Seeing all these gorgeous photographs with breathtaking clarity and focus makes me sad that I can't get shots like that. Are you using digital cameras and if so what kind? How many mega pixels? I'm a real amateur without much knowledge of sophisticated equipment, though I know I'll need to learn in order to get better pictures. Thanks for any advice or information any of you can offer!

Want to feel really bad? Visit timecatcher.com. =P

Mine is 10 megapixels by the way. Though megapixels are .. well, sum1 else will explain/link.

Easy to adjust manual (or partially manual) controls are nice to have. Post processing software of some sort is also nice --> lightroom or photoshop (or there are others).

Megapixels aren't very important. Most of my images were taken with a 5 MP Minolta Dimage A1 or a 6 MP Nikon D70. Actually, I'm working with a 10 MP Nikon D80.
To choose a good lens IS really the most important IMO...

Hey Mahyar,
It is not about the mp, really,(~8
I used a 6mp before, now traded that one in for a 4mp (yes, FOUR megapixel) cam, take a look at my gallery, do those look unsharp,
The key to clarity and focus is proper technique (and a nice DSLR with great lenses),

Learn about contrast, about optimal aperture of your lens, about base ISO setting, about shutter speed vs focal length, about post procesing, about UnSharpMask,

Those are the things one should look after,
I'll provide a link;
good read (~8

Hope you find some useful articles,8~)

Wish you good luck
Kind regards
Tim

Hi, Mahyar!

All of the pictures in my gallery from before March 2008 were made with a 6-megapixel Fuji Finepix E550. After that date, the majority were made with a 12.3-megapixel Nikon D300. I still use (and love) the little Fuji and it, unlike the heavier, more conspicuous Nikon, goes everywhere with me.

I upgraded, in part, because I was beginning to bump into the Fuji's limitations (after 18 months of nearly daily use), but more because I was accepted into a digital imaging arts program that required a DSLR with certain capabilities.

The Fuji's lens is fixed, and though it gives me many more manual controls than most cameras of its size and price range (good for skill development as well as shooting options), it's not advanced enough to satisfy the program.

With the 12.3-megapixel Nikon's images, I'm braver about printing large. But the real "upgrade" for me has been in the improved optics. For most of what I want to shoot though, the Fuji is still a hero. Had I started out with the D300, I think I would have died of fright trying to use it. The far more affordable Fuji and its drop-in-pocket-and-go size got me out there shooting and learning.

I shot film years ago but was never able to get good darkroom arrangements after I left college and got more and more turned off by processing costs and therefore more and more careful about what I photographed. I ended up not photographing anything.

Digital freed me from the fear of mistakes since the costs are more up front except for batteries and memory cards, and solutions to problem images are literally at your fingertips at the computer. And going in low on my first digital camera investment freed me from the fear of making an expensive mistake.

One of my favorite sites for checking out potential purchases is DP Review.

For a beginner I recommend the Panasonic Lumix FZ line of cameras. I learned about manual control with my Lumix FZ10 4mxp camera. It's not a DSLR, but it has arguably the best non-DSLR lens on the market. The clarity and the ability to capture light at long zooms are just amazing.

On the other hand you could buy a used DSLR kit like a Rebel XT 8mpx or the Olympus E-Volt e300 8mpx kit with two lenses for about $350 - $400 on eBay. The Olympus e300 is what I use right now, and while it's not new it is an excellent camera. I think the Olympus kit lenses are better than the Canon, but the Canon comes with that huge base of fan support that you won't find with the Olympus.

You can start with any of these cameras set to automatic, then as you learn about manual control of focus, aperture (f-stop) , and shutter speed, you will have a camera that allows you to use them.

All my images are taken on a Fuji Finepix f31fd, which is a 6 mega pixel compact camera. Some of the results, especially of my nearby lighthouse, are quite stunning. I am thinking of moving up to a DSLR, perhaps a Nikon D60.

Most of my gallery is from my old Kodak Z7590 (5MP), It had a really good lens set but I have since upgraded to a Rebel XTi. My recent acquisition of a Canon 28-135mm and its optics are a large step from the kit lens. Note what I just got is the included lens with a 40D. Hope that helps

D40 with Nikon or good Sigma glass (the 10-20mm). Some of my older images are taken with a Canon A620 or even my first digital camera, a Minolta Dimage S304 3.4 mp! Not many megapixels, but an excellent all-glass multi-element lens.

