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12/29/2006 04:20:07 PM · #1 |
Okay, I just feel like there is so little innovation in engineering and design these days.
*sighs*
There is an option I'd love to see. But have yet too. Almost all your DSLRs have the following fairly standard modes (although they call them different things): "auto", "shutter", "aperture", "manual"
Often, what I find is that I want a "limit" mode. I want the ability to specify a limit on aperture and shutter. Especially when shooting groups of people which require the juggling of shutter and aperature in order maintain brightness and to minimize motion blur.
So I'd love to set f-stop not to go lower than 5.6 to help increase DOF. And at the same time set a limit on shutter not to be slower than 1/50th a second.
Yes, this means I will either need to increase ISO settings or utilize a flash to compensate when lighting is dim. But this would IMHO be a great feature.
Manual mode just requires too much constant adjustment. When you're running around a crowded room with lots of different lighting settings it's just a lot of hassle (ie: = not enough time to change settings and capture key shots). If you use aperature control to maintain DOF. You risk having to slow a shutter and getting unwanted motion blur. If you use shutter control, you get a good freeze on action but then discover the details of some people are out of focus because they were a step or two behind or infront.
I think such "limit controls" would assist greatly!
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12/29/2006 04:27:29 PM · #2 |
Limit controls would be nice.
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12/29/2006 04:29:12 PM · #3 |
M mode
shutter = 1/200th
aperture = between f:4 and f:11
550ex flash should meter TTL to get proper exposure w/o much fiddling.
i guess i see where you're coming from - but wouldn't go so far as to say camera makers are stupid. design one yourself and incorporate whatever features you like ... ;}
i'd think if the pro-shooters saw a need for this option it would have made it's way through R&D eons ago.
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12/29/2006 04:42:18 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by soup:
M mode
shutter = 1/200th
aperture = between f:4 and f:11
550ex flash should meter TTL to get proper exposure w/o much fiddling.
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That's what I do when shooting candids at receptions... usually f/4 and between 1/80 and 1/125 and then just let eTTL do its thing. |
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12/29/2006 05:03:40 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Okay, I just feel like there is so little innovation in engineering and design these days.
*sighs*
There is an option I'd love to see. But have yet too. Almost all your DSLRs have the following fairly standard modes (although they call them different things): "auto", "shutter", "aperture", "manual"
Often, what I find is that I want a "limit" mode. I want the ability to specify a limit on aperture and shutter. Especially when shooting groups of people which require the juggling of shutter and aperature in order maintain brightness and to minimize motion blur.
So I'd love to set f-stop not to go lower than 5.6 to help increase DOF. And at the same time set a limit on shutter not to be slower than 1/50th a second.
Yes, this means I will either need to increase ISO settings or utilize a flash to compensate when lighting is dim. But this would IMHO be a great feature.
Manual mode just requires too much constant adjustment. When you're running around a crowded room with lots of different lighting settings it's just a lot of hassle (ie: = not enough time to change settings and capture key shots). If you use aperature control to maintain DOF. You risk having to slow a shutter and getting unwanted motion blur. If you use shutter control, you get a good freeze on action but then discover the details of some people are out of focus because they were a step or two behind or infront.
I think such "limit controls" would assist greatly! |
Have a look at the new Pentax K10D - it does have a mode which alters the camera's iso to give a correct exposure once you have set shutter speed and aperture... it may suit you quite well
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12/29/2006 05:37:46 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by soup:
M mode
shutter = 1/200th
aperture = between f:4 and f:11
550ex flash should meter TTL to get proper exposure w/o much fiddling.
i guess i see where you're coming from - but wouldn't go so far as to say camera makers are stupid. design one yourself and incorporate whatever features you like ... ;}
i'd think if the pro-shooters saw a need for this option it would have made it's way through R&D eons ago. |
Ages ago, cameras didn't have built-in light meters, not even analog ones, let alone computers. You couldn't do anything but manual, and ISO selection was done py choosing the appropriate film :-)
Technology is changing and enabling these features. And the computer skills of photographers is growing. I see it as an extension of "Safety shift".
Also, the computer skills of the general public is growing; this feature may be good for prosumers as well.
Message edited by author 2006-12-29 17:38:02. |
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12/29/2006 06:01:12 PM · #7 |
The Canon 1-Series cameras have this option as a custom function you can program in. So it's been done already.
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12/29/2006 06:36:42 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Often, what I find is that I want a "limit" mode. I want the ability to specify a limit on aperture and shutter. Especially when shooting groups of people which require the juggling of shutter and aperature in order maintain brightness and to minimize motion blur.
