william_lorman

<p>I noticed the president of Pentax USA has posted samples of the new W90 model on a few sites and his "blog". I don't see it in stores near me (yet).</p>

<p>http://nedbunnell.blogspot.com/</p>

<p>The LEDs for close up work interest me because my W60 predecessor does a good job with that.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I think all the major companies make good stuff and I am frugal so I'd be sticking with the Canon system if you've already bought in.</p>

<p>I have associates with Rebel and 7D, 5D and admit I like the smaller body a lot because I hike and bike with it. Try both and think about what you want to carry or have to carry.</p>

<p>I also know people who are selling late model stuff for both T2 and 7D, seeing the prices their getting and would consider inexpensive 50D too.</p>

<p>Have fun shopping.</p>

<p>I like pocket size if not carrying SLR gear, so I would suggest cameras like the Panasonic ZS3, 7 and Sony HX5s that have stereo sound with the HD video. I realize there are small cameras with higher specs but I'd rather go light or have my SLR gear. There are bargains on ZS3 Panasonic that is being replaced by the ZS7.</p>

<p>Have fun shopping.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>I have to SLR bodies and lag isn't even the issue as much as getting shots above 1/500. have carried my XT body and a fast prime but that's too much for the sort of trail riding I do.</p>

<p>The HX5 shows a lot of barrel distortion in video samples, and others in this class do not have stereo mic so.</p>

<p>I hope to be able to compare the ZS7 with my ZS3 where I know I get the shutter control but more pixels probably mean more noise.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I have the well regarded Panasonic ZS3 and wish the sports mode would shoot a faster shutter speed. I see its successor has manual shutter speed which seeems much easier to work with fast. Have any of you had real world experience with the newer model, the new Sony HX5 or others that should be considered?</p>

<p>The Panasonic and Sony are top contenders for their stereo sound in video capture. Some others don't allow zoom during video capture, have less at wide angle or don't have stereo.</p>

<p>One other concern is display. The Panasonic has 460,000 dot display and that is more valuable than I expected whether it's composing, framing or reviewing - especially reviewing.</p>

<p>Thank you for any insights or suggesting products I may have missed.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I have the Pentax W60 that has evolved to the new W90 but there seems to be plenty in common. I don't see tests out there for the new W90, but at point of my purchase the Pentax seemed to have better image quality than the popular Olympus models, more common memory type. More competition has come along since.</p>

<p>Knowing what the scene modes and automatic settings will do as well as attention to ISO setting seems to be the secret with these and most new small cameras.</p>

<p>FWIW: The Pentax models have had close focus capabilities beyond their peers and the new model has LEDs to assist this built in the front. A few people I know love these Pentax models for the macro combined with durable and small characteristics.</p>

<p>Have fun shopping!</p>

<p>I am looking hard at these little pocket sized cameras, moving to HD and whether I want the camcorder format or use a camera.</p>

<p>I just used the Flip Mino HD (2nd generation) for a family trip and bought one of the well regarded Panasonic ZS3s with HD video. The Flip shines so much in it's niche that it may be my long-term winner. It seems to have superior low light performance and very good sound in addition to the easy and good software.</p>

<p>One of the well known buyer/member clubs has the Pasonic ZS3 with memory card and case for not much more than the Flip so that's the comparison I'm doing.</p>

<p>Samsung has a model soon to ship that has optical zoom but I don't see real world tests. Real world tests of the Sonys were not in same league as Flip in low light. I don't know how you will use the unit but I can't discount how well the Flip Mino HD did in the dark.</p>

<p>I just shopped for small and moderately priced cameras for a family member and to replace my dead pocket-sized model.</p>

<p>I was very impressed with the Panasonic ZS that have been leaders as well as the Sony and Canon updated products. The Panasonic ZS3 is available at very low prices now that the ZS7 is out and I bought it. Video with the Sony HX5 and the Panasonic ZS3 and 7 is very impressive. I will report back if I can't live with the scene mode based model and get one with manual control.</p>

<p>I don't know the rules about price or stores but one of the two large member/club stores has very good bundles on some well rated cameras right now. Enough to make me try the Panasonic model being phased out over the latest.</p>

<p>I think I can answer "Anybody know why it is so popular?", and will point out that it has some good competition.</p>

<p>My old pocket camera died and now I see the past year+ has had very capable small cameras come out that also do HD video with stereo. This Sony and latest Panasonic ZS7 seem to be the winners. Others have updated their small big zoom cameras but it does not appear they have video and sound in the same league.</p>

<p>With neither of the Sony or Panasonic in stock I bought the ZS3 because they can be had for $150 less bundled with a memory card. The GPS and some manual control may move me to exchange for one of the new models but I want more time to learn all the modes this one has. No matter what, it's clear that a very small camera can do a fair job capturing images and video that used to require my back pack full of stuff.</p>

<p>Some of the reviews I caught gave the Sony high marks for low light performance but its Pentax competitor was the winner for lens and manual control.</p>

<p>The GPS feature in the new crop may be more than novelty. I think it could help the work I do designing, building and maintaining trails.</p>

<p>I would not ignore the bargains on Panasonic's predecessor while the new crop shows up, and I will try and remember to report back if I just can't live without the manual controls.</p>

I consider digital photography one of the disruptive technologies that has come along in our history and some camera companies didn't do as well as others. I have 35-58 year old cameras that I love, but if it's about effective and efficient I use my SLR system or one of my p + s digicams.

The thread and conversations remind me of using my 1966 Schwinn bike or modern suspension bike on a trail or our Model A Ford or modern minivan for moving a family of 5.

Thanks to those who offed suggestions here. I bought the Pentax W60 and I'm pleased.

The design of the camera limits image quality as I expected but it makes fine basic images and I love the light weight and compact size along with the obvious - resistance to the elements.

The camera is like too many p + s models where you have to know the scene modes and disable user friendly features in order to work fast and in more difficult light.

Hi,

Your bringing up CF card has me thinking of how super my Canon S400 has been, and maybe you can find one or similar used. My shopping for new cameras pretty much yielded SD memory cards with the Olympus and Sony exceptions.

I have not liked any cameras without an optical viewfinder, but I recently bought the Pentax W60 for the water and freeze resistance along with the very small and light package. You might like a camera like this where Olympus also makes the models resistant to water and freezing. The Pentax models sell the more comon SD cards.

I do not think you can go too wrong no matter what because I support technology so I end up setting up and working with a lot of cameras people buy and I also support a photography studio. Adding them up I see and touch much and feel the stiff competition has all the well known brands selling good stuff.

You may also want to keep eyes open for the models that do video at a higher resolution or the 16:9 format because this is the year TVs make the major change and most computers are going that way.

FYI: All the consumer cameras I touch and the Pentax I just bought have scene modes opposed to conventional camera controls. You need to do some homework to know what they do for their features. Many consumer cameras also have face mode and other programs that can slow performance. I can only work well using these in their more manual modes.

Have fun shopping.

Re: "I did hear that Oly is bringing out a new SWXXXX soon so I may wait and see what that looks like."...

I saw press release for 1050 SW about a week ago. It adds tap control but does not have the same wide angle or specifications as high for the water and shock resistance.

Thank you.

WJL

I don't think I chose it with the brand loyalty many have for their gear. I've used all sorts of gear for decades including some professional work and much work supporting the technology and I had a lack of bad experiences. That added to Canon being ahead of Nikon when I made the plunge would be the answer.

To be honest I find all the stuff from the well known brands to be good, but that probably comes from still using a 58 year old camera and working with the first Kodak modified Canon and Nikon digital SLRs.

If push comes to shove I will admit that Canon's IS lenses probably did much to make my commitment to their system. At the time they had both pro and consumer IS lenses in lengths important to me.

You hit it with "I got this so I could have a nearly indestructible point and shoot." and "Sure, I could get a housing for my real cameras. But that's going a bit overboard.".

The once place where I found some side by side samples made the Pentax look sharper but it is not advertised as resistant to shock like the Olympus. Both will be less bulk than a case for my Canon. Mountain biking and kids make an argument for the shock resistance yet they also make a strong argument for the better zoom and video.

I will not be among those expecting results one can only get from a high end and more conventional camera.

Thanks for the reply, and thanks for any other input here.

Hi,

Do any of you have examples or experience with the water and temperature resistant cameras (Olympus 1030 SW and

Pentax W60) under forest canopy? Low and tricky light if not under forest canopy?

I like the weight, zoom and video features of the Pentax and idea of durability with the Olympus.

I do not have expectations that these will perform like my dSLR system but admit to being spoiled by a Canon S400

that has been through much. This will be for trail riding, kids and water sports.

Cameras like the Sanyo Exacti look interesting for this use but it seems only the Pentax W60 will have video in a

16:9 format. Interest in video is a surprise for me but I've joined a world with kids, youtube and action sports.

Thank you for any input.

WJL

I ended up with the V model because I have access to a $10,000+ scanner at a customer site. I have been pleasantly surprised. It does not have the specs of the higher level models, but it's true pixel peeping to see big differences.

I am also surprisingly pleased with the results of Nikon's own scanning software even though I used SilverFast on another model I had and at customer sites.

My purpose was to archive negatives and slides that are mine, family and those of friends and customer's and make prints on occasion. In my case I guess there would be diminishing returns if I spent more and that's how it ended up. Put another way I'm happy enough to the extent that I've done no more than the few comparison tests on higher level models. YMMV, but I am slow and careful to spend and I am for example glad that I put more money toward camera lenses and flash vs. this etc....

You can find decent scanners used because many buy them for a single archiving project.

Good luck!

You can consider taking it one step at a time. Get the camera and hold off on learning anything new about computers as you get up to speed with it etc.... In that time window you can keep doing homework regarding software. In that window of time you may have the new version of Adobe Photoshop released, also watch and consider Vista as it will be released for the masses soon. Apple will have an OS release soon after that. Your camera files are going to work on any computer you buy so this gives you immediate satisfaction with camera and time to learn it.

I hope I am making some sense here because I use a number of operating systems and view the applications and budget as more important than the computer and operating system.

My advice (this is year 18 as a systems admin) is friends only let friends do RAID with dedicated controllers and those friends should not use their array in production until they have tested a failure and rebuild.

This sounds like it's a single system so it would not seem like you need the fault tolerance because many are writing many files. I would consider synchronizing the directories and/or files that are appropriate as a cheap and sure way. Basically if this is backup and not fault tolerant work space go with the data backed up on the two drives. In addition make sure you have your data off site because theft, fire, water and other damage can happen.

Good luck.

The 430EX does not work as a master it's a very nice item on it's own. I can't guess or say what Canon will do, but the Nikon feature is nice.

What I do in some circumstances is have my 580EX on the off camera cord and still set as master for the 430 that's off camera.

I was close to making the commitment to Nikon because of flash but I went Canon because they still have a good flash system and have what I think are the best of breed ultra-wide zoom and 70-200 zooms. I also at the time changed from 20D to XT and have no regrets because I love the small carry size and the savings meant hundreds toward lenses and flash. To me the entry level bodies amazing when I consider my start with holding a light meter and old electromechanical stuff that was not as good. For weather and temperature extremes I use an old EOS film body that can be had for very little money.

I use more than Canon at my customer sites and I honestly think you'll be happy with either choice. So far all I can say is that my Canon 70-200 and 10-22 lenses are _SO_ good that I don't think about or worry about a wrong decision.

I suggest a copy of the EOS system brochure Canon puts out quarterly to make sure you have any issues of compatibility sorted out or looking at the back of the owner manuals because they have a matrix of system compatibility.

I think you got your answers regarding the seller's ratings. I actually found my LCS to be surprisingly competitive and face to face meant walking out the door with everything tested and good.

If you are strapped for cash consider the less expensive XT and XTi bodies too. I have less expensive bodies than some associates and friends, but get better results because I can afford flash and better lenses.

Also consider the value of the kits whether it's 30D or another. The 17-85 IS USM is available in kit form for example.

I still use film too, and I get superb results from my Elan body readily available for as little as $50. The point being the bodies might just be the disposable item and not where a lot of your budget should go in many circumstances.

Also spend some time looking through the pbase.com camera database. You'll be able to see how gear that's not so expensive can make super photos and how people worth many thousands of $ on the hoof can take bad photos with the super gear.

Good luck.

Look at focus points via the Canon Zoombrowser utility as a first step. If it's indeed a user error this can help. It is common for the user to not realize they have framed the phot as they wanted it, but have automatic focus settle in the wrong place.

If that's not it you can search for recipes and templates to see if you have a front or back focus problem.

Good luck.

I suggest a well known brand, but not spending all the way to the top. I am very fond of my Manfrotto digi model compared to my older heavier unit. I think they're 7xx series. They are not heavy, have small but sufficient ball head, and they sturdy compared to the low end of carbon fiber and the attempts by some firms to be too fancy.

My logic behind liking the well known brands that are widely distributed is that you get a big family of parts and accessories readily available.

You don't need a heavy beast like my 50 year old model, but OTOH it's clear that my light Manfrotto is more stout than a discount brand I have that only holds a flash these days.

The Canon user manuals and quarterly sales brochures have a compatibility matrix. I suggest that for your add on purchases as insurance for compatibility and/or knowing you're getting a full set of features.

This can also be important because it's easy for a salesperson or personal associate to give you wrong info that could lead to owning a useless item.

Good luck.