Shutterbug Strasse

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a few ideas from a rank amateur photographer

Posted by rtbarr on May 26, 2009 at 17:00:55:
I own a Panasonic digital camera which is about 7 megapixels and has a 3X optical zoom lens. It is fair on low light conditions, but others are likely better.

Zoom lenses are available up to about 12X. Cameras with zooms higher than 5X usually are less compact than those with lesser zoom ratios. What you get will depend on how important it is for the camera to be pocketable and concealable.

One important thing is to be able to disable the flash for available light shots. I also like to be able to force the flash for "fill-in" flash on people pictures to reduce shadows in high contrast lighting situations. Not all cameras seem to have these obviously useful features.

Light sensitivity is measured as ISO, similar to the ASA rating of regular film. My camera allows the ISO to be either specified or left to the camera to adjust according to the situation. There is no free lunch, the higher ISO settings result in grainier pictures. But a grainy picture is often better tha no picture.

Several digital camera review sites include actual photos taken with each ISO setting so one can judge how much image degradation results from increasing the ISO. One good site is linked below. I also like the camera reviews at www.photo.net.

Another important consideration is that digital SLRs have much larger image sensors than point and shoot cameras. They can take much better available light photos, but are nowhere near pocket sized. I doubt one could sneak one into a concert venue very easily. The are also quite expensive.

I have a friend who is a professional photographer. He buys much of his equipment from KEH photo in Atlanta, GA. He likes them because they sell gently used cameras and lenses for reasonable prices, and also take his spare gear in trade or pay cash for it. I have no connection to this business other than knowing a satisfied customer. If you decide to buy a point and shoot camera, just about any internet site (such as Amazon) will have about the same price.

I plan to buy a digital SLR this summer, so I have been researching the choices. I haven't made a decision yet.

RT Barr