Digital camera choices - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #16 05-02-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honus

I had always hoped to get a nice Leica rangefinder camera with a few lenses, just because they are so darn nice. It would be hard to justify doing that now.

I'm surprised nobody has invented a digital camera "film" that loads in old fashioned cameras just like it always did but saves pictures to an inbuilt memory card instead - just think you could still go through the ritual of opening and closing the back of the camera in the wife's hand bag just for fun just like in the old days! (before plugging in your USB cable to the film and uploading it all to facebook)

MBeige · #17 05-02-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

I cut my teeth on blind focus 620 film format folding cameras. Got an AA in photo and spent countless hours in a darkroom processing Kodak C4, C6 etc. Color printing.....view cameras, SLRs, TLRs .... Any idiot can do it now. Another craft shot to hell thanks to technology.

Any idiot can take photos, but not everybody can compose well. It's still the same craft, but the method has changed. The camera is only a tool.

Stoney · #18 05-02-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I'm surprised nobody has invented a digital camera "film" that loads in old fashioned cameras just like it always did but saves pictures to an inbuilt memory card instead - just think you could still go through the ritual of opening and closing the back of the camera in the wife's hand bag just for fun just like in the old days! (before plugging in your USB cable to the film and uploading it all to facebook)

There was a company that prototyped a drop in Digital Insert that was shaped like a 126 cartridge that fit 35mm SLR bodies. The memory was in one end and a C123 lithium battery was in the other end. It had around 2mb of memory.

The problem was the CCD chip was so small (they cost the earth back then) and the area covered was 20% of a standard 24x35mm frame. So a 50mm "normal" lens was a 200mm lens!

Even now only the top of the line Canon/Nikon line (D-90 and up) have a CCD that covers almost 85% of a 24x35mm frame so you still have a conversion factor. My 20mm 2.8 AIS Nikkor on my D80 body is different than the 20mm 2.8 Digital version. The older 20mm "sees" more than the CCD photographs...

I bet that you could make one now and market it for $500 and make money but the tool up would cost and the Chinese would clone it before the ink was dry on the US Patent application.

MTI · #19 05-02-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I'm surprised nobody has invented a digital camera "film" that loads in old fashioned cameras just like it always did but saves pictures to an inbuilt memory card instead -

I believe that the 6x6 cameras and larger formats have digital "backs" and sensor holders, but the cost is tremendous.

MBeige · #20 05-02-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

I believe that the 6x6 cameras and larger formats have digital "backs" and sensor holders, but the cost is tremendous.

Agreed on the cost!

Camera systems and image software

The Clk Man · #21 05-02-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Any idiot can take photos, but not everybody can compose well. It's still the same craft, but the method has changed. The camera is only a tool.

I agree, the sign making equipment I use in my sign shop can be bought with everything you need for under $5000. What you CAN'T is the ability to design a quality sign. Over the last 15 years several people have came into my shop and asked me how much does the equipment cost to do signs, and me being me told them exactly what they wanted to know. A few of them even bought the equipment and tried to make and sell signs themselves. And guess what after 15 years, I'm still in business and THEY are not.

I wonder why.

jaoneill · #22 05-02-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

G'day Folks,

I need some help choosing a new digital camera.

The internet seems to be flooded with sites that are meant to help but I can't find one with out BS. Does anyone know of a good site?

All I want is a 10mp+ point and shoot camera preferably that runs on AA batteries that can take several shots per second and does quite a good job in poor light.

I've used canon point and shoots for years but they all seem to suffer from poor light problems and boy have they been slow. Press the shutter button => child gets bored wanders off, goes to school, leaves for university, gets married... then the bloody thing takes a picture...

We have used Canon A620 seven mp for years. They have four AA batteries, a reasonably fast recovery time and take the shot the second you hit the button. Recently had one crap out and bought a new A1200 that only uses two AA's. What a piece of garbage. As stated above, one can grow old waiting after hitting the button. Thank goodness we still have three serviceable A620's; the new A1200 sits in the shop most of the time. Seems I remember buying four of the two battery variety years back; before we went to the A620's. Staff raised such a stink that I gave them to a local charity after only a weeks usage. I thought the new technology would be better but it seems that two AA batteries just don't cut it.

Jim

alabbasi · #23 05-03-2012, 12:47 AM

You may want to rethink the AA battery thing. I had a Pentax that took AA's and ate them like they were going out of fashion.

Stretch · #24 05-03-2012, 02:46 AM

Thanks for the AA battery comments folks. I have noticed that with the larger TV screens on the back of these newer cameras the life of the batteries is considerably shortened. I'm not really keen on the Li-ion alternatives though...

...but seriously for the amount of money I don't want to spend there's going to be some serious compromise made.

As for "my" smart idea about a drop in film that turns analogue equipment to digital... well no great surprise that it has already (more or less) been done. There's nothing new under the sun!