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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 16, 2009 12:23:14 GMT -6
I know we have lots of photography mavens round these parts, so I'm hoping somebody can answer a question.
I have a digital SLR that I use for serious photography, but that isn't what the question concerns. It concerns my every-day digital point-and-shoot that goes everywhere with me, and probably takes the vast majority of my pictures.
The one I have now is about four years old, and is close to giving up the ghost. It has a small LCD screen, and a very nice optical view-finder. I need the optical finder, because the LCD is useless in sunlight.
However... browsing the new ones at Best Buy, I see that very few compact cameras offer optical finders these days. If I really want one, I can get one, but it will severely limit my choices.
So my question is: are LCD screens on the latest cameras that much better now? I figure that the optical finders were dropped for one of two reasons: either the LCDs are so much improved that we don't need the opticals any more, or else the camera makers just figure people are too stupid to realize they need them.
What do you guys think?.......Jake
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Post by Irish Stu on Aug 16, 2009 13:15:48 GMT -6
I'd love to help Jake but my four year old Sony DSC-P200 is still going strong and giving me faithful service, so I haven't had cause to read up on current 'point-and-shoots' to replace it.
Simon
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Aug 16, 2009 15:30:55 GMT -6
Jake Ann has a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 camera that we both have been very happy with. Large and bright screen, 28mm lens and 10x optical zoom. I bought a housing for it for diving use. I see that the current model, the TZ 50, appears to have WiFi connectivity. I highly recommend, with the caveat that I too prefer through the lens and find this camera difficult to use if Im not wearing my glasses.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 16, 2009 22:58:55 GMT -6
Interesting, Gordon, thanks. How is the screen in bright sunlight?
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Post by Robin Hood on Aug 16, 2009 23:28:18 GMT -6
Wish I could help Jake, but I shoot strictly a Nikon D5000 it has a swivel mounted LCD panel that is AMAZING!! I can shoot via eyepiece or live preview on the LCD panel. The AF when shooting via live preview can be agonizingly slow however, but for high angle and low angle shots it is really handy. I just got my new baby a few days ago, but have been shooting a lot of pictures with it and am really enjoying all the new features that my old Olympus DSLR just didn't have., that and you can't beat 12MP...woot!!!
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Aug 17, 2009 4:54:07 GMT -6
Interesting, Gordon, thanks. How is the screen in bright sunlight? I will verify it this afternoon Edited: Jake, its a bright sunny day, and just about solar noon. I had no problem viewing the camera's screen when positioned to take a photo with the sun at my back or over my shoulder. It was quite easy to identify all of the objects in front of me, though some of the details are slightly washed out. For point and shoot, I would have no problem framing the photo up, if I was trying to set up a professional type shot with careful arrangement of small objects, it could be difficult, though I would probably choose another camera for that task. Shooting into the sun (without a cap or anything to shield the eyes) is a different matter. Taking an acceptable "snapshot" would be doable if the composition were not an issue. Put a line of people up you might be able to pull it off, but it might just as well be dumb luck. Either way, taking that kind of shot violates so many rules of good photography, that you would probably deserve what you get anyways. In summary, I wouldnt ignore this camera for the lack of an optical viewfinder, but your tolerance might be different than mine. If you do buy one, make sure that its the first thing you check out when you get it home, and dont lose the receipt or the packing materials until you do
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Post by innit Geezer on Aug 18, 2009 12:15:41 GMT -6
My 6 year old Olympus stopped working and I'm also looking for a point and shoot camera. I found these underwater models interesting and you'll find the page full of good links, hope this helps. www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/10259.html
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 18, 2009 12:20:58 GMT -6
Thanks for the experiment, Gordon. I'm surprised that it is easier to read with the sun behind you; I would haven thought that would be toughest on the screen (but of course better for your photograph).......Jake (who knows better than to shoot with the sun behind his subject!)
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Aug 18, 2009 12:30:36 GMT -6
Jake, I think part of the problem was that I did not have anything to keep the sun out of my eyes, hence I was squinting a bit. Had I stood there, face into the sun for several minutes, or if I had a baseball cap on with the brim turned in a very uncool way to shade my eyes, it might have improved some.
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Post by Christinko on Aug 31, 2009 16:21:56 GMT -6
My limited intelligence opinion...get one with the view finder. Sometimes it's just needed. But what pisses me off with the view finder is that then I can't use the zoom feature because I can't see the zoom. Alas, it still does come in handy when needed.
I was a paid photographer in my early career and had all the gear, etc....gave it all up b/c my tiny Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph does everything I need it to. Just fabulous shots of everything with a camera smaller than my cell phone.
