What Camera do you own?

[FJR Gary]

Canon PowerShot A540 for stills.

Been looking at MiniDV cams. Trying to decide between Canon ZR850 and Sony DCR-HC48.

 

[Scab]

I have a Canon 10D digital body, hooked up to a retinal camera. Takes pics of the retina. But, I was told I could buy regular lenses and take regular pictures. Any suggesrtions on lenses to fit. I might start taking pictures with it..
Glenn

Any of the Canon EF lenses will fit. The standard 55-80 is readily found and very affordable. Add to that the 75-300 zoom (can be found at Wally) for $175 and you can do quite a lot. (these two lenses are from the plastic-housing line. Less expensive, good pics)

 

[ionbeam]

when moving on the FJR Michelle is unable to take pictures...the G5 takes a little too long to focus and we get blurry PICs. Of course, there might be a setting or two I need to change

When you look at cameras you need to check for shutter lag -- the time from which you push the button until the camera trips the shutter. Shutter lag varies a lot between brands and models.

Just as shutter lag varies, so does focus method and focus time. The camera should have setting for 'spot focus' or some type of 'matrix' focus. Spot focus is generally one small point in the center of the picture and matrix will take an average focal reading across the scene. While shooting from a moving motorcycle it can be helpful to just lock the focus on infinity so you don't have to wait for the camera to figure it out.

Another thing to look for is ISO (formerly ASA) of the camera, this determines how low lighting you can shoot without flash and also how fast the shutter speed can be. My Nikon 8700 will let me shoot ISO 800 but the picture is way too 'noisy'. Noise will show up in the dark areas of the picture as speckles and also will be visible in the solid blue sky as thousands of tiny dots. When shooting from a moving vehicle you would like to keep your shutter speeds as high as possible. My BIG Canon 20D will shoot ISO 1600 with virtually no noise at all, and lets me shoot high shutter speeds even in low lighting. The typical built-in flash will only be effective out to 15-20 feet so it does you no good having it go off in low light on the motorcycle. There is also a bit of driver distraction too when the flash unexpectedly goes off in your peripheral vision <_<

If you opt for a camera with a large LCD panel, check its brightness in sunlight to be sure it is still viewable. Almost all cameras will offer a menu setting to change LCD brightness. Also, move the camera around while looking at the LCD. My Nikon LCD will be just like you are looking at the moving scene whereas our Panasonic was too slow to update the display. With the Panasonic, you would have panned the camera past the covered bridge and on to the nearby farm house before the bridge would show up in the LCD panel. Bad from a moving motorcycle.

These days camera size and picture quality are often independent. The camera should fit your hand size so you don't fumble for controls and as a bonus still fit into a pocket.

There are a lot of good online camera sites, one that has really good reviews, spec tables and comparisons is Steve's Digicams.

========

The previously mentioned Nikon 8700 is for sale. This is the only camera that I've never clicked with (so to speak). How much would I have to pay someone to take it? :huh:

 

[Malve]

same location but with the 300 mm lens fitted.look closely in the first pic, you will see the bridge (just)

jason

That is amazing...I've got to get me a lens.

Pentax Optio W30..............use it because it is pocket size, easy to operate for dumb ***** like me, takes pretty durn good piccies...........see below and it is waterproof... oh yea, and also affordable!
on a cloudy rainy day in the smokeys

on a sunny day in the smokeys

Those are some beautifil pics Donaldb

 

[twowheelnut]

Wow! Gots a bunch of Canon fans. Makes me feel better about my choice for a new clicker.

 

[teerex51]

I have a Canon 10D digital body, hooked up to a retinal camera. Takes pics of the retina. But, I was told I could buy regular lenses and take regular pictures. Any suggesrtions on lenses to fit. I might start taking pictures with it..
Glenn

Glenn,

The 10D will take all Canon EF lenses (and other makes, too, like Tamron and Sigma that'll fit a Canon lens mount). Because of the size of the 10D's digital sensor, your lenses' focal length (e.g.: 50mm, 85mm, 135mm etc.) will need to be multiplied by 1.6 to obtain the "actual" lens coverage. In other words, a 24mm wide-angle lens will deliver a picture equivalent to that taken by a 40mm on a conventional (non digital) camera. (This is true of most digital SLR cameras except for Canon's other big-guns 1D and 5D that give you the same lens coverage of an conventional clicker).

If you were to buy a zoom lens like a Canon 24-105 IS (image stabilized), L (this letter marks professional-grade lenses) USM (Ultra-Sound autofocus motor)

you'd have a great all-round lens that will take almost wide angle pics (that 24mm works out as 40mm) all the way to an actual 160mm tele-photo, all of an amazing quality.

If you go for a Canon EF 16-35 USM (again of the L series) you'll have an excellent lens for virtually every situation except telephotos.

This picture was taken with a Canon 16-35 lens as described above on a 10D camera like yours.

This makes for an interesting read...

Then you can check out the B&H website HERE and go wild!

Stef

 

[daddysbike]

Got rid of my Canon Digital Rebel after 5 yrs and just got the Nikon D80. WOW what a much better quality camera and included kit lens is much much better.

I also have some Bronica 2 1/4 cameras that I used to use to shoot weddings but am selling on ebay.

My wife uses a Canon point and shoot digital and I have a Sony miniDV digital movie camera.

Steve

 

[ionbeam]

My wife has asked me to add some more notes for Pillion Photographers:

(1) make sure the camera is "expendable" - don't take your wife's.

Motorcycles can do unexpected things..

(2) Buy last year's model - much cheaper and the pix will be just as good.

(3) Be sure you can comfortably hold the camera, change settings, and

shoot with only one hand.

(4) NEVER use a neckstrap! Buy or make a wrist strap.

 

[gr8eyes]

Scab, Stef, thanks for the info. I've never had the camera back off the retinal camera but you've about talked me into getting a couple of lenses and using it on the weekends. It only takes 10 secoinds to take the body off the retinal camera. I obviously knew it takes great retinal photographs but it looks like it takes great regular pics as well.

Glenn

 

[HIGHLANDER]

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyh5/

I just picked up a Sony DSC-H5 to add to my arsenal. So far it's taken some great pics, 12X zoom, AA recharagables, 2 gig card, 3" screen ..... cool !!

BTW I looked at the S3 but the small, flip out lens seem to be a pain in the a...., if you were riding and shooting, like OV and I do !!

Anyone bought a 2X adapter for these type cameras so that it gives you a 24X zoom ??

BTW I disagree 100% on the neckstrap Ion, used one for years, if crap hits that fan, wife drops the camera and hangs on, no worries about a camera flopping around on the wrist.

 

[ionbeam]

BTW I disagree 100% on the neckstrap Ion,

I'll forward your email address to my wife. You've been warned :assassin:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[black mamba]

I shoot Nikon stuff exclusively, mainly because I built up quite a list of their equipment years ago and got committed to their " system ". I still shoot some slide film on occasion, mostly scenics, and use an F 6 camera when doing so. When shooting from the bike, I use either the D 80 or the D 2xs. Both give me stunning pictures. I'll set the camera on manual focus and set the lens at the hyperfocal distance....gives me extra sharp resolution from fairly close in all the way out to infinity. All the above cameras are of the SLR type. They are the only type I use as they greatly expand the options available to be creative and give me much more control over the pictures I take. My wife will occasionally ride along and shoot with her Canon Power Shot G7.....also gives some great results.

 

[1FJR]

It does seem that everyone shoots Canon. So just to be different, I shoot Nikon. I have a D100 that I like. I carry a 28-105 and a 80-200 lens with it. I also have a Coolpix 5000. It is a great camera, but the shutter lag is a real pain sometimes. I also still have my N90s film camera which I sometimes use. I like film alot better than digital, but it is getting harder and harder to find a good lab that does optical printing and not digital printing.

As for a video camera I am looking at the Canon ZR800, mostly because it has a line-in jack for a external mic.

 

[evilmedic13]

Maxxum7 & 7d. About 12 lenses as well. My favorites are the 200-400mm and19-35mm, for walk around use it's my 28-200mm, macro work is my 90mm and the rest fill whatever need I have at the time!

No mobile picture machines though, if I want a pic that bad I'll pull over and enjoy it while taking the pic,not after.

