Camera gear discussions

With the PD straps, did you ever have the problem of the lens pointing inwards, when the anchors are attached at base plate and side lug?
I'm finding that I can only keep the lens pointing outwards when I attach the strap by both lugs.

// Edit: nevermind, it seems to be an intentional design feature, and some users prefer not having their lenses pointing outward.

 

Better microlenses and some funny business with the arrangement of sensor arrays (and variable sensor size/densities) are doing interesting things, but essentially, I think you are right.

 

Hi all,

I'm assuming this is the appropriate thread for questions like mine, but if not, please let me know and I'll delete this post. My wife and I just had our first child and our current best cameras are our iPhones. I'd like to get a better camera, but neither of us are photographers.

I was thinking of looking into something that would easily fit in a purse and/or diaper bag, give us great image quality, have an easy automatic mode, and give us some flexibility to try manual settings as we learn more. Probably don't want to spend more than $500ish. Wirecutter recommends:

• Canon Powershot G9 X as best point-and-shoot around $500
• Sony a5100 for best entry-level mirrorless, and the
• Nikon D3300 as the best entry-level DSLR.

Any other resources or models you recommend looking into?

 

@zonto G9X.

A5100 (and other mirrorless) body is slim but protuding lens could be a problem. DSLR is a no-no "easily fit in purse". Take a look at Sony RX100 Mark series - they're above G9X. The latest Marks are above $500, but probably you could get an used current or previous years series.

https://m.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras

EDIT: Check DxO One camera. It's a camera that can be attached to iPhone. Between G9X & RX100 quality-wise and small, but some say the Lighting connector feels too small & loose (considering the size of the camera).

 

Thanks @TRex! DxO won't work as my wife's phone is older and I don't love the idea of still being tethered to the phone.

I go back and forth between the G9X/RX100 series and the Sony A5100 or A6000 that's currently on sale everywhere. I think I'm leaning toward the latter as it is still feasible to fit it in a purse with the kit 16-50mm lens and easy to fit in the diaper bag/stroller. That would give us better image quality and autofocus (the latter being important for kids and pets which will be a significant portion of the usage). Maybe I'll run to Best Buy this week and try a few out to get a feel.

Also thanks for the reminder about DP Review. Used them a lot maybe 11 years ago when I bought my first digital camera, but haven't had a reason to visit since and forgot.

 

I would say if minimum size is priority then go with RX100 but if you have the room for the 6000 then go with that by all means. Another good sight for mirrorless reviews and info is sansmirror.com.

 

Do you use the zoom function on your phone? The fixed focal length on a Fuji X70 or Ricoh GR makes a pretty compact package. The lens should give you approximately the same focal length as your iPhone (~28mm-30mm). Additionally, the X70 has some really nice looking manual control dials.

I would suggest you look into autofocus performance in low light. Some camera's have a tendency to search for focus more when shooting inside. Knowing that a lot of family pictures take place indoors, it would be an important factor for me.

 

Nope. I read a long time ago that was all digital zoom so have never used it. I agree on the low-light performance and will look for that in reviews. Thanks!

 

@zonto welcome! Older A series AF might be too slow for running kids (and especially pets) though. Speed wise, I rank Sony cameras behind DSLR and Olympus/Nikon mirrorless (highly subjective). Nikon 1 system is basically almost dead but the AF capability was almost DSLR level - soccer moms' camera. I'm talking about AF tracking, not acquisition. If you don't need tracking, any mirrorless is fine (except old Fuji). You could test the tracking by locking the AF point to an object & move the camera around.

Yeah, Ricoh GR is a great camera. Trade optical zoom for superb manual control. Forgot that gem! Perfect for street photography.

Zoom lenses in low light? Get the cheap 50mm fix.

 

I haven't used it myself, but a street photographer I follow has praised the Ricoh GR, so I'd say it's probably worth looking into if you don't need to zoom. (And you probably don't need to, apart from nature photography). https://blog.mingthein.com/2013/05/06/review-2013-ricoh-gr-digital-v/

Also, one of my favourite shots by him was taken on the GR, so I may be biased towards it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mingthein/16039062825

Personally I'd avoid DP Review, it's pretty much like HF except that the fanboys have even bigger egos.

