Snapshot camera for gliding ?

[Dave Nadler]

Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
in the cockpit.

Ideal camera:
- very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
- instant on
- no settings to fiddle after turning it on
- doesn't autofocus on canopy
- super-fast focus and shoot
- fast repeat shooting
- easy operation with one hand

Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.

Recommendations ?
Thanks in advance,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

[T8]

On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> in the cockpit.
>
> Ideal camera:
> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> - instant on
> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> - super-fast focus and shoot
> - fast repeat shooting
> - easy operation with one hand
>
> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> Recommendations ?
> Thanks in advance,
> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

There are a bunch that will do. I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
-- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
only faster, slightly smaller. RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
capabilities of these little gems.

-T8

[Dave Nadler]

On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > in the cockpit.
>
> > Ideal camera:
> > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > - instant on
> > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > - fast repeat shooting
> > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > Recommendations ?
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> capabilities of these little gems.
>
> -T8

Thanks for the recommendation.

I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
needed for quick shots while flying.

Does this camera *require* RTFM,
or is it really point-and-shoot ?

Thanks again,
Best Regards, Dave

[T8]

On Feb 4, 10:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > > in the cockpit.
>
> > > Ideal camera:
> > > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > > - instant on
> > > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > > - fast repeat shooting
> > > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > > Recommendations ?
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> > There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> > -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> > only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> > capabilities of these little gems.
>
> > -T8
>
> Thanks for the recommendation.
>
> I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> needed for quick shots while flying.
>
> Does this camera *require* RTFM,
> or is it really point-and-shoot ?
>
> Thanks again,
> Best Regards, Dave

You RTFM so you understand, among other things, how to lock the focus
on infinity, tweak color balance, iso, etc. These settings are
retained when power is off. Power on to first shot is << 1 sec.
These cameras will take acceptable snapshots in dummy mode, will take
very nice photographs with only a little more effort. The only thing
that is really essential in the cockpit is locking the focus, and that
you can figure out simply playing with the camera. In the cockpit,
all you do is turn it on, fire away and turn it off.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[John Smith]

> I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> needed for quick shots while flying.

Actually, all digital cameras require you to RTFM to produce decent
results. RTFM once, do the desired settings and *then* you can point and
shoot for the rest of your or your camera's life.

You need a camera which allows you to turn off autofocus, otherwise it
will capture the dead flies on the canopy rather than the landscape. A
"conventional" viewfinder helps in bright sunlight and is an absolute
requirement for me. As far as I know, this latter requirement narrows
your choices pretty much to Canon.

[T8]

On Feb 4, 10:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > > in the cockpit.
>
> > > Ideal camera:
> > > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > > - instant on
> > > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > > - fast repeat shooting
> > > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > > Recommendations ?
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> > There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> > -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> > only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> > capabilities of these little gems.
>
> > -T8
>
> Thanks for the recommendation.
>
> I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> needed for quick shots while flying.
>
> Does this camera *require* RTFM,
> or is it really point-and-shoot ?
>
> Thanks again,
> Best Regards, Dave

You read the manual so you understand how to set the camera for best
results. Once set, the setting are retained power off.

The only essential is locking the focus on infinity, and that you can
figure out simply by looking at the back of the camera. RTFM will get
you better results -- most of the current generation cameras take
really nice photos with a few tweaks, but all do have a 'dummy mode'
that will take an acceptable snapshot under almost all conditions.

In actual cockpit use, it's power on, point, shoot, power off.

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Feb 4, 7:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:

> I do not want to RTFM...

Dave, do you mind if I take that remark out of context?

Just asking...

Thanks, Bob K.

[T8]

On Feb 4, 10:59*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 7:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > I do not want to RTFM...
>
> Dave, do you mind if I take that remark out of context?
>
> Just asking...
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

That's the best laugh I've had this week!

