Electronics Camera Suggestions? - Page 19

Dayze · 05-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Ok;

so the wife and I are in the market for a camera. We previously had a Sony digital camera for about 10 years but the wife dropped it and now it won't hold any settings etc.

So, it's time for another one. I'm by no means a professional photographer; but I also don't want some little $100 POS either. I'd like to have one that I could 'grow' into if I wanted to so to speak.

I think My budget is about $400-$600. I was looking at the Nikon D3200 DSLR....though, admittedly, I'm not 100% what "DSLR" is.
I like the design of it; I've held a few like it and they're much easier to hold IMO.

Suggestions?

GloryDayz · 11-10-2014, 02:41 PM

I have a kid in college, I think the 20D will suffer 20K-30K more cycles before it gets sent for scrap...

kepp · 11-13-2014, 10:30 AM

My 50D arrived yesterday and I tried it out for a short time last night. My first question: why is live view only available in the "creative zone" modes and not in the basic modes? Its not a big deal...just seems odd to me.

Also, I've been reading in the manual about selecting the metering mode. I use the aperture priority mode for fast action shots...what metering mode should I use? It would seem to me that, when shooting action at F2.8, spot metering or center-weighted average metering would be better than the default evaluative metering. I'm thinking this because, at F2.8, the subject is pretty much the only thing that's going to be in full focus, so the metering of the background isn't as important. Is this true?

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

My 50D arrived yesterday and I tried it out for a short time last night. My first question: why is live view only available in the "creative zone" modes and not in the basic modes? Its not a big deal...just seems odd to me.

Also, I've been reading in the manual about selecting the metering mode. I use the aperture priority mode for fast action shots...what metering mode should I use? It would seem to me that, when shooting action at F2.8, spot metering or center-weighted average metering would be better than the default evaluative metering. I'm thinking this because, at F2.8, the subject is pretty much the only thing that's going to be in full focus, so the metering of the background isn't as important. Is this true?

Why are you shooting aperture priority for fast action? You should shoot shutter priority so you can stop the action sufficiently and let the camera adjust the aperture. At f/2.8, you've got a pretty narrow focus plane, so if you can get by at 1/1000 while still at f/4 or something, you'll be better off. JMO.

And I believe on my 6D live view is only available in creative modes. Also JMO, but if you've got the money to spend on a 50D, you should know enough about your camera to never use the basic modes. Get comfortable in aperture and shutter priority modes, then move the M. Your camera should never be on that green square. *plink* *plink*

kepp · 11-13-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Why are you shooting aperture priority for fast action? You should shoot shutter priority so you can stop the action sufficiently and let the camera adjust the aperture. At f/2.8, you've got a pretty narrow focus plane, so if you can get by at 1/1000 while still at f/4 or something, you'll be better off. JMO.

And I believe on my 6D live view is only available in creative modes. Also JMO, but if you've got the money to spend on a 50D, you should know enough about your camera to never use the basic modes. Get comfortable in aperture and shutter priority modes, then move the M. Your camera should never be on that green square. *plink* *plink*

I was told earlier in the thread that Av mode was the way to go for action because of the lens I bought. By locking in at 2.8 and raising the ISO, the camera chooses the fastest shutter speed. But I guess what you're saying is attempting to achieve the same ends...lock in a fast shutter speed and raise the ISO, and the camera will choose the best aperture width. And, depending in the f value that is chosen, more of the shot could be in focus rather than just narrowly focusing on the subject?

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

I was told earlier in the thread that Av mode was the way to go for action because of the lens I bought. By locking in at 2.8 and raising the ISO, the camera chooses the fastest shutter speed. But I guess what you're saying is attempting to achieve the same ends...lock in a fast shutter speed and raise the ISO, and the camera will choose the best aperture width. And, depending in the f value that is chosen, more of the shot could be in focus rather than just narrowly focusing on the subject?

Yes. I'm not familiar with the 50D, do you have the ability to automatically adjust ISO?

