Camera question

lazarus corporation · 24 Mar 2010, 23:17

I normally use an SLR (a Canon EOS) for "proper" photography (as opposed to holiday snaps), but I've been thinking about finally going digital.

I'm rather taken with the Panasonic Lumix G1 - anyone have any experience with one? Any good?

Obviousman · 25 Mar 2010, 20:28

Why would you want to go digital

In all honesty though, I've never heard bad things about the Panasonics, on the other hand f/3.5-F/5.6 isn't too good. I always keep on hearing lots of good stuff about the PowerShot G11 (or whatever the current model is) from Canon or - less well known - the nice stuff Ricoh have on offer.

Good luck finding the right one!

EvilBastard · 25 Mar 2010, 21:32

I like the Canon range. I've been using PowerShots for the last couple of trips (looking to upgrade to the SX20 from the A640). The pictures are consistently good, there's enough "headroom" to play with aperture and exposure settings, and crucially they run on AA batteries - that was the biggest consideration, as I often find myself in places with no electricity. I throw a couple of packs of AAs in my bag and I'm good to go.
The SX20 also has a flip-out screen that makes it easy to compose shots in awkward situations, and with a 20x optical zoom it means I can throw the Pentax KR-Super with a 50mm in the bag as well without worrying about whether I need to take additional lenses.

GC · 25 Mar 2010, 21:39

Obviousman wrote:Why would you want to go digital

In all honesty though, I've never heard bad things about the Panasonics, on the other hand f/3.5-F/5.6 isn't too good. I always keep on hearing lots of good stuff about the PowerShot G11 (or whatever the current model is) from Canon or - less well known - the nice stuff Ricoh have on offer.

Good luck finding the right one!

I'd agree go for the Powershot G11, very good reviews, top of the range compact camera. The choice, as general back up camera for most professionals and journalists.

25 Mar 2010, 23:42

G11 all the way

Holly_DelRey · 26 Mar 2010, 00:56

EvilBastard wrote:I like the Canon range. I've been using PowerShots for the last couple of trips (looking to upgrade to the SX20 from the A640). The pictures are consistently good, there's enough "headroom" to play with aperture and exposure settings, and crucially they run on AA batteries - that was the biggest consideration, as I often find myself in places with no electricity. I throw a couple of packs of AAs in my bag and I'm good to go.
The SX20 also has a flip-out screen that makes it easy to compose shots in awkward situations, and with a 20x optical zoom it means I can throw the Pentax KR-Super with a 50mm in the bag as well without worrying about whether I need to take additional lenses.

Nice

I fell in love with the Panasonic Lumix TZ7 & was going to get it for my trip but a friend who's really into cameras & sells them suggested the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS (in black, of course

) Said it was just as good as the Panasonic but cheaper. Still torn tho but the Canon SX20 looks real fab too

Out of the three, which would be the best in quality pictures & vid?

EvilBastard · 26 Mar 2010, 13:09

Not having used the Lumix I couldn't comment on the picture quality. My experience with Canons has been excellent - the pictures are solidly good all the time, good battery life. Having never had one die on me I'm sticking with the brand until one does.

You can check out some of the pictures here.

26 Mar 2010, 13:18

EvilBastard wrote:Not having used the Lumix I couldn't comment on the picture quality. My experience with Canons has been excellent - the pictures are solidly good all the time, good battery life. Having never had one die on me I'm sticking with the brand until one does.

You can check out some of the pictures here.

The Rambling Catfish's photostream falls outside your current SafeSearch filter.
You can click through to see it if you want.

Holly_DelRey · 26 Mar 2010, 13:58

EvilBastard wrote:Not having used the Lumix I couldn't comment on the picture quality. My experience with Canons has been excellent - the pictures are solidly good all the time, good battery life. Having never had one die on me I'm sticking with the brand until one does.

You can check out some of the pictures here.

I'll check that out when I get home. I think I'm going to go with a Canon too. From what you & my friend are saying, seems like the best option.
Thanks for the link

EvilBastard · 26 Mar 2010, 14:17

Quiff Boy wrote:
EvilBastard wrote:You can check out some of the pictures here.
The Rambling Catfish's photostream falls outside your current SafeSearch filter.
You can click through to see it if you want.

For the record they're all completely SFW

James Blast · 26 Mar 2010, 17:43

Obviousman · 26 Mar 2010, 18:46

Seems my Canon tip was a hit. And to say I prefer Nikon myself!

EvilBastard wrote:
Quiff Boy wrote:
EvilBastard wrote:You can check out some of the pictures here.
The Rambling Catfish's photostream falls outside your current SafeSearch filter.
You can click through to see it if you want.

For the record they're all completely SFW

Sure

Anyway, for the non digitized photography, this bit of heaven is heading my way as we speak:

James Blast · 26 Mar 2010, 18:52

now haven't I told you Zed, you already have too many cameras/music/books/fillums

Obviousman · 26 Mar 2010, 18:56

I sold this one to get that one

James Blast · 26 Mar 2010, 19:01

that was a mistake but I take it it was you couldn't get fillum for it?

EvilBastard · 26 Mar 2010, 19:17

Obviousman wrote:Seems my Canon tip was a hit. And to say I prefer Nikon myself!

Anyway, for the non digitized photography, this bit of heaven is heading my way as we speak.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm...Hasselblad.

When I was a nipper just learning to use a Vivitar V335 (no bells, no whistles) I used to wear a dent in the pavement outside the camera shop, my nose pressed against the window, gazing at the 'blads and thinking that one day I'd possess one.
I recently picked up an old Seagull TTL and once I get my head around square pictures then I may consider blowing my bonus on a 'blad (not a bad name for a photo-blog, now that i come to think about it...)

James Blast · 26 Mar 2010, 19:21

wot, 'blowing my bonus'?

EvilBastard · 26 Mar 2010, 19:27

James Blast wrote:wot, 'blowing my bonus'?

"Blowing my bonus on a 'Blad - a 35mm Bastard's adventures in the land of Medium Format."

Holly_DelRey · 26 Mar 2010, 19:32

EvilBastard wrote:
Quiff Boy wrote:
EvilBastard wrote:You can check out some of the pictures here.
The Rambling Catfish's photostream falls outside your current SafeSearch filter.
You can click through to see it if you want.

For the record they're all completely SFW

and gorgeous pictures at that

James Blast · 26 Mar 2010, 19:32

Zed's got a real man's 'Blad, he even let me hold it

once

Obviousman · 26 Mar 2010, 20:33

James Blast wrote:Zed's got a real man's 'Blad, he even let me hold it

once

Oh aye, that's still my favourite possession really

As a matter of fact they come quite cheap on eBay these days so if you'd like one you ought to check there. Get one without lens and get an old cheapo lens, old the Zeisses are still sharper than anything currently on consumer (and most pro) cameras!

But then I now ordered this most advanced of 35mm cameras so I'm really curious about working with it

The Seagull's cool too btw and the Pentax wasn't a mistake but bought with this in mind