tips for using a point & shoot camera

7/26/2019 Tips for Using a Point & Shoot Camera

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Tips for Using a Point & Shoot Camera

By Philip Greenspun for photo.net.

Contents:

1.Yes, it can e !one

".Thin# aout $ight

%.ust say no

'.ust say yes

(.Prefocus

).Burn *ilm+.Try to Buy a ecent P&S Camera

-ea!ers Comments

Yes, it can e !one

Do you feel inadequate because you have a puny Yashica T4 in your pocket but your no-dick friend is lugging around a Canon EOS- S!"# Ta$ron %&-%'' (oo$ lens# and $oby flash)

Don*t+

You can get a better picture than he can# for the follo,ing reasons

Your ca$era ,eighs & o(+ and is ,eatherproof so you have it ,ith you at all ti$es+

You have a decent lens in front of the fil$. like $ost first-ti$e S!" o,ners these days# he has a cheap lo,-contrast (oo$ lens+/e is using that $oby on-ca$era flash as his pri$ary light+ You ,ould never be that

uncreative 0at least not after reading the rest of this article1+Your ca$era has a better syste$ for co$bining light fro$ the flash ,ith a$bient light

02fill-flash21+

3 professional photographer ,ith a pile of 5'' lenses and a



tripod is going to be able to do $any things that you aren*t+ 6utrest assured that he carries a 78S ca$era in his pocket as,ell+

The photo at right sho,s 6ill Clinton handing out a diplo$a at

9:T*s ;;& graduation cere$ony+ : ,as in the press bo< ,itha Canon EOS-5# ='-%''>%+&! lens# and +4? teleconverter 0%5'' total1+ :n the upper right of the fra$e is a ,o$an ,ith a point and shoot ca$era+ : ,ouldventure to guess that her pictures of Clinton are better than $ine+

Thin# aout $ight

2/e spoke ,ith the ,isdo$ that can only co$e fro$ e<perience# like a guy ,ho ,ent blind because he looked at a solar eclipse ,ithout one of those bo<es ,ith a pinhole in it and no, goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse ,ithout one of those bo<es ,ith a pinhole in it+2

-- @oseph "o$$

9y personal definition of photography is 2the recording of light rays+2 :t is therefore difficult totake a decent picture if you have not chosen the lighting carefully+ 0:*ve ,ritten an entire tutorialonlight+1

ust say no

@ust say 2no2 to on-ca$era flash+ Your eye needs shado,s to $ake out shapes+ Ahen the light isco$ing fro$ the sa$e position as the lens# there are no shado,s to 2$odel2 faces+ !ight fro$ a point source like the on-ca$era flash falls off as the square of the distance fro$ the source+ That$eans things close to the ca$era ,ill be ,ashed-out# the subBect on ,hich you focussed ,ill be properly e<posed# and the background ,ill be nearly black+Ae*re at a theater+ Can*t you tell fro$ the background) That*s $e in the $iddle+ The guy ,ith theflat face and big ,ashed-out ,hite areas of skin+ 7art of the proble$ here is that the ca$era ,asloaded ,ith uBichro$e elvia# ,hich is only :SO 5' and therefore doesn*t capture $ucha$bientlight 0i+e+# the theater background1+ Despite this picture*s $yriad faults# :*$ glad that : have it because it spruces up Travels ,ith Sa$antha# Chapter :::+F

irtually all point and shoot ca$eras allo, you to control the on-ca$era flash+ Ahat you ,ant todo $ost of the ti$e is press the leetle tiny buttons until the 2no flash2 sy$bol is displayed+ The2noflash2 sy$bol is usually a lightning bolt ,ith a circle around it and line through it+ Go, theca$era,ill never strobe the flash and ,ill leave the shutter open long enough to capture enough a$bientlight to $ake an e<posure+

3 good point and shoot ca$era ,ill have a longest shutter speed of at least second+ You can



probably only hold the ca$era steady for >H'th of a second+ Your subBects $ay not hold still for a full second either+ So you $ust start looking for ,ays to keep the ca$era still and to co$pletethe e<posure in less ti$e+ You can

look for so$e light+ 9ove your subBects underneath ,hatever light sources are handy and

see ho, they look ,ith your eyes+load higher-speed fil$+ :SO 4'' and :SO &'' color print fil$s are the correct e$ulsions for 78S photography+ :SO 4'' fil$ can get the sa$e picture in one quarter the a$ount of ti$e as :SO '' fil$+

steady the ca$era against a tree>rock>chair>,hatever as you press the shutter releaseleave the ca$era on a tree>rock>chair>,hatever and use the self-ti$er so that the Bostling of

pressing the shutter release isn*t reflected on fil$+ : often use this technique for photographing decorated ceilings in Europe+ : Bust leave the ca$era on the floor# self-ti$er on# flash off+

use a little plastic tripod# $onopod# or so$e other purpose-built ca$era support

Yes it ,as dark in 6ar &;+ 6ut : steadied the ca$era against a stair railing and captured the scene ,ith $y 9inolta reedo$ Ioo$ %&-='+ Gote that not using flash preserves the lighting of the bar+

ust say yes

@ust say 2yes2 to on-ca$era flash+ /ey# 2consistency is the hobgoblin of little $inds2 0E$erson.slightly out of conte<t1+

The on-ca$era flash on a 78S ca$era is useful+ :t Bust isn*t useful for ,hat you*d think+ 3s : noteabove# it is not useful for lighting up a dark roo$+ /o,ever# it is useful outdoors ,hen you have both shaded and sunlit obBects in the sa$e scene+ 7hotographic fil$ and paper cannot handle thesa$e range of contrast as your eyes+ 3 picture that is correctly e<posed for the sunlight obBect,illrender the shaded portrait subBect as solid black+ 3 picture that is correctly e<posed for theshaded portrait subBect ,ill render the sunlit background obBect as solid ,hite+

/ere the chess players are being shaded by so$e overhead screens ,hile the background foliage is not+ The on-ca$era flash $akes sure that the foreground players are bright+ :n fact they are a bit brighter than they probably should be and note the ,ashed-out highlight on the leading edge of the table# ,hich is close to the ca$era+ This picture ,as taken by prefocusing on the shirtless player on the right# then $oving the ca$era ,ith the shutter release half-depressed to the final co$position+ Aithout the prefocusing the ca$era ,ould have



latched onto one of the chess tables in the center of the picture# quite far a,ay+ The foreground $en ,ould have been out of focus and also tre$endously overe<posed since an a$ount of flash adequate to illu$inate a far a,ay subBect ,ould have been used+ Gote that $ost ''' S!" ca$eras

,ould not have been capable of $aking this picture e<cept in a co$pletely $anual $ode+ Their flash $etering syste$s are too stupid to couple to the focus distance+ 3n e<ception is the series of Gikon S!"s fro$ ;;4 on ,ith 2D2 flash $etering+F

7ressing the little buttons on a 78S ca$era until a single solid lightning bolt appears in the !CDdisplay ,ill keep the flash on at all ti$es+ Gote that a side-effect of the 2flash on2 $ode is thatyoualso get the sa$e long shutter speeds for capturing a$bient light that you ,ould ,ith 2flash off2$ode+ The standard illustrative picture for this has an illu$inated building at night as the

background ,ith a group of people in the foreground ,ho*ve been correctly e<posed by the flash+ So$eti$es it all co$es together# as it did here in Coney :sland+ Aithout

fill-flash# the ride operator ,ould have been a silhouette+ 7refocussed on the hu$an subBect*s face+ 2lash on2 $ode+

Prefocus

The best-co$posed photographs don*t usually have their subBect dead center+ /o,ever# that*s ,here the focusing sensor on a 78S ca$era is+ Since the best photographs usually dohave their subBect in sharp focus# ,hat you ,ant to do is pointthe center sensor at your $ain subBect# hold the shutter releasehalf,ay do,n# then $ove the ca$era until you like theco$position+

irtually all 78S ca$eras ,ork this ,ay but not everyone kno,s it because not everyone is,illing to "T9+

3 side effect of prefocusing is that $ost 78S ca$eras ,ill preset e<posure as ,ell+ :deale<posure ,ith a reflected light $eter is obtained ,hen the subBect reflectance is &J gray 0a$ediu$ gray1+ E<posure isn*t very critical ,ith color negative fil$# but you still $ight ,ant toatte$pt to prefocus on so$ething that is the correct distance fro$ the ca$era and a reasonable$id-tone+ :+e+# avoid focusing on so$ething that is pure ,hite or black+ This beco$es $uch $orei$portant if you are using slide fil$+



Burn *ilm

:f a roll of fil$ is lasting three $onths# then so$ething is ,rong+ You aren*te<peri$enting enough+ 3n ideal roll of fil$ for $e has H5 pictures of thesa$e subBect# all of the$ bad+ These prove that :*$ not afraid to

e<peri$ent+ 3nd then one good picture+ This proves that :*$ notco$pletely inco$petent+

:t takes at least ' fra$es to get one good picture of one person+ To haveeveryone in a group photo looking good requires $iles of fil$+ Youshould have pictures fro$ different angles# different heights# flash on# flashoff# etc+

9y personal standard fil$ for 78S photography is uBi :SO 4'' negativefil$+ :t enlarges very nicely to &<' and is great for Aeb presentation+

Try to Buy a ecent P&S Camera

You can read $y buyer*s guide+ 6asically ,hat you ,ant is a reasonably ,ide angle lens tocapture your subBect and the background conte<t+ ocal lengths beyond ='$$ in 78S ca$erasare not useful+ 9y personal ideal ca$era ,ould have a %4-5' or a %4-=' (oo$ though actually in$any ,ays : prefer a ca$era ,ith only a single focal length because it is one fe,er decision to$ake at e<posure ti$e+ Ioo$s are $ore useful ,ith full-si(ed S!" ca$eras because the user interface is better>quicker 0i+e+# you can turn the ring on the lens instead of pushing little buttonstodrive a $otor1+

