NYC Camera Merchants
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MikePA
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<font color="blue"> No, the time from when you press the shutter until the picture is actually captured. </font>
Now I'm confused. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif On my camera, which is the predecessor to the one you have, I...
1. Press the shutter button half way down to focus the camera. This is indicated by a green dot in the viewfinder as well as beep. This focusing happens very quickly. If it's not quickly enough for me, I pre-focus on the location where I anticipate the action to occur.
2. Press the shutter the rest of the way down to take the picture.
3. The camera writes the image to the storage media.
I don't have my Canon 35 mm auto-focus camera anymore, but I think it had the same sequence of events.
The Casio Exilim digital camera I just sold was a fixed focus digital camera and I did not have to do the first step.
Now I'm confused. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif On my camera, which is the predecessor to the one you have, I...
1. Press the shutter button half way down to focus the camera. This is indicated by a green dot in the viewfinder as well as beep. This focusing happens very quickly. If it's not quickly enough for me, I pre-focus on the location where I anticipate the action to occur.
2. Press the shutter the rest of the way down to take the picture.
3. The camera writes the image to the storage media.
I don't have my Canon 35 mm auto-focus camera anymore, but I think it had the same sequence of events.
The Casio Exilim digital camera I just sold was a fixed focus digital camera and I did not have to do the first step.
Yeah, pressing the shutter halfway speeds things up if my cold finger doesn’t accidentally press it all the way at that time. I am referring to trying to catch our cat looking at the camera when she doesn’t want to, or a very active Weiner Dog running around. If I see an opportunity and just press the shutter all the way down in one operation I have captured a side view of the cat and the back end of the dog leaving the scene. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
You have to realize I am very new at operating this or any digital camera and haven’t learned the tricks. I am used to a manual focus 35mm camera that takes the picture instantly when the shutter is pressed. Any advice from an experienced user of these cameras is appreciated. I assume it is writing to memory when it shows you the short preview of the picture you just took?
You have to realize I am very new at operating this or any digital camera and haven’t learned the tricks. I am used to a manual focus 35mm camera that takes the picture instantly when the shutter is pressed. Any advice from an experienced user of these cameras is appreciated. I assume it is writing to memory when it shows you the short preview of the picture you just took?
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue">I am referring to trying to catch our cat looking at the camera when she doesn’t want to, or a very active Weiner Dog running around. </font>
This is a tough one, trying to catch an animal 'posing' /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif . That's where I'd use the pre-focus, then follow them around in the view finder, occassionally refocusing if their distance from the camera changes too much. When they strike the right pose, push the shutter the entire way.
<font color="blue"> I assume it is writing to memory when it shows you the short preview of the picture you just took? </font>
My camera has a little red light that flashes when it's writing to the storage media.
This is a tough one, trying to catch an animal 'posing' /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif . That's where I'd use the pre-focus, then follow them around in the view finder, occassionally refocusing if their distance from the camera changes too much. When they strike the right pose, push the shutter the entire way.
<font color="blue"> I assume it is writing to memory when it shows you the short preview of the picture you just took? </font>
My camera has a little red light that flashes when it's writing to the storage media.
Gatorboy
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I assume it is writing to memory when it shows you the short preview of the picture you just took? )</font>
Actually, I believe that is independent of the writing. It may have already written it, but still show the preview. Also, I believe there is some memory in your camera that allows you to take a second picture before the first one has completed writing to disk/flash/etc.
The Pre-Focus is one of the most important things you should learn/practice to do. This is what will separate photos to keep vs. photos to delete.
I was at a wrestling tournament last weekend and saw a father taking pictures of his son's match. He was clueless as to the pre-focus technique. He would hold up the camera, depress the shutter button all the way down, and then about 3 seconds later the camera would flash. He was getting so upset for people would be walking in front of the mat within that 3-second window, the move his son was performing already completed, the ref got in the way, etc.
I was going to explain to him how to use pre-focus to take better pictures, but he was so intense during his son's match that I didn't dare want to interrupt him -- so I was going to wait until the match was over. Well, as soon as the match completed, he packed up his stuff and left the bleachers. His son had just been eliminated from the tournament (it was his 2nd loss of the day). My opportunity had left to make his photo taking experience better.
My biggest suggestion when buying a digital camera is to read the manual when you buy it, use the camera for a while, and then go back and RE-READ the manual. You would be surprised how many things you now understand that seemed either unimportant or too complicated during the first read.
Actually, I believe that is independent of the writing. It may have already written it, but still show the preview. Also, I believe there is some memory in your camera that allows you to take a second picture before the first one has completed writing to disk/flash/etc.