AND....Why cameras need more than 7.1 megapixels is beyond me.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 17:45:31 GMT -6
Here's an image from the underwater Fuji camera. It's feeding time in my tub/pond. Although the picture is acceptable, I guess it's best virtue is it's sturdiness on the beach and around the pool.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 17:49:37 GMT -6
Here I tried getting the lens half in and out of the water.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 17:53:55 GMT -6
Another attempt
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 1, 2009 17:54:14 GMT -6
Nice looking fish you have there Gaz. I hope you're having better luck with them than Bob is having with his Dachshund and the cat.
Simon
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 17:59:21 GMT -6
Check out how this fish (AKA, Mr. Creamsicle) is looking at the camera.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 18:02:34 GMT -6
At 27ยข each, love can be affordability fleeting, except for Mr. Creamsicle, he was $12.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 18:06:45 GMT -6
I trained Mr. Creamsicle to eat from my hand, no table scraps, nothing but a balanced diet of low cholesterol, low calorie shrimp parts.
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 1, 2009 18:10:35 GMT -6
Check out how this fish (AKA, Mr. Creamsicle) is looking at the camera. He's a natural in front of the camera Gaz. You must be very proud of him. Simon
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 18:18:00 GMT -6
For $12 I expect nothing but the best behavior and conduct. I've already been contacted by the Miami Sea Aquarium about his talents but I can't comment during contract negotiations. (is it me or does he need to shave?) I'll ask wardrobe!
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Post by bigdog8088 on Sept 1, 2009 18:57:57 GMT -6
Gary, do you leave them in the pond all winter?..
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 1, 2009 19:33:45 GMT -6
I'm at that crossroad soon. I can either bring them to my brothers natural pond with moving water or get a low voltage water heater for the tub. I suspect the tub will be frozen solid by mid-December, it's in the shade and it's cast iron.
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 2, 2009 1:19:51 GMT -6
For $12 I expect nothing but the best behavior and conduct. I've already been contacted by the Miami Sea Aquarium about his talents but I can't comment during contract negotiations. (is it me or does he need to shave?) I'll ask wardrobe! You'll need to make sure you get him a good agent and publicist. Simon
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Post by Chicago Jake on Sept 2, 2009 2:29:47 GMT -6
Gary, I realize that we have a proud tradition of thread drift on this board. But still, I started this thread to try to learn something about LCD screens in sunlight. Couldn't you have posted your goldfish portraits in a new thread somewhere? Starting new threads is free, after all.
Natural drift is one thing, and amusing. Blatant hijacking is something else entirely.
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Post by nolaflacav on Sept 2, 2009 5:55:23 GMT -6
Gary, I realize that we have a proud tradition of thread drift on this board. But still, I started this thread to try to learn something about LCD screens in sunlight. Couldn't you have posted your goldfish portraits in a new thread somewhere? Starting new threads is free, after all. Natural drift is one thing, and amusing. Blatant hijacking is something else entirely. We need air marshals in random threads. Hijacking is serious and needs to be curtailed immediately. What's an LCD screen? (just to keep on point)
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 2, 2009 6:00:46 GMT -6
And plungers... drifted threads need random plungers.
Simon
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 2, 2009 6:06:50 GMT -6
Pipe threads rarely need plunging, typically a little thread compound or tape is used at elbows, joints or nipples is sufficient.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 2, 2009 6:08:37 GMT -6
Gary, I realize that we have a proud tradition of thread drift on this board. But still, I started this thread to try to learn something about LCD screens in sunlight. Couldn't you have posted your goldfish portraits in a new thread somewhere? Starting new threads is free, after all. Natural drift is one thing, and amusing. Blatant hijacking is something else entirely. We need air marshals in random threads. Hijacking is serious and needs to be curtailed immediately. What's an LCD screen? (just to keep on point) I do know that an LBD is Lick Bob's Dachshund
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 2, 2009 6:10:04 GMT -6
Gary, might I suggest this for winter prepping your tub... fishing the "down south" way... toss in a stick of dynamite and see what floats to the surface.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 2, 2009 6:44:57 GMT -6
Natural drift is one thing, and amusing. Blatant hijacking is something else entirely.Jake -- I'm sorry. I didn't intentionally try to divert or alter your thread, actually I was just having fun last night, nothing more. Last week I provided a link which was extremely helpful to camera selection which was directed toward you. (the web site is excellent I hope you looked at it) Since I was also in the market for a camera and purchased one recommended by that link, I thought I'd post a few pictures. Still however, I'll be more careful in the future.
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Post by Tex on Sept 2, 2009 6:46:02 GMT -6
Gary, might I suggest this for winter prepping your tub... fishing the "down south" way... toss in a stick of dynamite and see what floats to the surface. "Telephoning" them with an old magneto works too.
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