So I'd love to set f-stop not to go lower than 5.6 to help increase DOF. And at the same time set a limit on shutter not to be slower than 1/50th a second.
Yes, this means I will either need to increase ISO settings or utilize a flash to compensate when lighting is dim. But this would IMHO be a great feature.
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interesting.
So for given some params like, f-stop , shutter etc, and with their given preferred direction (increase or decrease) and with given priorities, that is if the shutter is more important that aperture etc etc. If we have this set, you can just shoot, camera would be deciding the best possible combinations.
The main hurdle in this is, when we want to do this, it becomes a optimization problem. and as number of params increase, it would take more processor time to solve it. So it also depends on the processor.
but I guess a very fast version of solution to this problem could still be devised.
I could make the necessary computer code to do this in a month, if camera maker wants it. In fact, i have already written a software for my company to do optimization for a very complicated problem.
This is really possible feature for todays cameras.
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12/29/2006 06:44:10 PM · #9 |
| One of the custom functions on the Canon (at least the 20D) is a safety override that basically does this (I think, it's from memory). I set it once when the camera was new and I was checking what all the custom functions did - I forget the exact details but have a look for those above with Canons. |
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01/05/2007 02:32:27 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by soup:
M mode
i'd think if the pro-shooters saw a need for this option it would have made it's way through R&D eons ago. |
Really, like dust-removal on all Canon pro cameras...but not for their consumer line?
And frankly, the design yourself is a bullcrap statement in this day and age. Very few things are designed by one person. And ideas have been stolen and are now owned. Companies are so terrified that you can't even give ideas away because they're afraid they'll get sued.
And unless you have $15,000 to waste on patenting then forget it.
So we are consumers...we shout with our dollars. Hence, I've not bought a new camera body from Canon. And refuse to do so until they have a semi-pro+ body with an anti-dust system.
Originally posted by "Leok":
Have a look at the new Pentax K10D - it does have a mode which alters the camera's iso to give a correct exposure once you have set shutter speed and aperture... it may suit you quite well |
Canon already adjusts between ISO 100-400. But for I don't want ISO to fluxuate as this causes graininess. I want the settings to fluxuate.
Originally posted by "doctornick":
The Canon 1-Series cameras have this option as a custom function you can program in. So it's been done already. |
Great... Canon must have given up on pro & semi-pro users. Let's be honest...what was the last new semi/pro camera Canon released? The 5D! And before that...the 1Ds Mark II & 20D.
Everything else has been such minor revisions (bigger screens) or consumer.
Originally posted by "zxaar":
The main hurdle in this is, when we want to do this, it becomes a optimization problem. and as number of params increase, it would take more processor time to solve it. So it also depends on the processor. |
Very minimal work for a processor. Not with today's tech.
Originally posted by "robs":
One of the custom functions on the Canon (at least the 20D) is a safety override that basically does this (I think, it's from memory). I set it once when the camera was new and I was checking what all the custom functions did - I forget the exact details but have a look for those above with Canons. |
If you could find that, that'd be great.
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01/05/2007 02:33:09 PM · #11 |
Another nice simple STUPID not to have feature...
A little warning light when you are low on room in your memory card. Say... "20 shots remaining"
Very very useful...
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01/05/2007 03:20:57 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Another nice simple STUPID not to have feature...
A little warning light when you are low on room in your memory card. Say... "20 shots remaining"
Very very useful... |
My camera(s) show approximately how many shots (at current resolution settings) will fit the remaining space on the card. Maybe this is just a problem with dSLR cameras ... |
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01/05/2007 03:24:39 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by theSaj:
Another nice simple STUPID not to have feature...
A little warning light when you are low on room in your memory card. Say... "20 shots remaining"
Very very useful... |
My camera(s) show approximately how many shots (at current resolution settings) will fit the remaining space on the card. Maybe this is just a problem with dSLR cameras ... |
Mine shows it in the view finder. |
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01/05/2007 03:34:09 PM · #14 |
My Kodak has the ability to save 3 custom settings. You can set the parameters the way you want them and save it 3 different ways. Then you just turn the little dial, highlight the one you want, and you are good to go :)
Kind of the same thing, but a little different :)
Jojo |
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01/05/2007 03:39:28 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Great... Canon must have given up on pro & semi-pro users. Let's be honest...what was the last new semi/pro camera Canon released? The 5D! And before that...the 1Ds Mark II & 20D.
