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» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Community   » Film-Yak   » 6MP digital camera for on the road (Page 2)

 
This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3   
Author Topic: 6MP digital camera for on the road
Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

- posted 03-11-2007 11:06 PM      Profile for Bobby Henderson   Email Bobby Henderson   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Paul Trimboli
Bobby it is actually better to use a compact camera that used AA then the Lithium Ion packs, for the simple fact you can buy lots of AA NiMh so you have some spare and in a bind you can use alkaline. The cost of doing that with the battery packs is alot more.
The big problem with AA batteries: you have to change them more often. That's going to get in the way when you're trying to take pictures. I can shoot hundreds of photos with just one Li-ion battery in my D-SLR camera.

Lithium ion batteries do cost more and then there's that fear the battery model for your type of camera may get discontinued. OTOH, I have had a Kodak EasyShare camera for a few years and gone through quite a few NiMH AA rechargeable batteries (2500 mAh) at around $8-$9 per four pack. When shooting regularly I'd get around 3 months of life per pack before the batteries lost much of their ability to hold a good charge. The cost of those AA rechargeables adds up after awhile. A good Li-ion battery can work for a good year or two of regular use before needing to be replaced.

On the subject of dropping cameras...

The upper end D-SLR cameras, such as the Nikon D2X and Canon EOS 1D series are weather sealed, more ruggedly built and can withstand some abuse. Expensive lenses that fit those cameras...now that's another matter. Just don't drop them whatever you do.

And that's just it. I'm not dropping a camera. I don't care what kind of camera it is. I absolutely will take precautions, like attaching the geeky neck strap to the camera and putting it around my head. In the unlikely event the camera is going to fall, such as tipping over a tripod, I'll throw my body under the thing if I have to do so.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-12-2007 09:22 AM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Paul Trimboli
When you remove the zoom gear (the gear that couples the outer lens barrel to the gear box) does the lens still bind when driving the barrels in and out by hand?
Hi PAul,
The motor does run fine and pretty quiet with the gear removed. The lens barrels do seem to bind though. That motor is just a smallish DC PM motor. There is a plastic encoder wheel just inside the gear box to count the revolutions. It could surely be sand considering where this camera has gone.
quote: Bobby Henderson
And that's just it. I'm not dropping a camera. I don't care what kind of camera it is. I absolutely will take precautions, like attaching the geeky neck strap to the camera and putting it around my head. In the unlikely event the camera is going to fall, such as tipping over a tripod, I'll throw my body under the thing if I have to do so.
Bobby,

Ha! I'll remember that paragraph next time I'm repelling part way down a 1500' mine shaft.... [Eek!] [uhoh] I'd rather hear the camera splash than feel the water at the bottom and or the timbers on the way down. I say if the camera's going to fall let it! [thumbsup]

Thanks!
Mark

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

- posted 03-12-2007 01:52 PM      Profile for Bobby Henderson   Email Bobby Henderson   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Who would repel down a mineshaft holding onto a camera attached to a tripod? What's next, an example of a camera and tripod falling toward a molten river of lava?
[Roll Eyes]

I'm not afraid to dive into the grass or even gravel if it's what I must do to keep a tripod and camera from taking a terrible impact. But, again, I am going to take precautions and offer a middle finger or worse to others who think I'm silly for doing so. It's my camera equipment, others can go break their own if they're into taking serious risks -such as keeping a camera in a shirt pocket.

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Paul Trimboli
Master Film Handler

Posts: 274
From: Perth Western Australia
Registered: Dec 2002

- posted 03-12-2007 09:19 PM      Profile for Paul Trimboli   Email Paul Trimboli   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mark well it sounds like the gears are OK, check that there are no broken teath on the outside barrel and the same goes for the last gear just before the zoom gear. If that is OK, you can dismantle the rest of the lens unit. You probably just need to clean out the grit from the guides. When you dismantle the lens unit be careful of the shutter flex, you normally zoom the lens to the tele position and thread it back though. Then to take the barrels apart twist them back to the wide side and then a little bit further and you will feel them click, score the outter barrel and the barrel that is about to come out so you can get the postion of everything again, if you don't do that good luck being able to work out how to fit all the barrels back together!!!!! There are 4 barrels on that model I think, blow the sand from the guides and apply a very small amount of light grease to all of them. Also while the back of the lens is off twist the AF relay lens thread and check it is free, set it in the middle postion and when you put the barrels back on have them set out at tele so the camera will reset all the postions itself. I might be able to find you a good second hand lens barrels if you still have trouble and sort out posting them to you. Good luck! [thumbsup]

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-12-2007 11:08 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Paul!

I will give it a try... I did notice the shutter flex... have not discinnected it yet... Will try this in a few days.

Thanks!
Mark

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

- posted 03-15-2007 12:14 PM      Profile for Michael Schaffer   Author's Homepage   Email Michael Schaffer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Right now, I am thinking hard about this camera:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a630.asp

It's actually 8MP, but I think I can live with that.
Really the only slight disadvantage (for cameras in this class) I could spot from the specs and reviews is that it uses NiMH batteries instead of Li-ion (why don't all manufacturers use these?). But it does have the manual functions I missed from some other models, plus you can take the lens off and use accessory lenses for wide angle and tele.