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[Dave Nadler]

On Feb 4, 10:56*am, T8 > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 10:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
>
> > > On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > > > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > > > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > > > in the cockpit.
>
> > > > Ideal camera:
> > > > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > > > - instant on
> > > > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > > > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > > > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > > > - fast repeat shooting
> > > > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > > > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > > > Recommendations ?
> > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> > > There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> > > -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> > > only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> > > capabilities of these little gems.
>
> > > -T8
>
> > Thanks for the recommendation.
>
> > I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> > the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> > needed for quick shots while flying.
>
> > Does this camera *require* RTFM,
> > or is it really point-and-shoot ?
>
> > Thanks again,
> > Best Regards, Dave
>
> You read the manual so you understand how to set the camera for best
> results. *Once set, the setting are retained power off.
>
> The only essential is locking the focus on infinity, and that you can
> figure out simply by looking at the back of the camera. *RTFM will get
> you better results -- most of the current generation cameras take
> really nice photos with a few tweaks, but all do have a 'dummy mode'
> that will take an acceptable snapshot under almost all conditions.
>
> In actual cockpit use, it's power on, point, shoot, power off.

I have an excellent digital camera.
It does not save many settings across power cycles.
It has numerous controls on its exterior that get bumped,
regularly putting it into unusable modes and requiring
lots of fiddling to get it back to something useful, unless
I don't notice in which case the shots are junk.

I'm trying to avoid this for cockpit use...

Does the Cannon D1200 save all settings across
power setting so that's its truly point-and-shoot
after initial configuration ?

Thanks for the recommendation,
Best Regards, Dave

[Dave Nadler]

On Feb 4, 10:59*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 7:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > I do not want to RTFM...
>
> Dave, do you mind if I take that remark out of context?
>
> Just asking...
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

Why not, everything else gets taken out of context...
See ya, Dave

PS: Bob ! Get back to the shop and stop messing with the computer !

[T8]

On Feb 4, 11:10*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 10:56*am, T8 > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 4, 10:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
>
> > > > On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > > > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > > > > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > > > > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > > > > in the cockpit.
>
> > > > > Ideal camera:
> > > > > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > > > > - instant on
> > > > > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > > > > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > > > > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > > > > - fast repeat shooting
> > > > > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > > > > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > > > > Recommendations ?
> > > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> > > > There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> > > > -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> > > > only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> > > > capabilities of these little gems.
>
> > > > -T8
>
> > > Thanks for the recommendation.
>
> > > I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> > > the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> > > needed for quick shots while flying.
>
> > > Does this camera *require* RTFM,
> > > or is it really point-and-shoot ?
>
> > > Thanks again,
> > > Best Regards, Dave
>
> > You read the manual so you understand how to set the camera for best
> > results. *Once set, the setting are retained power off.
>
> > The only essential is locking the focus on infinity, and that you can
> > figure out simply by looking at the back of the camera. *RTFM will get
> > you better results -- most of the current generation cameras take
> > really nice photos with a few tweaks, but all do have a 'dummy mode'
> > that will take an acceptable snapshot under almost all conditions.
>
> > In actual cockpit use, it's power on, point, shoot, power off.
>
> I have an excellent digital camera.
> It does not save many settings across power cycles.
> It has numerous controls on its exterior that get bumped,
> regularly putting it into unusable modes and requiring
> lots of fiddling to get it back to something useful, unless
> I don't notice in which case the shots are junk.
>
> I'm trying to avoid this for cockpit use...
>
> Does the Cannon D1200 save all settings across
> power setting so that's its truly point-and-shoot
> after initial configuration ?
>
> Thanks for the recommendation,
> Best Regards, Dave

I pulled out my SD1000 to verify: the one setting it will not retain
is the infinity focus, and that's a pain because you have to look at
the camera to set the infinity focus lock. I'd forgotten that, sorry,
I wasn't doing any in flight photography this season. Other than that
it fills the bill very well. I don't know if the SD1200 is different
in this respect, probably not. I can take a look at the 1200 tonight.

