Saturday 2 April 2011

My Camera has Crossed the Line.

Goldfish can get 'White Spot' and it seems my camera has developed something similar - 'White Stripe' - an illness caused by years of excessive usage, numerous drops, bumps and shakes. I guess I had been lucky until now but sadly it seems something like the lens or a chip inside has developed a flaw.

Here is the problem:

Low Sun on a hazy day

In case you didn't spot it, here is the problem a little closer:


Although bearable on a lot of brighter shots, the line does look even more pronounced on images taken inside or darker night images and this really spoils the photos. It's true that I could just edit each picture by filling in the missing pixels, however with the quantity I end up taking it wouldn't really be practical to do regularly. I've narrowed it down to being an internal problem with the camera so sadly there is no simple solution.

Any opinions would be much appreciated... I've narrowed down my main options to be the following:

1) Try and get my current Canon Powershot SX110 IS (a Fully Manual Point and Shoot camera) repaired - The problem here being that it might cost the best part of a new camera anyway since it's out of warranty and you can get a new one from about £130)

2) Take the plunge and dip into savings to buy a Digital SLR - I'm very tempted by this option but am not sure if I can justify spending the sort of money required.

3) Buy a new version of my current camera.

4) Some alternative option of buying another camera that I don't know about yet.

I generally like to have a camera on me at all times, I will likely keep carrying my current one on me anyway since it's already damaged (just for those opportune moments) but having a camera that can take photos without a big line through it is required for those treasured memories the rest of the time (such as for travelling and special occasions).

Whatever I end up doing, I need (strong word I know, I suppose 'want' is the reality but it feels like a need) a camera that is fully manual. At the moment, if I do get a new one, I kinda find myself leaning heavily towards investing in something a little better - to a lot better - such as a camera that has a wide angle lens. I grown to love taking photos and I'd like to continue to develop being able to take them

I've been reading lots of reviews on review sites like whatdigitalcamera.com and I think my main issue is going to be price. I reckon the absolute limit I could stretch to would be £400 and even that would be breaking the bank. So if it is a new camera it would be a bottom end DSLR but it could otherwise be a very good bridge camera. With that in mind, since last time I was camera shopping, there is now this 'Micro Four Thirds' technology which has cut out the mirrors (providing the manual view finder of a DSLR) and creating what they're calling a Hybrid camera - lol, it was a hard enough choice last time and now there is even more... *eek*.

Any advice would be awesome and even better, if anyone knows of any hard to pass up special offers I would be very, very grateful :) Also, what do you all use and would you recommend your camera?

8 comments:

  1. I feel you. My camera is on the verge of death as well. If I replace, it's going to be a MAJOR upgrade. Probably plopping down $800 or more.

    Best o luck, and let us know what you get.

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  2. Oh no, that is tragic. :(

    I don't know a lot about cameras so I have no good advice, but I wish you good luck in your search!

    Also, I totally didn't see that line until you zoomed in and pointed it out. Cool photo, btw. You've got skills.

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  3. Thanks LiI and Lauren :)

    Ouchy yeah, $800 is a lot of money. I'll be sure to let you know though I'm still really torn and even more torn when it comes to makes, models and price :(

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  4. I had to sellotape the lens of my w800i :-/

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  5. If you carry a camera around with you at all times, a DSLR would probably be too bulky/expensive (especially some of the lenses). Some of the P&S have manual features that may work for you. The camera review site I like the best is steves-digicams.com. Good luck!

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  6. Oh no! What a pity!! I bought a new DSLR just before Xmas and it was the best decision I have ever made. It is a Canon 1000D with image stabilising lense and it rocks. Either that, or my photograph magically got 1000x better overnight.

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  7. I owe you a thoughtful comment, and fortunately am able to be quite thoughtful on this subject! Modern specs are amazing, but I noticed you prefer to use manual. You probably know that the scores of 'auto' programmes do more harm than good because they pretend you don't need to think where the light is coming from, and which part of the picture is important.

    If the camera has 800 ISO minimum that does not introduce too much noise, you will be alble to use high shutter speeds 1 or 2000th sec. as standard. If you want to introduce movement into the picture shift to low ISO temporarily.

    The larger sensors of DSLR are essential for pro. image quality at a large size,but work against you much of the time. Even if you can afford thousands of pounds for long and wide lenses.

    Wide dynamic range is the subject to study because most sensors cannot (canNOT)cope with bright highlights and high contrasts. But they can be captured in multiple exposures that are combined later to form one image.

    The images in my blog have all been taken with an Olympus SP55-OUZ which really only works in soft lighting (landscapes excepting)
    I don't recommened technology this old - there is no need), but a decent DSLR in the hands of a point-and-shooter is a sad waste until MANUAL use is mastered.

    I am also looking for a model about 2/3 years old, about 28 - 280mm zoom equiv. 10 megapixels, digital viewfinder. (if not DSLR) Take care and go well.

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