Digital cameras forum: Want to get my feet wet in photography

Total posts: 12 (Showing page 1 of 1)

Thread display preference:
Collapsed
Expanded

Back to Digital cameras

Tracked Track this thread

Answers

Answer Best answer as chosen by user ahud09

Starter Camera

by snapshot2 - 12/9/12 7:19 AM

In Reply to: Want to get my feet wet in photography by ahud09

Just about any digital camera can do what you want.
All have Macro mode, that will let you take photos inches away from the fish.
You should not use flash unless you have the camera lens pressed against the aquarium glass, because you will get a glare off the glass.

A good choice in the $150 to $250 range is the Panasonic ZS15

If you want to start with something less expensive here is what Canon has to offer:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras

..

Was this reply helpful? (1) (0)

Staff pick

What do you think about this one

by ahud09 - 12/9/12 10:22 AM

In Reply to: Starter Camera by snapshot2

Thank you for the reply,

I looked at the cameras in the link and will start reading reviews.

Reading around the internet last night I came across the Canon PowerShot SX260. What do you guys think about that camera?

I think the SX260 is comparable to the Panasonic ZS15 you recommended.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

I think I have it narrowd down to two

by ahud09 - 12/9/12 1:16 PM

In Reply to: What do you think about this one by ahud09

I think I have my decision narrowed down to two cameras.

The Cannon PowerShot SX260 and the Panasonic ZS15

I'm not sure how to go from here. The cannon seems like it has more options if I want to experiment with photos. Also has more zoom, but I am not sure if 20x is that much better than 16x.

When taking pictures of the fish, will the zoom help me if I want to take pictures while standing 5-6 feet away from the aquarium? Sometimes getting close interrupts certain behaviors I am trying to photograph.

Any advice on how to choose would be great.

Aaron

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Canon SX260 Panasonic ZS15

by snapshot2 - 12/9/12 1:48 PM

In Reply to: I think I have it narrowd down to two by ahud09

Either camera will be a good choice.

Both take excellent pictures.

I wouldn't use the difference between 16X and 20X as much advantage.
When you use that much zoom, you have to hold the camera extremely steady to prevent camera shake.
The best thing to do is use a tripod or set the camera on a solid surface for zoom shots over 10X.

Taking pictures of fish from a distance of 5 or 6 feet should be OK.
Remember, a zoom lens loses some light the further you zoom.
So you need a well lit situation. And you cannot use flash for such a shot because of flash glare off the glass enclosure.

The best answer is try it and see. That is how you learn some things in photography.

..

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Beating the horse here

by ahud09 - 12/9/12 1:54 PM

In Reply to: Canon SX260 Panasonic ZS15 by snapshot2

If you had to choose one for the activities I mentioned, which would you pick? Lol, tough decision for me.

Am I correct in assuming that the Cannon will allow me to experiment more? Do you agree that the flash on the Cannon may be an annoyance? Does the Panasonic take faster pictures, so there I am less likely to "miss" a shot?

I pickup hobbies fast and usually get to the intermediate area quickly. Which camera would be better to grow on? Or am I really just comparing to cameras so similar that its a mute point?

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Too close to call

by snapshot2 - 12/9/12 2:37 PM

In Reply to: Beating the horse here by ahud09

Both cameras are competing for the same customers.
So they are much the same.
Both cameras will please even the experienced photographer because both have manual controls such as Shutter Priority, Aperture Piority, Full Manual and Program modes.
Both use CMOS sensors which are faster in recording rapidly.
Something on any camera can be an annoyance or just different.
You will quickly learn how to use that camera properly.
The Canon has GPS (global positioning System) which is something to play with, but the GPS system drains the battery fast, even while the camera is off. So keep the GPS turned-off most of the time.

..

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Thank you!

by ahud09 - 12/9/12 2:59 PM

In Reply to: Too close to call by snapshot2

Thank you for all the help. I guess it comes down to splitting hairs. I'm going to go with the Cannon. I like the look better.

As far as memory cards go, what brands/size do you recommended? Are there any other accessories you would suggest I pickup?

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Memory Cards

by snapshot2 - 12/9/12 6:01 PM

In Reply to: Thank you! by ahud09

All of the cameras mentioned use SD memory cards.
I always use one of the popular brands (SanDisk is the most available)

For video usage, speed is important.
Anything over a class 6 will work on any camera.

If you are not using video, any speed is fast enough for still pictures.

Card size is up to you but most people go overboard.
I would start with 2 gig.
If you do a lot of video you might want a larger one, but a large capacity fast speed card can get expensive.

You don't need any accessories.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Last question

by ahud09 - 12/10/12 12:14 AM

In Reply to: Memory Cards by snapshot2

So I will be fine with this type of card?

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-Class-Memory-SDSDX-016G-X46/dp/B0037FLUYU/ref=pd_cp_e_3

If the cards are that cheap, I will probably just get a 16GB one. That way I can have space to record video.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Memory Card

by snapshot2 - 12/10/12 6:50 AM

In Reply to: Last question by ahud09

Fast card, class 10
Looks like a very good price.
Go for it.

Always back up the pictures/videos, at the end of a shooting day, onto your computer.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Here's a 16GB I bought recently.

by R. Proffitt - 12/10/12 5:10 PM

In Reply to: Last question by ahud09

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-microSDHC-Class-Memory-Adapter/dp/B0058GH4U0/

Here I hedged by bets that the small cards are the future. And I can use this card in something else later.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick