NYCkayaker camera

Thu Jan 21 13:32:00 EST 2010

Hey Kam,

Thanks for the ideas. I have been a hold out on getting a D SLR, since I 
have a perfectly functioning Pentax 35 SLR. But recently, Pentax 
introduced their line of digital SLRs that would use all my old lenses. 
Plus, I have been tempted by the reviews on the K10D & K20D's, not to 
mention the K-7, which is currently over my price range. But you know, I 
hadn't thought about Craig's List, and you can bet, you have planted some 
ideas.

Thanks,

Bob

On Thu, 21 Jan 2010, Kam Truhn wrote:

> Hey Bob,
    Pentax is a pretty good route to go, especially if you already have 
some good Pentax lenses.  I have a K10D and a K20D.  I got great deals on 
both of them used on Craigslist and they both work great.  Image quality 
is as good as other top of the line "prosumer" dslrs when you shoot in the 
raw file format.  In addition to being able to use any old or new K mount 
lens, the bodies are fully weather sealed which is great for kayaking.

Actually I just got one of their new weather sealed kit lenses (which is 
surprisingly nice) to throw on the K10D.  This is going to be my kayaking 
camera from now on.  The camera and lens are both fully sealed and there 
is a seal on the lens mount that makes the entire set-up at least splash 
and moisture/dust proof.  I know it's not totally waterproof, but I bet it 
would be fine with a quick dunk.  I'll put it in my aquapac waterproof slr 
case strapped to the boat if I expect or plan on immersion.

Of course I also have an old K1000 SE (film) that is just great to shoot. 
Anyway I could go on and on about the advantages of Pentax dslrs over 
other brands (for most people), but I'll stop now.

-Kam

________________________________ From: Robert Huszar <r-huszar at panix.com> 
To: David Gottlieb <peekamoose at optonline.net> Cc: 
nyckayaker at rockandwater.net; David Wanderman <xoshooter at gmail.com> Sent: 
Wed, January 20, 2010 11:08:18 PM Subject: Re: NYCkayaker camera

Hi David,

Sorry to get in on this so late, but I've been swamped. I agree with David Gottlieb. First off, I don't consider myself a professional photographer, though I have sold and have had many of my photos published. Still, when I look at real "Professional" work, I feel that their work is usually a few steps above what I can compose. That said, I just want to compare notes on some of the points raised.

1/ I love my old film camera and have been shooting with a 35mm Pentax ME for well over 30 years. Dave, why do you consider film superior? It seems to me, that film still has a slightly better color saturation, but I'm not sure how much of that is subjective. I do worry a little about storage issues and I have heard of negatives being still viable after a hundred years. With digital, it's all a question of making sure you back everything up. And think about it, how many storage mediums have we gone through in my lifetime. 15 years from now will my digital saves on CD still be usable. I'm not sure, but I think my negatives will be. Why else do you prefer film???

That said, I also have a Cannon Powershot that is fabulous. Takes great, clean, clear crisp images (well that's discounting those that are fuzzy due to operator error). I love shooting with it, and the things you can do with your images in photoshop are truly amazing. So I do have a foot in the digital world.

Which brings me to my last point. Pentax has recently come up with a digital Pentax, which will accept all my old lenses. So I am tempted to go fully digital. But I so love my film cameras. The problem I am now having with film, is that since my lab shut down, Alkit on 16th & Park, all the labs I've since tried, seem to generate soft prints. Any recommendations for a good lab, that do nice sharp prints, that doesn't cost more then some cameras.

Thanks,
Bob Huszar

On Fri, 15 Jan 2010, David Gottlieb wrote:

> OK David.. Time for another David who is a photographer and also kayaks.
> 
> What David says about megapixels on point and shoots is correct. For fun I
> have a 15 mp Canon G10, which contains too many megapixels for a lens that
> size, but does have a great optional waterproof housing, and it shoots RAW,
> for those that care.
> 
> However, Canon has just come out with both a G11 at 10 megapixels (they
> finally realize that more megapixels on a P&S is hype) and an S90. The S90
> has a faster lens and has some features that make choosing options like
> aperture much quicker to do. I believe the S90 also has a waterproof housing
> that is optional. The great thing about both these new cameras from Canon is
> that they shoot with much less noise at higher speeds. In fact, I am amazed
> at their ability to shot in low light with much less noise. Because of the
> faster lens I would get the S90 over the G11. It is also smaller and lighter
> than the G11. Both these cameras cost more than the Olympus that Richard
> mentioned. And David, I would check the S90 out. You won't want the G11 if
> you pick up the S90.
> 
> For a P&S, Cannon makes the best. But for SLR cameras I would go with
> Nikons, which I shoot professionally (both digital and film) along with
> other larger format cameras. But that is another story.
> 
> If you don't use a waterproof housing, you will probably get better pics but
> the problem is that the water and salt will eventually ruin your camera....
> 
> P&S are not great for taking action shots, but at higher ISO the S90 may be
> able to achieve this with little noise...
> 
> By the way, Film is still best....
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:38 PM, David Wanderman <xoshooter at gmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> Hi Richard,
>> 
>> I noticed your post and thought I might chime in as a photographer that
>> kayaks. The most important thing for me is whether it will take good photos.
>> Most point and shoots take average photos with a few just barely giving
>> better than that. By and large the olympus cameras though 'rugged' don't
>> provide the best image quality either in water or outside. That is not to
>> say they are bad, just not good. Canon makes a water proof and rugged camera
>> that does take decent photos but is somewhat bulky compared to the other
>> offering. I personally own a Pentax Optio W60 that I chose because it takes
>> above average images and movies. It is NOT ruggedized but I have taken it
>> white water with me and it sits on my vest and gets knocked around. No
>> problems. I think the rugged feature is nice and makes for good laughs when
>> you drop it on the floor at a party and pick it up and take a photo. Pentax
>> has come out with their own version of ruggedized cameras as well but I
>> again went for image quality. Panasonic also makes a decent underwater point
>> and shoot. Not sure about ruggedized. The best system would be to get a
>> canon g11 with a housing and you have a semi-pro level camera that will take
>> incredible photos. Only problem is it is big. Also, if price is a factor the
>> Pentax I have was about 60-90 less than all the others but again, I am not
>> sure if it is still made.
>> 
>> The big problem with point and shoots is obsession with megapixels. More is
>> not better and often less is more. What matters is the size of each
>> megapixel. The more megapixels crammed onto a sensor the greater likelihood
>> of noise (grain) in the image and it only gets worse at higher ISO's (film
>> speed). Not bad during daylight but if you need anything over asa 200 the
>> quality drops dramatically. Hope that helps.
>> 
>> My 2¢.
>> 
>> David
>> 
>> David Wanderman
>> xoshooter at gmail.com
>> 917-763-4040
>> 
>> 
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