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[scoop]

Having used everything from a Kodak Brownie to a 10 x 8 Sinar, I wanted one thing above all others - to have the right lens on the camera (how is it that when you have a choice, you always have the wrong one on??).  I know that a lens change only takes a few seconds, but in a lot of cases the shot is gone!
The bridge cameras now have lenses that I would have died for 20 years ago, I had to pay an arm and a leg for a tele zoom lens (I even had to buy a monopod to compensate  )

I looked at the specs for many, but given the fact that I wouldn't be blowing up all the results to 20" x 30", decided that the bridge lens and the CCD (?) quality would give me what I needed.
For me, its the only sensible choice 

Danny
PS Ned - I can't even get my phone to make a call, never mind take pictures! 

You must be older than me Danny, I think the Brownie outdates my first camera which was a Halina twin lens reflex I Used to load it with Ilford films  . I'm now using a FujifinePix,  with 18x optical zoom, brilliant for high speed photo's of boats, I just put it on the camera shake setting and off we go 
Scoop

[G2012]

I used to own a full blown SLR (Canon 350d) with several lenses but I  hardly ever used it due to the size and clumsyness of carrying the thing around.  I sold it a while back and have just recently bought a Panasonic GX1.  I am extremely happy with it, in my opinion it outperforms the 350D in most instances.  The image stabilisation more than makes up for the relatively slow lens and the processor is good enough to take images at high iso without the image being too grainy.  You can fit a pancake lense to the camera which allows you to fit it into a decent sized pocket.  On top of all that the camera looks great!

[Rob Wood]

I recently retired my Canon 40D (after 5 years of service), and replaced it with a Canon 60D. I love my new camera, but loved my old one as well. I think the answer to the question is that it depends on what you need the camera for. If you're a serious amateur who needs a wide range of options, and has a wide range of photographic interests, you'll want interchangeable lenses and the ability to shoot in full manual mode.

If you only want a point and shoot, I'd get something that fits in your pocket, and can take high-res stills or HD video. Either the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 (WiFi enabled) or the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS would make excellent choices.

But as I said, if you want to be able to take any sort of shot, in any sort of light, with closeup detail, you really do need a full-on DSLR with interchangeable lenses. For example, here's a shot I took with my Canon 60D of the last full moon, full zoom with a 300 mm lens. Even though there was plenty of water vapor in the air, I was able to get a decent shot that I couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot:



Here's an action shot taken with my 40D, 300mm lens:


Or, this one, shot with a macro lens:


Rob

[Martin (Admin)]

I already have the Canon 110s - what a nice piece of kit!

But it not very all day use friendly, for use at shows etc.


I bough the Panasonic  FZ200 in the end... couldn't justify the cost of a Nikon d5100 or the Canon 650d, both needed 2 zoom lenses for my use!

[Rob Wood]

Just from the little reading I've done on it, I see why you picked the FZ200. It should perform nicely at shows. I hadn't realized Panasonic had gone back to a constant maximum aperture across its entire zoom range.  F2.8 should enable you to shoot without a lot of noise at higher shutter speeds in low light conditions. Have you tried it indoors in a show-type environment?

Rob

[Martin (Admin)]

And it's comfortable in the hand too! 

[Rob Wood]

It looks very comfortable.

Here's an interesting experiment we could both try...

This shot, taken on a bright, clear day at a race, is about the best I was able to do with my Canon 40D, as far as capturing a fast-moving model boat, at a maximum resolution of around 10 MP:


I'm anxious to try my 60D this Saturday at the local model boat lake at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Saturdays are set aside at the lake for go-fasties like this one.

I would be very interested to see how my 60D and your FZ200 do in similar conditions. I'm also curious to see how the video capabilities stack up, and I especially want to see some high speed HD footage from your FZ200. I bet that's going to be a lot of fun to play with.

Rob
 

[Martin (Admin)]

"I would be very interested to see how my 60D and your FZ200 do in similar conditions. I'm also curious to see how the video capabilities stack up, and I especially want to see some high speed HD footage from your FZ200. I bet that's going to be a lot of fun to play with.

Rob"

Will do Rob.... I don't get down the lake much these days but I'll remember when I am.

NB. a Canon 60D is a real camera!   

[LarryW]

     Hi Martin,
 Have a look at Finepix HS30 exr,  zooms from 24mmm to720mmm,    panorarma mode  has all the usal bits, macro extra ,
  sold my nikon pro uot fit last year , this camera does all work i did in a very packed camera bag, now in a one compact package ,
       picture quality is first class , and photo shop friendly,........Larry.....

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Larry,
 I have a HS10, didn't like the 'feel' of the zoom..... 

[LarryW]

         


                                                                     

[Martin (Admin)]

Anyone had experience of slide scanning?
I have a couple of thousand slides I would like to scan / digitize and I've been looking
at several options, the ION scanners and these which seem quite intriguing:
http://youtu.be/jnvhBXQrfzQ
http://youtu.be/eyEvsa9DB0g
https://picasaweb.google.com/diascanner/OpstellingVanDeDiascannerEnEnkeleVoorbeeldenVanScans#

What people experiences with the ION type scanners?


PS: I plumped for the Panasonic Fz200 in the end. 

[dougal99]

I used an Epson Perfection 2400 which has an inbuilt slide scanner to digitise 20 years of slides. I found it easy to set up and use. An hour a night for ever ! 
Good luck to you Martin
Doug

[Youngat65]

I have used the one from Maplin to scan in both slides and negatives with good results , quite easy even for an old man like me 

[grendel]

you can 'scan' slides using a light box and a digital camera in macro mode, - in fact this is how the ion scanners work, I bought one for my dad, and have borrowed it on occasion to scan in negatives, they work quite well and are easy to use, it does however take time to scan thousands of slides. I also have a slide copier attachment for an old 35mm camera, unfortunately my digital doesnt get the whole slide in one go.
Grendel

[Dave Bardick]

Martin,


The choice is endless! Canon produce the largest range of lenses for DSLR's but are (or were) inclined to cram too many photocells into their sensors whereas Nikon have always maintained a sensible pixel count.


I can't comment on the Nikon range beyond acknowledging the quality as my missus and I are Canon-ites. This has evolved from starting with a 350d years ago and subsequently building a range of lenses to suit most circumstances.


By far the best value, the 40d has served us well and although no longer available they can be picked up very cheaply. Our biggest mistake was the 50d, a classic moment in Canons history of over-stuffing cropped sensors. I would advise anyone to avoid this model as it serves as a turning-point in Canons development. I know a chap who has a good copy of the 50d but for me, the image quality and low-light handling is truly atrocious even compared to the 350d.


I can't speak highly enough of the Canon 5d MK2. The full-frame sensor sucks in more light than a black hole and as with the newer 550d's has impeccable low-light handling. The focus and burst rate is its greatest let down. It's a camera created for a purpose and up until this weekend I would've avoided using the 5d for sport/motorsport for this reason alone. However, catching the first round of the European Rallycross championship at Lydden Hill proves my theory to be wrong. The images are superb, the slow 3fps burst proved not to be a problem and the reduced focal length (1:1) presented little image degradation on cropping.


On the subject of compact cameras, again, I'd recommend the latest version of the Canon S90. It carries many of the technical elements of the Canon G12 but fits in the pocket and costs significantly less. It sports full manual mode and was one of the first to stop up to f2. It features a control ring around the lens that can be assigned to most parameters - quite a departure from most compacts. This is an old model now and image quality has allegedly improved amongst all manufacturers. It remains a nice compact with superb features.


I am unsure if you have made a decision re which camera to get yet (I shall read this thread completely).


Below are a few shots my good lady took of our first boats up in Skye three years ago using the 40d/100-400mm combo in rough water. The RC boats are thunder tiger rtr trawlers (?Kingfisher) stripped and hand-painted before being plunged into a freezing loch in Skye. These boats are unsinkable and indestructible.


Good luck if you've not made your decision yet!


Dave

[Dave Bardick]

Er....I'm a burke!


I meant to post this in the thread about cameras. Doh!


Sadly, I know nothing about transferring slides to disk.


Sorry!


Dave

[Rob Wood]

Maybe so, but it was a most excellent post! I recently purchased the Canon 60D, after 5 solid years with my Canon 40D, and I have to say that the 60D is everything we all hoped the 50D would be. The 40D is a very good camera, though, and for those who have never used a full-on DSLR, if you can find a 40D for a good price, in good condition, you might give it a try.

Great photos of the trawler, by the way! Was the photographer in the water?

Rob

[Martin (Admin)]

Agreed Rob, Excellent post... very informative, a great read ...

..... and good contender for 'post of the week'! 

[Dave Bardick]

Thanks chaps,


No Rob, my wife laid on her front just above the water level. I love her photography. 40-50mph winds that day.

[Rob Wood]

Tell her I said this is some of the best RC model boat action photography I've seen. Getting down low that way really emphasizes the dramatic weather conditions.

Rob

[Dave Bardick]

She certainly appreciates the compliment Rob. I feel proud by proxy!


Nearly all the boat photography we have has been taken by the very talented missus.


I'd like to post more of them but I'm a little dense working out where. Gallery? Your photos?


Two more of the Robbe Katje running 10-cells.


Dave

[Stavros]

Having owned a 50d and a 40d I must beg to differ with you...the 50d is a far superior camera than the 40 in my opinion,But maybee I am slightly Biased when I say that...reason being the processor on the 40d is a Digic 3 and has only a top ISO of 3200 now the 50d on the other hand uses the same sensor as it's Big Brother the 7d a Digic 4 which is also used I believe in the 60d and others whilst the iso is expandable to 12800 and is a superb low light and action photography camera.
I used to own a 50 and a 7d but unfortuantly due to a thieving toe rag who relived me of their presence.
My good lady has just bought me a 30d so I can get back into photography but I must admit I do miss the 50 let alone the 7d simply because of the processor which is far superior in both and makes the 20/30/40d series camers so slow in comparison.I must admit I have never heard of anyone critisising canon for  over-stuffing cropped sensors.Funny isnt it that they use the same processor in the highly acclaimed 5dmkii.
 
Possibly your 50d needed a firware update as a lot did need it...as soon as I had mine I went straight to the canon site and updated it as a matter of course and it was used and believe you me abused it had everything thrown at it including getting wet on Rallies and bouced back for more every time and the same could be said for the 7d......A couple of my friends have had 40d's die on then in wet conditions as the Waterproofing of the 20/30/40d's were ok in their time BUT Canon improved the 50d 7d 5dmkiii But the Waterproofing of the 60d is NOT The same and should NOT be used when it is wet also the same can be said for the 400/500/600/1000d range of cameras.A very good friend of mine tests the newest Bodies long before they come into the publoc domain and I must admit to borrowing some sometimes and was Privy to one of the first Canon 7d's ever made and didnt want to give it back belive you me....and yes when funds allow I will get another .
 
Anothe advantage of the 50 as opposed to the 40 is the  video facility
 
Dave
 

[derekwarner]

Dave....I have little experience in quality photographic images.....but I must agree with BigGun Rob when he noted.... "this is some of the best RC model boat action photography I've seen"

So congratulations....you have an excellent photographer/wife......  ....Derek

[Stavros]

Cant agree More about the images your wife produces they are simply STUNNING
 
 
Dave