CFIjames From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 87 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 3458 times:
As a pilot, I often see things and wish I had my camera with me, but it is not possible to lug my 300D around for a 6 day trip, and there just plain isnt room for it, the lenses, and the like in the cockpit of the PC-12. Anyone have a backup camera that holds some merit in the quality department? I'm partial to canon, and it has to be small, but those "wafer-thin" cameras ive seen around just wouldnt cut it. Advice/Reviews?
There are 3 simple rules for making a perfect landing every time. Its a shame that no one knows what they are.
Norfolkjohn From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 251 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3434 times:
Hi James,
I know your dilemma. I travel a lot and there are many times I wish I had my main camera kit with me but it is way to bulky to take on business trips. Last month my employer allowed me a £200 budget to buy a small point & shoot camera for work. After a little research I bought a Canon Power Shot A620. I have only tried using it for shooting aircraft (static only) once so far but the results were not bad and I did get one shot that was up to A.Net standard (after a bit of help with the editing from a good friend - Paul Markman) :
The A620 has a 7.1 MP sensor and it is small and pretty light weight but still big enough to get a decent grip of. The zoom range is 35-140 mm equivalent and you can buy both a wide angle and telephoto lens converter that give focal lengths of 24.5mm and 245mm respectively. I don't have these so I have no idea what quality they give.
All the best,
John
One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.
Edoca From Belgium, joined Mar 2005, 687 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3429 times:
I've been using a Sony DSC-V1 for a few years now, and have it with me usually when I travel. I still occasionally upload a shot here made with that camera (successfully, I may add). Mostly taxiing planes, shots through the windows and stationary objects indeed.
Of course that camera is old and a bit bulky to today's standards, but it produces very high quality 5 megapixel shots so you will definitely be able to find something similar or better that will produce the quality you are looking for. The only real issue quality-wise in my experience is noise. Whatever you choose (check out www.dpreview.com or similar), I would advise that noise control is one of the most important parameters.
Kukkudrill From Malta, joined Dec 2004, 1122 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 3359 times:
If you want a camera with a long zoom, the Canon S2 also gets good reviews. Like Edoca says, check out www.dpreview.com -- it's by far and away the best site I've found for online digital camera reviews.
Make the most of the available light ... a lesson of photography that applies to life
Jorge1812 From Germany, joined Apr 2004, 3144 posts, RR: 9 Reply 4, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 3351 times:
I'm very satisfied with the Olypus C-750. Look out if there are some newer models available, the 380mm zoom is very good for spotting. All my Anet pics are taken with this camera.
SmithAir747 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 1604 posts, RR: 32 Reply 5, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 3328 times:
I would recommend the Fuji FinePix S5600.
It's small and compact but looks like a mini-SLR, with many features common to SLRs. It's lightweight and can be easily carried in a flight bag or similar container.
It's 5.1MP and has a 10X optical zoom (380mm equivalent) lens (which is built in).
It takes beautiful pictures, and you can choose what settings you want or use auto.
It's cheap too--£214.99 (approx. $360.00) for the one I bought here in the UK!
SmithAir747
[Edited 2006-02-25 01:18:16]
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)
Chris78cpr From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2814 posts, RR: 52 Reply 6, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3301 times:
I use the canon S80. It offers a 28mm wideangle lens that is a F2.8. It's 8mp and offers all the manual functions of my DSLR. It's a great little camera.
Chris
5D2/7D/1D2(soon to be a 1Dx) 17-40L/24-105L/70-200F2.8L/100-400L/24F1.4LII/50F1.2L/85F1.2LII
CFIjames From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3289 times:
Thanks, all of you, thats helpful.
I should have asked earlier, but do any of you have a problem with shutter delay on these cameras? I know non-slr's will always lag a bit after the button is pressed, but ive missed good shots and gotten extremely irritated at other cameras i've used because a full-second lag. I guess i can just read the reviews on dpreview...
There are 3 simple rules for making a perfect landing every time. Its a shame that no one knows what they are.
Kukkudrill From Malta, joined Dec 2004, 1122 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3239 times:
With my Olympus C-740 it became second nature to half-press the shutter button a moment before I intended to take the photo to give the camera time to focus.
I wouldn't recommend the Olympus range. My C-740 gave me a lot of problems with noise and halos, and it lacks image stabilisation which is useful with superzooms.
Make the most of the available light ... a lesson of photography that applies to life
F4wso From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 974 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 3220 times:
I have used an Olympus C750 for almost three years. It has taken over 24,000 pictures and is now starting to show some wear, probably because it has spent so much time in my flight case. One of my buddies used to seeing the Olympus referred to my Canon 20D as the Hubble Telescope when I pulled it out on a trip.
Good luck with your search,
Gary
Cottage Grove, MN, USA
Seeking an honest week's pay for an honest day's work
Chris78cpr From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2814 posts, RR: 52 Reply 11, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 3195 times:
Quoting CFIjames (Reply 7): I should have asked earlier, but do any of you have a problem with shutter delay on these cameras
Yep, coming from a 1dmkii where the shutter is instant to a S80 P&S it is a nightmare for a while if trying to shoot moving shots. But as Ward mentioned aboove, i only tend to use my P&S for shots that are of stationary aircraft, cabins, cockpits, or the occasional slow taxi shot. I never use it for shots that have any real movement as it just doesnt stand up to the task.
Chris
5D2/7D/1D2(soon to be a 1Dx) 17-40L/24-105L/70-200F2.8L/100-400L/24F1.4LII/50F1.2L/85F1.2LII
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 12, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 3192 times:
Quoting CFIjames (Reply 7): I should have asked earlier, but do any of you have a problem with shutter delay on these cameras? I know non-slr's will always lag a bit after the button is pressed, but ive missed good shots and gotten extremely irritated at other cameras i've used because a full-second lag. I guess i can just read the reviews on dpreview...
According to the specs on the Fuji S9500, the lag time is around 0.1sec.
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