The Pre-Focus is one of the most important things you should learn/practice to do. This is what will separate photos to keep vs. photos to delete.
I was at a wrestling tournament last weekend and saw a father taking pictures of his son's match. He was clueless as to the pre-focus technique. He would hold up the camera, depress the shutter button all the way down, and then about 3 seconds later the camera would flash. He was getting so upset for people would be walking in front of the mat within that 3-second window, the move his son was performing already completed, the ref got in the way, etc.
I was going to explain to him how to use pre-focus to take better pictures, but he was so intense during his son's match that I didn't dare want to interrupt him -- so I was going to wait until the match was over. Well, as soon as the match completed, he packed up his stuff and left the bleachers. His son had just been eliminated from the tournament (it was his 2nd loss of the day). My opportunity had left to make his photo taking experience better.
My biggest suggestion when buying a digital camera is to read the manual when you buy it, use the camera for a while, and then go back and RE-READ the manual. You would be surprised how many things you now understand that seemed either unimportant or too complicated during the first read.
TresCrows
Elite Member
It seems to me that all this prefocusing and pre-planing removes all the spontaniety from picture taking. How do you know when you need to prefocus for an upcoming opportunity. Just seems awfully complicated. How do you prefocus for a moving target when you are not sure at what point or place the "picture" might happen?
I am still looking to buy a digital P&S but when I am shooting action, like a recent motorcycle event I shot, I prefocus my manual SLR previewing the depth of field and then preset my exposure shutter speed usually using a handheld light meter. Then when the subject enters the zone, I press the trigger on the motordrive and take a sequence of shots (3.5FPS) or sometimes I follow the subject and when I see what I want I push the trigger, on a manual SLR it is instantaneous or so nearly so it does not matter. I can see that this digital stuff will take some learning and planning I guess. I think real action photography would be impossible with most digicams /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (most--not all). J
I am still looking to buy a digital P&S but when I am shooting action, like a recent motorcycle event I shot, I prefocus my manual SLR previewing the depth of field and then preset my exposure shutter speed usually using a handheld light meter. Then when the subject enters the zone, I press the trigger on the motordrive and take a sequence of shots (3.5FPS) or sometimes I follow the subject and when I see what I want I push the trigger, on a manual SLR it is instantaneous or so nearly so it does not matter. I can see that this digital stuff will take some learning and planning I guess. I think real action photography would be impossible with most digicams /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (most--not all). J
Gatorboy
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( like a recent motorcycle event I shot, I prefocus my manual SLR previewing the depth of field and then preset my exposure shutter speed usually using a handheld light meter...I press the trigger on the motordrive and take a sequence of shots (3.5FPS) )</font>
You could do the very same thing with a digital camera. The Pre-focus I'm referring to is when you want to use the automatic settings. I have a "multi-shot" option on my camera -- so I can take 5 pictures in succession. I can then later choose the best of the bunch.
You could do the very same thing with a digital camera. The Pre-focus I'm referring to is when you want to use the automatic settings. I have a "multi-shot" option on my camera -- so I can take 5 pictures in succession. I can then later choose the best of the bunch.
TresCrows
Elite Member
"How is prefocusing an SLR different from prefocusing a digital camera? '
Well, for one thing I can see the depth of field through the lens when I stop down so that I know what zone is actually in focus. For another, I don't have to hold the shutter button half cocked to maintain a preset focus and exposure. I know that some "better" digital cameras have similar features to those on my Nikons. Do the digicams in question have an internal lightmeter that you can use to set exposure or bracket exposures? For example, how do you know if you are one stop over or under during manual exposure or whatever it is you might be going for. Example, shooting into the sun and overexposing a stop to reduce the back lighting effect on the subject. I am not saying you cannot do it, I just don't understand how you would do it with the majority of digicams I see about. J
Well, for one thing I can see the depth of field through the lens when I stop down so that I know what zone is actually in focus. For another, I don't have to hold the shutter button half cocked to maintain a preset focus and exposure. I know that some "better" digital cameras have similar features to those on my Nikons. Do the digicams in question have an internal lightmeter that you can use to set exposure or bracket exposures? For example, how do you know if you are one stop over or under during manual exposure or whatever it is you might be going for. Example, shooting into the sun and overexposing a stop to reduce the back lighting effect on the subject. I am not saying you cannot do it, I just don't understand how you would do it with the majority of digicams I see about. J
DocHeb
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do the digicams in question have an internal lightmeter that you can use to set exposure or bracket exposures? For example, how do you know if you are one stop over or under during manual exposure or whatever it is you might be going for. )</font>
My Olympus C700 has spot exposure (a bracketed zone that is about 1/20th of the screen, that can be used to meter the shot) that would be perfect for backlit situtations. It also has +3.0 to -3.0 "on the fly" exposure adjustment.
As much as I like my digital camera, it is not ideal for action photography, and I wouldn't hold out that it can do all things for all people. However, ever since I bought my Olympus Digital Camera, I haven't used my Minolta SLR-35 mm camera. It just isn't worth the hassle to me.
My Olympus C700 has spot exposure (a bracketed zone that is about 1/20th of the screen, that can be used to meter the shot) that would be perfect for backlit situtations. It also has +3.0 to -3.0 "on the fly" exposure adjustment.
As much as I like my digital camera, it is not ideal for action photography, and I wouldn't hold out that it can do all things for all people. However, ever since I bought my Olympus Digital Camera, I haven't used my Minolta SLR-35 mm camera. It just isn't worth the hassle to me.
AndyMA
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I know this is a little far down in the post, since many have already recommended B&H in New York. I have also had excellent luck with them. For those who haven't visited them, if you are in New York it's worth a trip to their store. They sell virtually everything you can imagine in photo, video and lighting equipment, ranging from simple point and shoot to the video camera network TV uses. I can spend hours in their store just looking around. Sometimes I'll tell a salesman I want to buy a particular item and let's say it's marked $100. He'll ring it up at $89 or so. The first time this happened to me, I questioned the salesman. His reply was do you want to pay more? Enough said.
Andy
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MikePA
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TresCrows - I see that DocHeb answered your questions. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I also had the same experience as DocHeb re: my 35 mm gear. I had a Yashica 35mm SLR, telephoto lenses, wide angle lenses, etc. I was not a professional photographer, but based upon the gear I was always carrying, you couldn't convince my wife of that. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif All that gear is gone, and I have 2 digital cameras now, one of which can do almost everything all the 35 mm SLR could do, plus a pocket digital that I carry in my laptop bag, or pants pocket. Many moderately priced digital cameras can do what only a 35 mm SLR plus additional lenses could do only a few years ago. Exposure bracketing, auto or manual white balance, spot metering, etc. are all available on $400 - $700 digital cameras. Several digitals also offer manual focus which would allow you to prefocus the lens at the anticipated action point.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As much as I like my digital camera, it is not ideal for action photography, and I wouldn't hold out that it can do all things for all people. However, ever since I bought my Olympus Digital Camera, I haven't used my Minolta SLR-35 mm camera. It just isn't worth the hassle to me. )</font>
What I like about my digital camera over my 35mm is how I can click away at anything I want with no guilt about wasting film. After making that sizable initial investment for the hardware, you are free to take all the pictures you like with virtually no added expense. Being the frugal type (tight /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ), it is a liberating way to enjoy photography.
Like the old Polaroid cameras you get the results immediately.
You can easily do your own cropping and resizing.
Watch slide shows without the PITA of a projector, screen, slide trays and room to store all the above. Store many pictures on a little silver CD disc.
Easily print the few pictures I take that warrant it.
Ability to tell someone online about something and go take a high quality picture of it and have it to them in a matter of minutes is still pretty amazing to me.
These are a few of the reasons I think my old 35mm will be gathering dust even though it’s ability to capture high speed events is superior to my new electronic wonder.
I haven’t researched it, but I would think film sales are taking a hit nowadays from the digital craze. I know why Kodak is into the Digital camera market. Does anyone remember how they lost the patent infringement case with Polaroid and you couldn’t buy film for their instamatic type cameras?
The big downside I can foresee is the storage medium becoming obsolete so that in 10-20 years you won’t be able to look at all your old pictures. Sure, you can always take the time to transfer them to each new storage medium that comes along, but that’s another PITA. Just think how few years ago that you might have saved something on a 5 ¼” floppy and how quickly it has become very difficult to find a machine that can read that floppy today. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
What I like about my digital camera over my 35mm is how I can click away at anything I want with no guilt about wasting film. After making that sizable initial investment for the hardware, you are free to take all the pictures you like with virtually no added expense. Being the frugal type (tight /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ), it is a liberating way to enjoy photography.
Like the old Polaroid cameras you get the results immediately.
You can easily do your own cropping and resizing.
Watch slide shows without the PITA of a projector, screen, slide trays and room to store all the above. Store many pictures on a little silver CD disc.
Easily print the few pictures I take that warrant it.
Ability to tell someone online about something and go take a high quality picture of it and have it to them in a matter of minutes is still pretty amazing to me.
These are a few of the reasons I think my old 35mm will be gathering dust even though it’s ability to capture high speed events is superior to my new electronic wonder.
