ISO settings

[Kelly Grannell]

There is no ISO 800 on Canon's previous models, other cameras' ISO 800 (at the same price level with similar features) are worse than the Canon's.

 

[jann1033]

the iso on the pentax ist dl, k100 and 110 starts at 200. it says the sensors ( ccd) is better for that(?) would that be a problem with bright outdoor shots?

and if i got the pentax k110 would the 11 point af system and an af assit lamp be worth the wait/ money?( roughly $100) ( kind of like it that it also has more color fitler choices and picture modes also but the af seem like the most serious concerns) ist is 3 points, no lamp...i am thinking the lamp would help focus in low light/ low contrast situations which i would be using a lot

 

[Kelly Grannell]

AF assist lamp may help, 11 AF points are... pointless. To this day I still use only the middle AF point, focus lock, then recompose. AF works most accurately that way anyway (centre AF tend to be more accurate than the rest of the AF points.

I personally don't understand the ISO starting at 200. I don't know whether you'll be buying f/1.8 or f/2.8 lenses, but at ISO 200, it's almost impossible to take pictures at f/1.8 or f/2.8 apertures

 

[Anewman]

Reason some cameras use sensors designed to start at 200 ISO, is because those CCDs exhibited less noise at high ISO vs CCDs that were designed to start at 100 ISO.

Most DSLRs with shutters fast enough to take ISO 200 shots even with the brightest sunlight, as Kelly pointed out you may have to stop down some on the brightest days.

 

[raammartin]

Help! DH has given me a budget of $750 for a new camcorder/digital camera. Is there such a thing, a camcorder/digital camera in one?

I'd like a camcorder that uses a mini-disc type media (like my Sony Mavica CD400 uses), one that also takes GREAT digital pictures, one that has a good zoom, and one that allows you to make great digital pictures from your video stills. Oh, and I'd like something that's fairly small. I love my Mavica, but it's really bulky. Does this exist and can I get it for around $750 (or less)?

TIA!

 

[YEKCIM]

My nearly two year old Canon Optura 30 makes decent stills, but I would not rate it in the same class as a regular digital still camera. Here is an example of a digital still made with the Optura:

I would suggest you spend some time at www.camcorderinfo.com and read a few reviews of camcorders that will take digital stills, as I believe most will. My Optura has a two megapixel still capability; I have no idea what the going "rate" is these days.

~YEKCIM

 

[raammartin]

Thanks for the advice. That website is very helpful. What about a Sony brand with the stabilizer or are there other camcorder/dig cam combos that offer the stabilizer feature?

 

[YEKCIM]

I believe most camcorders now have image stabilization; Sony surely does; However, it has been two years since I really researched the subject. You should be able to find this on the review site I linked to in the previous post.

Let me also add that I do not believe that you will find a camcorder that takes "great" stills. I believe you will find several that will take *adequate* stills, as in the example I posted previously. If you want to take "great" stills, get a good quality digital camera, along with a good camcorder.

~YEKCIM

 

[RadioNate]

I went and played with the D80 and XTi and I couldn't figure out how to change ISO easily (meaning w/out using 2 hands and looking at the display) between shots.

I liked the 18-125 kit on the D80 better. The 18-55 kit lens just really isn't enough for me. But I understand I could always buy a separate 18-125.

I actually really liked the feel of the Canon 30D but as a beginner I think it might be too much. The D80 is straddling the 'too much' line as is but I really like the idea of getting the 18-125 as the kit lens right out of the gate.

For camera shops we really only have Best Buy and Wolf...neither a good option.

I looked at Best Buy last night. I wish you could hold the cameras w/out all the security crap attached. The XTi wasn't even working correctly so I'm sure I didn't get a fair picture of it's settings etc. Wolf was already closed when we went to look.

Maybe I'll try Wolf again sometime today so I can at least hold the camera w/out all the junk attached.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Best buy will price match!!! Well they price match to real stores like B&H. So bring a printed page with. I saved about $150.

MIkeeee

 

[FishFlavoredSoda]

The D80 and Rebel XTi are made for low end markets, which you know. This means they're going to cut some corners in order to not eat into the semi-pro market of 30D and such. The XTi is almost superior to the 30D, except for the fact that there are a lot of cumbersome things which make it less "professional". Such as two hand ISO switching. Both the 30D and Nikon's D200 allow you to have much more flexiblity. If you want ease of settings change, you gotta spend more money. Otherwise, you will just have to learn to settle on the fact that you'll be using two hands

 

[Anewman]

The D80 and Rebel XTi are made for low end markets, which you know. This means they're going to cut some corners in order to not eat into the semi-pro market of 30D and such. The XTi is almost superior to the 30D, except for the fact that there are a lot of cumbersome things which make it less "professional". Such as two hand ISO switching. Both the 30D and Nikon's D200 allow you to have much more flexiblity. If you want ease of settings change, you gotta spend more money. Otherwise, you will just have to learn to settle on the fact that you'll be using two hands

I can not think of anyway that the XTi is superior to the 30D except megapixels.

 

[WillCAD]

I went and played with the D80 and XTi and I couldn't figure out how to change ISO easily (meaning w/out using 2 hands and looking at the display) between shots.

I liked the 18-125 kit on the D80 better. The 18-55 kit lens just really isn't enough for me. But I understand I could always buy a separate 18-125.

I actually really liked the feel of the Canon 30D but as a beginner I think it might be too much. The D80 is straddling the 'too much' line as is but I really like the idea of getting the 18-125 as the kit lens right out of the gate.

For camera shops we really only have Best Buy and Wolf...neither a good option.

I looked at Best Buy last night. I wish you could hold the cameras w/out all the security crap attached. The XTi wasn't even working correctly so I'm sure I didn't get a fair picture of it's settings etc. Wolf was already closed when we went to look.