 

@Friday DP Review definitely does have the same feel as HF, do you know of any good photography sites that would be closer to a SBAF like environment? I've had a hard time finding a good spot similar to SBAF but for cameras.

 

Unfortunately not. It seems that photographers who care enough about photography itself are probably too busy taking pictures to trouble themselves with managing forums for an unappreciative audience who care more for the gear than the pictures. For now I have to be content with reading Ming Thein (whose blog I referenced earlier and several other times as well at the risk of being a shill), who talks at length about the vision and philosophy behind the shots, with in-depth and fair gear review from time to time, though it also comes at the cost of being stuck with mostly street photography perspectives rather than a more well-rounded discussion that others might be looking for. For the most part, I'm into nature photography, but nonetheless I find his thoughts on composition, balance etc. interesting and even useful when I have the liberty to think during a shot.

 

The GR is a good choice as long as you don't want a viewfinder. I honestly don't think a zoom would be all that useful for you unless you really feel like you want one when you are using your phone. You can always crop your pictures after the fact if you want to get in closer. I think a lot is made in the differences between cameras. Unless overall image quality, low light performance, or autofocus speed are glaringly bad I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just figure out the size, price, and some basic features you want. I am sure most of the choices you have will be absolutely fine. Heck, I even like shooting pictures with my iphone!

My advice is similar when dealing with online reviewers, forums, blogs etc. It is easy to make a big deal out of small differences to sell your opinion to others. Most lens tests are very limited in their real world application. Sharpness, digital noise, lens flare, shutter shake, megapixels, bokeh...it can be a lot to take in. There is no need to over complicate things. Once you reach a certain level the pictures that most camera's take are close enough. Focus on the easily identifiable and tangible differences like size or features instead of bench tests and mtf charts. While you can hear a pretty big difference in the of top of the line headphones, I have never seen the same sort of difference in camera's. Browse around on flickr groups related to the camera's you are interested and I can guarantee you will see pictures you like and pictures you don't like. While I won't discount the value of having a camera that suits your needs, I have found that the camera has a lot less effect on the finished product than the individual does.

 

Rangefinderforum is pretty good. While they focus on rangefinder type cameras, they are are not exclusive, and there is a lot of good general photography information.

 

Photography forums are such a mixed bag. A few of the forums at fredmiranda.com are decent but there are still a bunch of doofuses on there making noise.

 

Yeah, pretty much. Honestly, I think it's strange to say "the sensor isn't improving" because with regards to CMOS sensors, so many things are packed into the sensor now (this is why CMOS sensors are cheaper to make cameras out of than CCD!) that when one says "sensor improvements", it can mean a number of things.

I'm still excited to see new BSI cameras, of course. Looks like a step in the "right direction" (bridging the dynamic range gap between film and digital).

Panasonic Lumix-GM1. World's smallest micro 4/3 camera in existence. It's smaller than the next smallest automatic lens you can put on it (just imagine that for a second).

Here's an image for comparison sake:


It's gone down in price, too. You can get one with a lens for less than $500 now. Has touch screen, WIFI, all of the hand-holding you'd ever need, and then if you want to go manual, there's all sorts of assistance for manual focusing and setting things manually.

I'd highly recommend this as a 2nd camera. I know because... I have one. Sometimes if you look, it can be found on the used market for $150-ish without the lens. But lens is just like another $250 at most.

 

Well, I decided to take the full frame plunge and have switched from a Sony a6000 to a Sony a7. Once I have some more time under my belt with it I will give some impressions. But so far I am enjoying it as a lot of my shooting these days are indoor and I really enjoy shooting landscape.

Now I just need my Canon FD primes that I ordered to arrive (50 1.4, and 28 2.8 on the way, looks like I have a deal lined up for a 35 2.8, then most likely the 100 2.8 or 135 2.8 for portraits), and I already had a Nikon 55mm 3.5 macro that I used with my a6000 that is very nice on the a7.

And thanks for the thought's on camera forums! I have been on FM for a bit and it is not bad, seems better than DP review.