(27 Dec 2016, 11:31 am)Jamie M wrote Any cameras that are under a... somewhat budget range and are capable of low light shots? My S6 is failing me.

I hold no preference over standard or dSLR (I'm not very technical with cameras... lol), but my google searches got me no way nearer to the answer. By 'capable' I mean without tonnes of light flare, and a decent enough picture in the night hours...

My S6's work:
https://flic.kr/p/PnhqVa
https://flic.kr/p/QnJXVW

Daytime, my S6 can produce great shots, but even so I feel it's time for an upgrade of camera choice..


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I've a point and shoot camera that I carry around with me, for if I'm away on business or whatever. It's a Sony HX60, and it's not a bad little camera if I'm honest! 

I took some night shots up Edinburgh with it a few weeks ago. Here is how they've come out, if it's any use - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn/shares/6gxt4t

(27 Dec 2016, 6:10 pm)Adrian wrote I've a point and shoot camera that I carry around with me, for if I'm away on business or whatever. It's a Sony HX60, and it's not a bad little camera if I'm honest! 

I took some night shots up Edinburgh with it a few weeks ago. Here is how they've come out, if it's any use - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn/shares/6gxt4t

Am I looking at the 200£ mark for something that functions in low light?
Used dSLRs come at 250£, and my phone camera can function in low light, it's just grainy and a huge gamble...
I'm not looking for world's best camera, or even professional tags. I just want something that can match what my phone (S6) can do, but at night - reliably. I'm clueless with expectations to be honest, am I setting the bar too high in what I can expect without cashing out so much?

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My camera is what's known as a Bridge Camera, and it only cost me £120 new, and to be honest, I've got no complaints about it, I'm able to photo buses some distance away.

Some drivers aren't even aware that I've photoed them sometimes.

(27 Dec 2016, 9:55 pm)GMitchelhill wrote My camera is what's known as a Bridge Camera, and it only cost me £120 new, and to be honest, I've got no complaints about it, I'm able to photo buses some distance away.

Some drivers aren't even aware that I've photoed them sometimes.

Yeah, it looks pretty good in terms of price/spec. I'll look at the photos in a few seconds again!

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(27 Dec 2016, 9:28 pm)Jamie M wrote Am I looking at the 200£ mark for something that functions in low light?
Used dSLRs come at 250£, and my phone camera can function in low light, it's just grainy and a huge gamble...
I'm not looking for world's best camera, or even professional tags. I just want something that can match what my phone (S6) can do, but at night - reliably. I'm clueless with expectations to be honest, am I setting the bar too high in what I can expect without cashing out so much?

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I think I paid around £170 for my HX60? I find it reliable enough if I'm honest, and I'm pleased with the results compared to the price. It obviously doesn't compare to what I get out of the DSLR, but my lens alone cost more than that camera.

The floodlights were back on at Gateshead...
I took this picture with my S6, I'm now wondering if spending more money for a camera will make such a difference.

https://flic.kr/p/Q7Ue2N
https://flic.kr/p/HkjCzW (Newcastle in August)

The only issue is flaring on lights, there is normally a point where the flaring starts because of the headlight angle, but just moving elsewhere fixes it.
I'm not saying it's a great shot, but is it worth spending such amounts to match or beat the low light quality?
I don't want to invest money to find that the flare has been slightly reduced, but the other problems still exist in low light (obnoxious grain, blurring etc etc)

These are my worst dark workings uploaded:

#1 https://flic.kr/p/QnJXVW
#2 https://flic.kr/p/PnhqVa
#3 https://flic.kr/p/PpEvEA

As you can see, the flaring in low light is a bit of a gamble (albeit the floodlighting was off #2, was on #1 #3. Dan managed decent photos in the same situation). I can't even establish what the factors are, aside from the headlight glaring. Even in daylight, there is glaring in slightly bright light, where there wasn't being there in person:

https://flic.kr/p/QCBPVq

My point here is mixed and vague, but am I realistically going to be able to fix these issues by just changing my equiptment? I have messed with all of the settings, manual and auto on my phone in every dark/light situation.
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Just got this today!

(24 Feb 2017, 11:43 am)EL1TE wrote Just got this today!

