opinions please....take a 35mm camera on board or a digital?

[faireygod mother]

We take both. The digital sometime is to limited. A 35mm with different lenses is great for shore excursions. Especially when you have to shoot quick or distance.

 

[lkohawaii]

Thanks Sam....will buying a better digital get rid of that shutter lag or is that just part of digital technology? I'll take both my cameras on the cruise next summer. The challenge will be for me to will be to use the digital enough so that when I use it I won't forget how. I just have to figure out now who gets the digital and who gets the other camera. Hey, when I first looked at your B&W picture I thought it was part of an advertisment for Disney. You have taken some beautiful pictures. I'd love to see the one you retake next week. Good luck. I wish I were on the Magic next week too.

 

[lkohawaii]

I'd sugest that you look at the digi-Rebel or the Canon D20 (?) ... I recently bought the digi-Reb and LOVE it ... and I can use my lens & attachments from my film Rebel 2000.

Just a thought!

Memaw2Wm- does the digi-rebel work like the Canon? Do you know about how much it runs? I guess I'll go look it up on the web and see what I can find. Does it have that shutter lag that Sam is talking about. This may be the way to go once my Canon really does go.

 

[smchan]

Thanks Sam....will buying a better digital get rid of that shutter lag or is that just part of digital technology?

It is a symptom of digital but better digital cameras have such a low shutter lag as to not be noticeable. Nice digital cameras can rip off 8 frames per second. No worries about missing the action there! (Such a camera runs $3,000+ for the body.)

The Digital Rebel is a cool camera and runs roughly $800-$900 for the body only. It is the least expensive digital SLR of which I'm aware. It might be a good choice depending on your existing investment in Canon lenses and whether those lenses are compatible or not. If you don't mind buying new lenses, a Nikon D70 is also a good camera and competitive to the Canon in price.

Digital is definitely different from film. For example, if you're using a digital SLR and want good photos, some amount of post-processing in Photoshop or similar application is almost a necessity. Also, with digital, you err on the side of under exposing vs erring on the side of over exposing with film. That said, I'm learning far more about photography with digital technology than I ever did with film. It's great looking at your photos the same day you snapped them along with all the shooting data captured by the camera. It's also easier to experiment without incurring development costs.

Sam

 

[lkohawaii]

Thanks Sam. You're up late...because I'm on Hawaii time and it's evening...so I know it's kinda late there. Anyway, I know that I'm not ready to invest that kind of money in a digital just yet. I wish there was such a thing as a digital and film camera. Then I would be willing to invest that much. I guess I'll just wait until my Canon really dies and then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I'll investigate if my lenses are interchangable. I haven't changed the lens on my Rebel so I'm thinking the lens is not really that big a deal. I know if you want to be creative I've got to go back to changing those lenses and filters. Thanks for all your help. I've learned so much.

 

[sapiendut]

Here's an example of a photo on the fringes of or outside the capabilities of a typical digital camera but well within the possibilities of most SLRs. The exposure settings are as follows: ISO 800, f/4, 1/125s using spot metering.

Sam

Why can't use digital camera for that shot? My digicam can go up to ISO 1600... in fact lots of budget digicam can shoot at least a decent ISO 800.

 

[sapiendut]

For example, if you're using a digital SLR and want good photos, some amount of post-processing in Photoshop or similar application is almost a necessity.

Also, with digital, you err on the side of under exposing vs erring on the side of over exposing with film.

I've taken so many product shots and human-subject that requires no post processing in photoshop whatsoever. It depends on your camera parameters (if you're using JPEG).

Also, to err on the side of underexposing is a typical thing with a Canon-made camera. Besides, it's better to underexpose than to overexpose. If you underexpose, you can bring up the brightness and all the details will still be there. If you overexpose, when you bring down the brightness, the details are already lost in the overexposure.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Thanks to everyone on the boards, I've figured out how to use my digital camera. Now, I come to you with another question. In your opinions is it better to take my digital camera on board or take my old fashioned 35mm. I'm kind of worried of losing all my pics if the card goes bad or something. I know I can transfer it onto cd at shutters but that's a lot of money compared to old fashioned film. Please let me know what you think. Can you tell I don't want to change with the times??? I have no excuses...others before me have had to deal with much more change in technology than I have. I'm not that old yet!!!!!

take them both. we bring both digital and 35 mm cameras and love all of the pictures we have.

