What Type of Camera Do You Take Pictures With?
While looking at pictures taken by users on figure.fm, I've seen them range from kinda noisy cellphone pics to stunning DSLR ones. That got me wondering, what type of camera do you use when taking pictures of figurines? And do you post-process your pictures before uploading them here?
I personally just got into photography a couple of months ago, and after seeing the great pictures Danny took with his Lumix LX-3, I decided to get a Lumix LX-5. I chose this camera because it had advanced features (for a compact, anyways) combined with great low light and RAW support too. Of course, it doesn't match a DSLR in quality, but for its size, I think it takes great pictures.
I also post-process pictures since I shoot in RAW. I usually just do noise reduction, sharpening and a bit of color saturation. I don't really know too much about PP, so I stick to the basics ^^;
Mine is Samsung L201. I prefer mobile camera :3
Canon PowerShot SX-120.
Sony Alpha 330 and Kodak C713 pint and shoot. Each have their points.
Same, LX5 (thank you credit card). I love how clear the pictures come out in low light. :)
Post-processing for me on the LX3 is usually when I pick my white-balance.
RAWs processed turn out much nicer than having the LX3 take pictures in JPGs.
Nice pick-up! I was looking at this model a couple days ago just for the hell of it. I love my Nikon D5000 but that crapt is so heavy to haul around, so I use a canon point and shoot most of the time.
I use a Sony A200 dSLR. If you have a dSLR, what kind of lenses do you shoot your figures with? I also use my iPhone 4. Apple added the ability to have it shoot in HDR which softens some of the harsh lighting so photos taken with it actually look pretty damn sharp and amazing.
Most of my dolls and figure(Including my job) Using Canon EOS 50D with 18-200 lens for multi-purpose use and 18-55 for portrait.
I'm a bit conservatives...Many of my picture I will try not much to process it (Maybe because I was use the film SLR before) in my opinion I think like..."Best pic must without process"
But for my work today and sometimes in night shot....I've to tink about it again...Now I'm studying the Lightroom.
In emergency case...Blackberry Curve8520 is still a good option. lol
I also believe that a picture should not be post-processed too much. A good picture should already be good from the moment we take the shot. PP can be used to make it look better, but if the original picture is bad, that can't be fixed.
I use a Pentax K-x exclusively when taking photos - and I post process a lot because I tend to concentrate on getting sharpness first at the expense of getting white balance exact. it's a credit to Pentax that the resulting RAW is good enough that it can be PPed significantly more than the last canon I bought.
Don't have a DSLR so I only use my Sony DSC-S600 Digicam. Also did some post-processing to fix the lighting issues caused by the flash.
I use a Canon Rebel XS that I'm borrowing from my sister. I'm too lazy to post-process so I do my best when taking the shots-- which mostly means tweaking the lighting and the settings of the camera, then I take a lot of shots in general, and from there choose the best ones. I also shoot in JPEG since most of my picture taking is for posting online, so it's not like I need that much quality.
I'm actually looking into getting a Lumix LX5 for myself because of what I read on Danny Choo as well. I enjoy photography quite a bit, but I'd rather spend money on more figures. How would you say your experience with it is so far? I took a glance at your last post to see the picture quality. Have any other samples? Specifically figure shots.
The LX5 is my first real camera that's not fully automatic, so it's been great for learning the basics of photography. I haven't taken that many pictures with it, but have been pleased with what I've taken up until now. I usually shoot in aperture priority, since the LX5 is pretty decent with shallow depth of field. It's kinda bulky for a compact camera and isn't something you could put into your jean pockets (fits into a jacket pocket fine though). The flash is also quite weak on this camera, so I always shoot without flash. The low light performance can compensate for that though.
I actually don't have many figurine shots, since my collection is still quite small (as you saw in my previous post). You can take a look at my flickr for other pictures I've taken, though none of them are of figurines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/taoquay/sets/ . I'm guessing that my pictures of animals would be the closest thing to figurine shots >.>
If money is a concern, I think the Canon S95 is 50$ cheaper than the LX5. It has a quasi-identical feature set and picture quality as the LX5 and is much more compact too. The lens isn't as good as the LX5 though. There's a comparison of the S95, LX5 and Nikon P7000 over at dpreview: http://dpreview.com/reviews/Q42010highendcompactgroup/ . Maybe reading that will help you out.
