The OFFICIAL Throwdown Photography Tips Thread

deguerre · Nov 9, 2011

caseydog said:
Now, go away, yer botherin' me. :heh:

CD :becky:

No no no no no! It's "Don't go away mad, muskrat. Just go away."

:becky:

cmcadams · Nov 17, 2011

I've been using my iPhone for fun as a camera here and there, and will be upgrading to a 4s with a much better camera. I actually prefer that to my wife's point and shoot... Mainly because of the apps that I can use on the phone, and even take the photos within the app. There are TONS of them, but the ones I have had found most useful without spending a lot of cash are:

Big Lens... You can mimic, somewhat, wide aperture lenses... Here's an example I played around with (didn't spend any time on it, really). I'd do this more on the iPad for more control.

298827_10150354703561559_569771558_8438364_1151932863_n.jpg

Camera+ (no example) gives more camera-like controls, with a timer, stabilizer, burst mode and some other really nice features. I'm using this to take all photos originally, then move to other apps to mod.

Photo Toaster is great for white balance, tint, filters, etc. And another app that I'm having fun with by the same company is Mobile Monet, which makes photos look like graphic novel art, with lots of adjustments and ability to apply color only where desired.

vs.

cmcadams · Nov 17, 2011

CD, what do you think, if you even look at them, of the nikon d7000 vs. d5100, or have you heard of a d7000 upgrade?

caseydog · Nov 17, 2011

I haven't tried either one, but someone asked about the D5100 in another thread, and based on the information I could find online, it looks like a pretty good camera.

CD

cmcadams · Nov 17, 2011

I'm thinking d7000, even with the extra cost, due to the build quality and materials and weather sealing, though I think the articulated screen is great on the d5100.

I'd thought I would go with the d700, but the d7000 is apparently very close in what it produces, for half the money. Full frame is attractive, but not needed for my measly skillset with a camera. I do want a 70-200mm vr 2.8 lens, though!

Gore · Dec 19, 2011

This is a great price on a great camera. It is the one I mostly use now. The S100 came out and I think they are dumping these.. I love it because it is good in low light and also I can fit it in my pocket comfortably, so it is great for traveling. If anyone is interested in a camera this time of year, I recommend it strongly. This is about $70 cheaper than I've ever seen them before and I expect they're just dumping their stock on hand for the new model, so if you're interested, you should act fast.

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD: Camera & Photo@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519z3AjKzHL.@@AMEPARAM@@519z3AjKzHL

The price is $229.

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

^^^Unavailable. I saw it lasts night at $269 and almost pulled the trigger. If I can find it for around $200 I might just pick one up and wait on the S100

Found this link on slickdeals.

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD: Camera & Photo@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519z3AjKzHL.@@AMEPARAM@@519z3AjKzHL

Ok, it is the same link I guess but it takes you to a page that says it is unavailable. However, follow the link below and then click on the Amazon link and it should work.

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/656...-f2.0-lens-raw-mode-digital-camera-w-hd-video

Gore · Dec 19, 2011

That link worked when I posted it. I even checked it after I posted.

Thanks for the heads-up though. :thumb:
I'd be surprised if this goes any lower.

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

Yeah, that is what I am debating. It is a great deal but then I wonder if it won't come up cheaper after the holidays as retailers try to clear out inventory.

Also, that slickdeals link has some accessories listed. Looks like decent deals on extra batteries and cases and such.

Gore · Dec 19, 2011

I don't think it will be around after the holidays. They have a replacement in the new S100. I was hoping they had one when I get home from work today, because I'm thinking of buying a spare. :roll: I would think the big question for you is how much that GPS in the new model is worth.

For the record, that is frontpage on slickdeals with 475 comments so far today. I'm surprised they still have any in stock.

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

Yeah, frontpage items don't last too long. You are a bad influence. I weened myself off of slickdeals last year because I was buying too much crap because it was a good deal.

