Digital Photography

JimBinMI · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

scruffy,

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

Anonymous Poster · Oct 22, 2000

Hi Del,

Just a thought about your comment on the " egotistical goofballs" on the photography lists:

I was struck by the number of them myself, but stuck it out for the past year or so in researching some photo-gear for myself. I would say that, fortunately, the lists are not QUITE "filled" with the obnoxious types...there are some very nice and helpful people scattered about also -- just numerous enough to make it rewarding to put up with the others.

As to having no "use" for them, though, I definitely DID have. There is a wealth of info to be found on the various sections of Photonet ( a list that is an example of the worst and best of them!), for example. These include many "digital" postings.

The fact is, there is a great deal of "wheel-reinventing" going on in this thread on Tractorbynet. No, problem, since everyone is probably enjoying the exchange, and the camaraderie.

But if anyone is inclined to move a little faster with their digital-photo studies, I really think the many internet sites have much to offer.

Larry

Anonymous Poster · Oct 23, 2000

For the curious... enough "digital photography" stuff to bewilder anyone!

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-one-category?topic=photo.net&category=Digital Imaging

Larry

Anonymous Poster · Oct 23, 2000

Glen/All,

Reviews of Canon Powershot G-1
Bottom line: Close but maybe slight edge to Canon, vs. Nikon 990

Larry

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong1/page18.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong1/default.asp

scruffy · Oct 23, 2000

Sure sounds better than my Canon Powershot 600! Course there is a couple generations in there, but I still like the old 600's and haven't reached the point of wanting a newer model. The thing that struck me on the review, is the same complaint on the shutter in the G1 as I have with the 600. I would have thought that would have been rectified by now.

Harv · Oct 23, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Jim -

Sorry I didn't see your call for information sooner. Been busy "tractorin'". /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You've already received plenty of responses on the subject, and there's little I can add. I have no hands-on experience with any digital camcorder/camera, but the reviews I've read pretty much say that the combos are just not as good as the dedicated ones.

glennmac · Oct 23, 2000

In Askey's review of the Canon Powershot G1, posted by Larry, there are head to head comparisons with the Nikon Coolpix 990. I thought the Canon was the clear winner. Here is another review of the G1:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/g1.html

And here is a head to head feature comparison of the Canon G1, the Nikon 990 and the Olympus 3030:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp

Glenn

Bradey · Oct 24, 2000

Thanks for pointing out the Canon Powershot G1 option (it may be my new favorite). It's definitely got some nice features including lithium battery system, remote control, twisting foldable LCD screen (including inward position - nice protection!), and ability to use IBM Microdrive and Compact Flash II storage systems. Not sure if this makes a difference, but Nikon CoolPix can take standard or rechargeable AA batteries. Not sure how much lithium batteries are, but doubt if you could afford to carry too many spares. Also the Nikons allow shorter macro focus (1 cm vs. 6 cm on Powershot) if anyone needs that. I know that the CoolPix 950 and 990 allow third party slide copiers for about $40 that fit over the lens and use macro mode.

Unfortunately, with the Nikon 990 and the Powershot, we're going up in price, above the wished-for $500 digital camera originally posted (though slightly below the $1000 mark).

glennmac · Oct 24, 2000

Bradey, note that the Canon has a rechargeable lithium system, and it is included with the price of the camera. This would cost probably $100+ as an add-on to the Nikon or Olympus. Can also recharge while they are in the camera.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 24, 2000

Hi Brady,
Reviewers have reported VERY good duration for the G-1 battery under extensive use. B&H Photo shows 1 in stock for $59.

I plan to get a spare to carry, and expect never to have a "power" problem in the field.

W/ the microdrive, hundreds of pix in a days use... no film to load, no batts to replace, variable asa(iso)!

Been researching for mos. Will shortly buy a G-1 (very few if any actually at dealer's now), unless some new "bombshell" appears out of the electronic blue.

I've printed out 100+ pages of reviews/reports for leisurely study... see my postings further down this list for web addresses -- then follow interesting-sounding links to still more sites.