 

[smchan]

Why can't use digital camera for that shot? My digicam can go up to ISO 1600... in fact lots of budget digicam can shoot at least a decent ISO 800.

Actually, I took the shot with a digital camera. What I said is the photo was outside the capabilities of a typical digital camera - typical meaning consumer point-n-shoots that are so popular these days. I admit I'm not up on the latest point-n-shoot technology (that's what I consider budget) but of the budget cameras I've seen, they struggle with even ISO 400.

Though not anywhere close to high-end, I do not consider a Nikon D70 or a Canon Digital Rebel to be budget cameras. Minimum price of entry can easily push $1,000 after adding a good lens, a memory card or two, and other misc. accessories.

Sam

 

[American Scrapper]

smchan, I really enjoy reading your posts regarding camera types. Since reading your posts I have decided that I am ready for a digital SLR! I know that it will take time to learn the different settings, lenses & options, but think that I can learn how to best utilize it. I am used to a point and shoot, but have always wanted to do more with photography. I was just about to purchase the Canon Rebel the other day, and found out that in a month, they will be coming out with a new one, the Canon Rebel XT (EOS 350D) with 8.0 megapixels, so have decided to wait. The price on Yahoo for a preorder is not much more than the current Canon Rebel. I know when I do get it I will be refering back to some of your posts to help me learn more!

Thanks for all your input!!

Kathy

 

[smchan]

I've taken so many product shots and human-subject that requires no post processing in photoshop whatsoever. It depends on your camera parameters (if you're using JPEG).

I do not shoot JPEG unless I'm sure I don't want to keep the shot. Why limit oneself in post-processing unless the issue is a shortage of CF cards?

Anyways... would love to see some of your photos - especially those of DCL ships and properties. I've been generous in sharing mine here along with tips - but I'm a beginning amateur with plenty to learn, so please share!

Sam

 

[smchan]

I was just about to purchase the Canon Rebel the other day, and found out that in a month, they will be coming out with a new one, the Canon Rebel XT (EOS 350D) with 8.0 megapixels, so have decided to wait.

Excellent, Kathy! Everything I've seen on the new Rebel XT looks like a winner. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. One nice thing about DSLRs is they do allow a large measure of automation when you want/need yet give you the flexibility of control when you're ready.

Given your nom-de-DISboards, I'd enjoy seeing how you present your photos if you wouldn't mind posting a few in the future. Sometime back, I took a picture of my son and his cousin staring at Cindy's castle from Mainstreet. It's hard to describe, but the picture is backlit such that I have a silhouette of their heads with the castle between them. My sistern in law matted the picture, drew a trail of stars around it with some hand made Mickey heads and wrote "when you wish upon a star..." beneath. Her artwork on the matte is very whimsical. She took what I consider to be a dull photo and turned it into something worthy of hanging.

Sam

 

[scrapperjill]

Sam...I'm intrested in seeing some more of your photos..do you have them available for online viewing anywhere? From the few I've seen here...there great.

 

[lkohawaii]

smchan, I really enjoy reading your posts regarding camera types. Since reading your posts I have decided that I am ready for a digital SLR! I know that it will take time to learn the different settings, lenses & options, but think that I can learn how to best utilize it. I am used to a point and shoot, but have always wanted to do more with photography. I was just about to purchase the Canon Rebel the other day, and found out that in a month, they will be coming out with a new one, the Canon Rebel XT (EOS 350D) with 8.0 megapixels, so have decided to wait. The price on Yahoo for a preorder is not much more than the current Canon Rebel. I know when I do get it I will be refering back to some of your posts to help me learn more!

Thanks for all your input!!

