Anyone using a digital cmaera to enhance their design work?
I have a cheapy pocket type for snapping vehicles and site locations, but I think it's time to grow up.
I'm looking at getting an SLR-type digital but have no idea where to start. Since I'm going into the digital printing arena I'd like to have the best I can. I'd like to use it for everything, from capturing textures to hi-resolution pics for digital prints to snapping finished work for portfoilos.
Anyone gone through this that can help?
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
There have been several topics in this in the last year - maybe try a search? Good luck!
Posted by Steve Eisenreich (Member # 1444) on :
Nikon baby, you will not by disappointed. I have had the chance to use an D2x very nice camera.
Posted by Steve Eisenreich (Member # 1444) on :
double post oops
[ May 20, 2006, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: Steve Eisenreich ]
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I use photography to enhance my design work and I use design work to enhance my photography - they really work hand-in-hand.
Digital SLR's are pretty much all the same in comparable catagories. Canon and Nikon are basically the only real players and it doesn't matter which brand you choose, you're going to be happy with either one considering you're starting out fresh. A camera is just a box that records light and it's completely up to YOU *how* the photos come out so that's why brands don't matter. Some features may be a little nicer from one to the other but you just gotta make a choice and stick by it.
I gravitate towards Canon. I just got used to their point&shoots namely the powershot G2 which was a pretty sweet camera in its time, and decided to stick with them. Now, I have quite an investment into Canon's EF (EOS) lenses so I don't plan on switching away from Canon for a very long time.
Anyway, here's a list of cameras that will suit you just fine:
Canon _______ Digital Rebel (300D) - 6MP - $600 Rebel XT (350D) - 8MP - $675 10D - 6MP - $800 new (should find plenty used ones sheaper) 20D - 8MP - $1,000 30D - 8MP - $1350 5D - 13MP - $2900 1D Mark II N - 8MP - $3,500 1Ds - 11MP - $5,000 1Ds Mark II - 16.7MP - $6,900
Only problem with Hassies is you won't be shooting anything that's moving at all. The huge imaging sensors are just too slow for action.
The camera itself is a teeny tiny portion of the investment.
You'll spend way more money on acquiring lenses to be used for various situations and not to forget lighting for different setups too.
Sure is nice though when a customer is using you to design printed stuff for them and they need photos and you can supply them too, making yourself a one-stop shop.
I just wrapped up design on 4 different posters. They use the same layout since it's a team deal, but each poster has photos of a different competitor. Not only is there design fees on each poster but license fees for use of the photos as well. If I weren't such a nice guy I'da charged 'em a fee to shoot the photos in the first place on top of that but I was already at the race shooting everyone else anyway.
A digital camera is one of those things where, if you have one and you have the skills and it's not making any money for you, you're just an idiot. Photography just blows the doors WIDE OPEN to the creative potential, especially if you own (or have access to) digital printing equipment.
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Nikon D2x, and make sure you take a class on useage/function if the dealer offers one. After a two hour class my Son was ready to boogie. Its proving to be a great help in the Studio with layout submittals showing new signage on existing buildings and landscapes.
P
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Doug -
I just bought a Canon Digital Rebel XT (8 megapixels) and love it!
I also bought a (ttl - through the lens) programable flash and a 17-85 Canon Lens and a 70-300 mm Canon lense. Both Lenses are the "Stabilization" lenses offered only by canon....you can have a shakey hand and the lenses compensate for it and take a brilliantly focused shot. They cost more than their standard lenses but are well worth it in my opinion. It's like a stabilization feature on a camcorder. It can be turned on or off too.
I suggest B&H Photo for a good price and service. Mike turned me on to this setup and I've been very pleased.
You can also go full manual, or a variety of programable modes. Action shots are frozen in their tracks.
The camera is very highly rated.
You can check out exhaustive reviews at dpreview.com
Posted by Doug Phillips (Member # 5708) on :
Thanks all! You all have given me great advice and pointed me in the right direction. I'll let you all know (after doing my assigned homework) what I end up with. Thanks again!
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Thumbs up for the Nikon from my corner....
