Need Knowledge On Digital Cameras

[P50]

I want to take a whole bunch of pictures, every day at the same time, from the same camera angle, with lighting as similar as I can create it.

I then want to use those pictures, taken over a period of time, and produce an extended time-lapse presentation of the whole event, and condense it down to something that can be watched in a matter of seconds; exactly how many seconds, I'm not sure at this time.

If this could be somehow integrated into a video sequence; i.e., have some regular video, and then dub in the time-lapse segment, and then return to video, it would be great.

Okay, what do I need to know about the equipment ? Where can I get a layman's reading assignment (maybe 3,000 words, maybe 5,000 words; not 10,000 please) on how these new digital cameras work ?

I'm thinking about my own trade, and how the marketers severely mislead the buyer (e.g., telling the buyer that the processor clock speed is the single most important consideration in a new computer) and I am wondering if we have members here who are more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am, who might be able to direct me to some sensible and comprehensible material that I could read in less than a million years; i.e., something that gives me the facts on the way to spend the least amount of my money for the best performing camera for my goal.

I know better than to ask any search engine on the internet to point me to that answer.

Anyway, where can I get a good buyer's guide prep, from a non-biased source, that I can read in 30 minutes ?

 

[Bagelfather]

Digital Cameras

I have a couple of questions before I go pointing this way or that.
Now I did some research online and just by looking up digital cameras you'll get an overload of data. Now that I know what you want the camera for, what price range are you looking at? How much experience do you have with cameras such as single lense reflex cameras?

Do you have equipment such as a tripod, or are you going to buy one as well?

You'd be best off with a camera that has the screw hole or can fit onto a tripod, and also best with a bulb release if possible (to avoid jolting the camera too much). Also you should get one where you can plug it into a wall socket so you don't have to try and change batteries if it is a long project.

The SLR digital cameras are going to cost you $600 on up for anything of quality. Depending on your subject you can probably get away from one of those.

Let me know and I'll find some sites to help you out, there are a lot out there. My suggestion would also be to go to a local book store and get a magazine or two on digital video photography where there is a review of cameras.

 

[P50]

The Baglefather wrote...

<I> "...just by looking up digital cameras you'll get an overload of data...." </I>

Yeah, don't I know it !


<I>...what price range are you looking at? </I>

$ 100 -- all systems go
$ 500 -- this is getting difficult
$1000 -- stop the project
$2000 -- eliminate any consideration


<I>How much experience do you have with cameras such as single lense reflex cameras? </I>

Various 35mm SLRs Circa Late 70s
A few 6x6 Twin Lens Reflexes
A couple of 35mm Autofocus cameras Circa Mid 90s

- College newspaper and yearbook

- Occasional small-town "interest" stuff (e.g., firemen exercising the water pumps on their trucks at the city lake; lady feeding birds at her window sill; etc., you know, the real pulitzer prize type stuff used in collegiate texts.)

- A few weddings, rock bands, Family portraits, Politicians, et.al.

Lifetime Guesstimate: 10,000 total frames shot; maybe 500 of them ever used and enjoyed by others.


<I>Do you have equipment such as a tripod, or are you going to buy one as well? </I>

I have a tripod


<I>"...best with a bulb release if possible (to avoid jolting the camera too much)...." </I>

What ? They're making those things without that capability ? Thanks for the early warning system !


<I>Also you should get one where you can plug it into a wall socket so you don't have to try and change batteries if it is a long project. </I>

What ? Thanks again; whew glad to have your knowledge on board.

The project will be for a long time; 6 months would be a good minimum. Three years should be a good margin of overkill. My personal estimates are 12-to-18 months

<I>The SLR digital cameras are going to cost you $600 on up for anything of quality. Depending on your subject you can probably get away from one of those. </I>

Hmmm, "Quality" that's a variably defined word these days. Let's discuss this concept just a little more before you and I spend much time together on this.


<I> Let me know and I'll find some sites to help you out, there are a lot out there. </I>

I like you.

 

[Bagelfather]

Here is one of the better sites for reviews of Cameras, impartial and detailed:

http://www.steves-digicams.com

Minolta DiMAGE Z2
This doesn't have the cable unit but otherwise would work for you.

Nikon Coolpix 5700 you can use a cable but it is close to that $500 range.

I would look at the Canon Powershot series (there are many models), I have found them fairly easy to use and for their price range they do a very good job.

Most cable release cameras are going to be over $500. So if you get a tripod and weight the base down you can probably get away without a cable release.

 

[Bagelfather]

Here is one of the better sites for reviews of Cameras, impartial and detailed:

http://www.steves-digicams.com

Minolta DiMAGE Z2
This doesn't have the cable unit but otherwise would work for you.

Nikon Coolpix 5700 you can use a cable but it is close to that $500 range.

I would look at the Canon Powershot series (there are many models), I have found them fairly easy to use and for their price range they do a very good job.

Most cable release cameras are going to be over $500. So if you get a tripod and weight the base down you can probably get away without a cable release.

 

[P50]

I looked at that site.

Nice ideas.

Also found the Polaroid x530

Got an opinion ?

I wanted the Sigma SD-10; too much money.