Cameras [56k unfriendly]

[3mt]

Well, I've decided to start this thread to help us noobs know a thing or two more about cameras.

I recently got a Kodak Z1015 (10MP), and I'm quite happy with it. Though I'm kinda confused at its large SLR look, because it isn't really one of them. Then I found out that it was a ZLR (Zoom Reflex Lens Camera), which basically meant that it was a class of cameras in between SLR and normal digital cameras.
So I don't really get it. What exactly is the difference between SLR's and normal digital cameras? From what I've read on the net, is it only just the image sensor size?
And whenever I take pictures, why is that when I zoom fully in, there's always some blurring? Is it because of the Electronic Digital Stabilisation blurring the pixels?

Questions aside, I found that my camera is awful at capturing in low light conditions. There is always noise in the picture, but it is quite good at capturing in sunlight. Here's a pic I took in the backyard:



So yeah, I'm starting to learn about cameras. I quite like the high degree of customisation on the z1015, but I find that it takes a lot of fiddling around, when I can just take it with the auto-adjust settings. I would think that the most impressive thing about this camera is its ability to take macro pictures, and its 15x zoom. Here's a pic of a closeup:



So any camera pros willing to give some advice or comments on these cameras?
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[lapzod]

I have one of these. It's a hassebladl 500 C/M



It takes photos like this:



tl;dr film is the bestest.

[A13x]

Hey

As I said in the other thread, I'm not a big fan of Kodak's as they seem to suffer immensely in low light.

Digital SLR cameras are a bit different to most "regular" digital compact cameras, as you view directly through the lens through your eyepiece thanks to mirrors. Behind the interchangable lens is a large mirror that reflects the view of the lens up to another mirror, and to your eye. When you take a photo, this mirror is raised, and the sensor behind it can capture the image.

Compacts don't use mirrors, and instead you either view what the sensor "sees" directly on your screen, or you look through a viewfinder, though you won't be looking through the lens, and will only be seeing the direction that the camera is pointing.

When you fully zoom in or out, you will often find the lens will give some distortion, typically blurring or coloured edges, this is something you find a lot on the cheaper compacts or SLR lenses.
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[Shadow Wave]

Im using a Canon EOS 50D DSLR



It takes photo's like this:




...Still figuring it all out as its SO complicated!

I figured out yesterday how to take bracket/HDR photo's... but I don't have a program that can stitch the images together, can anyone recommend me a free image program that could help me out?
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[A13x]

Mine:



EOS 1D II N
EOS 5D II
Speedlite 580EX
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
EF 28-300mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
EF 100mm Macro f/2.8 USM

Shadow Wave, not sure about free, but I find Photoshop or Photomatix to do a good job at HDRs. I need to save up for a new Tripod, as my last was borrowed and I gave it back when I moved over here.

Also saving for a 24-150mm f/4 L IS USM, to get some sharp wide angles, as the 28-300 gets a bit blurred at 28mm.
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[Shadow Wave]

man those lenses are epic, awesome.

Yeah I gave up with Photoshop CS2 on Vista x64, so I am waiting till I start uni next year so I can get CS4 at student price. Although maybe ill just grab PS elements(or is it extended?) or something to get me by until then.
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[NeoSanity]

[Puddingfork]

Holy poo Alex your cameras look like telescopes!
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[He need to cut the ego.]

I have a Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS, but to be perfectly honest I was much happier with my Nikon Coolpix 1.5MP.

I'd love to have a camera like one like A13x, but just can't afford it. Someday...

[lapzod]

[He need to cut the ego.]

Just interested A13x, what do you photograph?

[A13x]

Mostly nature and Aircraft, bit of smalltime commercial, but the long lenses are good for wildlife and airshows.


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[Duckula]

I have a Nikon Coolpix. It's shit, all my photos are blurry or just plain rubbish. I would buy a new camera, if I could afford one.
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A DAN EDEN LYNX INTEGER HOT NUT A YUCK EGG FIR SUN

[Sin Ogaris]

Those long arse lenses seem to be good for live music as well, at least my mate who uses them takes some amazing photos with them.

