Point & Shoot cameras

frodron · #1 08-20-2012, 09:03 AM

There is a relatively new site for Point & Shoot camera users that might be of interest to some members, namely:-
http://www.pointandshootphotography.net/

Therese Lydia · #2 08-24-2012, 04:37 AM

Hello, I just joined WC a few minutes ago. I am a mixed media artist in need of a camera that will take sharp pics of my textured paintings. My work varies from small to very large (6x6in to 5-9ft). Recently I had to engage a photographer to take pictures of my work as I had requests to have the images printed on large canvas. (between 30 - 48in+) It is just too costly for me to engage a professional. I would like to purchase a camera that has 18 -24+ MP is easy to use and has great auto features. I am not that familiar with all the technical terms but am willing to learn or take a course. If there is such a thing as a camera that does it all for you but has high res capabilities to have images enlarged to match the original size of the paintings - that would make my life a lot easier. Are the point and shoot camera what I am looking for?
Feedback is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Therese

frodron · #3 08-24-2012, 08:57 AM

That is an awful lot of megapixels & the short answer is that a point & shoot camera would not suit your needs.
I would say you are going to need a really good Digital Single Lens Reflex camera, DSLR for short,
I would suggest that you look at www.dpreview.com for the various suitable cameras on the market.
However, I think your best bet is to ask the advice of a good camera shop, but be prepared to splash the cash as it is not going to be cheap.
I would also suggest that you take a course in Basic Photography at least.
Sorry to be such a pessimist !

Therese Lydia · #4 08-24-2012, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the speedy reply. Any advise is helpful at this point. They told at the print shop that 12MP is just border line - 16 - 18 is better. So I think why not get at least that. I realize that prizes around 24MP range form $1000 - $8000. Getting advise from a camera shop is great but that also depends who you talk to. Taking a course is a sure thing for me once I have purchased my camera.

frodron · #5 08-25-2012, 09:44 AM

One thing to remember, not only is the quality of the lens important but the size of the camera sensor is also important.
A camera with say 16mp with a small sensor will not give you as good a picture as a 16mp camera with a large sensor.
If you take a look at dpreview or another site called www.cameralabs.com
you will see examples of shots taken by the camera reviewers plus expert opinions of the various cameras.
I would also suggest that you take a look at "Ephotozine" & "Digital Photography School" for some very good photographic tutorials
Remember there is no such thing as the perfect camera, all cameras have their good & bad points.
Good luck in finding a suitable camera.

Colorado_Ed · #6 10-23-2012, 06:09 PM

Thanks for this link! I am a new member and I recently bought a Canon Powershot G12 and I gave been using it for a couple of weeks now but nothing fancy.

Marmsk · #7 11-22-2012, 04:27 PM

Theresa, If you want to get a good photo for the purposes of reproduction you will also need a sturdy tripod and advice on centering etc.

**birdhs** · #8 11-25-2012, 10:24 PM

I took a Photography I course in my local community college. Excellent course at a realistic price. Plan to take Photo II soon as I buy a DSLR, the profs are friendly and very helpful. The money invested in learning and in the camera will pay back handsomely. and you will find yourself using the camera for pleasure also, photography is addictive!

greg

nes_matt · #9 12-01-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therese Lydia

Thanks for the speedy reply. Any advise is helpful at this point. They told at the print shop that 12MP is just border line - 16 - 18 is better. So I think why not get at least that. I realize that prizes around 24MP range form $1000 - $8000. Getting advise from a camera shop is great but that also depends who you talk to. Taking a course is a sure thing for me once I have purchased my camera.

To get what you are looking for in results you will want a good SLR. Also, you will want a good solid tripod and good lighting. A brand new canon 5DMkIII with a good telephoto lens (which you will want so you don't get distortion in your picture) will run you thousands, and if you don't get the light right you'll still get bad shots. And if you don't get the color management right in post processing you will not faithfully reproduce your art, which will bear your name and professional reputation.

I'm willing to bet the photographer you hired that was "just too costly" did a lot of work that you never saw or perceived to get you good images.