Ahatever you $ay choose to buy# you can help defray the cost of running photo+net by buyingfro$ 3dora$a# 7hotoalley# or rit(ca$era+co$+

-ea!ers Comments

: see$ to be leaving co$$ents all over this site+ 9y T-4 co$$ent has to do ,ith the use of flash+ : a$ constantly taking pictures indoors and ligthing the$ ,ith $y ivitar %&H+ :*ve had one of these units since ;=K and they re$ain a ,orkhorse 0$y first one croaked after K years and $y disasse$bly of it ,ith a S,iss 3r$y Lnife1+ 3ny,ay# every 78S ca$era suffers fro$ ,eenie flash syndro$e# including the Gikon H5Ti and Yashica T4+ :*ve o,ned both+ : finally ,ent out and got a slave for the %&H and no, happily bounce-flash $y indoor pictures+ :t ,orks really ,ell# lighting the ,hole roo$ up# looking natural and soft# and the s$all ca$era flash even fills in the eye sockets a bit+

3s for the T-4# : took back $y Gikon H5Ti and traded it in for % T-4s 0one for ,ife#



one for $other in la,1 about H years ago+ They are so nice : Bust got a T-4 Super for $y Dad ,hen his old Gikon 78S packed up on hi$+ : bought this last one fro$ Ca$era Aorld of Oregon ,ith no delays# hassles or proble$s+

/ave fun ,ith the T-4>%&H co$bo+ : ,ish they*d $ake it ,ith a hot shoe# like the old

9ino< scale-focusing $ini-H5$$ ca$era+

9 Cole

-- 9atthe, Cole# @anuary ;# ;;=

The ne, "icoh M"- gives back co$plete control of e<posure# focus# and flash to the photographer+ The lens is a %&$$>%+& sy$$ar for$ula+ :t ,eighs K o(# has $etal every,here it needs to have it top# botto$# back# fil$ channel N $ore+ "icoh has so understated this ca$era that it ,ill take $ost people years to figure out -- finally# there is a tool to have at all ti$es# and take superb photos+ : use it to take available

light shots of $usicians and dancers+ Oh yes# its full fra$e H5$$# one inch thick# all black# costs 454+ There*s $ore+ Center ,eighted $etering do,n to E K+ Then it s,itches to averaging plus the finder internally illu$inates so you can see the shutter speed# e<posure co$pensation 0% stops1 and distance 0ikons1 in the finder ,indo,+ :ts a lot of fun

-- $yron ,olf# 9arch 5# ;;=

:*ve had a "icoh M"- for about a $onth and :*ve shot a do(en rolls of negative and slide 0elvia# E''S1 fil$ ,ith it+ : find that the %& $$ f %+& lens is very sharp and contrasty and yields nice colors+ On the do,n side# it appears to be so$e,hat $ore prone to flare than $y S!"*s lenses# and there is no provision for attaching a lens hood+ E<posure $etering is accurate enough for elvia. e<posure co$pensation is through an intuitive 0for $e any,ay1 analogue knob+ The ca$era is e<tre$ely co$pact and light# and the all-$etal skin rugged+ : found the ca$era control layout easy to understand# and the ca$era fits nicely in $y hands+ :t cost 45'. : think it*s a superb ca$era+

So$e co$plaints : have are 01 the vie,finder is rather s$all for eye-glass ,earers. 0%1 there is no cable release. 0H1 e<ternal flashes cannot be used. 041 on>off button is easy to activate inadvertently. 051 there*s no ,eatherproofing. 0K1 no $anual :SO setting. 0=1 no depth-of field infor$ation 0even in the $anual1. 0&1 so$e,hat cryptic $anual+

-- 3drian erre-D*3$are# 9ay # ;;=

: agree ,ith 7hilip on his choice of the yashica t4 ca$era+ : personally o,n H ca$eras+++ 3 canon elan iie ,> a couple of decent lenses# a yashica t4 and a canon elph 37S ca$era+++ Ahile each of these have their o,n $erits and li$itations+++ : have to say the flash $etering syste$ specifically fill-flash on the Canon Elph 37S



ca$era is the best : have ever used+++

-- "avi Gagpal# 3ugust %&# ;;=

One thing about point and shoot ca$eras they ,ork best if you understand a little bit

about e<posure+ E<posure $eters in ca$eras try to $ake everything a $ediu$ tone 0think green leaves---that*s $ediu$ tone1+ :f you*re trying to take a photo that*s bright# the ca$era ,ill still try to render it $ediu$ tone+ The solution in those cases is to get a lock on so$ething $ediu$ tone but in the sa$e distance# press the shutter release half,ay do,n# and then reco$pose and shoot+

E<a$ple you*re trying to take a picture of a sunset ,ith the sun in it+ 7oint at the hori(on ,ith no sun in it# press shutter half,ay# point at the sun# and then shoot+

This e<plains ,hy all sunset photos taken ,ith point and shoot ca$eras look too dark+ Aish :*d kno,n this a year ago+

-- 7ia, Ga# Dece$ber '# ;;=

/ere*s another idea for a backup>travel ca$era+ : recently found a ;5'*s Mer$an $ade oightlander ita$atic in the local ca$era store for 4' The lens is a 5'$$>%+& Skopar all-$etal thing that looks like a $iniature /asselblad lens+ :t*s co$pletely $anual and has a built in light $eter 0no batteries required1+ :t even has a flash shoe and ,ill sync up to >H''th+ Yeah+++ it*s a little heavier than the $odern 78S ca$eras+++ but if you need a backup ca$era+++ consider an old classic+

-- 3lbert E+ 3nderson# 9ay %# ;;&

One of the nice things about returning to 78S photography ,ith a fi<ed lens is that it sends u back to thinking about the basics of i$age $aking again+

:*ve Bust spent the better part of the last H ,eeks trying out a fe, $odels of all the fa$ous 78S single focal length cult ca$eras $ainly to try and $ake a decision on ,hich one is the $ost suitable for $e+ The e<periences have been recorded else,here in the site# but ,ith regards to technique# it Bust brought $e back to re$e$bering ho, to think about light# co$position# perspective# support and basic ca$era handling+ Aith these pillars of photography set straight# it is indeed possible to get shots on a 78S as good as any top notch S!"+

:t*s true# u don*t really need stacks of equip$ent to ensure u can take good photos+ Aith the above funda$entals set out# u already have enuff to be an 3 student+ Aith all the other bells and ,histles# u $ay probably get to 3N+ 6ut :9/O# since the &'>%' rule is applicable to $ost things in life# the last %'J $ay not be ,orth the e<tra cost or effort+ Pnless u r a perfectionist# or a professional# or both+



-- T C Lhoo# Septe$ber %K# ;;&

This ,ill be no revelation# but : think $ore and $ore ,ho read this section have co$e to e<pect $ore and $ore capabilities out of the 7oint and Shoot category+

3nd $ost aren*t going to be happy ,ith a "ollei H5 or a Canonet : think+ Those ,ho ,ill ad$it to this no co$pro$ise ,ill ,ant to look seriously again at the Silver /e<ar+ Got a big ca$era by any $eans# grippable and ,ell layed out- see Caruana*s ,onderful revie, else,here+0Go offense to the M"- people# : havent tried it at all1 On 7rogra$ $ode /e<ar behaves like $y !eica 9ini ::: only better#-tack sharp lens+ 0 : have the option of setting it up so that the /e<ar kno,s that outdoors : like a lot of DO# but if forget and : set it at %+&# at least it ,ill give $e so$e kind of photo+1OT/# ,hen : shot at night fro$ a hotel ,indo, last $onth : put it on $anual $ode# used the ca$era $eter to find a gray tone and let the spot $etering get the e<posure+ Then : pushed 9 to get ba$ to infinity focus through a ,indo,n and : ,as good to go+0 6ut if you think : didn*t 3!SO carry a T-;' ,ith three lenses in $y

kit on the trip# you arent a $e$ber in good standing of the schlep- ,hat- you-Bust- $ay need club+-1either+

-- Merry Siegel# Gove$ber # ;;&

: a$ a public school teacher# but have been doing serious photography# pro and hobby# since ;5;+ : have used everything fro$ 4<5 through K<K# K45# H5# etc+ 3bout a year ago : obtained a !eica C! fro$ $y repair$an for a song# and loved ,hat : could do ,ith it+ : totally hate photo $ags that advertise 2stepping-up2 to bigger and bigger fil$ si(es+ : ,ant to 2step-do,n2 to greater freedo$# speed# and spontaneous artistry+ 6e that as it $ay# : bought a !eica 9inilu< last ,eek 0before : even kne, that T-4*s e<isted1# but enBoy this ca$era greatly+ /ere*s the botto$ line : live in the San @ose California area and ,ould like to gather serious 78S users for regular 78S only field e<cursions 0a fe, ti$es a year1 ,ith so$e sharing of results later on+++and lots of fun# food# etc+ :f anyone in the S++ 6ay area is interested# feel free to send an e-$ail ,ith a phone nu$ber+++$ine is 04'&1 K&K-44# so call if you like# but#please# no solicitors Thanks# Todd

-- Todd redrick# Gove$ber 4# ;;&

good pages Bust bought a yashica T5 and look for,ard using it# you set a,ay $y doubts over leaing $y dear nikon behind for a ,hile 0,ait till i get $y first pictures# though1 sure oone thing ps is fast+

-- Bules l# @anuary H'# ;;;

: don*t kno, ho, $any people have tried this old ca$era# but :*ve Bust gotten it fro$ $y $other "icoh 5'' M+ :t $ust be a predecessor to the ne,er M*s# but : hadn*t heard of it before+ :t*s a real rangefinder# having full $anual control 0as ,ell as offering auto$atic e<posure+++,hich has proven to be reasonably accurate fro$ so$e



of $y trials1+ :*$ totally blo,n a,ay by the quality of the lens in this ca$era+ :t*s every bit as sharp as $y S!"+++although : haven*t put it to the test ,ith slide fil$ yet+ 3nd it*s tiny 3lthough heavier than $y Oly$pus 7 8 S+ or those ti$es ,hen : have $ore than a $o$ent to fiddle# but don*t ,ant to bother ,ith $y S!"# this ca$era is a,eso$e+

