Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Karabiner]

think about if you were learning to drive again, you could get an automatic license, or a manual license.

both will let you drive cars from A to B and back again, but the manual (SLR) comes into its own when you take it on a track day.

seems like an easy decision if you have the time to invest in learning properly.

Well I have the money to invest in learning properly. Not so sure about the time, though the intent is there........

The only thing we have in this life is time Tony.

[Rod Paradise]

What was that one that Rod's dad was using? perhaps that's worth investigating.

They call that  a bridge camera - as in a bridge between a compact and an SLR.

Of the advantages/disadvantages discussed so far the only one I've noticed is the slow shutter speed.

[Machka]

Really appreciate all the camera advice, guys, thank you.

Dino - what distance away from the subject were you when you took those photos?

I really want to do this bird/wildlife photography thing, & am prepared to invest time & the necessary cash.

My concern is that very wise & respected judges - as well as Tom - are saying "no point, a compact will suffice for your needs".

To be fair to Tom, (just this once), he knows me better than most, & his real point to me is that I don't have the patience to faff about changing lenses & stuff. An outrageously accurate summing up.

But it's like anything, if you want to do it well, a bit of effort is required. I want to do it well.

As well as birds & wildlife, I'd like to take photos of aircraft parked at Heathrow, or under the flight path at the end of the runway, when they are incoming, very low.

Obviously, no arty nonsense, just proper pictures.

Time for my quarterly post on your diary...

I am a very keen photographer, I've just checked and I have taken approximately 32,000 pictures since my first digital camera in 2001.  Well, I say taken, I have kept 32,000 of the photo's I have taken.  For each 'event' I go to, say my son's football match, an SPT weekend, a weekend away, I would probably take 500 photo's and keep 100-150 of the best ones (in focus, people facing the right way, eyes open, etc).

I would recommend starting with a decent super-zoom-compact which can be picked up for less than £200 and is pretty much point and shoot for 95% of situations.

The beauty of a super-zooom-compact is that you will take it with you everywhere you go.  There's no reason not to so you'll pretty much be in a position to never miss a photo opportunity.

I know so many people who have had kids or gone on a holiday of a lifetime and spent a small fortune on a Digital SLR and hardly used it because it's just not convenient to lug about.

I've been using a Canon SX 220 HS for the last 6 months or so and can't say there is much wrong with one of those.  Decent Zoom 14x, CMOS sensor so decent indoor non-flash pictures.

I'll have it at the Luton SPT if you want to play.

[RED-DOG]

Really appreciate all the camera advice, guys, thank you.

Dino - what distance away from the subject were you when you took those photos?

I really want to do this bird/wildlife photography thing, & am prepared to invest time & the necessary cash.

My concern is that very wise & respected judges - as well as Tom - are saying "no point, a compact will suffice for your needs".

To be fair to Tom, (just this once), he knows me better than most, & his real point to me is that I don't have the patience to faff about changing lenses & stuff. An outrageously accurate summing up.

But it's like anything, if you want to do it well, a bit of effort is required. I want to do it well.

As well as birds & wildlife, I'd like to take photos of aircraft parked at Heathrow, or under the flight path at the end of the runway, when they are incoming, very low.

Obviously, no arty nonsense, just proper pictures.

Time for my quarterly post on your diary...

I am a very keen photographer, I've just checked and I have taken approximately 32,000 pictures since my first digital camera in 2001.  Well, I say taken, I have kept 32,000 of the photo's I have taken.  For each 'event' I go to, say my son's football match, an SPT weekend, a weekend away, I would probably take 500 photo's and keep 100-150 of the best ones (in focus, people facing the right way, eyes open, etc).

I would recommend starting with a decent super-zoom-compact which can be picked up for less than £200 and is pretty much point and shoot for 95% of situations.

The beauty of a super-zooom-compact is that you will take it with you everywhere you go.  There's no reason not to so you'll pretty much be in a position to never miss a photo opportunity.

I know so many people who have had kids or gone on a holiday of a lifetime and spent a small fortune on a Digital SLR and hardly used it because it's just not convenient to lug about.

I've been using a Canon SX 220 HS for the last 6 months or so and can't say there is much wrong with one of those.  Decent Zoom 14x, CMOS sensor so decent indoor non-flash pictures.

I'll have it at the Luton SPT if you want to play.

This is not his diary, it's mine, but your contribution is welcome all the same. 