I think I missed the earlier conversation, but I've personally never heard of shooting action in Av mode. All the sports photogs I know either go full manual or shoot Tv, as did I when I was shooting sports.

kepp · 11-13-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Yes. I'm not familiar with the 50D, do you have the ability to automatically adjust ISO?

I think I missed the earlier conversation, but I've personally never heard of shooting action in Av mode. All the sports photogs I know either go full manual or shoot Tv, as did I when I was shooting sports.

Yes, there is an auto ISO speed mode. So probably set it to auto ISO, lock in a fast shutter speed, and let the camera calculate everything else?

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

Yes, there is an auto ISO speed mode. So probably set it to auto ISO, lock in a fast shutter speed, and let the camera calculate everything else?

That's what I would try. If you can set a max on the auto-ISO, I would set it around 3200-6400. Depending on how well the camera handles the noise, higher could be very noisy. But at 3200, you should still be able to get a decent shutter speed at your available f-stops, even indoors.

It's been a long time, but back in the early 2000s, I think I shot indoor basketball at 3200, 1/1000th in Tv mode regularly. Now 1/1000th wasn't always fast enough, but it's what I had to work with at the time.

kepp · 11-13-2014, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

That's what I would try. If you can set a max on the auto-ISO, I would set it around 3200-6400. Depending on how well the camera handles the noise, higher could be very noisy. But at 3200, you should still be able to get a decent shutter speed at your available f-stops, even indoors.

It's been a long time, but back in the early 2000s, I think I shot indoor basketball at 3200, 1/1000th in Tv mode regularly. Now 1/1000th wasn't always fast enough, but it's what I had to work with at the time.

After some more reading, it seems that the max ISO that the auto setting will go to is 1600. I'm not sure that would be high enough for indoor gymnasium-type shooting.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

After some more reading, it seems that the max ISO that the auto setting will go to is 1600. I'm not sure that would be high enough for indoor gymnasium-type shooting.

Hmmm. Bummer. I'd still give it a go in Tv mode. Play around. If you don't like the results, switch. Or manually bump up your ISO - Tv mode will adjust the aperture as needed.

Are you the one planning to shoot young gymnasts? You might get away with 1/500 - these aren't elite athletes, so using a high shutter speed won't be as imperative (important, but not as important when shooting pro or even college since kids just don't move as fast).

GloryDayz · 11-13-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Why are you shooting aperture priority for fast action? You should shoot shutter priority so you can stop the action sufficiently and let the camera adjust the aperture. At f/2.8, you've got a pretty narrow focus plane, so if you can get by at 1/1000 while still at f/4 or something, you'll be better off. JMO.

And I believe on my 6D live view is only available in creative modes. Also JMO, but if you've got the money to spend on a 50D, you should know enough about your camera to never use the basic modes. Get comfortable in aperture and shutter priority modes, then move the M. Your camera should never be on that green square. *plink* *plink*

I might argue with you about that.... Years of doing this has taught me that aperture drive shutter speed, and aperture make the picture...

So, for sport where most folks want a small DoF, open-up that puppy, get the DoF you want, and the camera will go as fast as it can to get you that DoF. So I highly recommend it. Yes, you might get a bit of a blurr at time, but the alternative was an underexposed pic.

And last, between ISO and aperture, you can adjust the blur.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

I might argue with you about that.... Years of doing this has taught me that aperture drive shutter speed, and aperture make the picture...

So, for sport where most folks want a small DoF, open-up that puppy, get the DoF you want, and the camera will go as fast as it can to get you that DoF. So I highly recommend it. Yes, you might get a bit of a blurr at time, but the alternative was an underexposed pic.

And last, between ISO and aperture, you can adjust the blur.

I thought no a beginner will have much more success shooting at a fixed shutter if it allows him a wider focal plane. Telling a newb sports photographer to shoot wide open is trouble. Just my 2 cents. I think he'd have more success locking the shutter to freeze the action and letting the camera close the aperture a bit.

GloryDayz · 11-13-2014, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Yes. I'm not familiar with the 50D, do you have the ability to automatically adjust ISO?

I think I missed the earlier conversation, but I've personally never heard of shooting action in Av mode. All the sports photogs I know either go full manual or shoot Tv, as did I when I was shooting sports.

