Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens with 32GB Card + Battery
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Canon PowerShot A85 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
1)Bigger CCD Sensor 1/1.8" on A80 vs. 1/2.7" on A85 which means 5 million pixels compared to 4 million leading to better image quality.
2)Flip out LCD screen (1.5" on A80 vs 1.8" fixed LCD on A85)The flip out screen is very useful when taking certain shots. I typically used the flip out screen most when taking
-shots of crowds down the center and of tall buildings by holding the camera above my head,
-in tight spot situations on hikes/treks where I could not shift much by twisting the screen sideways,
-of children/smaller objects on the ground without having to kneel on a sidewalk etc.
And NOW the A80 is cheaper too at Officedepot.com. At Amazon it is selling for much higher than the price of A85 which alone proves its popularity.
What A85 offers over A80:
1) SCN modes (beach, fireworks etc.)which may not be useful for people who like using more mnual controls as they have many presets for ISO etc. which may not give the best shot. The A80 offered an extra customizable setting in place of the SCN modes which can be useful too.
2) A85 also offers 3 resolution settings for video including 640X480 (VGA max 30 sec)while in the A80 the highest setting is 320X240 (max. 3 mins). However, the 30 sec video seems a bit short to me. I usually use this feature to capture special moments of children when my video camera is not handy.
3) Print share button: The A85 has a print share button which enables direct printing of images /downloads for marked images. This feature is not very useful for most people especially if you have Windows XP which enables slection/rotation of images and direct download as soon as the USB cable is connected to your computer even without using any Canon software.
What all AXX series cameras offer which makes this series Canon's most successful consumer series so you won't go wrong buying any camera in the series:
--Complete Manual functions available shutter priority, Aperture priority, White balancing, Manual focusing etc.
--Photostitch For stitching together panoramic views. I have shot countless seascapes, 'bridge'scapes, landscapes etc using this function. It is really easy too!
-Tone settings (Tungsten, Sunlight, Cloudy etc.),
--Special effects (B/W, Sepia, Vivid, Nuetral etc.) I have used sepia a lot when taking potraits giving them an 'old world' feel. Vivid has been helpful in special situations like a red kite against a blue sky to bring out the colors.
--Free Canon software, which works well and allows you to edit images, stitch images, make fun photos, maintain an album, change camera settings, edit videos, upload images back to camera to transfer to another computer etc.
--Use AA batteries which are available anywhere in the world. A Sony Super Quick Charger (5hours) with 4 rechargeable NiMH batteries is available for under $23 on Amazon! Charge these batteries upto 1000 times. I keep the LCD on for all my shots and usually I get 270-360 shots from each charge from the A80 including the battery power used to download these images to my computer with the USB cable and playing back these images for friends! That is quite a feat by Canon.
--Macro mode Great for close ups of children or product shots
--Many other useful features in the latest models (including A80)like being able to edit the movies in the camera, being able to see multiple images on the LCD, auto rotation of images, ability to add voice notes to pictures, evaluative graphs on the LCD, and much much more. After thousands of shots I still keep discovering new features I haven't used or better ways to use existing features.
If you are considering the A95, it is a great camera and a upgraded version of A80, however at a hundred bucks less than the A95 (amazon price) the A80 (Officedepot price) is a great camera with almost the same features except a few differences.
-A95 offers 5 MP, and the extra MP may not be useful for you if you don't want to go over 8X10 prints
-a slightly larger flip out LCD screen which is great but it will also use up the battery faster
-SCN modes (see above)
-Print share button (see above)and
-Flexizone (you can set the focus in any one of 9 zones) which is a nice feature if you like being creative with your compositions.
Overall you have to decide whether you want to pay a hundred bucks more for these differences or any one feature may be the deal breaker for you.
In a nutshell, if you are thinking of buying the A85 consider the A80 too!This is my first digital camera having used film cameras for a very long time and I must say that I have no buyer's remorse over my purchase of the Canon Powershot A85. I agonized over a month comparing this camera to many others like the Powershot A80 and the A95 but it finally came down to pricing and what I needed the camera to do, which made the A85 more than enough camera for me. I didn't need a 5 MP camera to start out with and so I figured this was a good starter. It's a solid camera that produces great pictures and videos. The camera is well balanced for someone like me who wants to experiment with camera settings and someone like my wife who wants a simple point and shoot. 2 sets of rechargeable Nimh batteries are a must. I've had a little bit of difficulty shooting pictures of people at night without getting a lot of red eye. Fortunately I think this is something that will require more practice to perfect. If not the software, ZoomBrowser EX, that comes with the camera totally corrects the red eye for me. It is an easy camera to use and navigate. Over the past month I've tried to take a variety of pictures ranging from portrait shots to landscapes and I have been very pleased with the pictures. Once again I highly recommend this camera for someone who is just starting out and wants a reasonably priced quality digital camera.
