Here's the sample of what I get using my Minolta DiMage digital .. set on "normal resolution," not "high resolution." I don't have any railroad pics with high resolution yet.
You better take off whatever lens accessory you are using, that is some pretty nasty vignetting on the corners.
You are right about that Brian. I had just recently purchased the camera and placed two filters on the lens: skylight and polarized. I took that photo on the wide-angle setting and did not know it would pick up the filter ring(s). It does not do it when I lengthen the lens a little. Now I look for that vignetting when I take a photo.
Bill, That can happen in a lot of situations,... I think it is an interesting shot that is excellent ... Thanks for posting! Harold
Harold - It's a 1953 Alco MRS-1 that was purchased from the Portola RR Museum in 2000. I have a whole sequence of photos of how it was delivered and unloaded.
I think I have a picture of a similar unit that was "bad ordered" and ended up in the Southern Yard here in town many years ago. Harold
Doesn't surprise me Harold. That darned loco has not run right since we received it! There's been lots and lots of man-hours put into it and I think it's just about ready to earn its keep. They are not using it during the winter because there is no way to keep the radiator and engine block from freezing.
I'll second the Nikon 5700 or the new 8700 if you want 8 mp resolution. Nice zoom range and ED Glass is hard to beat.
I have a Nikon N60 that I've had success with. We've been through a lot together (on basic lense #3.) I had a 2.1MP HP that I got free with a printer. It was great for throw away shots, but I had little success with Railroad shots. I'm still debating the value of an SLR digital. On the one hand, if I get into the Nikon line, all my Nikor and off brand lenses would be swapable which would be nice. On the other, SLR is bulky. Nikon in particular. I'm intrigued by the Kodak with the printer/docking Station. That would be convienent for none-train usage. In either case, the bulkiness isn't such a big deal for railfanning, but for the trips with my wife and stuff like that, it's a bit much. I hate trekking around Disneyland with that boat anchor around my neck. As far as development costs, Where the heck are you going that it costs $8 a roll? I pay 5 a roll for Kodak, 3 for store brand I only pay more then that if I want the pictures online or with a pictureCD. There's a 1-hour place up in Portland area that will develope and put on the web for 3 bucks and then you can pick and choose what you want along with fancy cropping and so forth. pretty nice deal if you can get it.
Well....(with my head hung low) I must apologized to Mr. George Eastman and his family. I was finally persuaded to go over to the darkside (digital). I just purchased a Fuji Finepix S7000 that was on sale at Best Buy. I guess I will have to live with myself now, and my need for instant gratification. (hehe). I still have for back up, a really old Nikon F (built in '68) and a Nikon EM.
I have been using an Olympus C-4000 zoom. It has 4megapixels. I love it. I don't think they make them anymore. I would suggest if anyone is buying a digital camera that you get a camera with the best lense you can afford. Also it is very helpful if the camera has manual options like shutter speed, white balance, aperature so you can solve tricky, indoor lighting problems on your layout.
Well I started with a Olympus C-700UZ great camera and some added accesories. Wanted more so I moved to a Canon EOS 10D. Best thing I ever did. I have a few lenses and good tripod (A must in my opinion). Great results with a lot of choices in the future.
Hey Locobreath .. Welcome to Trainboard! We are pleased you chose to join us and hope that you will contribute lots of information and photos.
Steve Brown: I have just learned the necessity of a tripod and I agree with you. But, what about a monopod for taking pictures of models. Would it be a good substitute? I am worried about transportability as in carrying it on board a commercial aircraft.
Flash Well I tried a mono pod and it has to much lateral movement. Yes it keeps the camera still but you can still get some anoying side to side movement if you are not care full. I use a bogen leg set with a bogen 3030 head. It has a case you can purchase seperatly and use for travel. This head and leg assembly is a little heavy about 6lbs. But you can pull the center shaft up and keep the legs toegther and you have a monopod of sorts. Hope this helps. Steve
Steve: I am sure the tripod is better. I don't need a monopod; I thought a monopod would be more portable. I think that the carrying case is the answer. I just don't want the metal detector guys accusing me of carying a metal stick so I can beat up the pilots. Never mind that I could probably stab them with that useless plastic knife they give me for a meal. Along the same lines, I have quit carrying my modeling kit because of all the sharp things in it that caused so many questions.