Are there any questions about digital cameras?
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ulhiker
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Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Sun May 11, 2008 11:33 pm
Ok.. If any of you have been following mine and Kyle’s conversation of Photography over several threads ( and I apologize to anyone whose toes I may have stepped on or the what not). I decided that maybe I should put this into its own thread. First off let me state my photography background.
Graduated in 1995 Memphis State University (yes I have the Diploma to prove it) with a special distention into photography both conceptual and printed. 1996 worked close with the Memphis Zoo Society in providing coverage of certain events during the construction of the new Zoo facility. 1997 Worked for The Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, both managing certain photo operations and creating new locations. 2003 worked for Staples the Office Superstore as Electronics Manager, learning the computerized end of my craft. Also during this time worked for the City of Kissimmee FL teaching photography courses and providing event photography for all the Parks and Recreation department. 2005 went freelance working for various Events and Conventions in the Orlando area, both medical conventions, and retail events. Currently working free lance in the Memphis Area.
Enough about me. I wanted to give a little insight, at least from my perspective into backpacking cameras and features that I would not be caught without.
1. Manual Settings. Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to get that waterfall to look pretty and almost like smoke coming off it than not having the right tools to do it with. You control this with shutter speed, and a tripod. This one guys cannot be done in Photoshop. I have seen pros try to make water look like that and I can always tell. Do it in the camera and you would be doing yourself a favor.
2. All glass lens. Not all cameras, mostly point and shoots, have all glass elements. The manufactures’ will put glass elements on the outside that you can see and touch and they will use plastic on the inside elements. Do your research. You don’t want plastic in your lens.
3. Viewfinder. Yes we all like to look at the pretty pictures in the back of the camera but this will eat up battery life and unless you just like toting extra batteries around, try to avoid it. Actually even my Nikon D3 and D300 I very rarely look at the screen on the back, at least for the image. I just look through the viewfinder.
4. Card Compatibility. While this is not near as critical as it use to be. If I were to have 3 or 4 different camera brands each would use its own type of media for storage. No big deal till you have to go out and buy new media every time you buy a new camera. Sure getting them into the computer is easy enough but one card will not fit many different cameras.
5. Correct Lens. We are talking about backpacking cameras so I don’t think anyone here is going to be toting a 12lb hunk of metal out there with them so assuming this I will talk mostly about the point and shoots. Depending on the type of images you are generally use to making, if you’re like me and mostly do scenics and the occasional wildlife, you don’t really need the big long zooms. On the contrary I use wide angle lens. So wide that I generally have to screw a accessory lens to the end of the camera to make it wider than it really is. Yes you can do this if your camera has treads on the end of the onboard lens or offers some other way of screwing to it. I rarely use extreme telephotos. Usually, I will get as close as I can then use the entire zoom in my camera (unscrew the wide angle adaptor) and use Photoshop to zoom in after the fact. Point is I look for threads on the end of my lens so that I can use this feature.
I am not going to get into f stops as we are talking about point and shoots, and most are locked in around 2.8 – 4.6 or somewhere around that.. Nothing you can do about that, live with it.
The last thing is file format. Most cameras if not all is going to use a .jpg file format. This format is lossy in nature. This means that every time you save this file the format looks for any information that seems to repeat itself, it discards what “it” deems as not needed. And it does this every time you save it. You can archive the image data to CD and stop this but again it’s another step.
Then new big gun in town is the .raw format. This new format is mostly only used in the DSLR cameras and VERY few point and shoots are using it. Cannon and Fuji is the only two that I know of at this printing, but this is changing as we speak. It generally is only on the more expensive models. BUT, imaging having a actual photo lab in your computer. You can go back to the image and resample or reprocess this file using different methods of adding or taking away contrast. This is a very powerful tool. The drawback to this tool is you will need additional software to read the .raw file. You won’t be able to simply open your file folder in windows and see the file images pop up as with .jpg files. I think most of us here would probably be using Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Both these programs will work with the raw files. Also in order to send these images to say Wal-Mart for printing you will have to save your work into a .jpg or other image file to take it in with you. I usually go this route for my proofing and then just delete the resulting .jpg files. But it is another step. But my final images goes to a pro imaging printer in Atlanta and they send me the final print. They can open and use the .raw files without additional tools.