Buy Canon PowerShot A85 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Now
Eh, I don't really agree with the review saying that the zoom is very breakable. Yes there are quite a few items that will come up if you do a search on google, but considering how many millions of cameras are out there, the percentages are pretty low. I have a Canon A-series digital camera from last year that I took everywhere with me. I just threw the thing in my pocket without a cover or anything, and it never gave me any problems. I recently took this new one out to sea on a boat where it was very windy and nothing happened to it. I also read a comment in a review that battery life is so-so. Well, you have to realize that batteries come in all flavors, from cheap alkalines to NiMH and lithiums. The kind of battery used by the review was not specified. I recommend using rechargeable NiMH batteries at 2100 mAH and up. That'll be way more than enough to fill up a 256 mb card. Well, with that said, I'm going to rate this product based on performace instead of bad luck, and in terms of what it can do, it is really very good, even compared to cameras in a higher class. Picture quality is very good and there are more manual controls than any other camera in this price range. This really is the most bang you can get for your buck. It gives great results and is easy even for the beginner to use. I really do like Canon products, even at the "budget" level the A400 blows away the competition, and you really do get more than you pay for. I'm not saying that I'll only buy Canon stuff, but you gotta admit that they are pretty good. Oh by the way, if you're looking for a sealed up camera, the Olympus Stylus 310/410 has waterproof seals, but is locked in fully automatic mode. If you don't like the way your pictures are coming out, too bad. Some of the 4 meg Kodaks offer pretty good competition, with a nice amount of manual features and 4x zoom, but the trade-off is that you get a noticeable decrease in picture quality compared to the Canons, especially with shots taken at night.Read Best Reviews of Canon PowerShot A85 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Here
The A75 and A85 are Excellent follow-ups of the A70, and offer some very nice improvements. The most noticeable is the larger LCD, scene modes for those who don't like to tinker with the settings, "C" dial position to save your custom settings, and the print/share button to make things easier. For those who don't know, scene modes are easy-to-access presets of a combination of manual adjustments, optimized for shooting in different situations such as when you are indoors, at the beach, taking shots of kids, shooting at night, or shooting fireworks, etc. The camera features full manual controls over shutter speed and aperture, manual focus, saturation, exposure compensation, custom white balance, ISO, metering, and a histogram in playback mode. I know most people think they won't ever use some of these, but when you have an important shot that just isn't coming out, you'll be really glad you have it (or wish you did). For those who don't know, control over shutter speed means you can use a fast shutter speed to capture fast action or you can use a slow shutter to avoid using a flash or for taking shots of night scenery.The areas where the Canon A75, A85, and A95 really excel at are:
Being fairly small(small price tag too!) for a camera with this many features and having picture quality this good.
Creative shooting: this is a great camera for those who want to do creative shooting but can't afford to plop down $600+ for a Canon G6 or more for a Digital SLR. It's got all of the most important controls, and with your memory card, you can do all the creative shooting and experimenting you want virtually free compared to using film. It's even expandable with telephoto, wide angle, or close up conversion lenses and there's also the waterproof casing.
All Canon cameras also come with an excellent software package that lets you stitch panoramic photos, retouch photos or rescue those that came out wrong, add special effect, and view thumbnails of pictures so you don't have to open them up to see what the picture looks like (good for those who are using an older version of windows, I know there are still a lot of you out there). The best part is that it's free! It does more than Kodak's software(which is pretty decent), you have to pay $20 to get the better version of Olympus's software, and Sony's editing software is pretty much non-existent. Those who already have Photoshop won't be excited.
For those of you who are concerned that the camera doesn't come with rechargeable batteries, don't worry, it's really not a big deal. Good rechargeable AA's, type NiMH are super cheap at around $10-$15 for 4, compared to $50 for Lithium Ion battery packs, and at that price, everyone can afford a spare set, which is really important to have. I've seen people who bought much crappier cameras at the same price, just because they came with rechargeable batteries not a smart choice in my opinion.
Yes, there is the problem with purple fringing, but it's not a very common problem and most people either don't know what it is or don't even know think it's much of a problem when they see it. Some people think it looks cool. With full control over aperture, you have the ability to get rid of it or at least reduce it. Compared to the problems that other manufacturers have with their cameras, I'd take a bit of purple fringing over noise, soft/fuzzy images, and over-sharpening any day!
If you want 5 megapixels of resolution, a very useful rotating LCD screen, and Flexi-Zone (lets you choose an area that is off-center to focus on), then look at the A95.
Please note: my review of the A75 is the same as the A85 because they are pretty much the same camera with the 1 megapixel different. There are some differerences between my review of the A95 and this one.
Want Canon PowerShot A85 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Discount?
Absolutely amazing camera.First a little backhistory. I owned Canon products for the most of my life. My first digital camera was an HP however.
After my HP broke about 2 years after purchase (hardware failure, nonspecific, 150 bucks to fix at HP) i went with this camera. The difference is amazing.
Canon products have always been a favorite choice of mine due to ease of use. Its settings dial makes it fast and simple to change from mode to mode for various uses.
Say for example your filming your son at the soccer field. you want a nice portrait of him with the field faded in the background. use the portrait mode. Then you can use the same camera to get a fast shutter shot of him playing on the field simply by turning the dial.
you can even shoot a 3 minute movie of him playing on the field using the same camera! All it takes is the turn of the dial.
In addition to the different settings modes, there are 'creative' modes that you can enjoy by changing the shutter speed and the amount of light the lens lets through (arpeture? value)
this can be used to create some amazing effects of sparkling and flowing streams and waterfalls, or of glowing fountains or fireworks... or even "Light trail" photos.
The creative zones are great when you've got plenty of time to play around, and the preset modes are top notch.
Its hard to take a bad picture with this camera.
The "auto" mode is so powerful that you can literally open the box and start taking photos immediately. After a quick read through the manual you'll know how to take photos like a pro, and with just a little bit of learning and experimenting you'll be taking some real artsy shots too ;)
The battery life is amazing, especially with the optional canon NIMH batteries. The batters that came with it are not rechargable, but i was able to shoot over 100 shots + film 5 or 6 highest resolution movies (30 seconds a shot) before the batteries were dead. My NIMH batteries fully charged have taken over 100 shots and are still hot.