I'm not at all suggesting that you can't or shouldn't learn it and do it yourself. But I am suggesting that the photographer who is trained (formally or by the school of hard knocks) who takes his art seriously will do a better job with a cheaper camera than most people will do with top end gear they pick up on occasion. And, he'll be worth the compensation when your art is faithfully reproduced and carries the maximum impact.

FWIW, gear wise, I would suggest (only from the canon line as I don't know the Nikon personally):
Canon 7D or 5DMkII ($1200-$1800, 5D is a better camera) and the F4 70-200mm "L" lens (which is fabulously sharp) for another $1100. Then I would add a set of strobes (multiple) and some modifiers and light stands which can run you another $1000. So all in you'd end up at around $3300-$3900. Then go learn to use it.

In any case, you will be well outside the scope of a P&S.

frodron · #10 12-01-2012, 04:37 PM

If you are looking for a reasonably priced DSLR that should suit you, may I suggest a Nikon D3200. Check the specification, You might need an additional lens.
I have the Nikon D3100 & I am very pleased with it.

acerimusdux · #11 01-25-2013, 07:06 PM

The most affordable way to get the quality you would want for such large prints might even be to skip the DSLR and find a good used medium format film camera (120 or 220 film) with a good lens. But that would have something of a learning curve, and wouldn't have any of the convenience you want, such as the auto features, and you probably wouldn't want to use it for anyting outside of these in-studio photos. Plus, you would pay $25+ per 10 shot roll for film, developing, and high resolution scanning. And a newer modern model with the auto features will cost more than an entry level DSLR.

If you do go the DSLR route though, I'm not sure you need a big zoom lens. A good 50mm prime on full frame should cover everything from 6"x6" (from maybe a foot away) to 5'x9' (from maybe 12 feet away, if you have the room). Smaller focal lengths will keep the distance closer. For one of the less expensive DSLR, with smaller sensors (APS-C size), you might want only a 30mm prime. ( nes_matt, Are there really no distorition free lenses in standard focal lengths? Maybe I'm missing something).

Next, the absolutely cheapest new camera solution you should consider would probably be the Canon G1 X for around $600. That's a 14.3Mp model with an APS-C sensor (same as the entry level DSLRs). But really, the APS-C sensor size will only give maybe "acceptable" quality at sizes like 24-30 inches, when viewed from at least a foot and a half away. The new 16.3MP Fuji x100S is another APS-C sized fixed lens model, for around $1200, with an unusual sensor design that will allow it to outresolve other APS-C models; still not full frame, but maybe as close as you'll get at that price.

If you really want best quality at those sizes though, nes matt above is correct, you are looking at full frame models (larger sensor) like Canon 5D or 6D, or Nikon 600D, or D800, or if you prefer a fixed lens camera, the 24.3 MP Sony RX1. Any of which will run $2500+ for a complete solution. But at those image sizes you WILL notice the difference.

A key point here is megapixels don't matter as much as sensor size. The smaller sensor point and shoot zooms advertising 16+MP aren't delivering top image quality.

Another thought is, you could try renting the needed equipment for a weekend. But that doesn't give you much time to learn if you haven't done this before either. For best results you might want to find a pro with access to even better equipment than has been mentioned (such as maybe even medium format digital or large format film).

acerimusdux · #12 02-16-2013, 10:24 AM

Hmm, I guess I shouldn't have bothered, since it appears this thread is 6 months old.

Nonetheless, I think some of the above advice (including mine) may have been overkill. Of course if your doing this for a living, you probably do want the very best quality possible.

But, it does appear there are some pretty affordable solutions, including any entry level DSLR, or any mirrorless system camera (many now as low as $350 with kit lens). And even some of the larger sensor point and shoots, like Canon G15 or S110, Pentax MX-1, Olympus XZ-2, or Fuji X20 might have enough resolution to do a decent enough job at up to say, 24"x32" prints.

At least I wouldn't want to disuade anyone from giving it a try if budget is an issue.

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