suggestion: Point & Shooters
Jan 28, 2019 21:55:46 #
dpullum wrote:
Well James, I have a DSLR with 40# of lenses etc..... (show quote)
I call my Nikon Coolpix s9600 my “non ILC” camera. Fun to take anywhere, easy to use, great images, good for printing and also posting on social media. Sometimes it’s nice just to leave the DSLRs and the lenses at home.
Jan 28, 2019 22:35:18 #
I have a silly fondness for a particular fixed-focus non-zoom 5 MP Kodak that are found for a couple of dollars. Made by Chinon, great little snapshot cameras.
Jan 29, 2019 01:52:55 #
tropics68 wrote:
I'll second that! BTW, How many of you all actually own a Pentax and how do "you" rate it? Not looking for any advice. I have two, both very good image makers. 
I have a Pentax K-50, Tropics … my most fave camera, too …
Can't take a bad picture with the sucker!!!!
It has just about the best ISO threshold of all of 'em, too!!!
It also has the easiest to use GUI interface I've ever seen!!!!
Plus - it has a RAW switch right on the side!!!!
What's NOT to like???
Jan 29, 2019 02:04:04 #
radiojohn wrote:
The bad news: compact camera have been decimated b... (show quote)
That was quite a deal, John … a 16MP Powershot for just five bucks!!!!
I have a couple of Powershots - one's 12mp, the other's 14MP … both very fine cameras ….
Plus, I have another ten bridges. I consider them all equally as competent as my DSLRs (for the type of photography they're best suited for.)
All cameras have a purpose - it doesn't matter whether they cost $20, $200, $2000, or $20,000 … what makes the perfect picture, is the man (or woman) behind the glass. What you paid for it, doesn't have much to do with it. If you can make it work for you - all power to you … GO FOR IT!!!!!
Jan 29, 2019 08:19:54 #
While there is a certain minimum camera quality for making superb photos, the most important factor is the photographer! I tell my medical students and other trainees that the most important part of the stethoscope is between the earpieces....
Jan 29, 2019 10:56:55 #
James: You and I have 2 things in common: age (82) and an appreciation for our compact cameras (mine is Panasonic ZS-70. My other gear is an Olympus Mirrorless with a variety of lenses.
James Franks wrote:
I appreciate the very positive responses to my Com... (show quote)
Jan 29, 2019 13:54:20 #
mffox wrote:
James: You and I have 2 things in common: age (82) and an appreciation for our compact cameras (mine is Panasonic ZS-70. My other gear is an Olympus Mirrorless with a variety of lenses.
Fox … I have a Panasonic Lumix Bridge, too … the FZ-70 … is that the same one?
It has the widest range of all of them - going from 20mm all the way out to 1200mm … is that the one?
Think it's 16MP, too … not bad, considering what I paid for it … think it was under $300 … neat lil package!
There's an upgrade, now - the FZ-80 ... ups the res to 18MP and adds a Touch-Screen ... nice, huh?
Jan 29, 2019 14:08:44 #
Al P. wrote:
While there is a certain minimum camera quality for making superb photos, the most important factor is the photographer! I tell my medical students and other trainees that the most important part of the stethoscope is between the earpieces....
That's true, Al … you can't do much with a stethoscope, if you don't listen, after all ....
And - medical training - directs you what to listen for ... all abnormalities ... that takes a great deal of practice ....
Jan 30, 2019 10:19:53 #
I have the same Panasonic compact camera as wells several DSLRs. At my current age, I find the DSLRS and lenses too heavy to carry. A high end compact camera gets great results without the effort needed to lug it around. Also, more importantly, when doing street photography, it is small enough to not call attention to itself.
Jan 30, 2019 17:32:30 #
Schroeder wrote:
I have the same Panasonic compact camera as wells several DSLRs. At my current age, I find the DSLRS and lenses too heavy to carry. A high end compact camera gets great results without the effort needed to lug it around. Also, more importantly, when doing street photography, it is small enough to not call attention to itself.
You know, Schroeder … I've measured most of my bridges, and have found some of them - the Fuji ones, in-particular, and the aforementioned Panasonic Lumix FZ-70 - to be as wide, or wideR than some of the smallest DSLRs I have. Couple that with the fixed zoom lenses (some of which hit 1200mm or 1440mm) and you actually have a bigger outfit than you do with a DSLR and 18-55 kit lens. Still, I get your point - since you're not carrying all the OTHER paraphernalia - it does make trekking a bit easier …
Just noticed a blurb about the Sony RX1R - a 42mp FF compact with a fixed 35mm f2 Zeiss lens - that little beauty should give one some fine results, without breaking one's back - huh, Schroeder?
Jan 30, 2019 18:03:55 #
Yes. Some of the guys and girls in my camera group are using the light weight full frame cameras with great success However, once you get to changeable lenses, you create other problems. So, I still vote for the advanced compacts. Also, a consideration, some of the advanced compact lenses give you greater lengths (ie: 28-600 I think) for the Sony advanced compact which may actually cost less than the cost of a long zoom lens. But obviously, each of is in a different place vis-a-vis what we can do at this time. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Jan 30, 2019 18:05:40 #
One other thought, I do use as Nikor 35mm lens on my D7100 DSLR.. It is much lighter, but there are times I welcome the availability of the long zoom.
Jan 30, 2019 18:54:25 #
Schroeder wrote:
Yes. Some of the guys and girls in my camera grou... (show quote)
Schroeder - think you're referring to the Sony RX10 series … which use a 1" sensor. The first two had fixed 24-200 lenses, and the most recent two have 24-600 lenses. But, they're all quite a bit heavier. The new Sony HX99 (think that's the one) which is truly a pocket camera - zooms out to 720mm. But, now, you're dealing with a camera with a 1/2.3" sensor, so you'll lose some quality, there. A good compromise seems to be the RX100 series - which also uses a 1" sensor, but is more compact than the RX10. But, it only zooms to 200mm (35mm equivalent.) It has a 20MP sensor, and uses a Zeiss f2.8-4.5 lens. Pricey, tho' - $1200 (VI). Still, not bad - considering what you get in a pretty small package. I'm sure there may be some compacts which use a FF sensor, and have a fixed zoom lens, but I don't know of any. It seems, if you want reach (beyond 600mm) you either have to go to a DSLR, or accept the bridge design - which gives you a 1/2.3" sensor. Still, you can affect some pretty good-looking distance shots with some.
Jan 30, 2019 19:07:09 #
Schroeder wrote:
One other thought, I do use as Nikor 35mm lens on my D7100 DSLR.. It is much lighter, but there are times I welcome the availability of the long zoom.
Yes, I know what you mean. I keep the 16-85 VR on my D7100 - but, it's STILL a heavy package. A much lighter package is my D5500 with a Sigma 18-250 OS HSM Macro on it. Sure, there are some compromises in quality - but it's a pretty effective set-up, overall. And, it's fairly light, too!!!
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