-- /eidi Aeaver# @anuary H'# ;;;

@ust a short note to let you kno, about uBi*s MaK45 $ediu$ for$at 7*n*shooters+ 3fter overdosing on gearo$ania# :*ve decided to get $yself a one lens# one ca$era co$bo and ,ork on funde$entals and lighting+ The M3 K45 ,as perfect for $e and the K45 neg enlarges quite gracefully to ? 4+ :t*s e<actly the sa$e in operations as a H5$$ point and shoot save for a fe, goodies such as vertical fra$ing# cable release# tripod socket# etc+

:t ,on*t fit in your pocket though+++

-- 6enoit Doloreu<# ebruary %# ;;;

:*ve recently started taking pictures ,ith a 78S after having had so$e e<perience taking pictures ,ith an S!"+ :*ve had good results ,ith $y Yashica T5 0T4 Super in the PS1+ :*ve e<peri$ented ,ith its different flash $odes and : found that the ill-:n flash ,orks better than the 3uto$atic lash or "ed-Eye "eduction $ode+ Even in taking pictures indoors ,ith even lighting# : use the ill-:n flash $ode+ The ca$era does a good Bob ,ith the e<posure as it balances the light reflected by the subBect and the background light+ There*s less overe<posure on the subBect# and less shado,s on the background+ One trick to reduce red-eye effect# : Bust tell the subBet to look at a light source for a $o$ent and then pose+ 3lso# : use the Super Scope 0,aist level vie,finder1 frequently since :*$ a tall person living in 3sia+ This eli$inates the barreling on so$e pictures caused by the ,ide angle lens if you take the$ fro$ a high vie,point+ :t*s also neat to take pictures ,ithout people kno,ing it+ They all think that :*$ Bust checking ho, $any shots : have left# ,hile :*$ actually looking through the Super Scope and snapping a,ay 0,ithout flash of course1+ 3nother point# if you*re ever in ietna$# check out the cheap prices of ca$eras in /o Chi 9inh City 0for$er Saigon1 and /anoi+ Their prices are co$petitive to those in the States and cheaper than in other countries in this region 0i+e+ "icoh M" Q 4''PSD. Oly$pus $Bu:: Q H'PSD1+

-- "onald Mregorio# ebruary 5# ;;;

: Bust got back fro$ a trip to !ondon and 7aris and brought along $y brand ne, Oly$pus &' (oo$ delu<e ,ide+ : a$ thrilled ,ith the photos it took+ : ,ould highly reco$$end this ca$era to anyone+ The ,ide angle lens ca$e in very handy in sooo $any instances+ /as anyone had a good e<perience ,ith this ca$era+ This is $y first e<perience ,ith a point and shoot+ it ,as nice having such a s$all ca$era and not $y O9 to lug along+



-- kathy kane# ebruary %%# ;;;

: have had the Yashica T4 0older $odel# no, T5>T4 Super1 for about H years no,+ :t is a nice 78S ca$era# cheap# ,ith an e<cellent lens and e<poses 2correct2 in

standard situations 0also for slides1+ : take it ,ith $e# ,hen : ,ant to leave the heavy stuff at ho$e# or Bust as a supple$ent for the S!" equipe$ent+ The only proble$ :*ve had is that the re,inded to early a fe, ti$es 0at about picture %'1+ -R Aould buy it again ,ith no hesitation+

-- 7hilippe Aiget# 9arch %# ;;;

3 useful hint for people ,ith active autofocus 78S ca$eras that lack an infinity focus button# like the :nfinity .-1 Stylus Epic# : found on http>>,,,+ans+co$+au>chrisb>photo>equip$ent>oly$pus>$Buii+ht$l There Chris 6it$ead says2The Epic doesn*t have an infinity lock 0useful to shoot through

,indo,s1 You can ho,ever get the ca$era to focus at infinity by covering one of the :" focus sensors ,ith a finger or ,hatever and then press the shutter button half ,ay+ Then co$pose and shoot+2 That should do it+ Though : didn*t the results yet# :*$ sure it ,ill help+ 6y the ,ay 7hil# about your site the $ore : use it# the $ore : ad$ire the great accessibility+

-- !e< 9olenaar# 9arch 5# ;;;

: use the Yashica T4 for shooting stereo pairs+ : originally had t,o of the$ $ounted si< inches apart 0lens-to-lens1 on a bar# but have abandoned this syste$ because

1 : could never press the shutter buttons at e<actly the sa$e $o$ent+

%1 9y dear Catherine 2borro,ed2 one of the ca$eras eighteen $onths ago# and uses it so $uch she has yet to return it+

:n any event# e<cellent stereo pairs can be taken ,ith this ca$era si$ply by shooting the first picture ,ith an obBect on the left side of the center circle# and the second ,ith the obBect on the right side+ :f the scene has a concentrated light source such as a fireplace# there $ight be a proble$ ,ith the difference in ca$era position resulting in different $etering# but if the light is not near the center of the picture# it generally isn*t a proble$+

-- @ohn S+ AoBto,ic(# 3pril # ;;;

!ast year : purchased a !eica C! and then a 9inilu< 0see previous co$$ents for Gove$ber *;&1# but sold the C! and bought a !eica 9K through a fine young $an : 2$et2 on the internet 0$inilu< club1,ho asked $e if : ,anted an 9K# bought $e a beautiful used $odel 0;K'Kth $ade1,ith % lenses for %L# and is accepting pay$ents+++,e*ve never $et True trust is a ,onderful thing+++and believe that



seriously+++very rare today /o,ever# after reading ,idely the 7hotonet 7>S co$$ents# and considering $y need for a very pocketable ca$era 0don*t take an 9K on a kayak1# lens quality 0asph ele$ents1# true ergono$ics 0pocket tapered design1# and lens speed# : bought t,o Oly$pus Stulus Epic ca$eras 0one for $e and one for a friend# in fine used condition one through e-bay and one fro$ a 2AT62 on

7hil*s 7hotonet ads today+ : haven*t run a single roll through# but : e<pect great things This is not a reBection of the T-4# or others The teeny-,eeny si(e got to $e and the tapered design ,as Bust ,hat : ,anted+ : ,ill# of course# run $any rolls through# and post an evaluation+ : a$ concerned about the co$$ents on 3 proble$s# but the spot $eter is a M"E3T addition : do ,ish there ,as a reader*s photo gallery on this site as there is on the 9inilu< and /assie clubs+ 7hil+++think about it+++,e can sho, our great stuff and praise each other as ,e so deserve :*$ still looking for San rancisco>San @ose C3 6ay 3rea people interested in taking photo trips+ : once taught adult ed classes in photography and had a great ti$e on field trips# until these darned old 7>S ca$eras ca$e along and no one ,anted to kno, photo basics any $ore !ook ,ho*s talkin* no,

E-9ail if interested in setting up so$e trips this su$$er at fredrickhotcity+co$

Todd rederick

-- Todd redrick# 3pril =# ;;;

3fter having read all of the co$$ents# it $akes $e ,onder ,hy anyone but a professional ,ould use a regular S!"+ : Bust don*t think that a 78S gives $e enough of ,hat : ,ant+ : don*t take a lot of pictures but ,hen : do : like lots of closeups and landscapes# plus so$e sports action+ : Bust can*t get that ,ith a 78S+ : a$ thinking of going digital for $y 78S needs+

-- "on !a,rence# 9ay %4# ;;;

:*ve pretty $uch lost $y faith in point and shoot ca$eras+ : $ay# ho,ever# purchase a "icoh M"- because it has spot $etering and apeture priority $etering ,ith override++++the very things that are needed in a point and shoot+

: still use $y 9inolta IE# but only for things like signs# casual group portraits and ti$es ,hen : Bust need a picture but don*t have $y slr+ They*re Bust too unpredictable for anything other than snapshots+

3s to 7hilips paragraph at the top of this article# :*$ sure if he had been standing ne<t to the girl ,ith the point and shoot# he ,ould have taken a better fra$ed# better e<posed# sharper and $ore contrasty shot ,ith his slr+

-- @i$ Tardio# 9ay %5# ;;;

Sorry# @i$ -- : disagree ,>r>t 7hilip*s e<a$ple at the graduation+ :f 7hilip ,ere sitting



ne<t to the ,o$an ,ith the point and shoot# he ,ouldn*t have his big cache of gear ,ith hi$ -- a point 8 shoot is likely all he*d be able to bring to that position+

+++he ,ould have taken a better fra$ed# better e<posed# sharper and $ore contrasty shot ,ith his slr

6etter fra$ed) Go# that*s entirely related to the skill of the photographer+ 6etter e<posed) Aith print fil$ 0and a little bit of brain po,er1 it ,ouldn*t $ake a difference+ Sharper) Yes+ 9ore contrasty) !ikely+

6ut this is all $issing 7hilip*s point -- you can bring a point 8 shoot ,ith you al$ost any,here+ You can ,hip it out at a $o$ent*s notice and get the shot+ /ence the value of a point 8 shoot+ They $ay not suit you# @i$# but that doesn*t $ean they*re ,ithout value+

-- "uss 3rcuri# 9ay %=# ;;;

Sorry "uss--: never said they ,ere not of any value# and : never said : didn*t like the$+ : said : a$ losing $y faith in the$+ : also said : a$ considering buying a "icoh M"-# and still use $y 9inolta IE+

: really don*t kno, ,hat 7hil ,ould have been using had he been closer# but : ,ould have had an slr ,ith or % lenses 3GD a point and shoot+

