Southern Spirit Hunters

Spirit Hunting => Basic Tools And Equipment => Topic started by: Jim on Jul 31, 2006, 11:10:40 PM

Title: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Jul 31, 2006, 11:10:40 PM
Maybe this should be a poll, but for now lets just talk about it. Both have positive and negative aspects. Digital cameras have really opened up this area of interest, because when you go out you can take hundreds of pictures and not have to worry about having to pay to develop the film. I guess it wouldn't be quite as costly if you have your own darkroom but who does? Digital allows you to come back home, download to your computer, magnify and examine, lighten and darken the picture and many other enhancements. On the down-side, it's very structure and design can cause some strange anomalies itself.

I currently have a Canon Powershot that is a 3.2 megapixel and some folks will tell you it can't be used for ghost hunting. That's not true. You can use what you have. You just need to become familiar with your camera so you know when what you are seeing is suspect or if it is caused by the camera. Keep in mind that when you take these pics you are going to want to enlarge them to see as much detail as possible and the 3.2 gets grainy real quick. That is why everyone says you need at least a 5 megapixel digital camera.

So what do you have?

Jim

Title: Re: Digital or SLR
Post by: Bonnie on Aug 01, 2006, 06:29:44 PM
I use a digital Olympus 5.1 megapixel camera, a Vivatar 3.0 megapixel, and disposalable 35mm cameras. For some reason I seem to get an awful lot of false orbs with the 5.1 megapixel camera. What say you Jim?
Title: Re: Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Aug 01, 2006, 09:56:09 PM
If I remember right you didn't get the orbs with the Vivatar.  I think that was because the flash was not bright at all.  Some of the night shots you took were completely black.  The Olympus has a much brighter flash.  This may contribute to the number of orbs you are seeing in shots taken with that camera. 

Digital cameras are the wave of the future.  They will not completely replace the SLR film cameras but most modern-day spirit hunters will employ both during their investigations.  They allow us to see what we captured right away and hopefully shoot several shots with the SLR so we will have two different perspectives to study.

Some folks think that the way the digital camera is put together contributes to the large number of orbs we see in digital photos.  Could it be that the camera is just way more sensitive?

Jim
Title: Re: Digital or SLR
Post by: Dianna on Aug 03, 2006, 06:09:56 PM
I have the Olympus 5.1 mp. I really like it, but get frustrated with the delay while snapping a picture. I guess I need to read my book to adjust for different situations.  ::)

I am sure that during ghost-hunting, I will be doing some experimenting with the camera...

Dianna
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Aug 03, 2006, 08:07:33 PM
Just a quick note to let everyone know I moved the Camera topic into this topic because cameras are probably the piece of equipment that everyone will eventually have.  As this forum develops, there may be other topics that we move so hold on to your hat!  :o

Jim
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Feb 13, 2008, 12:38:05 AM
Thought I would bump this topic up so we could all talk about our cameras.  I have replaced the Canon that I mention in the first post with a FujiFilm FinePix S9100.  This camera is a 9 megapixel camera and I love the feel of it.  I've only had one occasion to take it on an outing and didn't get anything significant in any of the shots.

For Christmas I received a digital video camera.  It's a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD108.  It uses the mini DVD and has the Night Shot capability.  We haven't had an occasion to use it during an outing yet.

So what kind of camera do you have?
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: bestofour on Feb 17, 2008, 09:19:49 PM
I use a Canon PowerShot S5 IS.  I can make videos on it and did once by mistake.  I really don't know how to use that part of it.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: MassMama on Feb 17, 2008, 09:51:52 PM
I got a Fuji F480 its 8.2 mps .. I like it so far. Its small and easy to use.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: kratz7 on Feb 18, 2008, 06:29:09 AM
I have 2 cameras that I use.... the first one being my Leica digilux 4.3 megapixel digital camera,  it's a few years old but still takes great photos.   

(https://www.southernspirithunters.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi103.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm148%2FCharlie7_01%2FCambridge%2520Dollhouse%2Fa0e2re2.jpg&hash=1e12f1c15d95d41ca5cf6a58ceb6c9b7172acb17) 

And my new camera is a Cannon Powershot sx100 12 megapixels it takes great photos too, I think the video is longer on the powershot though.........

(https://www.southernspirithunters.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi103.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm148%2FCharlie7_01%2FInside%2520Cambridge%2520Dollhouse%2Fnicecouple.jpg&hash=b8a8f480e158171921acfd4db9e8494058f8b08f)


They both have different features that compliment eachother. The last thing I wanted to do was make my Leica obsolete. So I will be using them both. If I can only figure out all of the features on the new one. lol
Do you ever notice how some manuals are totally confusing and not so user friendly......lol



Kratz7

It also takes great outdoor photos too

(https://www.southernspirithunters.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi103.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm148%2FCharlie7_01%2FBluebirds%2FIMG_0010.jpg&hash=1471270a98174c62e97c4f192addca8c0920d5ee)

Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Tonya on Feb 18, 2008, 07:36:23 AM
I have a CanonPowerShot A550. 7.1 Megapixel, 4X optical zoom. I love it!!
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: bestofour on Mar 14, 2008, 09:53:23 PM
I've got a Canon PowerShot S5 IS with 8 megapixels.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Mar 14, 2008, 10:06:30 PM
Looks like Canon is in front for now.  3 Canons, 2 Fuji, 1 Leica and 1 Sony.

