I want to replace my T1 because I am not happy with the low-light situation, incl flash strength. So this weekend I will be picking up something new.
Could somebody please elaborate on this “go for the larger lens” bit and why it is better? I was told recently that the larger lens was also better when comparing Sony cameras in the shop. I see the numbers on the lens but have little idea what to look for or what they mean.
The ones I’m looking at right now are the W1, F88 (my favourite!), and the P150.
Also, since the P150 just came out with its 7.2 MP, does anyone know of Sony’s intentions regarding releasing of new cameras with similar higher resolutions in the near future?
I did understand that part, that it lets in more light, and learned that it also helps reduce graininess in dark or night shots. My problem is, I just don’t know how to read those number I see written on the lenses.
For example:
3.5 - 4.2/6.7 - 20.1 for the F88
2.8 - 5.2/7.9 - 23.7 for the P150
I only saw that they have something to do with an aperture setting, but don’t know which values are better or worse. And is this what I need to read to find the lens size?
they have a lot of reviews on each and every camera
you’ll also have side by side comparison
as for those numbers, i dunno. haha for me if it works it works.
i still have my t1 because i need the portability (plus i lost an arm and a leg for it). but for good quality far shots, i have to either get a stand to allow for a longer duration shot or have a larger camera take the image
I did understand that part, that it lets in more light, and learned that it also helps reduce graininess in dark or night shots. My problem is, I just don’t know how to read those number I see written on the lenses.
For example:
3.5 - 4.2/6.7 - 20.1 for the F88
2.8 - 5.2/7.9 - 23.7 for the P150
I only saw that they have something to do with an aperture setting, but don’t know which values are better or worse. And is this what I need to read to find the lens size?
The lower the number, ex. aperture f2.8, the faster (more light) the lens. That isn’t the whole story, the speed of the image sensor is a factor too. Still, the bigger the lens the more light it can gather.
Cool, that’s good info. So the lower number of the lens of the P150 means it is more sensitive in a darker situation. What does the higher number mean? And what do the two sets of hi/lo numbers mean?
I will look more into the speed of the image sensor thing, that sounds interesting…
[quote author=“babahi”]Cool, that’s good info. So the lower number of the lens of the P150 means it is more sensitive in a darker situation. What does the higher number mean?
And what do the two sets of hi/lo numbers mean? I will look more into the speed of the image sensor thing, that sounds interesting…
They are zoom lenses. The lower value is at 1:1 the higher at max zoom.
In a low light situation the lens is wide open to let in the max light and the shutter slows down so light has longer to get in. (Long exposure works with film, I really don’t know what limits digital sensors impose.) In this case movement will blur the photo and objects in front or behind the (in focus) subject will be out of focus to some degree.
Don’t expect too much from night time available light photography. The photographers ideal is to have enough light to shoot between f8-f16 at 125 shutter speed. Everything is in focus and movement isn’t a problem.
I picked up the F88 and donated the T1 to a friend. Man, do I ever miss the large screen of my T1… but the swivel lens of the F88 absolutely rocks. No regrets!
Why did you pass on the W1? It has the larger LCD screen and it has better photo quality than the T1. It is also small enough to still be considered portable.
Good call on the W1. I did take a serious look at it, but the F88 has that rotating lens, which I really wanted. I had the F55E, then the F55V, then the FX77.
When the T1 came out I mistakenly assumed the “F” series was dead, since a bunch of cameras were released at once, but none with that rotating lens. So I got the T1, believe it to be a kind of successor. Totally wrong of course, and I never ceased to be annoyed by its horrible low-light pics.
So I looked at getting a new camera and even considered the W1. But the F series has that great swivel lens and I wanted to get back to that. I need a camera where I can do self-portraits a small group of people, where I just set the camera down and let the timer tick away. Yes, I really miss the big screen, but I have that lens again…
I’m going to nitpick your comment: any present Sony camera must have better photo quality than the T1!
It’s not the camera…it’s the photographer that makes the difference. :wink:
It is true that the T1 does have an anemic flash that’s a little too close to the lens. However, if you understand that and know tricks to compensate then you’ll be fine. Most small cameras have this sort of problem.
Another T1 complaint of mine, now that groovy mentions the flash being too close to the lens: People in my pics always had red eyes! Even if they were far away and it was a dark setting (in which case you couldn’t see the people anyway), you would see dark outlines of the heads punctuated by their red eyes. And with the T1, for the first time ever, I have had red eyes in pictures! I have dark brown eyes and black hair and have never ever gotten red eyes in a picture. Seems like it could illuminate nothing but the back of my retinas…
Sorry if it seems like I’m a bit hard on the T1; I just expected better from Sony and especially at that price tag. That having been said, I’ve always been mostly thrilled with my previous Sony cameras. I’m happy now with a different Sony digicam.
