OT for ya'll digital photo experts..

[Chuck (in SC)]

Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
or low light other than flash?..

Thanks
Chuck (in SC)

[Kevin M. Vernon]

"Chuck (in SC)" > wrote:

>Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
>My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
>days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
>or low light other than flash?..
>
>Thanks
>Chuck (in SC)

Chuck, ya gotta get yourself a DSLR. Interchangeable lenses, get
yourself any old aperture & focal lenght you want.

I just LOVES my Canon 30D. *evil grin*

-Kevin in Indy
To reply, remove (+spamproof+) from address........

[Chuck (in SC)]

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:57:32 -0500, Kevin M. Vernon
> wrote:

>"Chuck (in SC)" > wrote:
>
>>Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
>>My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
>>days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
>>or low light other than flash?..
>>
>>Thanks
>>Chuck (in SC)
>
>Chuck, ya gotta get yourself a DSLR. Interchangeable lenses, get
>yourself any old aperture & focal lenght you want.
>
>I just LOVES my Canon 30D. *evil grin*
>
>-Kevin in Indy
>To reply, remove (+spamproof+) from address........

How much would one expect to pay?.. Camera only or Kit?
Google froogle runs from $600 to $2000....
Chuck..

[Bruce Neufeld[_2_]]

On Sat, 02 Dec 2006 05:25:21 +0000, Chuck (in SC) wrote:

> On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:57:32 -0500, Kevin M. Vernon
> > wrote:
>
>>"Chuck (in SC)" > wrote:
>>
>>>Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
>>>My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
>>>days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
>>>or low light other than flash?..
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>Chuck (in SC)
>>
>>Chuck, ya gotta get yourself a DSLR. Interchangeable lenses, get
>>yourself any old aperture & focal lenght you want.
>>
>>I just LOVES my Canon 30D. *evil grin*
>>
>>-Kevin in Indy
>>To reply, remove (+spamproof+) from address........
>
> How much would one expect to pay?.. Camera only or Kit?
> Google froogle runs from $600 to $2000....
> Chuck..

RE: DSLR's, depends what you're looking for. A lot of people on a budget
are getting the Canon Digital Rebels and a few basic lenses to get them
started. I'd expect to get a body + 2 decent (but not extraordinary)
lenses for around $2K. The body and kit lens tend to run around $800ish.
The kit lens, 17-55mm, is adequate, but barely so. Then again, you might
find it all right. For action/aviation, you'll need a decent zoom, hard
to find one under $1000 unless you just want fairly basic results. The
Canon 75-300mm IS is OK for around $500 - don't get the non-IS, much
cheaper and impossible to hand-hold - but the L glass (i.e. L series
lenses) is far better quality. The 70-200 f/4 is a nice choice, non-IS
being ~$600, the IS version ~$1200 or so. The f/2.8 versions are more
expensive yet, heavier and not much better.

I have the Canon 5D (full frame, 12.9 MP) + Canon 20D (older version of
the 30D, 8.2 MP) plus a bag of professional L glass (~$15K), not exactly a
budget setup, but in reality (minus the lenses) not a quantum leap better
in quality from the Digital Rebel bodies. Honestly, the big bucks is the
glass, and they are worth it (i.e. essential) if you want to do pro
quality work.

Bruce Neufeld

http://neufeldphoto.com/

[Al Denelsbeck]

"Chuck (in SC)" > wrote in
:

> Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
> My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
> days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
> or low light other than flash?..
>
> Thanks
> Chuck (in SC)


Most digitals list their apertures with the lens specs, though some
of the smaller point-n-shoots don't display them noticeably, and you have
to search for them in the manuals/literature. Usually, look for the
notation "1:4-5.6" for the aperture, which would translate to f4 at the
short end of the zoom range, f5.6 at the longest. These would be maximum
apertures. Many of the smaller cameras cannot manage an aperture smaller
than f8

For the most part, the smaller the lens, the less the performance.
Even with small sensors, the idea is that you're collecting a lot of
light to produce f2.8, so the lens surface has to be big in relation to
the sensor.

http://www.dpreview.com/ is one of the most consistent and
comprehensive sites for camera specs and performance, and always provide
aperture range.

As for finding decent DSLRs, check out
http://www.keh.com/onlinestore/home.aspx . Their condition ratings are
usually *under*stated, since their used equipment is often in excellent
condition. One of the leaders in used equipment in the US, very
dependable, very professional.

Good luck!


- Al.

--
To reply, insert dash in address to separate G and I in the domain

[Chuck (in SC)]

On Sat, 02 Dec 2006 14:25:38 GMT, Al Denelsbeck
> wrote:

>"Chuck (in SC)" > wrote in
:
>
>> Is there an equivalent to aperture to look for in digital cameras?
>> My current digital camera doesn't have what would have been in 35mm
>> days a large aperture.. What to look for when concerned with action,
>> or low light other than flash?..
>>
>> Thanks
>> Chuck (in SC)
>
>
> Most digitals list their apertures with the lens specs, though some
>of the smaller point-n-shoots don't display them noticeably, and you have
>to search for them in the manuals/literature. Usually, look for the
>notation "1:4-5.6" for the aperture, which would translate to f4 at the
>short end of the zoom range, f5.6 at the longest. These would be maximum
>apertures. Many of the smaller cameras cannot manage an aperture smaller
>than f8
>
> For the most part, the smaller the lens, the less the performance.
>Even with small sensors, the idea is that you're collecting a lot of
>light to produce f2.8, so the lens surface has to be big in relation to
>the sensor.
>
> http://www.dpreview.com/ is one of the most consistent and
>comprehensive sites for camera specs and performance, and always provide
>aperture range.
>
> As for finding decent DSLRs, check out
>http://www.keh.com/onlinestore/home.aspx . Their condition ratings are
>usually *under*stated, since their used equipment is often in excellent
>condition. One of the leaders in used equipment in the US, very
>dependable, very professional.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> - Al.
Thanks for the info
Chuck (in SC)

[john smith]

In article >,
Kevin M. Vernon > wrote:

> What to look for when concerned with action, or low light other than flash?..

Look at the "noise" level.
Reviews on dpreview indicates that the Canon's have the best low light
ability.