| Author | Message | ||
     Reepicheep |
After about 5 years of faithful service, my coolpix 950 is starting to have brain hemmorages. I want a replacement that has excellent low light performance... the benchmark I have seen is the Cannon digital rebel. But I don't really want to pay for all the "prosumer" type features, and I think extra expense is a liability. It just limits where and how I use it. So anyway, the criteria I am interested in is not measured well by the industry, so I want a recommendation if anyone knows of anything to look at. Here is my wish list, in order. 1) Good low light performance, 800 ASA minimum, 1600 ASA preferred. 2) Decent wide angle, 28mm equiv. Don't care about telephoto, and would prefer to avoid interchangable lenses if possible. A 28-80 equiv zoom is all I generally use. 3) Spot metering capability, and ability to precalculate exposure and focus (half press of shutter button). 4) Decent Optics. I figure most of the modern cameras will have more then enough resolution, I was happy with my coolpix 1600x1200, much more then that just eats memory and shows bad optics. I also figure most modern cameras have decent acquisition times if you are using the prefocus / preexposure spotmeter mode (which is all I ever use). The digital rebel is the obvious choice, but I would prefer something smaller, and something cheaper, as I don't need all the extra stuff. I loved my Nikon, but they don't seem to be working on the low light aspects of their cameras. Suggestions? Thanks! | ||
| Rek |
I've been very pleased w/ our Sony Cybershot. Lot's of bells and whistles, small and relatively inexpensive compared to "high-end" cameras. Rob | ||
| Midknyte |
I just bought one of these and I am very very happy with it. Full auto with a BUNCH of pre-set scene modes and the traditional Manual modes (Aperture/Shutter/Program/ISO). Oddly though, with manual options there is no manual focus...but it's accurate enough that you'll never miss it & has focus zone options. Very low noise, even on the digital zoom. 10x optical zoom with available 3x digital zoom on top of that - and it's the first digital zoom on a camera that I've seen produce good results (see test pics I took below). Prints [Walgreens to photo paper] out of this camera I simply cannot tell from film. Kodak DX7590 <- Camera info Sears Tower 1x <- No zoom Sears Tower 10x <- 10x optical Sears Tower 30x <- 10x optical + 3x digital My 'Bolt <- Regular real world pic... There are worse cameras and there are better, but I'm really rather impressed with Kodak for this one. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Fuji Fine Pics S3100 is the camera I am seriously looking at, its an older model '03/'04 but is exactly up the alley your looking. You have a choice of lens add ons that are about $30 each as well as the fact you can use readily available light filters. I got to spend a day with one and was very impressed with it for a non-SLR. Mind you this is in comparison to my now defunct Digital Rebel. Best Buy, with a mail in rebate, and instore rebate had the price down to $229, $279 out the door price, which was alot lower then anything else online at the time I looked 2 weeks ago. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I love my Digital Rebel, Simply Amazing what it can do. | ||
| Reepicheep |
All the cameras mentioned here so far appear to be (at best) ASA 400 sensitivity... except the rebel $$  $$ Remember, my #1 concern is low light capability. I do appreciate all the help! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Coolpix 5700 looks like a decent "plan B". It goes up to ISO 800, and the rest of the features look decent, and it comes with a 35-200 zoom for around $500. I think I will take the two coolpix 950's that I have in pieces and try to make one more good one, until I can score one of those rebels with a wide angle lens for under $500, or that Nikon comes down to the $300 range. Thanks everybody. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Oh! There are some ebay sellers with the coolpix 4500, which does ISO-800, and includes an extra LiIon battery, 512 CF card, and a reader, and would work with my existing fisheye lens. That looks like the deal to get, at $390 or so. That split body form factor has really grown on me anyway... | ||
| Henrik |
I'm using a Canon G5 at work: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_g5.asp And the newer model: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_g6.asp It has a pretty good lens with F2.0 - 3.0 at full wide. Most other prosumer cameras don't go any lower than F2.8 and it does make a difference. Of course it only goes to ISO 400, but I find that anything above that the noise gets too noticeable. We usually try our best to only shoot at ISO 50, but we can to an extent control the lighting. Very solid cameras, and with any luck there is a replacement for the G6 right around the corner  | ||
| Cruisin |
One important thing I've found about low light shooting is focusing problems. Some cameras have just a general light that helps illuminate the contrast so it can hopefully focus - which helps. Some Sony cameras throw out a laser pattern to focus on - seems to work nicely. Take a look at http://www.steves-digicams.com for reviews of almost every camera out there - great descriptions of features as well as examples of the quality. | ||
| Ingemar |