Well you might have just met your first sports photog who makes life easy with going Av over Tv. Again, DoF is king, and you hardly ever buy 2.8 glass without wanting to use it (for effect or low lighting).

GloryDayz · 11-13-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I thought no a beginner will have much more success shooting at a fixed shutter if it allows him a wider focal plane. Telling a newb sports photographer to shoot wide open is trouble. Just my 2 cents. I think he'd have more success locking the shutter to freeze the action and letting the camera close the aperture a bit.

With a 2.8 lens, with the DoF it'll give him, he's fine. That's why he bought the 2.8.

But we can agree to disagree.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-13-2014, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

With a 2.8 lens, with the DoF it'll give him, he's fine. That's why he bought the 2.8.

But we can agree to disagree.

We most certainly will not!

GloryDayz · 11-13-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

We most certainly will not!

Here's an article that I think sums-up my sentiment, while it doesn't say "Use AP for Sports", it does go into a little detail about the power of DoF. I've taught a few people "to shoot" and beyond the very basics, DoF is the first really practical that moves people beyond taking mere snapshots, or using the camera's ridiculous shutter speeds to stop a fly's wings (more credit to the camera than the photog).

http://digital-photography-school.co...sure-lesson-1/

Then this:

http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com...tter-priority/

And it's just heir opinion, "Why aperture priority mode is clearly the winner"....

I've spent WAAAAAY enough time shooting kids playing on dusty baseball diamonds and becuase I coach I not only get a great view, I also sometimes have to hand-over the camera to a Mom (and sometimes a kid!!). And I always taught them how to get the puff of dust from the catcher's glove, but blur all the dumbass parents in the bleachers. The puff is timing, the blurring of the dumb parents is all 2.8. And they always say something along the lines of, "wow, that's sooooo cool? Same with wrestling, and other venues where you want to see the kid and not the goofy parent-fans...

Then, in my next "Yes, you can hold and shoot my camera.....please" lesson, we'd work on the ball on the bat. After explaining that you don't need to set the shutter speed to 1/1000 or 1/2000, they'd get that shooting at 2.8 (and lose the goofy parents from the shot!), and using an ISO north of 800 gets you the same thing. Then, just because they seem to like it, I'd teach them to play with the ISO to blur the ball off the bat.

Again, seemingly ass-backwards, but I've helped Canon and Nikon see a few bodies and always a 2.8 to go with it...

But hey, maybe it's my good looks and warm personality that keep the hot Moms wanting to hold my stuff...

My camera stuff!!!

05-23-2013, 11:02 AM
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5259358	Camera Suggestions? Ok; so the wife and I are in the market for a camera. We previously had a Sony digital camera for about 10 years but the wife dropped it and now it won't hold any settings etc. So, it's time for another one. I'm by no means a professional photographer; but I also don't want some little $100 POS either. I'd like to have one that I could 'grow' into if I wanted to so to speak. I think My budget is about $400-$600. I was looking at the Nikon D3200 DSLR....though, admittedly, I'm not 100% what "DSLR" is. I like the design of it; I've held a few like it and they're much easier to hold IMO. Suggestions?
Posts: 37,355

11-10-2014, 02:41 PM	#271
GloryDayz (Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Diving Casino cash: $3615380	I have a kid in college, I think the 20D will suffer 20K-30K more cycles before it gets sent for scrap...
Posts: 115,313

11-13-2014, 10:30 AM	#272
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5399212	My 50D arrived yesterday and I tried it out for a short time last night. My first question: why is live view only available in the "creative zone" modes and not in the basic modes? Its not a big deal...just seems odd to me. Also, I've been reading in the manual about selecting the metering mode. I use the aperture priority mode for fast action shots...what metering mode should I use? It would seem to me that, when shooting action at F2.8, spot metering or center-weighted average metering would be better than the default evaluative metering. I'm thinking this because, at F2.8, the subject is pretty much the only thing that's going to be in full focus, so the metering of the background isn't as important. Is this true?
Posts: 14,490