Camera tip for those buying new cameras
 

Alot of you might be buying a new digital camera or video camera this Christmas, so for those who don't already do this here is a tip.

Don't leave the store without buying and fitting a UV filter to the lens. A UV filter will not only filter UV light but more importantly ensure that the lens itself is kept free from dirt and scratches.

You can replace a scratched UV filter for a lot less than a lens will cost to replace. Ask the camera store to throw a UV filter in to sweeten the deal on your purchase, most places will and it's the best thing you could do to protect your new lens.

well see i didn't know that. thanks for looking out

i have this cool little retractable lens on mine

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s400/

bought a Casio Exilim EX-S2 for my mother for xmas, thanks for the heads up, ill look into getting one.

http://www.communica.se/bilder/produ...sio/exilim.jpg

The only caveat to my suggestion is that many pocket digitals wont accept screw on filters. However if you're buying a digital SLR , high end compact or video camera then a filter is a must!

A circular polariser is also good for this. I only rairly use UV and
polarising filters when taking photos, except outdoors with nice
sky and water. The filter will change the appearance of your
photos. Some shots look much better with UV filtered, others look
much better without UV filtered.

I've also found that with a bit of care it's easy to keep a
unprotected lens safe. Just respect your gear and don't let other
people play with it. Take extra care to always have it secure with
at least one hand, always use the strap around your neck, not
just one arm. if you're going to drop something make sure it's not
the camera. It's hard to make a choice between dropping a lens
or a camera or a lens cap in the instant, make sure your brain is
wired to make sure the camera is safe, don't risk the camera just
to catch a lens cap. If someone else is dropping something, let
them, you worry about the equipment in your hands. If you train
your reflexes just a little, chaos can be raining around you while
the camera stays safe and sound in your hand.

Couple of good URLs:

http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.lenspen.com/ (MUST HAVE)

-Ben

What is a UV filter good for? What situations would I want to use it in?

Hey OzMedia, good tip. I am trying to decide whether to get the Canon EOS300D (SLR) or be content with a Powershot G5. The former is still pretty overpriced in AUD when you compare it with the USD price.

Why would I buy a digital slr that will cost me atleast a few grands for "Christmas"? If I'd buy a slr would be for business ie. wouldn't wait on an occassion or is it common for you to put a $3k+ gift under the tree every year? :glugglug

eos300--- nice camera, nice high resolution capabilities, light camera but because frame is plastic(no good), shutter speed very nice, bad thing is it only has USB 1 port...too long to load images,overall good camera.

G5---weak,lower megapixels,both cameras only save files as jpeg which sux,sensitivity sux, shutter speed sux,nice lense,continuos shooting too slow,max resolution too low.

i would go with the EOS300d..the g5 is more for home use

i hope this helps.

A UV filter is good in most bright situations however because it does not affect exposure or perceived image it is most useful as a way to protect your lens from accidental damage.

I guess it depends whether you need an SLR or whether a compact camera is handier.

What exactly would a UV filter do in bright situations? How would it make the picture different?

film is sensitive to light other than visible light, this includes infra red and ultra violet light. a uv filter cuts ultra violet light from light entering the camera thus preventing UV light from affecting the resulting image. for all other situations the UV filter does nothing to your images but does protect your lens from dust dirt and scratches

Yeah, but a G5 isn't really "compact." :Graucho One thing that is stopping me from going to an SLR is that it doesn't offer an on-LCD preview. You must use the optical viewfinder to frame the shot. Ever since I got that little powershot A200 that you told me about I've been spoilt by being able to shoot at awkward angles. Many of those shots would be difficult or impossible if I had to use an optical viewfinder.

Here's one example...

<img src="http://media.sensationcontent.com/rowan/guess.jpg">

are those mushrooms or leaves?

I still don't understand how preventing UV light from entering the camera would change the way a picture looks. What is the benefit of cutting out the UV light?

A UV filter + Circular Polariser is somewhat like wearing sunglasses.

-Ben

Not thoes shitty dark glasses.... Proper ones u can see thru without extra tinting.

-Ben

G5 is compact compared to a 300D :)

Those little A200's were cool. I use mine on the end of a pole for getting in your face images of wildlife.

I have a 300D which I am using every single day, I bought it to replace my film SLR. If I wasn't doing professional news photography I might have just chosen a compact digital.

excess UV light will still expose film , exposed film from non visible light will distort the image you are trying to capture. A UV filter will stop that from happening.

However the point of my original post was that a UV filter is an excellent way of protecting a lens face.

Get the 300D and run ... G5 cannot compare :thumbsup

try the Canon PowerShot A80, comes in with a LCd preview q/c can rotate 270 deg.

Yea I am looking to buy myself a new still camera in the 1200-1500 ball park area for the body.

Any feedback on the Nikon 5700 vs Cancon EOS 10d?

Or any other suggestions in that ball park figure.. ?

From my past experiences, Uv filters are almost a necessity in all occasions, and Polarizors are great for outdoor and some indoor shoots. The UV is great for protection of the lens w/o hardly changing the quality of the content shot, while a Polarizing lense (circular) is great for taking the glare out of the subject. Shooting people with glasses on, shooting outdoor with water, shooting artwork with glass. etc. By adjusting the Polarizing filter, you can see the change in the subject as you turn it. Just try it, you'll see for yourself.
Now if I can just get the hang of Digital instead of 35mm and 210, maybe I can find a place for myself in the wonderful world of Adult Photography. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This whole white balance thing as me bewildered.
Hope this helped....

Good tip, I keep mine on permanently, even when I use a polarizer, neutral density or anything else, I just srew them onto the UV filters threads. This saves your cameras threads from getting boogered up from constantly changing filters. :)

BV

I have all the filters for my Olympus digital SLR, but this Exilim I just got won't take them, too small, but I love it anyway!!

It's nice to have a tiny little camera you can whip out of your shirt pocket and take good pics with... I've been going nuts with it lately

http://www.germantourist.com/phone1.jpg

http://www.germantourist.com/carb.jpg

http://www.germantourist.com/grille.jpg

Excellent advice. The lens I just bought with my new Cannon 10 D cost $299, the filter $26 bucks! Even for such an inexpensive lense it's well worth doing!

That's going backwards, the A80 is lower spec than the G5 (which also has a rotating LCD :) ). I want to buy a camera as a replacement for film, so it needs to be decent quality. Not professional, but better than point and shoot. I have to decide whether I can live with the optical only preview and spend the extra $ to get an SLR.

It's actually moss. Extreme closeup.