I own a Konica Digital Revio, 5 Mpixels. It's results are absolutely fabulous and the little camera has received several very good reviews. Having said that, as soon as the lights drop below daylight (lets say, start of evening or regular light bulb light level indoor), the camera has a problem focussing and (even if it does focus correcly) it starts to show a lot of noise, even at longer exposure times photos are just not right (read: downright ugly). I borrowed a digital rebel (300d) from a friend to try it out with his original lense and my own Canon lenses from a Canon 1000FN (analogue) I own. I made the exact same pictures with all the lenses available and with my Konica 5mpixel camera. Believe me, the digital rebel is worth every penny and more. The results were stunning. I tried it twice because I didn't believe the first results. I experimented quite a bt and I had to go through quite some trouble TRYING to get a noisy picture. I am determined to sell both my cameras and buy a digital rebel XT/350D. Hopefully before my holiday to the States in August. Absolutely worth it. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Olympus made the E-10 and E-20 just a few years back and can be found used at very decent prices. Both camera's will perform well in low light situtations and work great as P&S and with a flip of a switch go into full manual DSLR mode where one typicaly needs to be to capture good low light shots. | ||
| Lornce |
Curious to get acquainted with a digital slr I used a digi Rebel 300 for a few weeks and came away impressed with it's capability, ease of operation and image quality. Having no prior digital photo experience, but many years slr use, it didn't take long to adapt. It's function, flexibility and capability really surprised me. I grew quite attached to having it around those two short weeks. My only concern was it's apparent fragility: I'm a bit of a dinosaur used to chunky old solid mechanical cameras that can take a bit of rough and tumble. In the end my concerns won out and I didn't buy it for fear I'd break it. My cameras get hauled around on motorcycles in canoes on bicycles and back packs and I just couldn't see it taking that sort of abuse for too long. Am now weighing the advantages of the Nikon D70S over the drastically cost-reduced and soon to be replaced D100's (which are built more like the cameras I'm used to). My preference is leaning towards the D100 thinking it's more robust and weather-proof magnesium body would be of greater long term benefit to me than the higher processor speed of the newer D70S. Either would make an awesome photo-tool, Reep, with the 1600 iso ability you're looking for. Though I'm thinking that's likely a moot point given current imaging software. fwiw, Lawrence | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
I just got the Kodak DX7590, it is sweet, I would highly suggest it. I got mine from Dell and I got a 15% discount through my company which made the deal even better. | ||
| Midknyte |
I'm really happy with the color saturation of the DX7590. I get great prints straight from the camera with no editing. (and there are low and high color mode/settings if you need to compensate) | ||
| Court |
Bill: Two things. I just took ,y 950 in to be rebuilt. They quoted 4-6 weeks, I had it back in 3 days. I';m not so sure this is the same one I sent, everything is tight as a drum and literally "like new". Total cost something like $129.00 Next, I bought a Nikon D100 with the top lens they make, an F2.4. I now have the capability to shoot pictures as bad as possible. The D100, I am finding, requires that I know and do some things. The 950 is literally a take the lens cover off (an important step I sometimes miss) and shoot camera. The D100 has no (essentially none) lag...you turn it on, take off the lens cover (77mm as opposed to the 950's 28mm) and shoot as fast as you want. Bottom line, get whatever you want but send the 950 in and get it rebuilt. I am also convinced, having done some snooping, listening and looking, that the Canon 20D is a superior camera with a better chip. It's just, as the folks as Photo-tech (who admit they;d prefer the Canon), New York City is a Nikon town. All the media and pros use Nikon and as a result, like guitars and high end audio/video, you can get anything 24/7 in Gotham. Court  | ||
| Hans |
Check out the Olympus 8080 Wide zoom. Not even 800 ASA but fast lens and good in low light. Small and rugged construction. (No, I am Minolta fan) Hans | ||
| Hans |
Being a Minolta Fan, how could I forget the Minolta Dimage A1 See about the low light capabilities also: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=13469159 The lens is a real masterpiece. Hans | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
My only concern was it's apparent fragility: I'm a bit of a dinosaur used to chunky old solid mechanical cameras that can take a bit of rough and tumble. In the end my concerns won out and I didn't buy it for fear I'd break it. My cameras get hauled around on motorcycles in canoes on bicycles and back packs and I just couldn't see it taking that sort of abuse for too long. My 300D/Digital Rebel survived up until it hit the pavement at 80mph, even then it still works but the sensor is not quite right and it over shoots the image. Its a little mangled case wise, but the diag that was done says the sensor itself needs to be replaced and at that point I am half way to a brand new one with a brand new warranty. | ||
| Ingemar |
There's nice review of the DR, DR/XT and the 20D at AnandTech.com. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think I will just duct tape my various coopix 950's back together into one working unit until I can score a used low end digital rebel (like the 300D) for a more reasonable price. | ||
| Court |
Bill: Photo-Tech, right here on 13th, can make that 950 like new for less than $150. If you need a loaner let me know. Court | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thanks Court, I was able to get it working again this weekend. It looks like I had two simultaneous failures of two independent sets of rechargable batteries on two different chargers (go figure...). The 950 is now back in service, and now that I see it would take a $1000 "modern" camera to upgrade it significantly (for what I want it for), I like it even more. Thanks all! | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Glad to hear that the 950 is back in working order. It's a tough camera to replace! | ||