3nd : Bust don*t agree that a point and shoot is better than a cheap body ,ith a slo, consu$er (oo$ and 9oby flash+ Ahen 7hil first ,rote this piece : did# but after having gone through $any of these ca$eras :*ve co$e to the conclusion# :G 9Y O7:G:OG# that they*re not $uch better than a disposable ca$era+

or e<a$ple take the Ieiss lens a,ay fro$ the T4 and ,hat do have left) 3 little bo< ,here the only control you have is turning the flash on and off+ :f light is indeed the $ain ingredient of photography+++as 7hil states+++ho, do you capture it faithfully ,hen you have no idea ,hat the ca$era is e<posing the fil$ at) Aith practice all you have is an educated guess at best+ /o, do you lock focus if the ca$era is on a tripod) /o, do alter fil$ speed)

Go,# : kno, the purpose of this piece is to sho, the value of carrying a point and shoot# and 7hil*s anecdote about Clinton is valid+ Obviously it*s $uch easier to carry a point and shoot in your pocket than lug around a bag full of gear+ 3 T4# Oly$pic Stylus# or ,hatever brand you use are great for this+ 6ut as so $any folks on photo net are fond of pointing out# 2 You get ,hat you pay for 2+ 3nd for 5'+''# or less# you don*t get $uch $ore than the ability to slip the thing in your pocket+ 6ut# : agree# that that*s better than nothing# and do that $yself $any ti$es+ Aith that# all : can do is echo 7hil*s guidelines for using these ca$eras in t,o si$ple rules+

+ :f people are in the photograph use fill flash+



%+ :f there are no people in the photograph# turn the flash off and hope the ca$era chooses an appropriate setting+

:f you ,ant so$e control ,ith one of these ca$eras# it*s going to cost you up,ards

of H''+''+++around the sa$e price as an entry level slr body ,ith a slo, consu$er (oo$+

@ust so$e thoughts+

-- @i$ Tardio# 9ay %;# ;;;

: love taking pictures+ 3fter researching the current $arket : found the T-4 best fit $y needs0: found out it has no proble$ ,ith being carried around in $y pocket1+ The $ore : read up on it the $ore fascinated : beca$e+ : shopped around and found that Ca$bridge Ca$era E<change offered it for only &+;5+ : placed $y order via

$ailUphone+ That ,as t,o ,eeks ago+ 3fter $any long distance calls 0$any of ,hich got $e no,herethey hung up on $e five out of ten ti$es : ,ould callF1 : have found out that 2$y T-4#2as : so dearingly refer to it# ,ill not cost anything near the first e<pected price+ 5&+;5+ : have not let it get $y hopes do,n# : a$ ,aiting by the $ail bo< in a childish fren(y Bust i$agining the fun :*$ going to have ,ith 29y T-4+2 That*s Ca$bridge Ca$era E<change in Ge, York+ They*ll hang up on you+

-- luis villasana# @une %# ;;;

:*$ using an Oly$pus :nfinity Stylus >Ioo$ 5 for about a year and e<tre$ely pleased ,ith its outstanding perfor$ance+:t is definetely the s$allest and lightest point-to-shoot ca$era in the ,orld+ :t ,orks perfectly on the panaro$a $ode+Ahile taking close-up shots#strictly adhere to the close-up correction $arks+:*$ an e<-pilot and : $ust add Oly$pus :nfinity Stylus is highly reco$$ended for aerial photography+ : have fantastic photos taken at H=+''' ft+Try to avoid buying fro$ Singapore+:*ve had a,ful e<periences in the past+7refer the ones $anufactured either in PS or @apan+ : also reco$$end Sa$sung 9a<i$a Ioo$ 45 VD#Cannon Sure Shot IH5 and 7enta< :V Ioo$ K' VD+

MWrol Lutlu gkutluthy+co$ = @une ;;;

-- MWrol Lutlu# @une =# ;;;

:*$ beginning to feel like a collector of ca$eras Once : got serious about photography : got a used Gikon 9% 8 % lens - 5'$$ 8 %&$$+ : $ostly use the %&$$ as it suits $y style+

:*ve $oved up to $ediu$ for$at ,hich : love but : can*t bring $yself to lug $y /asselblad on a trip 0: $ostly fear :*ll thro, $y back out -- rather than fear losing it1+



3nd there ,as this thing about being in clubs ,here all this e<citing stuff is going on 8 : Bust can*t capture it ,ith $y blad+ So : got a 78S+ : got the canon IH5 0a friend ,ho teaches photography 8 has a couple of books out - Del laMrace# reco$$ended the Canon I5 and by the ti$e : got $ine the IH5 had co$e out1+ : read the $anual but can*t quite re$e$ber all the fine details in a club setting 0but :*ll

be sure to try so$e of the reco$$endations here1+ : still play ,ith the settings 8 :*ve gotten so$e fun photos : Bust can*t get ,ith even $y nikon+ Tho : bring $y nikon ,ith it*s %&$$ lens 8 either Tri? 4'' pushed to K'' or one of the faster b8, fil$s+ : get different kinds of photos+

Go, ,hen : travel and :*$ ,anting $y $ediu$ for$at ca$era : Bust thro, in one of $y super light ,eight plastic ca$eras : prefer the lubitel for $ore serious ,ork 0it*s $uch $ore fle<able ,ith all sorts of cool things like a ti$er# a hot shoe# shutter speeds 8 f-stops1 but :*$ trying to learn $y holga+ 9y holga gets $e plenty of funny looks because : couldn*t find any black electrical tape so it*s taped up ,ith red tape+ :*ve gotten so$e M"E3T shots 8 it probably ,eighs less than an ounce 6PT :

bring $y 78S too : can*t al,ays shoot in daylight+

0no, besides all those ca$eras : also o,n % polaroid ca$eras1

-- erin o*neill# @une %'# ;;;

Aell# : o,n one of the ca$eras that is often disparaged in this group+ :ts a 4''si ,ith 0horror of horrors1 a Sig$a %&-&' lens# a second-hand 9inolta 5'$$ f>+= and another second-hand 9inolta ='-%'$$ lens+ : also have a cheap Sunflash e<ternal flash+

: like ,hat : o,n because it gives $e the fle<ibility to try out ne, things+ : can try $anual $etering# aperture or shutter priority $etering and $anual focusing+ Ahile : have not attained genius-hood ,ith $y setup# : have taken quite a fe, photographs ,hich $ake $e a lot happy+

: dare say that e<cept for the bulk# $y ca$era is no ,orse off than a decent point and shoot+ 3nd considering the price : paid for it : think it is ,orth $ore to $e than a 78S ca$era ,ould have been+

-- @agadeesh enugopal# @une %K# ;;;

3ll this arguing over p8s ca$eras is getting a little redundant+ Correct $e if :*$ ,rong here# but isn*t the idea behind a p8s to either have fun in casual shooting situations# or as an e$ergency back up ,hen your S!" is do,n# or unavailable) Sure# it*s al,ays great to see useful infor$ation about a ca$era before you purchase it# but lets not forget that the $aBority of the ca$eras here are under %'' ferchrissakes 3GD# as ,e all kno, you do get 0so$eti$es less than1 ,hat you pay for+



That said# here*s a great idea for point and shoot fun :*ve got a Yashica# and : love to play *hot potato* ,ith $y friends+ @ust use the self ti$er to trigger the shutter# and start tossin* it around+ :*ve gotten so$e really cool shots this ,ay+

@oe

-- @oe Toole# @une %;# ;;;

:*$ glad to see that /eidi Aeaver has discovered the "icoh 5''M+ : bought one ne, in ;== for a trip to Ayo$ing and loved it+ Ae took so$e great pictures# enlarged the$ to ;+5 < 4 and they*re still hanging on our ,all+ Then ca$e 3utofocus ca$eras and : put $y "icoh aside+ !ater : passed it on to $y niece+ : so$eti$es gro, tired of the lack of control and li$itations of 3utofocus ca$eras# but still enBoy taking a s$all light ca$era ,ith $e+ Then ca$e E-6ay+ or relatively little $oney : ,as able to bring a "icoh 5''M back into $y house+ :t still takes great pictures and is an ine<pensive and ,onderful co$pro$ise ,hen you need a little $ore control ,ithout

a lot $ore heft+

9ark Suss$an

-- 9ark Suss$an# @uly 5# ;;;

: have a "icoh 5'' given to $e by a friend+ :t is a beautiful ca$era# but slo, in use and clu$sy+++and heavy+ : have an Oly$pus ?3# also received as a gift+ The lens isn*t sharp or flare-resistant# and tiny controls are hard to use+ : gave $y girlfriend an Oly$pus Sylus Epic XH5>%+& lens1 and# even on a tripod# the lens isn*t very sharp+ That is ,hy : ,ould stick to light S!"s like Elan ,ith a 5'$$ lens ,henever possible+++the co$pacts see$ to give too $uch in i$age quality and speed of use+

-- Oleg olk# @uly H'# ;;;

: bought a !eica I%? couple $onths ago and ,ent to Ge, Orleans+ The I%? ,as such a pleasure to use and : got so$e of the $ost ,onderful pictures of the old rench Vuarter+ These are so$e of the best pictures :*ve ever taken using any 78S+

-- Clarence Gg# 3ugust 5# ;;;

9y perspective $ay not be especially alternative+ : too o,n a T4 : purchased it al$ost H years ago shortly after having $any years ,orth of Canon equip$ent stolen+ Aell# : have been thrilled by the results this ca$era gave# so $uch so that : a$ thinking seriously of trying to stay ,ith Ieiss Conta< lenses+ : a$ not sure ,hat the difference is# contrast# colour balance) but : prefer the colour to anything shot on $y Canons++++go figure+ /OAEE"# 6EA3"E service in Canada is another story !ast Christ$as : dropped it in a hotel parking lot oops and o,,, The lens cover ,as broken# $ore than '' dollars later# 0,ell ,e can*t e<pect ,arranty to cover i$pact da$age can ,e1 : happily gave it a little hug and proceeded to shoot



again++++proble$# vignetting)) Telephone Yashica and e<plain# after sending directly to hi$ ,ith e<planatory note# several ,eeks later it co$es back ,ith sa$e proble$# this ti$e ,hen : phone the $anager had not seen it# techie had fi<ed by 2adBusting2 the $eter))) 3fter bitterly co$plaining# : have re-sent $y ca$era and they are for,arding to Ge, York+ : hope your PS service is better or : ,ill not be able to

talk $yself into spending the kind of $oney necessary for so$e Conta< gear+ That said# before breaking# the T4 0T5 here1 is a beautiful little ca$era+ /ighly reco$$end for hiking# biking etc+ Mraha$ Gorth

