Re: Canon Camera Decisions

Mike Russell <groupsRE@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>> What camera do you use?
>
>A CoolPix 8700.

I also have a CoolPix 8700, and I like it a lot, but it does have some
serious
limitations.  The worst is the long inactive period after you press the
trigger.
This is a particular disadvantage when you are trying to photograph
grandchildren.

Next is the counter- intuitive menu system, and the buttons which are
scattered
randomly over the camera body in places where you are quite likely to
press some
button performing some obscure function without noticing, so that -- as
has
happened to me -- you find all your photos are taken at low res, or the
like,
when you get home.

It is also a pity that it is impossible to set the focal length and
extension to
specific values, and the actual values of these parameters are not
recorded on
the photo.

 Its greatest virtue is that it is lightweight and compact, takes
excellent
macro photos without too much effort and is very flexible, so that I can
get
excellent photos in nearly every case.  It is also relatively compact and
inconspicuous, so that I can toss it over my shoulder when we are
travelling
without feeling that anybody is going to bother trying to steal it. 
(Which is
probably also why it is currently in the repair shop with an erratic on-
off
switch.)

I am interested in extreme close-up work, and recently bought a Canon
EOS400d
with EFS 17-85mm, EFS 60mm macro, and super macro lenses.  This feels a
much
nicer camera to use, but I was very disappointed to find that using the
camera
handheld to photograph flowers I can generally get better results with the
Nikon, and even for scenery it does not appear to be as sharp.  I suspect
I must
be doing something stupid, but I haven't managed to work out what.

With its greater weight and decreased flexibility the Canon is much less
suitable for fieldwork, and I don't think I would even consider it for
travelling.  (Over 40 years ago I had a Hasselblad 500c, and accessories,
and
eventually gave up photography for a number of years, when I found I could
no
longer lug the kit around.)

I find the LCD screens on digital cameras essentially useless for outdoor
work,
and don't really know if my photos are any good until I can display them
on my
computer's hi-res LCD screen.  Age is probably a contributing factor, but
I
suspect that any photographer wanting to critically *****s their work
would have
the same problem.

You can see some examples of my work at
http://www.corybas.com/New_page.php


James McNangle