Motorcycle Alabama

Alabama Rides => Photo & Video => Topic started by: Jwwr on December 23, 2019, 08:42:53 PM

Title: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: Jwwr on December 23, 2019, 08:42:53 PM
I have been using a IPhone 7plus and a Panasonic Lumix TS6! Both are lacking! For what I would consider an awesome camera! What do you use to get your awesome Photos? The IPhone always takes photos that look really good, but it is limited to what it can do.The Panasonic Lumix Is rugged and water proof It's photos are only OK to Good. I'm wanting to up my photo game. What are you using?
Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: Brian A on December 24, 2019, 12:10:39 AM
This camera. The kit lens is plenty good for average needs.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-EF-S-18-55mm/dp/B00T3ER7QO

This lens. Outstanding lens for the money.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5


Today's cellphone cameras and digital "point and shoot" type cameras are pretty darned good. But, for me, I still tend to make the distinction between taking a picture and photography.

Maybe one day I'll change my mind. But for now, when I want to take photographs, I pick up the case with the T6i and lenses. It is a much more rewarding experience.

And the results are worth it. To me.

There is a reason why you never see a real photographer pull out their cell phone or a point and shoot camera.

Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: Nice Goat on December 24, 2019, 01:39:44 AM
What matters most are sensor size and quality lens. 

Most of the time I just carry my iPhone, but when I want better pics, I carry my Canon G7X Mark II because of the 1" sensor and fast lens (1:1.8-2.8).  Just a little bit larger than a normal point-and-shoot, but much smaller than my old Nikon DSLR.
Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: Brian A on December 24, 2019, 06:52:33 AM
Something else to consider: the still somewhat new Mirrorless DSLR offerings.

The only one I have ever had my hands on was the Sony. It is an impressive camera setup.

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-mirrorless-camera
Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: jrobinson on December 24, 2019, 08:50:27 AM
Camera/lens quality + user knowledge + post production edits X hours of shooting =Great shots

Camera/lens - Don't cut corners. There is a direct connection between money spent vs. Quality Shots

User Knowledge - While shooting on Auto will get the shot, learning to shoot on Manual will get THE SHOT. Learn to use aperture for depth of field. Learn to use shutter speed to get a blurred background to show movement when your subject is moving. Learn the "Sunny 16 Rule". Learn how to overcome a backlit scene and how to use it to your advantage. Learn to use flash fill.  Try different lens to "compact" the shot. View your subject from different angles. Pay close attention to how the shot is framed, look at the background. Study photos, pro and amateur, analyze how they "got the shot". The most important part of knowledge comes with Practice, Practice, Practice. This is easier now with digital cameras. Take a shot, change the settings, rinse and repeat.

Post Production Edits - Use a photo editor to tweak the colors, shadows, and highlights. You can crop and resize shots in the editor.  Shoot in RAW to help with your edits. Shoot at the highest resolution. Like the equipment, editors range from free to $$$$. I use Paint Shop Pro, less than $100.


Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: klaviator on December 24, 2019, 09:08:05 AM
I take over 90% of my pics with an Olympus TG5 waterproof point and shoot.  I carry this camera from a strap around my neck so it's always ready for use, even while riding.  My philosophy is that if I take enough pics, some of them will come out. 

I also have a Sony DSC-HX300 with a 50X zoom lens.  It's basically a point and shoot with a much better lens than most point and shoot cameras.  It takes pretty sharp pics but unless I'm taking advantage of the zoom I find that my Olympus takes better pics most of the time.

I rarely take pics with my camera.  The only time I take riding pics with my camera is when I taking a "tag" picture and want to post it immediately.

IMO, the biggest part of getting good pics is to be in the right place at the right time and to point the camera in the right direction.  If you do that you will get much better pics with a point and shoot than the guy with an expensive DSLR who doesn't know how to use it or doesn't have it ready to go when the opportunity for a great pic presents itself. 
Title: Re: What camera are you using to get your awesome photos!
Post by: Bama_Rider on January 02, 2020, 09:34:59 PM
Olympus OM-D E-M10 II mirrorless.   I love the look of it, like an 2/3 scale old school SLR and I love the EVF.  Can't take a crap exposure when you are looking at data from the sensor, live, in the viewfinder.   I can carry it easily on most of my bikes.   When I want something even smaller I use my Nikon P330 point and shoot.  I got a new phone for Christmas with a much better camera than my previous one so I will be taking some with that.  I took a few and it performed well.  No optical zoom though.  Since I got the little Olympus, my big Nikon DSLR has barely left the house.

PS, not to put too fine a point on it but a mirrorless camera is not a DSLR.  The R stands for reflex and that means a camera with an optical through the lens viewfinder and a mirror.   Having used my little Oly for a while I predict that DSLR's will be gradually going away.   You get all the flexibility of a fully controllable, interchangeable lens camera.  They are lighter and smaller.  Continuous shooting modes are faster and as I said above the EVF's let you see that actual exposure and DOF that you are going to get before you push the button.  Using one in dim light is like having night vision.  My sister has a Nikon D800 and a D750 and since she got her Fuji X-T2 she rarely uses either one of the big DSLR's.