The last thing that I say look for other than weight, is feel. I have known to many people that have bought cameras from a photo online and when they got it, guess what. No matter how they held it they had a finger in either a viewfinder, lens or flash. Their brand new camera was too small for their huge hands.. lol. I tell people, go to one of the big box chains, heck for that matter go to all of them, pick up the cameras, tell the salesmen what you want, see what they offer. Then go to the next retailer and see what they offer. After a few of them you will have a better idea then go home and buy the camera online. All these retailers sell at online discount houses and I will bet it will be cheaper than they will sell to you in the store.
Hope this helps somewhat. I know there are tons more information that I have not covered but this is really just the basic of the basics. If you have any questions I will be glad to try to answer them here. Or if you don’t understand something please ask. I will even take comments, both positive and negative. lol
Eddie
Graduated in 1995 Memphis State University (yes I have the Diploma to prove it) with a special distention into photography both conceptual and printed. 1996 worked close with the Memphis Zoo Society in providing coverage of certain events during the construction of the new Zoo facility. 1997 Worked for The Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, both managing certain photo operations and creating new locations. 2003 worked for Staples the Office Superstore as Electronics Manager, learning the computerized end of my craft. Also during this time worked for the City of Kissimmee FL teaching photography courses and providing event photography for all the Parks and Recreation department. 2005 went freelance working for various Events and Conventions in the Orlando area, both medical conventions, and retail events. Currently working free lance in the Memphis Area.
Enough about me. I wanted to give a little insight, at least from my perspective into backpacking cameras and features that I would not be caught without.
1. Manual Settings. Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to get that waterfall to look pretty and almost like smoke coming off it than not having the right tools to do it with. You control this with shutter speed, and a tripod. This one guys cannot be done in Photoshop. I have seen pros try to make water look like that and I can always tell. Do it in the camera and you would be doing yourself a favor.
2. All glass lens. Not all cameras, mostly point and shoots, have all glass elements. The manufactures’ will put glass elements on the outside that you can see and touch and they will use plastic on the inside elements. Do your research. You don’t want plastic in your lens.
3. Viewfinder. Yes we all like to look at the pretty pictures in the back of the camera but this will eat up battery life and unless you just like toting extra batteries around, try to avoid it. Actually even my Nikon D3 and D300 I very rarely look at the screen on the back, at least for the image. I just look through the viewfinder.
4. Card Compatibility. While this is not near as critical as it use to be. If I were to have 3 or 4 different camera brands each would use its own type of media for storage. No big deal till you have to go out and buy new media every time you buy a new camera. Sure getting them into the computer is easy enough but one card will not fit many different cameras.
5. Correct Lens. We are talking about backpacking cameras so I don’t think anyone here is going to be toting a 12lb hunk of metal out there with them so assuming this I will talk mostly about the point and shoots. Depending on the type of images you are generally use to making, if you’re like me and mostly do scenics and the occasional wildlife, you don’t really need the big long zooms. On the contrary I use wide angle lens. So wide that I generally have to screw a accessory lens to the end of the camera to make it wider than it really is. Yes you can do this if your camera has treads on the end of the onboard lens or offers some other way of screwing to it. I rarely use extreme telephotos. Usually, I will get as close as I can then use the entire zoom in my camera (unscrew the wide angle adaptor) and use Photoshop to zoom in after the fact. Point is I look for threads on the end of my lens so that I can use this feature.
I am not going to get into f stops as we are talking about point and shoots, and most are locked in around 2.8 – 4.6 or somewhere around that.. Nothing you can do about that, live with it.
The last thing is file format. Most cameras if not all is going to use a .jpg file format. This format is lossy in nature. This means that every time you save this file the format looks for any information that seems to repeat itself, it discards what “it” deems as not needed. And it does this every time you save it. You can archive the image data to CD and stop this but again it’s another step.
Then new big gun in town is the .raw format. This new format is mostly only used in the DSLR cameras and VERY few point and shoots are using it. Cannon and Fuji is the only two that I know of at this printing, but this is changing as we speak. It generally is only on the more expensive models. BUT, imaging having a actual photo lab in your computer. You can go back to the image and resample or reprocess this file using different methods of adding or taking away contrast. This is a very powerful tool. The drawback to this tool is you will need additional software to read the .raw file. You won’t be able to simply open your file folder in windows and see the file images pop up as with .jpg files. I think most of us here would probably be using Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Both these programs will work with the raw files. Also in order to send these images to say Wal-Mart for printing you will have to save your work into a .jpg or other image file to take it in with you. I usually go this route for my proofing and then just delete the resulting .jpg files. But it is another step. But my final images goes to a pro imaging printer in Atlanta and they send me the final print. They can open and use the .raw files without additional tools.
The last thing that I say look for other than weight, is feel. I have known to many people that have bought cameras from a photo online and when they got it, guess what. No matter how they held it they had a finger in either a viewfinder, lens or flash. Their brand new camera was too small for their huge hands.. lol. I tell people, go to one of the big box chains, heck for that matter go to all of them, pick up the cameras, tell the salesmen what you want, see what they offer. Then go to the next retailer and see what they offer. After a few of them you will have a better idea then go home and buy the camera online. All these retailers sell at online discount houses and I will bet it will be cheaper than they will sell to you in the store.
Hope this helps somewhat. I know there are tons more information that I have not covered but this is really just the basic of the basics. If you have any questions I will be glad to try to answer them here. Or if you don’t understand something please ask. I will even take comments, both positive and negative. lol
Eddie
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by birddog Mon May 12, 2008 7:18 am
How about a few tips on using photoshop elements 6 ??
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by willky1 Mon May 12, 2008 4:01 pm
eddie,
I wish I could just have you pick one out for me. I can't decide...haha. There are to many choices and features.
I wish I could just have you pick one out for me. I can't decide...haha. There are to many choices and features.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by snowsurfer1973 Mon May 12, 2008 4:05 pm
go with a nikon coolpix series willki, you can't go wrong with a Nikon, just take into consideration all the features he explained, figure out how much you can spend, and that will really determine the model number.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by willky1 Mon May 12, 2008 4:12 pm
haha that just makes me more mad. The camera that I stepped on and broke was a nikon coolpix. I'm an idiot! 
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Mon May 12, 2008 5:49 pm
The two top chooises that I personally am looking at for features vs weight is #1 the Nikon Cool Pix P80. Hell of a zoom but I like the feel of the camera. Retail should be around $399 right now, as its brand new. #2 is the Kodak Z1012. Retail around $299. Both use the Secure Digital and both support high capacity cards. The Kodak also features a nice zoom and has a acc. mounting ring that I personally already own a adaptor to put the acc. lens on. But I do like the feel of the P80. I have a Bday coming up in August, in case anyone is looking :-D.
Eddie
Eddie
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Jay Mon May 12, 2008 11:21 pm
Seekingfun, thanks for the great post. This answers a lot of questions that many of us have asked in the quest for finding a pocket companion for capturing those moments on the trail.
I currently carry a Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 Camcorder (which takes very nice 6mp photos as well) because I do the whole "video journal" thing. It's what I enjoy.
Anyway, good stuff.
I currently carry a Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 Camcorder (which takes very nice 6mp photos as well) because I do the whole "video journal" thing. It's what I enjoy.
Anyway, good stuff.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Mon May 12, 2008 11:31 pm
Oh man.. Video... guess I will have to do another one of these lol... Video is nice, but to put it as one of my early teachers,"it takes special skills to relay a entire journey or event into a single STILL image" lol. I guess I have always tryied to follow that same path in my life. Don't get me wrong, hell I have both a Sony and a Cannon Digital 8 recorder lol. But give me my still camera... lol
Eddie
Eddie
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Trail Monkey- Master of the Arkansas Backcountry
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by willky1 Mon May 12, 2008 11:38 pm
Great pics Eddie! I really like the one of the fire. Just something about a fire that raises morale.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Mon May 12, 2008 11:41 pm
Yea and I am trying to learn to play Harmonica hahahahaha
Eddie
Oh and thanks
Eddie
Oh and thanks
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by ulhiker Tue May 13, 2008 6:57 am
Eddie:
Your posts were great. Its nice to have a photography "expert" in our midst. I hope you will continue to help. Thanks again,
UL
Your posts were great. Its nice to have a photography "expert" in our midst. I hope you will continue to help. Thanks again,
UL
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by snowsurfer1973 Tue May 13, 2008 1:51 pm
Hey, Jay still having trouble posing my pics, I did what you said and it is not working.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by snowsurfer1973 Tue May 13, 2008 4:33 pm
I will try again[url=2008_0504colbyfirsthike0041]2008_0504colbyfirsthike0041[/url]
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by snowsurfer1973 Tue May 13, 2008 4:36 pm
See not working, help please, I am going into properties on the pic, copying the url and then posting it on the box here that looks like a picture but as you can see it posts the url not the picture.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by birddog Tue May 13, 2008 5:40 pm
The "url" looks to short to me. My guess is that you are missing part of it when you copy it.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Tue May 13, 2008 7:29 pm
Birddog you beat me too it... the url is not correct. don't know where you are going wrong but the problem is in that url. I don't know if you know anything about HTML but that is all it really is, a tag line. I don't even know if I can post what it should really look like because it would come up as a image. lol. If I can get a break tonight, or this week I will see if I can create a screen log of how to do (at least of what to do) and make it into a video for you. Actually may be nice to have it on hand in case this issue ever came up again. Save it into a file on the boards here.
Eddie
Eddie
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Trail Monkey Tue May 13, 2008 7:38 pm
Hey... UL. Thanks for the positve comments, but I must beg you guys not to think of me of any kind of "expert" I simply know what I know. That is enough. I am always willing to share but you had better belive I am also the first in line to learn, lol. My background is really in Event and Convention and I guess, Comercial Photography with some portuiture. Nature Photography is what I love but it is VERY HARD to make a living doing it. Still, most of the rules are the same, and I am one to try to see how many of the rules I can break. lol. But please don't think of me as an expert on anything. I like the Japanese term the best, Sensei. Which actually means one who came before. lol. But alast, even that word gets misused by us round eyes, to mean a almost god like diety.... lol. Put simply it means teacher... Getting off subject again... have to wack myself in the back of my head.... 
Eddie
Eddie
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by colt1911carry Tue May 13, 2008 8:53 pm
I think what you are doing, Snow, is getting the properties from a picture on your computer. For an image to show up, it has to be on the internet already. You would need to get the properties of an image that is already on the net somewhere, whether it be PhotoBucket.com or some other site. For example, when I right-click on your avatar picture, I get the properties of http://arkansasbackcountry.com/users/34/89/55/avatars/8-11.jpg. Now, if I want to add that to this post, I click on the image icon above this posting and put in the address.
This is what I get:
Try that. If you still have no luck, let me know.
This is what I get:
Try that. If you still have no luck, let me know.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by willky1 Wed May 14, 2008 2:32 pm
haha no wonder you couldn't get the pic to work. Its huge! Awesome shot. Where is it from?
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by snowsurfer1973 Wed May 14, 2008 2:38 pm
there it is, yeeeeaaaah! Buffalo river from spur trail
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by Jay Wed May 14, 2008 2:49 pm
Geez colt, I was in the middle of typing out a response for him and you beat me to the punch. Nice.
I need to do a photo tutorial post for new members, don't I. I'll try to do that soon.
I need to do a photo tutorial post for new members, don't I. I'll try to do that soon.
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Re: Are there any questions about digital cameras?
by colt1911carry Wed May 14, 2008 2:58 pm
Wow, Snow! I gotta say those are some gorgeous shots!
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