Question for the Photographers

[kaffinito]

Hi All,

I am not a photographer, but I would like to step up the type of camera I use. In the past few years I've gone from disposables, to a cheap Kodak, to a mid-range Canon. Now I would like to get into a better camera, one that is capable of taking nice night shots, and one that will let me try out some features of an SLR without getting into an SLR. I don't think I'm ready for an SLR yet! I would like to take more clear crisp photos, and am willing to spend a few hundred on a better camera. I'm also willing to take the time to learn how to use the camera properly, to get some really beautiful photos.

I've narrowed it down to two, or possibly three choices, and am hoping you can help me pick one!

Nikon CoolPix P80
Canon Powershot G10

Or, if you have a third choice that might be better for me, I'm willing to hear it!

Thanks a bunch for your help on this!

Karen

 

[sherry7]

Hi All,

I am not a photographer, but I would like to step up the type of camera I use. In the past few years I've gone from disposables, to a cheap Kodak, to a mid-range Canon. Now I would like to get into a better camera, one that is capable of taking nice night shots, and one that will let me try out some features of an SLR without getting into an SLR. I don't think I'm ready for an SLR yet! I would like to take more clear crisp photos, and am willing to spend a few hundred on a better camera. I'm also willing to take the time to learn how to use the camera properly, to get some really beautiful photos.

I've narrowed it down to two, or possibly three choices, and am hoping you can help me pick one!

Nikon CoolPix P80
Canon Powershot G10

Or, if you have a third choice that might be better for me, I'm willing to hear it!

Thanks a bunch for your help on this!

Karen

How about something like this Canon SX10IS: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX10IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTZO/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

I don't have this particular camera, but I did own one of the older models that preceeded it (S2IS). They're nice cameras, have a good bit of manual options, and the zoom range is fantastic. One downfall, they're a bit large....definitely too big to stick in a pocket, but definitely not as large as a DSLR. But it's pretty similar in size to the Nikon Coolpix P80 you're considering, so that leads me to believe you wouldn't mind the size of it. Before you buy anything, go to a store to look at it and see how it fits your hands. I typically buy cameras online due to the lower prices, but never without first checking it out at a local store first.

As far as night shots, that's difficult to get from pretty much any camera, unless you use a tripod, and get your camera settings right.

 

[kaffinito]

How about something like this Canon SX10IS: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX10IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTZO/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

I don't have this particular camera, but I did own one of the older models that preceeded it (S2IS). They're nice cameras, have a good bit of manual options, and the zoom range is fantastic. One downfall, they're a bit large....definitely too big to stick in a pocket, but definitely not as large as a DSLR. But it's pretty similar in size to the Nikon Coolpix P80 you're considering, so that leads me to believe you wouldn't mind the size of it. Before you buy anything, go to a store to look at it and see how it fits your hands. I typically buy cameras online due to the lower prices, but never without first checking it out at a local store first.

As far as night shots, that's difficult to get from pretty much any camera, unless you use a tripod, and get your camera settings right.

I would definitely be willing to use a tripod and mess with the settings if I could get some really good night shots! That camera is a really good suggestion. Thanks - I'll check it out!

 

[sherry7]

I would definitely be willing to use a tripod and mess with the settings if I could get some really good night shots! That camera is a really good suggestion. Thanks - I'll check it out!

There's a post somewhere on here all about getting good shots of the fireworks. I'm not sure exactly where it is, but it has some good info in it.

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks for all your help! I think I'm going to go to Ritz Camera in the next few days and try out a few cameras.

I want to take photos of factories at night, and other buildings, alleys, etc. I have a feeling that I'm not going to end up with a point and shoot to get the kinds of photos I'm looking for....

 

[michellem1118]

If you're willing to spend the money, I think the best bet is a consumer-end dSLR. They have many of the pre-programmed modes of p-n-s cameras, but leave you with plenty of room to grow. I just ordered my first dSLR the other day (it'll be here Wednesday!) because I was tired of spending $300 a pop on new p-n-s cameras and still being unable to get the kinds of shots I wanted. And many of the Canon & Nikon consumer line dSLR's start in the same price range as the advanced p-n-s cameras anyway.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks for all your help! I think I'm going to go to Ritz Camera in the next few days and try out a few cameras.

I want to take photos of factories at night, and other buildings, alleys, etc. I have a feeling that I'm not going to end up with a point and shoot to get the kinds of photos I'm looking for....

It sounds to me like your low light subjects do not move and are in really low light. If that is the case, you are going to have to use a tripod no matter what. I do not think you need a DSLR for that. What you need is either a remote shutter release or at least a camera with a two second delay shutter.

 

[bob100]

I want to take photos of factories at night, and other buildings, alleys, etc. I have a feeling that I'm not going to end up with a point and shoot to get the kinds of photos I'm looking for....

It sounds to me like your low light subjects do not move and are in really low light. If that is the case, you are going to have to use a tripod no matter what. I do not think you need a DSLR for that. What you need is either a remote shutter release or at least a camera with a two second delay shutter.

I'll agree, a superzoom camera like the Canon SX10 or Panasonic FZ28 can take excellent night pics of buildings using a tripod. I don't exactly what kind of photos you're looking for but that kind of photography depends more on knowing how to use the manual settings than anything else.

 

[kaffinito]

It sounds to me like your low light subjects do not move and are in really low light. If that is the case, you are going to have to use a tripod no matter what. I do not think you need a DSLR for that. What you need is either a remote shutter release or at least a camera with a two second delay shutter.

I'll agree, a superzoom camera like the Canon SX10 or Panasonic FZ28 can take excellent night pics of buildings using a tripod. I don't exactly what kind of photos you're looking for but that kind of photography depends more on knowing how to use the manual settings than anything else.

That is part of what I found out from reading the Photography board.

However I am not getting another point and shoot. I went to Ritz Camera yesterday and fell in lust with the D60. P-n-s's just weren't giving me what I wanted, so I stepped up a bit. So far I am absolutely loving what it can do. (Or rather, what I am learning how to do with it) It does depend a lot on knowing the settings, and what to use when. It's a learning curve for me, but so far so good. I'll just keep on reading here to learn as much as I can.

Thanks for your responses!

 

[ukcatfan]

That is part of what I found out from reading the Photography board.

However I am not getting another point and shoot. I went to Ritz Camera yesterday and fell in lust with the D60. P-n-s's just weren't giving me what I wanted, so I stepped up a bit. So far I am absolutely loving what it can do. (Or rather, what I am learning how to do with it) It does depend a lot on knowing the settings, and what to use when. It's a learning curve for me, but so far so good. I'll just keep on reading here to learn as much as I can.

Thanks for your responses!

Just to be sure you know before your return window expires, are you aware that the D60 does not have a focus motor in the body? That means that there are less lenses available that will auto focus with the camera. Wide aperture prime lenses is the typical sore spot. There is not an inexpensive lens available that will AF. The cheapest I know of is a Sigma 30mm for ~$400. The popular 50mm f/1.8 that is ~$100 will only be MF for the D60.

 

[kaffinito]

I know - and I appreciate the advice! I thought long and hard about DSLR vs a regular p-n-s before I bought, and read scores of reviews. I almost bought the Canon A200 because of the lens factor, but decided on the Nikon when I tried them both out. The Nikon is intuitive for me, and I was able to figure out the menus in a few minutes.

I know that lenses will be a major drawback, but it will take me some time before I get to the point where I need to plop down $400 for the Sigma. I am hoping that with the type of shooting I plan on doing having a MF lens won't be an issue. (Note I said hope)

If you have any other tips or suggestions, I will gladly welcome them!