A true pocket camera

[cfellows]

Chuck,

I wouldn't recommend the SD780 as a general purpose camera. Look into the Canon SX10 (my tool of choice). Smaller and lighter than an SLR yet has a x20 zoom. No interchangeable lenses but you won't develop scoliosis lugging it around Cabin Fever or wherever.

Marv, do you also have an SX10? If so, how is the macro capability?

Chuck

 

[mklotz]

I've got an SX10 (as well as an A630) and I rate its macro capabilities well above my photographic skills to utilize them.

In addition to the normal macro mode, the SX10 has a super macro mode which will focus on objects *touching* the lens.

This picture...

was taken with the cube touching the UV filter I use to protect the main lens. The filter is perhaps 5 mm from the main lens.

The real advantage of the SX10 is its 20X optical zoom (28-500 mm equivalent) in a compact package. It's smaller and, naturally, lighter than an SLR so much less onerous to carry about. Here's an example...

of its telephoto capability. The cranes were about 40 yards from me when I took this shot at near maximum lens extension.

I'm of the opinion that, like lathes, no one camera will satisfy all my needs. The A630 is a great camera, perfect when even the SX10 is too much to lug and I want better performance than I can get with the new SD780.

I just wish I were a better photographer. While I understand the physics and mechanization, I lack the artist's eye needed to do really good work. I keep promising myself to take some classes but I never get around to it.

 

[cfellows]

Yeow! The A630 is an expensive little bugger. What makes it so special?

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B000HAOVC6

Chuck

 

[mklotz]

That's absurd. It's a very good camera but it's not a $600 camera.

Prices are all over the map, apparently...

http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB8Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

I paid about $225 new from BuyDig.com and that was a couple of years ago.

 

[zeeprogrammer]

If it's any help...a few tips that can make a big difference in (non-macro) picture taking...

Divide your shot up into thirds...think of the tic-tac-toe game. Place points of interest at the intersection. Think S-curve (look it up).

Generally, people/animals/etc. (is there something else) should face into the picture. That is, there should be more room in the direction they're looking.

Watch the horizon. You don't want it half way through the shot. Move it up or down.

Look behind the people/animals/etc. You don't want a pole sticking out of their head.

In general, avoid symmetry. See the 'thirds' thing above.

For long shots, it helps to have something close up. For example, when shooting a valley or river, get a nearby tree branch or plants in view. Gives depth.

Just my couple of cents.

I worked as a photographer's apprentice for a while...back when you created the real picture in the dark room. I almost went into photography as a vocation but I saw the writing on the wall...a) it was going digital so the dark room was going to die and b) there's no money in it unless you want to do weddings. Okay okay...c) I wasn't good enough. ;D

Now you have some idea why I'm so %&*^%*(^$ crabby that my wife stole my camera.

 

[cfellows]

I don't know, Marv. For the price, I'm still liking the SD780. Walmart has it for $199. Their price for the SX780 is $359.00. I'm just not sure the 20x Optical Zoom and other features are worth the extra $160. I'm more into wide angle and macro shots.

The small size of the SX780 and the quality of those macro shots of the penny are very appealing. I'm going to be out looking tomorrow... May just come home with something.

Chuck

 

[mklotz]

Chuck,

SX780? I suppose that slipped by your proofreading?

By all means, buy the camera you need *for your application(s)*. Just be careful to assess your applications, present and future, accurately. A good camera will have a long lifetime and your uses for it may expand during that lifetime.

If I go on a trip, I want to photograph macro scenery as well as smaller items in museums and such without the need to carry several cameras or an SLR and an array of lenses. That makes the SX10 a good choice for me.

The telephoto capability is more than just taking pictures of distant subjects. It provides the ability to frame exactly the subject of interest within its surroundings. Do you need 20X zoom to do that? Probably not, but it fits what I do.

Whatever you ultimately decide, buy a camera from a company whose primary business is making cameras rather than, say, an electronics firm (e.g. Sony) who happens to also make cameras. I've owned Canons all my life and been very satisfied with them. Nikon is an excellent brand as well.

 

[mklotz]

Carl,

Thanks for all the picture-taking hints. I've read a lot of photography books so much of what you wrote is not new to me but it's still helpful to have it reinforced.

What I really lack is the "artist's eye" - that undefinable something that allows one to pick the one gut-grabbing artistic view from a jumbled, natural setting. I've managed it on occasion but more from accident than intent. I'd include some examples of what I'm talking about but I have yet to get around to digitizing forty years worth of 35mm slides.

I think artists are born so I doubt I'll ever master the "eye". But, like metalworking, I'll keep trying and having fun with the experiences along the way.

 

[cfellows]

Chuck,

SX780? I suppose that slipped by your proofreading?

.......

Yep, thanks for the correction. I mean SD780 and SX20. The latter superceded the SX10.

Anyway after a camera shopping marathon, I came home with a black SD780. It was decided by a $179.99 price tag at my local Costco. I also figured it was cheap enough that I could buy a second, higher end camera later on if I need it.

Thanks for all the info, Marv (and others).

Chuck

 

[mklotz]

I think you'll like it. Take a couple of snaps and show us the results.

Be sure to read about (pg. 68 in your manual) and try out the digital zoom mode.

Canon sells a case made especially for this camera. It's very nice and provides good protection for the camera if you need to keep it in a rough environment. The problem with the case is that it nearly doubles the thickness of the camera, making it inconvenient to carry in a shirt pocket. I bought some butter soft thin leather from the Tandy display at the local craft store and had my wife sew up a simple sleeve affair to protect the camera, especially the viewing screen, from scratches when I carry it in my pocket. That works out so well that I'm surprised some enterprising soul hasn't picked up the idea and started marketing something similar.

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Apologies for that Marv. I didn't mean for it to come across as directed at you.

Knowing as little as I do about you, I figured you'd be the type of person who likes to learn more about everything they do. ;D

It was meant as a general post for anyone wishing to improve their pics.

 

[mklotz]

No apologies required. I need all the reminding I can get.

Good onya for writing to the lurkers. I do a lot of that myself, operating on the theory that, given the membership statistics, there are far more lurkers reading this stuff than there are active participants.