Camera pros: please help me with the basics

[mlayton14]

Currently, we use a Kodak EasyShare camera .. 4Megapixel. The pictures are OK in most situations .. but looking to upgrade to something a bit nicer.

The biggest problem I seem to have is getting to take good pictures at night (where you can actually SEE the details distant scenery that is lit up, such as a resort picture at night from across the lake or the like).

What kinds of features does one shop for given my wish for CLEAR nighttime shots? Things like ISO, Shutter speed, longer exposures .. what does this stuff mean (no dissertation needed, just a simple description) and what cameras have these features per my requirements?

Looking to spend under $400, with ease of use being important as well.. the cheaper the better obviously : )

Something like a Canon PowerShot S2 IS maybe??

Many many thanks in advance.

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm no pro, but the solution to your situation may not be as complex or as expensive as a new camera. The answer is not necessarily higher ISO, especially since higher ISO typically results in increased "noise" (similar to "grain" in film photos). From what I understand, due to sensor size, the only really effective high-ISO cameras are dSLR's, and those are a quantum leap in price from your sub-$400 target.

The solution may be a simple matter of using a tripod or some other method of stabilizing the camera, during exposure, such as bracing against a wall, post, or railing, in order to employ the slower shutter speeds (longer exposures) necessary for low light levels. The other suggestion I would make is to bracket like crazy. If you are not familiar with that term, it simply means to take several shots of the same subject at different exposure levels. For example, if your camera's AE (Auto Exposure) determines that the correct exposure is f/4 at 1/15 second, you might try shooting at those settings, plus a couple others, like f/4 at 1/8 second and f/4 at 1/30 second. That would give you a one stop under and one stop over exposure. Many cameras allow you to "dial in" exposure compensation and some allow for auto bracketing. In this last instance, the camera will take three photos: one at the "ideal" exposure, one under exposed, and one over exposed. My Fuji S5200 will do both of these, and I can alter the amount of compensation in 1/3 stop increments. I have not used this feature, but may give it a whirl in July when we will be at Mickey's World for a full week.

~YEKCIM

 

[mlayton14]

Thanks for your quick reply .. but Im not even sure that I can change the exposure on my Easy Share .. .time to bust open the manual : )

 

[YEKCIM]

Which model Kodak do you have? I'm ressonably certain that you can do this. Reading the manual, especially where it concerns exposure, would be a good thing, as Martha says...

~YEKCIM

Edit: A quick scan of various 4MP Kodak P&S cameras reveals that some have multiple exposure modes (Aperture Preferred, Shutter Preferred, Manual, etc) and some do not. However, even the low-end models offer exposure compensation, +/- 2 stops in 1/2 stop increments. That, along with a support of some kind (tripod??) should be sufficient. Now, if you are just hankering for a new camera...the S2-IS you mentioned originally would be an excellent choice, IMO, even though I do not own one. The Image Stabilization (IS) would be a help to you, as well, with the low light/long exposure situations. The 36-432mm (equivalent) lens would be a nice bonus, too. My Fuji S5200 has a 38-380mm (equivalent) and I love the "reach" it gives me.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

the only "problem" with point and shoot, almost none of them starts at 28mm. For me, 36mm or 38mm is just not wide enough for most of my shots. However, it's easier to make 10x zoom when it starts at 38mm than if it starts at 28mm, I don't know enough about optics (it was explained to me by a Nikon engineer AND a Canon engineer, but still I don't get it)

 

[YEKCIM]

Kelly, the Kodak P880 has a very nice 24mm equivalent wide end, but the tele is a little weak, at 140mm. Fuji's S9000 has a very useful 28-300mm equivalent zoom. Both of these are, of course, "superzoom" or "bridge" cameras, and cannot be classified as either P&S or DSLR. They are a compromise that borrows from some of the best of both worlds, but is a substitute for neither.

~YEKCIM

 

[manning]

I came up with at least 22 current cameras (all brands) having lens starting at 28mm on the dpreview site.

 

[Anewman]

Lower noise when shooting HIGH ISO is not the only reason DSLRs are better for low light shots.

DSLRs also allow you to use some VERY FAST lenses.

You should be able to get a D50(refurb) and a 50mm F:1.8 lens for around $500.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Where do you find those? I can't find them, at least not 28mm with superzoom. The most I can find are cameras starting from 28mm with max 4x zoom.

 

[YEKCIM]

Fuji S9000 has 28-300 equivalent range.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Yes, with severe barrel and pincushion distortion, also with super duper chromatic abberations too. I was about to buy this camera but boy how this camera suck between 28mm to 40mm and 200mm to 300mm range (approx).

Somebody from this forum, can't remember whom, asked me whether I would recommend this camera over a Kodak and I told him (her?) that I'd recommend Kodak over this camera. Fuji can't even pay me to use this camera... at least from the test unit given to me (to test) by my friend's photo store (she's yet to sell a single one of this S9000. Every single one she sold were returned within a day or two, nobody kept it)

 

[YEKCIM]

I have no experience with this one so cannot recommend for or against; I was simply making a reply to your question concerning 28mm wide end superzoom cameras. Perhaps one of the 22 that manning refers to has better IQ characteristics.

~YEKCIM

 

[Anewman]

Canon Powershot PRO1
and
Minolta Dimage A200

Both start at 28mm and are 7x.

Not sure if anyone would consider them Super zooms, But with TINY sensors it is pretty hard to get wider than that.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Canon Powershot Pro1 (with the supposed L lens) is one of Canon major failure. Same problem with super CA. Minolta Dimage A200 is rather good (actually the best of the bunch) but it's been discontinued (at least you can no longer find it in Canada).

I didn't see all 22 units Manning refers to, but from the ones I've seen, most of them have been long discontinued or not available in Canada, or of poor 28mm quality (with more than 2% barrel distortion, visible even on a 4x6.

Maybe I have to restate my comment to "there is no decent superzoom P&S camera starting at 28mm"

I mean, quite honestly, what's the point of having 28mm if it's not usable, right?

 

[manning]

Canon Powershot Pro1 (with the supposed L lens) is one of Canon major failure. Same problem with super CA. Minolta Dimage A200 is rather good (actually the best of the bunch) but it's been discontinued (at least you can no longer find it in Canada).

I didn't see all 22 units Manning refers to, but from the ones I've seen, most of them have been long discontinued or not available in Canada, or of poor 28mm quality (with more than 2% barrel distortion, visible even on a 4x6.

Maybe I have to restate my comment to "there is no decent superzoom P&S camera starting at 28mm"

I mean, quite honestly, what's the point of having 28mm if it's not usable, right?

Perhaps you should contact dpreview.com about the discontinued cameras. I got the count from their current camera list. I just did a simple count on cameras with 28mm minimum. Didn't pay attention to the maximum zoom or pixel count. There are several there at 24mm too.

I just got the Panasonic TZ1. It is a 10x zoom (35-350 zoom) that fits in your pockets and I got it at Circuit City for a little over $300.00.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Looking at US websites, it seems like you guys carry older model cameras far longer than Canadians. Also you guys have far better selection than Canadians. Try finding a Panasonic camera here. Finding a needle in TWO haystacks is far easier than finding a Panasonic camera. The same goes with Sony, even at The Sony Store, a lot of the higher end stuff are special-order only making it dificult for people like me to play with the cameras.

Heck, you still can find brand new 300D in the US, I can't find a 300D for the past year. The same goes with Minolta cameras, they are completely nonexistent nowadays north of the border.