OK, I've got the camera - now how do I use it?

[Sherringford Hovis]

I bought a Nikon 4300 and have been lazy and use it on the next to highest setting to retain big JPEGs rather than the top setting of TIFF.... and have left all the rest on auto and the pics seem good to me..... but I do use the pre-programmed options in "Scene" mode.... landscape etc, where the camera sorts out the exposure setting etc....

Good idea to get the biggest card you can! I'm limited to 256mb CF..... as nothing bigger has been tested and I don't want to shell out for a 512MB card and find it dinnae work!

I took a couple of pics in Nice at jpeg and tiff and the first was 900k the tiff was 11.2mb..................

 

[Reggie]

I personally only use 2 x 256 cards then download the full cards onto a battery powered CD writer that has a built in card reader. This then guarantees I always have a CD ready for use via internet cafe's and when I get home I then only download the images I require and retain the CD as a back up. The CD writer cost £140 and I reckon's been a godsend and worked wonders on our trip around Norway.

Keep the resolution as high as possible, always have a least one spare set of batteries and just click away.

When shooting moving bikes it's most important to use a good panning technique.

Enjoy you new toy.

Now then what printer are you going to use? I use a Kodak 8500 which gives A4 sized waterproof images in about 45 seconds and each A4 print costs about £1.70 (all in).

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman

 

[guitarman]

I personally only use 2 x 256 cards then download the full cards onto a battery powered CD writer that has a built in card reader. This then guarantees I always have a CD ready for use via internet cafe's and when I get home I then only download the images I require and retain the CD as a back up. The CD writer cost £140 and I reckon's been a godsend and worked wonders on our trip around Norway.

Keep the resolution as high as possible, always have a least one spare set of batteries and just click away.

When shooting moving bikes it's most important to use a good panning technique.

Enjoy you new toy.

Now then what printer are you going to use? I use a Kodak 8500 which gives A4 sized waterproof images in about 45 seconds and each A4 print costs about £1.70 (all in).

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman

I reckon there are some serious photographers out there Unlike me I'm afraid. All basic stuff as far as I'm concerned. Pre-programmed scenes like RobG talks about works for me.

£140 for a CD writer seems a little expensive for what I need. I can fit the best part of 90 odd photos on the 256 mb card so bearing in mind I can delete what I don't want I don't think I'll need to worry about another card for a 2 weeks holiday.

I don't intend to print anything at home when my local photo shop will do 6x4 prints for 10p a go

Steve, I'm not sure about AA batteries of any description. My experience using the "high capacity" ones in a CD player is not that postive. Everyone else (bar no-one) I've ever spoken to who has owned a digital camera has said to avoid them. The camera mags say avoid them and the shop I bought the camera from were less than enthusiastic about them. I think the 2 Li-ion batteries supplied with the Sony are going to be enough for what I need without the need to carry a battery charger. They take up less space as well.

Thanks for all the advice though, there's a rich seam of knowledge just waiting to be tapped

Cheers

Dick

 

[Fanum]

£140 for a CD writer seems a little expensive for what I need.

Good job they're only 20 quid now then huh??


DABS DIRECT CDRW DRIVE

Actually, TBH I wouldn't go for this particular one.....for 30 quid you can get a better one with a software bundle that will do all sorts of useful stuff with photos....organising them into albums etc.

Surprising how much stuff has come down isn't it!!

B

 

[Reggie]

Hi Fanum,

mine's had some serious use over the last 18month and has been worth every penny.

Now why can't the cost of motorcycles come down by the same ammount? (I can dream can't I).

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman

 

[Possu]

Guiterman,

Don't confuse normal AA batteries with NiMH batteries. If this type of battery was so useless in a camera, a reputable firm like Canon would not use them.

As I said earlier, 380 photos, LCD screen for 99% of them & some flash use is bloody good for one set of 4 batteries. There's also the benefit of being able to buy AA's anywhere.

Any other Canon Powershot or rechargeable battery users care to comment on their experiences?

 

[mikeh501]

Good job they're only 20 quid now then huh??


DABS DIRECT CDRW DRIVE

Actually, TBH I wouldn't go for this particular one.....for 30 quid you can get a better one with a software bundle that will do all sorts of useful stuff with photos....organising them into albums etc.

Surprising how much stuff has come down isn't it!!

Ah, but that one is for a PC. The one Reggie is on about is self contained with its own battery and a card slot - no pc required! hence the price.

Steve, I'm not sure about AA batteries of any description. My experience using the "high capacity" ones in a CD player is not that postive. Everyone else (bar no-one) I've ever spoken to who has owned a digital camera has said to avoid them. The camera mags say avoid them and the shop I bought the camera from were less than enthusiastic about them. I think the 2 Li-ion batteries supplied with the Sony are going to be enough for what I need without the need to carry a battery charger. They take up less space as well.

The best type are the Li-Ion battery packs which come with all middle to high end cams. These give ridiculously good battery life.

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

p120

the batteries supplied with the p120 sony will take roughly 150 photos each thats way ahead of any 2100 mah aa rechargeable and SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLES HOLIDAYS, (300 PHOTOS).
the cost of the bigger memory sticks has fallen gradually so that i would reccomend a 512mb pro card. This will hold approx 204 photos at 5 megapixels, 252 approx at 4 and or 420 approx at 3mp's
in short the p120 is a great ultra compact solution to the travel very light brigade not needing a box full of batteries, chargers, or storage devices.
at only €450 or £299.00 or possibly a little less this is a value for money solution.

 

[schnauzer]

The earlier thread about underwater pics made me laugh as it reminded me of one of my mates...... He went on a 4 week trip to Australia, and ended up at the barrier reef on a boat trip, he bought one of those disposable sealed underwater cameras, went snorkeling and took all 24 pics. when they came back from the developers in the uk, guess what?................24 pics of HIS EYE!!!!! that is one of the funniest things ever!!!

 

[guitarman]

Re: p120

the batteries supplied with the p120 sony will take roughly 150 photos each thats way ahead of any 2100 mah aa rechargeable and SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLES HOLIDAYS, (300 PHOTOS).
the cost of the bigger memory sticks has fallen gradually so that i would reccomend a 512mb pro card. This will hold approx 204 photos at 5 megapixels, 252 approx at 4 and or 420 approx at 3mp's
in short the p120 is a great ultra compact solution to the travel very light brigade not needing a box full of batteries, chargers, or storage devices.
at only €450 or £299.00 or possibly a little less this is a value for money solution.

I paid £289. £10 cheaper than the P100 which is virtually the same camera as the P120 (but silver not black) but you don't get the extra battery or the case with the P100. Don't make sense really.....

Cheers

Dick

ps love the story about the "eyes"
schnauzer