NIKON Coolpix P90

[Joy]

Hi everybody.
First, let me say, I don't had/have any technical knowledge on photography/camera.
I've just bought a NIKON P90. before buying this I was confused to choose between P90 & Canon 1000D. I consulted with a friend of mine who is not a photographer but can handle movie camera a little bit. it's my bad luck that then I was not a member of this site. anyway, I know that any comparison between these 2 cameras is not possible as one is a compact & another is a DSLR (as u all know). I know I might missed many things but willing to know those things.

now
1> how much this P90 will help me to gather basic knowledge of Photography?
2> some benefits those I'll miss for not having Canon 1000D?


Thank U.

[Colin Southern]

[quote=Joy;18136]

Hi Joy,

1> how much this P90 will help me to gather basic knowledge of Photography?

At the end of the day, the basics don't change; issues of "how long the shutter is open for" (shutterspeed) and "how big a hole the light passes through" (aperture) (etc) are the same regardless of the type of camera you use.

2> some benefits those I'll miss for not having Canon 1000D?

However, all cameras are not created equal; compact cameras generally don't perform anywhere nearly as well as SLR cameras in low light situations (as one example), and of course, you can't change lenses with a compact camera either.

Personally, I think of compact cameras as being "small and convenient", but with limitations; whether or not those limitations are an issue really depends on the needs of the owner. If your wanting something to take shots of friends & places then it's quite possibly fine ... if your looking to capture more challenging situations then an SLR is going to be better.

Hope this helps!

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Joy,

I have moved from a camera quite a bit like the P90 to a DSLR this year.
The P90 will, in many ways spoil you (I'll explain that later), but to answer your questions:

1 > It will do just fine for the picture taking aspects as it has full manual controls. Mine lasted me about 2 years.

2 > Basically image quality and the narrower depth of field possible with a larger sensor in a DSLR, whether these things matter much straight off depends what you want to shoot; let me know and we can advise you better. Oh, and possibly some usability issues, because your zoom is 'electric' not manual, and the ability to take an external flash gun.

When I said above the P90 will spoil you, what I meant was you can do SOOOO much more with the P90 than any DSLR like the 1000D and a kit lens. For example, you can do extreme telephoto shots of wildlife and macro.

Hope that helps,

[Joy]

thanks Colin, thanks Dave.
actually I'm (also) a amateur Rock climber & trekker. so I'll generally take snaps of Rock climbing, landscape(mountains & forests) & wildlife.

one thing Dave, I was little bit worried after seeing the first part of ur post (lol).

[Dave Humphries]

Oh Joy, (I bet you get fed up with that, sorry, I couldn't resist )

Well, if the shots are for your own use or record purposes only, rather than selling to National Geographic, I would rejoice in the lightness of the P90 over a DSLR and all the lenses that would be needed to match what you can shoot

Do post some pics here and if you need a little help with some PP to get the best of them, you know where we are.

I was little bit worried after seeing the first part of ur post (lol)

Yes, what I mean is that (should the photography bug bite), even moreso than I found, to give yourself the same effective focal length range and features with a DSLR, you'll be spending 10 - 20 times what the P90 cost

Cheers,

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

Do post some pics here and if you need a little help with some PP to get the best of them, you know where we are.

(i'm posting 1 but please don't beat me.)

i've tried a different thing don't know will u people like it or not. i'm not totally happy with the lighting condition of this picture.


it's Roni, a friend of mine.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Joy,

Is this any better?

EXIF: 3s @ f4, ISO64 at 18.8mm

Import into PS Elements 6
Levels: white to about 180
Mid-point to 1.1
Noise reduce with Neat Image (30% Lum)
USM sharpen; 60%, 0.7px and threshold of 2
Selected non-face area and removed colour cast
(I found if I did it to the whole picture, it lost the lovely warm tone in the face)
Cropped off the ear (ouch!)

Next time, possibly leave the bottom of his chin in shot?
Other than that (but who am I to say), a nice composition, well done.

I hope I haven't destroyed the feel you were trying to get.

Regards,

[Joy]

excellent Dave Sir.

(lol) i know the chin factor & today will try on that. yesterday we had (Roni & me) a chat regarding this. hoping today i'll be able to show u the final picture.

but Sir, one thing. i don't like post snap PS work. I've to make my snap just like what u have done, at the time of shooting. how can I (try to) do that?

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

Next time, possibly leave the bottom of his chin in shot?

I promise, it'll be done.

[Dave Humphries]

Originally Posted by Joy

but Sir, one thing. i don't like post snap PS work. I've to make my snap just like what u have done, at the time of shooting. how can I (try to) do that?

You can to an extent, but an in camera jpg is like fast food, it'll never be as good as something a chef turns out with more time, taste testing during cooking, and better quality ingredients. PP is inevitable and unavoidable to get the best from digital photography, just as it was a necessary evil to get the best prints with film.

Taking what I did in turn;
Another stop exposure would have probably gone a large way to the levels and greys adjustment.
You had already used the best ISO setting, so it's unlikely with that camera you could improve on noise.
Can't do much in camera about the black balance I did either.
Obviously you could have recomposed to give less ear and more chin

Must rush, bye

[Joy]

thank u Dave Sir.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Joy,

Sorry, had to rush this morning, for work, still, it's lunchtime now

Tell me, what was the light source, a candle? or a fire?

That's quite a tricky shot to get right because with a 3 second exposure, you need a tripod or some other firm rest and a co-operative subject who can keep very still for that long. Much more interesting than the average first shot posted here.

On the noise aspect, the Canon 1000D would probably have given less noise on this type of shot than the P90 has, but you can't have everything

btw, there's no need for 'Sir', really

[Joy]

it was a candle.

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

btw, there's no need for 'Sir', really

ok Dave Sir, sorry Dave.

[Dave Humphries]

Now you're just being silly - so you will fit in here just fine
We don't like to take ourselves too seriously

I'm looking forward to seeing the re-shoot picture.

Regards, Sir Dave


(actually I'm more of a nit than a knight)

[Joy]

i used a tripod. actually I haven't wanted much light in this photo. I just wanted, the candle to give a very dim light to the face. but it should be little more.

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

I'm looking forward to see the re-shoot picture.

will be done. the face might change but the picture will not (lol).

[Dave Humphries]

the face might change

Use the self-timer and shoot yourself?

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

Use the self-timer and shoot yourself?

little bit tough but GOOD POINT.

[Dave Humphries]

Originally Posted by Joy

little bit tough

You mean getting the composition/framing right? I agree
Trial and error!