digital camera

syno321 · Post by **syno321** » 30 Dec 2004, 00:19

I am seriously shopping for a digital camera for use by my family. Naturally my family will want me to take many high quality photos of my fishy friends, but I have no practical knowledge in this area. Do those of you who have any experience in this field have any suggestions as to what to buy or good research sites? Any input would be appreciated.

Post by **Silurus** » 30 Dec 2004, 03:19

Do you want a point-and-shoot or SLR? The SLR is much more expensive, but it gives you much more flexibility and takes better pics in general.

syno321 · Post by **syno321** » 30 Dec 2004, 03:55

Does the SLR have the optical zoom lens? If so, then I don't mind spending more for the better quality photos.

Post by **Silurus** » 30 Dec 2004, 04:41

You can switch the lenses on an SLR camera (zoom, macro, fixed focus, etc.), but not on a point-and-shoot. That's one of the reasons why the SLR is more flexible.

syno321 · Post by **syno321** » 30 Dec 2004, 05:05

Actually I think I'd rather not use the SLR. I like the idea of an automatic 3X - 6x optical zoom lens, if that is practical for good photos?

Post by **Silurus** » 30 Dec 2004, 05:18

Depends on the kind of pictures you will be taking. A good macro capability is essential if you intend to take many pictures of your fish (unless you keep large fish). In this respect, I've had good experiences with the Nikon Coolpix series.

aquaria_rn1 · Post by **aquaria_rn1** » 31 Dec 2004, 07:40

Hello Syno,
I just recently read an article in Aquarium Fish magazine
by Gary Lange (January 2005 issue). He explains the diffrent types of cameras from 35mm to digital. I'm in the US and noticed your in Canada. I'm sure you could probably get a copy out there, however, if you can't I could fax you the copy of the article. The best camera for fish taking according to his article are the 35mm SLR (Single lens reflex)film camera or the SLR digital. He also suggested to stick with the bigger leaders in the industry like- Cannon, Nikon,Olympus and Minolta. I have a Nikon cool pix 4300 and I'm very satisfied with the tank pictures as well as our vacation pictures. Good luck and keep on keeping on.

Jc Vargas, New york.

justL#s4me · Post by **justL#s4me** » 01 Jan 2005, 20:47

Hi Syno321, I own a Kodak cx6445 Easy Share zoom digital camera and I am very pleased with both the quality off my aquarium pics. and with my everyday pics.

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 02 Jan 2005, 05:36

I have a Canon Powershot 310 and it sucks for fish pics. Don't get it.

My ideal camera would be a SLR but I know of others who like the higher end Nikon coolpix.

Post by **Shane** » 02 Jan 2005, 15:13

Syno,
Like so many things, it really comes down to what you are willing to spend. I have been using a Sony Cybershot (DSC-S85 4.1 megapixels) and it has treated me pretty well over the years. That said, I plan to move to Digital SLR soon as I am just too limited without the ability to change lenses. It cost me about US $500 a few years ago, but I am sure it has come down in price since.

Some key features to look for in any camera:
1) A hotshoe. This allows you to conect different flashes, which is very important for good fish pictures.
2) The ability to accept a tripod. Use of a tripod seriously increases the quality of fish photos in tanks when you have to stand there 30 minutes until the fish is positioned just right. You can also leave the camera in the exact place you need it while you position a fish just so.
3) As HH said, a high quality Macro capability. Macro is what lets you take photos of small objects (like fish).
-Shane

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 02 Jan 2005, 17:00

I have a Canon powershot G2, and it's already responsible for quite some pix in the catelog; but I'm getting quite fed-up with it nowadays...

that #$%$#@%@#$^$%^&% 2 sec delay!!

makes taking pics of fast moving fish next to impossible.

and it too has a mind on it's own, especially when it comes to zooming.....almost like a microsoft PC; just when you think everything is setup nicely it starts to change all kinds of stuff and then you end up with very sharp pix of water where a fish just passed, goo on the windows etc.

GRRRR

I don't like machines that act on their own; when I buy a mechanical device it should be a dumb slave, not a rebel/genuis.

I want a digicam that shoots right when I hit the button, exactly my old analog Nikon does.

do digicams exist like that?

Post by **Shane** » 02 Jan 2005, 18:16

I want a digicam that shoots right when I hit the button, exactly my old analog Nikon does.

My Sony DSC-S85 has the same problem, although it is about a 1 second delay. Pretty much all the new digital cameras (of any quality) have overcome this. I picked up a cheap little Sony Cybershot (DSC-P32 3.2 Megapixels) earlier this year just to have for snapshots. It has a delay of less than about 1/2 second.

Per my first post, it is about money. (Prices from Amazon.com)
Sony DSC-P32 (3.2MP) New from US $269.00
Sony DSC-S85 (4.1MP) used from US $350.00 (I paid US $500 five years ago).
Nikon D70 Digital SLR (6.1MP) $1,475.00. Shutter speed (if you hate that delay) 1/8000 of a second. This also does NOT include your Macro lense. Macro will be a few hundred more.
-Shane

retro_gk · Post by **retro_gk** » 02 Jan 2005, 21:37

Hi,
http://www.dpreview.com is a very useful site.