-- Mraha$ Gorth# Septe$ber =# ;;;

Mood photography is in the eye of the user+

9y ,ife has no concern for obtaining adequate quality photographs+ She $erely ,ishes to obtain i$ages ,hich ,ill induce a $e$ory recall of the event+ Ahat : consider trash# she values+ The 78S is geared to,ard those of $y ,ife*s bent ,here

the obBect is not to produce art but rather physical records of prior events+ 6y auto$ating the artistic control# the average quality increases but the average art value di$inishes+

:n contrast# : use photography as an artistic outlet+ : shoot H5$$ b8,# ,ith a spot $eter using the (one syste$ and do $y o,n printing+ :f : have no darkroo$ set up# : don*t shoot+ : haven*t shot in years+

T,o e<tre$es+

7erhaps if : gave up so$e control# : ,ould obtain $ore even if : enBoyed it less+

9y co$pro$ise is using a M"- ,ith negative fil$+ : ,ill use store printing for $y ,ife*s fil$# and co$puter printing for $y fil$+

This co$pro$ise $ay better the both of us+

-- byard ed,ards# Septe$ber '# ;;;

9onkey

-- Troy /yde# @anuary H# %'''

:an*s co$$ents above are based on so$e degree of S!">EOS snobbishness+ 7ity+ :t*s not difficult to get decent photos ,ith a point>shoot ca$era. the Stylus Epic*s fast f>%+& lens gets the Bob done nicely+ So does $y Yashica T4 super 0f>H+51+ : carry a $ini-tripod ,ith fle<ible legs to negate ca$era shake# or ,edge $y shoulders up against a ,all or door Ba$b+ 3nd : usually e<pose at least t,o fra$es per subBect# varying stance or lighting as called for+ Ahen : kno, : ,ant so$ething $ore co$plicated# :*ll haul out $y Gikon 9%n and its assorted lenses# but that*s



infrequent+ Psing outdated or cheap fil$ for test>technique purposes is a great idea. instead of getting that tree-killing second set of prints# find a lab that ,ill give you a free roll of 2/ouse brand2 fil$. it*s often $ade by one of the na$e $anufacturers in @apan or 9innesota+

-- Dave 6aldo# @anuary H# %'''

: kno, $y vie,point $ay not be si$ilar to other people here# but it*s here+ 78S ca$eras $ay be great for 2consu$er2 shots 0i+e vacations# fa$ily gatherings# etc+1 but in professional photography# nothing beats an S!" or T!"+ : guess the reason $anufacturers keep 78S in production is not for photographers to use the$# or they ,ould produce a s$all ca$era ,ith $anual apeture and shutter+ : don*t really kno, ho, a 78S is in the real ,orld 0since : do astrophotography1# but it*s hard to beat a good S!" ,ith a telephoto lens+

@i$

-- @a$es @ingo(ian# @anuary %&# %'''

3fter $any years using only S!" equip$ent# : bought a 9inolta reedo$ Ioo$ as a take-along-at-all-ti$es ca$era+ Pnfortunately# it proved to be e<tre$ely unreliable+ :t $ade $e $iss $any opportunities ,hen it Bust s,itched off 0leaving the lens unretracted1 at the $o$ent of pressing the shutter+ :t ruined $any pictures by focusing to $ini$u$ distance# even for landscapes ,ith no foreground :t frustrated entire $ountain trips by si$ply locking up+ :t took seven repairs to shoot a total of about 4' rolls of fil$# of ,hich $ore than half ,as ruined because of ca$era proble$s+

: have no, discarded it# and replaced it by a "icoh M"-s+ Ahat a difference This ca$era is very usable# e<tre$ely s$all and light,eight# rugged# allo,s a considerable range of $anual control 0,hich : $issed so $uch ,ith the 9inolta1# and so far : have not lost a single fra$e to ca$era $alfunction+ :t ,orks very ,ell indeed :*$ very happy ,ith it+

This ca$era is an i$prove$ent over the already good M"-# and : do highly reco$$end it 0: have no connection to "icoh other than being a satisfied custo$er1+ :ts $ain dra,back is the lack of a (oo$ lens# but then# its %&$$ f>%+& is really good# and AOP!D you e<pect a (oo$ in a ca$era this si(e)

"ecently : ,as able to photograph so$e lightning bolts ,ith the "icoh# so$ething : had been never successful at ,hen using the S!" equip$ent To$orro, :*$ off for one $onth into the $ountains# doing so$e flying and so$e cli$bing# and the "icoh co$es ,ith $e

9anfred 9ornhin,eg+



-- 9anfred 9ornhin,eg# @anuary H# %'''

3lthough technically not point-n-shoot ca$eras# there are $any co$pact H5$$

rangefinders fro$ the *='s that are al$ost as s$all and nearly as easy to use+ Check out ,,,+ca$eraquest+co$>classics+ht$ for a rundo,n of the better ones+

7ersonally# :*$ quite happy ,ith the 9inolta /i-9atic =s:: : picked up for K' last year+ Ahile it can*t focus itself# it does have a fairly accurate auto-e<posure syste$ 0co$plete ,ith e<posure lock1 and a fast 0f+=1 lens# ,hich $eans you can shoot :SO '' fil$ instead of :SO 4'' $uch of the ti$e+ 6etter still# it has a leaf shutter 0,hich $eans it flash-syncs at all speeds1 and a $anual fil$-speed dial so you control the a$ount of fill-flash $ore accurately as ,ell as adBust e<posure to your particular taste+ 3nother nice touch is the filter ring# ,hich : use fairly often# as ,ell as the fact that the $eter cell is located inside the filter ring# Bust above the lens+ This

$eans that it $eters through the filter and thus auto$atically co$pensates for the filter-factor of ,hatever filter you use+

On the do,nside# at = ounces# it*s about t,ice as heavy as the typical p-n-s ca$era but it*s still s$all enough to fit into a Backet pocket# if not a Beans pocket+ 3nother plus is that the body is $etal# not plastic# ,hich $eans it ,ill dent instead of crack ,hen it*s accidentally dropped+

Overall# if -- like $e -- you prefer your photographic auto$ation in s$all doses and $etal-bodied ca$eras to plastic ones# then a co$pact H5$$ rangefinder fro$ the ;='s $ay be a better choice for you than an auto-everything plastic ,onder fro$ the ;;'s+

-- @effrey Moggin# ebruary 5# %'''

/o, about a used Conta< M ) :ts great little ca$era for you pocket# Backet that is+ 3 little on the heavy side but if you ,ant creative controls ,ith interchangable lenes# this is it+ : Bust ,ish Conta< ,ill $ake another pancake lens like their 45 f%+& for it+

-- Aillia$ Song# ebruary &# %'''

3l,ays ,anted a quality point and shoot ca$era to take on trips instead of lugging the old Gikon G;' or Canon EOS but ,as*t sure ,hich one to buy+ : Bust bought TAO quality point and shoots# a !eica 9inilu< and Gikon H5T: to co$pare and get the feel+ : can only keep one but since : bought the$ used# :*$ sure : can al,ays sell the one : don*t ,ant at auction+ 9y choice after H rolls of fil$) :t*s the Gikon H5T:+ irst# : ,ear glasses and they $ust have gone all out to $ake the !eica 9inilu< vie,finder as s$all as possible and : like to see shutter speeds in the vie,finder to kno, ,hat :*$ doing+ That only gave $e one choice# the H5T:+ 3s far as the pics# both ,ere about equal# perhaps the !eica $ay be a tad sharper but# in $y opinion#



the 2feel2 and handling of the Gikon ,as better and : can see ,hat :*$ pointing at+ 3nybody ,ant to be a nearly ne, !eica)

-- @i$ Me$$ill# ebruary %&# %'''

Yashica T4 Super+ : have had it for several $onths# shot about H' rolls of print fil$ and couple rolls of uBi 3stia '' 0slide fil$# if you ,ant to kno, ,hat it is1+ : have only one ,ord about it. this s$all ca$era is M"E3T 9ost of $y pictures taken ,ith T4 ,ere enlarged up to &<%2+ Slides ,ere properly e<posed and very sharp+ 7roperly used 2spot2 $eter allo,s $e to cope ,ith pretty tricky light conditions 0like sunset in the $ountains1+ @ust ai$ ca$era at so$ething ,ith inter$ediate brightness 0ca$era set at infinity ﾵ $ode1# hold shutter button half pressed# reco$pose the picture# and shoot+ Psed ,ith Lodak 4'' CG 0black 8 ,hite fil$ for C4 process# you can develop it in any one-hour $inilab1 ca$era shines ,ith it*s highly detailed contrasty i$ages# even in $urky light conditions 0overcast ,inter day# for instance1+ : heard that people report inconsistent autofocus ,ith T4 resulting in blurry i$ages+ :t

never happened to $e+ :n fact# $y second ca$era Oly$pus Stylus# ,hich ,as purchased last year COGST3GT!Y blurs t,o-three fra$es in each shot roll+ Ca$era ,as sent back to Oly$pus and they returned it ,ith verdict 2ca$era is absolutely functional2+++ The superscope in T4 is another great feature+

Overall 9y hat is off+ T4 Super is ,aterproof# quiet ca$era ,ith e<cellent Carl Ieiss optics+ Mreat buy for 5'+

-- Yuriy ilin# 9arch %%# %'''

:nteresting ideas# :an+ 6ut :*d like to see your pictures first+

-- Yuriy ilin# 9arch H'# %'''

: $ust say that : respectfully disagree ,ith the preceeding diatribe against point and shoots+ 3s has been pointed out else,here# a ca$era is a tool+ 3 ,ise artisan ,ill learn the strengths and ,eaknesses of that tool# and adBust accordingly+

9y o,n 78S e<perience has been $ost re,arding+ irst of all# if you vie, it as si$ple tool that can be used 0,ith e<perience# and planning and reading the Z0X $anual1 you C3G take great shots+ : kno, that so$e of $y all ti$e favorites ,ere taken ,ith an Oly$pus Stylus Epic+ ra$ing# co$position and having the $aturity to reali(e that you*re not going to get every shot# are part of the 78S e<perience+ 3lso# if you have the ca$era ,ith you# you can use it+ 3 78S# especially one ,ith a spot$eter# that*s ,ith you beats all the fancy stuff sitting on the shelf at ho$e+

:t*s equally true that a T4 or a Stylus Epic aren*t# and ,on*t be# a good substitute for a good quality S!" under every circu$stance+ Or even so$e circu$stances+ Ahen : really# absolutely# positively have to be cetain of getting the picture# 0like# say#



confir$ations# graduations# etc1# : do use the old S!"+ 6ut the 78S can go in the briefcase# glovebo<# etc+ : $ean# ho, can you get that picture of Elvis ,ithout a ca$era+

-- 6ob Yates# 9arch H'# %'''

3$en# 6ob+

:f you kno, ho, to use a 78S# you can indeed get so$e gorgeous pictures -- and $y e<perience has been that these little ca$eras succeed $uch $ore than they fail+

3nd# as others have pointed out# they keep getting better all the ti$e+ :n the last decade# point and shoot ca$eras have taken a quantu$ leap for,ard in si(e# design# and optics+ 0You ,ouldn*t have seen so$ething like the Epic in ;;'+1 9ore of us

can carry the$ $ore easily to $ore events# and thus get $ore shots ,e ,ould have other,ise $issed+ 3nd that*s ,hat puts the 7O:GT in 2point and shoot2 ca$eras# isn*t it)

These ca$eras are tools# designed for capturing $o$ents on the fly+ 6ut so$eone ,ith a little patience and persistance can also use the$ to $ore creative advantage -- and the results can be re,arding# indeed+

-- Mreg Landra# 9arch H# %'''

:f you believe :an Cruikshank*s co$$ent Bust above# then you $ust conclude that the i$ages produced by practitioners like /enri Cartier-6resson# "obert rank# etc+ etc+ -- all produced by ca$eras ,ith s$all vie,finders and slo, lenses 0old !eicas# $ostly1 -- are by definition uninteresting+ That doesn*t $ake sense+ or that $atter# a Yashica T4 is a better producer of i$ages than a !eica ::: 6etter lens# ,> better fil$ in it than ,as available in the old days+

That doesn*t $ean it has all the advantages# ho,ever+ The vie,finder is s$all# and : can*t adBust its focus to $y 0increasingly1 bleary eyes+ 3nd# :*$ never quite sure of the fra$e :*$ seeing+ So# :*$ looking for a used /e<ar 0black# please1+ : also shoot ,ith an old Oly$pus H5S7 and a Canonet M::: -- autoe<posure# $anual focus# sharp lens# $ade in the *='s# the Canonet even has $oving fra$e lines for paralla< co$pensation+

Sitting in a big# heavy ca$era bag are $y EOS Elan and EOS K%'# $y 0very sharp1 %&-'5 PS9# $y 5' +& and a ;-H5 (oo$ ,hich isn*t sharp but hey it sees interesting things+ Ahy do they sit in the bag) You kno, ,hy+ They are heavy# intrusive devices+ You can do great things ,ith the$# but if you shoot in a ,orld full



of people ,ho you ,ould prefer to re$ain unconscious of and undisturbed by your picture-taking# an S!" ain*t the ticket+

-- To$ 9andel# 3pril 4# %'''

Does anyone kno, anything about the !o$o ca$era) : have heard great things about the portability and creativity of this ca$era# but ,anted to get so$e $ore opinions fro$ so$e $ore 2serious2 users+ One thing that sounded really interesting about it ,as that it ,as not fully auto$atic# allo,ing a lot of lee,ay for creativity+

Thoughts)

-- " 6riggs# 3pril 4# %'''

: loved the article : Bust bought a Conta< T%+ 9y Gikon and it*s %&-%'' (oo$ is flying out the ,indo, 7hil Mreenspun Bust ans,ered ,hy $y photos lacked *(ing* :

learned a !OT fro$ 7hil# certainly enough to i$prove $y photography and $y equip$ent+ T/3GL YOP# 7hil

-- /ernan 9apua# 3pril =# %'''

ascinating co$$ents on point and shoot ca$eras# S!"s etc# and an e<cellent site by 7hil+ 3s a ne,co$er to co$puters and the net but a ca$era nut since childhood# here are a fe, co$$ents ,hich $ay be useful 0cf $ain site feedback1 Cruikshank*s co$$ents see$ elitist and unnecessarily infla$$atory+ : agree ,ith all vie,points+ Surely the obBective is the sa$e to create the best possible pictures by the si$plest $eans - incidentally# the sa$e philosophy ,hich guided Oskar 6arnack to invent the !eica+ Thus the search for the ideal 78S see$s perfectly valid+ 7hil is bang on+ : agree# turn off the flash+ :t ruins $ood lighting+ : ,ould like to see a 78S ,ith an accessory flash and a bigger vie,finder - the bigger the better+ /o, $any pi< to take) 3 fil$ of one subBect) @ust one) Pp to the individual+ The goal should be to produce really good# $e$orable pictures+ Thoughtfulness# not Bust firing off pictures as fast as possible# is the key+ Co$$ents on pre-focusing are helpful+ Aatching e<posure is also critical+ Even tilting the ca$era up to the sky to decrease e<posure or do,n to the ground to increase e<posure# then locking it in by half depressing the shutter 0assu$ing your ca$era has no co$pensation1 can help+ Aatch you don*t thro, the focus out of ,hack+ Yes# a good +& 5'$$ lens on an S!" is an e<cellent choice for so$e pictures# but the S!" is still bigger and $ore fiddly - it is 3nd the $oving $irror $akes it very hard to hold the ca$era still belo, >H'th sec+ 3 rangefinder ca$era is a better choice for lo, light 0no blackout either1+ : do find heavier ca$eras are $ore stable at slo, speeds though - perhaps ,hy readers on this site still like the good old classic ca$eras+ Got Bust !eica# though if you buy one :*$ sure you ,on*t be disappointed+ /ave you tried an Oly$pus H5"C for e<a$ple) Got perfect but very capable+ This feedback is useful# both to users and hopefully the ca$era industry+ :t*s up to us photographers to tell the$ ,hat ,e ,ant David Lillick# Christchurch# Ge, Iealand+



-- David Lillick# 3pril %# %'''

:an# Bust rela<+ :f you don*t use 78S thats your proble$+ @ust leave this discussion along and let people choose their o,n path in photography+ Your opinion is Bust one

of hundreds and not valid in a$ateur photo ,orld+ : have lots of friends 2a$ateurs2 using all kinds of ca$eras 078S# S!"# vie, ca$eras# rangefinder ca$eras+++1 at the sa$e ti$e ,ith a great success and great pleasure+ 3nd# if you are a 2professional2# you do not need to read co$$ents on this site+

-- Yuriy ilin# 3pril %&# %'''

Mood point# Yuriy+ So$eone ,ho clearly has no respect for point and shoot ca$eras -- and# in fact# e<presses nothing but disdain for the$ -- has no business posting in a foru$ designed to help people use the$ better+ Ahat*s the point) To $ake everyone feel bad) Or Bust to sho, off)

-- Mreg Landra# 3pril %&# %'''

Does it $atter ,hat ca$era you use or even if you use a ca$era at all) : certainly don*t al,ays use a ca$era+ : do photo$ontage and photogra$s and : also create pinhole inages and digital ,ork+ T/e fact of the $atter is if an i$age is of any depth at all+ :s the i$age good) 7retty soon ,e $ight all be using digital or $aybe photography ,on*t be fashionable any$ore+ Pnlikely# but feasible+

:$age $ike - pinhole school+Bpg

-- 9ike "ossiter# 3pril H'# %'''

The !o$o ca$era is great# but it really depends on ,hat you are looking for+ :t does colors very nicely and has a fast f%+& lens+ :t tends to vignette a bit and it has $any quirks about it+ : like it because it*s different# not *technically* better+ : already have a Gikon for $y *$ain* sharp photos# but : carry the !o$o around as a snap ca$era+ : like the unique look it provides# as ,ell as the unique feel of it+ 6ut it*s certainly not for everyone+

:f you are looking for a $ore everyday snap ca$era that takes good sharper pictures# :*d reco$$end you take a look at the Oly$pus Stylus Epic 0under PS ''+1+ The non (oo$ version has a fast f%+& lens and produces quite nice i$ages+ :*ve used the Yashica T-4 Super as ,ell# and it ,as very sharp# ho,ever not f%+& as : recall+ : tend to like faster lenses since : don*t like using flash on a point and shootF+ : like the build quality and ergono$ics of the Yaschia better than the Oly$pus though+



-- Tristan To$# 9ay =# %'''

OL# to :an and anyone else ,ho doesn*t see 7oint and Shoots as a respectable ca$era to use# :*$ an undergrad photo $aBor at /arvard and Gan Moldin taught

here for a se$ester last year and she ,as a big advocate of the T4 0she also shoots ,ith a !eica 0non-point and shoot11 and under her advice# : bought a T4 and $y photography changed for the better i$$ediately+ : had been shooting ,ith a Gikon G=' ,ith a H5$$# f% Gikkor lens and for a,hile# : ,as using both ca$eras because : didn*t trust the T4 so : could co$pare the t,o and the 5' T4 ,as so $uch better than the =''N Gikon S!" outfit : had+

