Frustrated ....
Discussion
Complete amateur here, so bear with me.
We used to have a fantastic SLR (can't remember which one, I'll look it up in a minute) which always took superb shots. When we got the Tiv we decided to buy a digital camera as we were taking so many shots. We got a Fuji FinePix S3500. Great for taking lots of shots of the car, the kids etc, but I really struggle with taking pictures of moving objects.
Diddyman's doggy shots have just inspired me to ask this question as there's no way we'd get a picture like that on our camera. Last week at Brands Hatch my husband was trying to take pictures of my car and all we got was lots of out of focus pictures of the back end. I did borrow a digital SLR a couple of weeks ago when we did a track day and got a few good shots, but I don't think they were as good as we'd have got from our normal SLR film camera (but I did manage to take about 200 which was a bonus).
So, I think my question is, if I want to take photos of moving objects I really need to get a digital SLR right ? If so, what are the current recommendations.
Are there any tips/techniques I can use on my current digital camera that might help - we don't seem to have a 'burst' function which would definitely help.
We also bought a decent zoom lens for our film SLR, would we be able to fit that on a digital SLR or do we need to start again.
Cheers
Mrs BC
We used to have a fantastic SLR (can't remember which one, I'll look it up in a minute) which always took superb shots. When we got the Tiv we decided to buy a digital camera as we were taking so many shots. We got a Fuji FinePix S3500. Great for taking lots of shots of the car, the kids etc, but I really struggle with taking pictures of moving objects.
Diddyman's doggy shots have just inspired me to ask this question as there's no way we'd get a picture like that on our camera. Last week at Brands Hatch my husband was trying to take pictures of my car and all we got was lots of out of focus pictures of the back end. I did borrow a digital SLR a couple of weeks ago when we did a track day and got a few good shots, but I don't think they were as good as we'd have got from our normal SLR film camera (but I did manage to take about 200 which was a bonus).
So, I think my question is, if I want to take photos of moving objects I really need to get a digital SLR right ? If so, what are the current recommendations.
Are there any tips/techniques I can use on my current digital camera that might help - we don't seem to have a 'burst' function which would definitely help.
We also bought a decent zoom lens for our film SLR, would we be able to fit that on a digital SLR or do we need to start again.
Cheers
Mrs BC
Digital SLRs, (and I only know the Canon ones) have a few things that will help:
Interchangeable lenses (so you can fill the frame with the car
High burst speed (5 frames per second on 20D)
AI Servo - this is the key. This is essentially 'tracking autofocus' that will continually adjust the autofocus to keep the subject sharp when it is moving - very clever.
These things together make SLRs a better pick for getting shots of moving things...
My dog pictures in the same thread were taken using 5fps and AIServo. You throw a lot away, but you get some cool shots...
Interchangeable lenses (so you can fill the frame with the car
High burst speed (5 frames per second on 20D)
AI Servo - this is the key. This is essentially 'tracking autofocus' that will continually adjust the autofocus to keep the subject sharp when it is moving - very clever.
These things together make SLRs a better pick for getting shots of moving things...
My dog pictures in the same thread were taken using 5fps and AIServo. You throw a lot away, but you get some cool shots...
Can't answer all your questions, Mrs BC, but I can answer some.
I used to use a Nikon F801s, and just upgraded to a Nikon D70 because I had plenty of good Nikon lenses that worked on the 801 that work on the D70. So, the chances are, your lenses will work on a digital SLR, thogh that may depend on what you have SLR wise at present..
We too have a little compact digital camera (a Pentax Optio S) and there is no way it could have taken the picture of the pooch. For starters the lens is not up to scratch, and secondly it can't focus quickly enough and thirdly it can't snap of images fast enough as it can't buffer fast enough.
As for who makes the best SLR, well I am sure the Canon bods will say Canon, the Nikon bods Nikon etc etc. I have got a D70 because I had all the lenses before, the basic workings of the main functions (metering, aperture/shutterspeed/auto/programme prioroty thingy wostits are the same, and more importantly you can get housings for them to play with in the bath!!!!
Hope that assists!
Cheers
Jim
I used to use a Nikon F801s, and just upgraded to a Nikon D70 because I had plenty of good Nikon lenses that worked on the 801 that work on the D70. So, the chances are, your lenses will work on a digital SLR, thogh that may depend on what you have SLR wise at present..
We too have a little compact digital camera (a Pentax Optio S) and there is no way it could have taken the picture of the pooch. For starters the lens is not up to scratch, and secondly it can't focus quickly enough and thirdly it can't snap of images fast enough as it can't buffer fast enough.
As for who makes the best SLR, well I am sure the Canon bods will say Canon, the Nikon bods Nikon etc etc. I have got a D70 because I had all the lenses before, the basic workings of the main functions (metering, aperture/shutterspeed/auto/programme prioroty thingy wostits are the same, and more importantly you can get housings for them to play with in the bath!!!!
Hope that assists!
Cheers
Jim
Mrs BlueCerbera said:
So, I think my question is, if I want to take photos of moving objects I really need to get a digital SLR right ? If so, what are the current recommendations.
Digital SLR really will be the most flexible solution and if you were used to a film SLR you will find switching over either very or realtively easy. Current recommendations seem to be the Nikon D70 or D70s (it's new hardware upgrade, body is the same), or the Canon EOS ?350D?. Both brands are capable of brilliant results, you just have to find the one that you get one with best. Most decent stores have both and will be only too happy to let you have a play and see what you get on best with.
