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Tizer
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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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Tizer
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 10:03
I've been using the DP Reviews forums to get help and they've been good. Very active with lots of members. I often get replies within minutes. I think it's US-dominated but there are Brits on there too. There are many sub-forums and the page below has the list. Click on the appropriate one - the Nikon talk if you're not sure or one of the Nikon camera-specific if appropriate. Good luck.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 10:06
That's the sort of advice I need. I have an idea Michael at the top of the street got one s/hand and I think I'll get him to let me try my two lens on it.....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Big Kev
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 10:10
Try before you buy, always a good idea...
Big Kev
It doesn't matter who you vote for, you always end up with the government. |
catgate
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 11:06
quote:
Stanley wrote:
Catty, what format are the old negs?
6 x 6 cm.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 14:03
Catty, I scanned all my 6x6 negs on a Canon D2400U with film mask. Long gone because it gave up the ghost. This would scan all sizes up to 5x4 and I'm pretty sure there is a modern equivalent out there.How about a s/hand one? I'll bet they can be bought for peanuts.
As to compatibility with Linux I can't say. I know that my present one hasn't got a Linux driver so I have it on the old IBM machine. As long as the scanner has a driver I can't see any problem importing the scanned image to file and then opening in GIMP. I always accessed the scanner through Pshop import function, I can't say for certain but seeing as how GIMP is so close to Pshop I'll bet there is a way to do the same thing.
Can you run Windows on a virtual machine? That would let you use pdhop if the scanner works.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
catgate
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Posted - 22/10/2010 : 16:55
quote:
Stanley wrote:
Catty, I scanned all my 6x6 negs on a Canon D2400U with film mask. Long gone because it gave up the ghost. This would scan all sizes up to 5x4 and I'm pretty sure there is a modern equivalent out there.How about a s/hand one? I'll bet they can be bought for peanuts.
As to compatibility with Linux I can't say. I know that my present one hasn't got a Linux driver so I have it on the old IBM machine. As long as the scanner has a driver I can't see any problem importing the scanned image to file and then opening in GIMP. I always accessed the scanner through Pshop import function, I can't say for certain but seeing as how GIMP is so close to Pshop I'll bet there is a way to do the same thing.
Can you run Windows on a virtual machine? That would let you use pdhop if the scanner works.
I do not need photoshop. Ubuntu comes with Gimp and that is far better than Photoshop in my opinion (and I have used both).
As far as drivers for scanners are concerned I have not found a scanner for which there wasn't a driver in the Ubuntu package. Usually they are just P&P. and so far have all worked beautifully with XSane and Gimp. Not just those that I have had but also those of friends that I helped get into Ubuntu.
I tried one or two earlier today on my present Epson Stylus DX5050 and I was not overjoyed with them. The brightness and contrast seem to need a lot of tweeking and I never go anything which made me happy. I wonder if it is do do with reflected light versus transmitted light. I think that may be a factor.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 23/10/2010 : 09:47
Catty, the reason I mentioned Psho[ was because that was where my experience is and I looked in Gimp but couldn't immediately find an 'import from scanner' option. My canon LID scanner has no Linux driver, that's why it is on the IBM on Windows. Sometimes you will get the perfect neg that is in synch with the characteristics of the scanner and you'll get a perfect result. Most negs aren't perfect from this point of view and need breathing on once you have the raw file. In my experience a key factor can be how you have your screen positioned and the settings. Ideally what you see on the screen should be what you get in a hard copy off the printer. One example, I find that when rendering negs for publication I have to have what looks like excess contrast on the screen in order to get a good image.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 23/10/2010 : 10:40
The scanner companies make an effort to provide Linux drivers for their most popular machines but not for the odd ones and that tends to include those with transparency/negative converters. Stanley's is the most expensive scanner in Canon's LIDErange so they don't sell many and haven't bothered with a Linux driver. Having said that, the companies will sometimes create a Linux driver for their printer, scanner or whatever if you ask them. They may simply have to know that someone out there needs it!
Catgate, is this YouTube video of a DIY negative scan any help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RejaetB-g-o
There is another DIY method I've read about and I had to google `scan negatives toilet' to find it, you'll see why. Here it is:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/07/scan-old-negatives-with-a-dslr-and-toilet-paper-tubes
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catgate
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Posted - 23/10/2010 : 12:08
Stanley- I looked in Gimp but couldn't immediately find an 'import from scanner' option.
Do you have XSane installed. Ginp>File>Create>XSane>Device Dialogue
Tizer:-
I like the toilet roll tube idea. Photography at you own convenience !!
Interestingly both those methods use transmitted light, I am sure that is significant. I will have a tinker.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Tizer
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Posted - 23/10/2010 : 15:54
"Photography at your own convenience" - I like that!
I've got Xsane and it's in the Applications menu under Graphics but it also comes up as you describe in Gimp.
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catgate
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Posted - 23/10/2010 : 16:07
quote:
Tizer wrote:
"Photography at your own convenience" - I like that!
I've got Xsane and it's in the Applications menu under Graphics but it also comes up as you describe in Gimp.
X.......?????
S....Scanner
A....Access
N....Now
E...Easy
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 24/10/2010 : 05:47
Never felt the need for it Catty. I like to keep things simple. Having scanned all my negs the scanner being in the office upstairs is no hassle. Besides, less clutter on the kitchen table.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Photography and camera advice