Maybe I'll try Wolf again sometime today so I can at least hold the camera w/out all the junk attached.

Well, I can help you on one thing - changing ISO on the fly with a Canon Digital Rebel series:

On the back of the camera is a navigation pad. One of the buttons is marked ISO. Press it with your right thumb, then turn the finger wheel with your right forefinger to change ISO. The ISO value will appear in the rear LCD as you change it. One hand, but you have to look at the display as you do it.

Just an opinion, but when using an SLR camera you should always have both hands on it anyway - left hand on lens, right hand on grip.

Note that you cannot change ISO in the automatic modes, only in P, M, Tv, and Av.

 

[handicap18]

I find with my D50 (which the D80 is very similar to in setup), changing ISO to be pretty easy even with 2 hands. The vast majority of the time your holding the camera with 2 hands anyway. I use my left thumb to press the ISO button on the back and my right thumb to change the number with the command dial. Takes less than a second to switch from ISO 200 to ISO 1600. It shows the change in the top LCD screen, not the big one on the back. This makes it a lot easier since you just lower the camera just a bit below your eyes (or lower if you wish) or keep it at eye level and point the lens to the sky, change and right back to your eye. With the D80 since it starts at ISO 100 and goes in 1/3 incriments (or is it 1/2, I'm not completely sure) it might take maybe 8/10ths of a second instead of the 4/10ths of a second on the D50. In all seriousness, it really isn't a big deal. Better than having to rewind the film, pop open the back, take the film out, put new roll in, line up the teeth, close door, press shutter, then sometimes have to open again, because the film wasn't far enough in. Thats just to change from 200 to 400. Then you have to take 24 exposures to change from 400 to 800 and do it all over again.

Also I believe the lens with the D80 is 18-135. I'm 90% sure that I will be purchasing this lens sometime next year before our trip next November. I currently have the 18-70. While it is a better lens and better reach than the 18-55, that extra 65mm makes a big difference in a "walk-around-lens". Yet its still f/5.6 at 135mm. My 18-70 is 5.6 at 70mm. Reviews are that its not quite as sharp as the 18-70 but that extra reach helps make up for it.

I Don't feel bad about doing hands on research for cameras and equipment in a Ritz (aka Wolf) or Best Buy, then buying on-line and saving a few hundred dollars.

 

[FishFlavoredSoda]

I can not think of anyway that the XTi is superior to the 30D except megapixels.

If I'm not mistaken, this camera also has anti-dust sensortechnology to clear the sensor of dust as much as possible. It's got features that match up to the 30D now. 9 point AF, picture styles (who cares really), and some other things I don't remember off-hand. The only thing that it's really missing is a better body build, and an extra display or so. The 10.1 mpx and anti-dust alone makes this a better buy than the 30D ALMOST.

I still prefer the 30D's advantage in 5 fps burst, better build, and a few other small things. 10 mpx vs 8 mpx isn't enough for me to care about. I'm perfectly happy with my 30D.

 

[Anewman]

If I'm not mistaken, this camera also has anti-dust sensortechnology to clear the sensor of dust as much as possible. It's got features that match up to the 30D now. 9 point AF, picture styles (who cares really), and some other things I don't remember off-hand. The only thing that it's really missing is a better body build, and an extra display or so. The 10.1 mpx and anti-dust alone makes this a better buy than the 30D ALMOST.

I still prefer the 30D's advantage in 5 fps burst, better build, and a few other small things. 10 mpx vs 8 mpx isn't enough for me to care about. I'm perfectly happy with my 30D.

Ah that is right the ANTI-DUST thingy, yes to some it may be a better buy.
But IMO "better buy" does not equal "superior."


So the ways the XTi is superior
Megapixels
Anti-dust thing
price

30D
Body build(also Body size for some)
Burst Speed
Spot meter
higher flash X-sync speed
Larger/Brighter veiwfinder
More info in Viewfinder(like ISO when making changes)
higher max shutter speed
1390mAh battery(also more commonly found)

Obviously the XTi is a great camera at a great price, and the advantages that the 30d offers are not really MARKETING friendly as the advantages that the XTi gives. Most persons buying an entry level DSLR would not even know what most of the 30D advanatages do or mean. But IMO it is still a superior camera, and I own neither.

 

[Master Mason]

yes but the 40D can't be far behind..... I figure by the time I am ready to upgrade from my XT the 50D will be out

 

[FutureSailor]

I have read so many reviews on amazon I am going crazy! I am looking for a good digital camera to take on our Mediterranean cruise. I anticipate taking lots of pics inside churches and museums, so I am looking for a camera that will do well in low lighting without a flash, on auto-focus. I also really want a shoe for an external flash.

So far I think the front-runner is the Pentax K100D 6.1MP. I think I do want a lot of megapixels, in case I want to make some large prints, or crop.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Groucho]

You're smart to be looking at DSLRs if you want low-light ability. Point-n-shoots will all come up short in that department.

The K100D is an excellent camera and there are several owners here who are very happy with theirs. For indoor photos, you'll want to pair it with a nice fast lens - the 50mm 1.4 is a wonderful one. You may also want a wider fast lens - there are a few available but I don't have first-hand experience. (Well, I do have a Sigma 28mm 2.8 that's pretty good, but it's manual-focus which can be a bit more work in certain situations, especially somewhere like Disney!) Most zoom lenses will struggle a bit if you're trying to take low-light photos without a flash, that's why primes are so handy for such purposes.

In terms of megapixels, 6mp is generally considered pretty good for making decent-size prints, especially from a DSLR. Generally, mp count is, alone, not a reason to look at a higher-model camera.

 

[FutureSailor]

Thanks. One of the lens options is 18-55 mm -- do you think this would work well for no-flash indoor pictures?