Re: just joined this group

Thanks all.

I've also seen the Pentax name lately as a cheaper alternative to the
expensive Canon, Nikon offerings. Are the Pentax Digital SLR worth it and
how do they hold up to the standards that have come about for quality in
sensors, noise levels, raw imaging and memory chips.

Not4wood




"Cats" <ramwater@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1190618311.539640.217950@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Sep 24, 3:49 am, "Not4wood" <no_mgottes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I just ran across this group and checked it out for the first time.

I can't believe all the hostility in and around something thats supposed
to
be a creative art form. LOL

Me neither. Either I've missed something or there's a really nasty
outbreak here. Ignore the posts from the hostile folks - better still
kill-file them.


Yeah, used to be a photographer a long time ago and just started to get
the
urge again. I'm just starting out looking around to see what the usual
is
in terms of gear and puters. Kind of overwhelming with all of the
choices.
I have been backing up my shots on CD/DVD but I've been reading about
external Hard Drives. Are they worth it and what are the advantages over
a
safer CD/DVD compared to a working hard drive that might get an operating
system maybe XP/Vista and the next operating system comes out and your
stuck
with an old HD?? Pictures you want to stay forever, but Operating
Systems
do change. Doesn't make sense.

Changing operating systems and photo formats can also render CD/DVD
useless, and in terms of permanance they are well behind hard disks.
If you want to use them, make more than one copy, use good quality
blanks and be prepared to recopy them every couple of years or so.


<snip>

With all of the people hanging out in here, has anybody had any luck with
used equipment on Ebay?? I looked at it this afternoon and saw some
supposedly new stuff by Vendors and not private people. Do you think
there
really reliable or rip offs??

I have for a couple of Pentax ME Supers - but (as I expect you know)
they are old-fashioned 35mm SLRs! However when the time comes that I
get a DSLR I'll be very careful about where I brought it from - for
one thing I want to know that if there's a problem I can go back to
the vendor.


I wasn't prepared to even think of spending a couple of thousand for a
camera, sounds more like a vacation instead. My question is, my little
Canon Elph 5 mp doesn't cut it anymore and I can't afford to go with a
couple of thousand dollars for equipment. What choices are there so I
can
be more creative and still be able to grow later? I'm not going back
into
the business, this is just for fun and creativity. Been there, done
that.
It has taken me almost twenty years to get my mind on taking pictures
again.
It can really burn you out if your in it on the Professional Level. LOL

To a degree you get what you pay for. More money = better lenses and
sensors = wider range of conditions the camera can operate well in,
plus better optical quality images. However if I found the right
model, your camera is a basic P&S - no control over exposure in any
way. There are lots of excellent compact digital cameras which do
offer a lot more control. Have a hunt round the review sites
(www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com are both worth a look),
and also go to shops where you can feel the cameras in your hand
before buying - and try the viewfinder, if using it matters to you.
That's another way the shops score over Ebay etc. - they provide an
element of 'try before you buy'. BTW two common problems with cheaper
digital cameras are sensor noise especially on higher ISO settings,
and 'purple fringing' at longer focal lengths. Also, more mega-pixels
doesn't necessarily mean a better quality image. If the optics and/or
sensor are poor, the image will be.



.

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