Digital Cameras

[freakmode]

Well after a good few years of service the A620 has packed up (USB slot has fallen inside the body)!

As the main reason we stuck with this camera was the ability to shoot remotely from the desktop via the camerawindow software it looks like the Canon EOS400D is the next step.

Anyone got one of these and whats the verdict?

[jont]

My brother upgraded from a Pentax K100 to the 400d and it is a great camera. Slightly eclipsed by the 450d but can be had at a great price for little compromise in features over the 400d. The only thing I would recommend is to get the battery grip as this makes the whole thing a lot more balanced and give better grip to your small fingers on your right hand. A compatible version can be had for next to nothing... plus you get the extra battery power.

The side effect is also buying into the Canon brand with all the second hand lens and accessories that can be had... and then a platform to upgrade into the same brand system later.

I have used it on a few occasions and it is a great camera (and I am spoilt owning a Nikon D200)... you won't be disappointed with it.

[RuralWeb]

yep good camera. I've got a 350d which I'm very happy with - the only bad comment I've herd is that the camera controls are not as good as the 350d ie they are a bit more compex to achieve the same result.

[TraceyHand]

I'd like to second the vote for a Canon.
We recently bought a 400D and we love it!

[jont]

a bit more compex to achieve the same result.

Isn't that always the way in quest for betterment though

That is why I love the D200 as everything can be got at via a mansized button or lever and no need to plough through pages of option in the LCD

[freakmode]

Thanks for the replies - the battery issue is not a big one for us as it is never removed from the remote arm in the light box and always runs on mains power.

It also never photographs anything further away than 4 inches from the end of the lens.

Reading up the Canon PS G9 may be a better bet as its smaller so its easier to get though the opening on the light box door. I am just drrawn to getting an DSLR for some reason.

[RuralWeb]

Canon PS G9

Very nice and was the one I was looking at but like you i was drawn to the BIG lens

[leehack]

I wish i knew more about cameras, i'm sure if i bought a daddy camera, i'd leave it on the bus or something. That would be even stranger actually as i haven't been on a bus in 15 years, but i'd manage somehow to do it. I look at the dials and think wtf, where is the auto setting if it costs more than £80.

[jont]

Reading up the Canon PS G9 may be a better bet as its smaller so its easier to get though the opening on the light box door. I am just drrawn to getting an DSLR for some reason.

Go with the DSLR as it is future proof - you may decide to take it outside the studio at some point and you have an unlimited choice of optics that are far superior to the superzoom on the compact. The sensor is also about 3 times bigger on the DSLR compared to the compact - as the resolution is about the same but on a smaller area this leads to increased noise (the bane of digital cameras).

[leehack]

Is my Nikon 8MP any good? its got 2 auto settings, that was what drew me to it. That and the fact it was the best i could get offered by the insurance company as a replacement for my stolen/lost one.

[jont]

Sounds like it is too good for you

The optimum resolution for compacts is 6-8MP as any more is not required for the size 99% of photos are printed to and only leads to additional noise and higher ISO settings.

Nowt wrong with auto settings - most work perfectly well for most circumstances - it is knowing when they are likely to fail or you need a particular effect that you need to switch to anything else. Even pro's admit to leaving them on auto for the quick shots to ensure they get something rather than nothing.

[leehack]

Sounds like it is too good for you

I agree, it has this little yellow box around a face if it spots one and if there are two faces (you guessed it) you get two yellow boxes. You seem to have to hold the button halfway down, it sets itself, focuses in and bang, bobs your uncle.

Like you say though for some reason, some photos come out dark and i have no idea why, an immediate replica after and it's radically different. I don't really understand the holding of the button down, sometimes i cannot be bothered and just press and they seem fine most of the time. It's all confusing, i don't know a lot about photography for someone who develops off 40-50 photos a month (shan't mention that it is about 300 taken to get down to that amount).

[jont]

I don't really understand the holding of the button down, sometimes i cannot be bothered and just press

That sets the AEL and AFL (exposure and focus lock). If you are not allowing the half-depressed button to settle focus it could be focussed on the background and depending on your exposure pattern could be setting the exposure to the background.

[leehack]

So hold and be patient or just press, don't do the halfway house? (that's what my parole officer said)

[freakmode]

Very nice and was the one I was looking at but like you i was drawn to the BIG lens

Its the lure of the dark side.