682 replies to this topic

[Bumblebee]

Was going to ask about the Nikon j1 or is it V1, but wasnt impressed in shop when they said it were manual zoom, so opted for the TZ30 and it were more than the J1 or V1. wished id gone for that now as now it sits in box doing nothing and ill go back to using the TZ6 which has always served me good

Maybe you got a faulty machine. It gets good reviews, so maybe change it for a different one.
http://www.cameralab..._DMC_ZS20_TZ30/
http://www.photograp...mc_tz30_review/
http://www.trustedre...l-Camera_review

[koykaeng]

There are not that many point and shoots that can take excellent photos in low light. The old Canon S90 and S95 were about the best - but had limited zoom.

The key is not another camera - it is to practice using your current camera in those low light situations until you know which settings work best. (also helps if you're not pickled to the gills).

I just bought myself a Canon S100 as I wanted something more compact.

Still have a Canon 60D & Canon G10 and three others that barely see the light of day anymore.

Probably about time I started learning how to use one of them properly, but I just enjoy buying new cameras.

Cheers
Koykaeng

[petesie]

Probably about time I started learning how to use one of them properly, but I just enjoy buying new cameras.

Ain't that the truth!

I forced myself to take my Nikon D300s and a couple of lenses this trip and I'm glad I did.

I got some great shots and it stopped me picking up the Fuji X-Pro1 or the Olympus OM-D.

Now if I could just stop with the drink...

[kendal1972]

the world of photography can get a little expensive...i should know having shelled out for a spanky shiny new 5d mk 3. by the time you've added a decent lense or two and a flash and shutter release and filters etc you've just dropped about £5k!!! guess i really should learn how to use the bloody thing now.

[petesie]

Good lad Kendal!

I'm having a serious look at the Nikon D800 this very evening...

[kendal1972]

i had a serious look at both before going for the 5d mk3 petesie. i won't deny the d800 was a seriously good camera(the detail is outstanding) but just as the reviews suggested it just doesn't have the performance in low light situations. It appears to me that Nikon tried to start a pixel count war again, unfortunately none of the others have bitten preferring to work on refining there existing lines instead.

[pacman]

i won't deny the d800 was a seriously good camera(the detail is outstanding) but just as the reviews suggested it just doesn't have the performance in low light situations.

What??

I don't know which reviews you are referring to but that isn't a logical conclusion one could make after a fair analysis of the data. Both cameras are capable of shooting in the (almost) dark.

I would be delighted with the performance of either but have no plans to buy one. As for the "pixel count war", now that Nikon's reasons for giving their D800 36MP are better understood, the clamour about it has died down. I read the D800 can be operated as an APSC camera with 16MP. That's one way to cut down the size of the files though that does sort of defeat the purpose of buying a full frame camera.

Kendal, you may be interested to know that there are a number of references in dpreview.com about 5D MK II shooters quietly shifting over to Nikon for both the D800 & the even better D800E. I am not criticising your choice, I am just giving another POV. Cheers.

[pacman]

I'm having a serious look at the Nikon D800 this very evening...

Good grief!!

A full frame camera? That's really upping the ante. The cost, the weight, the additional cost of FX glass, I am surprised you want to go down this road. Happy for you but surprised.

So what was your impression? Are you the new Photo God of the forum or are you sticking with something a bit more portable?

[Hoot]

I don't know which reviews you are referring to but that isn't a logical conclusion one could make after a fair analysis of the data. Both cameras are capable of shooting in the (almost) dark.
...

I think most of the Canon vs. Nikon comparisons and debate is a bit on the silly side. For most people would never notice the slight differences in low light capability. (or many of the other nuances people who get paid to compare and contrast cameras come up with).

The guys at the Camera Store have a youtube video where they take both cameras out to professional photographers to shoot in a variety of situations, fashion studio shoot, low light shooting, night shooting. They found the Nikon edged out the Canon in most cases - but the way they had to evaluate the images was ridiculous. They zoomed in to at least 100 % and then pointed out how the Nikon retained a bit better detail in the deep shadows. I could barely even notice it.

I can understand if you are a professional photographer this may make a difference, but not to the average guy. Either one would be a great camera. Not surprisingly shooters from both sides admired both the cameras but didn't see enough that would make them switch. Then again, once you in invest in all those expensive pieces of glass it becomes cost prohibitive to switch camps.

I just upgraded from an old Canon XSI to the new T4i. It maybe their 'entry level' camera, but it is brilliant compared to what I had. Now that is a real comparison in low light shooting capabilities. The max ISO of the old camera was 1600 and it was useless, 800 was pretty bad as well. The new T4i has good quality at 1600 and very workable pictures at 3200. 6400 might be good for some black and whites.

I'd say it's even better than the pro aps-c cameras from just a few years ago. Instead of buying a higher end body I spent the extra money on some nice fast glass. Combined with the high iso and I'm a happy camper.

Funnily enough, the main camera I use is still my compact S95. Fits discreetly on the hip and I don't worry about it being snatched from around my neck on the way home from the bar. It is also my impression that people are less intimidated and more open to me taking their photo when I take their picture with that than my SLR.

(but I'm still jealous of Kendal's 5d Mkiii - one day, one day...)

[Hoot]

I'm having a serious look at the Nikon D800 this very evening...

The camera stores in your area would surely be depressed if you ever moved

One thing to think about on that D800 is the file size. When I upgraded to my latest toy I doubled the size of my RAW files to 20MB or there abouts. My old laptop couldn't handle them and my desktop groans like a fat man getting off a couch when I try to process them in Lightroom. I could only image the fits it would give me on a 36MB file. (though there is an off chance it could be a bug in the new version of lightroom, but not likely)

Better make sure your hardware is up to snuff or you could be looking at a new computer purchase as well. Then again those shiny new MacBook Pro's look real nice

[petesie]

Calm down fella...I was only intending looking!

Mind you both the i-pad 3 and the new Macbook pro were reasonably priced in Central Mall compared to Blighty.

Or I might stick with my D300s and have another holiday in 8 weeks.

[petesie]

Canon has released it's long awaited CSC...the EOS-M.

Cat amongst the pigeons or just another passenger on the CSC bandwagon?

Launch price with 18-55mm lens and flashgun is 769 sterling, I also noticed the GX-1 is getting heavy discounts...end of that particular genre?

I must check out the new Sony compact...