Hey me And Les (PurMusic) had talked about this before. If you read over this thread you might wont to read over this ONE as well. Thanks. The more this idea get tossed around the greater chance we have of this happening.
<PicScout>

Maybe we should try this one ;-)

Is it possible to install old lenses (Canon) on new digital cameras?

I will answer your question .. right after I figure out what in the world SSC means...

Oh, jeez .. you said Canon. That requires a bit too much work - more time than the egg sitting in this pot of water next to me needs to fully cook. Sorry.

I seem to be having good luck with my Sony Alpha A300. Right now I am trying to wrangle some good photos out of it, and have had luck with a few. It's a great camera, and I would recommend it to anyone, but the price is up there. I got lucky with mine and got a really good deal on it.

Along with the A300, I use the stock 18-70 lens and a Sigma 70-300 lens that has macro with it. I also have the various filters and other goodies I have collected with my 35mm gear. This is my first digital camera with all of my other gear being in the 35mm type.

Keith

...and why didnt I think of that user name?

Kodak 8.2 mp
Digital
36mm
3x optical aspheric lens
I have not had it to long and this is the first time I have ever used a camera like this and I love it I can also take videos on it with sound.
I really do not think its so important what we use as long as we have fun using our cameras and from the looks at these post there are alot of happy people in here taking pictures with the cameras they love.
Have fun and god bless you'
Deana

The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.

-Ernst Haas, Comment in workshop, 1985

I use a Canon Powershot S5 IS. It is very versatile and has 8 megapixels, a 12x zoom, and other nice features. The most important thing, however, is that it has a manual mode, which is a must for artistic photography. If you can afford it, get an SLR (film or digital) camera. Film SLRs are relatively inexpensive and they are a great way to learn the fundamentals of photography. If you use a digital camera, make sure to get some kind of editing software (preferably Photoshop, but not necessary). Remember that whatever equipment you have, you should learn to use everything to the fullest extent. Read the manual cover to cover if you have to. Just don't be one of those stupid tourists with a professional camera and no idea how to use it!

Most of all, remember that the best thing your equipment can do is to get out of the way of you and your art. Learn the rules of composition, and learn to think like a photographer. Think about how you would compose a picture even when you don't have a camera in your hand. Read photography books and subscribe to National Geographic. Good luck!

P.S. Look for interesting light. It does amazing things to mundane subjects.

All my pictures comes from a Nikon Coolpix 995. I know they're not great but who cares? I just love taking pictures!

Using a new Pentax K-10D 10.2 mp it allows me to be in control of what I do,not the camera..Only had it two weeks an still trying everything,

I sort of agree with curiousGeorge but I have to say not all cameras are equal. I used to shoot with a sony DSC-T10. Certainly the number of mega-pixels was adequate, but the compression on the data was not, and reduced the quality of the pictures and prints under some circumstances. I now use a Leica D-LUX simply because it is a handheld that can shoot in RAW. It also has a larger sensor than the Sony and that also improves the quality of the output. The number of megapixels is not so important as the sensor size, the optics and the digital format. CuriousGeorge is right, you do need to see and compose the picture as well.

I agree....You have to SEE the image..but you also have to KNOW your camera to bring it out and make YOUR camera sing.
As of now, I use a Fuji Finepix s700..It's a P&S with some manual control. Very good camera for learning how to control the manual aspect of your image. But you can only go so far with it. Time to move on.
I am purchasing a Nikon D70 with a Sigma 70-300 lens. Really looking forward to moving on and learning more about manual control. I feel this will get me going farther than the Fuji will.

Not all cameras are equal, though I would go with a cheaper camera and use more expensive (and better) lenses. I got some very good shots with a Kodak DX6490, 4 MP zoom camera and then went to DSLR for the challenge, first a Canon 350D and then the Canon 40D. Some new cameras eliminate noise better at higher ISOs. But, you can still get great images from most cameras, but better control of things like DOF with the DSLRs.

I use a little kodak easyshare M853 8.2 mega pixels...

I dont know if it is any good, but it seemed to work fine for me.


