http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs Personal Camera Recommendations Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:39:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/11/shooting-video-with-a-dslr/ http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/11/shooting-video-with-a-dslr/#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:51:43 +0000 toby http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/?p=515 Canon’s50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens ~$99  Lets you shoot in lower light and create those great shallow depth of field shots that your friends still using camcorders drool over.   Another point to consider – lenses with stabilization – see the next section. I don’t care how steady you think your hands are, if you want professional looking video it needs to be rock solid and steady . Use either a tripod I recommend  Manfrotto 785 Video Grip Head Tripod $70 or use a steady-cam system like Manfrotto 585-1 ModoSteady 3-in-1 Camera/Camcorder Stabilizer and Support System. You might want to think about investing in lenses with image stabilization (IS) if you plan on shooting lots of video.  The 24-105 is expensive but excellent option, cheaper but still a good choice is the Sigma 17-50 with OS (Sigma’s version of stabilization)  Remember that the IS and OS help with still images as well, just becomes even more important when shooting video. Large cards – Video, especially HD video eats up space quick - SD – SanDisk 16GB Extreme – SDHC Class 10 You can shoot fine on class 6 cards but the slower cards will be painfully slow to pull the video off of. Compact Flash – SanDisk16 GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card External Mic (if your DSLR has an external mic port) Much better audio quality over the built in mic port Rode VideoMic Directional Video Condenser Microphone w/Mount And you might want to read up on using all of the above in From Still to Motion: A photographer’s guide to creating video with your DSLR (Voices That Matter) And feel free to ask for my thoughts on anything else you come across while researching shopping.  I wil be happy to share with you my thoughts and recommendations @camerarec.

]]> http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/11/shooting-video-with-a-dslr/feed/ 0 http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/09/p7000-serious-competition-for-the-g11lx5-market/ http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/09/p7000-serious-competition-for-the-g11lx5-market/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:50:44 +0000 toby $500]]> http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/?p=683 Nikon Coolpix P7000 Key Features

• 10MP CCD sensor
• 720p HDvideo with external stereo mic jack, Auto Focus and Lens Zoom
• ISO 100-3200
• RAW + JPG capture option
• 7x zoom (28-200mm equivalent) f/2.8-5.6 built-in ND filter
• 3″ 921k dot LCD screen
• HDMI output
• Zoom memory function
• Compatibility with Nikon Speedlights
• Wireless remote control from front or back.

P7000 advantages over G11/LX5:

• More versatile zoom lens (28-200mm equivalent)
• Higher resolution LCD screen
• Twin control dials
• Two customizable buttons (although ‘Fn’ is of limited utility)
• Socket for external microphone

Priced at $499 I have to wonder how well this camera will sell, it is without doubt a very nice camera, AF speed and general operation and control of the camera is excellent and responsive but at that price point you are competing with entry level DSLRs and the newer mirrorless DSLRs or EVIL cameras and both of those market segments offer snappier performance and greater versatility.   This camera is certainly smaller than a DSLR, but not as small as the LX5, and offers a very convenient package with the 7x zoom and friendly HD video* and even some room to grow with the hotshoe and external mic port but that room to grow is certainly limited and I think most users will find themselves out of that room soon.   If you are already a DSLR owner and you want something that goes everywhere why not consider the S95 – doesn’t have quite the zoom but is slim and offers stereo audio recording without needing an external mic.  It is also over $100 cheaper. What are your thoughts? Does the P7000 interest you? pre-order the P7000 pre-order the S95 / Go S90 for savings, sacrificing the HD video and stereo audio pre-order the LX5 Order the G11 *Friendly HD video is a term I am using to distinguish between the HD video you shoot with DSLRS and the video you shoot with P&S and other cameras that constantly autofocus. DSLR HD video is excellent but takes practice, a tripod or a stabilizer and with the exception of the D3100, someone who knows how to manual focus while shooting the video- all this adds up to make the DSLRs not very friendly for HD video.  I plan on writing more about this soon.  In the meantime feel free to ask questions @camerarec

]]> http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/09/p7000-serious-competition-for-the-g11lx5-market/feed/ 0 http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/09/the-ipod-touch-stinks/ http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2010/09/the-ipod-touch-stinks/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:38:10 +0000 toby http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/?p=676 Flip HD cameras. The Touch does HD video and with the inclusion of the very slick iMovie editor on the Touch you suddenly have a device that is only slightly more money than HD Flips and offers WAY more. Maybe I am making a bigger deal out of the measly still camera, What do you think? Leave your thoughts below. In writing this post I noticed that even the Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Cameras are now down to $119 – great price for a solid little WP video camera. The 8GB Touch on Amazon

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