[Karabiner]

Really appreciate all the camera advice, guys, thank you.

Dino - what distance away from the subject were you when you took those photos?

I really want to do this bird/wildlife photography thing, & am prepared to invest time & the necessary cash.

My concern is that very wise & respected judges - as well as Tom - are saying "no point, a compact will suffice for your needs".

To be fair to Tom, (just this once), he knows me better than most, & his real point to me is that I don't have the patience to faff about changing lenses & stuff. An outrageously accurate summing up.

But it's like anything, if you want to do it well, a bit of effort is required. I want to do it well.

As well as birds & wildlife, I'd like to take photos of aircraft parked at Heathrow, or under the flight path at the end of the runway, when they are incoming, very low.

Obviously, no arty nonsense, just proper pictures.

Time for my quarterly post on your diary...

I am a very keen photographer, I've just checked and I have taken approximately 32,000 pictures since my first digital camera in 2001.  Well, I say taken, I have kept 32,000 of the photo's I have taken.  For each 'event' I go to, say my son's football match, an SPT weekend, a weekend away, I would probably take 500 photo's and keep 100-150 of the best ones (in focus, people facing the right way, eyes open, etc).

I would recommend starting with a decent super-zoom-compact which can be picked up for less than £200 and is pretty much point and shoot for 95% of situations.

The beauty of a super-zooom-compact is that you will take it with you everywhere you go.  There's no reason not to so you'll pretty much be in a position to never miss a photo opportunity.

I know so many people who have had kids or gone on a holiday of a lifetime and spent a small fortune on a Digital SLR and hardly used it because it's just not convenient to lug about.

I've been using a Canon SX 220 HS for the last 6 months or so and can't say there is much wrong with one of those.  Decent Zoom 14x, CMOS sensor so decent indoor non-flash pictures.

I'll have it at the Luton SPT if you want to play.

This is not his diary, it's mine, but your contribution is welcome all the same. 

He does come over here to swot up on anything appertaining to art though such as photography.

[david3103]

Tony wants to take wildlife pictures and perhaps pictures of aircraft. Both are subjects that will require use of a zoom lens and despite all that anyone may say about compacts with x14 or x18 or even x22 zooms you can't get away from the fact that a dslr zoom will give better quality.
Nor can you escape the issue of shutter lag on compacts.
In essence, a DSLR set on auto/program is Point & Shoot, and what you see throughout the viewfinder is what you get
A compact is more Shoot & Hope. Shutter lag, the smaller size and the fact that it has to be held so you can see the screen on the back makes camera-shake harder to avoid on images taken at the full extent of zoom range.

[tikay]

Tony wants to take wildlife pictures and perhaps pictures of aircraft. Both are subjects that will require use of a zoom lens and despite all that anyone may say about compacts with x14 or x18 or even x22 zooms you can't get away from the fact that a dslr zoom will give better quality.
Nor can you escape the issue of shutter lag on compacts.
In essence, a DSLR set on auto/program is Point & Shoot, and what you see throughout the viewfinder is what you get
A compact is more Shoot & Hope. Shutter lag, the smaller size and the fact that it has to be held so you can see the screen on the back makes camera-shake harder to avoid on images taken at the full extent of zoom range.

Thanks David.

Cost? Suggested make & model?

Where to buy - I don't really want to go into a Comet, or PC World, & be "processed" by them & their dreadful system. Is there somewhere I could go where the nice man would genuinely talk to me, give me advice, rather than just try to make a sale?

[Woodsey]

Tony wants to take wildlife pictures and perhaps pictures of aircraft. Both are subjects that will require use of a zoom lens and despite all that anyone may say about compacts with x14 or x18 or even x22 zooms you can't get away from the fact that a dslr zoom will give better quality.
Nor can you escape the issue of shutter lag on compacts.
In essence, a DSLR set on auto/program is Point & Shoot, and what you see throughout the viewfinder is what you get
A compact is more Shoot & Hope. Shutter lag, the smaller size and the fact that it has to be held so you can see the screen on the back makes camera-shake harder to avoid on images taken at the full extent of zoom range.

Thanks David.

Cost? Suggested make & model?

Where to buy - I don't really want to go into a Comet, or PC World, & be "processed" by them & their dreadful system. Is there somewhere I could go where the nice man would genuinely talk to me, give me advice, rather than just try to make a sale?

Jessops probably, unless you know a local individually owned shop near you.

[tikay]

Really appreciate all the camera advice, guys, thank you.

Dino - what distance away from the subject were you when you took those photos?

I really want to do this bird/wildlife photography thing, & am prepared to invest time & the necessary cash.

My concern is that very wise & respected judges - as well as Tom - are saying "no point, a compact will suffice for your needs".

To be fair to Tom, (just this once), he knows me better than most, & his real point to me is that I don't have the patience to faff about changing lenses & stuff. An outrageously accurate summing up.

But it's like anything, if you want to do it well, a bit of effort is required. I want to do it well.

As well as birds & wildlife, I'd like to take photos of aircraft parked at Heathrow, or under the flight path at the end of the runway, when they are incoming, very low.

Obviously, no arty nonsense, just proper pictures.

Time for my quarterly post on your diary...

I am a very keen photographer, I've just checked and I have taken approximately 32,000 pictures since my first digital camera in 2001.  Well, I say taken, I have kept 32,000 of the photo's I have taken.  For each 'event' I go to, say my son's football match, an SPT weekend, a weekend away, I would probably take 500 photo's and keep 100-150 of the best ones (in focus, people facing the right way, eyes open, etc).

I would recommend starting with a decent super-zoom-compact which can be picked up for less than £200 and is pretty much point and shoot for 95% of situations.

The beauty of a super-zooom-compact is that you will take it with you everywhere you go.  There's no reason not to so you'll pretty much be in a position to never miss a photo opportunity.

I know so many people who have had kids or gone on a holiday of a lifetime and spent a small fortune on a Digital SLR and hardly used it because it's just not convenient to lug about.

I've been using a Canon SX 220 HS for the last 6 months or so and can't say there is much wrong with one of those.  Decent Zoom 14x, CMOS sensor so decent indoor non-flash pictures.

I'll have it at the Luton SPT if you want to play.

Thanks Aaron.

Yes, I've seen, literally, thouands of your photos, very good they are too, but for the life of me, despite meeting you at so many SPT's, I can't recall what your camera looks like!

Yes please - can you please bring it to Luton, (2 weeks time, 15,000 chips, 40 minute clock, 2 day event, £220 buy-in) & I'll take you exactly ONE MILE from the rather staid & ugly Town Centre to an oasis of wildlife - Luton Hoo - where you can take a few bird & wildlife photos for me. (They have pheasant, jackdaws, herons, red kite, muntjac etc). Then I can see if the results are what I'm looking for.

I'm currently minded to go the SLR route, but as Tom will attest, I have an open mind, & don't know the meaning of stubborn or obdurate.

PS - Post more here  - I love your "balance" next door, you ooze that rarest of commodoties - common-sense. But please choose a better diary to Post on, this one is becoming a bit arty & poncy.

[SuuPRlim]

I don't follow this diary that closely because I haven't been "in" from the start and that tilts me but on the basis of Tikay being (well prolly being) a complete Hero and DanMorgan taking time out from stuffing his face with potato skins speshly to say it was maybe the best thread on blonde I am now in!

Tikay - how was Ronnnie Rutter on the show last night, he was pretty excited I think was it you and him?

[RED-DOG]

Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

By appointment to His Majesty Lil Dave.

That's it, I've arrived.

[smashedagain]

I don't follow this diary that closely because I haven't been "in" from the start and that tilts me but on the basis of Tikay being (well prolly being) a complete Hero and DanMorgan taking time out from stuffing his face with potato skins speshly to say it was maybe the best thread on blonde I am now in!

Tikay - how was Ronnnie Rutter on the show last night, he was pretty excited I think was it you and him?

As usual I'm confused of Scunthorpe. Does Dave think this is Tikays diary?

[RED-DOG]

I don't follow this diary that closely because I haven't been "in" from the start and that tilts me but on the basis of Tikay being (well prolly being) a complete Hero and DanMorgan taking time out from stuffing his face with potato skins speshly to say it was maybe the best thread on blonde I am now in!

Tikay - how was Ronnnie Rutter on the show last night, he was pretty excited I think was it you and him?

As usual I'm confused of Scunthorpe. Does Dave think this is Tikays diary?

It looks that way, but he posted on mine so I'm claiming him.

[SuuPRlim]

no-no

RED-DOG's DIARY FTW wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[RED-DOG]

When you said "DanMorgan took time out from stuffing his face with potato skins" I though you had lapsed into the realms of fantasy.