Digital Camera... - Page 4

Jeff Murphy · #31 10-12-2006, 01:32 AM

Flash. Now that is funny!!

Denis, you also demonstrate for everyone that the digital camera doesn't stop with taking the picture. Don't be afraid to mess with the PhotoShop LE that comes bundled with many cameras. It can be a lot of fun too...

**Xplantdad** · #32 10-12-2006, 01:32 AM

Flash...I get it! Duh!

Flash and flesh together...!

Verne_Frantz · #33 10-12-2006, 01:54 AM

Jeff,
I used that site too. Amazing! Filled out all my preferences and got their recomendations. UNfortunately, I'm trying to keep the price below $425. so I got the Canon S3IS as the top pick. (maybe they use MSRP, so I should redo my search)I don't like the AVI video. I hear MPEG is the best compression. And it takes FOUR double As,. No rechargable batteries. I agree, "buy good glass".

1. I don't know how to find out who makes the lenses for each camera (there are only so many lenses manufacturers)

2. The "delay" time between pressing the "I want THIS shot NOW" button and when the camera finally says "I'm ready now dear" and clicks the shutter is VERY important to me, BUT I can't find that delay time listed in any of the specs.....??? Is there a way to figure that out by looking at other specs? Like you said, When Ken launches, I want the picture with the wheels pointing at the clouds!!

Verne

See what you started, Wilma!!!!!!!!!!!

ORIGLS6 · #34 10-12-2006, 02:46 AM

Verne,

The spec you're looking for is defined as "Shutter Lag Time". My Fuji has a 'rapid start-up time' of 1.1 seconds and a 'shutter lag' of 0.01 seconds. I don't see that spec listed for the Canon S3 IS on the dpreview site but I'm sure you can find it on another site somewhere. (Maybe Rick can find it in his User Manual.) You can reduce the lag time by partially depressing the shutter button for a pre-focus, then waiting for that 'Perfect Instant' to snap the shot.
The Canon does accept rechargable AA batteries, both in Ni-Cd and Ni-MH. They list a "Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300) under "Accessories". Actually, the camera doesn't know the difference. They just suck the juice from whatever is in them.

(And the MSRP for the Canon is $499...... but you can beat the He!! outa that price!!! Just ask Mr. Murphy.

)

Jeff Murphy · #35 10-12-2006, 03:14 AM

Verne/DC,

Each of the camera tests include the following table:

The ones to look at are "Power: Off to Record", "Half-press Lag (0->S1)", "Half to Full-press Lag (S1->S2)", "Full-press Lag (0->S2)", "Off to Shot Taken" and "Shot to Shot" times. To me the ones that matter most are the last 4 because they represent real world shooting.

For the lenses, in the opening table in each review there is a "Lens" category that will identify the aperture/focal length settings, optical zoom, image stabilization and manufacturer, if not the camera producer (Sony tends to use Zeiss, Panasonic uses Leica, but the others use their own). There can be a big difference on the lenses, but they have to be evaluated as part of the total package. For this, I would look at the summary ratings of each camera (bottom of last page of the review) and compare the "Image Quality" rankings.

Based on these things, you might be surprised that some of the more compact cameras actually do better than some of the larger, more SLR looking units.

Also, re the battery issue, DC is right. Canon has gone cheapo on the factory battery in order to keep the whole package price down. Your best bet is to get some Ni-MH or Li-On rechargeable AAs, or worst case use Lithium single use batteries.

Hope this helps. Clear as mud, eh?

Verne_Frantz · #36 10-12-2006, 03:59 AM

You guys are Great!

I just didn't dig deep enough. I agree, that Full Press Lag is important. You never know when your eye is going to catch something in motion that you want to save, so you swirl around and quick hit the button to catch it! Another second, and it might be gone....

If you're anticipating something (like Ken's launch), then you can do the half button thing which gets everything ready and the lag time is almost not measureable.

I also want to be sure I have a little LED I can move around to pick the spot I want to be in focus. Sometimes the surroundings are a lot closer or further away from the actual subject, so I don't want the camera to average things.

It's been said before, but it's amazing how much knowledge is on this site.

Verne

**Xplantdad** · #37 10-12-2006, 04:11 AM

One nice thing about the LED light is you don't even have to have the camera up to your eye...once you get used to it...you can shoot by where the LED casts its light. People wonder what I'm doing sometimes...

ORIGLS6 · #38 10-12-2006, 04:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]
It's been said before, but it's amazing how much knowledge is on this site.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ain't it the truth. The diversity of the members, and their willingness to share makes this an invaluable asset.

[ QUOTE ]
People wonder what I'm doing sometimes...

[/ QUOTE ]

That's just too easy!

**Xplantdad** · #39 10-12-2006, 04:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
People wonder what I'm doing sometimes...

[/ QUOTE ]

That's just too easy!

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking about not posting that...LOL

C'mon DC...give it your best shot. I need a laugh today!

ORIGLS6 · #40 10-12-2006, 04:27 AM

Can't say anything about you when I wonder the same about myself!

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