How can I tell if images are OK from a camera

DayDreamer

DayDreamer

Messages
3,739
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
Reading this forum does your head in :eek:

At one time I looked through old photos & thought they looked OK but not now :eek:

I used to have fond memories of my old cameras abilities before reading this forum :eek:

Can a specific model of camera vary in consistency or are they made to exacting quality control standards?

So if I get my hands on a camera, & in my case either enthusiast compact or small CSC, what methodical steps should I take it through to establish it's qualities, or lack of qualities. i.e the range of test shots needed.

I ask the question as so far this past few months I have managed to have a go 'as it were' with Canon S100 (friends), Panny G3 (friends), Panny G2 (owned & sold), Fuji X10 (owned & sold), Nikon D3100 (friends), Canon 550D (sons), Sony A65 (sons) & my current camera Nikon P7700. I missed the chance to put them through a test as I just fired off a few shots with each without going through a logical process.

So after rambling - in summary I need a 'sure fire' way of persuading myself if I buy do I really want to keep what I have bought.

PS Can't use a DSLR as my health problems means they are too big & heavy to hold.
 
Last edited:
I think that in your case usability is perhaps more important than usual so check how the camera feels to hold, operate and use. If you're happy that's one of the main things sorted.

I suppose you should also think about what, how and when you're going to shoot.

If you're going to shoot mainly stationary or slow moving things in good light then I suppose pretty much any camera will do but if you are going to shoot fast moving things or shoot in low light then those requirements could change what gear you should be looking at.

If you can decide what you mainly shoot (landscape and family perhaps? something else?) you can then shoot it... and examine the results and if they're good enough for you I don't think it's worth worrying too much if a different camera could be slightly better...

At the moment I use my G1 more than I use my 5D. You've had a couple of G1 tsyle cameras in your hand and in fact you owned a G2 so maybe they're not for you but somewhere out there is a camera that'll suit you just fine :D
 
Blimey John thats a tough question indeed, I rather counted on you having seen your posts as someone who knows a lot about photography. Only been at it about 10 years myself but always oddly considered any shortcomings were down to me,, all I have ever done is read reviews and discussions from on here. I accepted a CSC or a compact will always have limitations but to be fair none that I could push beyond its limits.
One let down I have is my PP I cant really get further than the very basics and can now appreciate that my images suffer for that more than any thing to do with the camera. On reflection I have rather settled down to the fact that I only get my best shots in good light and even to the point that if there are no shadows cast by the sun I don't really bother or expect to much in the way of results. Good luck in your search and make sure you just enjoy what you do with your camera and try not to over analyse the results past the basics of good composition and good light. Regards.
 
simo said:
One let down I have is my PP...
Click to expand...

I think this is one area in which what you choose can affect the results as the quality of out of the camera JPEG's does seem to vary. One thing that's pretty certain is that newer cameras tend to produce much punchier JPEG's than older ones, for example my 20D produced very flat looking JPEG's, and these days you can get lots of film modes and effects.
 
Thanks for your input Simon & Alan.

As I said I always felt reasonably happy with any of my shots until I joined TP :eek: it has made me loo far more deeply into all aspects of the end result. And one issue that has cropped uptime and time again is blown highlights. And there's me thinking the white in the sky was fluffy white clouds :lol:

The best bit of advice I read in the early days on TP was shoot for the highlights and let the shadows take care of themselves. With my purchase of LR4 this latter statement starting making even more real sense.

Because I am often housebound & sometimes bedbound I can't get out & take them so enjoy learning new PP skills from YouTube Tutorials.

What I would like to take shots of and what my body will let me really are two very different things. My choice was always landscapes & architectural/buildings but now I am floundering as I am not mad on Fungi, Flowers, Bugs & such. So trying to find a new way & may mean trying to find another camera hence the post. I'm not sure my Nikon P7700 was the right choice.

