I was searching through here and didn't see anything on the topic, so I might as well ask about it since I was curious
What digital camera do you guys (and by you guys, I mean the "pros" I.e. the bhe photographers) use for shots.
Also, any advice on what camera details to look for such as what's a decent MP or amount of optimal zoom to look for?
Posted by JustJoe (Member # 9641) on :
We need to hook up and get you to hang out with me and have you work the models. Let me know if your number is still the same? Thanks!
Posted by ThePerfectFeet (Member # 40466) on :
I'm not a professional photographer but have a Canon EOS 600D.
What camera, lens and lighting setup you use depends largely on what style of photos you want to create. The sensor and features are more important than MP (resolution) and zooming is not needed for model shots, all about the lens.
- Natural, minimal editing: Nikki Sims
- Sharp and saturated: 21Sextury
- Artistic: HegreArt
Something to keep in mind. A good idea is to check deviantART and Flickr to find some great photographers and check out the EXIF data from their photo. By understanding the data in relation to the photo you can quickly pick-up how to create an effect using aperture.
Posted by asiafoot (Member # 1925) on :
I'm another non-pro photog but agree that glass is a big factor in image quality. You can have an above average camera body, but a below average lens your shots could really suffer. A good post-processing program is a must as well.
I personally switch between two Nikon DSLRs, the D300s & D7000. Both have pretty nice CMOS sensors as well as a bunch of other features but I spend more on my collection of lenses. There are a lot of decent DSLRs out there these days so do a little research and find the best the fits your budget. If I had it a chance to do it over again, I'd start with a affordable camera body with a really good lens & as my skills improved upgrade the body. Just IMHO of course. Big megapixel numbers though a huge selling point really isn't that critical for most web based images, so 10MP's will probably do. Of course if you want to print said images then a higher MP will yield better quality printed images (larger with more detail/higher quality).
Again, do some additional research & find what fits you best... There's sooooo many options out there!
HTH a little
Asiafoot
Posted by Toetapper (Member # 6473) on :
I'll keep my eye on this thread as I'm curious about this topic, too. Thanks for asking, blackHxC88.
Posted by Beautifulfeetonline.com (Member # 13717) on :
I used to shoot with an HV30 and a first generation Rebel 6.3 mp. I just nixed both of those and upgraded to the Rebel T3i, not to say that you will want to spend 1200 bucks on one with the memory and everything, but this camera as well as this brand rocks my socks and the video quality is just ridiculous...
Posted by canIsmellYourFeet (Member # 11183) on :
I've always been curious about getting a camera between $150-$250 for creating foot videos as well as still pictures. Sounds like getting a Rebel is the answer, but that's $700 on up...
Posted by Andy-Laa (Member # 31511) on :
As an amateur photographer (in general, not just feet) I find that if it's got a decent enough megapixel count and you know how to work the functions (the latter being the most important) then you can take high-quality pics no problem. Even touch them up a little on basic editing software.
I mean an optical zoom will ALWAYS be better, but will also ALWAYS be more expensive if you're not making any money out of it.
I use an Olympus uTough (I can drop it an' shit and it doesn't break...not that I'm going to intentionally test that theory). It's 10MP and more than enough for me
The editing software I use if free and is at www.picnik.com Posted by canIsmellYourFeet (Member # 11183) on :
Andy, seems like cool advice. I'm going to google that camera you're talking about. My challenge is I want a camera that does decent closeups. Like if I'm shooting the soles of the foot, I need to be able to see the wrinkles in the sole. Now I know it won't be super-duper crystal-clear like with a Canon Rebel, but I want a decent point-and-shoot that does that. And the thing is I want a point-in-shoot to do that in the MOVIE mode. Is that impossible?
Posted by Andy-Laa (Member # 31511) on :
canIsmellYourFeet... - The important part is playing with the "macro" settings - those are the ones that take fine detail.
And if it's close up you want: no flash, good, natural lighting is best (remember, what you can see fully well with your eyes maybe you won't be able to with a camera).
Posted by canIsmellYourFeet (Member # 11183) on :
Hmmm...okay...so I could get a good point-and-shoot with what I'm looking for, between $150-$300?
Also, does the type of lens matter much? Isn't a Carl Zeiss lens the best you can get?
Posted by booberry (Member # 29513) on :
Will only shoot with my sony a850 full frame camera and a cz lens. 24 mega pixels of feet
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
i was thinking more "point and shoot" stuff like this...
cameras that you can get at walmart or kmart, mess with the controls a bit, and viola!!!
$450, huh? I'm of the mind anything about that much would HAVE have some modicum of quality, even coming from Kmart. Plus Fuji isn't some no name, either. Seems like a good purchase, but I would defer to the experts on this one. I know you can get a Canon that's exactly the same style for roughly the same price, give or take.
Posted by Scotty7493 (Member # 13127) on :
The HS20 is the newest bridge or megazoom point-and-shoot offered by Fuji.
The great thing about the megazooms is they can take some impressive pics (that can rival DSLR's) but MOSTLY in well lite conditions. They can also get you in closer to distant objects without all the additional lenses and high cost associated with DSLR's.
I've tried quite a few in the last 2 years. Nikon P100 and P500, Kodak Z981, Canon SX20is and SX30is.
Don't be fooled by the "more megapixel bigger optical zoom" sales pitches. Manufacturers are cramming more megapixels on small image sensors and putting bigger optical zooms on cams with poor image stabilization systems (which ultimately gives you poorly detailed,poorly colored and fuzzy pictures at greater zooms).
I can't comment on the new Fuji HS20. Do some reading up on the reviews on Amazon if you're serious. Personally, I wouldn't buy a Fuji, ever.
Out of all the cams I've tried I've settled on the Canon SX20is. 12.1 megapixel with 20X optical or a focal equivalent of 28mm - 520mm. It's 2 years old and not the most "powerfull" by todays megazoom standards but the 20X optical zoom (80X digital) is more than enough for me and it's image stabilization system is fantastic! I've installed the CHDK firmware on my camera which gives me more ability to customize settings and get even better pictures than the original Canon firmware.
I've taken some amazing shots of people, animals and other things at 300 feet away and you'd think I was standing just 10 or 15 feet away from them! And it takes fantastic macro pictures with a focal length of 0 cm (zero).
[ May 01, 2011, 02:32 AM: Message edited by: Scotty7493 ]
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
quote:Originally posted by canIsmellYourFeet:
quote:Originally posted by blackHxC88: i was thinking more "point and shoot" stuff like this...
cameras that you can get at walmart or kmart, mess with the controls a bit, and viola!!!
$450, huh? I'm of the mind anything about that much would HAVE have some modicum of quality, even coming from Kmart. Plus Fuji isn't some no name, either. Seems like a good purchase, but I would defer to the experts on this one. I know you can get a Canon that's exactly the same style for roughly the same price, give or take.
it's just an example, but I'm looking at cameras similar to that.
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
But I am interested in what GGN and the shoe store kid use. Their pics come out so nice and clear
Posted by goodguyneighbor (Member # 2824) on :
For anyone who's serious, I wouldn't bother with point&shoot cameras. Jpegs shot in auto with a stock lens aren't going to stand out much.
Really good pro gear is more affordable than ever these days.
Buy the best camera, lens, and lighting you can afford, read the instruction manuals, learn how to shoot manually in RAW, then develop a strong opinion/unique personal style.
"But that's too hard!!! I was looking for an easy answer!?" That's why cheapo consumer cameras are so popular.
Posted by canIsmellYourFeet (Member # 11183) on :
quote:Originally posted by goodguyneighbor: For anyone who's serious, I wouldn't bother with point&shoot cameras. Jpegs shot in auto with a stock lens aren't going to stand out much.
Really good pro gear is more affordable than ever these days.
Buy the best camera, lens, and lighting you can afford, read the instruction manuals, learn how to shoot manually in RAW, then develop a strong opinion/unique personal style.
"But that's too hard!!! I was looking for an easy answer!?" That's why cheapo consumer cameras are so popular.
I guess my thing is I was looking for something that takes better videos as opposed to jpegs...in a point and shoot. I guess that's impossible. I have a friend who has a clips4sale site that uses a TX7 (I think he's upgraded to a TX9) by Sony that does just that.
I guess it boils down to if you want to create videos in a studio, with props, lighting, all that, in which case you'd use probably one of the cameras YOU typically use. Or, if you're out and about, and the situation presents itself where you can take a vid (totally impromptu), wouldn't a point and shoot with good video capabilities be in order?
I defer to the expert, o great GoodGuyNeighbor. Posted by Scotty7493 (Member # 13127) on :
Many of the p&s megazoom cams have video capability. My Canon SX20is shoots in 720p HD. Coupled with it's pretty impressive zoom capability and yes if you're out and about and want to capture a quick vid while getting in close you can certainly do it.
I've installed CHDK firmware (Canon Hack and development kit) on my p&s which gives me greater versatility when it comes to iso and shutter times over the original camera firmware. I can also shoot in raw format as well as superfine jpeg mode.
Ever try and carry around a dslr and zoom lens all day to get some shots a megazoom can?
Here's a funny youtube vid comparing a $500 megazoom vs. a $10,000+ dslr and lens....
[ May 01, 2011, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Scotty7493 ]
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
quote:Originally posted by goodguyneighbor: For anyone who's serious, I wouldn't bother with point&shoot cameras. Jpegs shot in auto with a stock lens aren't going to stand out much.
Really good pro gear is more affordable than ever these days.
Buy the best camera, lens, and lighting you can afford, read the instruction manuals, learn how to shoot manually in RAW, then develop a strong opinion/unique personal style.
"But that's too hard!!! I was looking for an easy answer!?" That's why cheapo consumer cameras are so popular.
well, it would be something of a start. it wouldn't be something that would be on the regular, just a hobby (i guess). it's not like i'm a professional and need something complicated but quality. so down the road it would be fantastic, but would a point and shoot be a logically short term option?
Posted by Goddess Melanie (Member # 40802) on :
quote:Originally posted by blackHxC88: I was searching through here and didn't see anything on the topic, so I might as well ask about it since I was curious
What digital camera do you guys (and by you guys, I mean the "pros" I.e. the bhe photographers) use for shots.
Also, any advice on what camera details to look for such as what's a decent MP or amount of optimal zoom to look for?
Most photogs are either Nikon or Canon. With full frame - 8 perforation 35mm Canons you can use real nice manual Zeiss glass.
But the trick is in the "system" not just the Canon/Nikon but the speed-lights and other accessories that work with it etc, and obviously not your stock 17-80mm f5.0 zoom lens or worse yet Tokina etc...
Mostly though in 35mm world - staying away from medium format, which is way different it's going to be Canon or Nikon, like 5D, 7D or D300 etc..
But most important factors are production design and lighting, these are foot photos, not head shots so the shallow DOF of full frame is not as important, especially if you want to get both feet and face into focus.
It's all about the lighting really, that and framing..
You can have a P&S K-mart camera and still come out with amazing shots.
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I'm going to google that camera you're talking about. My challenge is I want a camera that does decent closeups. Like if I'm shooting the soles of the foot, I need to be able to see the wrinkles in the sole. Now I know it won't be super-duper crystal-clear like with a Canon Rebel, but I want a decent point-and-shoot that does that. And the thing is I want a point-in-shoot to do that in the MOVIE mode. Is that impossible?
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