camera options
- Thread starter guilly
- Start date
A few other things to add to what people have mentioned.
Tripods. If you're going to be doing a lot of still shots, I suggest 2 tipods. One large one for most of your picture taking (assuming you're primarily using it at or around the home) and a small portable one, pocket size (inexpensive) to carry around with you. Additionally, the base of most cameras have a 1/4 - 20 thread socket, so you could also make your own. i.e. like a cane/staff walking stick with a camera mount, etc.
A consideration might be for a remote shutter release (which can stop camera shake, even on a tripod) but not all cameras are equipped for that.
A good, padded case.
High quality rechargable batteries (with extras) and battery charger. Along the type in the link below - Amazon says 75% charge for 3 years but the package actually says 75% for 1 year. Haven't tested for a year, but they seem to hold up very well, especially if you're using on-board flash a lot. It's a pain to grab a camera for a shot of something, only to find the batteries dead.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0058GZWXQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
While you'll want to use a tripod for still life, you may still be doing a lot of hand-held shots - this is where some cameras come with image stabilizers (like the 2 Canons I have) which will reduce camera shake.
Software Options
There are lots of software options - google something like "best photo editing software".
I'm looking hard at Corel - not the most popular girl at the Prom but it has a lot going for it.
As mentioned Elements is Adobe's photo program for the rest of us. If you decide to upgrade to full PS later it will prepare you well.
As for GIMP - I've tried it, found the learning curve steep and I already had bought Elements - if I had not put out the cash for Elements might have invested the time to learn GIMP. But there is a whole community of GIMP lovers and developers to learn from. Open Source software is more fun if you get involved in that community.
What do you want your software to do? Touch ups? Adjust exposure & saturation errors? Compose composite or panoramic photo sets from many pictures? Colourize old B&W snapshots? Photo-Art? Funny photos of peoples heads on dogs bodies? If you know what you want to do it may change which program you buy.
There are lots of software options - google something like "best photo editing software".
I'm looking hard at Corel - not the most popular girl at the Prom but it has a lot going for it.
As mentioned Elements is Adobe's photo program for the rest of us. If you decide to upgrade to full PS later it will prepare you well.
As for GIMP - I've tried it, found the learning curve steep and I already had bought Elements - if I had not put out the cash for Elements might have invested the time to learn GIMP. But there is a whole community of GIMP lovers and developers to learn from. Open Source software is more fun if you get involved in that community.
What do you want your software to do? Touch ups? Adjust exposure & saturation errors? Compose composite or panoramic photo sets from many pictures? Colourize old B&W snapshots? Photo-Art? Funny photos of peoples heads on dogs bodies? If you know what you want to do it may change which program you buy.
Agreeing with Laughingcrow
I would echo Laughingcrows recommendations re tripods. You will want to get one for sure. A cheaper one is OK to start. A "good one" will cost a few hundred dollars. Watch the mini-tripods - some are not strong enough to hold a DSLR - if you buy it at a store after buying your camera try it first before buying.
This is the one I bought last month Benro Travel Tripod But you might want to start with something like this one: Optex I have that one too. It has served me well for years, just wanted to upgrade to a ball head and something that folds up smaller.
Re Remotes - I bought mine through eBay from China, cheap but it works. There are two type, battery operated ones that can also be used for time-lapse photography (a fun thing to try) and the little one button remotes that use IR like your TV remote - I can set mine for instant snap or 2 second delay (then you can get the remote gizmo out of the picture). The one's bought in camera stores here are not so cheap. Cheap Remote $2.33 and the one I bought for $2 has been working fine for a couple of years - press button, camera takes picture. I would be surprised if a DSLR didn't take a remote of some sort but a P&S probably won't. With some P&S cameras there is a work around by using the delay feature - press button and then the camera counts down then snaps the picture.
And yes, protect your investment with a decent bag. I have a small one, medium one and a camera backpack. As you get more gear you need a bigger bag, especially if you start adding lenses. You could rig up your own using padding but you will want to protect your equipment. My small one came in a kit, the medium one is a Golla - I just saw it on sale at The Source for $44, and the backpack is a Lowepro I picked up at London Drugs on sale - paid about $80 if I recall (a good deal given that it appears full price is $170 Lowepro Sport 200 ) If you are going to be off on adventures with your camera the backpack is the way to go but be sure to pad it well or get a proper camera backpack.
I would echo Laughingcrows recommendations re tripods. You will want to get one for sure. A cheaper one is OK to start. A "good one" will cost a few hundred dollars. Watch the mini-tripods - some are not strong enough to hold a DSLR - if you buy it at a store after buying your camera try it first before buying.
This is the one I bought last month Benro Travel Tripod But you might want to start with something like this one: Optex I have that one too. It has served me well for years, just wanted to upgrade to a ball head and something that folds up smaller.
