Backcountry Pilot • Choosing a Grab&Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-2016/7

Choosing a Grab&Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-2016/7

Discuss cameras, lenses, techniques for shooting and post-processing. Please do not ask questions about how to post photos in the forum. See the Help section for website usage questions.
126 postsPage 3 of 71, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Lol. Go take some shots and make a report!
CamTom12 offline
User avatar
Posts: 3705
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:08 pm
Location: Huntsville
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/camtom12
Aircraft: Ruppe Racer
Experimental Pacer
home hand jam "wizard"

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Well, after photographing my cat I've come to the conclusion that I'll just shoot everything with a 16mm lens and then crop it rather than cary a telephoto. The level of detail is just staggering.
Hammer offline
KB and Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2094
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:15 am
Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Post cat pics
Zzz offline
Janitorial Staff
User avatar
Posts: 2854
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:09 pm
Location: northern
Aircraft: Swiveling desk chair
Half a century spent proving “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Ok, if you insist. Taken on an IPhone 5s.Image
boyfalldown offline
User avatar
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:35 pm
Location: Canyon Country

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Hammer wrote:I've lost two Lumix cameras to moisture this year, both due to being caught in heavy rain...ugh. I've got the Olympus TG3 which I cary kayaking, but the image quality is really marginal compared to the Lumix. The Lumix 100 looks great and is half the price of a comparable micro 4/3 system, but not at all moisture proof and significantly larger than the previous models.


When I want a high quality photo I use my Nikon D600. But for something small to always carry around for quick access, I am going to try the Nikon AW130. AW means that it is waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof (within limits of course), and it has a 2.8 lens with zoom. I won't be afraid to take it out if I am in an Alaskan drizzle or if I slip and fall into a Montana trout stream. It's specs sound terrific and I am anxious to try it out.
Charles
MontanaT-craft offline
User avatar
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:30 pm
Location: Butte

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

boyfalldown wrote:Ok, if you insist. Taken on an IPhone 5s.Image


You've exceeded my expectations. That is one special kitty. Mine hates just riding in the car.
Zzz offline
Janitorial Staff
User avatar
Posts: 2854
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:09 pm
Location: northern
Aircraft: Swiveling desk chair
Half a century spent proving “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Speaking of cars, my wife's two are about this close [ ] to getting thrown into traffic if they don't start using their litter box like nature intended.

Not really, but I'm seriously not happy with them.

Hammer, I checked out that camera on-line. Saw the price tag. Disregard my previous request for pictures and focus on selling more tie-downs!
CamTom12 offline
User avatar
Posts: 3705
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:08 pm
Location: Huntsville
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/camtom12
Aircraft: Ruppe Racer
Experimental Pacer
home hand jam "wizard"

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

There is no big trick to training a cat right, you just have to start em young... This was taken with a Canon 20d and sigma 24-70 F2.8 lens, Flash bounced off the ceiling. My latest airplane and skydiving rig is a Canon SL1, a super light weight yet full featured DSLR.[img]https://www.backcountrypilot.org/images/originalphotos/3378/4764/172520676910b303e792c7a2.jpg[img]

Hmmm, I can't figure out why the photo won't attach...
boyfalldown offline
User avatar
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:35 pm
Location: Canyon Country

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

boyfalldown wrote:There is no big trick to training a cat right, you just have to start em young... This was taken with a Canon 20d and sigma 24-70 F2.8 lens, Flash bounced off the ceiling. My latest airplane and skydiving rig is a Canon SL1, a super light weight yet full featured DSLR.Image

Hmmm, I can't figure out why the photo won't attach...


Fixed your picture.

Maybe that's why our cats don't act right. Not enough whiskey. I'll try it and report back with the results. The results might be skewed since I'm working with woodford down here.
CamTom12 offline
User avatar
Posts: 3705
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:08 pm
Location: Huntsville
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/camtom12
Aircraft: Ruppe Racer
Experimental Pacer
home hand jam "wizard"

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Blam!

Image
Zzz offline
Janitorial Staff
User avatar
Posts: 2854
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:09 pm
Location: northern
Aircraft: Swiveling desk chair
Half a century spent proving “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Wow, boyfalldown, you're like a modern-day Roscoe Turner with that flying cat! Very cool!
Image
Oregon180 offline
KB and Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 1259
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:37 am
Location: Ashland
Aircraft: C180B

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Zzz wrote:Blam!

Image



Haha, too funny Zzz. I got one today of ole snaggletooth doing his derp face :mrgreen:

Image

This thread is starting to spiral out of control lol
bart offline
User avatar
Posts: 545
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:54 pm
Location: Fresno, CA
FindMeSpot URL: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... 1ZTy9zAEWv
Aircraft: Cessna 180

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Lol he really is ole snaggletooth.
Zzz offline
Janitorial Staff
User avatar
Posts: 2854
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:09 pm
Location: northern
Aircraft: Swiveling desk chair
Half a century spent proving “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Hammer wrote:Do the converters for the 35mm lenses change the focal length (aside from the normal magnification inherent to the sensor size) or anything else on the micro 4/3 bodies?

I have most of the best manual focus lenses Nikon ever made. 15mm flat field, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 105mm f1.8, 105mm f2.8 macro, 180mm f2.8 ED, plus the highest end zooms they made at the time. I could throw a box of slides on the light table (go to wikipedia for reference) and without a loop instantly pick out every image taken with the 105mm f1.8 or the 180mm f2.8. They were that much sharper than any other glass being made at the time. I mentioned that in an article I did for Nikon World a couple decades ago and they quietly edited it out without telling me. I thought that was sort of funny.

I'd LOVE to use these lenses again but don't want to lug R2D2 around to do so. I'm tempted by the Df, but it's still a damn big camera body, and $3,000.

I'm amazed Nikon hasn't come out with a full frame digital body the size of the FM2. I'd buy one. I'd also buy the fujifilm X100T if it came with a 21mm lens instead of a 35mm lens. Oh right...Leica already makes that...for $13,032.00

I've lost two Lumix cameras to moisture this year, both due to being caught in heavy rain...ugh. I've got the Olympus TG3 which I cary kayaking, but the image quality is really marginal compared to the Lumix. The Lumix 100 looks great and is half the price of a comparable micro 4/3 system, but not at all moisture proof and significantly larger than the previous models.

One thing that really limits the cameras I'll consider is I want a minimum of 24mm equivalency at the low end, 20mm would be better, and most point n shoot cameras stop at 28mm. Seems like a small difference but I've never liked 28mm, or 35mm for that matter.


Darn it Hammer, ill have to stop reading your posts. Unfortunate I sold all my old canon FD lenses ( 85 f1.2L, 135 f2, 35 f2 scc, and more) to finance getting EF lenses. Just never could get over the full frame hurdle. Now I have to go get one of these sony full frame body's and buy all my old lenses back. :-)
tailwind5sw offline
User avatar
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:15 am
Location: ICT
Aircraft: WITTMAN W10

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Zzz wrote:Post cat pics


Image

(fwiw this isn't me)
hotrod180 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 10534
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:47 pm
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Cessna Skywagon -- accept no substitute!

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

Denali wrote:


Finally, I have dumped every last Canon Digital DSLR body except for a lone Canon 50D which I have to have for my work. I do however have bags of L series glass, all Full Format lenses. I have been shooting so long that I am a creature of habit, and I can not wean myself off of an optical viewfinder. I also have been favoring somewhat fast primes, such as the Canon 85mm F1.8, and the 135mm F2, I also love love love my Canon 100mm F 2.8 Macro. In the final analysis, you choose what's right for you and your budget.



I hear you on the optical viewfinder...30 years of Nikon F series bodies, including 15 years making a living with a camera really makes me fond of them, though after using the Sony digital viewfinder for a few days I'm really not sure anymore. There are some significant advantages, like 10X magnification and contrast highlights for manual focusing, real-time depth of field, and live processor effects...what you see in the viewfinder is what you'll get regarding exposure, white balance, saturation, etc.. That 10x magnification for manual focusing is a freaking godsend. No optical viewfinder I've ever used even came close to that level of refinement, especially in low light.