I just took a bunch of shots today for an upcoming project. Use mine all the time, very handy tool, along with PhotoShop!
Good luck
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
A lot of good advice here.
As far as the Canon vs Nikon, that debate will go on forever.
According to most digital reviews from lab reports, Canon seems to have the edge with the sensor.
All and all, the best camera is only as good as the lens attached to it.
Generally speaking, a $4000 12 mega-pixel camera body with a mediocre lens will not give as good an image as $700 8 mega-pixel camera body with a quality lens (generally speaking)
Like Mike said, you will spend more for lenses than the body if you are looking for quality images.
Prime lenses (non-zoom) generally offer better quality. The zoom lenses (18-55mm)that are offered with cameras as "kits" are more for convenince, and really do lack the quality optics compared to prime lenses. The price alone should be an indicator.
For quality, a prime lens is the best bet, such as a 50mm 1.4, or an 85mm 2.8, etc.
Also, generally speaking, the larger the lens aperature the better. A 50mm 1.4 will allow in more light than a 50mm 1.8, and generally speaking, a better image.
Also be aware of where you buy from. There are a lot of great deals on the web that are too good to be true. One site that sells a certain camera for $700, compared to most of the others sites that sell it for $1000, is probably selling a "gray market" camera. A "gray market camera" is usually made in China, or Malaysia, (not Japan) and does not carry the same USA warranty.
I would suggest BH photo.
I hope this helps.
Peace out, Bob
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Doug - Bob and Mike are correct about the lenses.
Even the lenses I purchased, which were roughly $500 each, don't have as large of apperture settings as some of the even more expensive lenses.
But those "pro" lenses can easily start at $1000 apiece...so you have to weigh your budget in comparison to what you expect to achieve from your photography....
I've been very happy with the Canon EF "S" lenses I purchased. Like the stabilization and the optics are all real glass.
Bob makes a great point - Spend a little more and buy USA warranted gear from an manufacturer authorized camera seller - - BH Photo is a good source. They're out of NY.
Let us know what you end up getting. Nikon or Canon are superb choices.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
We have two Nikons and MANY lens. As stated the camera body is small in comparison to the money you will spend on lens and lighting equipment. I dropped $1200 yesterday on Pocket wizard remote flash units and a light meter. You will probably not need such things as the cameras have very good metering systems. I shoot weddings and High School seniors so I need to get my settings quick.
I wouldn't get caught up in the MEGAPIXEL wars either. If you get a 6 MP you're ok. I would look for ease of use more than anything else. A digital SLR used to it's full potential with take many months of fiddeling with to learn. I know a lot of people with SLR's and they shoot on FULL AUTO setting.
A good Nikon entry level SLR is the D50. It comes as a kit with a decent lense (approx. 18-75mm I think). You can then get an SB600 or SB800 speed lite (flash unit) and be pretty well set.
good luck with your purchase.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
Heres a shot from Saturdays wedding.
Nikon D70 Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 F 5 Shutter 1/100 ISO 640 flash from SB800
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Yep Jerry's right, don't get too wrapped up in megapixels. More resolution only gives you bigger images, not better ones, and you'd be surprised what you can print from a 6 or 8MP image - like bus and semi trailer wraps and billboards... or a sweet 40"x60" action shot placed at your tent to catch some attention at a sporting event.
The 8MP sensor in the Canon 20D already out-resolves even the finest optics you can get. The pixels are so tightly compacted together that when you view an image at 100% (pixel size) on-screen, there won't be a crisp line in the shot.
Also a note about aperatures in lenses. Yes an f/1.4 lets in more light than an f/1.8 or f/2.8 but in real world use it really doesn't come into play for image quality. An f/1.4 lens that "produces a better image" than an f/1.8 probably does so only because the optics themselves are built to tighter tolerances in order for the manufacturer to achieve an acceptable image at the larger aperature. That's why larger aperature lenses are usually more expensive. Also when using autofocus, you'll get more accurate focus on a lens with a larger aperature because regardless where the aperature is set on the camera, the lens is always "wide open" when focusing to let in as much light as possible.