-T8

[Bob]

On Feb 4, 7:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> in the cockpit.
>
> Ideal camera:
> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> - instant on
> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> - super-fast focus and shoot
> - fast repeat shooting
> - easy operation with one hand
>
> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> Recommendations ?
> Thanks in advance,
> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

I use a Canon PowerShot A720is camera which takes 8mp pictures. If
you happened to see my presentation on Soaring Over SW Colorado at the
SSA convention, most of the shots I showed were taken with it. It is
small, fits in my shirt pocket, is fast on, fast to take a picture,
has a shot view window (which is NECESSARY in full light, such as
flying or hiking), and uses 2 AA batteries (which you can get very
cheaply - 48 for $10 at Costco) which are easy to change in flight if
needed. It has a 6X optical zoom, which is far better than most other
pocket cameras, and has a close-up setting if you ever wanted it. EASY
one hand shooting. Most importantly, for air photos, the focus is not
bothered by shooting thru the canopy. I shoot both out the sliding
window and thru the canopy. Both come out well. I have blown some of
my photos up to poster size and they are still very sharp.

They are not available over the counter any more but you can find them
still on the internet (new and in the box) for around $200. Just do a
google search for the model.

I use a 2 gig memory card in my camers, and have the camera set at the
very best setting (8mp). You will need to check around to find a fast
one. Some of the cheaper cards are slower to record the images, and
may take an extra second or two in between shots. I get over 500
shots on the card if I want, but always download to my computer hard
drive after each photo session / flight, often taking 200-300+ on a
flight. Nifty thing about digital, you can download tons on the
computer, and delete them easily if you don't want them.

Bob T.

[Craig[_2_]]

On Feb 4, 7:59*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 7:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > I do not want to RTFM...
>
> Dave, do you mind if I take that remark out of context?
>
> Just asking...
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

rim shot please.

Craig

[gen]

I used Panasonic Lumix LX3 last season, took over 1,500 pics, and was
quite happy about its quality and the ease of use.

In addition to meeting all criteria you mentioned, it also:
- shoots HD video at 720p
- has wide angle lens (24mm equiv)
- has capability to attach a filter or wide angle conversion lens (I
used one to make it 18mm)
- can shoot in raw mode if you want to pursue the quality of picture
- its fast (F2.0) lens makes it a good snapshot camera too when
drinking beer after landing

-Gen

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Feb 4, 8:13*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:

> PS: Bob ! Get back to the shop and stop messing with the computer !

Sorry, I have to write a bunch of documentation first.

[John Smith]

> - can shoot in raw mode if you want to pursue the quality of picture

Just for information, the Canon PowerShot cameras can take raw pictures,
too. The firmware blocks that feature, but there is a hack which enables
it: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

That said, the jpeg pictures of the Canon cameras are of pretty high
quality.

[Bruce]

Dave Nadler wrote:
> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> in the cockpit.
>
> Ideal camera:
> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> - instant on
> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> - super-fast focus and shoot
> - fast repeat shooting
> - easy operation with one hand
>
> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> Recommendations ?
> Thanks in advance,
> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

Hi Dave

I did the research this December and went with the Panasonic Lumix TZ7.
Widest angle available, and widest zoom range available. Takes HD video
- shuts down to pocket size. Consequently is a little expensive.

Takes outstanding pictures and is designed for PHD operation. (That's
Push Here Dummy) Primary user is my 11 year old son who is keen on
photography, but not yet tech savvy enough - and I need to keep him away
from my nikon D80 - with which I have taken some spectacular pictures -
but you have to be in a 2 seater. It is just too big and clumsy to be
safe otherwise.

It is outstanding - Have a look.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0901/09012706panasonictz7.asp
http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2009/03/21/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ7/p1

Bruce







--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

[T8]