Bit late, but looks a cracker.
I'm still on my S6 but I'm extremely impressed with the versitility of it still. With the post above and my last few flickr pictures, I've been dead impressed with the quality. I folded on getting an upgrade just because of how simple it is - point and click in pro settings with good enough control over shutter/iso for easy night pictures. I'd need a good slr to match the quality and ease of use from my research, but not many people are as fortunate to have a good enough phone camera or understand how to adapt it (took me 2 years to get good pictures on it...) to get anything half decent. I'm not after best quality ever, so it suits my style.

Jamie M 
Bit late, but looks a cracker.
I'm still on my S6 but I'm extremely impressed with the versitility of it still. With the post above and my last few flickr pictures, I've been dead impressed with the quality. I folded on getting an upgrade just because of how simple it is - point and click in pro settings with good enough control over shutter/iso for easy night pictures. I'd need a good slr to match the quality and ease of use from my research, but not many people are as fortunate to have a good enough phone camera or understand how to adapt it (took me 2 years to get good pictures on it...) to get anything half decent. I'm not after best quality ever, so it suits my style.


Sorry for late reply! It certainly is a good camera. May not be the best at the quality compared to DLSRs, though but is by far decent for my first camera. I think it was around £250, and I got it for my birthday.
 
To test the quality, I took this photo tonight: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/140920997@...761177175/
Although it isn't a photo of a bus, I'm incredibly impressed of that quality.

(31 Mar 2017, 8:42 pm)EL1TE wrote Jamie M 
Bit late, but looks a cracker.
I'm still on my S6 but I'm extremely impressed with the versitility of it still. With the post above and my last few flickr pictures, I've been dead impressed with the quality. I folded on getting an upgrade just because of how simple it is - point and click in pro settings with good enough control over shutter/iso for easy night pictures. I'd need a good slr to match the quality and ease of use from my research, but not many people are as fortunate to have a good enough phone camera or understand how to adapt it (took me 2 years to get good pictures on it...) to get anything half decent. I'm not after best quality ever, so it suits my style.


Sorry for late reply! It certainly is a good camera. May not be the best at the quality compared to DLSRs, though but is by far decent for my first camera. I think it was around £250, and I got it for my birthday.
 
To test the quality, I took this photo tonight: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/140920997@...761177175/
Although it isn't a photo of a bus, I'm incredibly impressed of that quality.

The zoom is awesome on that. My zoom and focal length is awful. As you can see by my 6047 on 57 picture (https://flic.kr/p/TcjfjN), flaring also is an issue in very bright scenarios - in all fairness, gateshead high street is dark with a tonne of reflection. I love how easily I can take good quality nigjt pictures, though.

I'm even getting better during the day, as you can see with the growing number of likes (https://flic.kr/p/TcjfjN).

Here are some better east coast pictures:
https://flic.kr/p/TcTriA
https://flic.kr/p/T3ud56

You know, this is a decent quality on all pictures, even if they're not good. I love taking pictures and I take pride in the hobby. I'm not interested in spending money if it causes frustration and adds complication. What I love about the hobby is how I can walk out of the door, find a place to take pictures and do so. It's so simple.

(31 Mar 2017, 8:59 pm)Jamie M wrote The zoom is awesome on that. My zoom and focal length is awful. As you can see by my 6047 on 57 picture (https://flic.kr/p/TcjfjN), flaring also is an issue in very bright scenarios - in all fairness, gateshead high street is dark with a tonne of reflection. I love how easily I can take good quality nigjt pictures, though.

I'm even getting better during the day, as you can see with the growing number of likes (https://flic.kr/p/TcjfjN).

Here are some better east coast pictures:
https://flic.kr/p/TcTriA
https://flic.kr/p/T3ud56

You know, this is a decent quality on all pictures, even if they're not good. I love taking pictures and I take pride in the hobby. I'm not interested in spending money if it causes frustration and adds complication. What I love about the hobby is how I can walk out of the door, find a place to take pictures and do so. It's so simple.

Goes up to 40x zoom, but trying to focus the picture and holding still can be a nightmare for me..

I like to take pictures too, but confidence is an issue on my part. It's when people are watching me... it just makes me feel awkward for some reason. Another issue for me taking photos is when I get stared at by a driver, and just completely puts me off photographing the bus they're driving...

(31 Mar 2017, 9:09 pm)EL1TE wrote Goes up to 40x zoom, but trying to focus the picture and holding still can be a nightmare for me..

I like to take pictures too, but confidence is an issue on my part. It's when people are watching me... it just makes me feel awkward for some reason. Another issue for me taking photos is when I get stared at by a driver, and just completely puts me off photographing the bus they're driving...

Just literally do not give a . What are they going to do if they see you? If you have a passion that's sensible and doesn't harm others, just do it with pride. Don't waste time being anxious where you have the right to do what you want. People ask me why I'm taking pictures of buses, I just tell them I love taking pictures. It's not my problem if a nexus person, a driver or a random person has an issue with it. It feels great now I'm on this side of things - I was like you were as you can see in my created threads last year.

(31 Mar 2017, 9:14 pm)Jamie M wrote Just literally do not give a . What are they going to do if they see you? If you have a passion that's sensible and doesn't harm others, just do it with pride. Don't waste time being anxious where you have the right to do what you want. People ask me why I'm taking pictures of buses, I just tell them I  love taking pictures. It's not my problem if a nexus person, a driver or a random person has an issue with it. It feels great now I'm on this side of things - I was like you were as you can see in my created threads last year.

Thanks for the advice
I'll certainly keep that in mind for my day out tomorrow

(31 Mar 2017, 9:19 pm)EL1TE wrote Thanks for the advice
I'll certainly keep that in mind for my day out tomorrow

Just don't stop it for anyone, there's nothing against it - most of all, enjoy it.

(31 Mar 2017, 9:33 pm)Jamie M wrote Just don't stop it for anyone, there's nothing against it - most of all, enjoy it.

Cheers mate

(Wrong thread)

First bus pic / dSLR by Jamie MP, on Flickr

I found a Panasonic DMC-G10 lying under my bed that I haven't used in a while. I have a few lenses, and I'm just getting used to the settings. I keep forgetting how long distant the largest lens is. Not a bad start given how dark the street is. The bus was moving as well.
I will keep an update of how my pictures develop. Probably will take a trip to eldon and just stand and take a load of pictures of night, and just mess on for hours with the lens. I do like the camera a lot, but will take some getting used to after my phone!

(03 Apr 2017, 7:31 pm)Jamie M wrote First bus pic / dSLR by Jamie MP, on Flickr

I found a Panasonic DMC-G10 lying under my bed that I haven't used in a while. I have a few lenses, and I'm just getting used to the settings. I keep forgetting how long distant the largest lens is. Not a bad start given how dark the street is. The bus was moving as well.
I will keep an update of how my pictures develop. Probably will take a trip to eldon and just stand and take a load of pictures of night, and just mess on for hours with the lens. I do like the camera a lot, but will take some getting used to after my phone!

Second bus pic / dSLR by Jamie MP, on Flickr
This one too. Same issue, but a bit earlier on so more light.

Extending, really impressed with daytime performance..

(Go North East) NK56KJA / 5254 - Scania Omnicity by Jamie MP, on Flickr

This is from over 40 meters away.

(05 Apr 2017, 2:51 pm)Jamie M wrote Extending, really impressed with daytime performance..
(Go North East) NK56KJA / 5254 - Scania Omnicity by Jamie MP, on Flickr

This is from over 40 meters away.

Very nice Jamie!

Just got this now. Not set it up yet but should be using it for the first time at the rally on Sunday.

Got a bit of a situation here. The shorter lens (14-44mm) has a bit of gain, whereas the longer lens (45-200) has next to none. I understand that the ISO is arbitrary in the sense that my camera has it's own ISO settings, but I'm thinking I need to upgrade the shorter lens.
Given the above information, how am I to go about finding a lens with less gain if the unit of measurement is indeed arbitrary?



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(28 Apr 2017, 9:43 pm)Jamie M wrote

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Exactly how I feel after reading that post!!

(29 Apr 2017, 7:09 pm)Adrian wrote Exactly how I feel after reading that post!!

I think I accidentally polluted the world with nonsense, but behind the trash was a sensible question - how do I decide on which lens I should get (for those available to my dSLR) without physically being able to test the lens before purchase.

https://www.mobicity.co.uk/products/olym...NQQAvD_BwE

Does anybody in the community know if there are any people who've taken pictures with such a lens? (or have any thoughts). I'm considering buying it, because flickr's showcase pictures with it are amazing, but I don't know how it performs without pictures being touched up.

(19 Oct 2017, 2:15 pm)Jamie M wrote https://www.mobicity.co.uk/products/olym...NQQAvD_BwE

Does anybody in the community know if there are any people who've taken pictures with such a lens? (or have any thoughts). I'm considering buying it, because flickr's showcase pictures with it are amazing, but I don't know how it performs without pictures being touched up.

I personally don't think I could cope with a 12-40mm lens.

I have a 18-140 lens - provides me with a very good range of both zoomed out and zoomed in photographs.

(19 Oct 2017, 2:54 pm)Dan wrote I personally don't think I could cope with a 12-40mm lens.

I have a 18-140 lens - provides me with a very good range of both zoomed out and zoomed in photographs.

I current have two -
A 14-42 kit lens
A 45-200 pro lens

(Both are 4/3, as my body is a Lumix G10). There aren't many lenses at a sensible price (or quality) that cover the lower ranges that I generally prefer. I feel the larger lens is extremely clunky and I never really get the opportunity to use it. I can always take it with me, but normally shots at those ranges are ones you study and plan, rather than just spontaneously snap in a fairly unique scenario. I think I could easily swap them over if I needed to for that reason.

The kit lens is inferior. It's decent (a lot of my most recent photos use it). It's as good as my mobile phones unless there's sufficient lighting.

Nightbuses: N21 & N56 by Jamie MP, on Flickr

N20 | NK62CYC / 6066 - Volvo B5LH by Jamie MP, on Flickr

NK66EWM / 5461 - Wright Streetlite by Jamie MP, on Flickr



These are all taken with my kit lens. The quality can be decent if I get conditions right, but I think I'm really pushing the ability of it. It's a very small unit and dark pictures generally aren't amazing quality. My bigger lens is great but I can't ever get myself in a suitable position. I've managed it twice, and it's been great, both situations required planning - this gave me the ability to change lenses.

NK15EMX / 5392 - Wright Streetlite by Jamie MP, on Flickr

My point (isn't to get flickr plugs... I promise), but I can't ever find a point-click situation with my larger lens, or any time I wish I had the larger lens on. Therefore, I only find it logical to save myself a boat load of cash (4/3 lenses really are anything but cheap, especially with larger range) where I can be getting an amazing quality in all situations (planned or point-click, low-light or day time). Perfection is not possible, but I see some of my point-click photos, and I know that I finally have outgrown my tools when I compare it to other people's pictures. I take night pictures because I'm never really satisfied with my daytime ones, with the decent quality point-click lens, rather than amazing. It's an expensive hobby, this, but it's one I want to pursue to a higher level on a day-by-day basis. 

TL;DR - For what I do and have, I just need to upgrade my day-to-day tool, rather than encapsulating both into one ($$$).

Finally decided - Going for the panny G80 with the kit lens tomorrow. A lot of money, but looks to be the best. I don't like the lack of digital VF for dslrs and the sensors are basically the same at mid-level. Look forward to taking my hobby of general/specific photography to the next stage.

NK62CKC / 6063 - Volvo B5LH by Jamie MP, on Flickr

NK07KPU / 5283 - Mercedes Citaro by Jamie MP, on Flickr

NK56KKE / 5269 - Scania Omnicity by Jamie MP, on Flickr

NK07KPJ / 5276 - Mercedes Citaro by Jamie MP, on Flickr

This camera works an absolute charm in low-light. I love it to pieces, these were quick snaps, not even fine tuning colour balance and as you can see for exposure times, all within a second. Cannot wait for daylight tomorrow. I have other general photos of around the area that I can upload if others are interested. It's really helping me to enjoy my hobby even more.

Amazing from a 4/3 camera. For those non-technical, it's not an slr (though it looks like one), and this technology has been massively revamped over the past few years to put it on par with the renowned, more expensive optical-electric systems.

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Anyone got any recommendations for cameras that do really well in low light? Tried some with my B500 tonight but most were just a complete failure.