Looking for a good small camera for stage shots

CSM1 wrote:
> "Rock" <1940.RemoveThis@pobox.com> wrote in message
> news:4753ccb9$0$25179$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>> HI,
>>
>> I need a camera that would be good for shots of performers on stage that
>> would be printable with a good resolution.
>>
>> Sometimes they are moving so need to get them frozen and sometimes the
>> lights are either too low or really bright.
>>
>> I don't want an SLR just a small one.
>>
>> I am in Sydney Oz so that is where I will buy. I don't have any biased
>> towards makes but need something I can download and that will take bigger
>> cards for bigger memory.
>>
>> Am I right that the higher the MegaPixel the better the shot for larger
>> printing?
>>
>> Thank you
>>
>> Rock
>
> Generally yes, the higher Megapixels gives more printing resolution so you
> can print larger prints.
>
> I would look for a digital camera that offers the lowest f-number on the
> lens for shooting in low light conditions without flash. For bright stage, a
> higher f-number is needed and a faster shutter speed.
>
> Auto exposure works pretty well if you pay attention to the shutter speed
> the camera is selecting.
>
> If you are hand-holding the camera you should keep the shutter speed at or
> above 1/60 second. Any slower, you can get blur from camera movement.
>
>

Thank you. I know I am asking a lot but at least that's starting at the top
then working down to the compromise I will have to make.

I can use flash most of the times and I suppose mostly the light will also be
bright enough, what with follow spots and floods.

It is the stopping of movement which I think is more of a concern and still
getting a high res pix that can be used for printing at 600 plus.

I don't know how many great pix I have taken, which I can't use as they are too
blurred from the performer's movement or the res is just too low to print at a
reasonable size.

I do need high res so I guess a higher Megpix is needed. Is there much
difference between what an 8 or a 10 will do?

I have a Panasonic GS400 video which I have tried to use for stopping movement
looking at each frame, whilst this is a great way to get a good shot, the res
is not high enough although I'm still exploring how to do better.

Anyway I thank you for your wisdom and experience.

Rock
 >> Stay informed about: Looking for a good small camera for stage shots 

"Rock" <1940 DeleteThis @pobox.com> wrote in message
news:475499a1$0$19862$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
> CSM1 wrote:
>> "Rock" <1940 DeleteThis @pobox.com> wrote in message
>> news:4753ccb9$0$25179$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>> HI,
>>>
>>> I need a camera that would be good for shots of performers on stage that
>>> would be printable with a good resolution.
>>>
>>> Sometimes they are moving so need to get them frozen and sometimes the
>>> lights are either too low or really bright.
>>>
>>> I don't want an SLR just a small one.
>>>
>>> I am in Sydney Oz so that is where I will buy. I don't have any biased
>>> towards makes but need something I can download and that will take
>>> bigger cards for bigger memory.
>>>
>>> Am I right that the higher the MegaPixel the better the shot for larger
>>> printing?
>>>
>>> Thank you
>>>
>>> Rock
>>
>> Generally yes, the higher Megapixels gives more printing resolution so
>> you can print larger prints.
>>
>> I would look for a digital camera that offers the lowest f-number on the
>> lens for shooting in low light conditions without flash. For bright
>> stage, a higher f-number is needed and a faster shutter speed.
>>
>> Auto exposure works pretty well if you pay attention to the shutter speed
>> the camera is selecting.
>>
>> If you are hand-holding the camera you should keep the shutter speed at
>> or above 1/60 second. Any slower, you can get blur from camera movement.
>>
>>
>
> Thank you. I know I am asking a lot but at least that's starting at the
> top then working down to the compromise I will have to make.
>
> I can use flash most of the times and I suppose mostly the light will also
> be bright enough, what with follow spots and floods.
>
> It is the stopping of movement which I think is more of a concern and
> still getting a high res pix that can be used for printing at 600 plus.
>
> I don't know how many great pix I have taken, which I can't use as they
> are too blurred from the performer's movement or the res is just too low
> to print at a reasonable size.
>
> I do need high res so I guess a higher Megpix is needed. Is there much
> difference between what an 8 or a 10 will do?
>
> I have a Panasonic GS400 video which I have tried to use for stopping
> movement looking at each frame, whilst this is a great way to get a good
> shot, the res is not high enough although I'm still exploring how to do
> better.
>
> Anyway I thank you for your wisdom and experience.
>
> Rock

Video cameras are not good for still photos. Video cameras by their nature
are a slow speed, low resolution device.
TV is low resolution in the order of 640 x 480 pixels.

A 2 megapixel still camera is 4 to 6 times the resolution of a video camera.

Stopping motion takes a lot of light and a fast shutter speed.

Even 1/60 second is a bit slow for stopping fast motion.

For fast motion, you need a shutter speed of around 1/250 second. (Takes
lots and lots of light, like outside in the Sun).

A powerful strobe works best for stopping motion.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--
 >> Stay informed about: Looking for a good small camera for stage shots 

Besides the advice you're getting, look for a high ISO setting. The problem
with a lot of small digital camera's is that when you shoot at their highest
ISO, there's a lot of noise (graininess) in the picture. The higher the ISO,
the more sensitive to light is the sensor. That's not the greatest
explanation, but it's basically it. High ISO = ability to shoot w/o flash
and possible freeze movement.

Joe
:
>>> "Rock" <1940 DeleteThis @pobox.com> wrote in message
>>> news:4753ccb9$0$25179$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>>> HI,
>>>>
>>>> I need a camera that would be good for shots of performers on stage
>>>> that would be printable with a good resolution.
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes they are moving so need to get them frozen and sometimes the
>>>> lights are either too low or really bright.
>>>>
>>>> I don't want an SLR just a small one.
 >> Stay informed about: Looking for a good small camera for stage shots 

Joe Fisher wrote:
> Besides the advice you're getting, look for a high ISO setting. The problem
> with a lot of small digital camera's is that when you shoot at their highest
> ISO, there's a lot of noise (graininess) in the picture. The higher the ISO,
> the more sensitive to light is the sensor. That's not the greatest
> explanation, but it's basically it. High ISO = ability to shoot w/o flash
> and possible freeze movement.
>
> Joe
> :
>>>> "Rock" <1940.DeleteThis@pobox.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:4753ccb9$0$25179$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>>>> HI,
>>>>>
>>>>> I need a camera that would be good for shots of performers on stage
>>>>> that would be printable with a good resolution.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sometimes they are moving so need to get them frozen and sometimes the
>>>>> lights are either too low or really bright.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't want an SLR just a small one.
>
>
Thank you again guys.

I know in my inexperience I didn't mention that 8x10 is a good size for me
providing it is sharp and yes 300 for that would I guess give me what I need.
That then would be the about 4x5 at 600 correct?

Most of my work is needed at minimum 300 for print.

I would also like the option of being able to capture some movement with a
click click click effect (sorry for the newby phrase) as that is sometimes when
the best 'live' shots are obtained. Maybe that is asking too much though.

I have looked at your suggestions and it seems that the F50 may be the deal for
me. I won't be buying another for many moons so I guess I best get the
latest.. I read the report here and it does seem to give what you all mention
although I may buy it elsewhere if I can get a better deal.
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod425.htm

I would like to get one of the smaller DSLRs but with a movie camera around the
neck, I would like something i can slip into the pocket easily.

Once again you guys have really helped.

I'll keep tuned in here before I buy as I am still open to your thoughts.



Rock
 >> Stay informed about: Looking for a good small camera for stage shots