Buttt, it broke:/

"Is it possible to install old lenses (Canon) on new digital cameras? "
The EF lenses will work on DSLRs.

more info here

I had a Canon AE1 SLR camera for years. Had tons of lenses and filters. Loved it a lot. I still have it, but rarely use it. Then I got me a Nikon Coolpix 4800 with 4 megapixels. But what I did not like about the Nikon was that you had to use the one lens, and that was it.
So now I have a Canon Digital EOS Rebel XT with 8 megapixes. But what I love, is that MOST of my lenses I used for my Canaon AE1 will fit with my Canon Rebel!! Even my closeup stacking lenses work. SOmetimes I just have to get a step-up ring, but that's a lot better then having to buy a brand new lens.
So keep checking and then start shooting. Have tons of fun. There's so many kewl cameras out there. I am still learning to use this camera, and it's not always easy for me, but I keep trying. Verena

Canon 50D, 15.1 megapixels, with Canon 70mm-200mm f/4 L lens, and Canon 18-55mm IS lens. Circular Polarizing filter. After upgrading my camera 4 or 5 times, I realize the picture quality is about the same, having good glass (lenses) is the most important thing. Plus learning about shutter speed, iso, aperature settings and so on. You need to take alot of photos of the same subject while using differant settings on the camera. Also, light is very important, early morning and early evening seem to be the best. Photo editing software helps, I use free programs, Noiseware and FastStone Image Viewer. I only sharpen, crop and reduce noise on my photos if needed. Some of the best Photographers do not use any progams for editing. One said it is better to spend more time behind the camera than sitting in front of a computer. I am always learning, and trying new things.

I have a Canon 40D which is out for repair. I haven't liked it since I bought it, but I think there was a problem with the shutter button from the get go. I really liked my Canon XT which I gave to my daughter. I was thinking of getting the Canon 50D, but recently I am considering selling ALL of my Canon equipment and getting a Nikon. They say that Nikon and Canon are equitable, but I really like the color replication I have seen in the Nikons better. It would be good to know how many here prefer one over the other.

Cindy, I've never used a Canon so I can't comment on them but I love my Nikon D60 and Nikor lenses. The D60 is a bit old hat now as there are new models available but I've heard nothing but good about them.

I kind of agree. My photo "Cone Head" was taken with a Nikon D40 I bought to hold me over until I goy my Canon 50D, the photo has a 94 c-index and is in 5th place for all my photos. And "Painted by God" is in 2nd place, c-index of 95 in the Butterfly Gallery. That was taken with my first DSLR, a Nikon D50. Go figure. I don't want this to turn into a Nikon-Canon debate, just sharing some examples you can look at.

No debate, Gregg, just preference.

I am not familiar with Canon so not a bad word from me about the Canon.
I use a Nikon D50 and I am very pleased with it, have several lenses and sometimes I use a Nikon D70 (from my son). And I think if I have to buy a new one it would be a Nikon again.

For someone that is not ready to commit to a DSLR, the Fujifilm S series (S1500, S8100, S1000, S100fs, S5700, S9100) are good cameras with lots of features/options and good optics that are quite affordable.

i have had a canon rebel xsi for several months now and i love it

if you haven t musch money like me you can still use some good post processing softwares, this should do it or pretty much at least(but you have ti have some skills of course to use them well)

I used to work with Canon slr film cameras (A1 & F1n) along with a slew of Canon FD lenses. In the advent of DSLRs, Canon failed to bridge FD lens to be usable with DSLRs like what Nikon did with Nikkor lens. Canon dropped old friends to gain new ones. Well, I guess it's true time only tells who are your true friends. Hence, if you want to compliment a loyal buddy you can always say to him or her, "You're a true Nikon."

I have a Canon Powershot S3 IS...it isn't a DSLR (which I think I would eventually like to get), but it works well for me as I am a relative novice to the whole photography thing. I think it's great for a beginner b/c you get the ability to work and play with the settings, w/o having to be concerned w/having to pay for all those expensive lenses...

I am currently using a Sony A200 Dslr, this camera is ideal as a starter Dslr as it is compatible with Minolta glass from the 80s onwards. Some of the Minolta lenses can be picked up for a steal, my favourite lens is 22 years old and looks and performs like new (Minolta 70-210mm constant f4). Before that I used a Canon A630 point and shoot then a Panasonic FZ28. Im hoping to progress to the Sony A900 which is full frame and is compatible with my Minolta glass. http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp