The Photography Thread

[Fhqwghads]

I don't know what you're complaining about. That image looks great. No noticeable star trails, the blacks are pretty good, and you captured the nebulosity very well. Thumbs-up from me!

[Nystul]

This is probably off topic because it's video not still photography, but my guess is that those that frequent this thread would be some of the best to ask.

My wife is due March 1st for our first kid and we're going to ask for a video camera from her parents for christmas. We don't want something super expensive, but I would like something that is of good quality and reliable. Any thoughts?

[Fhqwghads]

Depends on what "super expensive" is. There are three different categories of video cameras. Consumer ($1.00-$1,000), pro-sumer ($1,000-$5,000), and professional ($5,000+). I'm automatically ruling out professional because of your question. So that leaves us with consumer and pro-sumer.

Consumer
Pros:
- Cheap
- Small
- Wide range of different features depending on price point
- Meant for people who typically want to turn it on and start recording, without having to fuss with anything

Cons:
- Cheap (they're cheap because they're made cheaply)
- Small (being small introduces shakier footage)
- Some features lacking (e.g. - no headphone jacks, external mic jacks, lacks filter threads)
- Bad low-light performance
- Some are very gimmicky
- Depth of field almost non-existent due to small apertures

Pro-sumer
Pros:
- Larger (steadier shots)
- Flexibility. Most do full-auto which is just like the consumer modes of "turn it on and start recording". They also offer full manual, which gives control over all aspects - white balance, iris (aperture), focus, zoom.
- Some models offer good depth of field, most at least do mediocre depth of field
- Some have interchangeable lenses (typically at the higher price points)
- Most of the bells and whistles (headphone jacks, external mic jacks, and tons of output options for both video and audio)
- Better sensors for better low light performance (in some models - typically the more expensive ones)
- Usually record in more common high-def formats (480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p)

Cons:
- Typically behind the times by a few years. The cost to R&D these is pretty high and the volume of sales is lower than consumer models, so manufacturers tend to release a new model once every few years.
- Expensive (compared to consumer models)
- Large. You won't be very discreet with these things.
- Missing features. Unless you're buying at the upper end of the spectrum, you'll find that many of the most sought-after features are only partially fulfilled. The conspiracy theory is that manufacturers do this on purpose to bump people up to professional level price points, since this has been an issue since forever.
- Much steeper learning curve outside of full-auto.

Ok, so there you have it. An incomplete but decent comparison (imho). If you're just planning on getting some video of the kid every now and then, buying a pro-sumer is silly. If you plan on doing nothing but full-auto, buying a pro-sumer is silly. If you want depth of field (more "like film" look) and want to take your videos more seriously by using manual mode, and want something that will last for a long time (both footage and recording capabilities) get a pro-sumer.

With all of the above said, the video camera is only a small part of it. Just like photography, it's all about the shot. Shakey, poorly-lit, out of focus footage will never look good. Make sure you've got decent lighting, adequate support (tripod with a fluid head for smooth panning, and/or a support system for moving about) and keep your zooms to a minimum. Take the time to edit your footage and do some post-processing to spice things up (add an audio track, transitions, titles, captions, etc.)

Lastly, here are a few tips:
- Do NOT get a video camera that does anything other than record to SD cards. I'd go so far as to suggest consumer (or prosumer if you can find it at a price point you're comfortable with) models that support SDXC cards. SDXC is the newest SD cards with huge capacity (128+ gigabytes).
- Stick to AVCHD. It's a great codec, and compresses the hell out of footage while maintaining a high level of quality.
- Seriously, use a tripod and invest in something like this. It's a very well-spent $100. Usually these types of things go for $500+.
- If you're going consumer, avoid units with built-in memory. Being able to swap out memory cards is incredibly convenient.
- Take the time to WHITE BALANCE. This is my biggest pet peeve. Very few people take the time to set a custom white balance, and it's the difference between ugly footage and footage where colors look a lot more natural.

Good luck.

[Nystul]

yea I'd definitely be in the consumer category- I'd like to think that I'd have fun with learning all the settings, I just don't think I'll actually bother to do it. Thanks a ton for the breakdown/analysis. Definitely helpful, especially bits RE memory cards/codec.

[Doombear]

I definitely think this belongs here...

This:


Was filmed with this:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/ca...LF_3_4-001.jpg

Read about it here:
Canon unveils Cinema EOS C300 interchangeable-lens video camera

[Fhqwghads]

It belongs here and looks like an awesome videocamera, but at $20,000 it better be awesome. O.O

[Kkel]

That was the major announcement, but it's this that has me really interested.

http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/as...d045c5a461.jpg

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/image...8/original.jpg

[Doombear]

Agreed that is a great announcement. Still I imagine that when this one is formally announced it is going to be in the $9-$10k range (the C in development, not the C300). The C300 I expect to be closer to $14k instead of the supposed $20k. We will see.

I really think it is time for that 5DIII personally. I definitely don't need to shoot 4K video, and if I did, I would likely look to this fugly piece of work that is coming out right around the corner: Scarlet 5K Stills / 4K Video

[Kkel]

It was noted that the body of that EOS C was very similar to the 1D-X. I'm hoping it falls between the 1D-X and 5D Mk. II/III price ranges, but that might be wishful thinking given the $20k price tag on the C300. I mean, ultimately I don't shoot video so I'm not all that concerned. The 1D-X is the sports/event photographer's dream machine, this new C will be the videographers, hopefully the new flagship studio/landscape stills camera is on the way (6D?). I'm not sure the 5D Mk.III fills that role but supposedly it's the next on timeline, followed by the 7D Mk.II.