I mostly use an HP Photosmart 735. I sometimes use my cellphone camera. I'd like to get a DSLR at some point, or at least a standard point and shoot with a higher megapixel count. My HP Photosmart 735 is pretty old, only 3.2MP
I currently use a Nikon S60 aka Nikon Coolpix, it does fairly well for a point and shoot, but i want more control over my pictures and plan on investing in a better camera.
My advice is if you can control the environment and time constraint of the shoot, don't bother trying to shoot raw and instead shoot jpeg, that way you'll be able to learn on how to get the shot you want without pressure.
Shooting RAW is good and all but the extra time to post process can get really bothersome if you don't have a properly process flow setup, its much worse if you're just shooting randomly hoping to get a single good shot.
Best spend time using jpeg and practice with it, its a lot cheaper and faster now to learn how to use a camera than film.
Thanks for the advice! I used to do JPEG but noticed that I usually retouch most of the pictures I like anyways. So going with RAW would give me more freedom, if I wanted to post-process. The biggest reason I went with RAW was to control the noise reduction properly, since I read that the LX5's JPEG engine is quite aggressive with its noise reduction.
I also (thankfully) don't blindly take shots and hope it comes out nice. Depending on how long my work flow is for PP, I might just go RAW+JPEG to play it safe. Although that would mean that each shot takes more time to write onto the SD card...
I shoot in RAW + JPEG, and it does take noticeably longer to write to the SD card. My advice is to purchase a high speed SD card to counteract that. No less than class 6. Get a class 10 if you can, it's worth it. :)
I actually am already using a class 10 card. However, it still took a long amount of time between shots when I tried using RAW+JPEG.
Samsung TL320 though i wanted the 500 but it wasen't out yet ;[
I have a 6-year old Sony Cybershot. It's barely alive, and I really need a new camera. Hoping to step into the DSLR world soon.
I used to use my Sony W170 Camera until I got the Lumix GF1 with the pancake lens.
Nikon D3000
Sony DSC-N2
Great get! At first glance I thought it was the Lumix LX3, but then I looked at the box.. ^^; They really do look incredibly similar.
I was so close to purchasing the Lumix LX3 earlier this year, but I changed my mind last minute and purchased the Olympus PEN E-PL1 Micro 4/3 camera instead.
This is my first non point and shoot camera and I've been using it for several months now.
So far I'm incredibly pleased with it.
I usually do PP, with Adobe Lightroom. Mostly just to tweak small things like brightness and the occasional mishap on white balance. Lightroom is fantastic for that.
Before I bought the LX5, I hesitated between that and the E-PL1. It was basically in the same price bracket as the LX5. However, I opted for the LX5 since I didn't want to commit to buying multiple lens for the 4/3 and size was an issue. The picture quality of the E-PL1 is quite great though. Are you using the default kit lens or did you get something else?
Right now? Nikon Coolpix L20. It's a little chibi-cam but it gets the job done. And Nikon treats me very well. It started to fail on me when I did the Carpenteria Beach photomanga. I sent it back to them because it was still under warranty. I was expecting them to toss the failing camera in a pallet bound for China and send me back a refurb off a pallet that just came from China. Nope! They FIXED MY $100 Nikon-badged Chi-Com crap camera. Note in the box when I got it back: "replaced lens assembly." A tech at Nikon's West Coast offices in El Segundo, CA put it on his bench and FIXED IT. And sent it back to its owner.
I'm going to move up. I have to. I want to do more HD video shooting. I want to get back into really fine photography, of a kind I was doing when I was shooting film out of a Pentax MX camera. But when I make the jump, I'm going NIKON ALL THE WAY, BABY. I like the idea that the techs are just a handful of miles away from me. I like the fact that they stood by their work. Awesome awesome awesome.
And one last thing to think about: Paul Simon never rhapsodized about Canon or Panasonic or Sony or Olympus in song. Although they did take Kodachrome away. ;_;
I used to use a sony compact but a few days ago I bought a DSLR, a Canon EOS 500D :)
Well, I used Minolta SLRs for years until I bought my first DSLR, the Sony Alpha 900. Use old 15+ year old Minolta and Vivitar glass. I shoot RAW on all of my shots, PP all of the ones I like and do some printing on my Epson R1900.
