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Telephoto built in lens in Point & Shoot Cameras
Aug 8, 2011 13:54:07 #
I have a question. Has anyone tried any of these P&S cameras that have really long TF lenses? I have plenty of lenses for my 7D and 5DMk2, but none longer than 55-250mm. I really can't afford the high priced TFs, but wondered about these P&S cameras.
Nikon CoolPix P500 (up to 800mm)
Leica V Lux 2 (up to 600mm)
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ100 (up to 600mm)
I'd appreciate any input.. THX :)
Nikon CoolPix P500 (up to 800mm)
Leica V Lux 2 (up to 600mm)
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ100 (up to 600mm)
I'd appreciate any input.. THX :)
Aug 8, 2011 15:18:19 #
Have you lost abouy getting a tele extender for your dslr? They cost a lot less than the long tfs and you can 1.5 to 2 x your range. downside is you will lose fstops.
Aug 8, 2011 15:21:42 #
Opps I hit send without proofreading. It should say thought not lost and about not abouy (unless you are taking photos of boats.) Dang these keyboards why cant computers work like on star trek; you tell it what you want done and it does it with no typing or horrible spelling
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Aug 8, 2011 15:33:34 #
RonaldLewis
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
I think that the only problem may be the size of the sensor of the point and shoot camera. The more you magnify the image the more distortion you have. The Canon 5DMkII has a full frame sensor so if you magnified the image at a low ISO say 100 you would have very little distortion. The 7D has very good noise reduction and has a sensor 15.5x22.5mm and thus give very good images when magnified. I have never used any point and shoot that has that big of magnification ratio so I am just theorizing. It would also depend on the size of the prints that you would be making.
Aug 8, 2011 18:43:41 #
As others have stated one thing you lose with point & shoot camera is the actual computer ship within the camera. They are smaller so you just can't record the same amount of information. Haveing said that there are some when you get up around the $250 to $300 that do have bigger chips. Very likely what you will lose still is the quality of the lens. One thing to keep in mind is do not use the digital zoom - garbage. One other thing to keep in mind is that the longer the zoom the more likely you will need a tripod because of camera shake. One last thing is it depends on what you are going to do with the pictures - if you can't tell the difference and don't care, then it does not matter.
Aug 8, 2011 19:16:34 #
I understand the sensor size and the other cons re having a point & Shoot Camera. I've had several and currently use a Canon G11 and a Fuji X100 along with my big guys, a Canon 5DMk2 and a 7D. What I don't have and don't want spend thousands on is a TF lens for these bodies. I have a 55-250 lens for the Canons, along with a 135 prime; a 100mm Macro; a 16-36; a 24-105; and the obligatory 1.8 50mm.
What I am asking is opinions on the aforementioned TF P&S cameras.
I also understand the limitations of the 1.5 and 2x converers. I have the Canon 1.5 but that only gives me about 375mm on my 55-250 lens.
If someone has one of these P&S that I mentioned I'd like their opinions.
Thx again, ;)
What I am asking is opinions on the aforementioned TF P&S cameras.
I also understand the limitations of the 1.5 and 2x converers. I have the Canon 1.5 but that only gives me about 375mm on my 55-250 lens.
If someone has one of these P&S that I mentioned I'd like their opinions.
Thx again, ;)
Aura by DonW
Aug 8, 2011 21:07:39 #
sorry just trying to help sheesh. go to popphoto.com on theuir homepade is a buyers guide with reviews of cameras and lenses
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Aug 9, 2011 00:53:13 #
I just started using digital cameras 2 yrs. ago. My first digital camera was a Leica Dlux-4 and my 2nd. one is a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ100. There is little distortion or noise with the 100 hand held at 600mm. GO on line and check the Panasonic photos out. Ya can't beat those Leica lenses. I was a die hard Nikon user when I shot film. Most point and shoot cameras don't have the capacity for lens barrel attachments,like the fun things you won't find in the user manual. Just remember,the proof is in the pudding or rather camera. Will P&S cameras eventually make DSLR cameras obsolete just like digital did to film?
Aug 9, 2011 02:53:25 #
Until I save enough money for a true dSLR, I've been enjoying using a Canon SX 30 IS with a 35X zoom (that's ~800mm equivalent, I believe). It's large for a P&S but light enough for my arthritic hands. Also has a viewfinder, articulated LCD (as the Canon G series), built in flash plus hot shoe, stereo sound with 720p video recording (and yes, it optically zooms in movie mode!). I could go on but won't since it isn't one of the cameras you asked about. I'll try to attach a photo or 2 so you get an idea of its telephoto capability. Keep in mind the camera does better than I do. I'm very "green" at all this.
Top of magnolia tree
far out in the water at Myakka State Park, Sarasota, FL
Aug 9, 2011 10:06:43 #
SnapHappy wrote:
Until I save enough money for a true dSLR, I've be... (show quote)
___________________
Good info..thanks. The images yoiu sent look great. Can you tell me what distance(s) you were when shooting? Thx, Don
Reviewers of this camera said that the focus was 'soft' yet yours are pretty sharp. Did you do any PP on them?
TIA,
Aug 9, 2011 18:08:39 #
Thanks for your comments! I haven't shown my work yet so I really appreciate any input. Yes, I think the pics are soft with this camera but that may be my Parkinson's and lack of a decent tripod. I haven't gotten into Manual focus mode yet. The bee shot was 40.5mm and the spoonbills were 82.5mm. I have an iMac and only use iPhoto 9 so my PP is limited but I usually tweak the contrast, saturation, definition and sharpness (in that order) if the image isn't sharp at 100% mag. I'm attaching one at 150mm I didn't tweak in any way so you can see the edge change and softness.
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Aug 10, 2011 11:46:20 #
May 5, 2022 17:11:09 #
Don --
I shot this type of camera years ago (it has been a number of years, so I can't comment on the latest generation). The pictures were fine and I got some great vacation albums. The other advantage, is that it's light, and one doesn't need an entire piece of luggage for lenses, etc. There are times when I wish I had one now -- but overall, I'm happier with the interchangeable camera I have.
That being said -- if you already have a canon 7d -- and could expand your budget a bit, you could get something like the Sigma 100-400 used for less than $600. Put it on an your APS-C camera and you have the 'equivalent' of a 600 mm lens (which is what you're looking for) ... (I hate the term equivalent here, because it's wrong, but everyone knows what I mean). It does add a bit to your budget ... but may be a better long-term investment.
I shot this type of camera years ago (it has been a number of years, so I can't comment on the latest generation). The pictures were fine and I got some great vacation albums. The other advantage, is that it's light, and one doesn't need an entire piece of luggage for lenses, etc. There are times when I wish I had one now -- but overall, I'm happier with the interchangeable camera I have.
That being said -- if you already have a canon 7d -- and could expand your budget a bit, you could get something like the Sigma 100-400 used for less than $600. Put it on an your APS-C camera and you have the 'equivalent' of a 600 mm lens (which is what you're looking for) ... (I hate the term equivalent here, because it's wrong, but everyone knows what I mean). It does add a bit to your budget ... but may be a better long-term investment.
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