What single feature do you like best about the camera you have?

For my Fuji, it's the fact that I can use the auto or the manual.  It's my choice.  For my Sony it's the night shot capability.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: barleychown on Mar 14, 2008, 10:25:04 PM
I have the Canon rebel xti, and I love it!  It's way more advanced than I am, but I am learning.  :ThumbUp:
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: bestofour on Mar 14, 2008, 11:46:30 PM
I don't know what I like best.  I really don't know how to use it.  It's hit or miss.  I need to read my book.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: patches on Mar 15, 2008, 12:01:27 AM
I have the Cannon Power Shot S110, and I truly love it,  :yesssss:  but I do wish I had one with a better zoom lens for getting pictures of my birds, butterflies and other assorterd critters in my yard.  ;)

The feature I like most about my camera is it's size and portability.  Actually, that's the only reason I bought it in the first place.  I wanted a camera that would be easy to carry around when I went places with my grandkids.  Actually, I've taken this on water rides at Six Flags, because I will just put it in a ziplock bag in my pocket and it's not a problem.   :yay_jump: 
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Patty S on Mar 15, 2008, 12:39:28 AM
I used to have a $120. Canon Powershot A510 - (3.2 megapixels) but I tripped over BG in the livingroom when the lense was in the "out" position & landed on top of it, so it wouldn't work after that. :SmileyFit: I went down to the store immediately, to get another one (it was somebody's birthday), but they didn't have any Canons in stock. :Crybaby:

I ended up replacing it with another cheapy... Samsung S630 (6.0 megapixels) & I like it fine.  I think it takes better closeups than the Canon, but if I ever need to replace it, *I'll go with Canon again, without question.  I spent $12 on an extended warrantee for this one, cuz I'm such a clutz! :Wacko:

*I like Canon best... mainly cuz both, their web site, & their 800 number provides the most excellent tech support of any electronic product I've ever owned. (Prompt, friendly & thorough. :yesssss: You hardly find that ANYWHERE these days!)
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jayrod1972 on May 10, 2008, 10:57:08 PM
mine is from the dark ages :viking: its a HP c-200 1 mega pixel...... I need a up grade.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Jun 03, 2008, 11:37:35 AM
I thought I would bump this topic up again because we all like photos and I can't believe there aren't more comments about the cameras we use.

Today the digital camera is following the route that most electronic items do in that as more people buy them, they tend to come down in price.  Once you get to a particular price range, then it's pretty much the features that make the difference.

Patty mentioned the colors in her pictures.  One of the things we can do before purchasing most of the camera's available today is to compare the specifications.  By doing that you can get an idea on how the colors are reproduced by the camera's mechanism.  Camera's are still, for the most part in the category where you get what you pay for. 

Looks like Canon is still winning among us with 5, 2 Fuji, 1 Leica, 1 Sony, 1 HP, and one Samsung.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Triss on Jun 03, 2008, 02:18:18 PM
I will pop in with mine.  I have a Kodak EasyShare Z612.  It has a 12X zoom and converts at some point to digital zoom.  6.1 MegaPixel , 2 1/2 inch color display, and it records video at 30 frames per second with sound and at 640x480 size. 

I love all aspects of this camera.  The video is always clear and crisp even when I am moving all around.  One of my favorite features is the ability to switch modes.  I can get perfect fireworks pics with the fireworks setting and also great indoor shots like inside the zoo with the museum setting.

Another awesome feature is the burst photos which will take several shots in a row.  Most excellent for trying to catch kinds in action or birds.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: sunsoaker on Jun 03, 2008, 06:40:24 PM
I'll jump in with mine here.  I have a Kodak LS754 5 MegaPixel w/2.8X optical zoom, 3.6X advanced digital zoom10X total zoom. 
It has all these screen modes: auto, portrait, close-up, self-portrait, museum/manner, night landscape, night portrait, sport, landscape, snow, beach, party, fireworks, backlight, children, and flower; plus takes in color, b&w, or sepia.

I can take video until I run out of memory. With my memory card, I can record 3 ro 4 complete songs (video of someone karaoke-ing) before running out of memory.

But the best thing I like is the battery is more like a cell phone battery and I can take hundreds of pics before recharching!! I just put it in the dock when not using and it charges, and I load my pics to the PC from there. I Don't have to mess with plugging it in anywhere or changing batteries. Very convenient to use. Oh, and it takes great pics.

I've had this camera a few years and see no need to upgrade as I'm happy with this one :-)
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Jim on Jun 03, 2008, 09:29:44 PM
Great, 2 for Kodak and some very good information about those cameras.  Barb (sunsoaker), I like that docking station you mention.  That sounds like a neat accessory.

My camera uses AA batteries.  Rechargeable AAs last a really long time if you have the good ones.  Some of the off brand ones just don't hold the charge for very long though so they don't work well as a backup battery.

Ok, if I back up and count the cameras listed before I asked what type of camera then the totals look like this:

Canon 5, Kodak 2, Fuji 2, Olympus 2, Leica 1, Sony 1, HP 1, and Samsung 1.
Title: Re: Cameras - Digital or SLR
Post by: Triss on Jun 04, 2008, 03:19:55 PM
I do not have the dock for my camera but would like to get one.  Right now I just use a cable to download pics and a separate battery charger when I need to charge.  Like Barb, I can take hundreds of pics and get them all downloaded before I need to recharge the batteries which makes it nice when I take so many pics.
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