I'm convinced it's the cream of the (current) crop of (+/-) $1000 3-megapix cameras. Next jump would be to the new Canon 30?(slr $3000), then on to the Nikon D-1 ($^) etc.

Larry

Bradey · Oct 24, 2000

Yes, the Canon even throws in the AC adapter, which I believe is still an option with Nikons. The Nikon CoolPix 880 also offers a lithium battery, but not a recharger/rechargeable battery. Its stock, non-rechargeable battery runs something like $10 a pop.

With the CoolPix 950 and 990, if you wanted to, you could carry extra AA batteries or buy them at a local store for a little less $$, if you were away from recharger or didn't have spare rechargeables. I'm not saying this is a big plus, just a little different. I'd take lithiums anyday. I have Infolithiums with my Sony camcorder.

glennmac · Oct 24, 2000

The Canon also lets you store picture is something called RAW instead of TIFF. Takes up only about 15% of the TIFF space.

Larry, would you go for a 1 gig microdrive or the 500 or 256?

The Nikon has something the reviewers like called Best Shot Selector. I wonder how valuable that is. I dont think the Canon or Olympus have it.

Bradey · Oct 24, 2000

Oops, I should have said the Nikon 880 offers a recharger/rechargeable lithium as an OPTION not standard (much to the chagrin of reviewers).

Glenn, with the RAW format, I would assume you would need to convert photos to TIFF for other users to read. Perhaps all these cameras require that proprietary software be loaded before you can hook them up to just anybody's USB port and transfer files. The RAW format allows post-processing and is what reviewers like those at Steve's Digicams are promoting.

Check out following link for more on storage:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/high-capacity_storage.html
I guess (some) microdrives take more power than other forms of storage. The 1G drive supposedly takes less.

Larry, what sort of battery life is Powershot G1 getting? I know it was always a concern with the Nikon 950 when I used it. I believe it used rechargeable alkaline, which are fairly cheap however, but not long-lived.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 24, 2000

Glenn,
The 1 gig.
On the advice of way-too-many oldtimers in computer-graphics , who have way-too-many years of experience (for ME at least) to argue with, I "max-out" any storage capabilities of my e-equipment. (512 meg ram in my Imac SE-DV, for example)... never been sorry.

I am not wealthy, but looking at expected increased use and savings on film, batts, developing, etc, I don't find it hard to justify the (+/-) $400-500 for the Microdrive. (Not to mention the convenience of "nothing to worry about except the photography" all day long). Download/recharge at night, and you're ready to go again! Sounds good to me.

Re. "Best Shot": Unless you're storage limited (no Microdrive or very high use-rate), I will decide in a less-hurried manner what my "keepers" are, and create my own varied "versions" of the shot, to choose from, in Photoshop.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 24, 2000

Glenn (cont'd)
Sorry,... clicked on "continue" instead of "back" while proof-reading.

I meant to add that the RAW file sounds very good to me .
I plan to burn c-ds with the raw file for future manipulation as desired. Yamaha has a hot new CD-RW in the pipeline (December?). My 12 or 13 gig hard drive is full now, so I am "stalled" until I get the CD-RW.

Larry

jimmoore · Dec 19, 2000

Re: Speaking of digital photos...

SANTA COMES EARLY. Santa in the form of a UPS driver came to my house this afternoon.He brought me a digital camera,Ohboy!! It is a Polaroid PDC700. It has an internal memory for 25 pics at 640X480 and a disc that will hold 95 pics at 640X480. My little sister in Fresno Ca. sent it to me. She is always wanting pictures and now I can send them to her E-mail. And I won't have to be borrowing a camera all the time. If I am good next year maybe a scanner? jim

Harv · Dec 19, 2000

Re: Speaking of digital photos...

Jim -

Congrats on the new camera! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing more picts of you and your Ford, your implements, your antics. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

RobS · Dec 20, 2000

... just testing the mightiest 790 signature (thanks Harv!)...

Rob

Harv · Dec 20, 2000

Rob -

Something vaguely familiar about your signature block. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Amazing what you can do with a little <font color=green>touch-up</font color=green> paint.

I like it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif