Lori Grunin, CNET editor for for digital imaging, Live!

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I'm here, ask away

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 3:54AM PDT

But be gentle with me. How about starting with some softballs?

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Best All-around lens for Canon 30D

by abone999 Jul 19, 2007 4:00AM PDT

Hi Laurie,

What would you consider the best all-around lens for my camera, a Canon 30D? I know one lens can't "do it all" but what would you recommend?

Thanks,

Alan Bone

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Always a toughie

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:02AM PDT

That really depends on what you like to shoot. Some people rely on a good "prime" lens--say, a 50mm--but I know I'd be lost without a flexible zoom. The 18mm-55mm I find to be a good, all-around option.

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Battery for flash

by kajitoj Jul 19, 2007 4:01AM PDT

What are the best batteries for a flash..
I have a D50 with a sb-600 flash..
Seems like the flash loose power to early.
Thanks
Erik

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AA lithiums

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:03AM PDT

Whenever possible, I use the Energizer e^2 AA lithium batteries for flash. They last longer and provide some noticeable extra oomph on the recycle times. Still, I find the flash has problems keeping up with me

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DSC-T100

by shroadster Jul 19, 2007 4:02AM PDT

Hi Lori,

I just got a Sony DSC-T100, and I've taken a bunch of pictures with it to test it out. I noticed when I look at them on my computer at 100%, they are very distorted and unclear. However when I zoom out a bit, they look fine. Is this normal?

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not about dSLR

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:04AM PDT

but yes, that's normal.

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18-200 for nikon

by Kingp1n Jul 19, 2007 4:03AM PDT

Is the Nikkor 18-200 VR worth the premium price (assuming you can find one)? Or would the 18-200 from Tamron suffice?

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off the top of my head...

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:05AM PDT

I don't know the prices of the respective lenses--I can look them up and get back--but I'd probably pay at least a 50-75% premium for the Nikkor. The VR is certainly worth it.

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Compact cameras

by DuckInA.Pond Jul 19, 2007 4:03AM PDT

Whats the best choice if you want a small, compact camera that doesn't cost a lot and performs well?

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I assume you mean a compact dSLR...

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:07AM PDT

The most compact you can find is the Olympus E-410. The price is right but it's got some exposure problems. I'd probably go a little bigger to the Rebel XTi. Not extremely compact, but very light.

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Nikon 18-200 lens

by best4less Jul 19, 2007 4:06AM PDT

I am thinking to buy one... Can you come up a couple of reasons for NOT buying a Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR lens for a Nikon D80? Thanks.

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No, I can't think of any reason not to.

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:19AM PDT

Unless you need something with a wider aperture. I'm not sure what you're planning on shooting, and f/3.5-5.6 can be a little slow for some things.

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18-200 follow up

by Kingp1n Jul 19, 2007 4:07AM PDT

The Nikkor; if you can find one, retails at $750. Ebay around $850. Tamron is $360.

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Unless you're absolutely budget constrained.

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:08AM PDT

I'd go for the Nikkor. I think you'd appreciate the extra latitude from the VR, and the photos will probably be sharper.

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blurry pics

by FatFu Jul 19, 2007 4:08AM PDT

Hello, when I turn the flash off on my camera, the pictures seems to be always blurry. Is there a reason why its like that only when the flash is not on? What can I do to prevent this from happening?

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Flash freezes the action

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:10AM PDT

And throws everything into high-contrast relief. The result is higher apparent sharpness. It's a fact of light. You're only options for improving the sharpness of the rest of the photos are higher shutter speed and controlling your breathing to minimize even the smallest camera movements.

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looking to upgrade

by geneaure Jul 19, 2007 4:09AM PDT

I currently have a Nikon D70 I have had this camera for for 3 years now and I am looking on upgrading. I orginally bought this camera to take vacation pictures and similar things. I've recently started taking professional product shots and have considered upgrading. Do you think its necessary.

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For product shots, the D70

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:11AM PDT

should be fine. I'd spend the money on a better lens and studio lighting instead.

D70
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/nikon-d70s/4505-6501_7-31341794.html

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dSLR for Sports Photos

by DFringer Jul 19, 2007 4:10AM PDT

My son plays soccer and I have been looking for a dSLR to take photos from the sidelines.

What features should I rank highest, can't do without?

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That's not a feature issue--

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:12AM PDT

..it's a performance issue. I'd say you want a camera that can shoot at least 3fps, but you'd have to check our (and other sites) performance test results to make sure the camera actually hits its rated numbers at the best-quality settings.

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18-200 last follow up question...

by Kingp1n Jul 19, 2007 4:12AM PDT

Thanks for the 18-200 answer. Now let me pose this. Insted of spending $750 on a all-in-one 18-200 VR lense, what about use the 18-55 lense that came with my D50 and buying the new Nikkor 55-200 VR for $250?

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That sounds good as well

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:14AM PDT

I generally like to carry a medium zoom and a long zoom lens with me rather than a single all-purpose. Splitting the zoom range should also (theoretically) result in better photo quality. You're not forcing the optical system to its limits.

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(NT) Thank you very much!

by Kingp1n Jul 19, 2007 4:15AM PDT

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Since no other questions are being posted....

by Kingp1n Jul 19, 2007 4:18AM PDT

Is the possibility of getting dust on the sensor by changing lenses a big concern?

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Yes and no

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:21AM PDT

If you switch lenses frequently, or shoot in debris-loaded locations (deserts, polluted cities), then it's a valid worry. It's certainly a worry for professionals, who swap lenses constantly. But if you're a typical user who swaps lenses only now and then, and you're careful not to leave the innards exposed, then it shouldn't arise within the lifespan of your camera.

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What is good starter dSLR?

by sbaxter Jul 19, 2007 4:21AM PDT

I'm mostly looking to take photo of my kids in action.

I've been looking at a Nikon D40 but there are 2 different ones. One is a 6MP and the other is a 10MP -- Is 6MP enough?

Thanks

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6mp is more than enough

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:23AM PDT

unless you plan on printing some *really* big shots of your kids. But if you're just looking for a step-up from a snapshot camera, 6mp is fine.

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Video camera on the go

by nickswim Jul 19, 2007 4:22AM PDT

What is the best video camera that give the best audio & video quality that also has the features of a digital camera?
The Sanyo Xachti series?
I will be using it for video blogs.

thanks,
Nick Schmidt

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You may want to opt for

by lgrunin CNET staff Jul 19, 2007 4:56AM PDT

a good still camera that shoots standard 640x480 30fps videos, like the Canon PowerShot S5 IS. It has stereo audio with separated mics, and it shoots MJPEG video (saved as an AVI) that's pretty good.

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