[3mt]

Al3x, is it true that the long lenses don't indicate quality? It just indicates that it has a massive zoom range right?
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[lapzod]

The white of the lens means it's good quality.

[ObsoletE]

[A13x]

Quality is defined by the glass of the lens, and the construction.

With Canons, the L Series lenses, identifiable by the red ring, and white colouring if it's a telephoto, are the best quality. Though some non-L series ones give a nice image also, so it's best to read reviews first.

For the best quality, it's best to use a low aperture prime lens, that is, a non-zoom lens. These are less versatile as far as framing a shot, but produce the best quality. They also tend to cost heaps, so unless you do it professionally, it's best to get a couple of good zoom lenses to cover all bases.
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[InvivnI]

This is my camera:


It's a Nikon D5000, which is pretty much a just-above-entry-level DSLR. I love it it to bits, so much so that it broke 2 weeks in and I had to get it replaced (no troubles with the new one though).

Right now I only have the kit lenses (18-55mm F3.5-5.6 and 55-200mm F4-5.6), but I'm saving for a Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8 lens.

As for your questions 3mt, I think you may have noticed a shrinking depth-of-field when you were using your zoom lens. The further you zoom, the smaller the depth of field becomes (especially if the subject is relatively close to you). Often this is a desired effect, as the subject will be in sharp focus while everything else around it will be blurred (an effect known as 'bokeh').

However, if the whole image is becoming blurred, it'd because you need steadier hands =]

Also, in general, the faster the lens the better, not the longer. Build quality is of course a top priority too, but generally faster lenses have to be built better anyway. Fast lenses will have lower aperture number (eg, F1.8 is better than F3.0, they're ratios). A fast lens will be more effective in low-light situations, will produce a narrower depth-of-field, and will be bloody expensive. It's the reason why telephoto lenses like the ones Alex have are so massive, they need to be in order to be fast.

You'll also notice that maximum aperture sizes (ie, smaller F numbers) decrease as the zoom gets longer. For example, my zoom lens can shoot at F4 at 55mm, but it can only shoot at F5.6 at 200mm. I assume Alex's lenses will be much faster at these focal lengths. The depth of field on a cheap zoom lens may be partly offset by the fact that you're zooming, but the trade-off is a possibly underexposed picture and the distance of the subject to the lens would also play a role.

Also, anyone who wants to learn more about the tech behind DSLRs should check out this site:
http://www.photoreview.com.au/guides/digitalslr/
It was a godsend when I was researching for my first DSLR.

DISCLAIMER: I may have made a couple of errors here, as I'm pretty new to photography myself, I'm sure the others will be able to point them out.
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My Photos

[Benno]

How are you guys taking photos OF your cameras???!
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Mature.

[A13x]

Mine was taken with a PS Eye, InvivnI's with a Fuji Finepix Z1.
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[lapzod]

I just googled mine.

[InvivnI]

[Evan]

SLR cameras use a mirror / crystal system to reflect the light coming through the lens through the viewfinder. So, what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you'll see when you take the photo. When you press the shutter release button, the mirror flips up, the shutter slides across to expose on the sensor, and you get a photo.

With your typical P&S, the sensor remains 'live' the entire time, taking the image from the lens and displaying it on the LCD on the back.

Generally speaking, SLRs have far larger sensors than P&S cameras and are far more responsive. Here's a comparison of their relative sizes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sensor_sizes_overlaid_inside.svg

The bigger the sensor, the more 'information' per pixel and, generally speaking, the better the end result. More pixels isn't necessarily a good thing. That's also why you can't take photos in the dark - the sensor is small, limiting the maximum amount of light that can fall on it.

SLRs are also a lot heavier, a lot more expensive, and take a much deeper understanding of how they work at a technical level to get the most out of them. They tend to be quite inconvenient compared to a standard P&S.

Your camera's probably blurry when you zoom fully in because it's using a small sensor with (relatively) poor glass in the lens. That's just the reality of most P&S cameras; they're not very good cameras. As a photographer, you get what you pay for.

Ob personal photos:

[Shadow Wave]

epic photos man!
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