Everything else has been such minor revisions (bigger screens) or consumer. |
I'm not sure of the numbers, but I would suppose that Canon, Nikon, and the like, sell a lot more consumer cameras than semi- and pro-level cameras. They are not as driven to improve on the high end stuff from a market standpoint.
As an example, I shop at Lowe's all the time. This store used to be driven by building contractors - long hours, open early, lots of building materails and not a lot of decorating items. Contractors are like the professional photographer - they know what they want and buy big. But Lowe's, like Home Depot, is now driven not by the contractors but by the home owner that wants a nicer looking toilet and a new finish on their kitchen cabinets. These consumers may not know all the technical aspects, they may not have all the know-how, but they spend lots more on the whole. Does it suck for the contractors...yeah, it does. Less service, for one. Less attention, too. But, contractors aren't the big boys in the money department (not at Lowe's anyway), and I bet that so goes it with the professional photographers.
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01/05/2007 03:54:49 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
My camera(s) show approximately how many shots (at current resolution settings) will fit the remaining space on the card. Maybe this is just a problem with dSLR cameras ... |
Mine shows it in the view finder. |
Same with mine, and on the LCD
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01/05/2007 03:56:43 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Great... Canon must have given up on pro & semi-pro users. Let's be honest...what was the last new semi/pro camera Canon released? The 5D! And before that...the 1Ds Mark II & 20D.
Everything else has been such minor revisions (bigger screens) or consumer. |
I agree, its ridiculous that they haven't introduced a brand new pro level camera for 14 months. Don't they know that pros would much rather buy new cameras every 3 months! They should just design them faster and churn them out more quickly. Lazy fools.
Message edited by author 2007-01-05 15:57:16.
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01/05/2007 04:00:32 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Originally posted by theSaj:
Great... Canon must have given up on pro & semi-pro users. Let's be honest...what was the last new semi/pro camera Canon released? The 5D! And before that...the 1Ds Mark II & 20D.
Everything else has been such minor revisions (bigger screens) or consumer. |
I agree, its ridiculous that they haven't introduced a brand new pro level camera for 14 months. Don't they know that pros would much rather buy new cameras every 3 months! They should just design them faster and churn them out more quickly. Lazy fools. |
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01/05/2007 04:02:39 PM · #19 |
This is what I want.
I'd love to have a wired or wireless control panel. I can set up the camera for a shot. Then, I could use the control panel to set what I need and view the exposure meter as well, instead of having to laydown on the ground and squint through the viewfinder! |
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01/05/2007 04:03:43 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by AZSnapper:
This is what I want.
I'd love to have a wired or wireless control panel. I can set up the camera for a shot. Then, I could use the control panel to set what I need and view the exposure meter as well, instead of having to laydown on the ground and squint through the viewfinder! |
Most/ many cameras will work in a tethered mode, from a laptop. I used to do this with my Canon point and shoot (a G2) I can do it with my current camera, if I have a firewire port too. It looks like Bibble might support that for the D80, though I've never tried it.
Then there's always angled viewfinders, or flip out LCD rear panels, both which let you do this pretty much in place, without a laptop.
Message edited by author 2007-01-05 16:07:43.
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01/05/2007 04:06:33 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by AZSnapper:
This is what I want.
I'd love to have a wired or wireless control panel. I can set up the camera for a shot. Then, I could use the control panel to set what I need and view the exposure meter as well, instead of having to laydown on the ground and squint through the viewfinder! |
Yessss! Then we would get the cool spy van that we could just wheel on location, throw open the back doors, put down the camera, sit in our airconditioning in the cozy chair, and tinker away until we have the perfect shot... then, press a button from the "dashboard" and snap! we got it!
***This is not recommended for deep woods shots as the tow bill would out-weigh the fun***
:) |
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01/05/2007 05:21:11 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Originally posted by AZSnapper:
This is what I want.
I'd love to have a wired or wireless control panel. I can set up the camera for a shot. Then, I could use the control panel to set what I need and view the exposure meter as well, instead of having to laydown on the ground and squint through the viewfinder! |
Most/ many cameras will work in a tethered mode, from a laptop. I used to do this with my Canon point and shoot (a G2) I can do it with my current camera, if I have a firewire port too. It looks like Bibble might support that for the D80, though I've never tried it.
Then there's always angled viewfinders, or flip out LCD rear panels, both which let you do this pretty much in place, without a laptop. |
You get even more tethered options with a wireless USB hub
I've shot tethered to Bibble with a D70 and my D200, so I think it's pretty safe to say the D80 would work as well. Nothing beats Nikon Camera Control for that though.
Message edited by author 2007-01-05 17:22:42. |
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