I usually shoot portraiture and landscapes, some silly impromptu shots and candids. I love taking photos of events and Cosplayers anywhere. It's a great thing to do and makes them feel good too.
The fact that Sony Alpha series used Minolta glass was the main factor for choosing one. Had a Minolta Maxim 7000 prior to getting the Alpha 330 (in brown).
Picked up a 100-300mm AF zoom at a pawn shop for $60cdn that works great with the Alpha. ^_^
My two AF Minolta Cameras were the 7000 and the 9000, I sold both of them after I got my 900. Yeah, I love my Minolta 35-70 f4, 50mm f1.7, and the 70-210mm f4.5-5.6. Those are some good lenses.
I have a 28mm AF wide angle, the 18-55 kit lens, a 35-105 AF, and the 100-300mm AF
Still have the Maxim stored away..
Canon 500D but will change to Canon 7D and always used RAW
I would recommend it, because it is closely matched to Nikon D7000 =D
It's either my 350D or my iPhone >-< depending on circumstances.
I -try- not to post-process any photos.
Still learning the basics of photography tho >-<!
Last time...
I use SLR camera... yeap... Not digital... film...
I bet you know SLR stands for single lens reflects.
and also...
DLR camera... yeap... not digital as well...
DLR = Dual lens reflects...
Both is Yasica...
Now... as times goes by... I only using SonyErrickson K770i... yeap... a cellphone...
But soon, I'll get a Nikon D3100 as my Christmas present... :D Can't wait.
I use Nikon D7000 now, still got Olympus E-500 and planning to get a compact camera Pansonic Lumix TZ10. I do both post process and non process on Figure FM =D
I use a Canon Powershot SX120IS, pretty good on taking photos of figures.
Guess I want a DSLR soon cuz the sharpness of photos take by DSLR is so good!
I use Canon Powershot A560. I sometimes do and sometimes don't do post processing. I'd like to upgrade my camera with more advance features though. LX5 seems like a good choice.
i use a D3100 :D
I primarily use a Canon EOS 20D, but I've also used my iPhone (3GS) and iPod Touch for "quick shots" (My last post used both) Almost all of my pics are in the jpeg format, set to medium, and little to no post processing. I want to get as much out of those settings first before I start fiddling with any of the "custom" settings...
DSLR/Micro 4/3ths or nothing. I'm thinking about getting rid of my Canon Rebel XS for a Sony NEX-5 ^_^
I just recently bought the NEX-3 because i couldn't afford the NEX-5, but it's pretty much the same camera except for the bodyframe, 1080i AVCHD, and IR remote capability. Just waiting to for it to arrive Monday XD So i hope it'll be a good start for me in the 4/3 line and eventually a full frame DSLR XD
Indeed, the two are pretty much identical. Might decide to go for an NEX-3 instead, I'll have to see.
You need another option for all 3! XD
I would say that *most* of my photos are from my iPhone as its usually for quick photos of loot or quick shots to try out ideas. Maybe 60% of photos by volume. The iPhone also has the advantage of built in post processing ability. With the number of apps available to edit photos, it just makes it really easy to shoot, edit and upload.
Next would be my Lumix LX3 and Lumix GF1 with about 40% of photos. These are shots where I want better low light photo, shallow depth of field, or just to have a bigger file possibly yo print later on.
Last would be my Nikon D700 for when I put together a set, put up lights, and treat it as a full on still life shoot. I shoot in RAW, edit primarily in Lightroom with some Photoshop if needed.
I've used my Hasselblad 500C for some shots in the past but its too much a pain to shoot, develop, scan then edit now. One day I'll set up something and shoot it 4x5!
whoops, I meant 30% of photos with the LX3 and GF1. I DO use my dSLRs SOMETIMES. :-p
I should've specified which camera you use MOST of the time then ;)
I figured as much. I just felt like being silly and go for the overkill :D
And grats on the LX5. I've heard great things about it. Tempted to upgrade myself but um... so many figures to get! XD