Sponsored by Best Buy
Missed this live event? No worries! Check out the Ask the Editors Live calendar event and see what topic is up next and get a chance to chat live with a CNET editor. We'll cover a new topic each week, from cell phones to TVs, so get those burning tech questions ready!
Now that you've gotten your imaging gratification, come back next week--same bat time, same bat channel--for the auditory hallucinations of Jasmine France, who'll bring you up to speed on headphones. And don't forget to check out our podcast, Indecent Exposure, for a weekly fix of digital imaging chitchat. Thanks for coming!
I wanted to get one of those 18-200mm lens. Would you recommend a Sigma or Tamron? Or should I stick with Canon?
We haven't tested the 3rd party lenses yet (getting there) so I can't tell you if they're equal or better (or worse) quality. If the Canon doesn't strain your budget, I'd probably stick with that.
sorry there was an error when I originally posted the question.
I only have a budget of $400 for a dSLR body. Amazon has a new Rebel XT for $399 and my friend offers me a used (decent) 20D body for the same amount of money.
If you were me, which one would you choose ? I have done photography for a few years now...and have only used film SLR and a Canon G9. Thanks
and still delivers excellent image quality. the XT is lighter, though. Matt F. is still shooting professionally with a 20D which is why I think it's still a good bet.
In recent podcasts it was said that we shouldn't buy DSLRs with "kit" lenses. Why shouldn't we???
I don't remember. I think that applies to specific cameras, like Sony (which has mediocre kit lenses) and the Nikon D60, which includes a mediocre kit lens. Canon's 18-55 IS kit lens is pretty good though.
I'm sick of tiny point-and-shoot's, and I'm looking for a nice camera that will deliver me good pics. I can't spend too much, so I thought of the Canon S5 IS. But I'm willing to spend a bit more with a DSLR. I thought of a Sony Alpha, or a Canon XS. However, I'm really confused by the reviews, so, what do you think is best?
I'd say the XS, only because the kit lens on the A200/A300 is not very good and affects the image quality.
but that's without asking what you're using it for ![]()
if you want a megazoom, the H50 is better. If you want a lot of manual controls, the G9 is better.
How can I take better night photos? I have a pentax k100d and I find that my night shots are very blurry, even with the shake reduction feature on.
It might not be shake; if you're shooting at a very high ISO it could be agressive noise suppression. You might want to try shooting raw at a lower ISO and apply noise reduction in software. If it is camera shake, and a tripod is feasible, go with that.
thank you very much for your advice, this was very helpful!
In a prior Ask the Editors, someone asked you if there were a digital SLR with video capture capabilities, and you said you didn't think one would come out for another year or so. Are there any digital SLRs with video capture out or on the horizon? I know it seems like the main users of digital SLRs wouldn't want video capture, but one of the things I'll miss after upgrading to a digital SLR is video capture.
Dear Ms. Grunin,
I love your reviews and they have inspired me to buy the Canon EOS Rebel XSi. My question is what are the 3 most critical accessories I would need.
I have a flash, tripod and polarising filter.
What are the next important 3??
Thanks
depends upon what you're planning to shoot. A spare lens or two, a great (i.e., comfortable and practical) bag to carry stuff in and a good neckstrap (not the one that comes with it.)
What's the best way to judge the results of a camera, when digital photos will be printed at different photo kiosks, displayed on laptops, displayed on phones and digital frames? Won't the same picture look and print different in each case? How do you choice which camera has the best quality with these variables?
and yes, they'll all look different. you have take those variables out of the equation and see which does best under optimal circumstances. you can always futz with the photos to optimize them for each device, but you have to start with the best photo possible.
1. About the Canon G9: What is a Telephoto Lens?
2. When is it good to use the RAW format?
Thanks!!
Tele Converter TC-DC58C. doubles effective focal length.
as long as you don't take a performance hit (with non-dSLRs, raw shooting can be slower than JPEG), or don't need to share the photos immediately, it's always preferable to shoot raw.