[Zansho]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6...c893893c_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6216/6...1681b7b2_b.jpg

[tonyg]

Thought some of you photo enthousiasts might like this one (subject is me, photographer is a good friend of mine) :

[Salodin]

Ok, so I want to get back into this. My old camera kinda sorta broke ages ago? I think it was more an electrical issue then a problem with the shutter or anything else. I now have a decision though, do I try and send this Rebel XT in for repairs, or try and buy a new SLR? If I sold this thing for parts, do you think I'd get a decent bit of money back to put towards a new camera? My problem is I only got about $500 in loose cash to spend, so my options are pretty much either get this thing fixed, or sell it and put it towards a new one. Any opinions?

If I do go for the repair route, canon hasn't seen the camera yet, but the rep said it would probably be around 300-400 to repair. Seem worth it to you guys?

[GentaiShinigami]

Ok, so I want to get back into this. My old camera kinda sorta broke ages ago? I think it was more an electrical issue then a problem with the shutter or anything else. I now have a decision though, do I try and send this Rebel XT in for repairs, or try and buy a new SLR? If I sold this thing for parts, do you think I'd get a decent bit of money back to put towards a new camera? My problem is I only got about $500 in loose cash to spend, so my options are pretty much either get this thing fixed, or sell it and put it towards a new one. Any opinions?

If I do go for the repair route, canon hasn't seen the camera yet, but the rep said it would probably be around 300-400 to repair. Seem worth it to you guys?

If you don't have too much gear invested into Canon, and just want something cheap and small for hobby work, then just trash it and get a Pentax K-r. Wonderful camera with amazing ISO performance (think Canon 7D or better) and in-camera shake reduction. Great for someone wanting to just mess around, have fun and get some nice and usable shots without a lot of investment. I own one and love it, but have upgraded to it's big brother the K-5 recently so obviously I don't use it much besides being my backup body. You can get a K-r with a lens shipped from Buydig or Amazon for like $600 I think it was when I got mine in June. It may be even cheaper with holiday sales and whatnot going on. That kit comes with a 18-55mm kit lens that's nothing special, but still takes some quite nice photos. It's also a super tiny D-SLR (close to the size of a mirrorless one) and feels incredibly comfortable when you are out and about since it doesn't weigh down on your neck or have a lot of bulk to get in the way. Look up some reviews of it at dpreview or similar, and see how ti sits with you. =)

I definitely wouldn't repair that Rebel XT though as for just a small bit more you get a camera that face rapes it in every way possible (its 12.4mp vs your XTs 8mp for instance). If you are lens heavy into Canon and want to stick with them I'd just save up and get a good body and not waste such a large amount on getting an out of date one repaired (and no telling how it might hold up after that as well). If you do have lenses then a Rebel T2i is a pretty nice little camera, and body only is ~$550. Just depends on how much you want to stick with Canon really.

Either way, good luck!

[Salodin]

If you don't have too much gear invested into Canon, and just want something cheap and small for hobby work, then just trash it and get a Pentax K-r. Wonderful camera with amazing ISO performance (think Canon 7D or better) and in-camera shake reduction. Great for someone wanting to just mess around, have fun and get some nice and usable shots without a lot of investment. I own one and love it, but have upgraded to it's big brother the K-5 recently so obviously I don't use it much besides being my backup body. You can get a K-r with a lens shipped from Buydig or Amazon for like $600 I think it was when I got mine in June. It may be even cheaper with holiday sales and whatnot going on. That kit comes with a 18-55mm kit lens that's nothing special, but still takes some quite nice photos. It's also a super tiny D-SLR (close to the size of a mirrorless one) and feels incredibly comfortable when you are out and about since it doesn't weigh down on your neck or have a lot of bulk to get in the way. Look up some reviews of it at dpreview or similar, and see how ti sits with you. =)

I definitely wouldn't repair that Rebel XT though as for just a small bit more you get a camera that face rapes it in every way possible (its 12.4mp vs your XTs 8mp for instance). If you are lens heavy into Canon and want to stick with them I'd just save up and get a good body and not waste such a large amount on getting an out of date one repaired (and no telling how it might hold up after that as well). If you do have lenses then a Rebel T2i is a pretty nice little camera, and body only is ~$550. Just depends on how much you want to stick with Canon really.

Either way, good luck!

I have a canon and sigma lense already, so ill probably just stick with a replacement. Im gonna call them in the morning and see if they can work something out with that loyalty program, so i can get a discount on a different camera. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Salodin]

Called Canon, through the loyalty program they can send me a T2i for $449, and I send them my busted XT after the fact. Seem like a good price? It's pretty much a $100 discount compared to prices I've seen online, but when dropping so much money on something I tend to get worried I'm getting shafted on something...lol.

[Tyche]

With the canon loyalty program, you can trade any canon. Find a friend with a old/broken point and shoot (or buy one off ebay for next to nothing) and trade that. Then sell the broken XT for profit.

[Salodin]

Thought about doing that, but I can't find anywhere to sell a broken xt lol. Mayhaps my google skills suck, but alas apparently no one has a use for a broken rebel xt =(.

[Tyche]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

there's a sell forum that appears once you register.

[Salodin]

Ty sir.

[Marked]

The misses and I got a T2i for xmas from my parents and we picked up a nifty fifty to go along with the kit lens. We're still very new at this, but I thought I'd post of pic of our little one anyways (a cute enough subject makes even amateur pics look good right??). I took this just goofing around with the camera after dinner and was reasonably pleased with the result. Any tips are welcome!

http://i41.tinypic.com/111tbiu.jpg
f/2.8 iso 1000 1/80 in case anyone is curious