Advice on what camera to buy

[riverrat]

That's the same make/model of camera that I use. And I'm still learning new things about mine, with lots of features yet to explore.

The challenge I face with this camera (I assume there is no solution) is when I am taking a landscape photo for instance, and there are two different kinds of light level in the shot. For instance, if the mountains are not well illuminated but the sky is bright, then I have to choose which one to expose properly (which means I don't get the photo at all).

I know that I can use the flash, if the darker subject is in the foreground and is close to me. But usually that wont address it, such as in my mountain example, or if there is a body of (bright) water with a dark forest at its far edge.

Some cameras have some sort of dual exposure feature so that two shots are taken and can be worked with in the lab. If the Canon Powershot allows for any solution to this, I would love to know!

[Flugel Horn]

The challenge I face with this camera (I assume there is no solution) is when I am taking a landscape photo for instance, and there are two different kinds of light level in the shot. For instance, if the mountains are not well illuminated but the sky is bright, then I have to choose which one to expose properly (which means I don't get the photo at all).

I know that I can use the flash, if the darker subject is in the foreground and is close to me. But usually that wont address it, such as in my mountain example, or if there is a body of (bright) water with a dark forest at its far edge.

Some cameras have some sort of dual exposure feature so that two shots are taken and can be worked with in the lab. If the Canon Powershot allows for any solution to this, I would love to know!

You can allow for differing lights by doing the following:
- aim at the lightest part of your shot
- do the first click on your camera
- move your camera position to now include your desired aim
- then depress the button for the 2nd click.

the result will be that your picture has the darker parts very dark, but the lighter parts are ok.
- then in a program like Google Picasa, lighten your photo, so that the dark-parts are lightened, but that the light parts aren't yet over-exposed.

That should do the trick.

The mantra is: always expose on the lightest part of the shot, when you take the picture.

[Gail]

I am a Canon Gal.....have had the Reb,RebXT, 20D,30D. now the 40D, getting the 7D next year..

Depending on how much you want to spend. Check out all the reviews online, accept what you are able and not to handle. Too many folks get alot of gear, and never attempt to learn about how to use it.

[titan5]

The challenge I face with this camera (I assume there is no solution) is when I am taking a landscape photo for instance, and there are two different kinds of light level in the shot. For instance, if the mountains are not well illuminated but the sky is bright, then I have to choose which one to expose properly (which means I don't get the photo at all).

I know that I can use the flash, if the darker subject is in the foreground and is close to me. But usually that wont address it, such as in my mountain example, or if there is a body of (bright) water with a dark forest at its far edge.

Some cameras have some sort of dual exposure feature so that two shots are taken and can be worked with in the lab. If the Canon Powershot allows for any solution to this, I would love to know!

I have and love the Canon G11 it is a super point and shoot with loads of SLR features (like RAW format). The new G12 is coming out and you can scoop up G11 at London Drugs if you can find one on the shelf for $450.

RiverRat what you want to do is read up on bracketing your exposures using the manual settings then a HDR merge to combine the different exposures into one image.

[jimorsheryl]

My wife is a photographer, me, I just take snapshots. They are usually good enough for my blog, but, objects of art they are not.

My wife has a favourite expression when it comes to taking good pictures and as she says: "it's ALL about the light".

That may sound over simplistic, but like most stuff, simple is usually true. If you are trying to get the right exposure for bright sky, and stuff hidden in the shadows ....good luck. The light just isn't right for that shot. You need to be there when the stuff is no longer in the shadows, maybe a different time of day?

As for cameras, I started out with a Fuji (S-something or other), it was in the 'pro-sumer' line and it was great. Lots of exposure ability, and even took a decent movie. But it was not a true DSLR, but none the less took great pictures and had many preset 'scenes' with predetermined exposures.

We now both use Nikon D-40's which are only 6 megapixel cameras, but produce images up to 2' x 3' as sharp as anyone would need. These camera's are a bit more complicated but being true SLR cameras there is not the 'lag' you get with the point and shoot variety. They also have lots of control over exposure, ISO, white balance and all that stuff, if you are really into taking technical pictures.

The next one on our list will be the Nikon D5000, which has the same image quality metering and sensors as the more expensive D90. It also has a movie mode I think, but that is a secondary consideration.

The big thing with Nikon or Canon, is that fact you can invest in a decent lens now, which will travel from one camera to another. Of course when it comes to glass there are the Nikon geeks, and there are the Canon geeks, and both swear by the quality of their lenses.

I remember reading some advice about photography when I first got interested, and a couple of things stuck out for good picture taking:

What is in the 12" BEHIND the camera is more important than the quality of the camera or lens ...LOL

And you must be in the right place, at the right time, with the camera pointed in the right direction, if you ever hope to take a good picture.

Cheers
Jim Taylor
www.NanaimoBlog.com

[nads]

Thanks everyone for all your help, I have finally settled for the Canon Rebel T1i. (it helped that they are on sale in Staples and Sears at the moment) I still have a lot of reading regarding its functions, but had a play yesterday and very pleased with the results. No doubt I will be asking advice when I get stuck with anything, but on reading all the replies looks like we have some experts on here. Thanks again.