Kathy

Kathy,
Sam has helped me a lot with my Canon Rebel. Let me tell you it's not an easy camera to use. I'm sure with determination you'll be able to use it. Ask Sam about his Nikon. It seems like it may be a little easier to use. On top of that Sam has one so he can tell you exactly what to change. With my Canon he can tell me what to check for, but I've got to figure out how to fix it. I think a problem with the Canon may be the lighting indoors. Maybe Sam will post about that he's been working with me on getting my pictures right. He is such a great guy.

 

[alexandrew]

I was always reluctant to purchase digital camera...

since the pricing went down, and the technology has improved, I just got one....

I bought new Canon A510, 3.2 mpx, 4x optical zoom for $188.00 at Brandsmart USA (local discounter in S Florida and Atlanta)...I added a 256 SD card, and the Rayovac 15 minute battery charger (rated best ) at Walmart...

I figure I could take about 240 pix on superfine setting, the equivalent of 10 rolls of film, saving about $20.00....photo processing is easy, since I can upload the pix I want for scrapbook to Walmart.com, then pick them up at the local store....

 

[smchan]

Sam...I'm intrested in seeing some more of your photos..do you have them available for online viewing anywhere? From the few I've seen here...there great.

Sure, I have some of my cruise pictures at the following links:

http://www.pbase.com/srmchan/panoramas
http://www.pbase.com/srmchan/121104magic&page=all

Sam

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I haven't read through all of the replies yet, but I just want to say that last cruise I took both a 2MP digital camera and my trusty 35MM. My 35MM photos came out so much nicer. Perhaps I'll have to look into buying a better digital...who knows. The light from it didn't seem sufficient enough or something. You can see my albums in the link below. The first album is from a digital and the second one is from my 35mm. I tried to do some Photoshop touchups and level adjusting, but some of them are just terrible IMO.

http://community.webshots.com/album/248526902PJFAlA

http://community.webshots.com/album/255694750XZFiHz

 

[DrCavin]

I haven't read through all of the replies yet, but I just want to say that last cruise I took both a 2MP digital camera and my trusty 35MM. My 35MM photos came out so much nicer. Perhaps I'll have to look into buying a better digital...who knows. The light from it didn't seem sufficient enough or something. You can see my albums in the link below. The first album is from a digital and the second one is from my 35mm. I tried to do some Photoshop touchups and level adjusting, but some of them are just terrible IMO.

http://community.webshots.com/album/248526902PJFAlA

http://community.webshots.com/album/255694750XZFiHz

Crsndsny: Don't be discouraged from your digital pics, 2mb is just not enough to make good pics compared to film. Look into at least 3.2 mp, most people don't need anything more than 4 mp. With the cost coming down on the 4+mp, it never hurts to have more, just eats up storage space.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Crsndsny: Don't be discouraged from your digital pics, 2mb is just not enough to make good pics compared to film. Look into at least 3.2 mp, most people don't need anything more than 4 mp. With the cost coming down on the 4+mp, it never hurts to have more, just eats up storage space.

Oh, you are absolutely right. I actually borrowed this camera from work. I have been looking for the right one for DH and I to purchase. I think that the prints I got from the 2mp is an indication that I only be satisfied with a higher mp camera. I have really been dragging my feet with this! It's such a big purchase for us.

 

[American Scrapper]

Kathy,
Sam has helped me a lot with my Canon Rebel. Let me tell you it's not an easy camera to use. I'm sure with determination you'll be able to use it. Ask Sam about his Nikon. It seems like it may be a little easier to use. On top of that Sam has one so he can tell you exactly what to change. With my Canon he can tell me what to check for, but I've got to figure out how to fix it. I think a problem with the Canon may be the lighting indoors. Maybe Sam will post about that he's been working with me on getting my pictures right. He is such a great guy.

lkohawaii, I am hoping that they have fixed some of the faults of the Canon Rebel on the new XT. Also, the place that I am purchasing it from does offer free classes and my park district offers classes too. I know that it will take some time to get used to as I am used to just a point and shoot.

Thanks for the input.

Kathy