I haven’t researched it, but I would think film sales are taking a hit nowadays from the digital craze. I know why Kodak is into the Digital camera market. Does anyone remember how they lost the patent infringement case with Polaroid and you couldn’t buy film for their instamatic type cameras?
The big downside I can foresee is the storage medium becoming obsolete so that in 10-20 years you won’t be able to look at all your old pictures. Sure, you can always take the time to transfer them to each new storage medium that comes along, but that’s another PITA. Just think how few years ago that you might have saved something on a 5 ¼” floppy and how quickly it has become very difficult to find a machine that can read that floppy today. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Docsknotinn
Veteran Member
While I like my digital it has significant dissadvantages over a SLR. The white light balance is more than just a little sensitive on nearly all of them under 1k. The screens wash out in the light. Try takeing digital photos of a moveing object like a plane with a digital. Not much fun. I cant ever imagine not haveing one again, but then I sure cant imagine giveing up the Nikon SLR either. Dave
TresCrows
Elite Member
"I cant ever imagine not haveing one again, but then I sure cant imagine giveing up the Nikon SLR either."
I agree completely, the best of both worlds is to have both.
Oh, anyone thinking that film is going away is wrong. It is true that digital will become prevalent for many types of photography but film and film cameras will be around for many years yet.
When I buy a new digicam I will probably order it from B&H, the selection around here is way limited. J
I agree completely, the best of both worlds is to have both.
Oh, anyone thinking that film is going away is wrong. It is true that digital will become prevalent for many types of photography but film and film cameras will be around for many years yet.
When I buy a new digicam I will probably order it from B&H, the selection around here is way limited. J
Docsknotinn
Veteran Member
I agree completely. The digital cam is a great tool. Its easy and compact etc. I wouldnt give you two cents for one at a sporting event or in other select situations. My digital will never ever take photos that rival the Nikon SLR. There certainly are those that can but they are still very expensive. I dont think we will see print or slide media going any place for a very long time. Dave
BillG_in_TX
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BIGUN,
Here is a web page that really goes into detail on shutter lag on the C-750. While the autofocus times are average at best, the prefocus shutter lag is lightning fast. This reviewer (imaging-resource.com) has the same info on all the cameras he reviews.
By the way, I just ordered and received a Canon digital video camera from B&H. They had nearly the best price available, and it arrived in 2 days using their free 3 day shipping option. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Here is a web page that really goes into detail on shutter lag on the C-750. While the autofocus times are average at best, the prefocus shutter lag is lightning fast. This reviewer (imaging-resource.com) has the same info on all the cameras he reviews.
By the way, I just ordered and received a Canon digital video camera from B&H. They had nearly the best price available, and it arrived in 2 days using their free 3 day shipping option. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Gatorboy
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( BIGUN,
Here is a web page that really goes into detail on shutter lag on the C-750. While the autofocus times are average at best, the prefocus shutter lag is lightning fast. This reviewer (imaging-resource.com) has the same info on all the cameras he reviews.
By the way, I just ordered and received a Canon digital video camera from B&H. They had nearly the best price available, and it arrived in 2 days using their free 3 day shipping option. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
This web sire describes exactly the “lag time” I was referring to (1.23 seconds). From the information here it seems doing the “prefocus thing” should allow me to capture most of the shots I want. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
In my previous post when I said “I would think film sales are taking a hit nowadays”, I didn’t mean that “film is going away” or that I think “print or slide media going any place” just that it is hurting sales. I have since looked into Kodak’s business pages and that is the case. I found one report that stated a reduction in retail film sales was especially damaging to company profits because there is 90% profit in those sales. Another report stated that digital has already caused Polaroid to go bankrupt.
Those are some really nice shots Gatorboy.
Here is a web page that really goes into detail on shutter lag on the C-750. While the autofocus times are average at best, the prefocus shutter lag is lightning fast. This reviewer (imaging-resource.com) has the same info on all the cameras he reviews.
By the way, I just ordered and received a Canon digital video camera from B&H. They had nearly the best price available, and it arrived in 2 days using their free 3 day shipping option. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
This web sire describes exactly the “lag time” I was referring to (1.23 seconds). From the information here it seems doing the “prefocus thing” should allow me to capture most of the shots I want. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
In my previous post when I said “I would think film sales are taking a hit nowadays”, I didn’t mean that “film is going away” or that I think “print or slide media going any place” just that it is hurting sales. I have since looked into Kodak’s business pages and that is the case. I found one report that stated a reduction in retail film sales was especially damaging to company profits because there is 90% profit in those sales. Another report stated that digital has already caused Polaroid to go bankrupt.
Those are some really nice shots Gatorboy.
Here are some similar links:
