Does anyone on the board know anything about cameras?

[pink]

I am living in a recreational area now and would love to start taking pictures. The lake is 5800 acres and has lots of traffic. I love to take pictures of the boats, tubes and jet skis and i'd like to have a good camera.


Can anyone help me? I know nothing about cameras.

 

[M. Jordan]

I'm no expert but I do take a lot of pictures for my work. I used to want to get a big new Nikon but after talking to many professional and semi professionals, it appears that Cannon is very popular with that crowd using digital SLR units and point and shoot units.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I know they started out as rooms.

 

[Tristyn]

I hope this helps...

The Best Waterproof Digital Cameras of 2017
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366987,00.asp

A Guide to Rugged and Waterproof Point-and-Shoot Cameras
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explor...rugged-and-waterproof-point-and-shoot-cameras

 

[oggbashan]

If you really know nothing about cameras it would be a idea to start with a basic digital camera with an optical zoom of about 3 times and at least 10 megapixels.

It should have basic settings for landscape, close-ups, portraits etc.

Kodak, now unfortunately defunct, used to do such cameras. You might find a cheap one secondhand.

When you have played around with a basic camera for a few months just seeing what you can do with it, you might have acquired sufficient experience to try something better.

A good picture doesn't depend on the cost of the camera. Most of it is in the composition, seeing what you can take, and avoiding distractions from the image you want.

With digital cameras you can take hundreds of pictures to see what works for you. With film cameras you had to be much more selective because you had a limited number of shots and cost for developing and printing.

Edited to add: Even with an optical zoom of 3 x, you might find it difficult to take a clear picture of something some way away. Holding the camera steady with a zoom is a challenge and image stablisation can't solve shaking hands. Rest the camera on something solid like a fence, a post, a rock...

 

[pink]

I'm no expert but I do take a lot of pictures for my work. I used to want to get a big new Nikon but after talking to many professional and semi professionals, it appears that Cannon is very popular with that crowd using digital SLR units and point and shoot units.

Are there 2 types of cameras? I'm sorry, when I said I know nothing I mean I know nothing. (Well, about cameras.)

 

[someoneyouknow]

I could go on and on about what I know, but your questions lead me to believe you literally know nothing about cameras other than they can take pictures. Let's start with a few questions.

1) Are you looking for something you point at a subject and click a button, or do you want to take more time composing the shot and using various camera settings to enhance the image?

2) Do you want a camera which has a single lens which can't be removed, or do want the ability to change lenses based on what subject you are shooting?

3) Do you want to show your pictures to others right after you shoot them, or do you want to spend some time using software to tweak the image?

Those three basic questions will go a long way towards figuring out what kind of camera you should (most likely) get.

 

[oggbashan]

Are there 2 types of cameras? I'm sorry, when I said I know nothing I mean I know nothing. (Well, about cameras.)

There are many types of cameras.

The main digital ones are:

Basic - just point, press the button, and you have a picture.
Bridge - has some of the facilities of an SLR but has a fixed, non-changing lens
SLR - (Single Lens Reflex) - a complex camera that has lenses that can be changed to get particular types of pictures including extreme telephoto.

Other terms:
telephoto - a long lens that lets you enlarge a part of the scene to make something far away seem to be close to you.
zoom - an adjustable lens that can be a standard lens, macro or a telephoto. The central part of the camera moves in an out.
wide angle - takes more of a close scene than you might normally see, so more of a room or restricted space. Extreme wide angle distorts the picture.
macro - enlarges what you are taking so good for a small flower, an insect.

A basic point and shoot camera will usually give you some macro, standard and zoom facilities but not the extremes that are possible with a SLR.

For example if you want a sail boat 50 yards away to fill your picture you can probably do that with a basic camera with a 3 x optical zoom. If it is 100 yards or more away, it will only be part of the picture - but with a bridge camera or SLR it could still fill the frame.

If the sail boat is 1,000 yards away a specialist telephoto lens on an SLR could still fill the picture but you would have to be a skilled user to get it right.

 

[pink]

I hope this helps...

The Best Waterproof Digital Cameras of 2017
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366987,00.asp

A Guide to Rugged and Waterproof Point-and-Shoot Cameras
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explor...rugged-and-waterproof-point-and-shoot-cameras

Waterproof is important but I wouldn't need anything so rugged. I'm not going scuba diving. I will just be around the water or on it, and want clean, sharp pictures.

 

[pink]

I could go on and on about what I know, but your questions lead me to believe you literally know nothing about cameras other than they can take pictures. Let's start with a few questions.

1) Are you looking for something you point at a subject and click a button, or do you want to take more time composing the shot and using various camera settings to enhance the image?