Mrs BlueCerbera said:
Are there any tips/techniques I can use on my current digital camera that might help - we don't seem to have a 'burst' function which would definitely help.
Not sure about this I'm afraid as I don't know about your current camera
Mrs BlueCerbera said:
We also bought a decent zoom lens for our film SLR, would we be able to fit that on a digital SLR or do we need to start again.
The answer here is....it depends. If you do decide on a Nikon D70 and your previous lens was an autofocus lens for Nikon then you can use this on the D70 with no issues. If you go for the Canon and you used to have a Canon EOS film lens then I think you can use it just fine, perhaps one of the Canon crew can confirm my thinking here.
Hope this helps (a little)
Chris
Mrs BlueCerbera said:...we'll expect photos of that then!
Mr BC will probably have a fit...
One of the additional issues (to those already mentioned) about the P&S digital camera mass market is that you get very little control in anything apart from a few models. Mrs Beano's got a great little Sony (she's the Sony fan, not me
) T-1 which I quite like, but by the time you've worked out how to get it to do what you want.... ... the sun's gone down / or you work out you can't do it.
Once you've wielded an SLR/"decent" film camera it seems like dSLR is the only way to go.
It certainly seems that way. Thanks for your advice.The key thing for me was going from electronic viewfinder to SLR TTL.
Because of the lag on the LCD, everything was done in burst, attempting to keep the non camera eye open to track cars better. Keepers were maybe 2 in 10.
With the SLR, it's single shot and keepers are maybe 7 or 8 out of 10.
Because of the lag on the LCD, everything was done in burst, attempting to keep the non camera eye open to track cars better. Keepers were maybe 2 in 10.
With the SLR, it's single shot and keepers are maybe 7 or 8 out of 10.
You are suffering from "shutter lag" it seems. On cameras like yours it takes quite a time for the system to work things out once you press the shutter. You are also suffering from the movement of the car confusing the camera's autofocus.
You can however overide it for taking things like moving cars.
Stick the camera in "point" focusing mode. This means it focuses on whatever is in the middle.
Now, point the camera at the position where the car will be when you want to take the picture and half press down the shutter release. This should make the camera focus on the road. It also primes the shutter and everything else to take the shot.
Now, keeping your finger pressed down, move back to the car and start to pan with the car. As it gets to the point you just focused on, press the shutter whilst still moving the camera at the speed, and it will take the picture.
You should then have a reasonably good shot.
Hope that helps!
J
You can however overide it for taking things like moving cars.
Stick the camera in "point" focusing mode. This means it focuses on whatever is in the middle.
Now, point the camera at the position where the car will be when you want to take the picture and half press down the shutter release. This should make the camera focus on the road. It also primes the shutter and everything else to take the shot.
Now, keeping your finger pressed down, move back to the car and start to pan with the car. As it gets to the point you just focused on, press the shutter whilst still moving the camera at the speed, and it will take the picture.
You should then have a reasonably good shot.
Hope that helps!
J
Mrs BlueCerbera said:
So, I think my question is, if I want to take photos of moving objects I really need to get a digital SLR right ? If so, what are the current recommendations.
Are there any tips/techniques I can use on my current digital camera that might help - we don't seem to have a 'burst' function which would definitely help.
You don't 'need' a Dslr, but as has been suggested it is a good bet.
I'm guessing there is a sport mode on your Fuji?
It is possible to get the shots you want using a panning technique. I will take practice.
I found using a similar camera that (as has been said) using the burst mode complicated the issue as the screen (or viewfinder) couldn't keep up.
I'll try and post some pics tonight.
Captain Beaky said:
If you've already got a good film SLR and lens which you are happy with you could always just get a scanner for the times you really need a digital version of a picture...
Yes, we've got a scanner, but I love the fact that you can take hundreds with a digital and throw away the rubbish (although I never do, so the hard disk on the PC is looking quite full now). Plus the fact that you can see them straight away and try again.
).Ex-biker said:
You don't 'need' a Dslr
you sound just like my husband !
Ex-biker said:
I'm guessing there is a sport mode on your Fuji?
It is possible to get the shots you want using a panning technique. I will take practice.
I found using a similar camera that (as has been said) using the burst mode complicated the issue as the screen (or viewfinder) couldn't keep up.
I'll try and post some pics tonight.
Going over to Silverstone this afternoon so I'll take the camera and get some practice in (if the kids will allow it).
Thanks for all your responses chaps, much appreciated.
Ex-biker said:
I'm guessing there is a sport mode on your Fuji?
It is possible to get the shots you want using a panning technique.
Sport mode gives a faster shutter speed. For good panning shots (ie with blurred b/g) you want a slower shutter speed. That's why, for demanding photography, you need more control than a P&S gives you. The hard bit is knowing which controls to use, when and how
simpo two said:
I'm guessing there is a sport mode on your Fuji?
It is possible to get the shots you want using a panning technique.
Sport mode gives a faster shutter speed. For good panning shots (ie with blurred b/g) you want a slower shutter speed. That's why, for demanding photography, you need more control than a P&S gives you. The hard bit is knowing which controls to use, when and how
that's interesting. I'm itching to get out and try this now, cheers !!Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff