Pictures ... video ... lenses ... optical zoom ... digital zoom ... ISO speeds ... so many freaking options ... ARGH!!
Does anyone have anything helpful & enlightening to share? At first I convinced myself I needed a new camera & a new digital video camcorder... then I started looking & realized I knew nothing about making a purchase that expensive. But I really want something better, & sooner rather than later, so I'm thinking of upgrading to a better "point & shoot" that would also have better video than my beloved but old current camera - Canon SD600 if you're wondering ... it's about 4 years old & about 4-8 megapixels out of date depending on what I compare it to LOL. That would buy me some time to seriously learn some more about photography, make an educated decision, and oh yeah save up since it seems really good camera actually cost quite a bit. Then I could invest in a DSLR & a good camcorder a little further down the road.
Thoughts? Thanks for your input =)
~Colette
I think the SD600 is still very serviceable. The number one improvement you can make to any photography (in general) is lighting!
ReplyDeleteISO is a double edged sword. Higher ISO = more sensitive to light = you can take clearer pictures = more noise/grainy appearance in your photos.
A cheap tripod for your existing camera can help a lot, as well (if you aren't using one already)! You'll reduce shaking from the hand holding the camera, which should let your camera choose a slower shutter speed, letting in more light.
Similarly, you can use the timer to take pictures a couple seconds after you press the button - this is helpful if you find you're shaking the camera a bit by pressing the button.
Hope that rambly comment helps!
JENNY - Thanks for the feed back - I do have a tripod, although I use it way more often when I shoot my tutorials than just for taking pictures. My SD600 really is still getting the job done, but there are 3 main things that make me want new:
ReplyDelete#1 - video. With all my tutorials, the limitations are so frustrating - worst being no refocusing once you've started shooting =(
#2 - zoom. It's only got 3x optial, and I've recently found myself in situtations where I REALLY wanted more
#3 - it's old. Sad to say but for a piece of technology it is - especially as rough as I am with it. And the extended waranty is up, and I would DIE if it broke before I had a backup LOL. What would I do if I had to go a day or more wihout taking pics of my nails LOL!
I think we just had a mental connection! (even though you don't know me LOL) I was just going to comment on your last post and ask you what kind of camera you used and if you had any suggestions =P I recently started my own blog and i neeeeeed better pictures! Yours are always so good =]
ReplyDeletecleverandcolorful.blogspot.com
I haven't bought a P&S in many years now (switched over to a Nikon D80 a couple years ago) and don't have much use for video, but it does sound like you need a camcorder more than a new camera.
ReplyDeleteFor a new camera though, I always used http://www.dpreview.com/ for my research :) I still use it occasionally when deciding what new lenses to get for my D80.
I dunno much about point & shoots but I second what Jenny said about dpreview, they're great for comparisons.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could buy a flip video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655735-REG/Flip_Video_M2120M.html) then upgrade to a DSLR later?
I don't think you need to buy a new camera until you've learned how ISO/shutter speed/aperture all work together when taking pictures. Why waste the money on buying an expensive DSLR, only to use it for shooting in auto mode and not fully utilizing the other features it comes with?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've seen of your pictures, they come out really good on your old camera. I have an old Canon powershot that is also 4 years old yet it still takes great pictures. I do plan on upgrading only because I would like to shoot HD video when I do need to shoot in video.
One thing with DSLRs is that once you get them, you'll find that the most expensive part is not the camera body but the lenses you use in conjunction with the body. While the kit lens is nice, you get even more spectacular results when you use other lenses for specific things (macro, long exposures, etc).
For now, with what you do with your camera for this blog, as long as you shoot your pictures using the macro setting (DO NOT use zoom) and have your camera mounted on a tripod with adequate lighting in the scene, you shouldn't have any problems.
some tips I have when purchasing point and shoot cameras:
ReplyDelete- digital zoom means nothing. if you are looking for a camera that has a good amount of zoom, always look at the optical zoom. the digital zoom only stretches the actual pixals, it is not a true zoom
- more mega pixals does not necessarily mean better pictures, the more pixals t he bigger you can print off your pictures. I had a 3.6 megapixal camera for the longest time, took amazing pictures
- some bands I like are Fuji, Canon (point and shoots) and Nikon and Pentax (DSLR)
I'm sure there are lots of tutorials you can find on how to use specific features. Playing around helps a lot too!
I hope I have helped you out, I used to sell cameras and my dad is a photographer lol
What Danielle said! Plus, for the future... if you still plan on getting a DSLR AND camcorder, the Nikon D90 (what I have) serves as both! :) However, I hate using it for nail photos. It's just too big and I need a lens that will focus when it is closer to an object. I currently have to hold the camera back about 1 1/2 feet. It's a huge pain. Point-and-shoots work best, in my opinion, for nail swatches :)
ReplyDeleteHi Colette,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can get a DSLR that has video capabilities? I got a Canon T2i recently, and not only does it take amazing pics, it takes fabulous HD videos as well. The video length is only limited to the size of your memory card. Like you were saying, if you don't have to buy a camera and camcorder separately you can afford a nicer camera. Get a macro lens (you could get a used one to save money, or buy a Tamron brand lens which is cheaper as well) and you would be in business. I hope this helps, and I *love* your blog! Cheers -Louise
Seriously will be watching this thread. My camera is really out of date and so is my video camera. I do have a rebel (older) but I can't get that to take good pictures to save my life.
ReplyDeleteJANNA - Thanks =) My 2 biggest tips would be learning to use the macro mode & the custom white balance
ReplyDeleteJENNY - Thank you, I will check out that link.
LEEBLEE - I have considered a flip video, but the lack of zoom kind of turns me off =/
NIKITA - I am pretty happy with my pics, I actually rarely use my tripod for my nails pics unless they're featuring both hands - it is my video I'm frustrated. A lot of the new series PowerShots have HD video, which is why I thought one might be a good stepping stone.
DANIELLE, POLISH HOARDER - the model I'm leaning towards at the moment, I want to say it's like the SX210 or something, has 14x optical zoom, which I thought was pretty impressive in a P & S.
LOUISE - I think that is the route I may eventually go, I just don't know if I'm patient enough to wait until I can afford it LOL
NIKKI - I hope some of these tips help you out =)