Now, about memory. Flash memory is some of the least expensive and better quality memory for digital cameras. The fact that they've gone with flash memory cards here is ideal. It ships with a 32 meg memory card (retail of about ten dollars as of this writing) and getting 256 meg and up is generally under 50 dollars.
Finally we talk about printing features. The canon camera has easy printing and easy sharing with any canon printer with a camera dock. This is largely most Canon printers. You absolutely will love any canon printer you buy, i believe them to be the best printers you can purchase. Canon has entry level printers for well under 100 bucks, some under 50 bucks in some cases (as of this writing, the IP1500 sits on my desktop) and they're the best in their price range, across all price ranges.
I honestly think it would be difficult to make a mistake purchasing this camera.
My only suggestion is to consider the Canon a95 camera, which is 1 megapixel higher, and has a swivel LCD screen. I had no use for the swivel screen and the larger picture depth wasnt worth the extra cash at the time of my purchase, but its something to consider if you're reading this review.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Epson PowerLite 1880 Projector, 4000 Lumens, 1024 x 768 Pixels Projector
The only practical criticism is that the projector could use more HDMI inputs, but I knew it only had one going into the deal. I use a switch on the HDMI inputs and for the most part it works well.
No matter what I tried I could not get my Windows 7 computer to recognize the projector via USB. Ended up using the VGA connector, which is probably better for my needs anyway. For a short while I had it connected to my home network and the LAN projection feature seemed to work nicely, even though I didn't really need it.
If this projector maintains its quality over time I can see myself buying another Epson when the time comes. I'm very happy with this 3 weeks into using it!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Minox DCC 5.1 Classic Digital Camera
+ controls are easy to reach and use (mode/up/down/shutter release)
+ 6 degrees of zoom (controlled by up/down buttons)
+ 3 quality settings (low, normal, high)
+ adjustable focal length (using a functioning ring around the lens)
+ adjustable white balance (daylight or cloudy, lamp or tungsten) and exposure value (+ or 0.3)
+ detachable view finder
+ video
+ 128 MB built in storage (accepts HD storage cards up to 16 MB, sold separately)
+ self-timer
+ wooden presentation box
no image-stabilizationn (accepts a mini tripod, but that defeats the "spy camera" function)
no built-in flash (external unit available, again defeating the "spy camera" function)
apparently does not support Mac OS 10.7 (claims to support OS 9 and 10, but has no drivers for download; prepare to use a card reader)
apparently no manuals for download from the Minox.com site (despite printed claims packaged with the camera)
pricey though non-essential add-ons (if you want them, check Amazon for sellers packaging the camera with flash and accessories)
Overall a fun camera if it isn't your only one. Five stars for looks, two stars for functionality.I purchased this camera to keep on me at all times when I'm out and about as my pro camera is too heavy and too pricey (if lost, damaged, or stolen). I've had this camera for about a month. The look and size make it a fun little gadget. Works like a camera phone. You must have a steady hand for sharp images. I think for the price it should offer a bit more function and quality, but I knew what I was getting when I bought it. Overall, I'm happy with it.
Buy Minox DCC 5.1 Classic Digital Camera Now
The question arises as to whether this adorably cute mini replica of the classic Leica film camera is a sophisticated toy or a real camera with practical uses. As a long-time aficionado of the Leica M3, which I used for 20 years from 1960 until I finally retired it with the advent of SLR cameras with zoom lenses, I find this miniature a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era, but surprisingly, with a bit of care it is capable of taking quite decent pictures.This lifts it well above the toy category, but not without serious limitations. The accompanying "mini" manual is silent regarding some major technical details like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. It is essentially fixed focus from infinity down to two meters, with manual adjustments for 1 meter and 0.5 meters (19"). It is aperture priority, with variable shutter speeds depending on lighting conditions. Based on a check of "Properties" after downloading, all my photos so far are at an ISO of 100, so that interior shots require a steady hand with a slow shutter speed, as the maximum aperture appears to be f3.7. A rather cumbersome flash attachment is available as an expensive accessory, and so it's best to avoid low-light photography with this camera. There is a very limited movie option, which I will most likely never use.
The lens is 9mm, or 42mm in 35mm format, which users of typical point-and-shoot digitals accustomed to a 28mm wide angle zoom lens will find seriously limiting. A wide angle attachment is available as an accessory for $80, which I do not have, and which would detract from the camera's small-size advantage. Also the very helpful but non-adjustable optical viewfinder atop the camera is not usable either with the wide angle attachment or the 4X digital zoom option, but in that case the 2" LCD viewing screen offers an acceptably bright and clear image in all but the brightest sunlight conditions. Internal adjustments can be made to White Balance and Exposure Value to compensate for overor under-exposed images. The Leica-like film advance lever and rewind knob atop the camera are non-functional props only, which is a pity, as it would have been more impressive if they could have been integrated into operational features of the camera.
Downloading photos to a computer and to an editing program such as Picasa is easy and permits corrections and enhancements. With 5.1 MP and a CMOS sensor, the resolution, color and contrast of most images are quite good. This is undeniably a fun camera to use casually and is certainly a conversation piece with other photographers familiar with the old Leicas, but in terms of performance it cannot compete with modern point-and-shoot minis that are equally small and similarly priced, but far more versatile.
Bottom line: I fully agree with the reviewer who observed that the Minox Digital Classic Camera (DCC) rates a `5' for design and a `2' for function.
Read Best Reviews of Minox DCC 5.1 Classic Digital Camera Here
This digital camera is cute and great conversation in a bar but it takes lousy pics. Although it's a 5.1 MP digital camera, the pictures are blurry. It is nearly impossible to take a clear pic, steady hand or not. So for the price it is NOT worth it. If it cost $20 or $30 like a toy camera, then it would be worth buying if for nothing else than the fun and conversations of it in a bar. But then again, why waste those good photo opportunities with blurry result from a cheap digital camera? Save your money and invest in a better camera!Camera was delivered promptly and appeared to be as represented; however, it would not take a charge. Contacted the Minox Corporate offices directly and they forwarded a ship label and sent the camera to them. New camera came in and took a charge, and now we begin to play and see how it works. So far, so good and expect that it will work and play as advertised, otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.Friday, January 10, 2014
Defender Digital Wireless DVR Security System with 7 Inch LCD Monitor, SD Card Recording and 2 Long
Note that this is an "active" infrared system, meaning that it requires infrared lighting to see in the dark. Infrared lighting is provided on this camera by LED lamps surrounding the camera lens.
Note:
Monitoring station and camera are powered by AC adapters (supplied).
Cameras may be connected by video cable or wireless.
This system includes an audio intercom function.
Video feed can be piped from the monitoring station to other devices (TV, etc.)
Monitoring station permits up to 4 cameras to be attached, and can roll through them or display a 2x2 matrix of images.
Good:
Camera provides an image of sufficient quality for security purposes. If someone you knew walked into the field of view, you would be able to recognize them.
Setting this system up was exceedingly easy.
Video recording to SD card is possible. One SD card is included.
Night vision function works well.
Infrared lighting was more than ample to light subjects at the advertised 40 foot distance.
Wireless hook-up between monitoring station and camera is quick and, in my testing, automatic. Note that the documentation indicates that it may be necessary to "sync" the devices, which should not be hard.
Wireless connection works well, even through approx. 100 feet of wooden-construction house.
Monitoring station is configured via a simple menu system.
Bad:
Monitoring station's menu system could be more comprehensive. (I would have liked to turn down the contrast in the daytime.)
Pay Attention:
The camera housing is "water resistant", but not weather proof. I imagine that a reasonably sheltered mounting location (inside a car port, underneath a deep roof overhang), should sufficiently protect the camera. Just realize that it is not designed to sit out in the rain.
Daytime vision was nearly colorless in my experience.
Infrared LED lamps will create glare on windows and nearby objects, so window glass cannot be between the camera and its subject during infrared operation, and bushes, etc. should not be too near lamps or their "glow" will partially obscure the scene.
Overall, I found this to be a good quality product, which was very easy to set up. The camera provides a reasonable viewing angle and depth of focus for security purposes. Using the system was also quite easy. Assuming you avoid the few potential "gotchas", this would be an easy way to set up video surveillance system for a home or small business.
Privacy Note: One thing I was not able to determine was how hard it would be for anyone else to intercept the wireless video feed from these cameras.My husband and I live on a 16 acre paradise. Because we are so "remote", we felt we needed a security camera system around our house. After reading up on different systems, we settled for this one. Reasons: it is wireless, records motion, has night vision, and has its own portable monitor. We thought it would suffice, but in fact, we sent it back to Amazon within a week.
Let's be clear: we are sure this system is perfect for others, it just wasn't for us. Here is a summation of our reasons:
Our drive is about 24ft from the house. Although it still sees cars at that distance, the motion sensor only works up to 20 feet for any visitors on foot. Meaning that only if they are (un)kind enough to walk on the grass instead of the drive, the camera would detect them. Moving the camera closer to the drive was not option, so any pedestrians can easily pass the house undetected.
The clarity of the system was certainly not sufficient for our use. Beyond 10, 15ft, simply nothing is recognizable. My husband saw me walk by and did not even know me!
The colors are so washed out and/or distorted, that it is impossible to determine what color an object is. Green grass looks like it covered in snow, and you can't tell the color of people's clothing or cars.
The field of view is rather poor, compared with the system we recently purchased. Our new system can view up to 130 degrees per camera, and the Defender cameras only around 64 or so. We'd need three cameras just to monitor the front of the house, while now we can use 2 cameras to cover the full front and part of one side.
The recording is so slow to kick in, that a car driving by at 30km/h is already 3/4 past the camera before it is recorded. Our new system has some sort of buffer that back-records from the moment the motion starts... thus catching the full motion from start to finish.
Although I mention this last, in fact this is almost our biggest concern. Living in the Rockies, we have frequent power outages. To our dismay, the system does not come back after an outage, it says off until you manually push the power button. When we are away, any glitch in the power means our system is useless until we get back.
We are not putting down the product, it was just not sufficient for our needs. The advertising images were graphically rather misleading and the motion detection range is not mentioned anywhere, otherwise we would never have considered this system. We can certainly see how it may be suitable for people who make use of it as an intercom system, such as in an apartment building or office.
However, if one is looking for high definition, long distance outdoor usage, we would strongly recommend the Logitech Alert system. It is extremely easy to set up, does not require additional cable setups, allows for remote monitoring over the Internet (and thus all your computers and mobile devices). It has flexible and excellent motion detection. The image quality and colors are superb. The system appears to be more pricey, especially with additional cameras, but in our opinion, it is more than worth the difference.
