Mike continues his list of recommended cameras. Mike knows his stuff.
The Olympus E-420 is a highly capable and highly compact camera (though missing image stabilization unlike its bigger brethren), and currently you can get it for around $400, which is yet another insanely good deal.
If you're in the market for a compact DSLR (exchangable lens camera), then the Nikon D5000 is an interesting newcomer. It includes a tiltable screen, which I like for high and low viewpoints when shooting.Update: article.
If on the other hand you have a weakness for big gear to boost your manhood, then this Sigma zoom may be just the thing.
Being a commercial photographer since the mid 70's, I have been lucky to have been been in contact with many different people, pieces of equipment, situations, locations, chemicals, films, techniques, cameras, helicopters, lenses, books, and other things related or involving photography. D-76 and Rodinal are in my veins, even though I have gone digital. I resisted it as long as I could, and since I have a couple of degrees related to the craft and business of professional photography, I feel the need to deliver a couple of statements.
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Along with the progress associated with digital photography and the software and computer aspect of it, we have all seen and read - and enjoyed great technology and capability. Being able to point an entire directory/folder full of digital images at software and have thumbnails almost magically created is still very cool and fun. There are lots of techniques and new possibilities regarding creating a photo image. Our phones even have cameras of course.
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My question is:
What about photography itself?
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Yes, anybody can push a button, but what about composition and design, color usage, color balance, proper focus, filtration, etc.?
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Many images I see (and you do too) show a cocked camera angle JUST so the subject will fit in the format - even diagonally. Images shot in incandescent light using DAYLIGHT settings on a digital camera are terrible. There are seemingly no standards anymore. Shooting an image of a beautiful model is always a great opportunity, but if the lady's eyes are out of focus - the shot is useless.
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All the technology in the world isn't going to create good images, and the so-called 'digital age' has poisoned the REAL craft of photography for the public.
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Seeing low quality in anything breeds more of the same. Entropy.
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I'd like to see a new gen of photography emerge - technical and automatic and digital, yes. But also following the rules and sense of quality. Ansel Adams, Gary Perweiler, Arthur Meyerson, Ron Scott, Eric Meola - would all agree with me.
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They're photographers. Commercial, yes - done for money.... but high respect for the craft and profession.
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999
During a great popularization of a technology, there will logically be a watering down of craft for a while. The same thing happened with desktop publishing.
ReplyDeleteFinally a nikon with a tiltable screen (like my coolpix990). Now if only they'd stop sending every function to a menue option three pages deep and put it as a knob or button (the way god intended!!) I'd be a much happier person.
ReplyDelete"Yes, anybody can push a button, but what about composition and design, color usage, color balance, proper focus, filtration, etc.?"
Oh pleeese! We dont have time for that.. were geniuses. :) I guess its the same as when the first 8mm video camera's came out. Everyone thought they'd be instant Capras. But at best they have nice memories of the family.. except for that Zaprueder fellow. :)
The bigger the telephoto lens, the smaller the dick. :-) Unless you're a professional, and if you're trying to get a photo of that outfielder you're going to need one.
ReplyDeleteThat Sigma is one HUGE lens! lol!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that dude's site! Thanks! :-)
I thought his pix of the model were actually much lovelier than what was on her website, too. :-)