Have a look at the post Ben has made in the N Scale forum. I was impressed with the still photos his Panasonic NV-EX3 could take, especially the depth of field. Check it out for yourself - http://www.trainboard.com/Forum9/HTML/000708.html Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 N to the Nth degree!
Those are indeed impressive photographs... I have not tried any modeling photos as I have not much to show in that area Harold ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
All I can say Harold is not bad for a digital video camera. They may be only 640x480, but the depth of field got me in. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 N to the Nth degree!
What I find encouraging with this camera is not only the depth of field but also the ability to take macro photos - in other words extreme close ups in focus down to as little as 10mm focal length (or is that another way of saying what you have already said?) As soon as possible I will try and post an experimental shot (if I can get the lighting right) to show how large you can make an n scale car look; however at extreme minimum focal length you do get a lot of distortion and artificial curvature of the image at the edges of the frame. Ben
Ben, what are the still shots taken at - 640x480? I'd like to see the macros. My still camera has macro down to 20mm but as you state above getting the right lighting on the subject at that range. I, for one, look forward to seeing the macro shots. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 NARA Member No.17 N to the Nth degree!
Gary, I've taken two or three still shots but I haven't got time to put them on the board tonight; I will put them up within the next couple of days. I'm afraid I don't know what size they are taken at, but on the subject generally of digital photography have you seen the very interesting series of posts by some experts (professionals, I think) on the 0 gauge message board that someone has referred us to on this board's 0 gauge forum? There is a great deal of very useful and enlightening information there. I am aware that I am not getting the fine resolution that is possible with a very good quality still digital camera but to some extent a digital video camera is a trade off between having the availability of both still and video modes and losing out on the high resolution of a pure stills camera. I like having video as well as stills and frankly the quality of the still images is good enough for most IT situations; I am also a fan of "real" photography and if I want a really good high definition image I use my medium format Bronica with Polaroid peel apart black and white film in a special back; I can't remember the code number of the film but as well as an immediate positive image you get a permanent and reusable negative from which amazingly high quality, fine resolution enlargements can be made. The negative has to be fixed immediately in a chemical solution (which I do in the bathroom using any old trays and dishes I can lay my hands on) but as soon as it is dry it can be used. Read Ansel Adams' book on Polaroid photography - it is fascinating. He also extols the virtues of SX 70 cameras, another redundant system I am very fond of and use often! Sorry to have got off subject but I am fascinated by cameras and photography! Ben [This message has been edited by Ben (edited 24 January 2001).]
No worries at all, Ben. Post them when you have the time. Regardless of the resolution the DV uses for the stills, it is a digital VIDEO camera first, and looks to be a more than capable back-up still camera to boot! I haven't seen the reference post in the O Forum, but will chase it up later. When you start getting into medium format cameras, you are getting out of my league. I have a Pentax SLR that backs up the digital as both have different reasons for being. The peel-apart Polaroid film I've never heard of for use in medium format. Don't be concerned about being off subjct when talking photography in a photography forum Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 NARA Member No.17 N to the Nth degree!
Ok Gary, thanks - here is an image (or maybe two) to try to illustrate the extreme close up capability of my camera - remember, these are n scale cars! The image also illustrates the exquisite quality of the lettering on Microtrains freight cars. Ben
