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Tizer
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 Posted -
21/05/2010
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10:06
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I had a question about cameras and looked in the OGFB Photography forum for a suitable thread to ask it. There wasn't an obvious general thread for advice so I started this one for anyone like me who needs help. After all, there are some photo phanatics on OGFB who should be able to answer the odd question!
I know that SLR applied to conventional film cameras means single lens reflex and that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what the lens sees. But in the case of an SLR digital camera does it mean the same? I've never used a digital SLR. For digital SLR the picture in the viewfinder might be the same as the picture through the lens but would I be seeing a simple image in the viewfinder created by light passing via lenses and mirrors only, or is the image in the viewfinder now electronic.
I'm prompted to ask this because I want to know more about digital camera viewfinders. I have a Canon compact digital which does a wonderful job and I use it a lot but the bubear for me with any of these cameras is not being able to see the screen in strong sunlight. I chose my Canon model partly becasue it has a conventional viewfinder as well as the screen. Experience shows me this viewfinder is a useful alternative for general scenic shots but no good for macro or zoom shots because the view and the picture don't coincide exactly. So I'm wondering what else there might be out there that would get over the sunlight problem. I have considered a digital SLR but I really like having asmall, light camera that I can put in my pocket (the Canon does this and yet has 6x optical zoom, anti-vibration, viewfinder).
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catgate
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Posted - 24/05/2010 : 09:29
quote:
tripps wrote:
Does it have to be so complicated? here's my method - never fails.
1. Switch on camera
2. Turn little wheel on top until heart symbol lines up with marker.
3. Remove lens cover. (There's a message in case you forget).
4. Point at target. Look at picture at back of camera.
5 Tell any kids present to say cheese.
6. Press button on top at right hand side.
Simples.
Olympus made a very nice compact 35mm camera with you in mind. It was called the "Olympus Trip".
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Tizer
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Posted - 24/05/2010 : 11:58
Tripps, your `guide to using a camera' is good except that (if digital) I would change item 6 to `Press button on top at right hand side to halfway point to allow camera to focus, then press fully'. All the digital cameras I've used require this, otherwise you are liable to sometimes get out-of-focus piccies (and/or out-of-exposure).
My problem is where you state `Look at picture at back of camera'. This week with the strong sunlight I can't see much on the screen - taking the damselfly picture was difficult. I have a normal viewfinder too but it isn't much good for macro close-ups. The closer you get (or if you use zoom) the more the viewfinder image and the photgraphed image diverge. I try to shadow the screen with my hand and sometimes it works but if I get my eye too close to the screen I can't focus on it (problem of spectacles - I have to take them off to focus close-up). I need someone to make a camera like mine but with a screen that is perfectly visible in bright light!
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tripps
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Posted - 24/05/2010 : 17:14
Tizer - yes you're right. I wondered why the swich went down in two stages. All is clear now. I really must read the instructions.
Catters - actually yes I have an Olympus Trip. pretty well had to really. Paid a fortune for it from Dixons perhaps ten years ago and now it languishes in a drawer, unused and probably of nearly no value.
I get my luggage from the Tripp range at Debenhams. Feel obliged to!
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Tizer
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Posted - 14/08/2010 : 12:06
On a photography forum I have recently seen free photo editing software called FastStone (for Windows) highly recommended:
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
The download is only about 5MB and the software features look good. I can't try it because I'm not using Windows.
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Tizer
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Posted - 11/09/2010 : 12:35
Since starting this thread I've got more interested in photography and tried to learn more about it. I found several web sites very useful and have added links here for others to use.
These tutorials are good and are written by Cliff Smith who lives in Devon (hence a lot of pictures of Exeter!). The site also hase useful reviews of cameras.
The forums on the Digital Photography Review site are very active and you can get replies quickly. This link is to the Beginner's forum but there are forums for different camera types and some other topics. Also has camera reviews and news.
More tutorials - if you have enough energy to keep going!
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catgate
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Posted - 11/09/2010 : 14:34
RE:-
quote:
Tizer wrote:
On a photography forum I have recently seen free photo editing software called FastStone (for Windows) highly recommended:
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
The download is only about 5MB and the software features look good. I can't try it because I'm not using Windows.
Did you ever look at Gimp in Ubuntu, Tizer? I find that it does pretty nearly anything you could want to do with a photograph, with the exception of actually taking the picture in the first place.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Tizer
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Posted - 11/09/2010 : 16:53
I found the Faststone web site while looking for free and easy software for my father-in-law who is on Windows. Yes, I use Gimp frequently now, and I've discovered there is the Ufraw software for RAW format images and works with Gimp, and also Qtpfsgui (not one of the best named Linux apps) for doing High Dynamic Range photos. Not that I'm up to that quality but I was interested to see what was available. Gimp is marvellous and I've learnt a great deal in recent months. It's amazing when you think Gimp is free and then look at the price of Photoshop. I wonder if there is a Gimp version for Windows, I've never looked?
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panbiker
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Posted - 11/09/2010 : 17:14
I had to go and look and yes there is, or at least a windows installer that will handle the binaries. Gimp is not offically aimed at a windows platform but there is plenty of info here:
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
I liked the tutorials websites Tiz, lots of interesting info really well presented and easy to understand.
