all these nice photos, so what dig cam you using?

[jon1996]

hello,
here latley i have seen several beatiful photos that members have taken, so what camera(digital only) is everyone using? i am looking at a canon g5 i really like it, but i am open to all opinions, so if you could post a pic and then tell what cam you are using, my price range is $500.00 and lower, my uses are going to be photos of people, so i need at least 3 megapixel, and mostly outdoors, the g5 is 5.0 megapixel,
thanks,
jon

 

[Zak Smith]

I have the Canon S400, and use it for gun pr0n. It is the compact ELPH-sized version, 4MP, 3-minute video capable (enough for a 3Gun or IPSC stage!). For publishing on the web only, you don't really "need" 4MP, since nobody has a 2500x1800 monitor, but the extra detail is nice.

A single 512MB card will last me a 7-10 day vacation, taking all pictures at the highest resolution and quality.

-z

PS. For gun pictures, different light-metering modes (center vs. weighted) and Macro mode are very useful.

 

[BerettaNut92]

For taking pictures of guns, you will need a white balance setting. Most cameras have them, but just because the feature is there doesn't mean it's easy to use. The Canon G series the white balance is very easy to use and works beautifully.

I have a Canon G2 and shoot all my photos with an external flash ($200 another or so) and 45R just picked up a G5 and, IMO is putting out magazine centerfold quality pics with his after only having it for 3 weeks.

The Canon S400s and A70s are neat. I haven't played with the A80 much. I'd go for the A series as with the S400s, you're paying for the more compact package, but it takes a proprietary battery; the A series takes AAs. I still like the G series easy to use interface better.

I haven't played with other brand compact cameras--most of my friends have Canons.

Really, cameras are like guns. Buy within a reasonable quality, and if you do your part, your camera will serve you well. Granted better cameras will be easier to shoot with (like having custom sights, trigger job etc) but really it's about what's between the ears, not what's in the hands. Oleg could kick my butt if I had the Hubble telescope attached to a 16 megapixel SLR and he had a gas station disposable camera.

 

[raz-0]

the best cheap camera is tha canon a70. It has both whitebalance settings and aperture/exposure priority.

I don't own one, but hey.. learn from my mistakes. I believe their higher up models in the same line have it as well, just not the lower ones. But I'd check on that.

 

[esheato]

Canon G2, has all the bells and whistles you'd ever need, but it's definitely not a pocket camera.

esheato....

 

[arinvolvo]

cannon a60....and a giant sony mavica that takes the most beautiful pics.

 

[Penforhire]

Nikon Coolpix 990 for quickie digicam work. Nikon 4000ED 35mm slide scanner for serious work (Nikon bodies & glass). Sad to think my film-bodies will soon be obsolete.

 

[BerettaNut92]

The Skunk wants....

 

[P95Carry]

Minolta DiMAGE A1 - 8Mpix. It is tho (inmdustry std now it seems) only 72 ppi density ... I'd rather I had 150 ppi or better and smaller ''physical'' size on the pics. Ideally I'd like something like Oleg's Cannon but I had to keep my budget all in below a grand (which allows for external PSU, spare Lithium battery, remote cord etc).

Previous camera was (is) Kodak DX 6340. OK but not enough manual control.

The advantages of the Minolta are ....

Very wide menu choice on options, which includes if needed, choosing ISO rather than having it auto. Good macro options, and full manual control over exposure as well as simple A and S priority choices.

White balance too is available as a manual option, storable in memory for three custom settings. Also options to increase or decrease both color saturation and contrast.

Focus can be manual ... aided by a 2 step zoom feature which makes critical focus better.

Usual choices of spot and average etc for metering .... and various other options too, which make for great flexibility.

I find lighting most convenient via a three source tungsten ... and having a ''light tent'' over the subject material for diffusion. White balance is set for this plus some slight ambient of fluorescent mixed in.

Overall . a very versatile camera . and it can take some add-ons to lens. Not quite tho the full SLR with interchangeable lenses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally a shameless plug ... for the mini-site I put up for those new to digi work ... and how to post pics etc ...

THR Image Matters

It is there to I hope assist those starting off, and maybe save them some of the ''pain''!

It is also available thru a link in the ''Library'' page at top right of this board's page header.

 

[hksw]

IMO, I have found that the easiest way to greatly improve my picture taking is to provide the proper lighting and setting.

Currently, I have an old Sony 505. Next one will be a digital SLR.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Used prosumer SLRs like Canon D30, D60 or Nikon D1 are a pretty good buy right now. They yield better images an dhave better controls than comparably priced new compact cameras. Lighting, imager and lenses make the image, plus having an idea in the first place.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Fuji FinePix 2600Z. I got it on sale 2 summers ago for, I believe, about $220. Takes great photographs. It's 2.0 megapixel.