Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Camera Upgrade

Sep 29, 2015 1:50PM PDT

I am in my first digital camera (4.5 years now) - Canon SX130is, 12x zoom, f-8 maximum. I've had no formal training - and there will not be any.
I do a lot of hiking with groups and take all their pics. I need something that will not slow me down any more than I already am - they are not patient.
I take lots of landscapes and macros, some video.
I love the video I have; the macro refuses to focus too many times - I understand this is a Canon problem.
I have been encouraged to get away from camera presets and learn to use the manual settings; however, Manual, AV & TV, at f-8, give lots of mud. A photog advised I need at least F-22 - if this is not so, please advise.
I have checked a few reviews: Nikon Coolpix L830, L840 & D5500. All of them have a lower maximum F-stop than currently.
I'm not necessarily looking for anothter Canon but I am familiar with its terminology.
I order 5x7 & 8x10 prints for gifts, so I need excellent color reproduction and image quality.
I don't have a $$$ amount - but would like to keep it as far under $500 as possible. It does not have to be new - I'll shop Craigslist.
I need some good, solid information on particular brands/models.
Thank you for any help you may be able to provide!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Return to Flickr link
Oct 9, 2015 2:15PM PDT

If you wouldn't mind, open the Flickr link I previously provided.
When you get to the last image, look at the bottom left - it will direct you back to that album.
When you get back to that album, look at the top left - it will direct you to all my albums.
Please check out the waterfalls at 081315 Gee Creek Falls, Cherokee National Forest. You will see I did not have any trouble capturing these lovely falls on a sunny day. Nor did I have any trouble capturing Macro shots - no tripod. A tripod just cannot get underneath mushrooms, etc.

BTW - All the EXIF information is listed below and to the right of all images stored on Flickr. I could have saved myself an hour if I had realized that!

Thank you for your good information.

- Collapse -
Your Flicker Account.
Oct 10, 2015 8:54AM PDT

Thanks for the info.
It shows the important EXIF data.
I checked the waterfall pictures and the shutter speeds were slow, which gives good water blur (1/5 to 1/30 sec). Just a reminder - at those speeds you are near the limit for hand holding a camera. Use all the tricks to hold the camera steady. A bean bag can be used as an emergency tripod and it doesn't take up much space.

As far as upgrading the camera. I don't see any reason to do that at this time. That camera is very capable, and with your learning more about the camera you need time to experiment.

I like to learn new techniques, by looking at samples from experienced photographers. Here is a place to do that.

http://www.dpreview.com/,

Start by hovering the mouse pointer over
the horizontal ribbon index near the top of the page.
Select "Forums" and "Landscape & Travel".
You can see any available EXIF information by hovering the mouse pointer over any picture.

Caution about asking questions on their Forums,
There are many professionals on those forums and they can be direct and to the point.

...

- Collapse -
Bad Link
Oct 10, 2015 9:11AM PDT
- Collapse -
re: nothing but assumptions and insults
Oct 2, 2015 5:25PM PDT

So much for agreeing to disagree.

How/where did I insult you?

As for assumptions, as snapshot pointed out, since you didn't initially include an example photo with EXIF data, we were forced to make some assumptions. And you've done nothing thus far to prove my assumptions incorrect, BTW. In fact, you're actually confirming them. (See below)

As for "The original post was seeking suggestions for a camera upgrade." Yes, and I gave you one in my initial reply. And it was for a PANASONIC camera. But somehow that "leaves [you] to believe that the two of you work for Canon."

"Again, I would, if I could, post two pics" -- you didn't even have to post two pics, just one: taken in manual mode with the camera zoomed all the way out and resting on the floor an inch away from a table leg, as I also suggested in my initial reply. But instead of providing even just one example photo so I wouldn't have to make assumptions, you chose to fault me for making assumptions.

And by your own admission, the conditions -- "car, running, stopped in a long line of traffic. It was very near dusk" which necessitated a shutter speed of 1/10 and with a 250mm equivalent focal length -- are a recipe for camera shake as you are more than 4 stops under the recommended values, while handholding the camera in a running (read: vibrating, i.e. shaking) car.

And for the record, I did notice the camera shake in 072, but didn't specifically mention it to be nice.

- Collapse -
Let's keep[ it civil folks.
Oct 2, 2015 5:37PM PDT

Dafydd.

- Collapse -
Since you're replying to me/my post...
Oct 2, 2015 9:23PM PDT

...I would ask you, as well, to please point out where/when exactly I wasn't civil?

I'm being completely sincere here, please point it out and I will apologize. I genuinely do not see where I wasn't civil or where I insulted anyone. But since communicating solely via text looses context, I may be interpreting something differently from you all. So please do show me where this is, so I can learn.

Thanks,
Mark

- Collapse -
Not to your post Mark.
Oct 3, 2015 4:51AM PDT

Meant as a reply to the thread.
Dafydd.

- Collapse -
OK. Thanks. (nt)
Oct 3, 2015 7:57PM PDT

Mark

- Collapse -
Answer
my only reply
Oct 3, 2015 12:15AM PDT

There is nothing wrong with the camera you have. I would suggest looking at the cnet editors top pick if you want something that is a bit more manual. The thing is, you will need to practice in order to get the quality pictures you want if going manual. That is why there are presettings - to help those who do not have the experience to take manual shots.

http://www.cnet.com/topics/cameras/

You are right, nobody wants to sit and wait for you to take pictures several times with several settings in order to get one good shot. But it is not something that will come to you overnight. You need to go in your yard, during different times of the day in different lighting and practice. Practices on cars driving by, practice on birds, just practice, practice, practice until things become second nature.

I remember when I was taking pictures regularly, I went through rolls and rolls of film before learning the proper balance. Back then, you had to get the correct combinations of shutter speed, f/stop and film iso (speed). Todays digital cameras do not have to worry about film part.

someone gave a link to an online course. I think it would be worth reading if you are serious about your photography. I skimmed over a few links in it and now I am depressed as to how much I have forgotten because of relying on presettings. Good ole days when you took your own pictures , developed film in the darkroom, and then made prints.

anyway, you said something about wanting f/22 see the following for more info about it and if you really need it.

http://www.natureandphotography.com/?p=1075

- Collapse -
Answer
Canon 6d
Oct 23, 2015 9:48PM PDT