 

[keithaba]

I have a Canon 10D digital body, hooked up to a retinal camera. Takes pics of the retina. But, I was told I could buy regular lenses and take regular pictures. Any suggesrtions on lenses to fit. I might start taking pictures with it..
Glenn

Glenn,

If you go for a Canon EF 16-35 USM (again of the L series) you'll have an excellent lens for virtually every situation except telephotos.

This picture was taken with a Canon 16-35 lens as described above on a 10D camera like yours.

The L series lenses capture stunningly crisp images and rich colors, but be ready to shell out some serious cash! That lense will run you around $1200!

One of the best features of most L series lenses is that they offer an f2.8 aperture. This allows you to take pictures in lower light situations, or stop action with less light. The only catch is most lenses loose a lot of optical quality below f4.5 or 5.6. The L series suffers the least from this problem (some people don't consider that a problem because they want a softer image, or to blurr the backround more) when compared to other canon EF lenses, sigma, and tamaron lenses.

 

[ionbeam]

The L series lenses capture stunningly crisp images and rich colors, but be ready to shell out some serious cash!

This is for true!!!

A year ago, when I purchased a 70-200mm Canon IS L USM lens, the average street price was way over $2k I won't even mention what the 400mm lens went for.

The L series is perhaps too easy to spot, the lens housing is white, the lens is huge and the glass has a very green sheen. My lens is so big that scares people and wildlife. OTOH, when I have the cannon on the Canon lots of camera buffs come over to 'talk shop' and I've met a lot of very nice people this way.

 

[teerex51]

The L series lenses capture stunningly crisp images and rich colors, but be ready to shell out some serious cash!

This is for true!!!

A year ago, when I purchased a 70-200mm Canon IS L USM lens, the average street price was way over $2k I won't even mention what the 400mm lens went for.

The L series is perhaps too easy to spot, the lens housing is white, the lens is huge and the glass has a very green sheen. My lens is so big that scares people and wildlife. OTOH, when I have the cannon on the Canon lots of camera buffs come over to 'talk shop' and I've met a lot of very nice people this way.

When I'm busy fiddling with my "L" series 16-35 and 24-105, I get a lot of hotties come over to me and ask if I do nudes. But I always say, "Nah...BTDT...I kinda prefer motorcycles or landscapes. But thanks for asking...." Priceless.

Stef

 

[6mmbr]

Canon 30D

very happy.

 

[camera56]

Of bike, Canon EOS-1D Mark II, more lenses than I care to count. I carry it in the tank bag with medium Tamron zoom. I don't typically pack the big L glass.

The EOS-1D is a monster and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a geek. It's big, heavy, weather sealed, and you can pound nails with it. It starts up instantly and has no discernible shutter lag. I use a big fast write card, at least 2 gig and often 4 gig, and I shoot RAW files.

In my pocket is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07. Great little pocket camera.

Off bike, Canon EOS-1D Mark II, more lenses than I care to count. I carry it in the tank bag with medium Tamron zoom. I don't typically pack the big L glass.

The EOS-1D is a monster and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a geek. It's big, heavy, weather sealed, and you can pound nails with it. It starts up instantly and has no discernible shutter lag. I use a big fast write card, at least 2 gig and often 4 gig, and I shoot RAW files.

In my pocket is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07. Great little pocket camera.

 

[keithaba]

Of bike, Canon EOS-1D Mark II, more lenses than I care to count. I carry it in the tank bag with medium Tamron zoom. I don't typically pack the big L glass.
The EOS-1D is a monster and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a geek. It's big, heavy, weather sealed, and you can pound nails with it. It starts up instantly and has no discernible shutter lag. I use a big fast write card, at least 2 gig and often 4 gig, and I shoot RAW files.

In my pocket is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07. Great little pocket camera.

Off bike, Canon EOS-1D Mark II, more lenses than I care to count. I carry it in the tank bag with medium Tamron zoom. I don't typically pack the big L glass.

The EOS-1D is a monster and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a geek. It's big, heavy, weather sealed, and you can pound nails with it. It starts up instantly and has no discernible shutter lag. I use a big fast write card, at least 2 gig and often 4 gig, and I shoot RAW files.

In my pocket is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07. Great little pocket camera.

Thanks for telling us that.

Thanks for telling us that.