digital camera

[Steve Burke]

Colin Brett:

The great thing about lots of megapixels is the ability to crop and still get a great image.

As Steve says lots of megapixels can create a huge image which is fine if you get a really good shot and want it printed.

I very much agree with Colin's point about cropping. It's not always possible to get close enough to the subject or, if you're like me, you're composition is lousy!

 

Having said that, most trophy shots would benefit from getting much closer. The great advantages of digital cameras are that pictures are free plus you can see the results immediately. So having taken a picture, move in closer for another shot...and then do the same again. I bet that 9 times out of 10 the closest one will come out best!

 

Turning back to cropping and the number of megapixels, bear in mind that when you crop and resize the image you're magnifying it. (This is also what the digital zoom does). The result is that you're magnifying every defect of the camera. That's why quality counts at least as much as the number of megapixels.

[dillydangler]

looks like i`m going for the fujifilm s5500.looks pretty smart and has had good revues

 

thanks for your input everyone.

 

nice one ian you just saved me a few quid with that last link

[Steve Burke]

dillydangler:

looks like i`m going for the fujifilm s5500.looks pretty smart and has had good revues

The S5500 may well be the right camera for you. However, before you splash out I suggest you look at the Megapixel review of the Fuji S5100, which is what the S5500 is called across the Atlantic. You can see the ratings at http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/fuji-s510...100-results.php and then move onto the full review. If you compare the figures you'll see that Megapixel didn't rate it very highly compared with a lot of its competition, especially in the areas that may be important to you for many fishing shots.

 

I'd especially look into the quality of its flash photos, plus its focus accuracy in poor light. Both of these may well be important to you for your fishing shots, that after all are often taken in poor light. In fact, for trophy shots I always use flash, even in daylight, as I find it produces much better pictures.

 

Personally, I prefer cameras that have "AF assist" and wouldn't buy one for fishing without this feature. This enables shots to be in correct focus in poor light, or even in some models at night. I understand though that the range may be limited to about 2 metres (6½ft) by those that, like the S5500, work by comparing contrast rather than using an infra-red beam. I haven't tried a contrast comparison system so can't comment from experience.

 

Bear in mind that you can correct most problems with the right software, but there's nothing you can do if the shot is slightly out of focus - something you won't know until you get home as camera screens are too small to show this.

 

The other feature I insist on is a flip round screen that makes self portraits so incredibly easy as you can see yourself on the screen whilst you hold a fish.

 

Bear in mind of course that the camera that's right for me may not be right for you. For instance, you may not take self-portraits. Again, I want small size and low weight rather than a 10x zoom. It may therefore be that the S5500 is ideal for you.

 

However, before spending such a large sum of money it may be worth spending a bit of time looking at alternatives on the Megapixel site as these show comparative ratings.

 

There's also a useful table at http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php on camera features, including whether a camera has AF assist.

 

[ 21. June 2005, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Steve Burke ]

[MrWiggly]

Another Happy Bunny ....

 

God we're good !!

[Steve Burke]

I've just been using the DC Resource reviews and info page at http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php You can type in your requirements and it comes up with a list of all those digicams that have the spec that you want!

 

I used the facility to do a bit of research on 10 to 12x digital zooms. It came up with 10 such cameras with AF assist, of which 2 I discarded as I'd want full manual control.

 

One of these is the Fuji S5100/5500. Their review is at http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/fin...x_s5100-review/

 

The most interesting looks to be newly-released 12X zoom Canon S2. Unlike the model it replaces, it has AF assist and according to the review at http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/po...iew/index.shtml

works very much better in the dark as a result.

 

The S2 was very highly rated by this site (not yet reviewed at Megapixel), both as a still camera and also for its movie-making capabilities.

 

This includes image-stabilisation which can much reduce camera shake, thus very useful not only for movies but also for still telephoto shots without a tripod. More importantly for the angler, it also enables you to use a slower shutter speed in low light.

 

It also has the rotating LCD screen that I wouldn't be without. Lowest price at price comparison site, www.pricerunner.co.uk is £335.95.

 

Careful Steve, you may talk yourself into one!

 

[ 22. June 2005, 12:31 AM: Message edited by: Steve Burke ]

[dillydangler]

helpful advice steve.

 

think i`ll wait awhile and compare my price range (£200+ish) to different cameras.

 

thanks again everyone.i nearly bought that peace of 5h1t of ebay.

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

Glad I could help. I've *never* from the days of owning 640x480 cameras had a fuji that has failed to impress me (based on what I wanted it for).

 

The eBuyer prices *tend* to be about the best you can get (and their memory is as cheap as chips as well).

 

-Ian-