2) Do you want a camera which has a single lens which can't be removed, or do want the ability to change lenses based on what subject you are shooting?

3) Do you want to show your pictures to others right after you shoot them, or do you want to spend some time using software to tweak the image?

Those three basic questions will go a long way towards figuring out what kind of camera you should (most likely) get.

1. Point and shoot, please. I need to capture a quick picture. I would like one that I can really zoom in and out as needed, though.

2. Not sure? I'd like to be able to capture fast moving boats but then turn around and take camping pictures.

3. I would like to be able to see them right away.

 

[Hard_Rom]

SLRs are not overly cheap. But they are the ones that have the changeable lens. Latest have 24-32 megapixels. Expect to pay about a grand for a good set up. Used SLRs in the 10 megapixel range should be much cheaper. Old technology. The 75-300 lens is good for far shots. Maybe 500 bucks for a used one with two lenses.

SLR is not needed for most shots. Just a good digital zoom. A whole lot cheaper too.

Ogg had a good post.

I use an old Canon SLR EOS Rebel with only 8.4 megapixels. Does just fine for 99% of amateur photography.

 

[Comentarista82]

cameras? I do

photo enthusiast here.

If you spend most of your time outside and don't do a lot of inside, low-light photography, I'd suggest something like a Canon. If you like birding and want a nice zoom, I'd recommend a Canon bridge camera, which is a partial step below a DSLR. It's probably the best of both worlds, not being dirt cheap but offering partial DSLR features you could grow with. I think Canon even has a 50x zoom on their latest model now, so you could catch a LOT outside for probably $350.

Have specific questions? Post them and/or PM me.

 

[saintcero]

How much $$ are you willing to spend?

What will you do with the photos? Are they for your own personal enjoyment? Are they for others? Do you hope to sell some?

 

[pink]

There are many types of cameras.

The main digital ones are:

Basic - just point, press the button, and you have a picture.
Bridge - has some of the facilities of an SLR but has a fixed, non-changing lens
SLR - (Single Lens Reflex) - a complex camera that has lenses that can be changed to get particular types of pictures including extreme telephoto.

Other terms:
telephoto - a long lens that lets you enlarge a part of the scene to make something far away seem to be close to you.
zoom - an adjustable lens that can be a standard lens, macro or a telephoto. The central part of the camera moves in an out.
wide angle - takes more of a close scene than you might normally see, so more of a room or restricted space. Extreme wide angle distorts the picture.
macro - enlarges what you are taking so good for a small flower, an insect.

A basic point and shoot camera will usually give you some macro, standard and zoom facilities but not the extremes that are possible with a SLR.

For example if you want a sail boat 50 yards away to fill your picture you can probably do that with a basic camera with a 3 x optical zoom. If it is 100 yards or more away, it will only be part of the picture - but with a bridge camera or SLR it could still fill the frame.

If the sail boat is 1,000 yards away a specialist telephoto lens on an SLR could still fill the picture but you would have to be a skilled user to get it right.

Thanks, Ogg. Sorry to be a pain the ass.

 

[pink]

How much $$ are you willing to spend?

What will you do with the photos? Are they for your own personal enjoyment? Are they for others? Do you hope to sell some?

They are for my own pleasure. I'll be scrapbooking some of them.

Money?? I have money, but I'd like to be able to get a good buy.

 

[pink]

photo enthusiast here.

If you spend most of your time outside and don't do a lot of inside, low-light photography, I'd suggest something like a Canon. If you like birding and want a nice zoom, I'd recommend a Canon bridge camera, which is a partial step below a DSLR. It's probably the best of both worlds, not being dirt cheap but offering partial DSLR features you could grow with. I think Canon even has a 50x zoom on their latest model now, so you could catch a LOT outside for probably $350.

Have specific questions? Post them and/or PM me.

Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I can handle $350.

 

[someoneyouknow]

1. Point and shoot, please. I need to capture a quick picture. I would like one that I can really zoom in and out as needed, though.

2. Not sure? I'd like to be able to capture fast moving boats but then turn around and take camping pictures.

3. I would like to be able to see them right away.

Here are three cameras you should probably look at:

Nikon Coolpix P9000

Sony Cyber-Shot HX90V

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000

The first and last look like more traditional cameras while the second is closer to a point-and-shoot. I did the research for you but you can look at this site:

https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides

which is devoted to nothing but photography and in this case, a link to their buying guide. Read the forum topics which cover everything including beginner questions:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1002

and sub-forums for most major camera manufacturers.

I would highly suggest, if you can, go to a place which sells cameras and see if they have the three I mentioned. Pick them up, feel how they are in your hand, how the controls work and so on. Each camera has its good part and bad part so in the end, go with what you think is right for you. Keep your receipt in case you change your mind.

