mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Okay.....I am attaching some more images of what I am interested in improving upon by upgrading my camera/lens system. I have a few things to learn about this site so I hope these images are large enough to see the detail clearly enough. If not I will try again.

I have been using a Panasonic DMC-ZS19 point and shoot on intelligent auto to photograph all sorts of things in Italy. I will stick with one issue at a time....the most important being getting clean, sharp photos inside large churches because a lot of the artwork in them is pretty high up. My Panasonic is great at making the interiors of churches look well lit but it is doing so I'm pretty sure because it is cranking the ISO up so high. I really hadn't been paying attention to how it did what it has been doing.

I have left my analytical brain at home since I started using this camera because it generally seemed to be doing a good job. And for all general, non fussy purposes, it has done quite well.

Now that I am putting together my first book of imagery on Italy, I'm finding that I am coming up with way too many photo rejects. What good is megapixel rate if the ISO is so high that the image is mush when you crop out part of an image and enlarge it.

I am one of those people who likes to be a fly on the wall when photographing. I don't like being conspicuous. Maybe it's just a problem with being self-conscious.....no stealth intended....well, mostly. Thus, I am looking for a compact, mirrorless system that will deal well with these interior church issues. Small and light weight is such a relief after years of lugging weight and bulk around especially when traveling.

So here goes......lets see if these images get the point across....

looks well lit but image with arrow would look pretty fuzzy if enlarged


just way not sharp enough although well lit....a church in Trastevere, Italy


enlargement even more fuzzy....image is a fresco with mosaics....hard to distinguish in this photo


to the lower left is a not too fuzzy portion but quite grainy up on top right


quite grainy when enlarged beyond this size


This is the church in Trastevere as one sees it at night when I was photographing ... arrows point to previous images


this is probably where I was standing to photograph this amazing artwork

MtnMan Loc: ID

The images are quite good for without a flash and I presume without a tripod.

You will have to use high ISO to get great indoor images handheld...even if it seems bright. So the trick is to look for the camera with the best high ISO performance.

Generally that means a new camera (newer sensors get better and better at low noise at high ISO) and a larger sensor (bigger is better for low noise at high ISO). More megapixels in the same size sensor are not your friend here.

You can now find a number of new mirrorless cameras with APS-C sized sensors for a reasonable price and at least one with an FX sensor at a pretty high price. More are sure to be on their way.

Because I have a growing kit of Nikon lenses I'm waiting for them to get a serious mirrorless on the market. So far I'm disappointed with what they have to offer.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

If you hand hold you need to crank the ISO and use a high quality lens on a camera which has low noise at high ISO and good autofocus capability.

That is the way of physics....light is light and camera shake blur at long shutter speeds or high ISO noise is inevitable UNLESS you use a tripod.

Ergo, your solution is to use a tripod and remote shutter release which will allow for sharp photos at long shutter speeds and manual focus.

Once you accept the fact that a tripod is an absolute necessity THEN look at upgrading the quality of your camera and lens to improve the sharpness of your photos.

Good luck :thumbup:

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

8-) 8-) 8-) If you are interested in churches and/or cathedrals try stevenhyattphotography.com. You might also look at thechurchesofamerica.com. This guy sort of backed into shooting churches. Why not? They are beautiful, colorful, and usually available. Sorry if these URLs don't register. They're still worth the effort. Hope you enjoy. :lol: :lol: :lol:

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Gotta put the http://... in there:
http://www.stevenhyattphotography.com/
Some nice stuff!
Thanks for the suggestion.

stsimmer

Thanks for the outstanding reference. Hyatt is a master of his craft and explains in detail his process. Very helpful!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I hate to break this to you but those are nice images.

I've owned many many thousands of dollars worth of very high end cameras and lenses and if you are asking a lens to be:

1.) Wide

2.) Sharp as a tack all the way out to the edges

3.) While making sure that all of the details that you want to be sharp are very far away from the camera...


Then I think you might never be satisfied.

All lenses have a "sweet spot" where things are very very sharp, and that is GENERALLY not far away and not in poor light.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I agree with rpavich. Although I don't see camera motion in your samples, but for similar pics, I: 1. Stabilize the camera against a pew, column, etc. 2. Take several shots hoping that the camera is not moving during at least 1 picture. 3. Bracket exposure.
I sometimes use an UltraPod II ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/239963-REG/Ultrapod_PD02010_2_Black.html ) in a clandestine manner so the "tripod police" don't catch me.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

You might want to try a little post processing.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Thanks, Robert, for your sound advice. I've been on autopilot for so long with my Panasonic point and shoot. I have to start thinking differently now that my photography has expanded to new environments.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

MtnMan

Will look for that improved ISO less noise attribute when looking for my new camera.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

davidrb,

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely check those URLs out.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

peterg,

Thank you, thank you, thank you........ like the compactness of that tripod and YES! I do need a remote. Prices are really good from B&H which is a place that I like purhcase from.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Hi Mossgate - you might like to give close consideration to the Fuji X-E1 or the X-E2. A small, lightweight, highly portable camera with an APS-C sensor which is already renowned for its low light capability. If you've got steady hands you can get great pics hand-held at shutter speeds you wouldn't believe. Couple it with the Fujinon 18-55mm f2.8 - f4 lens and you will have an outstanding combination for the kind of work you're describing here.

You can find plenty of good reviews about the Fuji X series cameras online ..... and here's a terrific "user opinion" of the lens I suggest -

http://photomadd.com/review-fujifilm-fujinon-18-55mm-f2-8-4-xf-mount-zoom-lens/

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

joer,

You are right. I actually do some post processing but my Photoshop is so ancient that I think it's useless in getting rid of ISO artifacts. I basically use Photoshop for adjusting lightness/darkness and straightening wide angle distortion plus use of a favorite filter to give the images a tiny bit of a different look.

I've looked at Tray's Ratcliff's website, Stuckincustoms, which has some interesting software suggestions and how to's for beginning users.

I've learned a lot this past week.