This thing MAY be the best modelers camera out there:

[DKS]

Actually, if you want a fun, fast (and cheap!) way of composing images on the fly, get a $50 wireless microcam (spycam/nannycam). You can stick the thing practically anywhere, and plug the receiver into a video input converter attached to a PC to grab images. It's the same cam a number of modelers have attached to rolling stock for engineer's POV action shots; it's got a nice angle of view and good depth of field thanks to a pseudo-pinhole lens, although it doesn't have a zoom, of course. I'm working on my third "railcam" to shoot Rick Spano's Sceniced and Undecided (http://scenicedandundecided.net/) for a forthcoming DVD release.

[tom mann]

Bill,

Can you explain to me why my DSLR (sony alpha 100) doesn't have a macro setting, and why I don't even need one?  I can zoom from 18-70mm with an aperture from F2.something to F32, with the lens about 11 inches away.  My point and shoot (canon s3) required that I go to macro mode and zoom in (only 1/3 of the way was possible) to reduce barrel distortion.  That meant the camera could not be closer than 11 inches.  Does a macro setting just compensate for a "jack of all trades" lens?

On another note, I started taking my best photos when I got the DSLR.  More flexibility, but it requires more knowledge.

[wcfn100]

Bill,

Can you explain to me why my DSLR (sony alpha 100) doesn't have a macro setting, and why I don't even need one?

Tom, I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I buy a new camera.  I've seen a lot of your recent pictures and they look great but they (the ones I remember seeing) have all been of a single car on a plain surface.  Could you post a photo that has some depth to it using the Sony?


From what I've read, the fact that your new camera can go to F32 really makes it comparing apples to oranges when comparing it to the Canon S3 which I've read can only achieve F3.2.


Jason

[Chris333]

The S3 should go to F8 correct?

I never got why I would need a long lens, but what Tom said about zooming in from further away makes sense.  The super macro kicks a$$, but a lot of time the camera is so close it casts it's own shadow on what I'm photographing. Plus the fish eye factor.

Oh well at least this one will run off battery's! 

[wcfn100]

The S3 should go to F8 correct?

Yeah, I wasn't too comfortable with that number but thats what I had found.

Aperture and Shutter
Maximum Aperture
 f/2.7 (W) - f/3.5 (T)

Maybe I have the wrong Canon S3 are maybe it's a typo or maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about (please pick just one).


http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=13077


Under 'Specifications'


Jason

[digitaldave]

There's a review over at DCResource

[tom mann]

Aperture and Shutter
Maximum Aperture
 f/2.7 (W) - f/3.5 (T)

This just means the Aperture -open fully - is f2.7 in wide or f3.5 at zoom.  The smaller the number, the bigger the aperture and the shallower depth of field.

[tom mann]

  Could you post a photo that has some depth to it using the Sony?

I've been shooting mostly the "plain" shots because I spent $350 bucks on that stuff* and I'm trying to make the most of it. ;D  But look at this:  http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php/topic,12868.0.html  at F8, the back end of the bridge would be out of focus.

Take this bridge: http://www.mannresearch.com/rr/structures/skewedbridge_01.jpg This is shot at f30-something.  You'll notice that the area behind the bridge is still in focus.



*lights, light tents, and risers.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

No ring zoom. No ring focus. No threaded lense for accessories. Sensor size is good, better then point-and-shoots. But no optical viewfinder is a dealbuster for me. There are other, better options.

[bdeuster]

Hi Tom,

I cannot "answer" your questions because the only thing I know with certainty is that Sony bought Minolta camera manufacturing and technology (which was under appreciated), but I can speculate that your camera's sensor is not only 10MP but quite a bit larger than an 8-10MP point and shoot sensor (though still not a full frame 35).

This means 2 things. The well sizes are larger so it has better dynamic range which allows the post processing circuitry to leave all the details in place. And, there is a tele effect (conversion factor in the 1.5 range) which means your 70mm tele is actually a 105mm lens (in 35). Since lens designers can do pretty much anything they want to if they are willing to add all the elements and weight (not permitted in the point and shoot) they can make the focusing behave in any way they choose. Perhaps Sony took the Minolta lens on your camera and designed it to be a closer focusing zoom (and the 18-70 is already a wide angle zoom that is approx a 27-105mm in 35) that allows for a measure of maginfication that is just shy of calling it a macro.

When you combine the lens and the larger, higher quality sensor with your shooting techniques and style, apparently you dont need the full macro mode. And that is all that matters.

As for your comment that DSLRs require more skill and knowledge to operate, I am not certain I agree. My Canon 1DS and 1DS Mark II are much less complicated that my Minolta A200 to operate and the images are not nearly so difficult to "fix" for reproduction. It takes every one of my brain cells to prepare my best Minolta images for reproduction whereas the ones from my Canon are quite easy to do....

FWIW

B

[tom mann]

As for your comment that DSLRs require more skill and knowledge to operate, I am not certain I agree. My Canon 1DS and 1DS Mark II are much less complicated that my Minolta A200 to operate and the images are not nearly so difficult to "fix" for reproduction. It takes every one of my brain cells to prepare my best Minolta images for reproduction whereas the ones from my Canon are quite easy to do....

Bill,

I was thinking of two things when I wrote that:  the lack of a live preview and a live histogram on DSLRs.  Both of these features were on my Canon S3, but I think only one DSLR has a live preview and I don't think any have a live histogram.  If a user doesn't know about aperture, iso, and exposure time and the relationships between them, not having a live preview makes it difficult.  The live histogram reinforces the choice of settings, since often the LCD for live preview is misleading.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm working on my third "railcam" to shoot Rick Spano's Sceniced and Undecided (http://scenicedandundecided.net/) for a forthcoming DVD release.

No way! I've known Rick and Linda for years. They're awesome.

[DKS]

I'm working on my third "railcam" to shoot Rick Spano's Sceniced and Undecided (http://scenicedandundecided.net/) for a forthcoming DVD release.

No way! I've known Rick and Linda for years. They're awesome.

Yes, they are. I met them when I was in high school. That was, um... <voice=low> 38 years ago </voice>. I've been to their house on a semi-regular basis ever since. We've had a lot of great adventures together. Sometimes we look at one other and ask, has it really been that long?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Were you at their place for the show back in 1993? I was the kid (at the time) that was there operating the layout. I loved Rick's rotary dumper. I could run that thing for hours...

My dad and I drove up to help him staff the layout for the tours during the Valley Forge convention. It was an awesome time.

[DKS]

Were you at their place for the show back in 1993? I was the kid (at the time) that was there operating the layout. I loved Rick's rotary dumper. I could run that thing for hours...

My dad and I drove up to help him staff the layout for the tours during the Valley Forge convention. It was an awesome time.

Yep, I was there for that show. I do vaguely recall the "kid" operator! I was the balding guy lurking under the layout most of the time, trying to keep up with repairs while the layout was running. I have helped him prep for every show, and was present for most of them, as well as several photo shoots. I was around when Allen Keller videotaped the layout for the old MR video series. That was a really crazy time--many stories to be told.