I would also suggest reading reviews from people who own these cameras to get a feel for real life experiences. There is a lot to understand, even for basic cameras, so the more information you have the better choice you should be able to make.

Since I don't know where you live I can't offer my personal services, so this is the best I can do for you.

 

[pink]

SLRs are not overly cheap. But they are the ones that have the changeable lens. Latest have 24-32 megapixels. Expect to pay about a grand for a good set up. Used SLRs in the 10 megapixel range should be much cheaper. Old technology. The 75-300 lens is good for far shots. Maybe 500 bucks for a used one with two lenses.

SLR is not needed for most shots. Just a good digital zoom. A whole lot cheaper too.

Ogg had a good post.

I use an old Canon SLR EOS Rebel with only 8.4 megapixels. Does just fine for 99% of amateur photography.

Thanks, Rom. I don't want to spend $1000.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

https://www.costco.com/.product.100230335.html

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Reviews:
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http://www.pcmag.com/review/333007/canon-powershot-sx530-hs

 

[Colonel Hogan]

1. Point and shoot, please. I need to capture a quick picture. I would like one that I can really zoom in and out as needed, though.

2. Not sure? I'd like to be able to capture fast moving boats but then turn around and take camping pictures.

3. I would like to be able to see them right away.

1. Not sure if you're going to be able to stick with your $350 budget and get a good camera with a zoom lens. If you could bump it up a few hundred and get a good (perhaps used) single lens reflex with interchangeable lenses you'd be better off. Except that won't likely be "point and shoot." You'll have control over BOTH shutter speed and aperture setting. DON'T be intimidated by that! That's a GOOD thing, as you are about to see.

2. Fast moving objects, especially those close to you and moving ACROSS your field of vision require faster than average (1/50th of a second) shutter speeds. Some activities like football, basketball or just playing catch with nimble little grandchildren can require shutter speeds in the 1/500th or even 1/1000th of a second range to keep things from looking blurred. It's nice to have that "stop action" capability. You typically set shutter speeds with a dial on top of the camera.

Aperture setting refers to the size of the opening in the lens. That opening lets in more (f2.8) or less (f16) light through the lens and onto the image plane. Obviously you need a wider lens opening in low light environments like at dusk than during a bright sunny day at noon. The f-stop adjustments are typically made ON the lens.

Finally, a single lens reflex (SLR) means you are actually looking directly through the lens and seeing what the camera "sees." Some cameras don't do that. The old Kodak Instamatics, for example, had a viewfinder that was separate from the lens. That could result in a parallax effect on subjects at close range. Parallax is best illustrated by closing one eye and looking out the other and then switching eyes and comparing the apparent left/right "shift" of the foreground object you're looking at.

Technically speaking, that is the sum total of photography. Shutter speed, aperture and parallax (which is a non-issue if you have an SLR). "Composition" is an artsy fartsy term that merely speaks to whether you succeeded in getting all the "good stuff" in the picture and arranged the camera and subjects so that the "bad stuff" was excluded. You'll get better at that if you truly "get hooked."

3. Any modern digital camera will give you an immediate preview mode. Simple USB interfaces make downloading images to your phone or computer a snap.

Go for it, Pink! Good luck!

 

[Hard_Rom]

Digital cameras are smart. I just leave on the auto position unless intentionally going for real closeup shots or fast moving shots. Let it figure out F-stops, apertures and such.

Biggest thing I messed with was it's focus point. Birding shots need to focus on center of pic so tree branches don't fool the 'smart' camera.

Just for personal scrapbooking I bet you can go quite cheap. 350 should be more than enough.

 

[EternalFantasies]

Rom beat me to the EOS. they're all slrs if i recall correctly.

You can find it used.

Or just buy those 20megpix for a hundred. should do well and they fit in ur pocket.

 

[Socket2me]

I am living in a recreational area now and would love to start taking pictures. The lake is 5800 acres and has lots of traffic. I love to take pictures of the boats, tubes and jet skis and i'd like to have a good camera.

Can anyone help me? I know nothing about cameras.

https://up4.xhcdn.com/000/136/744/738_1000.gif

"Harold, this forum member says they know nothing about cameras."

You can buy a disposable one at the General Dollar store for ten bucks.

"Do they take good pictures?"

Who fucking cares? It's only ten bucks.

"Harold, did you purchase me a carton of Lucky Strikes like I asked you?"

Yeah, I left them on the kitchen table.

"You lazy bastard. I have to get up from my chair."

 

[Ms_Ann]

My phone has a camera.

http://indianlake.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/indian-lake-campground-sign.jpg

 

[pink]

My phone has a camera.

I'm so happy for you.