Any objections?

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

- posted 03-15-2007 12:26 PM      Profile for Bobby Henderson   Email Bobby Henderson   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mark will object since it has the Canon brand name!
[Razz]

I think the PowerShot A630 is a pretty powerful camera for something priced under $250.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-15-2007 04:49 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
No objections even though its a Canon.... remember I used to work for them. Like any pocket camera I only give it a two year life span though. If it breaks down the day after the warranty expires its not worth fixing either.

Mark

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

- posted 03-15-2007 09:01 PM      Profile for Michael Schaffer   Author's Homepage   Email Michael Schaffer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Well, my Pentax Optio 330GS still works, more or less, the only problem it has after 4 years is that sometimes, you have to push the trigger a few times before it actually takes a picture. That does suck, I have to say. It can't be a massive repair though, so once I have the new camera, I will probably see if I can open it and see what's inside and if I can't fix that.

But I wanted to upgrade a little anyway, at least in resolution, and I find the option of using adapter lenses attractive, especially for wide angle, as I live in the scenic West, and there are a lot of wide angle shots around here waiting to be taken.

There are adapter lens kits which are fairly cheap by a company named "Opteka", but that also *sounds* cheap, I guess these lenses are maybe not a good idea, they are probably made in China or in the former Eastern Block (or worse, in the US [Wink] ).

My mother bought the Nikon D-50 spontaneously while we were travelling around NV and UT two years ago, and after only a little while, I wanted to have one, too, but since I then went into a phase in which I didn't take too many pics, I waited, and right now, I think it's best to go with a more basic camera like the Canon A630, see if I really get into the photo thing, and then I will be able to decide whether or not I want to invest in a "real" camera, and also which one is eventually best for me.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-23-2007 07:20 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Just to piss off Michael [uhoh] I ordered a Canon Digital Rebel XTi today. After looking everything over(in person) this camera seems to fit me best mainly because of its very light weight and the large LCD screen that doubles as the readout of camera functions is great. But what really set it apart for me is the far less cluttred looking readout than on the Nikon's top mounted and somewhat dim in dark places LCD readout, its bright and super easy to see in dark places. You also stay behind the camera when using it... Not like on the Nikon where you are looking at the top LCD readout and then looking through the viewfinder in back... The Canon keeps you
at the back of the camera where the photographer belongs!! I thought I liked the Nikons readout better(my N65 has the same readout the D-80 has) till I took a look at the Canon's. The XTi also uses the 9 point autofocus sensor from the more expensive 30D. The one thing I am still apprenhesive about is the Canon Glass but it gets good marks in all reviews and hey this is just photography anyway.... If I can have decent 16X20s made once in a while I'll be happy.

Mark

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

- posted 03-23-2007 07:33 PM      Profile for Brad Miller   Author's Homepage   Email Brad Miller       Edit/Delete Post 
Awwwww Mark, and here I just bought a Canon to spite YOU!

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-23-2007 10:50 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Ah ha.... we both beat Michael to it.... [Cool]

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

- posted 03-24-2007 05:23 AM      Profile for Michael Schaffer   Author's Homepage   Email Michael Schaffer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Sorry to disappoint both of you, but yesterday morning, I went and bought said Canon Powershot A630. At first, I went to Fry's, after calling to see I they had any in stock - they said they had 11 - but then they couldn't find them. They looked all over the place for 20 minutes. Pretty impressive feat, misplacing 11 digital cameras...somebody there is definitely on his way to "Employee of the Month". In the meantime, I called Ritz Cameras and the guy said they had 1, so I asked him if he could check if it's actually there and put it on hold for me. Then I evacuated myself from the Fry premises and proceeded to Ritz. So now I have that camera.
I have only played around with it a little, so I can't say much about the quality and versatility yet, but it seems like a good point-and-shoot camera to me, not the smallest compact camera out there, but not too large for it to go on the road in a small bag or in the laptop case. The one feature which influenced my decision most was probably that you can take the lens off and use other lenses. So I can play around with that for a while and see if I really want to continue in that direction, and then decide if it makes sense for me to get a more elaborate camera or not.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 03-27-2007 04:56 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
My Rebel XTi came today and initial use shows impressive results. I got both the cheapo 18-55mm lens and the 28-135mm zoom with all the bells and whistles. Eventually I will aquire several prime lemnses to replece the cheap zoom... although its performance is not too shabby either and its VERY light, its speed is just a bit slow. The 28-135's performance is impressive. The autofiocus is extremely fast and quiet. Have not tried the image stabilizer part of this lens yet.

Mark

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Scott Jentsch
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: New Berlin, WI, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

- posted 03-27-2007 05:27 PM      Profile for Scott Jentsch   Author's Homepage   Email Scott Jentsch   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
The XTi sure is an attractive piece of equipment from a feature/price perspective. It's nice that Canon caters to those of us who would like the flexibility of interchangeable lenses but don't need the high end features and build quality that pro photographers do. With the lenses being compatible, there's always an upgrade path without ditching everything and having to start over!

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the sensor cleaning feature on the XTi.

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