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Posts: 8781
| Not looking for a recommendation on brands, but I have a few technical questions:
1. Image Stabilization: How important IS it? Seems like it would help when you're on the boat, but is it really something that makes a huge difference? Any disadvantages to using it that you know of?
2. Batteries: Some use AA's, some have specialty batteries that are rechargeable. Is there a big difference in battery life?
3. Resolution: Is there a huge difference in say a 7.1 Megapixel camera vs one that's 8.0?
4. Zoom... How much is enough?
I've tried talking to the guys at the camera shop, but they are all just trying to sell me a camera, and not very helpful on helping me determine which features and why...
What do you guys like about your digitals, and what do you NOT like? What do you wish it did/had?
Edited by esoxaddict 1/18/2008 10:13 AM
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Get a quality name, high mega pixel camera.
Zoom is totally worthless as ALL of my photos are taken less than 4 feet away.
As far as batteries, just get ones that recharge and you'll be set.
Image Stabilization is cool, but not a huge importance. |
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| EA,
I have had the Pentax waterproof models for a number of years..first got one when it was like 3.1 megapixels, then updated with a 6.1 and they just upped it again to 7 for the newest model with a bigger lcd screen in back. It takes decent video, (video of Cory Painter on the sucker hookset a couple months back was shot with this camera)
comes with a rechargeable battery which is thinner and smaller but has great life, i'd suggest getting a spare for sure though.
I have recommended this camera to a few friends and they all have loved it, it's waterproof and takes great fishing pics, if you want something for other than fishing pics i'm sure there are better choices but if you just want a great camera, with all the features and megapixels you need at a good price go with the pentax...you can get "kits" on ebay with extra battery, large sd card, case etc for about 285 range...
http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/digital_camer... |
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| sorry I guess I was trying to sell you one....
I think if you do a search there have been many threads the last year about cameras.... |
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| 1. Image Stabilization: How important IS it? Seems like it would help when you're on the boat, but is it really something that makes a huge difference? Any disadvantages to using it that you know of?
it'll dramatically improve pictures taken under "less than calm" conditions. Steve demonstrated his new lens with real good image stab. this weekend at the Chicago show by taking a picture while moving the camera. blurry with it off, clear with it on.
2. Batteries: Some use AA's, some have specialty batteries that are rechargeable. Is there a big difference in battery life?
mine has a speciality rechargeable. i like it because i never have to buy batteries, just recharge it every so often. more convenient.
3. Resolution: Is there a huge difference in say a 7.1 Megapixel camera vs one that's 8.0?
not much difference at that level, but 5 vs 10 is big. more = better, and it does matter to picture quality.
4. Zoom... How much is enough?
i strongly disagree with Mike on this one.
imho, zoom is probably the most important function to taking good pictures.
true, if the only pictures you ever want to take are of a guy holding a fish, you don't need it too much. but if you want to get a picture of the eagle sitting in the tree as you drift past, or capture a sunrise properly, etc., you need to have a good zoom. there is alot more to the fishing experience worth capturing than just the fish...
keep in mind that not all zoom is created equal. avoid "digital" zoom, and get as much "optical" zoom as you can, preferably 10x or more. the difference is that optical zoom involves the lens and maintains picture quality, digital zoom just enlarges the image and you lose quality.
What do you wish it did/had?
some cameras now come with a red-light pre-flash. this helps you to see the image in the viewfinder at night to properly frame your shot before pulling the trigger. very nice feature for night-fishing pics so you don't cut heads or tails off.
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would also say getting a camera with the biggest viewing screen is very important |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I think Lambeau's response on image stabilization might be more specifically geared towards Steve's new lens he purchased for a digital SLR? If that is true, that makes the response totally different than I think you were looking for. Assuming that you were talking about a camera other than an SLR, the image stabilizers that I have seen are not that great and I wouldn't buy a camera based on that fact alone. I have a Canon SLR, a Canon A95 compact digital, and a Canon A570 compact digital camera with image stabilizer. You can't substitute technology such as image stabilizers for good photography techniques. If you are taking a picture in a boat with 3 foot rollers, the image stabilizer in a compact camera isn't going to make a perfect picture for you, you have to take a perfect picture. It will help some but IMO not enough to make it a feature to pay a lot extra for. That being said, usually compact cameras that have image stabilization also have other features that might make that a better camera overall than say a camera that doesn't include all of the bells and whistles.
Batteries - I prefer rechargeable. The only exception being that if you are not sure about power to recharge your batteries on a trip, or if you are the type of person that will neglect keeping them charged, then you might be better off spending more money in the long run on disposable batteries and having spares in your camera bag but at least you will always be able to take pictures.
