SnapShot Archives - 11/07/1999
SNAPSHOT - PHOTO NEWS FROM BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Welcome to SnapShot, the weekly newsletter on the art
of photography from http://www.betterphoto.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Saturday, November 6, 1999
* Quick Synopsis
* What's New at BetterPhoto.com
* Photographic Happenings on the Web
* This Week's Photo Tip
* Camera & Photography Q&A
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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New Kodak DC290 Zoom Digital Camera
The latest great DC from Kodak features a 2.1 megapixel CCD sensor -
that means images good for 8 x 10 prints. You can store up to 220 images
on the included 20MB card. Also features USB support, the ability to
upgrade via the Web, an uncompressed TIFF mode for saving perfect
files. It makes beautiful images in a super high-res 2240 x 1500 to boot.
Learn more about the Kodak DC290 Zoom Digital Camera:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=130
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QUICK SYNOPSIS
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* Answer a BetterPhoto.com Question
* You can now use a search engine at BetterPhoto.com to find answers
* New digital camera Web site offers great reviews and news
* Win a digital camera or scanner in a contest for the best slide show
* Use cool calculators from Kodak to choose the perfect digital camera
* Nikon Pronea S combines ease of a PnS with the flexibility of a SLR
* Should a second camera be the same brand or something different
* Do paparazzo play by different rules regarding model releases?
* Deciding to fix a broken camera is a question of comparing expenses
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WHAT'S NEW AT BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Search Engine to the Rescue
Out of date item
Answer a BetterPhoto.com Question
Are you a bit of an expert in your photographic arena? Then
help answer questions in our new and improved Q&A. Just answer a question in one
of the categories below and sign it with your email address.
http://www.betterphoto.com/QnaTOC.asp
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PHOTOGRAPHIC HAPPENINGS ON THE WEB
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Digital Camera Magazine Web Edition
Get the latest news and reviews about digital cameras.
http://www.photopoint.com/dcm/
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Win a Slide Show Contest
Make a RealSlideshow story using your pictures and adding original
voiceovers or music if you like. First prize is a KODAK DC240 Digital
Camera. Other prizes include a scanner, a printer, Photoshop 5.5, and
more. Deadline for entries: Nov. 17. Winners will be announced Dec. 15.
Details, including technical guidelines:
Link no longer active
Learn more about the the DC240 camera:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=58
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Compare Kodak Digital Cameras
If you are having a difficult time choosing a digital camera, Kodak's
Camera Selector can help guide you to the Kodak digital camera that
meets your needs for quality, price, features and functionality.
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/cameras/comparisons/index.shtml
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Digital Camera File Size Calculator
If you want to know more about digital cameras and how file size relates
to resolution and compression modes, visit Kodak's cool calculator, It
requires Shockwave but it's worth it, especially if you have or are
considering a Kodak digital camera.
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dlc/plus/chapter4/lesson1/resCalc.shtml
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DC215 Digital Camera for the Millennium
The DC215 is now available in colors (not iMac but still pretty cool). The
1174 x 884 pixels CCD captures 12-54 images in the included 4MB
CompactFlash card. The 29 -58 mm lens takes sharp, beautiful pictures
and the 1.8" monitor allows you to preview images in the field.
Learn more at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=415
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THIS WEEK'S TIP
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When travelling, leave the big tripod at home and take only one that is
small enough to pack into carry-on baggage. It can cost anywhere from
about $30 for a cheap tripod that will get you by to about $500 for an
excellent, sturdy and lightweight tripod that will last lifetimes.
An inexpensive starter, the Velbon Chaser EFL-4 Tripod, can be found at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=1783
Or you can look at the best of the best - Gitzo G1228 MK2 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=42
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CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A
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Q. I am looking at the Nikon Pronea S and it seems like it good camera
where you can use it for both SLR and Point & Shoot photography.
Usually, when I am taking pictures I have no time and I have screwed up
with my old AE-1 but when I used my Yashica auto focus I seem to do OK.
This Nikon provides best of both worlds.... Do you agree?
Also if you seen any reviews on Nikon please point me in that direction.
Thanks
A. The Pronea is a very impressive little APS camera. I like the
interchangability of lenses and the compact size. You get a powerful SLR
(lots of creative control) in a small package. As you said, you can take
advantage of the point and shoot, automatic features. The only two
negatives I have heard about it that it has an ineffective flash (like all
on-camera flashes, but worse) and does not have a way to attach an
external flash. This is okay for most people, but semi-professionals
and the like may get frustrated.
Nikon Pronea with 30-60mm Lens:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=603
As for reviews...
If you can handle reading text against a yellow background (yuck!), you can
look at Nikon's specs at:
http://www.nikonusa.com/proneas/specs.html
Outside Magazine has a short review at:
http://outsidemag.com/magazine/0199/9901revstuff.html
And the Pronea was awarded a "Best of What's New" award by Popular
Science:
http://204.213.254.3/guest/?MIval=hzget2&id=1854
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Q. Please, what does "List Snapshot Standard" mean?
A. Whoops! I sent out an errant message this past weekend when my
brain was fuzzy. My mistake and I apologize for the inconvenience.
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Q. I make outdoor pictures of people in nature, old barns, in flower gardens
etc. I do color and b&w. I am wanting to buy a second camera. I like my
Maxxum XT si. I am open to another brand for the second camera. I have
had a Canon in the past and liked it. I am looking for something in the $500
range. I had 2 lenses; a Sigma zoom 28-80 Macro 1:3.5-5.6 and Sigma
70-300mm 1:4-5:6 DL macro super. I have a Minolta 3500xi flash. I have
been happy with my pictures except I wish I could do more depth of field.
I like the background to look out of focus. What do you suggest? Thank you
so much... I love getting the newsletter. I look forward to it weekly.
A. Well, I would first see if your lenses will only work with Minolta. I
think you will be able to adapt them but I would find out for sure. If you
can't, you have a substantial investment that should not be overlooked.
You may want to stick with Minolta, esp. since you like it and it always
is nice to have a backup that works with all your equipment. In this case,
look into the:
Minolta QTsi Camera Kit
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=840 or the
Minolta XTsi QD Camera with AF28-80 Zoom Lens
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=835
If you can adapt your lenses (or sell them to someone else along with your
flash), I would seriously consider the Canon Elan II with Zoom Lens.
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=4
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Q. My 35mm Yashica has a broken film winder that slips and does not
advance the exposure counter. Also, the viewfinder shows some dust
and dirt. Should I look into repairing it, or just buy another?
A. I would take your camera into a professional camera store that handles
repairs. If your camera in relatively inexpensive - such as a $100-$200
point and shoot - you may be better off just buying a new one.
When you take it, you can ask them to clean it; perhaps blowing it with an
air hose will get rid of the dust.
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Q. How do paparazzo shoot pictures of famous people without getting
model releases?
A. As a stock photographer who is always asked for model releases,
I too wonder how the paparazzo get away with it. Do their agencies just
assume the big budget that is required for legal disputes and suites?
Or does a celebrity basically become "public domain" once they
become well known.
If you enjoy shooting for yourself, you can decide how to treat your
subjects. If you want to sell your images, I recommend asking the
subject to sign a release. It sounds hard - you have to be a bit bold
to break the bubble of privacy - but asking people if you can take
their picture often opens up wonderful conversation and unforgettable
moments.
If you are concerned about natural expressions and overcoming rigidity,
just learn how to make people feel at ease. Take it as a challenge and
enjoy the interaction.
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Ask a question of your own or answer a few from your fellow photographers:
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp
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Until next week, enjoy shooting!
Thank you,
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com
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