Re: Digital camera blues

Judy, I'll be interested in your final decision, the one where you buy the
camera and then use it. My wife (and myself) love her Canon S50. It's fairly
light, has a 3x optical, 5MP sensor, short shutter lag (at least shorter
than most consumer cameras), but no swivel. It performs well on full auto
and on full manual. In addition you can easily dial down the flash for more
normal light blending. Also many of the controls have their own buttons
instead of being buried in menus in the display. Unless a specific older
model makes your heart sing, avoid each manufacturer's older models. The
software and other improvements are dramatic, especially in the last year.
The G3/G4 is not even close in real performance to the G5 because of the
focus improvements and the reduced shutter lag. I am sure similar
performance improvements hold true for other manufacturers as well.
    Another note, although your Nikon weighs a lot, weight can also be your
friend allowing you to hold the camera steady. As you would expect, like
many things there is a point of diminishing returns. My point is some of the
ultra-light digitals are very hard to hold steady because there is no mass
to overcome normal body tremor, etc. The difference in weight is between
some of the cameras you mention might be comparable to the difference
between a 10 or 12 oz can of soda and a 16 oz bottle of soda, albeit with
better ergonomics. My point is figure out what you'll use the camera the
most for and test accordingly. Maybe even go as far to as rent a camera or
two if you can find one to rent. As I mentioned my wife loves the S50, I
wanted her to buy a G5 (faster lens, 4x optical vs. 3x on the S50, swivel
monitor and a hotshoe). For her the small size of the S50 was the deciding
factor. She's happy and I'm saving my money for a DSLR anyway. Donations are
accepted.....
Good luck and please let us know you decision and your ultimate results.
Ciao, Thom
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Seigel" <jseigel@panix.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 10:05 PM
Subject: Re: Digital camera blues

On Sun, 9 Nov 2003, Bob and Carla wrote:
> I would like to answer one more thing, butting in at the
> last...The Canon G3/G4 ($500.00-$600.00) in my opinion is the highest
> professional-quality digital camera, without going to the $!,500.00
> SLR's (which handle the Canon/Nikon lenses).
>
> Why? Because if for no other reason, It's capture CCD for 4-5
> megapixels is much larger capture area (think larger negative) than
> the Nikon counterpart for 4-5 megapixels. In fact, the last time I
> checked, Nikon gets to 5 megapixels in these rangefinder-style
> cameras by software interpolation.

This is not one of those explanations i understand perfectly, tho it is
quite nice to have. Thank you. After studying the comments from list &
getting a couple more offlist, I contemplate:

1. The Canon you mention, which has the swivel monitor, but weighs at
least 14.8 ounces (I only have the data on the 4 mp). It will also do
RAW, I am informed by an offlist savant, and it's got "superb Canon EX
strobes," etc. Maybe too good for me.

2. The Canon A 80, which weighs only 8.8 oz, also with swivel monitor,
but only 4 mp.

I hope to hold each in hand this week.

3. Wait for the pixel pixie to send more models into the world -- tho that
could be counterproductive, as sometimes options grow fewer.

Bob Schramm's 4.6 mp Sony with the CDs is appealing/intriguing -- if only
they gave it a swivel. (A friend tells me the cable on the swivel tends
to get broken, which accounts for the apparent phasing out, tho strikes me
as a great loss to photography.)

Meanwhile, if I may apply again to the general good nature & expertise, 2
more questions:

1. Why do some of these cameras have 4, 5, and even 10 times optical
zooms ? As I recall, the 3X goes up to 110 mm or thereabouts. I myself
never use longer than that in analog. Would it be feasible/meaningful in
digital?

2. What is the "LF" neg that Argon mentions?

And PS. I can pass on a digital camera that handles "regular Nikon
lenses." Carrying them & changing them is a pain in the butt as far as
I'm concerned (tho probably OK for landscape, NOT for street shooting).
I can't wait to have a decent zoom, assuming it is, of course, and be done
with lens changing.

Again,

thanks & cheers,

Judy
Received on Wed Nov 12 16:11:54 2003