Resolution - Lambeau said it well. Bigger is better and if you EVER want to blow up a picture, make sure that all of your pictures are taken with the largest file size allowed on the camera. You can always shrink file sizes later for mass storage of ones that you don't ever intend to enlarge. Anything over 6 megapixels is adequate in my opinion.
Zoom - on a compact digital camera I wouldn't spend a lot of money to get the extra zoom. I would make sure that it has at least a 6x optical zoom and anything over that is a bonus but not if you have to spend a lot of money for it. I have noticed that small cameras are hard to hold steady if you want to use the longest zoom on them. You are much better off with a bigger, heavier camera and lens like a SLR for zoom shots if you plan on using that a lot.
In a compact digital camera, one of the biggest things for me to consider when purchasing a new one is how long it takes to take a picture. There are some out there that are pretty good now but most of them still don't take a picture very fast. If you plan on using the camera to take pictures of kids for example, make sure the shutter delay isn't too long. On most of the cheaper cameras, when you push the shutter button to take a picture you have to wait and hold for a second or so before the camera actually takes a picture. That is irritating to say the least if you are trying to use the camera for snapshots of kids or other moving objects, you always miss the cool shots and facial expressions. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | $30 rebate for the Pentax W30
http://media.onecall.com/Image_rebates/Pentaxbrightenyourholidayw30...
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Location: WI | I had pretty bad luck with rechargeables not holding a charge. I bought some special batteries for electronics like cameras, etc and havn't changed them since the summer and my camera is still working great.
If you plan on fishing alone, make sure it has the screw hole in the bottom to fit on a tripod or other mount. |
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Posts: 8781
| Thanks guys! And sorry for all the questions, never had a digital before.
Now here's the deal:
I got a Canon Powershot A560 for Christmas from my aunt. (7.1 Mpx, 4X optical zoom, no Image Stabilization, takes AA batteries) She called me last week and told be she's looking for a digital camera, wants the same one she bought for me, and offered to trade it for what she paid, and I could then go buy whatever camera I want, and my only out of pocket expense would essentially be the difference between the two.
The last time I used a digital with rechargeable AA's, they were dead when I tried to take a picture of my PB fish. The extras I brought along (both charged before the trip) were dead too. %^$* I was mad.
I figure since I can go out and basicaly get a $150 discount on whatever camera I choose I may as well buy a good one. So as to not seem like a total fishing loser, I actually WILL take pictures of other stuff like people and things, but its primary use will be fishing pictures and related scenery etc. My concern with the AA batteries is that its been my experience that they suck. The rechargeable battery that comes with the cameras that don't use AA's are nice and small, and makes the camera less bulky. But are they better??
Whatever I go with will be at least 7.1/4x, what I'm wondering is how far over that (if any) I should go. Someone mentioned the delay time between when you push the button and when it actually takes the picture. How do you know what that is? I agree it's been annoying on the cameras I've used, and maybe why I can never get a good picture. I also don't like how the a lot of images I've seen are obviously from a digital camera -- grainy. That's strictly resolution, right? And waterproof... Not planning on taking underwater pictures, but it's almost guarnateed to rain if I'm fishing. Are digital cameras pretty durable in terms of that? I've gotten my 35mm out and taken a few shots in the rain with no apparent damage. I don't want to not be able to take pictures at all in the rain.
Smaller seems more appealing in terms of storage, carrying it in your pocket, but bigger will do if its of better quality.
crap, maybe I DO want brand recommendations, LOL!
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | The new Olympus Stylus's that are waterproof to 16', shockproof to 10' fall etc seeem like they'd be nice for a fishing camera. I have a couple year old Stylus that I've been very happy with. 10 MP, have blown photos up to 8x10 with good quality. The one I have is weather resistant, but the new ones seem like they'd be much more "hardy" and able to withstand the use we put them through.
I personally wouldnt buy a camera that used AA batteries. I've got 2 recharghables, and keep the spare right in the camera case. Another thing ot consider is ease of connecting to computer or printer for printing photos, saving ot cd etc. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I can't speak to the little cameras, because I won't use one. I feel the image of a lifetime can be the next one I take, so I use a Nikon D50 or D70. Yes, I have a Nikkor 18-200 VR, and love the lens, but the unit then is pretty expensive. For under $500, you can get a D40 with a Nikkor 18 to 55 and a 1 gig SD, and shoot absolutely perfect images after a bit of practice so fast I get five to most camera's one. At 6 Megapixels, I can shoot about 280 images on a 1 Gig SD card. Digital is shoot all you can, get different perspectives, and in seconds I have 20 shots. Shoot enough, and you will get a few really good ones.