When I get my hands on something new I go for a number of macros, shots of the nearby (50 yards away) river, sky through trees and even with this small handful get the magnifying glass out :clap:
 
Hi John I guess being creative makes us all self critical and looking back and trying to get it just right is part of that process. Compositional skills I find difficult let alone what the camera can do or not. Here are some links that have some good ideas for indoor projects which i have looked at during this long bleak winter, might give you a new idea or two. Regards.

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tag/indoor-photography/

http://www.photoplusmag.com/2012/11/09/top-10-rainy-day-photography-projects/

http://news.dphotographer.co.uk/news/top-ten-rainy-day-projects/

http://photoforbeginners.com/competitions/62/indoor_projects_competition
 
Simon thank you so much for your help it is very kind of you :clap:
 
Hi John, I too have similar issues, I would suggest the fuji x100/x100s, light and more than capable if you can manage with a fixed 35mm lens.

If not the X-E1 or X-Pro1, the latter solved all my problems to the point where I cant understand how I managed without it.
Either camera with any of the lenses is amazingly light yet the quality of images is amazing, make sure if you try one to try it with the optional grip as I find it makes a huge difference to the handling.
 
iancandler said:
Hi John, I too have similar issues, I would suggest the fuji x100/x100s, light and more than capable if you can manage with a fixed 35mm lens.

If not the X-E1 or X-Pro1, the latter solved all my problems to the point where I cant understand how I managed without it.
Either camera with any of the lenses is amazingly light yet the quality of images is amazing, make sure if you try one to try it with the optional grip as I find it makes a huge difference to the handling.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ian but not sure how far my OAP will stretch :eek:
 
Not sure there are that many real lemons out there these days John. All should be capable of producing half decent shots. I would spend some time with a copy of What Digital Camera comparing specifications to see which models go wide/long enough for your tastes.

Knowing a little of your issues, I would steer you away from any interchangeable lens system - too fiddly and you probably don't want the hassle and potential drop problems... Of course, you could go for a CSC of some sort with a single superzoom type lens or make the length decisions before heading out but we've all played that game and wished we had an option!

As for the range of test shots... Well, the brick wall is always a popular choice to see how much distortion is evident along the edges and if the bricks are textured, they can be a good test of sharpness too. A shot of the same scene at 3 different lengths (and maybe [if selectable] a few aperture settings) to see if the sharpness is up to what you want/need. In your case especially, maybe a few shots to see if you can handhold the rig at shutter speeds available when you're likely to be out and about.

The electrician's supposed to be coming today to do the last bit of non DIY in the conservatory so I'll be free soon to pop down with a few things that might be of use. For the time being though, stick with the P7700 and wring the best you can out of it - it might be all you need!
 
Nod said:
Not sure there are that many real lemons out there these days John. All should be capable of producing half decent shots. I would spend some time with a copy of What Digital Camera comparing specifications to see which models go wide/long enough for your tastes.

Knowing a little of your issues, I would steer you away from any interchangeable lens system - too fiddly and you probably don't want the hassle and potential drop problems... Of course, you could go for a CSC of some sort with a single superzoom type lens or make the length decisions before heading out but we've all played that game and wished we had an option!

As for the range of test shots... Well, the brick wall is always a popular choice to see how much distortion is evident along the edges and if the bricks are textured, they can be a good test of sharpness too. A shot of the same scene at 3 different lengths (and maybe [if selectable] a few aperture settings) to see if the sharpness is up to what you want/need. In your case especially, maybe a few shots to see if you can handhold the rig at shutter speeds available when you're likely to be out and about.

The electrician's supposed to be coming today to do the last bit of non DIY in the conservatory so I'll be free soon to pop down with a few things that might be of use. For the time being though, stick with the P7700 and wring the best you can out of it - it might be all you need!
Click to expand...

Hi Nod - me thinks I would (perhaps, possibly, maybe) have been better off with the XF1, or something like the Canon S110, or take up crotchet. It would be good to see you as I can still 'talk the talk' (photography) even though my fingers 'shutter count' is at an all time low.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top