Re: Canon Camera Decisions

"James McNangle" <mcnangle@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:2ah3c41lrd5ff7k3mvoj162ba7dkeg041r@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 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

have you tried this LCD hood??