The downside to a large aperature is you get a very shallow depth of field (or depth of focus). if using a 50mm lens set at f/1.4 and your subject, say a person, is 5-6ft away, your depth of focus is going to be 2-3 inches deep, enough to get the eyes in complete focus and not much else. Close it down to f/8 and now you can get the rest of the face in focus. Close it further to get things like shoulders, arms and hands in focus.
And once you figure out how to use the gear, there's still learning the post processing work like color correction.
[ May 22, 2006, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
The Nikon D2x is an amazing camera. I will, however, cast my vote for the D70. It is a fine camera in it's own right, has many bells and whistles, has an integral flash that is good as a fill flash for off the cuff outdoor shots, has excellent ease of use, and you don't need to mortgage your house to afford one .
You can get very acceptable results using it in full auto mode like a point and shoot until you learn all the tricks.
I got one as a travel camera so I don't have to tear apart my F100 macro rig. Since the two cameras can share lenses I can still make good use of the glass that I already own. I am very pleased with the D70 and feel that it is an excellent value for the price.
Posted by Doug Phillips (Member # 5708) on :
Thanks again guys!
What lenses should I be looking at?
Types of shots I'll be doing.
1. Very close (macro) for capturing textures. Or something I can use effectively without getting a lot of distortion. 2. Distance for shooting buildings. 3. Mid-range for shooting signs & vehicles (portfolio stuff). 4. Action for my son (he almost never stops moving). I realize this is more of a camera setting area but there are lenses for this as well, right?
Am I a rookie or what? Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
I picked up ----of all things----a Kodak Z740 a while back. 5 megapixel, 10x optical zoom, and 5x digital zoom. Price less than $300. All kinds of settings on it. Screen or optical viewfinder. For what I want, it works great. Consumer Reports gave it a "best buy" a short while back. Mid range to be sure, but still not bad at all.
bill preston
Posted by Doug Phillips (Member # 5708) on :
What formats do the SLR's save the file as -- JPEG, TIFF what? TIFF is preferred.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mike Pipes:
And once you figure out how to use the gear, there's still learning the post processing work like color correction.
I usually turn the lights down when its time to get romantic Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
I agree about Nikons and Canons both making great cameras. I was a huge Nikon fan, but recently Canon has won my favour.
I've got a wonderful little Canon camera right now that takes some dandy shots. It's the PowerShot A75 (I'm sure they probably don't make them anymore) Only 3.2 mp. and less than 200 bux. My next camera upgrade would be a Canon, in the 6-8 megapixel range.
Here's a shot I took of Silvia, one of my cats. (yes, she really has two different coloured eyes) As many of you know, animal's eyes can be pretty tricky to photograph. Keep in mind this was taken with a relatively inexpensive camera compared to the ones you all have listed here.
I have also taken shots for large format printing of posters for clients with surprisingly awesome professional quality. I'll post those on the portfolio page someday when I have more time. I've been very impressed with the results I've gotten from this little camera.
I'd stick with Canon. ~nettie
[ May 23, 2006, 08:13 AM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Nettie, that is a great shot of your cat!
David Bowie eyes.
Some of my best shots were with a Sony Cybershot 1.3 mp. That camera has some great glass, and shoots some fantastic macro shots.
Peace out, Bob
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Janette -
That's a phenomenal shot! Very nicely composed and I love the bands of light and shadow cast across your cat's face.
Beautiful....and that goes to show you how nice compact digital cameras have come.
I also have a Fuji F10 which I really love. It'It was highly rated and has proved to stand up to it's reviews. It suffers with the inability to take decent "action" shots - which most compacts have a problem with....and is one of the reasons I wanted an SLR digital too.
But for typical shots, the compacts are very nice....and I use my Fuji quite a bit. It's nice to be able to stick a camera in your pocket instead of always lugging around *big bertha.*
Here's a couple sample from the pocket camera...of a cardinal that flew into our slider glass. He was stunned and sitting on our deck for about 15 minutes before he got his senses back and flew off.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Awesome detail on that cardinal, and the look in his eye! hahaha Love it!
I really love good photography. Both looking at it, and being able to capture it once in awhile too.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Janette - he must have had one huge headache! His eyes were mostly shut for about 10 minutes or so.
