Camera

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:04 pm

Zero Hour wrote:Ok been trolling through this thread to find a recommedation for a digi camera under $800. I got a Cannon PowerShot A510 a couple of years ago which is an awesome cheap camera but now pretty outdated. I dont wanna go to SLR because I cant be fucked carring the thing around when I travel.

Should I stick with the PowerShot range??...recommendations??

Panasonic Lumix range are dope. And they come in black.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:42 pm

i got a canon 400D yesterday, brought it home.
its faulty.

will not take or display a photo.

going back today with my grrr face on.

Jinx · Post by **Jinx** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:24 pm

Thats odd Kitty, what memory card do you have?

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:19 pm

compact flash card...

took it back, and said 'its kinda wierd that it came out of the box with the strap attached, is this a demo model?"

they said no, then gave me the model from the cabinet!!

seems to work now, will take and display photos, but im unsure.

will play with it today and if its wierd, wil be gonig back for a refund.

argh.

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:25 pm

Can you explain the symptoms a bit more?

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:35 pm

on auto focus, it would not take the picture, would focus twice but no click once you pressed the button all the way.

then on manual focus, would take the picture, but the display photo was jsut black.

went through all possible factors, troubleshooting etc and seemed to be faulty.

now this one is taknig photos on both manual and auto focus.

im a bit suss on the dudes at the shop..
from 'oh no it wasnt a demo, too > well thats wierd the strap was attached, to here, take this one from the cabinet, its the only one we have"

" i said, look, if it seems faulty again, ill be bringing it back for a refund"

and theyre like 'oh its a great camera, you wont be doing that"

hrmmmm

Post by **huge** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:39 pm

did you take the lens cap off?

mixtress · Post by **mixtress** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:53 pm

huge wrote:did you take the lens cap off?

badum, tsssss

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:54 pm

ghetto kitty wrote:on auto focus, it would not take the picture, would focus twice but no click once you pressed the button all the way.

then on manual focus, would take the picture, but the display photo was jsut black.

went through all possible factors, troubleshooting etc and seemed to be faulty.

now this one is taknig photos on both manual and auto focus.

im a bit suss on the dudes at the shop..
from 'oh no it wasnt a demo, too > well thats wierd the strap was attached, to here, take this one from the cabinet, its the only one we have"

" i said, look, if it seems faulty again, ill be bringing it back for a refund"

and theyre like 'oh its a great camera, you wont be doing that"

hrmmmm

Hehe, does sound like lens cap!

If it works now, it should be fine... but it could have been the electronic data strips where the lens locks in at the bottom of the body. Check they're not stuffed. It sends power, auto-focus, and a 2 other instructions between the camera and the lens. Auto-focus is the one on the most right (from memory)

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:13 pm

hmmph.

not lensecap, not that much of an idiot!

and the one they gave me is worknig now so i can check the contacts like you suggest lynt...

im dubious on the clive peters team at richmond.

hmmm

Post by **fooishbar** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:44 pm

if it can't get the desired focus or exposure, it won't take the shot. check the manual, but basically you want one green blink in the bottom right, no red blink. (and neither of your aperture or shutter speed blinking.)

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:36 pm

Ok Guys.

I am currently on Ebay searching a decent SLR 2nd Hand so I can learn on. Question is for learning i would have thought the more manual you can get the better, but there is pretty limited choice from what I can see.

What are some key things i need to look for to ensure i do not get the bum steer?

Or is it not worth going manual and just go digital? I do like the idea of film tho, I would like to learn with film first.

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:53 pm

Try and get a Pentax P30... known as the "The boring old work horse that taught many people in college how to use a camera"

Try and find one with the original 50mm f/1.4 lens, and you'll be rocking. They're pretty cheap.

Highly recommended for SLR introduction. Nothing scary about it, all manual and robust.

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:54 pm

Check this!

Definately worth a look at.

Jinx · Post by **Jinx** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:57 pm

Have a look at an Olympus Om 2n aswell. Takes a few rolls to learn how to get the most out of them but a top quality little slr for about $100.

mixtress · Post by **mixtress** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:03 pm

lynt wrote:Check this!

Definately worth a look at.

wowsers, that's wicked

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:06 pm

Thanks heaps guys..

Lynt you are a knowledge fountain and the Pentax is exactly what I was looking for, you have (again) placed me on the Yellow Brick Road...

SO much appreciated..... the course starts again in October and runs till December - going to be my B'day gift to myself....

thanks again...

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:09 pm

BammBamm wrote:Have a look at an Olympus Om 2n aswell. Takes a few rolls to learn how to get the most out of them but a top quality little slr for about $100.

Word, I wouldn't mind one myself with a little Zuiko 50mm f/1.4!

Check it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/velco/681426797/

Post by **huge** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:15 pm

lynt wrote:Try and get a Pentax P30... known as the "The boring old work horse that taught many people in college how to use a camera"

Try and find one with the original 50mm f/1.4 lens, and you'll be rocking. They're pretty cheap.

Highly recommended for SLR introduction. Nothing scary about it, all manual and robust.

i got one! need more film. might grab some now.

awesomeo

Jinx · Post by **Jinx** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:22 pm

Desperately trying to pick up a 50mm 1.4 haven't come across one on ebay yet.

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:26 pm

BammBamm wrote:Desperately trying to pick up a 50mm 1.4 haven't come across one on ebay yet.

Yeah dude, there are some amazing photos on Flickr taken with that lens. Would be nice.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:34 pm

okay i am falin in love with my canon 400D > this one works fine.

took photos of the art show at workshop and they came out so so clear and beautiful. then did a mission today and took some graff pics.

still using auto everything right now,
and havent worked out the aperture settings (which im assuming are the letters ?)

any tips for a digiSLR refresher noob?

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:49 pm

Read the manual

There are manual modes (including Aperture priority), but best read the manual to get an idea of what each dial setting does! It's a pretty lengthy explanation!

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:57 pm

All the settings clockwise from the Auto (green square) are manual (to some extent), all the settings anticlockwise are auto for different situations.

I found the manual pretty good.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:01 pm

lynt wrote:Read the manual

i have read the manual.
its big.

but yes jbs >thats what i assumed and will have to play with more.

really i am just excited that i am now part of the semi serious phototaking set rather than

'ohh blue happy snaps from some fuzzzy club sometime with some dude who i met who you cant see and there might be a dj in the back somewhere too, or maybe its a monkey..."

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:15 pm

I meant it sincerely! The manual is good, taught me a lot.

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:20 pm

i have placed a bid on a camera it has the 50mm lens but not 100% about the f 1.4 is this a certain type of 50mm?

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:24 pm

f/1.4 is the maximum aperture. The lower the number, the better (for me anyway).

All lenses are listed by their lowest (or widest) aperture measurement.

f/1.4 is very wide, good for various reasons as it lets in a lot of light.

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:29 pm

ah cool, thanks

I have sent the link to the manual home for me to read through, time to get started.......

Cool as

Post by **fooishbar** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:29 pm

lower aperture number -> wider hole -> more light -> faster shutter speeds

it also has other side effects, such as shallow dof (your subject will be sharp, everything else will be very blurry).

taylem · Post by **taylem** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:37 pm

f1.0 ftw!

Although if you wanna step to the hard core lens porn level, there's always Stanley Kubrick's famous f0.7 50mm lens, that he procured from NASA (it was used during the APOLLO missions) and used to shoot the entirely candelit interior scenes in "Barry Lyndon".

Yes, I am a nerd...

Post by **fooishbar** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:44 pm

this is what i mean by shallow depth of field:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1picaday/743494880/

that's at f/1.0.

diode · Post by **diode** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:34 am

Ghetto Kitty this site here is the mutts nuts for learning the Canon Camera, They call the 350 and 400 Rebel XT incase you're wondering. The below link will take you to the home page, Just choose Eos Digital Rebel at the top of the page and then choose Tutorials:Eos Digital Rebel XT in the middle of the page.
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/

Another good site for chatting and learning is here -->

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/index. ... f49ec50712

And also here---> http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/

The 50mm Pentax lens that is being discussed is probably the best piece of glass ever made and is highly regarded as such. I have the A series for my *ist DS Camera and it is just wonderful.

Theres some discussion about the Pentax lens's here ---> http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00G2pd

Have fun.

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:54 am

fooishbar - i like it.....

OK so on the lens that is with the camera it says: SMS Pentax A 1:2 50mm

Post by **fooishbar** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:40 am

diode wrote:They call the 350 and 400 Rebel XT

300d is digital rebel
350d is digital rebel xt
400d is digital rebel xti

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:12 pm

diode wrote:Ghetto Kitty this site here is the mutts nuts for learning the Canon Camera, They call the 350 and 400 Rebel XT incase you're wondering. The below link will take you to the home page, Just choose Eos Digital Rebel at the top of the page and then choose Tutorials:Eos Digital Rebel XT in the middle of the page.
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/

thanks!!!

will be checking those out for sure! (and reading the manual again

)

on another note > this may be a big ask but here goes.

we are filming a movie, and need to have a scene where there is a slide show of scenes of famine, poverty, bad scenes from third world countires etc.
the only way we can think to do this is lo fi, old skool, slide projector etc, but im up for suggestions.....
im wondering if anyone either has some slides of these kinds of images, or would be up for lending me a film SLR for a day or so to take a roll of slide film. ?
if we cant find the slides, were gonig to take photos of those images from books and magazines etc.

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:26 pm

I'm sure you can convert digital images to slides somehow?

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:27 pm

we were thinknig that but im not sure how, were gonna try and find images on the web, but low res means not possible perhaps?

hmmm

witty_pseudonym · Post by **witty_pseudonym** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:27 pm

and i'm sure you could somehow edit in a digital slide show into the film if you had fancy stuff n things.

technology confuses me.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:30 pm

no we need to film a scene where theres a slide projector and a man showing a seated woman the slides. it needs to look real, be real?

old skool effects vs new skool technology confuses me too.

Post by **lynt** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:32 pm

What sort of SLR are you looking for? You could borrow my Pentax P30 50mm f/1.4 if you like, takes nostalgic style shots. Manual as. When?

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:40 pm

wow lynt, thanks!
as long it takes 35mm film...sounds great!!!

we need to take the slides over the next four or five days...

pming ya now

Post by **system** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:50 pm

jbs wrote:I'm sure you can convert digital images to slides somehow?

yep, a good lab should be able to do it for you.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:51 pm

yah, but $$$$

and time, and high res images etc etc...

im feelin like this one might be actually easier low fi!

Post by **lynt** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:33 pm

Oath.

Post by **huge** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:05 pm

projector?

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:49 pm

tossing up between

Olypus E500
Nikon D80
Pentax K100D
Pentax *ist

all within my price range... maybe not so much the nikon (bit exxy)

the *ist is very cheap and seams great (even for an older model)...

The Pentax K100D is great as it is fully backwards compatible with older lenses. The Olypus has great features but the lenses you can use are limited and expensive.

hmmmm, what to do

Lizkins · Post by **Lizkins** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:06 pm

mmmm Canon EOS XT rebel....one day i shall own you my pretty

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:20 pm

Missed out on the last 2 Pentax P30's.....

Still looking and searching.... fingers crossed

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:26 am

this can't be serious.....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Canon-EOS-30D-Bo ... dZViewItem

it's gotta get more bids than that