BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Good High Performance Camera

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June 15, 2008

Camera lens is fast so you can likely shoot indoor shots with available light. Camera has more automation and features than you ever dreamed of.

Try it -- you will like it. 8 MP is respectable if you need enlargements.

My reasoning - Why spend a fortune if you don't need to especally if you are not a professional photographer.

Best of luck,
Alan Marcus

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June 15, 2008

I'm sure the Canon Powershot S5 would suit your needs; however; keep a few things in mind in your decision making process. Your words "Takes great pics" have different meaning depending who you ask.

If you are comfortable in the $500-$1000 range, you might want to look into ANY pre-owned DSLR's. Reason?

The Canon Powershot sports a sensor in what is known as the 1/2.5 size. (About 10mm) This is quite small compared to most average DSLR's that have sensors 17mm x 22mm...quite a difference. The end result? Far superior image quality not to mention less noise at ISO's at or above 400. You may need the higher sensitivity in a gym setting; esp if flash is not allowed.

If you have no desire to enlarge your photos beyond 5x7, then a DSLR as far as image quality is concerned, may not be what you need.

With a DSLR you can grow as your desire to take more and better pictures grow. With the Canon, you are limited.

$1,000 will NOT get you a NEW DSLR with a great lens, but there are many to be had pre-owned that will. Nikon D-70, D-50 etc... as well as some Canon DSLR's.
Lens choices for a DSLR are many.

The Cons of getting a DSLR:

1) More money
2) Steeper learning curve if you are new to photography.
3) Much heavier
4) A money pit if you love photography. LOL

The Pro's

1) Better image quality
2) More versatile
3) Interchangeable lenses
4) Faster focus & Power-up times.
5) Cleaner images and less noisy.

Hope this helped a tad,

all the best,

Pete

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June 15, 2008

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June 17, 2008

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June 17, 2008

Second, you need to put your priorities in line. If you're the coach, you should be paying attention to your wrestlers [coaching] and not trying to take their pictures [decent or otherwise.]

Third, it doesn't matter what camera one uses, assuming one knows thinks about what he/she is doing AND is paying attention to simple photography basics. If you, in fact, are paying attention to your wrestlers, you CAN'T be taking the best possible pictures. You should ask someone to either coach or photograph.

Generally, a basic point and shoot camera's flash capability is too limited [flash range too short] to shoot wrestling matches. That why, when I shot my son'e matches, I used a Canon EOS 620 with a Canon 420-EZ flash [GN about 140.]

A point nad shoot might have a suitable zoom range; I still used a Tamron 28-200 mm zoom to let me choose the cropping I wanted.

My EOS 620 was, of course, an SLR. I upgraded to an EOS 3 and, now, to a Canon 30D. I'd still shoot in Shutter Priority since wrestlers have been known to shift positions quite quickly in a reverse or other move.

But, while you're concentrating on composition, you can't be encouraging your wrestlers - can you?

As to a current camera body, any DSLR with a 6 MP chip or higher should suffice.

Your comment does demonstrate the worth of the old adage: "It's better to keep you mouth shut [or not writte that e-mail] and show you're stupid than it it is speak [or write] and prove the point to everyone."

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June 17, 2008

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June 17, 2008

I edit three separate newsletters, two for photo organizations and one for the adult community in which I live.

I am a registered Speaker and Judge in my home state and freely give of whatever photo expertise I may have to all who ask. I also lead Workshops on using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. And I offer help to folks who ask questions on BP.

Years ago, I was a diving judge, a timer at swimming meets. I organized four separate Wrestling Tournaments that netted several thousand dollars for a Recreation Department Team. Oh, did I mention that I was the "unofficial photographer" for that Wrestling Team?

I've taught Environmental Law at various Community Colleges in my home staet and, also, coordinated a Certificate Program at those schools for Environmental Technicians.

All of the above, while maintaining a full-time job and, hopefully, being a full-time husband and father.

Just be a good wrestling coach and stop trying to promote your avocational photography interests. My gosh, asking what's a "good camera" for indoor shots. Why there are all kinds of threads, many, many photo magazine reviews; books, web-site tutorials . . . Concentrate and be good as one thing [like being a coach.] You'll be much happier and have a life.

You "dislike me" and you don't even know me. And, you never commented on the recommendations I made to you that track those offered by Pete above.

Read and LEARN! And, don't think every comment is a negative criticism.

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June 17, 2008

You should have checked your attitude at the door bud. John honesstly wasn't being an "ass" as you say. His comment "Remember, it's not the camera, it's the photographer . . ." is used routinely on this site to indicate to someone that a camera is not what makes a good photograph; but, the photographer is. You can have the most expensive equipment there is and still not be able to take a good, technically correct picture.

Chill out. John is a very helpfull person and will give quallity info.

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June 17, 2008