On Feb 4, 11:20*am, T8 > wrote:
> On Feb 4, 11:10*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 4, 10:56*am, T8 > wrote:
>
> > > On Feb 4, 10:39*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > > On Feb 4, 10:37*am, T8 > wrote:
>
> > > > > On Feb 4, 9:53*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > > > > > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > > > > > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > > > > > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > > > > > in the cockpit.
>
> > > > > > Ideal camera:
> > > > > > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > > > > > - instant on
> > > > > > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > > > > > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > > > > > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > > > > > - fast repeat shooting
> > > > > > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > > > > > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > > > > > Recommendations ?
> > > > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > > > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> > > > > There are a bunch that will do. *I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> > > > > -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> > > > > only faster, slightly smaller. *RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> > > > > capabilities of these little gems.
>
> > > > > -T8
>
> > > > Thanks for the recommendation.
>
> > > > I do not want to RTFM; if thats necessary
> > > > the camera is not the effortless point-and-shoot
> > > > needed for quick shots while flying.
>
> > > > Does this camera *require* RTFM,
> > > > or is it really point-and-shoot ?
>
> > > > Thanks again,
> > > > Best Regards, Dave
>
> > > You read the manual so you understand how to set the camera for best
> > > results. *Once set, the setting are retained power off.
>
> > > The only essential is locking the focus on infinity, and that you can
> > > figure out simply by looking at the back of the camera. *RTFM will get
> > > you better results -- most of the current generation cameras take
> > > really nice photos with a few tweaks, but all do have a 'dummy mode'
> > > that will take an acceptable snapshot under almost all conditions.
>
> > > In actual cockpit use, it's power on, point, shoot, power off.
>
> > I have an excellent digital camera.
> > It does not save many settings across power cycles.
> > It has numerous controls on its exterior that get bumped,
> > regularly putting it into unusable modes and requiring
> > lots of fiddling to get it back to something useful, unless
> > I don't notice in which case the shots are junk.
>
> > I'm trying to avoid this for cockpit use...
>
> > Does the Cannon D1200 save all settings across
> > power setting so that's its truly point-and-shoot
> > after initial configuration ?
>
> > Thanks for the recommendation,
> > Best Regards, Dave
>
> I pulled out my SD1000 to verify: the one setting it will not retain
> is the infinity focus, and that's a pain because you have to look at
> the camera to set the infinity focus lock. *I'd forgotten that, sorry,
> I wasn't doing any in flight photography this season. *Other than that
> it fills the bill very well. *I don't know if the SD1200 is different
> in this respect, probably not. *I can take a look at the 1200 tonight.
>
> -T8

SD1200 also resets the infinity focus setting on power off. But I
remember now how I got good results without using the infinity focus
lock. What you do is turn off the fancy face-recognition software and
set the focusing frame to "center". That setting is retained through a
power cycle and it will get correct focus on whatever is in the center
of the frame and isn't bothered by looking through a canopy. So I'll
stick with the recommendation of the SD1200. It's worth noting that
this camera is *extremely* compact, which is nice in a glider.

-T8

[tienshanman]

Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
in the cockpit.

Ideal camera:
- very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
- instant on
- no settings to fiddle after turning it on
- doesn't autofocus on canopy
- super-fast focus and shoot
- fast repeat shooting
- easy operation with one hand

Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.

Recommendations ?
Thanks in advance,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:40:58 +0000, tienshanman wrote:

> Dave Nadler;719706 Wrote:
>> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a snapshot camera to carry
>> while gliding. Last season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use in the
>> cockpit.
>>
>> Ideal camera:
>> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket) - instant on
>> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on - doesn't autofocus on
>> canopy
>> - super-fast focus and shoot
>> - fast repeat shooting
>> - easy operation with one hand
>>
>> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>>
>> Recommendations ?
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm
> equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.

Agreed. 28mm is about right.

I have a Ricoh GR1s I use for this - its a fixed lens 28mm film camera.
Filling it with 400 ASA, setting f22 aperture and landscape focus puts
everything from panel to horizon in focus and it remembers all settings
when its off. Good film cameras still have a few advantages!


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[Bruce]

Martin Gregorie wrote:
> On Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:40:58 +0000, tienshanman wrote:
>
>> Dave Nadler;719706 Wrote:
>>> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a snapshot camera to carry
>>> while gliding. Last season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use in the
>>> cockpit.
>>>
>>> Ideal camera:
>>> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket) - instant on
>>> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on - doesn't autofocus on
>>> canopy
>>> - super-fast focus and shoot
>>> - fast repeat shooting
>>> - easy operation with one hand
>>>
>>> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>>>
>>> Recommendations ?
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm
>> equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
>> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.
>
> Agreed. 28mm is about right.
>
> I have a Ricoh GR1s I use for this - its a fixed lens 28mm film camera.
> Filling it with 400 ASA, setting f22 aperture and landscape focus puts
> everything from panel to horizon in focus and it remembers all settings
> when its off. Good film cameras still have a few advantages!
>
>
Agreed on the wide angle - that is what swayed the choice from the canon
to the panasonic.

