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Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/20/2013 in all areas

  1. I've been a serious amateur photographer since 1965, and have taken more photos in the last ten years since going digital than in the previous 38. I believe one of the problems, particularly with still photos on cell and many other dedicated cameras, even high end units, is the fact that there are no eye level viewfinders (EVF's). It is much more difficult to frame and focus on an LCD screen held at arms length than through a decent viewfinder, with the camera steadied against your face, especially on a moving subject. It is virtually impossible to find an entry level point and shoot with an EVF, and most of the new compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras have one available only as an expensive option, if at all. And many people that own cameras with an EVF still hold it at arms length. I guess it's a generational thing. Also, once you exceed the optical zoom range, the image gets pixellated very rapidly and I don't know of any cell camera with any optical zoom capability. I took the two elk photos with a 5 MP Canon S2IS equipped with a 12 power optical zoom, my first somewhat serious digital purchased in 2005. It was what used to be called a bridge camera with many of the functions of a DSLR, including a resemblance to one, but still possessing an image sensor about half the size of a postage stamp. I belly crawled into position wearing a digital camo coverall and boonie hat and had the camera draped with digital camo fabric. Both were taken in October, a year apart, after 6:00 PM with fading light, manual esposure, f4.5 and 1/60 sec. shutter speed, ISO 100 and maximum 12x zoom. Out of several dozen taken each day, these were among the best although most were sharp. But as Pat mentioned, some focused on a pine branch or clump of brush that were close with the background blurred. The third photo was taken with the same camera at a 2009 airshow in Helena, Montana, of the USAF Thunderbirds. Out of some 300 shots of jet aircraft flying that day, this is one of a handful that was really worth printing. Long story short, even if prepared and using good gear that you are familiar with, getting a sharp photo or video of an unexpected subject visible only for seconds takes a degree of luck. I would reference the PGF. Getting that money shot with a cell or inexpensive point and shoot, while in a state of near shock, is going to take a degree of luck verging on miraculous (hope that doesn't violate the policy prohibiting religious discussion).
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