Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : What Digital Camera do you use
Don't get me wrong here, I love my photographers and I'm not looking to replace them.
I need a digital camera that I can use for product shots that will be Offset Printed at 11x8.5 @300dpi (minimum) Most of the shots will be outdoors, but under all weather and lighting conditions. Some photographers told me to get an 8 Mega Pixel or more camera, but they all have the brands that they love and wouldn’t recommend anything else. They also have me in the $3,000 to $5,000 range. Honestly, I want to stick to under $1500 and have no real need to change out lenses unless I will have to.
Let me know what you use.....
Thanks all!
morea
10-12-2005, 08:36 PM
mine is a Canon PowerShot S2 1S 5.0 megapixel. It costs around $450-$500
I like the camera because it has a lot of adaptability and an optical zoom of x12, and the viewscreen can flip around backwards if I want to compose a shot with myself in it.
Here is some info:
Great for Advanced Users (http://reviews.cnet.com/4864-6501_7-31354064.html?messageSiteID=7&messageID=1346408&cval=1346408&ctype=msgid)
Digital Camera - Powershot S2 1S (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=11368)
I don't like the fact that when I take a picture of something white (i.e. - flower, cat, etc) the camera seems to lose all detail and fails to focus... I am pretty sure that this is a setting though, and since I've had the camera for only a few months I haven't got round to sorting this out.
Hope that helps some.
steve-o
10-12-2005, 08:41 PM
Canon Digital Rebel XT is 8 megapixels and under $1000.
Morea, you mean lose detail as in the photo is overexposed?
morea
10-12-2005, 08:42 PM
I'll start a new thread on it steve-o so I don't hijack this one from Joe ;)
steve-o
10-12-2005, 08:43 PM
k.
Mynock
10-12-2005, 08:44 PM
Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom. 7.1 Megapixel around $350-600. I love it.
mine is a Canon PowerShot S2 1S 5.0 megapixel. It costs around $450-$500
I like the camera because it has a lot of adaptability and an optical zoom of x12, and the viewscreen can flip around backwards if I want to compose a shot with myself in it.
Here is some info:
Great for Advanced Users (http://reviews.cnet.com/4864-6501_7-31354064.html?messageSiteID=7&messageID=1346408&cval=1346408&ctype=msgid)
Digital Camera - Powershot S2 1S (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=11368)
I don't like the fact that when I take a picture of something white (i.e. - flower, cat, etc) the camera seems to lose all detail and fails to focus... I am pretty sure that this is a setting though, and since I've had the camera for only a few months I haven't got round to sorting this out.
Hope that helps some.
Thanks Morea
I like the driving beat on the Cannon Site. I will go back and read more later. Is 5MP enough resolution to get the 8.5x11?? or am I back to the 3-5K range
Steve-o - I've started hearing about the Rebel....I need to go check one out.
Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom. 7.1 Megapixel around $350-600. I love it.
Have not heard anything about the Olympus.....Most of the suggestions have Been Cannon or Nikon......but, I will consider all at this point.
Mynock
10-12-2005, 08:52 PM
Before you buy check out Steve's DigiCams. It's awesome everything is on there you could ever think of. I used it to narrow down my list. He also has a list of The BEST Cameras. I grabbed mine off that list with the features and cost I wanted.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
Before you buy check out Steve's DigiCams. It's awesome everything is on there you could ever think of. I used it to narrow down my list. He also has a list of The BEST Cameras. I grabbed mine off that list with the features and cost I wanted.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
interesting site.....Lots of info...I will need to get my glasses out for this one....
morea
10-13-2005, 12:16 AM
hey Joe, my 5 megapixel camera only does a 6.48 x 8.64" image at 300 dpi... at least according to photoshop.
But I had some nice 8 x 10's printed up (online) from the Casio Exilim EX-Z3, 3.2mega pixel we have, and they came out fine... not sure what res photos are usually printed at. Anybody?
hey Joe, my 5 megapixel camera only does a 6.48 x 8.64" image at 300 dpi... at least according to photoshop.
But I had some nice 8 x 10's printed up (online) from the Casio Exilim EX-Z3, 3.2mega pixel we have, and they came out fine... not sure what res photos are usually printed at. Anybody?
I do all Offset Printing at 300dpi. Depending on the subject, I have gotten away with increasing size 110-150% without too much quality loss, but prefer having the digital shot be 100%.
I've gotten away with using less resolution for digital printing, but I find that even the digital printers now want higher resolutions.
D-Frag
10-13-2005, 12:42 AM
Sony F717, I love it, but I have issues with the F stop only going to 8 : (
canon 350d (or rebelxt to you americans). great camera. if you've got a spare $2000 you could always go the new canon 5-d. with a 1:1 ratio sensor @ 12 Mp i i think.
fredrich
10-13-2005, 07:39 PM
The 350D is lovely, I have it. Before I bought it, I had a Konica Minolta Dimage Z3, which was pretty ok, but now Konica Minolta has the Z6 with 6MP. I think that is a pretty neat camera.
