MVC-CD300 good for amateur photography?

[Adam Cavaliere]

I recently bought the MVC-CD300, and I am just wondering if you guys think that it is a good camera for a beginner amateur photographer? I really want to get into amateur photography, and use photoshop. I have been reading things about the DSC-S85, and I am just wondering what you guys think about that one compared to this one. I spent a lot of money on this camera, and I want to make sure that I can expect to get some pretty good pictures out of it. So far, I really like it. Please tell me your opinions on this camera and its ability to do the manual features that would enable me to do some pretty neat looking photographs.

Also the DSC-S85 does have bigger megapixils, but I don't think that I am gonig to be making huge prints or anything like that. So as far as megapixils go, I think I am set... am I wrong in that assumption?

Thanks for any help possible!

 

[Bosko]

Adam:

I can only give you my opinion as an amatuer, and as a long-time (since version 2.5) PhotoShop user.

Previously, I had mostly used a point and shoot, 35 mm or APS camera. I found that once the pictues were developed I never did anything with them. I always wanted to do more, and to have control over my pictures but just didn't have them initiative to set up a darkroom.

Now, Since August I have taken over 11oo pictures. Along with the 2nd edition of the Time Life photography books, I have begun to experiment and use non-automatic features of my CD300 such as Manual white balance, spot metering, exposure lock. Also I really like the fact that the CDs function to archive so that I don't have to worry about losing any pictures.

I will say that almost any digicam with POS as well as manual features gives you all that I have mentioned, but the media for the CD Mavicas is just great.

Enjoy your camera!

 

[Adam Cavaliere]

I know a lot of terms for cameras, but I do not know what POS means. I know in business it means Point Of Sale.

Also on top of all of these questions, do you have any recomendations on sites that have info on camera tricks and different things like that?

Thanks!

I recently bought the MVC-CD300, and I am just wondering if you
guys think that it is a good camera for a beginner amateur
photographer? I really want to get into amateur photography, and
use photoshop. I have been reading things about the DSC-S85, and I
am just wondering what you guys think about that one compared to
this one. I spent a lot of money on this camera, and I want to make
sure that I can expect to get some pretty good pictures out of it.
So far, I really like it. Please tell me your opinions on this
camera and its ability to do the manual features that would enable
me to do some pretty neat looking photographs.
Also the DSC-S85 does have bigger megapixils, but I don't think
that I am gonig to be making huge prints or anything like that. So
as far as megapixils go, I think I am set... am I wrong in that
assumption?

Thanks for any help possible!

 

[Bosko]

Adam:

"POS" - oh sorry, I meant PAS, "point-and-shoot" everything on automatic. (This is what happens when you hand out Trick-or-treat, watch Buffy, and try to type at the same time.)

1. Time-Life Library of Photography. I really love these, they have so many fantastic works, examples and diagrams in them, (and they were so well made that even after 20 years a well-kept set looks great). Even the volumes that you wouldn't think would have as much useful info are great.

2. the Short Courses website (www.shortcourses.com/) has some good basic info.

3. Also, explore the DPReview section called "Learn". I found many of the articles, especially thiose by Peter iNova, fascinating.

 

[Adam Cavaliere]

I guess I am also asking if I could pull off the same kind of pictures the person at this site did: http://www.noahgrey.com

I know I would have to have the imagination, etc... I am just wondering if you feel that it is possible with my camera? Since I am just getting into this, do you think that the DSC-F707 may be a little bit over my head? I know, they cost the same, but the cost of the media would kill me...

Also is the DSC-F707 that much different? I know in megapixils it is, but I don't think that I am going to be making any prints larger than an 8X10.

Also, I want to be pretty close to cutting edge, that way I will have this camera for more than a year or two... is it a safe bet to stick with this one, or are there others out there that may be a little more advanced? Like the G2? I was looking at that... what are your thoughts on that camera compared to this one.

Thanks for all the help!

Adam:

I can only give you my opinion as an amatuer, and as a long-time
(since version 2.5) PhotoShop user.

Previously, I had mostly used a point and shoot, 35 mm or APS
camera. I found that once the pictues were developed I never did
anything with them. I always wanted to do more, and to have
control over my pictures but just didn't have them initiative to
set up a darkroom.

Now, Since August I have taken over 11oo pictures. Along with the
2nd edition of the Time Life photography books, I have begun to
experiment and use non-automatic features of my CD300 such as
Manual white balance, spot metering, exposure lock. Also I really
like the fact that the CDs function to archive so that I don't have
to worry about losing any pictures.

I will say that almost any digicam with PAS as well as manual
features gives you all that I have mentioned, but the media for the
CD Mavicas is just great.

Enjoy your camera!

 

[Adam Cavaliere]

anyone have any comments on these questions?

I know I would have to have the imagination, etc... I am just
wondering if you feel that it is possible with my camera? Since I
am just getting into this, do you think that the DSC-F707 may be a
little bit over my head? I know, they cost the same, but the cost
of the media would kill me...

Also is the DSC-F707 that much different? I know in megapixils it
is, but I don't think that I am going to be making any prints
larger than an 8X10.