I've heard that it was around 20mp, but that seems really high to me.
but these things are affected by more than math
depends upon what you consider the limits of human visual perception are. To most people, I bet a 12mp photo looks very much like a 35mm shot.
Who inspires your photographs? Any new artists, photographers?
I thought I'd ask a short question this time. ![]()
It's a nice change from "which camera should I buy?"
And since no one has ever asked me before, I have no immediate answer. <blush>
I forgot to ask about price, I founded 899 deal including 4GB memory (Nikon D80 and 35-135 mm lens). Also, what is the difference between D80 and D60? Will the D90 offer much more than the D80?
Thanks, M.
...D80 much better. faster, better photo quality, better build quality. D90 will in theory be higher resolution (12mp), have a movie capture mode, and faster burst performance. At the very least.
..about how many mega
pixels would the camera have?
...people argued for years to come up with one. Why do you ask?
I own a Canon G9 and I'm interested in buying some lenses for it. What are the basic lenses one needs? Thanks!
...since they're add-on lenses for that model. I think there's one wide and one telephoto, at least from Canon. But that's really all you need, I think.
Found a good used deal (750, rated in good condition) ... does this trump the canon hd-20/30?
...that's a relatively large camcorder compared to newer models. It's okay, though.
Should I wait for the speculated D90? Does the 1000D compare more to the D60? Where is the review of the 1000D?
I'm confused about the kit lenes. Can you give me an understanding of the numbering on the lens types?
UV Filter? Necessary? Will it darken the shots?
I realized from the underwater question. Is there cases for these DSLRs, for diving?
I love the podcast!
The D90 will be more expensive than the XS; not sure how much as yet. I'd certainly wait to see, unless you're in a rush to buy.
If I weren't doing this, I'd be working on the review of the XS. Tradeoffs, you know ![]()
the kit lens answer requires more time and space than I've got here. Not sure what you mean, either, by numbering. Are you referring to the focal lengths and apertures? or just the letter codes?
UV filter is useful, though there's one over the sensor in digital cameras. At the very least, it protects the front lens element without loss of light.
yes, most have underwater housings.
I currently own a Canon Powershot G5 which has seen a ton of use. My wife and I are about to take a trip to NYC and I am looking for something smaller. I'm thinking along the lines of the SR 870 IS or the SD 1100 IS. Do you have a preference or maybe another camera that I should think about that I could find under $250? Thanks
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/4321-6501_7-6567910.html
it should help you choose between them.
I am ready to purchase a new DSRL camera. I am thinking about Nikon D80; however, I am reading online that Nikon will introduce the D90 soon. So, should i wait or go for Nikon D80 right now. I am not professional, but photograph is my best hobby. And I would like to have a camera that will give great photo quality and reliable.
Thanks, M.
I'm guessing it'll happen when the D90 is formally announced.
i like both of these: sony w150 and panasonic fx500, i want to buy one but dont know which to chose? can you help me
what is it you like about those models?
I've owned 3 point-and-shoot camera's, taken 1000's of pictures, gotten pictures from friends camera's of all types, and it seems regardless of camera, I must edit most of my pictures to get the right color and sharpness. It seems I'm addicted to "SHARPEN" tools on software like Picasa. In the sub $400 camera, is there really that much of a difference. I'm focused on features I want next(i.e. panaramic and wide lens), is that the wrong approach? And should I invest in photo software or stick with Free Picasa and the new free on-line Photoshop or paint.net
and are you viewing them on a decent monitor? most snapshot cameras tend to sharpen a lot. For just sharpening, you're find with the free tools.
since you recommend the canon HV-20/30 which is an affordable handheld HD that gets great reviews... are there any that would put out the same quality for a lower price?
for a budget tape model, the Panasonic PV-GS320 does SD well for a lot less.
Nikon seems to finally did it right. Do you think that P6000 will kick Canon's butt in p/s area now too, like they recently did with DSLRs?
It depends upon the content of the shot, what you're printing on, and if you plan to crop at all. I think 11x16 for 10 and 13x19 for 16 and 12mp somewhere between the two, with no cropping.
OK, Thanks!
