What camera to buy for Christmas?

[snooks]

Amused by the Snookster's defence of his hi-end kit. He obviously hasn't seen this.

Did you look at the images at the flickr site, in a slide show and see how much retouching was done?

Photography is about capturing light, any camera, even a camera phone can capture light. So if you spend a couple of grand on lights, back grounds and studio hire, and know what you're doing, you too could capture those images

On the web they'll look great (8x6 @ 72ppi), try taking them up to a DPS at (Double Page Spread 12 x17 @ 300ppi) then see how the compare.

ps iPhones aren't waterproof

 

[Duffer]

I'm not sure Ken was being entirely serious. I thought his link to a glamour photoshoot on an iPhone was hilarious!

http://fstoppers.com/iphone

Graham, when you are doing photoshoots from a rib, do you use interchangeable fixed lenses or one big zoom?

 

[flaming]

No one has yet mentioned the Sony Bridge cameras. I have an HX1, which I rather like. But then I know nothing of sensors etc - where does it fit in the scale of things? Anyone know?

Anyone....?

 

[Duffer]

Anyone....?

Sony's new NEX camera (£400) gets a pretty good review here:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/digital-cameras/371128/sony-alpha-nex-c3

Sony do make some good cameras - I've already mentioned the WX10 compact.

Typically DSLRs have sensors twice the size of compacts which gives better image quality especially in low light. As several have pointed out you need the complete package to get good results in a variety of conditions. Most of the major manufacturers produce some decent models in the various different categories. You really need to track down independent comparitive reviews to work out which is the best for you.

I intended this thread to give some pointers about mid-range superzoom cameras to those thinking of upgrading from a budget compact. It seems to have been overtaken by those extolling the virtues of expensive high-end systems more suitable for pros. I also wanted to make the point that you can now get one camera that will do both stills and full HD video pretty well for £200-£300.

 

[flaming]

This is the updated version of what I have.

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-hx100v

 

[snooks]

Graham, when you are doing photoshoots from a rib, do you use interchangeable fixed lenses or one big zoom?

I'm in a lucky position, because when I'm out there doing a shoot, the boat is usually doing it's stuff for me, so I can use the wake of the photoboat to add to the image and get as close as I need to. If I were to try this with other boats, especially anyone racing or at events, I'd get shouted at

The majority of boat to boat images I shoot are on a 28-70, but I also have a 17-35 and a 70-200.

If it's rough there is so much spray flying around I'll go onto the 70-200 and stand off and try to keep dry.

 

[bluemoongaffer]

You might find this site useful for comparing cameras - the camera test conclusions are pretty instructive and the forums generally very helpful: http://www.dpreview.com/
(Apologies if it's been listed before - didn't have time to go through every post)

 

[Twister_Ken]

You might find this site useful for comparing cameras - the camera test conclusions are pretty instructive and the forums generally very helpful: http://www.dpreview.com/
(Apologies if it's been listed before - didn't have time to go through every post)

DP Review is my favourite, but because its reviews are so thorough it is often a month or two before a new model is covered in detail on the site.

 

[Duffer]

I'm in a lucky position, because when I'm out there doing a shoot, the boat is usually doing it's stuff for me, so I can use the wake of the photoboat to add to the image and get as close as I need to. If I were to try this with other boats, especially anyone racing or at events, I'd get shouted at

The majority of boat to boat images I shoot are on a 28-70, but I also have a 17-35 and a 70-200.

If it's rough there is so much spray flying around I'll go onto the 70-200 and stand off and try to keep dry.

Many thanks for that. If I were on a rib with spray flying about I wouldn't want to be changing lenses for fear of getting spray where I didn't want it. There are bigger zooms available say 28-200. Do you not use them because the quality isn't so good or for other reasons?

 

[Duffer]

This is the updated version of what I have.

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-hx100v

Looks pretty good to me. It has a huge zoom: 27-810mm. Weighs about 550g. 16mp and full HD video. The online reviews seem favourable. The cost is around £400. At that price you are getting to entry-level DSLR territory which as Photodog and others have pointed out gives better quality and the flexibility to use other lenses. However if you are happy with it and don't want to use other lenses I would stick with it: I am sure you will get some very good results with it.

There is a detailed review here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydschx100v/page11.asp

There is a detailed review of the Panasonic FZ150 here which includes comparison with the Sony:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ150/verdict.shtml

Both do well but the Panasonic is around £100 cheaper.

 

[Twister_Ken]

But you can't stick either of them in the pocket of your oilies. If I wanted to go that route, I might as well use my DSLR.

 

[snooks]

Do you not use them because the quality isn't so good or for other reasons?

The quality of the 10X zooms aren't as good, not that it would be that noticeable in the magazine. Also they don't go as fast as a 2.8, most only go to f5.6, sometimes f4.

The other reason is that my lenses are still going strong, some are in their 12th year....although apart from the glass I'm not sure how much of the original lens is left

 

[Twister_Ken]

More iphone versus stuff, this time from the Gruaniad.