Re Remotes - I bought mine through eBay from China, cheap but it works. There are two type, battery operated ones that can also be used for time-lapse photography (a fun thing to try) and the little one button remotes that use IR like your TV remote - I can set mine for instant snap or 2 second delay (then you can get the remote gizmo out of the picture). The one's bought in camera stores here are not so cheap. Cheap Remote $2.33 and the one I bought for $2 has been working fine for a couple of years - press button, camera takes picture. I would be surprised if a DSLR didn't take a remote of some sort but a P&S probably won't. With some P&S cameras there is a work around by using the delay feature - press button and then the camera counts down then snaps the picture.
And yes, protect your investment with a decent bag. I have a small one, medium one and a camera backpack. As you get more gear you need a bigger bag, especially if you start adding lenses. You could rig up your own using padding but you will want to protect your equipment. My small one came in a kit, the medium one is a Golla - I just saw it on sale at The Source for $44, and the backpack is a Lowepro I picked up at London Drugs on sale - paid about $80 if I recall (a good deal given that it appears full price is $170 Lowepro Sport 200 ) If you are going to be off on adventures with your camera the backpack is the way to go but be sure to pad it well or get a proper camera backpack.
LOL you guys are totally proving my point about the costs of a DSLR camera.
A good bag? $50-60
A good tripod $80-100
Lenses $500-$$$$$$
The costs add up so very fast that it will make your head spin. And the one thing most people haven't even BROUGHT up about a DSLR is the flash. The built in sucks you will want to invest in a proper flash for the camera and even that runs you $300 or more if you buy stuff new.
Stick with P+S honestly unless you really want to invest in a new hobby.
A good bag? $50-60
A good tripod $80-100
Lenses $500-$$$$$$
The costs add up so very fast that it will make your head spin. And the one thing most people haven't even BROUGHT up about a DSLR is the flash. The built in sucks you will want to invest in a proper flash for the camera and even that runs you $300 or more if you buy stuff new.
Stick with P+S honestly unless you really want to invest in a new hobby.
I think I'll be going mirrorless. They seem to be compact but also offer the option for lens change, this will allow me to "grow" into the camera. I went and took a look at the Olympus PEN 16MP, the Nikon S1 J3, Sony 16.1MP and the Canon EOS M today at FS. Of all the camera's I liked the olympus the most for it's small lense and the tilt screen was nice. After that I think the winner would be the Canon EOS M. Hopefully the Olympus drops a bit on Black Friday if not I think I'll go with the Canon.
Can't go wrong with a Canon.
Stay away from Sony unless they have changed and use sd cards now as the last time I used a sony it was their own propietary cards.
Actually going Canon is the last one I would go for out of the bunch, it is not better than any other camera. Afterwards, each option has something going for it.
Sony uses SD cards now.
The EOS M has terrible autofocus speed which makes it very frustrating.
The Nikon 1 provides the "worst" image quality, but it has some interesting features other mirrorless do not have: continuous autofocus tracking (to follow a kid around or some sport). It is not always required, but it is something no other cameras can do. The image quality, even if "bad", is actually quite decent.
The Nex 3 is a good camera and a good system overall.
I assume you are looking at the E-PL5. That is also a good camera. It is currently cheaper than the "cheaper" E-PM2 at Henrys and that is not a bad price at all.
Have a look here, but do a bit more research, I am no expert when it comes to Nex: Sony NEX-5n avec tout les accessoires - Gatineau appareils photo à vendre - Kijiji Gatineau
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Thanks for the link, Yes you're right, it was the E-PL5 I was looking at. I'm really hoping the Olympus drops in price on Black Friday.
Aside from the autofocus issue with the canon anything else it's really missing ? Looks like the auto focus was corrected for the most part with a firmware upgrade(2.0.2)
This is what imaging-ressource said on August 1st 2013:
"However, along with the still-slow AF comes a few other missed opportunities -- most notably, the EOS M's lack of a built-in flash and electronic viewfinder, a heavier reliance on touchscreen navigation and settings selection (there are no Program, Priority, or Manual modes on the Mode dial!), and poor battery life. Potential Canon EOS M buyers will have to weigh these negatives against the positives to determine if the camera is right for them."
At base ISO: "The E-PL5 has a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor and lower resolution than the EOS M, and yet clearly out-resolves it in our mosaic pattern. A close call between these two solid cameras, but a slight nod to the E-PL5 for detail and color. The EOS M does outperform the E-PL5 on the red fabric swatch, however."
At ISO 3200: "A solid performance here from the E-PL5. There are some apparent artifacts from noise suppression and sharpening, but the images overall are generally superior to the EOS M."
Normally the bigger sensor of the EOS M should give it a clear edge at higher ISO and it should have a slight edge at base ISO.
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