As long term customers this is the first time that we returned a product. We were hoping to order the Logitech system instead, but sadly Amazon Canada does not stock the product and Amazon USA does not ship to Canada, so we purchased it from another company.I bought this product based upon the wireless range. Amazon web site lists it as upto 450 feet. Confirmed this on manufacture's web site, listing the same 450 feet. Product arrived and I confirmed the product number. Box marking states 100 feet. Product manual in box states 100 feet with a maximum of 300 feet. I tried the two cameras and each is at a range of exactly 100 feet. There is one 3/4 inch wood sided wall and one tipical brick and gypsum wall in the path. Both cameras cut in and out. When they are receiving one camera indiates 2 to 4 bars on the signal strength indication, The other camera indicates 2 bars. I would take this to mean that there is adequate room to spare. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! I think the product needs to be honestly specified. A 450 foot range is definitely a joke.The Defender PX301 is very easy to set-up and use. Small wires are used to power the 9 volt cameras & were easy to pull thru the wall (I followed along an existing tv cable). The included dvr is compact and immediately picked up a strong clear video from both wireless cameras. The day time picture is clear (color somewhat faded), The night picture is extremely clear (black,gray,white). Reviewing the recorded videos is much easier when the sd chip is viewed on a computer. Individual video clips (there are many coded clips) are shown with a simple thumbnail photo for each individual clip (very easy to pick-out the recording of interest). Videos can be paused & converted into still photos (jpeg for example).I bought the wireless PX301 camera system, but Defender told me that the extesnion cable (if you need to locate the camera more than 6ft from power source) to go to a electronic store since Defender does not offer it for this particular system; that would be fine but all the stores that I went to says it is not available and I would need to get it from the mfg. The mfg was not helpful at all rather suggested that it is my problem. In addition, the quality of the picture is not very good. Another disturbing thing is that they provide an "important information booklet" that provides a customer support contact telephone number that redirects you to a sex hotline; their response was sorry it is an out dated booklet. It's interesting since I just received it 2 weeks ago.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Red) with 55-300mm VR Lens + 6
The D5200 is soooooo much more than a digi cam. The picture quality is superb, it is fairly easy to use once you spend some time getting to know it. It does some pretty amazing things as well, such as selective color. The viewing screen flips out and rotates so you can hold the camera above your head and still see what your focusing on, that was a key factor for me. And it was a great value when you purchase it in a kit like this. On that note as well, the zoom lens is a Nikon lens where some of the kits offer other name lenses. Not a big deal as the other lenses will work and come from other mfg's that I have heard of and have used back in the day with 35mm, but if I'm getting it all in one package I figured I should go with all Nikon. I have not used the tripod yet, but compared to some I have used, it is a pretty nice one with dual bubble levels built into it and seems to be sturdy. Having two batteries is always nice, the bag is on the small side for all that comes in this kit but it works if your creative. 64 gig of storage should keep you happy for a long time!!
If I had to do it again, I would!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
I previously used both a Minolta 9xi (their top of the line 35mm film camera) as well as Mamiya medium format gear which I still use for weddings and portraits. With the advent of good digital cameras and especially digital darkroom (AKA Photoshop) I had become increasingly frustrated dealing with film but had not found a digital SLR that performed well enough for my relatively limited amateur budget so made do with a nice pocket-sized digital Nikon zoom which takes great pictures but is slow slow slow compared to what I was used to. Since I had an investment in Minolta lenses I was inclined toward the Sony line (which takes the Maxxum lenses) but earlier models seemed like too much of a compromise for the $$$. Enter the A500!
Things I love about it:
12.3 megapixels
really easy and intuitive controls, which in a lot of ways are similar to the 9xi so especially easy for me
fast initial and shot-to-shot speed I use the 5fps continuous mode for sports all the time
fabulous low-light performance
in-body (vs in-lens) antishake still have not resorted to a tripod!
very high maximum ISO
excellent battery performance (covered two school basketball games using Live View with juice to spare)
high memory capacity I think I have 8Gb in it, and shooting in "fine" resolution I get about 1450 images and about 500 in "raw" mode. I LOVE LOVE LOVE never having to stop to change film cartridges and never worrying about running out! If the subject matter and final use allowed fewer megapixels or smaller image size I could get 5000+ images on this thing. Woo hoo! Talk about built for news or sporting events!
One nice surprise was how fast I can download the images from the camera previously downloading images from my 5mp Nikon Coolpix I was prepared to wait a long time to download the larger files from the A500. Much to my surprise it was perhaps even a bit faster. Same computer, same USB port. Nice!
All this for a very reasonable price (and I caught it on a day where the price was $100 off Amazon's usual price what a deal!). I've still not explored all this baby can do, and look forward to getting to know it better. So far most of what I have been shooting has been sports but next up are some portraits and out to do some landscape/nature stuff. I'm eager to see how my 100-300mm lens does on the A500 with wildlife under the forest canopy, and tripod work to maximize image quality of scenic and nature shots.
Most of the time I use it with the Sony 18-105mm lens, pretty decent but I have not put it through its paces fully. My father-in-law has the equivalent Zeiss and I'm definitely going to borrow it for comparisons. I wish it were faster in the longer focal lengths. Also, I wish there was a prime lens closer to the 35mm equivalent of 90-100mm, my favorite portrait length. For now I'm making do with a Minolta 50mm f1.7 prime, which is equivalent to 75mm on the 9xi an excellent lens and between f1.7, high ISO values, and the Sony's anti-vibe and low light performance I practically never have to take subject motion or available light into consideration which means the subject doesn't have to think about the camera and I can focus on letting them do what they do while I capture it. This is just...unleashed!I have had my a500 for a few months and am very happy with my purchase. This is a great camera for someone wishing to switch from advanced point-and-shoot to full d-SLR. The menus are intuitive, and this camera is generally easy to use. It has some nice features like HDR imaging, manual live focus, and an amazing live view. I tested this camera with Nikon and Canon models in the same price range and felt this was the superior product. I also like that this camera has the autofocus motor inside the camera itself (unlike many similarly priced models by other brands), making it compatible with my 20-year old Minolta lenses. As you probably know, lenses are as important, if not more important, than the camera body so it's nice to be able to use older, reasonably-priced, solid glass. This generally takes nice low light shots although there is some noise at higher ISOs if you are really picky. This is to be expected from a camera in this price range. Also the kit lens is not the greatest, but this is usually the case with entry level SLR cams and I do feel that it's a lot better than the kit lens that comes with comparable Canons and Nikons. At any rate, I'd recommend buying the body only and picking up a used Minolta 50mm 1.7 prime lens (readily available and inexpensive). Then start shooting. I gave this 5 stars because it's great at what it is --a starter SLR camera with some room for the photographer to grow. This of course can't compete with $2000-$3000 full frame models, but it has none-the-less exceeded my expectations. Great value. In general, I think this brand is underrated in the digital camera world. If you are in the market for your first d-SLR, give Sony a try.
Buy Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) Now
This camera is easy to use yet has the functions of a pro level DSLR. Tilt screen is large and clear coupled with the live view it has been very helpful since I broke my wrist. Pictures are clear and very sharp. If you have old Minolta AF lens like I do it was an easy decision as to what camera to choose. Was almost going to choose a Canon but found out in time that their Live Veiw could not be used in manual mode.In Short this camera is an excellent choice for all levels of experience however the a550 "might" be of more appeal if you have the extra 200.00 to spend.
Read Best Reviews of Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) Here
I'll try to review aspects of this camera body purchase, and not just to repeat "camera test" reports which you can find several by googling it. I am happy with the price and solid reputation of Amazon on this "fulfilled by Amazon" purchase. This is important as there are other lower prices offered by some dubious sellers. (Now you can get a good "sold by Amazon" price.)The Sony A500 body replaces my A300 body, and the improvements (confirmed in my 2 day makeshift tests)are definitely there , while retaining the two best and also improved features that I treasure -the tiltable screen and the best live-view system. On a value basis, I would give it 5+ stars. I agree with the previous reviewer that Sony is under-appreciated. Sony delivers value, best bang for the buck. As you can tell by the price, the camera has been heavily discounted, making it a tremendous value over Nikon and Canon, who I think are too traditional photography bound. They lack innovation and usable features. Who introduced dust removal, anti-shake, live view, tilt screen? Not them. (Don't respond to this. I am not trying to start a war with Canon fanatics. Oops, I mean fans.) To the pixel peeping Toms, Canon is the epitome. But Sony shooters can still use old Konica-Minolta AF lenses and have auto focus and anti-shake function because they are built into the camera, not in the lens. In the lower price category, the Sony A500 is a very capable camera, as others. So it boils down to personal preference on features or brand name when choosing a camera. The most important part of the camera however is the photographer. Composition is the key and post software editing does the rest. Go out and take some pictures. As previous reviewer noticed, the cameras are getting better and cheaper every year, just like other electronics.
You must also have a fairly good Point & Shoot to complement the DSLR. The P&S is good for portability, 25mm wide angle, a longer zoom and 720p movie. My camera equipment for my budget and style: Sony A200 body, A500 body, 18-55mm kit lens, various Minolta era lenses, 3 big flashes; Panasonic ZR1; and Pentax Optio WS80 (not good, but cheap and weather resistant)
Want Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) Discount?
I checked out the a500 with Adobe Lightroom 2.7; the program had no problem downloading the RAW files from the SONY. Since I tend to use Lightroom and Photoshop for image manipulation, I have not tested the ability of the camera to change such items as sharpness, white balance, etc.The a100 is very sensitive to infrared. Using a 72 filter, I could get good IR photographs in bright sunlight at f8/1 sec. The a500 requires a 4-second exposure indicating a somewhat better IR filter.
Otherwise, the a500 has several features no offered by the a100, SONY's first DSLR. The viewing screen can be helpful, as can the new exposure modes. It's a bit easier to use since some of the menu items are accessed by a Fn (function) system.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Nikon Deluxe Digital SLR Camera Case - Gadget Bag with Nikon 60" Tripod + Cleaning Kit for D7000, D
The bag is exactly what I wanted, the tripod is not what I would call "heavy duty" but will suffice. It appears to be fairly sturdy. The legs lock into place quickly and securely.
The head has the usual quick release if you don't mind leaving the hardware attached to your camera. And it is tall enough I don't have to look like the hunch-back of Notre Dame when looking through the view finder.
If I were using larger, heavier lenses, then I would want something with more heft. This will be a good light tripod to take hiking once I find a carrying bag. I'm happy with it.Great buy for the money !