May I recommend the Panasonic DMC-FZ1 (an older model, the FZ3 is the current one), only 2 MP, but with 12x optical zoom!!! (equal to a 420 mm lens), macro and 1/2000 shutter speed.

Viking had the camera on sale on sale around Thanksgiving for $170 shipped. You should be able to find similar deals on ebay or something.

It is however, not a pocket camera and you will probably need a tripod at full zoom.

The coolpix series is very good overall.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » 03 Jan 2005, 00:49

For a pocket digital to use for an aquarium, I would aim for two things:

1. Good macro (as a minimum down to 5 cm)
2. Opportunity for manuel focus

And go for a well known brand like Nikon, Canon, Olympus, minolta....

DPReview as mentioned above is a very good hint.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 05 Jan 2005, 11:17

This is a big subject.

Many good recommendations have been made too.

I've got a EOS 10D, which is a digital SLR of the prosumer level. There's a EOS 300D, which is essentially the same camera, but a fair bit less expensive. It will take GREAT shots of fish in an aquarium. But it will cost you about $1000 USD, and you probably will need to get another lens to get REALLY great pictures, like the EF-100/2.8 Macro lens (about $400 USD), and perhaps an external flash, such as Canon EX420 ($200-300 USD). This will get you to a "almost professional" setup, and the (by far) biggest limitation on your pictures from this would be your own ability.

However, point&shoot cameras that take very good pictures are available for a lot less than this. I have little knowledge in this area, because I used film before I got the EOS 10D. However, to figure out if you can take good fish pictures with the camera, you should be able to make some reasonably easy experiments:
1. Take a photo of a mid-size coin (about an inch/2-3cm across). If you can fill most of the shot with this, it's a good start.
2. Shade the said coin with your hand (hold your hand about 4-6"/10-15 cm above the coin) to simulare a darker corner of the tank. Can you still take a decent shot?

A tripod mount is certainly necessary for a good shot. You'll be sitting by the tank for some time, and it also allows you to use longer exposure times.

Manual focus: You need this to allow you to focus on the piece of rock that you know the fish will get to, or to focus past the plant that the fish is hiding behind.

External flash (flash hotshoe) willl help a lot to improve your shots. With an external flash you move the flash away from the centre of the camera, which helps against red-eye syndrome, and you can also (depending on the flash) aim the flash in a way that it lights up more of the room/tank, which will help make the picture look more natural.

--
Mats

pleco_farmer · Post by **pleco_farmer** » 05 Jan 2005, 13:31

From a die-hard Nikon D100 owner...
Just shot a few days with Nikon D70, sub $1000.00, and stacks up well against D100. If your gear is Nikon, both models are top-end consumer rigs. Both match up well to EOS-10D, which is fine Canon gear.

Coolpix are also nice, responsive as well, especially if you like self-contained. The lens is equivalent to 35-350mm, so you get some wide angle and they will focus down to 3-5cm.

But, the camera only captures the light. A good flash setup puts the light out there, and really creates the image. If you go the route of an inexpensive digital, with built-in flash etc...without a hot shoe, etc...you may want to look into a wireless remote slave for an auxilliary flash. This unit consists of a light sensor that attaches to the bottom of a flash unit. When the camera flash goes off, the slave detects it and fires the auxilliary flash. You are free to place the aux flash anywhere in range. You need to play around a bit, but it is a reasonable investment with excellent returns.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 05 Jan 2005, 13:39

pleco_farmer wrote:From a die-hard Nikon D100 owner...
Just shot a few days with Nikon D70, sub $1000.00, and stacks up well against D100. If your gear is Nikon, both models are top-end consumer rigs. Both match up well to EOS-10D, which is fine Canon gear.

Sure, the D70 is an excellent choice, compared with for instance Canon 300D (Digital Rebel in the US).

I'm sort if tied in with Canon since I've got a few lenses for that mount already, and it's a big waste of money trying to sell used lenses to rebuy similar ones for a different mount. Since the "price of purchase" of my lenses far exceed the price of a 10D, I thought this was the right choice for me.

I like the idea of a slave flash. Only comment on that is that the built in flash tends to give reflections on the tank glass (because it's so close to the lens), which can cause problems. Also, I think many p&s cameras will be confused (i.e. will overexpose) if you add more flash to them, but I haven't actually tried it...

--
Mats

pleco_farmer · Post by **pleco_farmer** » 05 Jan 2005, 15:24

Yes, as I said, you've got to play around.

I've seen good results with the slave pointed down into the tank providing backlight. Paper the top of the tank with something translucent, a neutral fabric works ok, as a diffuser.

I also played around with white cardboard cupped around the bottom half of the P&S flash, directing the light upwards (stapled the semi-cone to a velcro strip wrapped around the camera body)
As a point and shoot, I keep an old Sony DSC-S75 around. I think its been discontinued, but the feature set is great. You can override white balance and exposure comp is +/-2EV in six steps. Between that and post processing, you can save a lot of frames. Also, has an accessory shoe. Focuses down between 6-10cm. The killer, of course, is the dreaded Sony digital delay.