Also, I want to be pretty close to cutting edge, that way I will
have this camera for more than a year or two... is it a safe bet to
stick with this one, or are there others out there that may be a
little more advanced? Like the G2? I was looking at that... what
are your thoughts on that camera compared to this one.

Thanks for all the help!

Adam:

I can only give you my opinion as an amatuer, and as a long-time
(since version 2.5) PhotoShop user.

Previously, I had mostly used a point and shoot, 35 mm or APS
camera. I found that once the pictues were developed I never did
anything with them. I always wanted to do more, and to have
control over my pictures but just didn't have them initiative to
set up a darkroom.

Now, Since August I have taken over 11oo pictures. Along with the
2nd edition of the Time Life photography books, I have begun to
experiment and use non-automatic features of my CD300 such as
Manual white balance, spot metering, exposure lock. Also I really
like the fact that the CDs function to archive so that I don't have
to worry about losing any pictures.

I will say that almost any digicam with PAS as well as manual
features gives you all that I have mentioned, but the media for the
CD Mavicas is just great.

Enjoy your camera!

 

[Bosko]

Adam:

After a great deal of reading, discussion and shooting, I had a revelation (actually, more of a "duh" moment): Acquiring the tools and acquiring the skills are separate. However, "magical tool" thinking persists - we all know (and some of us are) people who buy the tool as if it comes with the ability to use it - and the subliminal perception is that the skill acquired is directly proportionatal to the price tag. You can see this with some people who long to be master gardeners, woodworkers, cooks, web designers, archers, painters.... This is not to say that a good tool won't augment a skill, or make it somewhat easier to practice.

What helped this revelation was a thread about "two kinds of people" in the DPReview forums. One of the replies especially generated an epiphany --

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&page=1&message=1497730

• but the entire thread is thought-provoking reading.

After reading it, I was in fact liberated from techno-obsession. I am now free to become the best photographer I can be, content that I have a camera that is more than adequate FOR ME to reach that goal. The pertinent limitations come from me, not my camera. Yes, as I learn, from time to time I envision shots that are simply beyond what my camera can do (very long exposures, for example), but these are few.

I will freely admit, however, that if Sony comes out with a CD Mavica that has all the features of my CD300, plus an image stabilized 10x zoom, then if I have enough cash just lying around perhaps I will go for it. But I am not waiting around in the meantime.

So, my fnal advice: Don't obsess. Take pictures. Be happy.

 

[ruexp67]

Just finding this thread now, must have missed it in all the 707/BFS hype.

I have the CD300 and have taken over 2000 shots with it since august. I love it. It is an excellent camera and takes great shots. So do basically every other "prosumer" grade camera you mentioned. Some are better at one thing or another. There are some features of the 707 I want, and I may yet get that camera too, but for now I am VERY pleased with my CD300.

The key to great photograpy is YOU, NOT your camera. THere is an old saying that goes: it is a poor craftsman that blames his tools. It can be easier to get great shots with better tools, but the best tools in the world will not get you great shots. You still have to get out there and take the pix!

As far as learing how to use your camera: I reccomend a couple of things.

1. Take a lot of pictures.

I know it sounds a little silly, but seriously, practice using your camera. Get frustrated, look for mistakes (and find them.) try to correct them. Get frustrated. Keep doing this until you have AT LEAST 1000 shots. It is an arbitrary number, but the idea is sound. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Once you learn about the things you DON"T know it will help.

2. Ask questions.
On the forums here, and of photographers that you know.

3. Find a good class or great books.

I am currently going through the curriculim on NY Institute of Photography http://www.nyip.com They do mail-order training anywhere at a VERY reasonable price. I have really just started the program, but I have learned a ton already.

Good luck

I know I would have to have the imagination, etc... I am just
wondering if you feel that it is possible with my camera? Since I
am just getting into this, do you think that the DSC-F707 may be a
little bit over my head? I know, they cost the same, but the cost
of the media would kill me...

Also is the DSC-F707 that much different? I know in megapixils it
is, but I don't think that I am going to be making any prints
larger than an 8X10.

Also, I want to be pretty close to cutting edge, that way I will
have this camera for more than a year or two... is it a safe bet to
stick with this one, or are there others out there that may be a
little more advanced? Like the G2? I was looking at that... what
are your thoughts on that camera compared to this one.

Thanks for all the help!

Adam:

I can only give you my opinion as an amatuer, and as a long-time
(since version 2.5) PhotoShop user.

Previously, I had mostly used a point and shoot, 35 mm or APS
camera. I found that once the pictues were developed I never did
anything with them. I always wanted to do more, and to have
control over my pictures but just didn't have them initiative to
set up a darkroom.

Now, Since August I have taken over 11oo pictures. Along with the
2nd edition of the Time Life photography books, I have begun to
experiment and use non-automatic features of my CD300 such as
Manual white balance, spot metering, exposure lock. Also I really
like the fact that the CDs function to archive so that I don't have
to worry about losing any pictures.

I will say that almost any digicam with PAS as well as manual
features gives you all that I have mentioned, but the media for the
CD Mavicas is just great.

Enjoy your camera!