I'm not 100% happy with not having an optical viewfinder, but I'm pretty damn close. Maybe it's just the new toy effect, but I'm seriously impressed and I didn't think I'd be.
Hammer offline
KB and Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2094
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:15 am
Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace

Re: Choosing a Grab & Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-

MontanaT-craft wrote:
Hammer wrote:I've lost two Lumix cameras to moisture this year, both due to being caught in heavy rain...ugh. I've got the Olympus TG3 which I cary kayaking, but the image quality is really marginal compared to the Lumix. The Lumix 100 looks great and is half the price of a comparable micro 4/3 system, but not at all moisture proof and significantly larger than the previous models.


When I want a high quality photo I use my Nikon D600. But for something small to always carry around for quick access, I am going to try the Nikon AW130. AW means that it is waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof (within limits of course), and it has a 2.8 lens with zoom. I won't be afraid to take it out if I am in an Alaskan drizzle or if I slip and fall into a Montana trout stream. It's specs sound terrific and I am anxious to try it out.
Charles


A friend of mine who shoots professionally uses that camera on occasion. When I talked to him about it a year ago he said it was the highest quality waterproof camera in production. I chose against it because I want more wide-angle than it offers, and it's too bulky and heavy to cary in my life jacket pocket. It should be an excellent all-weather camera if you're happy with the lens though.

I used to boat with a Nikonos V on my vest. It was fitted into a custom neoprene case and then secured to me with cord. It worked fine until I got stuck in a hole and it was torn from the case...it was still attached to me by the cord and it really gave me a beat-down as we flailed around. Getting waterboarded by the river gods for the crime of hubris is traumatic enough without a three-pound camera hitting you in the face, and that experience came back to me in vivid detail when I looked at the AW130.
Hammer offline
KB and Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2094
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:15 am
Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace

Re: Choosing a Grab&Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-20

.
Hammer wrote:
That 10x magnification for manual focusing is a freaking godsend. No optical viewfinder I've ever used even came close to that level of refinement, especially in low light.
Just wondering..?? Can you use the " Live View " Function for this option ?

It's funny, just like the best gun is the one you have with you, and not some fancy 1911 45 pistol sitting at home in the gun case, it seems I am always carrying my tiny Canon SD880 or Canon S-110 with me. The S-110 has a larger 1/1.7 " sensor, is classified as an sub-compact, yet still boasts great ergonomics. =D>
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon-powershot-s110/2
The camera has been discontinued, but is often available as a refurb or used . I paid $130 at Canon USA for a factory fresh refurb that turned out to be a new camera basically. The latest version is the S-120

Image

Image
Denali offline
User avatar
Posts: 809
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:30 am
Location: East Coast USA

Re: Choosing a Grab&Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-20

The Nikon AW130 was mentioned as a great rugged water resistant grab and go camera. I love the camera's small size.

I did note however that it has one potential drawback for some, namely a relatively modest sensor size:
Sensor size 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)

Compare that to the larger sensor size in a physically smaller Canon S-110 or S-120 for example:
Sensor size 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm)

So, are there any recommendations for a tough and rugged camera like the Nikon AW130, but having a larger sensor?

Here is a diagram that shows the relative sizes:
Image

For perspective on this issue, here is a nice article titled: "Camera sensor size: Why does it matter and exactly how big are they?"
http://www.gizmag.com/camera-sensor-size-guide/26684/

Image
Denali offline
User avatar
Posts: 809
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:30 am
Location: East Coast USA

Re: Choosing a Grab&Go Camera for BCP Cockpit Photography-20

Denali wrote:So, are there any recommendations for a tough and rugged camera like the Nikon AW130, but having a larger sensor?


Olympus claims their OM-D is pretty weather resistant. It's 4/3rds, so a bigger sensor. But it's not nearly as waterproof as the Nikon Aw130 and about twice the cost, or more. It's also a lot larger.

Frankly, if you compose your images in the field rather than crop the hell out of them at the home pc, I think even the smaller sensors are fine for 99% of what people take pictures for.

My buddy with the AW130 shoots almost exclusively with Lica digital, so his standards are up there, and he thinks the quality is fantastic for a truly waterproof camera.
Hammer offline
KB and Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2094
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:15 am
Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace

DISPLAY OPTIONS

PreviousNext
126 postsPage 3 of 71, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

Latest Features

Latest Knowledge Base