One of the advantages is far better resolution than even the super full
frame 35m digital SLRs. Of course you do have to know how to use them.

Bruce

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

[Brian Whatcott]

> Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> in the cockpit.
> Ideal camera:
> - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> - instant on
> - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> - doesn't autofocus on canopy
- super-fast focus and shoot
> - fast repeat shooting
> - easy operation with one hand
> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
> Recommendations ?
> Thanks in advance,
> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

> There are a bunch that will do. I use Canon SD1000 -- no longer made
> -- bought an SD1200 for someone for Christmas, looks like the same
> only faster, slightly smaller. RTFM -- you'll be surprised at the
> capabilities of these little gems.
> -T8

For what it's worth - I use an Olympus FE-280 8 Mpixel in Through Glass
mode which holds over power down. 2.5in X 3.5 in X .75 in

Brian W

[Eric Greenwell]

Martin Gregorie wrote:
> On Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:40:58 +0000, tienshanman wrote:
>
>
>>> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>>>
>>> Recommendations ?
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>>>
>> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm
>> equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
>> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.
>>
>
> Agreed. 28mm is about right.
>
> I have a Ricoh GR1s I use for this - its a fixed lens 28mm film camera.
> Filling it with 400 ASA, setting f22 aperture and landscape focus puts
> everything from panel to horizon in focus and it remembers all settings
> when its off. Good film cameras still have a few advantages!
You can get the same functions in a digital camera, and far more, so I
see only disadvantages to a film camera like that. My Panasonic TZ5 will
turn on in 400 ASA (or any other choice), landscape mode (or 20 others),
28 mm equivalent, no problem at all. And it has 10 x optical zoom, 3"
LCD monitor, image stabilization, movies, ya da, ya da. Forget film -
digital has it all and much more.

Besides, who wants to shoot only 36 shots, then change the film?! There
are several 28 mm zoom digitals that will do what Dave wants, not just
the TZ5; however, I would get a 24 mm model, now that they are more
available. Love that wide angle!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[Bruce Hoult]

On Feb 5, 5:40*pm, tienshanman <tienshanman.
> wrote:
> Dave Nadler;719706 Wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi All - I'm looking for recommendations for a
> > snapshot camera to carry while gliding. Last
> > season I used my iPhone - its a pain to use
> > in the cockpit.
>
> > Ideal camera:
> > - very thin (fits easily in side pocket)
> > - instant on
> > - no settings to fiddle after turning it on
> > - doesn't autofocus on canopy
> > - super-fast focus and shoot
> > - fast repeat shooting
> > - easy operation with one hand
>
> > Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> > Recommendations ?
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at
> 35mm equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.

Fuji is one of very few companies that have cared about wide angle
lenses on compact cameras, right from film days. In 1999 I bought a
very nice little Fuji Mini Super 35mm camera, and in 2005 I got a Fuji
e500 5 megapixel digital camera (XD card). Both have 28mm equivalent
lenses at wide angle and modest zooms of 2:1 on the MIni Super and I
think maybe 3:1 on the e500.

I don't know about more current cameras.

[Bruce]

Hi Eric -

I agree entirely, including that the Panasonic is a fine choice -
especially because it is so good at the no fiddling thing. But also
because it has the best super zoom lens available at the moment.

I have not carried a film camera in a glider in ten years - but for some
applications, film is still superior. You need to (unlike me) be a
serious professional before that point is reached.

PS - for some amazingly different views on our sport, give a child a
good point and shoot digital and take them to the airfield for a day.

