The *Official Photography Thread*

My son and I went to cars and chronos today put on by David Lee at his plaza in Walnut/Rowland Heights. It was crazy. Lambos and Ferraris were getting turned away because there was already too many.

The first and only Lamborghini Centenario in the USA was there along with a P1 GTR, P1, 918, Bugatti Vitesse, LaFerrari, Pagani Huayra, etc. etc.

Oh, and if you are 80's child you didn't miss the Cocaine White Lamborghini Countach

 

my boss from the late 70s through early 80s was Gary Kildall, the father of CP/M (antique computer software)... He BOUGHT one of those, brand new, white. no spoiler, completely stock. Grey market, and the Californification of it took WAY too long, all kinda crap from some chop shop in Long Beach, he ended up buying ANOTHER one, jet black, from the regular US importer in Palo Alto... . I rode in the white one right after he imported it, and again after it /finally/ was 'legal', they really neutered it bad

most uncomfortable car this 6' dude ever squeezed into.

Later, he also bought a lambo SUV. I never did get to ride in that.

 

Looking for a camera recommendation..

Needs:
*Point n Shoot
*Weather resistant (I'll use it backpacking in all sorts of weather)
RAW capabilities
Night shots (stars, Milky Way, northern lights...)

Wants:
Decent zoom
wifi to download images
Less than $500

Does such a creature exist?

 

Yes and no. Most p&s don't have weather reistence and the ability to shoot raw or have manual shutter control. However, some can run something like Magic Lantern and give you control and raw. Weather/water proofness is easier to get with a cover-that would allow you more of your other wants/needs.

I have a Canon G9 that works reasonably well. However, not so much for long exposure. For those, you really want a bigger sensor for better quality.

 

The closest you're going to get is the Nikon 1 AW1, but it's more like a ruggedized mirrorless. There are two lenses designed to work with it that will maintain waterproofing down to 15m if you're concerned about exposure to the elements.

 

Too much give and take to hit all those.

X100F has a large sensor but is too expensive and not weather sealed.

Anything with a Zoom in that price range won't have a fast aperture or a large lens which means no good for star photos.

The Sony RX100 will be your best bet in the one inch sensor size range, but for that price you're looking at older models for sure.

Micro 4/3 cameras are almost an option in that range, getting you a larger than p&s sensor and great lenses and features.


If you want weather sealed in a quality body and lens combo that has a fast aperture and larger sensor you're looking at double that $$ at least for the whole package.


Whole lot of give and take.

 

I tell peeps if you're looking for a camera that costs significantly less than your iPhone, just use your iPhone ha.

RX100 (Mk iii or Mk IV) is the only thing in tiny backpacking size that had a decently fast zoom that I can think of.

 

I have a Nikon D750. I don't want to lug the weight on an 8 day backpack trip. (Plus the 4 days on either end of that)

I'll be far enough north that should there be northern lights, I should be able to see them.

Moose and wolves inhabit the area. (Hence the zoom).

Dammit. I'm going to have to take the big camera...

 

I have this Nikon Coolpix AW110 and it took these photos right here.....It's water proof to 18M/60ft has wifi for under $300 bucks

 

I second the rx100

 

I've tried a couple point and shoot cameras (Canon G Series). They are great cameras but I always find myself going back to my DSLR, even on backpacking trips.

 

I picked up a EOS M awhile back with the 22mm f/2 pancake lens specific for the -M, its getting way more use than my EOS 60D nowdays because its so tiny. the EOS M3 is now available, you should check one out. I have the adapter that lets me use regular EOS lenses, but I almost exclusively use it with that 22/2 because that lens is spanking sharp and gorgeous and tiny.

the original M has the sensor and DIGIC from a EOS 650D (rebel t4i). I think the M3 is a mirrorless T6s.

sample picture from M w/ 22/2

 

If you're looking at mirrorless camera (which are the future and have arrived) I'd highly recommend Fujifilm, Sony, and Panasonic/Olympus.

Canon and Nikon didn't jump on that ship and now they're left at port. Both of their mirrorless options are a joke compared to the leaders above.

 

except, to me at least, its all about lenses lenses lenses. I've not been impressed by the lenses I've seen from Sony or Fuji, and panasonic/oly are 3/4 (16mm) rather than the ~24mm APS-C format, smaller sensor == smaller pixels == more noise hence more image processing/mangling.

The EOS M series are the smallest APS cameras you'll find, and really quite nice little cameras if you don't get hung up on their limitations (my biggest gripe is the lack of computer control, so they aren't usable for astrophotography, as they'd otherwise be perfect for that).

 

Magic Lantern has/had some control. Plus a bunch of features that are astro friendly.

 

Canon lenses are huge! While that's ok on a DSLR I don't get the point on a mirrorless.

Plus I like the speed and all hard buttons without having to dip through menus.

Looks like it works for you and get good results with it though!

 

Not all Canon lenses are huge. They have a variety of lenses for a large number of different shooting types and styles. I have 5 key lenses that I use with them, and 2 of them are not large, or heavy at all. The others are either specialty lens, or telephoto. And face it, if you want a QUALITY telephoto, it is going to be big.

 

The EOS M has a pretty good touch screen system, the important things like shutter speed, f/stop, exposure mode, ISO are all just a couple taps on the screen.

 

I have certain key features that I consider a "must have" on a camera. It must have FULL manual control. I want to control aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and focus point. It must be capable of a minimum of 100 ISO. (50 ISO preferred) It MUST be full frame. (I shoot commercially, and a full frame is just a must)

 

my current favorite two lenses are a EF 85/1.8 prime on the 60D, and the 22/2 on the M.