Technically# the T4 i$ages ,ere pinpoint sharp ,here the Gikon i$ages ,eren*t as sharp+ :*ve had friends take H5$$ slides taken ,ith the T4 enlarged to H'<4' cibachro$es and had the sharpness hold e<tre$ely ,ell+ The fill flash is also a$a(ing and the second e<posure ,ithout a flash lends to so$e really great i$ages in

lo,light+

Aith a point and shoot# you begin to think $ore about the essentials to ,hat $ake a good photograph# the photographic i$age itself+ /enri Cartier-6resson*s negatives ,ere terribly undere<posed because he didn*t care about every i$age being technically perfect as long as the photograph had a perfect i$age+ Cartier-6resson is arguably a $uch better photographer than 3nsel 3da$s 0:*$ sorry but the a$ount of people ,ho have your print in their do,nto,n office building does not deter$ine your greatness1+ Ahen that *decisive $o$ent* does occur# :*d $uch rather have $y instant point and shoot than fu$ble ,ith e<posure and focus and $iss that $o$ent+ Go# $atter ho, good you are ,ith an S!"# you*ll never be faster than a point and shoot+

:*ve discovered that $y subBects react differently to a point and shoot than to an S!"+ :t*s nice to still see the face of the person photographing you and ,ith $y T4# :*ve gotten $uch $ore inti$ate portraits+ There*s Bust less of a barrier bet,een you and the person you*re photographing+ : can carry $y T4 every,here# even to the beach ,here : ,ouldn*t trust $y Gikon+ Sand has actually gotten into $y T4 and :*ve been OL+ :*ve run around in the rain in it# ,aded in pools ,ith ,ater inches belo, $y ca$era# :*ve dropped the T4 on the ground once ,hen : ,as drunk# and it still ,orks like a char$+ The unbelievably lo, price also allo,s $e to not ,orry about it as $uch+ : carry it around in $y backpack or pocket ,ithout fear and literally have it every,here : go+ You never kno, ,hen a perfect photographic $o$ent can co$e+ : actually o,n t,o T4s no, so : can have t,o different slides fil$s available at all ti$es# an 3S3 5' or '' uBichro$e or 3gfachro$e for outdoor stuff# and a %'' 3S3 Lodachro$e for indoor lighting+++ this ,ay : don*t have to run through a roll before s,itching fil$s 0:*ll never be forced to use elvia 5' inside in lo, light no,1+

:*ll still use $y S!" once in a,hile but getting good at a point and shoot is ,hat every photographer should learn ho, to do before they really consider the$selves



good+ :t Bust adds such a different level to their photography skills+ :*$ sure so$e of Gan Moldin*s photographs that are hanging up in the Ahitney right no, or selling at 9atthe, 9arks for thousand of dollars ,ere taken ,ith her T4+ Ahen you can take a $useu$-,orthy photograph ,ith a 5' point and shoot# that*s ,hen you kno, you*re really good+

9y t,o cents# @eff

-- @eff Sheng# 9ay %%# %'''

7retty heady stuff here# especially considering the subBect of 2point 8 shoot+2 or $e# one of the great Boys of photography is the ability to 2capture and record2 the $o$ent+ So$ething you can look back on a fe, years fro$ no, and enBoy+

Currently# : o,n a 7enta< I?-'# ,hich takes great pictures for $e+ : recently purchased an Oly$pus Stylus Epic and have been both pleased and frustrated ,ith

the results+ 0:n other ,ords# still learning its capabilities and li$itations+1 6ut : learned basic photography on a 2gasp2 Oly$pus focus-free Trip 9D ca$era 0about 4' bucks in ;&=1+ This ,as>is a true 2point 8 shoot2 ca$era+

/ere*s ,hy 6ecause : didn*t have to think about aperture and shutter speed# : learned ho, to co$pose a good photograph quickly+ : learned ho, to balance subBect ,ith background+ 0/ad to# DO ,as 4 feet to infinity and background ,as 3!A3YS a factor+1 : learned about lighting and ho, to $ake the best use of the on-ca$era flash and other light sources+ 9ost i$portant# : learned ,hat this basic ca$era ,ouldn*t do and tried to figure out possible ,ays around it+ 3re these photos ,orthy of publication) Doubtfull# but : do enBoy looking at the$ i$$ensely+ Vuality) : have to say# : had a couple blo,n up to &?' and they*re quite sharp - even to the edge+ 6ut the one edge this ca$era has over the others# ,as the ability to pass it around to anyone in the roo$ and get a decent fra$ed 0&'J1# focused 0;;J1 picture+ 3ll : ever had to say ,as 2Bust push the button+2

/ere*s the best argu$ent for a point and shoot : can think of# and it relates to 7hil*s 9:T graduation 2being there2 theory+ : ,ent to a convention in Ge, Orleans a fe, years back+ During an off day# : ,ent around ,ith $y 7enta< S!" and took so$e beautiful shots of the city and surroundings+ !ater that night# : had the point 8 shoot in $y pocket and had pictures taken at dinner ,ith old friends# on 6ourbon St+ ,ith colleagues : hadn*t seen in years# heck - : even ran into $y e<-,ife and posed ,ith her ,hile so$eone snapped the $o$ent That ca$era ,as passed around ,hile people ,ere enBoying the$selves and the pictures refect that+

Go, ,hen co$pany co$es over# : like to sho, off the photos of the city# but guess ,hich ones : personally enBoy looking at $ore) Aould those taken ,ith the 78S have looked better had : used the S!" ,ith the controls and better lense) - ,ell# the one*s : took early in the evening - probably+ 6ut the ones taken as the night ,ent on# plus all the ones :*$ in) - : really doubt it+



9y point is# don*t underesti$ate the uniqueness and allure of the snapshot+ They capture great $o$ents+ 3nd point and shoots capture great snapshots+

-- @ack Lratoville# @uly %H# %'''

/ello 9y e<perience ,ith the 78S+ 3tention : shot ,ith print fil$s+

: tried K 6ig 9ini ca$eras 069 %'%+ The first ca$era of the 6ig 9ini series1 9etallic body+

irst ca$era Corners and side edges of the photogra$ 0$ainly the left one1# co$pletely fu((y+

Second ca$era 5'J of the co$pletely fu((y photogra$

Third ca$era ide$

ourth ca$era 3 little fu((y side superior and ,ild corners of the photogra$+ 9ore fu((y to f+ H#5

ifth and si<th ca$era !ens ery good of f+K to f+5#K+ Gevertheless# to f+ H+5 one slight fall of the sharpness fro$ 5 $$ of the photogra$ is appraised+ ignetting ery slight+ Distortion ery sligth# in cushion+ E<posure ery good# CDS center ,eighted $eter+ eatures ery good lash 3uto# lash ill-in and Slo,# 0calibrated very ,ell1 E<posure co$pensation N+5 and -#5# Speed >5'' to H+K seconds 0E<cellent1+ %5 to H+K'' 3S3+ : have proven the Lodak Ektar %5 3S3# brutal sharp 3nd also +K'' uBi 3S3# contrasts very high# but good sharp

ie,finder Mood and clear+ 6ut does sho, a susceptibily to flare in e<tre$e into-the-ligth+++ and the 3 sy$bols cannot be ,atched+++ Aith less light the vie,finder is e<cellent+

: $ake e<tensions of $y negatives up to & c$ by %K c$+ The result is e<cellent+ 9y friends are surprised+ The $a<i$u$ of e<tension has been H' c$ by 4' c$+ The also very good result+ Aith $y 6ig 9ini 069 %'%1 : have $ade photos in all the possible conditions and results e<cellents in the high $ountain# in the sno,# in the beach# in the grottos and ,arehouses very little illu$inated+ ery good nocturnal photos+ 0Speed H+K seconds1

6ig 9ini 069 H'%1 Sa$e proble$ ,ith the optics that $y four first 6ig 9ini

: have tried 5 Oly$pus $Bu :: 0Stylus Epic1 ca$eras 3pocalypse Go, Total disaster



The first ca$era 09ade in @apan1 e<cellent lens# but to f+%#& slight but appreciable loss of sharp in the corners+ 3ccurately 3+ 3ccurately e<posure+ 6ut hi$ lack E N+5 and -+5# The ca$ara spoiled to the H' days to use it

Second ca$era /orrible lens 07arts 9ade in @apan# 3sse$bled in /onk Long1

Third ca$era 9ore horrible lens Defective 3+ 07arts 9ade in @apan# 3sse$bled in /onk Long1

ourth ca$era Ahen : e<tracted it of the bo< and : put the battery to hi$# it did not ,ork correctly :$possible to prove it 09ade 7arts in @apan# 3sse$bled in /onk Long1

ifth ca$era 0Too 7arts 9ade in @apan# 3sse$bled in /onk Long1 Mood optics

0Got as good as the first 9ade in @apan1 6ut 3 vague+ : to sell $y Oly$pus $Bu :: to a person less de$anding than :+

7enta< 9ini Espio 0PC1+ T,o proven ca$eras+ Go found proble$s+ ie,finder E<traordinary# the best one of all the 3 8 7 !ens ery good+ Gevertheless# to f+ H+5 one slight fall of the sharp in the corners and edges. and also in the central inferior part 01+ ersatility Mood# although not as $uch as the 9ini 6ig 069 %'%1

Yashica T4+ %'J of the photogra$ of the straight diffuse side

Lonica 34+ 0Second-hand# but ne,1 : to buy by %%+5+ Mood optical of f+K to f+&-5#K but to H#5 $ediocre one slight fall of the sharp in all the photogra$+ ersatility Gor$al+ The Lonica 34 is a 2prototype2 of the 6ig 9ini069 %'%1+ The 9ini 6ig# is far better+

!eica 9ini ::: :$possible to prove it# the 3 did not ,ork+++

Ieiss !o$o !C Three bought ca$eras+ The three spoiled in a year+++ 9ade in Est Contry crap