D-Zine
10-13-2005, 09:42 PM
I have a Sony Cybershot P200 7.2mp. I love it. I still have alot to learn about it but that's mostly because I won't sit down long enough to have a look through the book..LOL
steve-o
10-13-2005, 09:55 PM
I think it is 240 dpi. In fact when I scale your dimensions to 240 dpi it produces a canvas bit larger than 8x10.
hey Joe, my 5 megapixel camera only does a 6.48 x 8.64" image at 300 dpi... at least according to photoshop.
But I had some nice 8 x 10's printed up (online) from the Casio Exilim EX-Z3, 3.2mega pixel we have, and they came out fine... not sure what res photos are usually printed at. Anybody?
From the research that I have been doing, I'm leaning towards a Canon. But, I need to get out and physically look at Cameras before I commit to one brand
cmvsm@bellsouth.net
10-14-2005, 05:52 AM
You may want to get out and hold a couple of the cameras. For under $1500, the Nikon D70s and D50 will most likely feel the best in your hands due to the great ergonomics. The image quality from both are excellent. For many, including myself, the Canon is a great camera but the 350XT was way too small for my hands. So much to the point that it was a deal breaker. So it really depends on the person.
I would stay away from the Olympus cameras, as they are on the thirds lens system which may or may not be supported in the future.
The KM 5D and 7D are great cameras as well for under $1500. KM's glass is limited mostly to 3rd party dealers like Sigma and Tamron. Not a "bad" thing, but Nikon and Canon glass is a little higher quality and greater selection.
HTH
You may want to get out and hold a couple of the cameras. For under $1500, the Nikon D70s and D50 will most likely feel the best in your hands due to the great ergonomics. The image quality from both are excellent. For many, including myself, the Canon is a great camera but the 350XT was way too small for my hands. So much to the point that it was a deal breaker. So it really depends on the person.
I would stay away from the Olympus cameras, as they are on the thirds lens system which may or may not be supported in the future.
The KM 5D and 7D are great cameras as well for under $1500. KM's glass is limited mostly to 3rd party dealers like Sigma and Tamron. Not a "bad" thing, but Nikon and Canon glass is a little higher quality and greater selection.
HTH
I will be out over the weekend trying on Cameras....I have been out of Photography for 15 years or so and I really dont' know what's out there. I have old Minolta and Nikon lenses. I wonder if they will fit anything made today....
Had my first look at camera's today....I cant' believe how small camera's are now. It's going to be hard to find something that "fits" right
I liked the Cannon Rebel XT, but do I really want to buy (and carry around) all new lenses??? The Cannon 5D was too much for me.....The Olympus just felt like garbage. There were a few other off brands in the 7-8MP range, but I think I want to stay with known brands.
They didn't sell any Nikon's where I was so that's the weekend project.
So far......Cannon Rebel XT is in the lead.....
I've been looking at EVERYTHING over the last couple of weeks!!!!!!
I want to stay in the $500 range so the two choices are
Point and shoot - Canon S80
SLR - Nikon D50 (If my old lenses will fit)
I'm leaning towards the Canon....Anyone out there have one of these???
SLR - Nikon D50 (If my old lenses will fit)
This is a very valuable point, but im afraid your old lenses probly wont fit. Its worth trying out though. If they do, definitely go with the D50 its a nice camera, the s80 has the disadvantage of not being 'expandable' in anyway. e.g. you can't buy new lenses for it. If you can stretch it, go for the D70s but i would go the d50 over the s80 anyday. Purely from a creative latitude perspective and expandability options.
It depends what you want to do with it really. If you are using it for work, buy the more expensive camera, the d50 (you can write it off anyway) but if its a family camera (unless you're really into it) go the s80, its alot easier to use.
This is a very valuable point, but im afraid your old lenses probly wont fit. Its worth trying out though. If they do, definitely go with the D50 its a nice camera, the s80 has the disadvantage of not being 'expandable' in anyway. e.g. you can't buy new lenses for it. If you can stretch it, go for the D70s but i would go the d50 over the s80 anyday. Purely from a creative latitude perspective and expandability options.
It depends what you want to do with it really. If you are using it for work, buy the more expensive camera, the d50 (you can write it off anyway) but if its a family camera (unless you're really into it) go the s80, its alot easier to use.
I have a couple of old Nikkormat FT cameras (from around the 1975 era) and a Minolta X370 (from around the 1980's) I have a variety of lenses for both. I think the Minolta is a lost cause, but the Nikon lenses should fit today's cameras. I will just have to get everything down to the camera store.
I will probably get the S80 for now and update the SLR later when I can spend more on new lenses, etc.
Now the question is downloading while on the road without a computer......
colonel5
10-26-2005, 04:48 AM
i have the older digital rebel which i got for $500 when i worked at apple... the best deal ever, and all my photographer friends tell me that it is a better overall camera than the XT, it's only lacking in the megapixels, beyond that it takes much better pics. Plus a rule of photography is "the picture will only be as good as the glass you take it with" Find a used Nikon D70 or an Older Canon Digital Rebel and stick the rest of the money in lenses...
im pretty sure the lenses wont work with modern autofocus mechanisms. Its funny that you say that the Minolta is a lost cause because the Minoltas were some of the first with autofocus systems, although they didn't work very well.
LeeIs
10-26-2005, 12:41 PM
A fujifilm s602 zoom finepix. It's 3.2 mega pixels, a tad old.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujis602z/
sfaust
10-27-2005, 03:43 PM
Joe, here are some thoughts that might help you in your search;
P&S cameras use smaller sensors and are more prone to having noise in the images. SLR's will give you cleaner images overall, as well as sharper and more contrasty depending on the lens used. P&S cameras almost always have quite a bit of barrel distortion, pin cushion, and more chromatic aberration (purple fringing). If you are up sizing to make your 300dpi requirements, these may be more noticeable as well. P&S cameras can't give you that nice shallow depth of field that you can get with an SLR, so you will always be fighting with the backgrounds in your images. Trying to use manual mode on many of the P&S cameras is a pain, but can be done. The P&S also operate very slow compared to a DSLR. And, if you ever want to use any kind of off camera strobe lighting, most P&S cameras will offer you a challenge in that department.
My recommendation would be to grab a Canon Rebel or Nikon D70 or D50 over any P&S offering out there. I've been looking for a quality P&S for a few years now so that I can always carry a camera with me, but have yet to find one that gives me similar results to the lowest end DSLR. If you look around for a good bargain you might save quite a bit, but probably not hit your $500 mark. But the difference in price is more than made up in the overall quality.
Depending on how you are going to use it, the above issues or differences may or many not be important to you, but at least understanding the issues will give you the info you need to make that decision.
Btw, the kit lens on the D70 is very good quality, while the kit lens offered with the Rebel is ok, but not great. Being a Canon guy, I'd actually prefer the Nikon D70 over the Rebel, and owned the D70 for about a year. Very nice camera, excellent quality overall.
Both the references to Steves DigiCams and DPreview are good suggestions. There is a weath of information to really compare the cameras against each other.
Hope this all helps.
Stephen Faust
www.CypressMediaWorks.com (http://www.CypressMediaWorks.com)
morea
10-27-2005, 03:47 PM
great information Stephen! Welcome to the forum :)
sfaust
10-27-2005, 04:40 PM
Thanks morea. I came here looking to lurk for a while and see what information I can glean so that I can be more effective and educated when working with designers. I didn't expect to be able to offer much, but ran across this thread. Its nice to be able to contribute as well from time to time :)
Stephen Faust
www.CypressMediaWorks.com (http://www.CypressMediaWorks.com)
morea
10-27-2005, 04:47 PM
while we *are* here to learn and share a lot, we have loads of fun just hanging out in the Off Topic section... so please feel free to join the insanity if the mood strikes ;)
My recommendation would be to grab a Canon Rebel or Nikon D70 or D50 over any P&S offering out there.
Stephen - Welcome to the Forum!!! And Thank you for the Input!!
I've decided to get Both the Canon S80 point and shoot and the SLR. I'm going to China next month and I don't want to drag all the lenses with me.
I am partial to Canon and Nikon. I've been a Color Separator for the last 20+ years and have always notice a difference with Photographers that use these brands.
I will probably choose the a Nikon SLR...If the old lenses I have fit. Otherwise, it at least the Canon Rebel, but I have my eye on the EOS 5D.....Now, All I need to do is get my wife to Agree.... :)
colonel5
10-27-2005, 08:24 PM
good call on getting the point and shoot and the SLR, when i got my rebel I sold my p&s and now i regret it somewhat, the point and shoots are sure handy for those random times when you need a camera to just pull from your pocket. Can't go wrong with the Nikon or the Canon... the 5D is a sweet camera too, but if you end up going canon, invest more in the glass and find an old rebel, you can hack the firmware to have most the same options as a 10D since they have the same brain...
sfaust
10-27-2005, 09:17 PM
Here is another option that I ran across this afternoon. The Olympus E-500. Its around $600, built on the four-thirds sensor from Olympus, and fares very well sitting somewhere between a P&S and the DSLR offerings from Canon and Nikon. Its very light, somewhat small, and is a SLR.
And I agree with colonel5 on getting good glass. The lens and the sensor are the two most important pieces that effect the overall quality. If the sensor can't see a sharp contrasty image from the lens, you aren't going to get what you what even with the best sensor, and vice-versa. And it seems that on the P&S, you may get a very nice lens, or a nice sensor, but rarely both since they need to keep the cost down, as well as the overall size.
One last tid bit of info. I had a Sony P-100 which I liked very much, and carried it with me everyday in my pocket. After 6 months, I noticed that the images were soft. Come to find out, the pocket lint from rubbing back and forth in my pocket for days on end worked its way into the lens and sensor area as very fine dust, and caused the image to degrade. I have an Olympus C-7000 that I carry daily, but keep it in a separate case that doesn't create lint :) And while I like the C-7000, I'm still looking for the holy grail in a P&S.
colonel5
10-27-2005, 09:41 PM
if they would have had an optical rather than digital zoom on my powershot sd10 that would have been the pinnacle of p&s cameras... but no such luck, i hear that they are coming out with a new version, so we'll see what i get myself for christmas ;o)