had an SLR for years and it was just so inconvienient to lug around. I then bought an old Vivitar digital when they first came out and it was much better but still bulky. I found I never took it anywhere because it was too big to put in a pocket or belt case.
I just bought the Canon SD630 which will fit in a pocket, has all the manual features I wanted and best of all has a 3" LCD so I don't have to put my reading glasses on to see the settings or what I am photographing. I originally set out to get the Canon A700, A620 or A540 but all were still too bulky to carry. Maybe the larger cameras take better pictures, I don't know myself but for what I need my SD630 is just fine. I am amazed at how many pictures you can take with the little batteries that come with them. I bought a spare but have never had to use it yet even after over 200 pictures.

sjm817 · 08/29/2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattls
Do not get any Sony Cybershot cameras. They stink. SOny shouldn;t be allowed to make cameras. I have had 2 and they both take below average pictures in my opinion. Sony sells cause there name. I got 2 because the wife liked it. Little does she know.

Either go Nikon or Canon and you will be more than happy.

I dont like Sony either...except...the new Sony Alpha. They bought out Konica Minolta. The new Alpha DSLR is basically a KM DSLR with the Minolta lens mount and the Minolta Anti-Shake image stabilization.

DarthBaiter · 08/30/2006, 01:01 PM

I love my Powershot 400 for point and shooting. One thing about it and taking macro shots, focus and then move the camera back and forth till you get that perfect focus, and then press all the way for the shot.

HDAlien · 08/30/2006, 01:37 PM

Another vote for the Eos 20D

08/29/2006, 10:24 AM	#27
drstupid Aquarist emeritus Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Narberth, PA Posts: 760	skeeter-doc, i find that tank pics almost always need to be color adjusted w/photoshop. your best quality adjustments will be done to RAW format shots. with the canon SLR's that puts you fully in manual mode. we've got a 30D and love it. there's a 10 megapixel rebel that just came out, worth checking out. the 30D is their current entry level professional digital SLR, the rebel is their consumer model. i'd get a decent (probably used) macro lens and a tripod for tank pics. that way you can use long exposures in lieu of a flash. another idea is to put strobes/flashes on either side of the tank, and a piece of white reflective material (cardboard) on top. marc levenson's got some great advice on his website. check out B&H in new york, they've got a ridiculous selection, great prices,deep used selection, they're a respectable firm with a reputation to protect, and they will ship anywhere. the store itself is quite an experience if you find yourself up our way on a sunday afternoon.... __________________ i'm not a real doctor, i just play one on tv. Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2429266

08/30/2006, 01:01 PM	#32
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	I love my Powershot 400 for point and shooting. One thing about it and taking macro shots, focus and then move the camera back and forth till you get that perfect focus, and then press all the way for the shot. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

08/30/2006, 01:37 PM	#33
HDAlien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 476	Another vote for the Eos 20D __________________ ¡ʞuɐʇ ʎɯ ǝʌo1 ı Current Tank Info: 220 gal. reef

08/29/2006, 07:07 AM	#26
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	well i haven't said because I am still looking into what all those are, ... I guess point and shoot, ... ? I want something I can take great pics of my tank/corals with, as well as nice pictures of my child to send to grandma!

08/29/2006, 11:24 AM	#28
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	What do you wish to accomplish with your photos? I know you want to take more than just tank pictures. If all you want is to get some shots of the tank for posterity sake then I suppose any camera would work. I have discovered by try two of my own and every other digital camera I could get my hands on, that those gorgeous tank shots are not possible with most point and shoot cameras. As stated above, you definately need photoshop. You need a manual white balance. And auto focus sux. I'm saving for a good SLR. Mike

08/29/2006, 12:08 PM	#29
mattls Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 452	Do not get any Sony Cybershot cameras. They stink. SOny shouldn;t be allowed to make cameras. I have had 2 and they both take below average pictures in my opinion. Sony sells cause there name. I got 2 because the wife liked it. Little does she know. Either go Nikon or Canon and you will be more than happy.

08/29/2006, 12:53 PM	#30
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I had an SLR for years and it was just so inconvienient to lug around. I then bought an old Vivitar digital when they first came out and it was much better but still bulky. I found I never took it anywhere because it was too big to put in a pocket or belt case. I just bought the Canon SD630 which will fit in a pocket, has all the manual features I wanted and best of all has a 3" LCD so I don't have to put my reading glasses on to see the settings or what I am photographing. I originally set out to get the Canon A700, A620 or A540 but all were still too bulky to carry. Maybe the larger cameras take better pictures, I don't know myself but for what I need my SD630 is just fine. I am amazed at how many pictures you can take with the little batteries that come with them. I bought a spare but have never had to use it yet even after over 200 pictures.