P.S. How do I do what you just told me to do?????
but look for a setting called ISO in the menus. Set it for 400. And set the flash to off (the lightning bold with the slash through it). The camera should do the rest. Keep in mind you may not have that level of control with that model, though.
Nikon seems to finally did it right. Do you think that P6000 will kick Canon's butt in p/s area now too, like they recently did with DSLRs?
the P series is historically notoriously sluggish. If that gets nailed, the P6000 should be pretty sweet.
Okay site to purchase demo and/or used camcorders and digital cameras from? Are used items worth the risk?
depends upon what you want to buy used--some things retain value well, like pro camera bodies and lenses.
OK, Thanks!
P.S. How do I do what you just told me to do?????
but look for a setting called ISO in the menus. Set it for 400. And set the flash to off (the lightning bold with the slash through it). The camera should do the rest.
regarding: "i shoot mostly short films and home videos and am looking for the best camera to buy to produce a great quality product. i tend to like miniDV format for storage purposes. any suggestions (model, type, brand, new/used, etc)?"
budget: $700-1000
thank you!
I'd go with the Canon HV30 or HV20. HDV and in your price range.
we've got a review pending on the 1030 and the Pentax W60, but I think people have been happy with the Olympus'
Could you recommend a wide angle lens for my 40D?
Hey Lori!
I was wondering how i can have the flash OFF on my Kodak EasyShare C875 and not have the picture get all blurry....
Thanks!!!
...without flash is to raise the ISO sensitivity. That will reduce camera shake, but the noise reduction will add blur to the photos. bottom line, is that you may not be able to get the photos you want from the camera ![]()
i'm going on my honeymoon and i would like to get a waterproof digital camera. what are my options? and what would you recommend?
Do you know the expected price range of the canon 5d?
I've noticed cnet tends to not review inexpensive hybrid/ HD camcorders. I'm interested in find a HD amcorder that will record to an SD card and will have decent image, image stabilization and at least a 3x zoom for under $400. I've seen some point and shoots that fall under that category, along with the Aipteks and DXG. Do you have any experience with those or any recommendations? Thanks.
They're in the next group of products on my huge list of things to to
I've heard good things about the Aiptek. The Sanyo and DXG, not so much.
i shoot mostly short films and home videos and am looking for the best camera to buy to produce a great quality product. i tend to like miniDV format for storage purposes. any suggestions (model, type, brand, new/used, etc)?
I'm about to take the plunge into DSLR's and I want to know which company seems to have the best cameras and lenses out of Canon and Nikon, and which company's future looks the brightest?
"best" is a large area to cover for these guys. They both have great and not-the-greatest cameras in their dslr lineups. if you're talking entry level, I'd wait about a month and see if Nikon releases its much-rumored D90, so that we have the whole picture.
Hello, i have a new Canon 40D and i am getting ready to go to a couple of concerts. I want to take awesome pictures and capture the stage lighting and not have my pictures be washed out. What kind of filters should i buy or what settings on the camera would you reccomend?
and one I think we might address on a podcast, since Matt F. shoots concerts (professionally). I think my biggest tip would be to use spot metering, and meter off something on the light side (so that the shot underexposes slightly). lights and stuff get washed out when they're metered incorrectly. Maybe a polarizing filter to increase contrast, but only if you've got the latitude to lose a stop of light.
When will Canon release a new version of their 5d and 40d cameras?
The 40d is pretty new, so I don't anticipate an update for a while. The 5D is due for a refresh any second now, though; rumors have it pegged for photokina (september).
Hello, I'm a teenager and I have been thinking about buying a new camera for a long time now. I have finally decided on the Pentax K20D. My question is should buy it now, or should I wait for the price to go down?
It's a pretty new camera, and all the competitors have already shipped. Unless there are some holiday bargains (which I don't really expect) I don't think you'll see much price droppage. Buy now! And enjoy ![]()
Hey folks! Welcome to another Ask the Editor Live. I'm Lori, digital-imaging editor here at CNET, and I've got all my browser tabs loaded with reference materials to answer your questions about digital cameras. Shoot!