Well.. it's 'Digital Man' from here on in. After much soul searching I've got rid of all my Nikon 35mm gear (Two complete outfits based around an F4 and an F90 Pro) For a long time it's been very apparent that unless I'm actually doing a paid photographic job, i.e. doing my own stuff,... I've been reaching for the digital camera. I just love the whole concept of digital imagery and manipulating the shots where necessary in Photoshop etc.

Well I did my last wedding a couple of months ago and have resolutely turned down all enquires since. I'm rejoining the ranks of the true enthusiasts and I want to get back to doing my own stuff. I've really had enough of 'Chocolate Box' wedding photography.

I'm sure there will be those who will throw up their hands in horror at my choice of tools, but I've no regrets whatsoever. Even parting with the F4 wasn't quite the wrench I expected, and having got a good price for my gear it enabled me to replace my Nikon 990 digital camera with the new Nikon Coolpix 5000. Wow! I can't put this thing down! 5 million pixels and pretty well every feature you'd expect in a top SLR, all fitting into a moderately roomy pocket.

The conventional film stock SLR remains the supreme photographic tool for a while yet without a doubt. For the rare occassions when the digital camera may be at a disadvantage, the convenience and lack of running back and forth to the processing lab swings the needle well in it's favour for me.

I'm really looking forward to finding out what my new companion in my pocket can really do.

Wish me luck!

 

Good luck CT

I am actually in the market for a new Digi at the moment. Did you look at a lot of cameras? What made you go for that one in particular?

 

Yo James!

Well I've always been a Nikon man since I was a kid and used to dribble over adverts for the original 'F' in the photo magazines, so that figured large in my choice.

The Coolpix is one of only about 4 cameras on the market at the moment in the 5 mega pixel slot. The Canon Powershot 2 is a close competitor similarly spec'd and a nice camera as well.

The main thing being serious is that it had to have as many pixels as possible, although truthfully the only time you really need that many is if you're going to make a large print. I've printed an A3 print off the 5000 and it's the dog's!! It's also a 14.5 mb image at that resolution!!!!. It also had to have manual overide from the usual programme mode, which it has. It has various full programme modes, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Full Manual mode. The sort of features you'd expect in a modern SLR. It's also very pocketable compared to earlier Coolpix versions and looks like a conventional compact camera.

Buy one you're not going to outgrow James!

 

I too have taken the plunge into the digi world. Although very experienced at 35mm photography, the convenience and technology of digital is captivating.

I started messing with a new version of Photoshop today. These are examples of what can be done in just minutes by someone not familiar with the program:







Can't wait to really learn what I'm doing!

 

Cedric, I have a friend who is now a pro photog working out of the Vancouver area. He says he does all his work exclusively with digital equipment. Here is his web site if you want to take a look.

http://pro-lens.com/

 

xviper.

Thanks for the link .

My Bad.

Well you're definitely going to get there I would say.... that's a nice shot. I would have gone for a tighter crop and a more dramatic vignette effect getting rid of the background distractions altogether. Simple and intimate often works well for portraits.



Keep at it, it's just a case of practice and experiment.

 

Hey, great work! That's just what I was trying to do but ran out of time and skill.

If I send you a picture of my wife can you take off 20 pounds?

 

Thanks for that CT. I am looking to get the best camera I can afford, since I think they are a bit like computers, if you don't buy top of the range you need a new one before you have thrown the box away. My wife wants a small camera that will fit in the pocket.....

I guess I will get hers first and then decide which one I will get



Someone's playing with fire

 

You are lucky that you live in Japan where you get all the cutting edge stuff first. For your wife, have you considered the little Canon Elfe digital? It is really small. My wife has the non-digital one with the zoom. She loves it. I suppose this little gem is old news for you, huh?

 

I will be heading into the electronics area at the weekend to check out what is on offer....

Thanks for the idea xviper, I will check that one out......