Cheers
Bruce

Eric Greenwell wrote:
> Martin Gregorie wrote:
>> On Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:40:58 +0000, tienshanman wrote:
>>
>>
>>>> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>>>>
>>>> Recommendations ?
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>>>>
>>> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm
>>> equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
>>> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.
>>>
>>
>> Agreed. 28mm is about right.
>>
>> I have a Ricoh GR1s I use for this - its a fixed lens 28mm film camera.
>> Filling it with 400 ASA, setting f22 aperture and landscape focus puts
>> everything from panel to horizon in focus and it remembers all
>> settings when its off. Good film cameras still have a few advantages!
> You can get the same functions in a digital camera, and far more, so I
> see only disadvantages to a film camera like that. My Panasonic TZ5 will
> turn on in 400 ASA (or any other choice), landscape mode (or 20 others),
> 28 mm equivalent, no problem at all. And it has 10 x optical zoom, 3"
> LCD monitor, image stabilization, movies, ya da, ya da. Forget film -
> digital has it all and much more.
>
> Besides, who wants to shoot only 36 shots, then change the film?! There
> are several 28 mm zoom digitals that will do what Dave wants, not just
> the TZ5; however, I would get a 24 mm model, now that they are more
> available. Love that wide angle!
>

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

[Morgan[_2_]]

I'm a little late on weighing in, but check out the GoProHD video
camera. Takes great 5mp pictures as well as beautiful HD video. More
or less instant on, no focusing, super wide angle view. Very few
settings to mess with.

Upsides:
Picture quality is very good.
Video quality is very good
Extreme wide angle
Very few settings or adjustments to futz with
lightweight
numerous mounts for internal or external application
Waterproof housing
will take photo every x seconds

Downsides:
No preview or post shot view and LCD
Occasionally on turning it on, accidentally changes modes from still
to video or other changes(user error, but easy to do)
Wide angle almost prevents air-to-air shots since unless you're
swapping gelcoat they look really far away

The more I use it, the less I use my point-n-shoot Olympus. The wide
angle creates much nicer landscape/cloudscape shots.

Morgan

Sample shots:
http://picasaweb.google.com/morhall/AvenalFlyingWithPancho#





On Feb 5, 11:34*pm, Bruce > wrote:
> Hi Eric -
>
> I agree entirely, including that the Panasonic is a fine choice -
> especially because it is so good at the no fiddling thing. But also
> because it has the best super zoom lens available at the moment.
>
> I have not carried a filmcamerain a glider in ten years - but for some
> applications, film is still superior. You need to (unlike me) be a
> serious professional before that point is reached.
>
> PS - for some amazingly different views on our sport, give a child a
> good point and shoot digital and take them to the airfield for a day.
>
> Cheers
> Bruce
>
>
>
>
>
> Eric Greenwell wrote:
> > Martin Gregorie wrote:
> >> On Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:40:58 +0000, tienshanman wrote:
>
> >>>> Needs to be grab-and-shoot with no fuss and no wait.
>
> >>>> Recommendations ?
> >>>> Thanks in advance,
> >>>> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
>
> >>> Get something with a wide angle lens. Most small cameras max out at 35mm
> >>> equiv. These are useless in the cockpit. The Panasonic LX3 is an
> >>> excellent choice - 24mm equiv; has HD movie mode too.
>
> >> Agreed. 28mm is about right.
>
> >> I have a Ricoh GR1s I use for this - its a fixed lens 28mm filmcamera.
> >> Filling it with 400 ASA, setting f22 aperture and landscape focus puts
> >> everything from panel to horizon in focus and it remembers all
> >> settings when its off. Good film cameras still have a few advantages!
> > You can get the same functions in a digitalcamera, and far more, so I
> > see only disadvantages to a filmcameralike that. My Panasonic TZ5 will
> > turn on in 400 ASA (or any other choice), landscape mode (or 20 others),
> > 28 mm equivalent, *no problem at all. And it has 10 x optical zoom, 3"
> > LCD monitor, image stabilization, movies, ya da, ya da. Forget film -
> > digital has it all and much more.
>
> > Besides, who wants to shoot only 36 shots, then change the film?! There
> > are several 28 mm zoom digitals that will do what Dave wants, not just
> > the TZ5; however, I would get a 24 mm model, now that they are more
> > available. Love that wide angle!
>
> --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---