New Camera !!!

[Timmybob]

     Well I've been on the hunt for a small camera for packing trips and just hiking around and I settled on the Sony H-10. Seems like a nice camera and I got it at a great price. It is 8.1 mpx and has a Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens. I was just wondering if any of you have any experience with this camera? It seems a bit complex to learn and has a crap load of functions and features.. Also, I am a rookie at taking photo's and am trying to get better. I was wondering what accessories you all might think would be good for me to start with. I have a limited budget, but I saw a Polarizing filter, a wide angle lens, a 1.7x telephoto conversion lens and some type of close up zoom lens. Just curious what one thing you might think I should start out with...Thanks to all for any advise and insight you maybe able to offer. I'm looking forward to posting a few pix and hoping you can all help me "develop" (no pun intended) my photo skills...Thanks all..........Tim

[stumprat]

Tripod, and spare battery.

[Timmybob]

I guess I should have mentioned that I have a tripod and the camera came with a spare battery...Thanks to everybody for ALL the great advise. It is greatly appreciated !!!!! I've always been one to figure things out on my own anyway..Thanks again and have a great evening to all.....

[Tom Reichner]

     . . . I settled on the Sony H-10.  I was just wondering if any of you have any experience with this camera?

Thanks to everybody for ALL the great advise. It is greatly appreciated !!!!! I've always been one to figure things out on my own anyway..Thanks again and have a great evening to all.....

Hi, Tim!  

I don't think folks here were being purposely unhelpful.  You asked if anyone had experience with a Sony H10.  It's very likely that no one who read this has ever used a Sony H10.  Hard to report on our experience with a camera model if none of us have ever used it.

I have used an H5.  Not the H10 by any means, but perhaps there's enough similarity that I can be of some help to you.  

I found that I never used the wide angle converter.  Not that it couldn't be useful, but I guess I've just always been much more into photographing wildlife than scenery, so the 0.7x converter just never got used.

The 1.7x converter was actually very useful.  But make sure to buy the original Sony model.  There are many aftermarket teleconverters for these cameras, and from all reports they're simply junk.  Stick with the Sony brand accessories.

Lastly, I always shot in Aperture Priority mode, and when zooming all the way in I would always turn the aperture down to the lowest number, to give the fastest possible shutter speed and thereby reduce the effects of camera shake.  I know it has Image Stabilization, but you still need to do all you can to further reduce camera shake.  

Hope I've been of some help.

Tom

[boneaddict]

Yep, know nothing of the thing.  Sorry.

[popeshawnpaul]

I know nothing of that model.  That being said, it is a point and shoot camera.  I did a 3 part series on issues related to photography if you want to check it out.  Here are the links.  If you have further questions feel free to PM me.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17434.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17540.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17541.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,18275.0.html

[Timmybob]

Well thanks guys....I really do appreciate the help !!!! So about the earlier post, I guess I was feeling just a bit fiesty !! Sorry and thanks again for the insight..Tim..

[tlbradford]

I didn't know anything about the camera either.  I would sit on the couch with the manual in one hand and the camera in the other and try everything out as I read about it.  For me, it was like learning the proper golf swing.  Learn how to shoot correctly, before trying to go out and photograph a ton of things.  Even if you learn one specific function at home and then go out and specifically use it in the field.  It has saved me some heartache, and helps you to concentrate on composing a picture in the field, rather than figuring out how to use your camera.

[Huntbear]

Tim,
I will be going thru the same thing in about a week.  I just ordered an Olympus SP-565 UZ
that will arrive on Monday.  (I bought it for the wife, for her birthday) 

The cool thing, is it shoots in RAW, which after reading up about it, especially Popes write ups, I was convinced I had to have.  It is not a DSLR, did not have the extra 2-300 bucks to add, but it is a superzoom, with a 20x zoom, and a 1.7x converter.

I gave up some speed in operation for a more magnification, but, I do not shoot a lot of running animals, so I figured it was ok for me.

I will be spending a lot of time reading and playing with the settings, to figure it out for sure.  Can not wait.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1393

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2009_reviews/olympus_sp565.html

Have fun and enjoy, and play with the camera a lot before you head out in the middle of nowhere and realize, you need to know how to do something, but the manual is back in the truck or worse, sitting on the table at home.