PHOTOGRAPHIC THREADS: camera queries, any photo tech stuff!

[Lesley Cox]

I think this must be the only topic of any length on the Forum, in which thre has been no diversion or off-topic posting. I'd better go now then, before that record is lost.

[Anthony Darby]

If someone went off thread we would bayonet them Lesley!

[cohan]

Maureen, I have the Panasonic Lumix FZ18, so I guess the one you mention is a newer model...
I've been very happy with mine, except the colour tends to be a bit unsaturated- not terrible, but if you are trying to represent exact flower colours its generally not as deep colour as it should be, and magenta/violet shades don't come out quite right (true of many digital cameras, so you'd have to compare carefully).. Its possible they've improved the sensor of the new one..

[jomowi]

Thank you Cohan for sharing your experience - I will keep doing some more research before committing myself.  The magenta/violet problem was just as bad in the days of film cameras too, Ramonda myconi being a classic example for never reproducing the true colour.

[Paul T]

I've always found that true reds are difficult as well, because they always come out pinky in any digital photos.  It's almost like the primaries are the hardest ones, with the blues, reds and yellows all having problems, while the pastels and mixes are so often easy.  Of course purple isn't a primary, and that is so hard to get.  Maybe it is just photography in general that I'm stuffing up. 

[cohan]

Just like in film days, with different films having different bias, there is a difference with the different sensors in different digital cameras as well.. I think the Sony I had before the Panasonic was better with violets, though I don't remember for sure..
I think my new Nikon DSLR has better colour reproduction in general, though it's not flowering season yet, so I have not shot a wide range of colours to test it! I'm hoping I can get good colours on Dodecatheon this year!!

[Maggi Young]

Ian gets annoyed trying to capture the "true" purple shades of colour of Tecophilaea cyanocrocus violacea. It always shows as too blue.  There's a typically blue example in this week's Bulb Log.  

[David Pilling]

Talking about colour - you should have all your devices configured with the correct colour profiles (a sort of software configuration file). That's the monitor, printer and software rendering the image. The camera may include a profile or you may need to tell the software to assume the correct one.

The other problem is that colour perception depends on the viewing conditions, like taking items out of shops to see them in daylight.

I've got a book over and inch thick on my desk "the reproduction of colour" there are probably 100's more, it is a tricky subject.

[TC]

Colour rendition from cameras (digital ) depends on so many things.  Even different lenses can have an effect  That's why Photoshop was produced.  I have to look at every picture I take and decide if the colours seem realistic to me.

[ronm]

I am very becoming increasingly keen on exploring my plants and flowers from an insects point of view. I knew how to do this in the past with film, but have not got a clue now we are in the digital age. Does anyone have any experience with, or can point me in the right direction of, digital UV photography please?

[fredg]

Good thinking Ronm

Does this help?

http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_IR_rev01UV.html

[ronm]

Thanks Fred. It starts me off.   

As a complete 'point and shoot' guy these days, I'm hoping to find someone who can maybe hold my hand. I know insects, and a little about plants, but digital photography ........

[ now if I could just catch a picture of that breeze .... ] 

[David Nicholson]

Toying with the idea of replacing my five year old camera (Fuji FinePix S5700). Ruled out SLR on the grounds that my photographic knowledge is, to say the least, negligible, and it would take me a long time to learn and SLR would be capable of far more than I would use. Thinking about Fuji FinePix HS30EXR (Review below) which also might test my skill!

 http://www.trustedreviews.com/fujifilm-finepix-hs30exr_Digital-Camera_review

Has anyone got one or is anyone else thinking about getting one?

[TC]

David
Reading the review it seems a good enough camera for  general use. It can cover nearly all aspects of photography in one package.  OK it may not produce the same quality as a top SLR but unless you are a entering photo competitions, you probably would not notice the difference.
To me, the main advantage is portability.  This camera is all you need - no extra lenses to lug around.

I now find the weight of my Nikon SLR problematic.  Years ago I would carry a camera bag with extra lenses, weighing 45lbs, up mountains.  Now it sits in the back of the car and I only use the SLR when I have a specific use for it.  Most of the time I carry a small compact camera in my pocket as I am not up to carting heavy weights on the off-chance that I may see something special that needs a particular lens.

My brain has finally conceded that I am no longer a fit teenager !

[mark smyth]

My point and shoot Canon IXUS 230 is fabulous

......and £40 cheaper