Gore · Dec 19, 2011

I try only to use the search functions on slickdeals and avoid the frontpage altogether. :roll: It's a great way to check prices. The geo-caching functions on the S100 still sound great. You could probably pick that one up next year for about $250 if you don't pull the trigger on this. :becky:

caseydog · Dec 19, 2011

I don't know that I would get a spare. As the race for more and more megapixels seems to be subsiding, a lot of effort is going into improving image quality on the chips they have. I would not be surprised if, in addition to GPS, the S100 has less noise and a wider range of ISO sensitivity.

I also notice the S100 has a 24mm wide angle vs. 28mm. That matters on a small chip. Faster shutter. 5X vs 3.8X zoom. Higher resolution movie mode (1080P).

CD

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

It is in my cart. I probably will grab this and then evaluate what I want and if I want to change as my Alaska trip approaches next fall.

As far as slickdeals, I was much worse than you. I would actually go into the Hot Deals forum and browse all of the deals. Much like here, I would see what was new and then refresh to see what was even newer. I scored some great deals but also bought stuff I really didn't need based soley on the fact that it was a great deal.

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

caseydog said:
I don't know that I would get a spare. As the race for more and more megapixels seems to be subsiding, a lot of effort is going into improving image quality on the chips they have. I would not be surprised if, in addition to GPS, the S100 has less noise and a wider range of ISO sensitivity.

I also notice the S100 has a 24mm wide angle vs. 28mm. That matters on a small chip. Faster shutter. 5X vs 3.8X zoom. Higher resolution movie mode (1080P).

CD

The one thing I have found in reading reviews is many feel the IQ of the S100 is actually suffering a bit due to the CMOS chip as opposed to the CCD sensor in the S95. Everything else is notably better as you mention though. However, for half the price, it is hard to pass on this and then wait for a deal on an S100 later.

caseydog · Dec 19, 2011

colonel00 said:
The one thing I have found in reading reviews is many feel the IQ of the S100 is actually suffering a bit due to the CMOS chip as opposed to the CCD sensor in the S95. Everything else is notably better as you mention though. However, for half the price, it is hard to pass on this and then wait for a deal on an S100 later.

It's a good deal on a good camera. I just wouldn't buy a second one. By the time this one is ready for replacement, there will probably be something better on the market.

As for CMOS vs. CCD, there are a lot of myths out there about which is better, and why. Nowadays, CMOS and CCD are pretty close in both IQ and efficency. My current professional camera uses CMOS sensor. My last one used a CCD. I get excellent IQ with my CMOS, even high ISO settings, and can shoot up to 3,000 frames on a battery charge.

CD

Gore · Dec 19, 2011

The spare, CD, is because I am often traveling and end up with a much slower "spare" camera to take with me while this one is at home with the family.

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

Order placed :clap2: Got the camera and a case...and a sheet of expanded metal :tsk:

colonel00 · Dec 19, 2011

Deal is dead. Next closest price is back to $269 or more.

caseydog · Feb 2, 2012

A few months ago, I posted up a way to take great food pr0n with a point-and-shot camera, a window, and a table.

Some throwdown participants asked about making good food pr0n after dark. Well, I use some of my studio lights for that, but most people don't have that.

So, I set out today to make a super cheap lighting setup that anyone could copy.

I took a piece of 1X2 from my garage, and made a 2-foot by 2-foot frame. I stapled a white kitchen trash bag to it, and made a light "softener" with it. I used a spring clamp to attach it to my kitchen table, and took the shade off of a table lamp, and put a 150 watt bulb in it, and used that as my light source. I used my Canon point-and-shoot camera to take these pictures -- in Program mode. I only used Photoshop to resize the images for posting on the forum.

Here is what the setup looks like...

And, here is what the setup does...

Yeah, it's just a bunch of food props, but you get the idea.

Seriously, anyone can replicate what I did here. Some wood, a trash bag, and a table lamp.

I hope this helps.

CD

The *OFFICIAL* Throwdown Photography Tips Thread

somebody shut me the fark up.

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Quintessential Chatty Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Phizzy

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Phizzy

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Phizzy

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Phizzy

somebody shut me the fark up.

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Quintessential Chatty Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Phizzy

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Quintessential Chatty Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Similar threads

The OFFICIAL Throwdown Photography Tips Thread