You can see in the pics above that he was j-u-s-t starting to crack them open. He was probably afraid he'd see the inside of a cat's belly. Hahaha.
Have a good one.
Edit: spelling
[ May 23, 2006, 09:17 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
Janette, I agree.. phenominal shot!
I'm voting for Nikon and Canon. Now here's something to consider. The new D2X is amazing for studio work, and anything you're going to be using to print in large format. Justifying the expense of a D2X isn't easy for everyone though. I needed a replacement for a dated Sony Mavica, and didn't want to fork over the big bucks yet for a pro SLR, so we went to eBay. Used Nikon D1, and Nikkor Lenses. ( we actually bought 2 cameras, and 2 lenses for less than $1000 bucks. The D1 is only 2.7 megapixels, so your shot's won't be as crisp for high res large format prints, but for everything else the color balance, speed, and durability of the camera seems incredible. The bonus is that you can take it home and shoot your kids soccer game and end up with some amazing pictures. We went with the used D1 over a new D70 for two reasons. We liked the feel of the D1, and we liked having such a bullet proof, heavy duty body that would stand up better to teh day to day abuse of being used in a production plant, ad shots, shipping dept, motorcycle races, river trips, etc.. Magnesium body, vs. plastic etc. not better, but better for our needs.
Nikon D1 Nikkor 28-70mm 1/1250 sec F/4.5 ISO 400 (Need a faster lens!) Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
Here are a few more.
the first one was shot with the D1, no flash at all, in a local sign shop for one of our future ads. Compressing the image for the board here doesn't do alot for the image quality, or the color, but my vote is still for the Digital SLRs from Nikon and Canon. Also, remember a few more things with the Nikon D1, and most Digital SLR's, This means that, like other digital SLR's the D1 features a focal length multiplier of 1.5x, thus a 28 mm lens on a D1 has an equiv. focal length of 42 mm. Keep this in mind when purchasing a Digital SLR and Lenses. Ask your sales professional ALOT of questions.
Nikon D1 Nikkor 28mm 1/160 sec F/3.5 ISO 200 No flash
Don't be afraid of inexpensive digital cameras either. On my recent honeymoon, we forgot our camera and had to stop and buy a cheepie ($70 Poloroid 3 Megapixel with 2 250MB SD cards at 20 bucks a pop) and thought we'd have some "ok" snap shots. Some of the pictures turned out really good.
Here's one of my wife near the rockies west of Butte Montana. I'll post the link for two reasons ( yes she's fully clothed.. sheeesh...) but it's a large format, and you have the choice of going to view it or not. Great picture for such a simple cheap camera.
Those Supermoto guys creep me out though, that riding style just looks alien on the road. Pick up your feet man! Get that knee down!
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Actually, that focal length multiplier thing is all a myth. It affects the crop of the image and that's the end of it. Everything else in the shot will be identical. Some people seem to think their 300mm lens suddenly becomes a 450mm lens giving them greater reach - uhh.. no.. you get the same reach as a 300mm lens but now you get the same framing as a 450mm lens on a full frame camera. When you're shooting it doesn't really matter, just frame the shot however you want it and that's what you get, crop factors don't even come into play.
Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
Thanks for clearing that up Mike. It is cool to see that the good people on this board have stuck around.
Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
Andy, sounds like you know bikes.. I love Supermoto! I just sold my Aprilia Mille and bought a KTM 450. It's getting the 17 in ch Supermoto Wheels soon, and yeah I know.. strange to not have the knee down on the asphault, but with a background in dirt bikes as well it will be a blast still. Taking pictures of it all is a blast too, especially Digital since you can instantly see how your shot turned out, and immediatly know if you have to adjust exposure. Another thing I love about the new SLR nikons and Canons is how fast they are.. my outdated D1 shoots 4.5 frames per second, and to me that's still plenty fast to rattle off a bunch of shots without having to wait for them to save to the card ( it will buffer 21 shots in raw format at about 3 megs per shot before making you wait for the card to catch up) the new Canons and Nikons I believe will buffer 40 or 50 high res raw format shots. Amazing
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