Ian |
catgate
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Posted - 11/09/2010 : 17:22
quote:
Tizer wrote:. It's amazing when you think Gimp is free and then look at the price of Photoshop. I wonder if there is a Gimp version for Windows, I've never looked?
Yes it is wonderful, and there seems to be a version for M$.....http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html .
Due to a projected residential relocation I am partway through sifting through my mountain of application CD. It is mind blowing just how little M$ provided and how much was produced to make Windows operate sensibly. I have already ditched about 100 CDs and have another rack to go through.They go back as far as W95. I had kept them "just in caseI needed them" ...fool that I am.
It certainly shows up the Bill Gates confidence trick in it's true colours.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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marilyn
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Posted - 12/09/2010 : 03:25
I recently bought a new camera (Sony Nex-5). I am still learning to fly it, but having fun getting there. It is not an SLR, but one of the new hybrid cameras that takes photos of a quality comparable with an SLR (apparently). As yet, I haven't had any photos printed and have only viewed pics on my laptop. I haven't viewed any on the TV yet either.
One thing I did notice, is that when I open photos in Photoshop, the histograms are absolutely perfect, no matter what the lighting conditions or subject. I've not encountered that before.
I've been waiting patiently for Spring to arrive so that I can snap a bit of colour.
It takes two kinds of Panorama Shot too - normal Panorama and 3D Panorama. The few photos I have taken with the 3D Panorama are being collected on an SD card. When I come across someone with a Bravia TV, I shall request a viewing. Technology will catch up though, and I am sure there will even be 3D picture viewers/frames shortly.
Edited by - marilyn on 12/09/2010 03:29:44 AM
get your people to phone my people and we will do lunch...MAZ |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 12/09/2010 : 06:57
Catty, I have done part of the MS clear out but there is a lot more to do. I know the feeling, I was amazed to realise I had kept programmes that went back to the days when my hard disk was a massive 13mb! I have two 1tb disks now, just shows how things have changed.
As for Pshop v. Gimp. I never used anything more than the basic functions of P shop and Gimp is even better in these areas. GThumb is a brilliant search engine, it can pull 2000+ images up in an instant if you make a mistake with the input string, very impressive. Of course part of this is down to the OS, Ubuntu has Windows beat by a country mile.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 12/09/2010 : 12:11
Maz, you are well ahead of me. I've recently moved from a Canon A720 compact to a Canon G11 which is still a compact camera but at the `higher end' and has more buttons etc to play with. I can't face having to change lenses so I've steered away from any with interchangeable lenses! I'm only just beginning to take notice of histograms - anyone who uses them must be serious about photographs! Your camera gets a great review on the Trusted Reviews web site.
Stanley and Catty, I know what you mean about all those old Windows disks. I've got lots of them stacked up too, with others from the front covers of magazines. Never used most of them. Someday archeaologists will discover piles of them in the ground and think that we buried our dead with MS disks to see them into the afterlife.
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marilyn
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Posted - 16/09/2010 : 05:41
I have the twin lenses, Tizer. The first time I changed lenses I sat on the bed to do it incase I dropped something...and held my breath. I am getting better at it now, but still do it over the kitchen bench or on my lap....being the butter-fingers I am.
The trouble is deciding which lens to put on to leave the house with! Generally, I opt for the smaller (pancake) lens....but sometimes I have wished the larger one was on. I guess I will get better at that decision.
I desperately wanted an SLR camera, but after a lot of reading I decided I would not know where to begin if I didn't have some automatic features. That is why the hybrid one caught my eye. I can let the camera do it's stuff, but I can also 'fiddle' on shots where there is ample time to do so. The automatic functions are great for those spontaneous shots that can only be captured once.
I particularly like playing with the shutter speed...
get your people to phone my people and we will do lunch...MAZ |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 16/09/2010 : 06:55
Maz, lens are quite robust. Get hold of a piece of soft leather and make a simple pouch with enough length for the top to fold over. A lens in that and popped into a pocket of a bag will be perfectly OK. I made several for my Nikon lens, the advantage of leather is that its a better cushion against anyjting with a sharp edge.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 17/09/2010 : 09:46
Last night I enrolled on Mark Tattersall's photography course at the Rainhall Centre.
I was a little nervous of forking out £72 for the 5 sessions in case the course merely covered the basics, but after a chat with him I realised I would be able to gain a lot.
It's aimed at those digital SLR users who rarely move the Mode dial off Auto and who want to make better use of all the bells and whistles that come with today's cameras. He demonstrated that the pictures on one side of the dial (eg the face, jaggy mountains etc) are next to useless and how much better results can be gained by using the P, S and M modes.
He also showed how to alter the ISO setting and explained in layperson's terms what exactly a Raw file is, together with its advantages and disadvantages.
However, the emphasis will be on taking great pictures rather than simply exploring the technicalities.
It was a very relaxed and friendly session and with just 8 people taking part there was plenty of opportunity for individual questions and sharing of experiences.
I don't have an SLR and had to borrow an old one off a mate, but after this course I think I'll be well placed to make an informed decision as to which model to buy.
Can't wait for next week's session! |
Photography and camera advice