With the VR lens I can shoot in really low light, not use a flash, and get GREAT shots. Spendy, though.
The Nikon D40 is FAST. Try one at a Wally World, it's a great camera for the buck.
I carry my camera almost everywhere I go out of doors stored next to a $200 JVC Mini DV in a small Pelican case; waterproof, shockproof and always easy to open and close. No matter how it's raining, a burst of shots is no problem, at least I have had no problem keeping the camera dry enough and getting the shot, and I shoot entire FLW and PWT weigh ins in the rain using nothing but a baggie (or an umbrella) to keep the body dry and a towel for the lens face. Optical Zoom is the only way to go, digital zoom doesn't offer anything a session in photoshop can't, and is very limited quality wise.
No matter what you choose, make sure the camera has good glass and a ccd that can get you a good image. A fair camera with a really good lens is better than a great camera with a fair lens, IMHO.
And...get a camera with a viewfinder. Too slow to set up a shot with an LCD screen, ask my competition at the Walleye Events. |
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Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | Steve,
I have been wanting to upgrade from point&shoot to a SLR for quite some time, but am kind of intimidated by them. Do the lower end SLR's have enough ease of use that a complete novice can use and enjoy one? Or would it be best to take some sort of Digital Photography class to learn how to properly use one? |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The D40 is one of the easiest cameras to use out there. Basically a point and shoot unit on auto. Learning the rest isn't at all bad at all for 'specialty shots'. |
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Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I got a Pentax W30 last year. I kept on killing my cameras by getting them wet. The Pentax is waterproof and takes great pictures to boot. Something to think about. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | That, Treats, is why I use a Pelican Case for the cameras. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I know you were not looking for brands but at least you'll be able to compare a few now. I run an Olympus SW 720 which is their shock and waterproof compact, 7.1 megapixel. It is a great boat camera, will take photos underwater(pretty cool if you think you'll use it... I don't much), and will take drops to concrete at 5'9good if you have little kids around or are careless like me). However, I agree with Steve in that the smaller rigs just don't compare to an slr, if you are looking for truly great photos. This was not always true in film, as I had a point and shoot Olympus that rivaled my buddies N70(in auto), in close up or panoramics on most days.
While I am pretty happy with the camera for its versatility and resistance to a variety of elements, there is another level in quality associated with the slr's. While most people that view/recieve the photos I take with my 720SW, are impressed enough with them, I notice its' shortcomings in image quality.
One thing that I would recomend, is to look at lens angle when shopping. That is one more shortcoming of most digital point and shoots. My old Olympus film rig(Stylus Epic) had a 28mm lens(no zoom), and took great close-ups. My digital says it is a 26mm(I think), but in relation to film, it is really closer to about 36mm. I just cannot get used to it!! To get a 28mm lens one would need an 18mm in digital terms. There was only one point and shoot at Best Buy recently that offered such a lens the last I checked and it was a Canon(cannot remember the model). When taking family close-ups or pictures of people with fish, it is nice to have a wide angle lens, to capture the image without backing up 10-15' just to get the whole subject.
In closing, I sure wish I could find a digital that would allow me to print the time and date at a retail print shop without downloading and altering each photo individually. I like to put together photo albums, as I always did with film, and take my storage card to Walmart when full of the photos I want printed. Aparently I am in the minority, desiring a rig that has a switch to turn time and date on allowing it to transfer to the Fuji or Kodak print machine with my image.
Edited by Reef Hawg 1/21/2008 10:37 PM
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Posts: 117
| IMHO....Cannon Powershot SX100 IS... and they are available almost everywhere...
What do you guys like about your digitals, and what do you NOT like? What do you wish it did/had?
Well its quality without a massive price tag. I shot film 35mm with Pentax, Cannon and Konica. 120 with Holga which is med format.
What do i like about digital? well i know this aint a photo forum but besdes taking this on the boat its an all around camera decent enough to throw in my girls hand bag when we go out. plus there are all knids of neat stuff you can do with it and you dont have to be a photo major. Put this camera on portrait mode pop the flash (or maybe not) and get a quality photo everytime.
Big screen and 10x zoom with 8MP. But like our buddy Mike H said your taking photos 4 feet away when your in the boat. There is no need for 10x zoom for that but for all around you will need zoom when your with the family.
That's my take on it (no pun intended)
Edited by Dre322 1/22/2008 4:10 PM
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