Love the bag and all of the cleaning gadgets. I haven't used the camera stand yet but it looks easy to use.Excellent products were included at a great price. I even had to have a bag replaced and it was done with no questions asked or issues at all. I appreciated the customer service and quality of product.If you're just starting out in photography (as I am), you'll need a few things to get you going. The quality of the case it top notch and the cleaning kit will certainly come in handy. I haven't used the tripod much yet, but it seems to be decent for the price of this kit.The shipment arrived quickly. For the price the products are fine. Made with moderate quality, the sections inside the case are all Velcro definitely not the same bag I was looking at, at my local best buy,. That's what I get for trying to save $20. Tripod will work fine, but not very durable. I'm sure if babied it will last for a while.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
OEM Tenvis Outdoor Network Ip Ir Wireless Camera Security Motion
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sigma SD9 3.54MP Digital SLR Camera
this isn't a true 3 MP camera. it is more like a 9 MP. but better.... there is no longer a reason to not go digital.
getting 3 colors per pixel means no interpolation. that in turn means sharper, truer color, photos without artifacts. in short, digital photos without the digital look. some of the photos taken with this camera are as good as medium format film images.
digital is not as good as film, it is now better.I got mine last week, and it's image quality is the best of any digital camera.
My only complaint is that for the price they skimped on the little things... Specifically one of the battery doors is poorly made (I broke it after inserting the batteries :-( )
But after shooting pictures almost continuously over the holidays, I have to say that the Sony 717 doesn't compare.
Lance
Buy Sigma SD9 3.54MP Digital SLR Camera Now
I'm a bit late in writing this review since I've had my SD9 for one year.The image quality of photos using the SD9 can be quite stunning. The level of sharpness achieved by the Foveon sensor is amazing it can resolve detail that Bayer sensor cameras (all other digital cameras fall into this group) simply cannot. Couple this camera with one of Sigma's "EX" lenses, particularly the super-sharp 50mm EX macro lens, and you'll love the results. I enjoy macro photography and this camera is excellent at macro photography.
I'm certainly not in the league of a real photographer as I'm just a casual type who enjoys taking pictures. As they say, the proof is in the picture and I've seen the proof! Forget about the megapixel rating and the fact that the Sigma is "only" 3.4 MP. The Foveon sensor has 3.4 million photosensors for each primary color that's 10.2 total MP while a 6 MP Bayer sensor has 6 MP for all three primary colors.
Why a four star rating rather than five? This camera is not without it's issues, like all cameras. The SD9 is not a very good low-light performer. If you need ISO speeds faster than 100 then the SD9 may not be for you. High ISO shots are noisy although you can get very usable high ISO photos if the conditions are ideal. The SD10 addressed this issue. The SD9 does not have a built-in flash but those units are not suitable for serious flash work anyway. This camera can only use Sigma SA mount lense so the choice in lenses is not as wide as for a Canon, Nikon, or Minolta user but Sigma makes some very, very good lenses and they certainly offer more choices than I can avail myself of. If you want in-camera jpg files, look elsehwere. The SD9 shoots only in RAW format and you have to process the photos. This is actually the best way to shoot, there is so much that can be done with a RAW file that one cannot do with a TIFF or jpg. The Sigma Photo Pro software is a gem of an application that is extremely powerful and easy to use.
Again, look at the results and you'll see that this camera is an extremely capable performer.
Read Best Reviews of Sigma SD9 3.54MP Digital SLR Camera Here
i have had this camera for almost 2 years now and am still in love with it. i use the EX series 15-30mm lens and there isn't a situation i have found where this camera doesn't kick the of any other digital camera (except for maybe the new SD10). i have a friend with a Canon that cost a ridiculous $9,000 and her pictures look like junk in comparison. i recently took a photo i took with my SD9 at a canyon in new mexico and had it blown up to over 3 feet wide. of course, the file size is absolutely huge, but the print out is stunning. you cannot even see the pixels.i love this camera. it is amazingy easy to use and the pictures come out wonderfully.
Want Sigma SD9 3.54MP Digital SLR Camera Discount?
Well, this camera is something special and I have been compelled write this review because of couple of reasons. For the first, here the reasons. I read many bad , negative reviews of this camera and in the same time all those people who actually used it told how much they have being amazed by the picture quality it produces. So I've decided to try. The camera's images are not amazed they are stunned. The image quality is so high that it left me speechless for the first.I'm just wandering about those who left negative reviews about it? The CNET review, that named it "mediocre SLR camera" is just a plain lie. In my opinion they giving point for those who gives more money, it's it. Another interesting "review", I read from Ken Rockwell (really gifted photo artist!, no questions!), who reviewed this camera without even try it!
So let start. First of all, it is NOT 3.5M camera. It is AT LEAST 10M camera, but megapixels in the traditional meaning just are not applicable here. This camera produces NEGATIVES. This negative is result of 10M photo elements. In the same time any of 6M cameras has HALF OF THEM GREEN and ONLY 25% red and another 25% blue. If we speak about "image quality" using this kind of "resolution" , this camera produces 14M images. In the same time the "real" resolution of those "6M" cameras stand about 1.5M, the everything else is a pure deceiving interpolation. I see that Cannon and NIkon, aren't happy to see this Sigma on the market, since it MUCH SUPERIOR to any camera they make they started to discredit it.
I do not say it is an ideal, but it close. Much closer than everything else that feels like SLR.
This Sigma produces PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES. I mean it. There's full range of amazing continuos beautiful halftones as you can see on the best reversible films. The pictures are spectacular.
Since it is real photographic tool, you come back to the true that photography and it is about light. Your raw pictures will normally produce 3000 by 4500 huge images that is not interpolating, they just "enlargements" from digital negative. It reviles as many details that ANY other camera can't produce. There are 14M cameras on the market, but they DO NOT MUCH this SIgma in the meaning of photography. I can blow my raw image 4 times more and it still looking better than those from 14M Canon. By the way, those image from Cannon show horrible color reproduction, especially in the red. For example two closely colored redish colors coming out the same!
This Sigma saves colors! It saves the real colors, not the estimations, not the interpolations but the real thing. Camera has just the everything that it has to have, including the high speed synchronization up to 1/6000 !!!
The lens from Sigma just as good(or better) as any other lenses from Nikon , Cannon or Minolta. Even cheap $100 tag slow glass is of very good optical quality. Yes/ for $100 you're getting slow lenses, but it almost distortion free and high contrast! But fro $300 you can get perfectly fast, noticeably bright zoom that at least as good as any lens from "leading companies".
Camera is very well constructed, it handles as it should be, the focusing system is fast, the screen is bright and clear, all controls location are very clever and logical. I like this camera and you're going to like it too. No boundaries anymore. You can print image as large as you need, no questions. In two, three years Foveon will overcome. I
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Introduction to the Canon 7D vol. 2: Advanced Topics Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital
As someone who once used the Canon A1 and FD lenses, I am not a stranger to the SLR world of cameras. So this DVD served as a great introduction to the very different world of the Canon 7D DSLR.
The video introduces, in plain English the basic functions of the 7D. It explains how many of the settings are "by touch". The narrator compares how a person can control a car by touch, and that the user of the 7D will eventually learn how to "drive" their camera like one drives a car.
When viewing your DVD have a notebook, pen, owner's manual, and post-it colored tape tabs. I viewed it straight through, not stopping for the exercises. I then watched it again, jotting down notes and locating the relevant information in the instruction manual. I then performed the exercises.
If the 7D is your first DSLR, purchase this DVD at the same time you purchase your 7D. You will be spared all sorts of frustration as you tackle the learning curve.
I plan on purchasing Volume 2 in a few weeks.I want to give this thing five stars. It is so loaded with content and in a great, professional package. Good spokesperson, helps you not only make the most of your camera but improve your photography skills if you're intermediate or newer in your skill level. I really like this video a lot.
So why the three-star rating. Well, it moves way too fast. They need to remember that you're trying to find your way around the camera. Sure, you can pause to find things and see what he's talking about before continuing, but at this pace, that requires pausing every few seconds. You can watch it first and then watch it again with your camera, but this is limited in usefulness since much of what you need to do, of course revolves around pushing buttons and turning knobs. Besides not giving you time to locate these things, they focus on the camera's digital display while instructing you, and don't zoom out to let you see the camera body so you can see where the button being discussed is located. It would further help to have a little red arrow point out the button or knob for easy location. As it stands, the button is not even on-screen as it is being discussed, or in the rare instance where it is in view, the picture is not zoomed out enough for you to see the button in context of the whole camera body so you can see where it *is*. It's one thing to see what the button looks like, it's another thing to know where to find the thing. It would be much better to say, "take a moment to find the [button or knob I'm talking about]. It's to the top right [or wherever, in respect] of the viewfinder."
Also, it moves so quickly there isn't time to absorb it. Rather than watch the same video multiple times, I'd rather have it move more slowly so I can grasp what he's getting at before he moves to the next topic. Yes, that would lengthen the video quite a bit, but if the goal is to educate the operator, do what is necessary to accomplish that, then.
If you're getting this because audio/visual instruction is so much faster and more efficient than using the manual, this will in no way accomplish that for you, I'm afraid. It is fast, but inadequate the way it is arranged.
However: this isn't to say this video isn't worthwhile-it is.
For the advanced user: you'll find this very helpful just to get to know which settings can be accessed from which menus and you learn the various means and advantages of accessing menus in the ways in which this camera was engineered to offer you benefit. It will save you a heap of time. You'll of course find little use in the artistic explanations-you probably know the techniques described. So you'll sit through a lot you already know but since it moves so quickly, it's not a real problem.
For the new or intermediate user: you can gain from the artistic instruction-you can achieve better pictures. Since you may find yourself baffled by the controls and what they do, and the video moves so quickly, I suggest reading the manual *first*.
Actually I suggest reading the manual first to anyone of any experience level. Memorize where everything is because most of the time, you won't get this from the video. it assumes you know all this already.
So, I love the video, but in my opinion it's always better to have complete package. Take the time. Make a video that will replace the manual since people want speed and efficiancy. The preference for that, too, is definitely a marketable asset.
I do wonder if it was put together this way to make one video for all users, but of course that isn't possible and it ends up being inadequate for all levels. Still, it is definitely worth watching. Just get to know all the controls very, very well first.
Buy Introduction to the Canon 7D vol. 2: Advanced Topics Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital Now
JUST ANOTHER TRAINING CD. NOTHING SPECTACULAR. INTERESTING TO WATCH BUT WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN IF I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT ALREADY? NO WAY!!!I bought this because I didn't want to have to read a book first, but wanted to be able to quickly get up to speed on this camera. The video is okay. Presentation is quite dry. Sometimes the voice over is being read with no emotion as if by a robot, but the content is valuable. Probably a good buy if you want to get an overview of some of the more advanced features of the 7D and then drill down later in a book/ the manual on specific features that matter to you most.This is a good reference book for the 7D. Nice size to keep in your camera case.Best way to describe it is to say its an inhanced version of the book that came with your camera. Does nothing, as far as "How to use" on the 7D. It simply tells you what all the settings are and what they do. For a book on learning to actually use the 7D try "Canon 7D, From Snapshot to Great Shot", by Nicole S. Young.
