Posts for: wteffey
Nov 21, 2017 13:43:51 #
Public institutions, like school districts, use OPM (Other Peoples (Taxpayers) Money) to buy and maintain equipment. Not necessarily a good reference.
Nov 21, 2017 12:55:09 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Just for giggles.... img src="https://static.uglyh... (show quote)
, and nothing required opening the case, well the ram replacement required opening the built in access door in the rear of the unit of course.I am really happy for you. Good to have the $2,500, and a partner that will let you indulge. If my 5 year old HP dies I will go to Amazon and buy a replacement for $528. May or may not be as good, or look as pretty, but let me see, I could buy a new DSLR, a lens or two, and a copy of Elements 2018 with the change. Or, I could invest the $2,000 and be able to buy a new PC every year for 5 years if need be. Good to have options.
Nov 21, 2017 08:08:20 #
Nov 21, 2017 07:12:13 #
I am old and may be a little forgetful, but didn't we just have this conversation last week?
Nov 20, 2017 09:07:45 #
My inexpensive HP PC ($500) is now 5 years old and still performing as it did when new. I had no problems moving to Windows 10, and after a short break-in period, it suits all my needs. I had a power failure while rebooting and the open registeries (sic) were really messed up. It cost me $65 to have it repaired. I run Elements 15 just fine, and as noted above, my cheap PC spends most it's time waiting for my input.
I believe the purpose of this forum is to help people with their questions and problems, not to sell them our personal preferences. I have never been able to afford a MAC, so I cannot comment on the value of that system. It may well be worth the added cost, but I believe it is important to let people know that there is a viable alternative should their budget to allow for a MAC
I believe the purpose of this forum is to help people with their questions and problems, not to sell them our personal preferences. I have never been able to afford a MAC, so I cannot comment on the value of that system. It may well be worth the added cost, but I believe it is important to let people know that there is a viable alternative should their budget to allow for a MAC
Nov 20, 2017 07:17:00 #
The responses to this question were predictable, well meaning, and expensive. If your budget is small, and you are not already committed to MAC, just about any PC you can buy on line or from a store will run Elements, or most editing software, just fine. A large 20" or greater monitor will be essential. Computer speed is constrained by operator speed, and as a beginner your editing will be slow and methodical. Even a modest computer will spend most of it's time waiting for your input, so paying for a really fast computer is not necessary. You will need some sort of backup, but a $100 external hard drive, and/or an online backup at $50 a year will do nicely. If your budget is larger and you can justify the expense to your partner, go for it. You can always list all your expensive equipment on this site to impress people.
Nov 14, 2017 09:36:57 #
NatureShooter wrote:
The Lumix DMC - FZ1000 looks like a great camera, but is there a concern with what I read as the min aperture being only F8? For landscapes and other shots where sharpness is wanted throughout the whole depth of the image, is the F8 limit going to compromise the sharpness? Thanks for anyone's comments on this.
Actually, I have found the depth of field is so deep that I have had to blur the background to allow the subject the subject to stand out. I have not had the camera long enough to find an in-camera solution.
Nov 14, 2017 07:19:20 #
I recently sold my DSLR kit to KEH and used the proceeds to fund a FZ1000. I do not regret the move. In particular, the eye level view finder is excellent, I see no real difference in use between it and the DSLR. I generally do not like the power zoom control on compact cameras, too fast and not precise. This is also true of the one on the FZ1000, but the zoom control around the lens is very slow and very precise, much like the DSLR. My favorite DSLR lens topped out at 300mm, the FZ1000 goes to 400mm. At 300mm it appears to be comparable. The FZ1000 is about the same size as the DSLR, but much lighter. I had an 18-250 superzoom lens for my DSLR, but the IQ was poor. The FZ1000 takes excellent photos, but I move/zoom in closer to avoid heavy cropping.
Nov 13, 2017 07:42:12 #
Make a list of your absolute must haves. Mine included a good eye-level display in addition to the rear LCD, a zoom reaching out to at least 400mm (city folk can probably get by with less), enough size to hold steady, a larger than 1/2 inch sensor, and a price not more than $700. Video, to me, was unimportant because I have found a dedicated video camera takes better videos anyway.
Once you have your list of must-haves, hold out for the perfect camera. Mine was the FZ1000, but likely you will reach a different conclusion.
Once you have your list of must-haves, hold out for the perfect camera. Mine was the FZ1000, but likely you will reach a different conclusion.
Nov 12, 2017 11:47:52 #
dfaith wrote:
Thanks everyone for responding...I never thought I would receive so much input.
For those who have the FZ1000, do you find the zoom sufficient? I am used to a 20x and I love it, but if the FZ1000 is a better fit for me I could learn to love it too.
For those who have the FZ1000, do you find the zoom sufficient? I am used to a 20x and I love it, but if the FZ1000 is a better fit for me I could learn to love it too.
The optical 400mm in the FZ1000 is more than adequate for me, and I really like the zoom control on the lens barrel. Unlike the zoom levers around the shutter button, the one on the lens barrel is very slow and precise, much like a manual zoom on a DSLR. If I have to more rapidly move the zoom in and out I use the control around the shutter button. The view from the eye level monitor is very bright and clear compared to the ZS50 which I already have. The digital zoom on the FZ1000 is not as good as the 400mm optical zoom, but because the FZ1000 has a larger 1" sensor, I have found the images comparable to the 600mm ZS50 with a smaller sensor.
Nov 12, 2017 07:17:13 #
I am not sure you will get any real value from this post. Most people will respond in good faith, but have a relatively small database from which to work. I have two Panasonics, a SZ50 compact with viewfinder, which I have found essential, and a FZ1000. I can recommend both, but that is the limit of my experience. I would recommend reading a lot of reviews on line from people having experience with many cameras. I really like Camera Labs because they often review similar cameras side by side and give direct comparisons. Or try Consumer Reports, if you want to spendd a little cash.
Nov 11, 2017 07:25:49 #
I have a Panasonic FZ1000 with a larger 1" sensor. I have compared the photographs from that camera with that of the Panasonic ZS50 which I also have. The FZ1000, with the larger sensor, produces photographs that are far better, and I suppose that would be true of any camera with a 1/2" sensor. If the $800 is too much, you might take a look at the FZ80, an excellent camera, but with a 1/2" sensor for about $400. Read reviews first, trying Camera Labs and Photography Blog.
Nov 3, 2017 07:21:54 #
If you are using a "close focus" lens (as opposed to a true MACRO) with a moderate to long zoom, try just stepping back from the subject, then zoom back to the original perspective. This should give you a little more depth of field at the same f stop. Back away from the subject and your flash might be more useful too. Finally, moving back and using the zoom could reduce distortion. Worth a try, and costs nothing, unlike a number of posts.
Nov 1, 2017 09:10:05 #
hj wrote:
I would add "or teach"I don't mean to be snippy, so forgive my observation, but I feel those who think for themselves to the exclusion of others are a little narrow minded and short on the opportunity to learn.
Nov 1, 2017 07:37:08 #
A lot of people blindly follow what they read on forums without making sure they understand the ramifications, and that these opinions are really helpful to how they take photos. Shooting manual, for example, might not cause problems if the subject is a landscape or still life, but taking photos of kids, dogs, horses etc moving in and out of sun and shade in manual might prove difficult for many. I like to concentrate on composition and focus, not on calculations that my cameras can do better and faster. I hate it when I miss a good shot because I am twisting dials. Instead of a fixed number I work within acceptable ranges. I like F4 to F8, shutter 1/125 to 1/500 and ISO 100 - 400. If my camera recommends settings within these ranges I am good to go. Once I have something "in the can", I might experiment, but I always go back to P when moving to the next subject.