Since most of us use cameras one way or another for our model kits, work, travel, casual.
It will be good to consolidate and review the camera we are using.
Here's something to start off with mine.
You all have seen the type/ quality of pics in my WIP.
Here's what I use:
Brand : Canon
Model : A70
Mega Pixel : 3 MP
Zoom : 3 x Optical Zoom
Accessories : Wide Angle Lens, Macro Lens (up to 1cm), Zoom Lens
Batteries : 4 x AA
Bought in : 2002, Cathay Photos
Pros : Have most of the manual functions for a budget price in 2002. Macro mode, exposure, aperature, shuttle speed. Hardy, drop a few times still ok to use. Uses AA batteries, so no problem when travelling around. Workhorse camera.
Cons : Plasticky feel, the LCD is quite small. Pics edges tends to have a vignetting. (the 4 corners of the pics tends to be a bit darker)
Here're my specs
Brand : Canon
Model : EOS350D
Mega Pixel : 8 MP
Zoom : None, it's just the body
Given accessories : 18-55mm lens, 1 X 1gb Ultra II CF card, Canon EOS bag (sold that bag as it doesn't serve my needs)
Added accessories: BG-E3 vertical camera grip, RS-60E3 remote switch, 3rd party hotshoe cover, 3rd part rubber eyecup to cut out sidelighting, 2 X 2gb Ultra II CF card
Lenses : 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm f/1.8 EF lens, Canon 17-40mm f/4 L lens, Canon 70-200mm f/4 L lens.
Storage media method: CF Card
Batteries : Lithium Ion
Bought in : July 2006, Cathay Photos
Pros : Versatile digital SLR camera that has great ease of use. Large user base in Singapore means I can easily rent lenses or share with my fellow Canongraphers. RAW & JPG shooting formats with superb noise control even at ISO 800. Several shooting modes available and wide range of original Canon & 3rd party accessories/lenses available. Fast AF.
Cons : Original Canon lenses cost an arm and a leg. Poor manual focusing screen, best to switch to a 3rd party split focus screen if planning to shoot in manual mode (eg old school photographers, macro mode, panning etc). No LCD protector supplied unlike Nikon's D200.
Overall opinion: I got my DSLR at a fairly good price from Cathay Photo so really cannot complain considering it was S$1999 when it was first released. I think this will stay with me for quite awhile and even after I upgrade(which I intend to) to a 1Ds Mk II, this will be my sidearm.
Here's mine:
Brand: Olympus
Model: Digital 800
Mega Pixel: 8MP
Zoom: 3 x Optical Zoom
Media: xD Card
Accesories: Nothing special, just a tripod
Batteries: Proprietry rechargeable
Bought in: 2005, Alan Photo
Pros: Huge 2.5 inch LCD on an ultracompact body. A host of manual controls. Long-life battery (easily 300 shots on one charge). Weatherproof.
Cons: You need a VERY steady hand when you shoot without flash due to the small lens size. Anti-shake function adds a lot of noise onto the pictures. Soft copy manual ONLY.
Brand :Nikon
Model : Coolpix 4300
Mega Pixel : 4 MP
Zoom : 3 x Optical Zoom
Accessories : Very basic things you get in cameras(CDs, manuals, etc) + 128mb memory given free by the seller.
Batteries : 4 x AA or those Nikon rechargable batts.
Bought in : Yahoo Auctions last year.
I cant say much for this camera because I bought it from Yahoo auction, through a seller, but he is a pro photographer so he took really extra care on his cameras that he used. From my limited experience as a photographer in my school AV club, I can say that the maintainence is high.
Pros:Good all around camera, very noob friendly, and has clear and nice colours to show off. Buttons are easy acess with a simple twist of the dial on the top of the camera for various modes and buttons at the bottom and side of LCD screen for more complicated options.
Cons:LCD screen quite small, cant really see the blur effect, cant take video with sound(Not that I really mind, but some others might.) And must be on a tripod to take still pictures like kits unless you have stable hands, otherwise, pictures turns out ugly.
Anyway, since we are on the topic, I reckon cleaning your camera everytime after you used it, and daily maintainence on the camera once in a week.
Because Im quite a phototaker myself, I also bought some accessories along with it.
-Spare battery,(Yahoo auctions again, its a 3rd party brand but its better than the original one.)
-512mb Memory card(With a spare 128mb in my pocket in case my current one gets used up)
-Camera bag(Store and all)
-Tripod(For taking still and stable pics. I got those very light types, easy to carry and with a bag)
-Cleaning kit(Some camera lens paper, diluted solution, and a cleaning cloth.)
Ya thats it I think, this camera will last me a long time, so I take EXTRA CARE on it.
Heres mine:
Brand: Panasonic Lumix
Model: FZ5
Mega Pixel: 5MP
Zoom: 12 x Optical Zoom
Media: SD Card
Accessories: Lens Cover/ Camera bags, bundle with 512mb SD card.
Batteries: Proprietry rechargeable
Bought in: 2006, M.S Color Service
Pros :Able to focus quickly, comes with two stablizing mode (for shaky hands), Incredible battery life (my first charge until now!!) 12x Optical zoom!, superb macro mode.
Cons : The body is made of plastic, so its abit light and cheap. No manual focus. Can see noise if ISO is less than 100.
Overall opinion: I can't find any camera that had so much features and optical zoom at this price range. It produces good quality picture even for a for novice photographers like me.
Mine:
Minolta DiMAGE A1 reviewed here.
Brand: Minolta
Model: DiMAGE A1
Mega Pixel: 5MP
Zoom: 28 mm ~ 200 mm (7x)
Media: CF Card
Accessories: Bought my own SD-to-CF converter, 1GB SD card.
Batteries: 1500 mAh 7.4 V Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Bought in: 2005, Japan, 2nd hand
Pros: Prosumer grade camera, excellent build quality, LARGE lens, VERY long battery life.
Cons: Macro mode.
I love this camera but the macro mode is less than stellar. Mainly because unlike most modern digicam, this cannot go focus to as close as 5cm (like most Nikon).
Helps meh? I dun need wide angle leh.
Pazu Wrote:Helps meh? I dun need wide angle leh.
Scroll down the page and see, there're super macro lens converters as well. This page lists all the conversion lenses for your Minolta that's manufactured by Raynox.
Wah! Sure looks very tempting. Will definitely keep a look out for these babies!
Too bad photography equipment always cost an arm or leg...