 

[photodog]

If it's rough there is so much spray flying around I'll go onto the 70-200 and stand off and try to keep dry.

I did a job a couple of years ago with Ellen and her little cat.... the wind was blowing 40knots... rain job coming down horizontally.... the Rib driver was a surfer dude and he was throwing water over the front of the boat like a solent tsunami....

That cost me a 1dmk2 and a 1dsmk2.....

Fortunately both insured......

they limped through to the end of the job... and then packed it in... so the client didnt even notice...

It was that Monday in June just after the solstice a few years back when we had those big floods... I had covered Glasto the two days before and not had any damage!

All the glass was fine... but the seals on the cameras werent good enough.

 

[Duffer]

The quality of the 10X zooms aren't as good, not that it would be that noticeable in the magazine. Also they don't go as fast as a 2.8, most only go to f5.6, sometimes f4.

The other reason is that my lenses are still going strong, some are in their 12th year....although apart from the glass I'm not sure how much of the original lens is left

Thanks for that. All very good reasons!

 

[Duffer]

More iphone versus stuff, this time from the Gruaniad.

Perhaps you are being serious about the iPhone! Looking at the portraits, the quality is poor. The pro photoshoot with the iPhone is a great joke but obviously an awful lot of retouching and professional lighting went on.

The Feb 2012 PCPro review also covers the Fuji X100 and the Canon S100. They like the very good image quality of both but not the value for money. The Canon (£380) has a 24-120mm zoom. The Fuji (£850) has a fixed 35mm lens (max f2) and does't do full HD video. Unless you have a couple of other cameras I think the Fuji is as much use on board as a chocolate fender because the lens isn't wide enough for shots on board and too wide for most other shots. Each to his own and you can certainly get some good snaps with the new iphone.

 

[Duffer]

I did a job a couple of years ago with Ellen and her little cat.... the wind was blowing 40knots... rain job coming down horizontally.... the Rib driver was a surfer dude and he was throwing water over the front of the boat like a solent tsunami....

That cost me a 1dmk2 and a 1dsmk2.....

Fortunately both insured......

they limped through to the end of the job... and then packed it in... so the client didnt even notice...

It was that Monday in June just after the solstice a few years back when we had those big floods... I had covered Glasto the two days before and not had any damage!

All the glass was fine... but the seals on the cameras werent good enough.

Ouch! That must have been expensive - at least for your insurance company. I didn't realise you did pro marine photography as well.

To answer my own question about which is best, HD camcorder that can take stills or still camera that can shoot HD I've had a closer look at the specs of two well reviewed cameras costing £300 odd: the Panasonic SD90 and the Panasonic FZ150.

The SD90 mid-range camcorder has a 1/4" 3MP sensor half the size of the FZ150's 1/2" 12MP sensor. As a result stills on the FZ150 should be at least double the resolution and so significantly better quality. Both do 1080p/50 Full HD video so no difference there. The zoom ranges are comparable: 25-600mm vs 28-729mm for the SD90. Both have very good stabilisation. However the still camera is a bit bigger and twice the weight of camcorder (244g vs 480g).

SO if you want better stills and don't mind the extra weight get the stills camera. Otherwise the camcorder is a good bet.

Regarding entry-level DSLRs which have a bigger sensor again (about 1"), PCPro recommends the Pentax K-r and prefers the Nikon D3100 to the Canon 1100D. (Group test Dec 2011 - other magazines are available!). All around £400 with small 3x zooms (about 27-80mm) - big zooms will cost a lot more though there are cheaper alternatives from the likes of Sigma and Tamron.

Does anyone have any views on these entry-level DSLRs or on the image quality of alternative big zooms from e.g. Sigma and Tamron compared to the manufacturer's own brand lenses?

 

[forelle541]

I have recently bought a Pan FZ150, have been pleased with the results so far. The camera is light and solid, fits my hands and has not died due to the salty air yet. Battery life is great easily lasts two weeks away at work. Mine cost £300 from the states on Ebay.

 

[Duffer]

I have recently bought a Pan FZ150, have been pleased with the results so far. The camera is light and solid, fits my hands and has not died due to the salty air yet. Battery life is great easily lasts two weeks away at work. Mine cost £300 from the states on Ebay.

Thanks for that - good to get an independent verdict!

Does anyone have any views on entry level DSLRs and big zooms (my previous post)?

 

[bluemoongaffer]

Re DSLRs, I've got an Olympus (4/3) and my daughter a Nikon D3000. Good light performance is fine with both. However, I think the Nikon is better in poor light - mainly as it has a bigger sensor plus it has better autofocus. Both are much improved by using lenses with wider apertures - good lenses make a hugh difference. I also use a standard telephoto on my Olympus. It needs sunlight to give good results - the maximum aperture is 5.6 when fully extended and this just isn't allowing enough light in. The new Nikon D5100 looks good and supposedly has a good high ISO performance, which helps in poor light. So, you might do well in most circumstances with one of those and a standard zoom

Personally, I'd like the Fujifilm X100. Picture quality looks superb but I'm not sure I could live with the quirks