Oly$pus# $Bu - 0Stylus PS31 0first $Bu series1+ Serious proble$s of sharp in the edges of the photogra$+ H'J to each side of the blurred photogra$

Oly$pus ?3 ,ith unit of lash 3+ : to buy used to 5&+ E<cellent# robust# very good features# in $any aspects the best one of all+ The very good optics in all the diaphrag$s+ 6ut of f+%#& to f+5#K# very appreciably vignetting+ The cause is the design of the obBective invested retrofocus+ Of the best thing of years * &'+

: have been continuing using $y old 6ig 9ini 069 %'%1 for & years Go proble$s+ 3nd $y brother also has a 6ig 9ini 069 %'%1 and he is a$a(ed+



: to be cra(y if : ,ant to obtain the sa$e optical quality ,ith a 387 that ,ith a good optics S!"+ 0Gikkor# Canon# Ieiss# !eica# etc+1 Only good optics S!"# is ,orth % or H ti$es $ore than a 9ini 6ig# or T4# or a Oly$pus $Bu ::# :t is i$possible :f your you obtain equal quality ,ith 7 8 S that ,ith a S!" 0Gikkor# Canon# etc+1# you

$ust to bo$b the factory of Gikkor# Canon# etc+

The $anufacturers of ca$eras 7 8 S# design very ,ell their ca$eras of the high range+ Aith good specifications# but ,hen they $ake the ca$eras# they forget to $aintain the quality of his products Ae are deceived by the $anufacturers The quality level of its products is discontinuous+ :f you have luck ,hen to buy 7 8 S# you can be very happy# but if you do not have luck ,hen buying your 7 8 S# you are very displeased and you have $any frustrations+

: have ,anted to be brief+ : have $ore infor$ation of other si$pler ca$eras Super Oly$pus 3 ' Super# Canon 3 =# "ollei 7rego H5-='+++

Thank you very $uch and : ,ait for your ans,ers+ E<cuse $e# $y English is very $uch deficient+

@ose 9+ 3+ !+ 0Spain1

-- @os[ 9anuel 3lvare( !\pe(# 3ugust H# %'''

:*ve Bust discovered this site but have o,ned a T4 since ;;K ,hen $y local ca$era shop reco$$ended it for si(e 8 i$age quality+

: a$ u$co$fortable though ,ith the 2buy a T4 or else2 senti$ent : infer fro$ this page+ 3 person $akes a picture# the ca$era Bust follo,s instructions The T4 has a great lens++++and that*s it+

:*ve co$e to the follo,ing conclusions based on $y pictures ,ith the T4

1 The lens produces sharp and detailed i$ages0,ith e<ceptions - see %8H1 - better than (oo$ 78S+ So$eti$es the i$ages are breathtaking+

%1 The e<posure syste$ is not very s$art or directional+ or e<a$ple# !andscape>building shots can appear undere<posed due to a bright sky+

H1 requently# say 5 pictures in every HK# the 3utofocus syste$ fails to lock onto the foreground i$ages

41 The ill in flash has a li$ited range - group portraits only ,ork ,hen there are % or H people close to the ca$era+

51 il$ ,inding $echanis$ is dodgy in e<tre$e hu$id conditions - fails to ,ind on



after taking a picture# or catch on ,hen loading ne, fil$+

Su$$ary :t*s a great ca$era for i$age quality but# lens aside# is cheap and cheerful ,ith regards to everything else - and ,hen one ele$ent fails 0i+e+ e<posure1 so does the picture

inally# : feel spoilt by the Ieiss lens and unable to sacrifice this quality for $ore the creativity that an S!" ,ould give $e on $y li$ited budget 0]4''ish1+

-- Geil Cooke# Dece$ber %'# %'''

3s several people have pointed out# 78S ca$eras have their o,n advantages that $ake the$ a tool that every photographer should possess+ : have several ca$eras ranging fro$ a 9a$iya 9K45-'''s and Canon -G# to a Gikon Coolpi< ;;' and 7enta< Ioo$ ;'-A"+ Of the five photographs that :*ve chosen to upload to 7hoto+net to date 0:*$ a relaitvely ne, user1# it turns out that t,o of the$ ,ere shot

,ith the 7enta< : si$ply ,ouldn*t have gotten the shot ,ithout it# because there are so $any circu$stances ,here : refuse to lug around a big rig+

7hotography is so $uch $ore than Ieiss lenses and rock-solid tripods supporting &-by-,hatever ca$eras that cost enough to feed a fa$ily in :ndia for three years+ :t*s all about the i$age# and the vision one utili(es to produce that i$age+

@ust as so$eone ,ho actually goes out and XridesX a bike a lot can Bu$p on a garage hoopty beater-bike and beat the pants off the neighbor do,n the block ,ith the 5L titaniu$ ,onder bike# anyone can produce an i$age of ,orth ,ith practically any ca$era>fil$>for$at+ @ust take a look at the pinhole ca$era section+++

Cheers

-- @eff Aarner# 9arch &# %''

:f you are looking for a great quality 78S at a decent price# : reco$$end the 9inolta E<plorer reedo$ Ioo$+ Yes# : have seen a fe, co$$ents about its reliability but : have e<perienced none of that+ : bought $y 9inolta % years ago and it has given $e so$e great pictures+ : have found that using a tripod produces e<cellent pictures as ,ell as also using the prefocus+ : ,ouldn*t trade $y little 9inolta for any other 78S at this point+ @effrey fro$ Gashville

-- @effrey 6# 3pril ;# %''

On 7hil*s 2a good roll is H5 bad shots of the sa$e subBect and good one2 idea++++

Digital 78S is ideal for this+

Aith $y uBi inepi< %4'' and a H% 9b card : can ,aste =' so$ething hires shots



and not spend a cent+

Ahere this pays huge dividends is in fa$ily shots+ You si$ply cannot co$pose great shots of kids+ You have to take the$ ,hen and ,here they happen+

78S is great for that in that your grab ca$era# set up and shoot ti$e is $ini$al+ Digital is great because you can point and shoot and not cry over the ,aste ,hen the kid suddenly runs out of fra$e bet,een the press and the click+

6esides# do you really ,ant that hugely e<pensive S!" any,here near $ud coated# sugar encrusted# ,ater flinging# tantru$ thro,ing littles)

Even Bust for pure e<peri$entation# the digital is fun+

-- @ohn Carter# 3pril %'# %''

: have $ainly taken pictures ,ith point-shoot ca$eras 0,hether using H5$$# 37S or digital. and ,hether equipped ,ith a (oo$ lens or not1 and : find that you cannot Bust 2point and shoot2 your pictures+ Ahen : take pictures ,ith these ca$eras# : $ake each shot a four-stage shot+ irst : $ake a 2rough co$posotion2 of ,hat : ,ant to capture+ This is ,hen : ,ould operate the (oo$ control and# if using an 37S ca$era or other 2$ulti-aspect-ratio2 ca$era# decide ,hat aspect ratio suits the i$age : ,ant to capture+ Then : $ake sure that one of the key features is in the centre of the vie,finder+ 3t this point# : then press the shutter release half,ay and $ake sure that the 2ready2 la$p glo,s+ Then : revert back to $y original co$position to finally take the picture+

So$e people think that using anything other than an S!" ,ith total $anual control offends creativity and 2proper technique2+ 6ut these co$pact ca$eras encourage users to concentrate on ,hat they are to photograph# rather than spending ti$e fiddling ,ith the ca$era+

There ,as also a ti$e ,hen : attended a ,edding and took plenty of pictures ,ith $y Canon SureShot Ioo$ S co$pact ca$era+ One of the shots that : thought about setting up ,as one of the bride about to cli$b into the ,edding car 0a $id-;='s @aguar1after the cere$ony+ The professional photographer ,ho ,as hired for this Bob didn*t think about this as a possible ,edding shot+ 6ut : organi(ed the shot and he and : took it on our equip$ent+ !ater on# after the big day# : had the negatives fro$ the ,edding scanned to 7hoto CD and sho,ed ,hat : took of the ,edding to the bride and : didn*t realise that she ,as totally dissatisfied ,ith the pictures taken by the professional photographer+ She realised that : had so$e of the best pictures and : organised reprints of those pictures+ 3nother good e<a$ple ,as the one that : took of the 2giving a,ay the bride2 procession ,ith her ,ith her father+ She preferred $y shot over the 2official2 shot. and : printed this shot off the 7hoto CD $aster using $y co$puter and printer+



-- Si$on 9ackay# @une %5# %''

: agree ,ith 9r+ Carter*s co$$ent regarding the digital 78S and ,ould like to point out that a digital 78S can also be a ,onderful tool for teaching photography+ : bought 3 uBi %4'' for $y H year old daughter ,ho has been interested in

photography for several years+ Digital gives her i$$ediate feedback#appro<i$ately the sa$e set of constraints and features as a fil$-based ca$era and virtually unli$ited resources for e<peri$entation at an a$orti(ed price of pennies a shot+

Ae can do 2assign$ents2 together# each using our o,n ca$era# and co$pare results on-the-spot# to see ,hat ,orked and ,hat didn*t and in $any cases# reshoot i$$ediately to e$phasi(e the point+ This appears to be a very effective $ethod+ Ae both learn a lot+

-- !yndon Muy# @uly &# %''

Aell thats done it : had to $ake a choice bet,een taking $y ;5; 7raktica : S!" 0and li$ited e<perience1 $y uBi digital or purchase a 78S for $y /oliday to the Do$inican "ep ne<t ,eek+ : felt : had to go ,ith the Yashica T5 after the positive feed back fro$ a considerable kno,ledge base0you lot1+:*$ taking %'' fil$ and :*$ looking fo,ard to grabing so$e great $o$ents in ti$e+ :*ve decided not to take $y uBi digital ca$era for the si$ple reason that : see$ to edit too $any pictures out+ : ,ant lots of $e$ories of this trip rather than a fe, ,ell co$posed ones+

-- Dave /ands# 3ugust %# %''

tips for using a point & shoot camera

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