| Court |
>>>I see it would take a $1000 "modern" camera to upgrade it significantly True. I opted for the D100 and still reach for the 950 when I have to be right the first time. The D100 is going to require that I know more about photography. On the 950 "automatic" truly is. | ||
| Ingemar |
Uh ... Maybe I miss something but you should be able to get a Canon DR for about 600 $$. They're getting cheaper as the DR/XT makes its way onto the mainstream shelves. Or maybe this is the very rare occasion we (europe) can get something cheaper than you Americans do?!? | ||
| Fullpower |
you say you want low light performance? this was a 30 second exposure, due north. from latitude 59 north. 08 january 2005, taken with Nikon D70. what do ya think?  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think I want your camera (but don't want to pay for it). That's what I think! Where are all the blue sparkles! You should see the image sensor noise from my original coolpix 950, I bought it used from a pro in vegas that clearly used the hell out of the thing. I then proceeded to shoot well over 10,000 more shots with it, with many drops and taking it to all sorts of hostile environments. I can clean them up with photoshop, but it is a bother. The thought of a fast wide angle lens, along with a very sensitive image sensor (like ASA 1600) gives me a SERIOUS drool factor. No room in the budget right now... but someday I will have one. To be honest, after slaving away in a darkroom for countless hours in my youth, to sit down with an obsolete $150 camera (coolpix 950) and an obsolete $200 super portable laptop (IBM ThinkPad 570), and a $75 copy of photoshop elements, I am staggered at what I can produce. The quality is astounding given my investment. For less then $500, I can produce pictures I never dreamed possible in the dark room, and rip through them at probably 10 to 100 times the speed of my best darkroom work with the best equipment. It really is a revolution. The next one will be when the digital camera technology sensor and processing technology progresses to allow shooting in virtually any light setting. Imagine shooting with no flash, whenever, and whereever, and getting high quality output. Hell, I remember when T-Max came out, and I found out I could push it to 1600 ASA with my minolta and it's F1.7 50mm lens. Lots of opportunity for defect, but when it worked, it was very cool stuff. | ||
| Fullpower |
here is an interesting image, april 28th forest fires raging 5 miles from my house, the sun was blood red, as if wiewed through a glass of cranberry juice. this shot is straight off the camera, no processing, no filters used. the sun was actually so dim as to be viewable with the naked eye.  note the clearly visible SUNSPOT in the upper left quadrant of mister sun. this was clearly visible to the naked eye. i am 40 years old, and it is the coolest thing i have ever seen in the sky. the image has been drasticly degraded to fit the parameters of badweb. the original prints very nicely as a 13x19. | ||
| Fullpower |
sun setting behind cape douglas. cook inlet alaska november 2004  straight off the D70, no processing. | ||
| Fullpower |
reep: i regularly shoot the D70 at ISO 1600, never notice any noise or artifacts. the image quality is as good or better than drugstore grade 35mm print film. you may be able to find some high quality 35mm slide film to do better, but the digital image is now about even with 35mm film in my opinion. another nice thing about the D70: it is ready to shoot instantly, no warm up delay. shutter lag time is less than 1/8 of a second, battery life is around a thousand shots, you can leave the camera on for a week or more ( i do not turn mine off, standby battery drain is about nil)so far it has been an effective instrument, if a little heavy.  sunrise, over kachemak bay. homer, alaska november 2004 (this is my backyard) | ||
| Fullpower |
sunrise 11january2005, on my way to work.  later in the morning: | ||
| Fullpower |
and the final two images of the morning, note the second airplane, more visible in a large print, but you can probably see the speck on your monitor:   enjoy. | ||
| Henrik |
Dean - beautiful shots ... I want both your camera and your commute  Thanks for posting those. Henrik | ||
| Pdxs3t |
I think today’s digital camera technology will allow one to shoot in any lighting condition, that is if one has the right camera for the situation. Today’s P&S digital cameras are amazing and the Nikon Cool Pix 950 has to be one of the best P&S ever made (have owned one since it first came out). With P&S, you are limited to certain conditions as far as lighting goes. This limitation varies widely among the P&S cameras available today. With the revolution of today’s DSLR’s it has opened us up to a completely new world of digital photography and has allowed people to invest into a DSLR camera with out having to sell off their first-born. Below are a few samples of what I have done with my Canon 20D in available light (no flash). Photo’s have only been cropped slightly and reduced in size for web posting and with just a little work in Photoshop, WOW! 50mm f/1.8 Lens, Shutter Speed 1/100 sec, Aperture f/1.8, ISO 1600  50mm f/1.8 Lens, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec, Aperture f/1.8, ISO 1600  50mm f/1.8 Lens, Shutter Speed 1/250 sec, Aperture f/1.8, ISO 1600  | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Dean, Love the shot of the sun. I use to be a wildland firefighter and have witnessed that site hundreds of time's (wish I would have had a digi cam back then). Thanks for sharing! Jim |
