Viken

Ran, if you are interested in a DSLR, you need not go to the 20D to get better results. Take a look at the new Canon Rebel XT which is an improvement of the excellent Canon Rebel. A friend has the Rebel and it produces fantastic pictures. The XT should do a lot better. For a little bit more, you might want to look at the Nikon D70 which is another excellent DSLR.

I think the latest SLR-like 8 megapixel cameras are a great compromise solution. I am seriously thinking of getting the very highly rated Olympus C8080Z and trying it for a few weeks. Possibly with a return condition.

Viken

Thanks, Q. Now, I am very depressed to see that the F420 produces better pics than both my Olympus C5050Z and my Nikon CP 3200. I think I will trade my red car back and get me a silver one again.

Ran

Viken, thanks for the convenient links and information. Their comparison of all models mentioned is very good. I almost forgot how well the information is put together on that site. I think I will get that Rebel XT.
To keep the thread on topic maybe we should locate and post links to similar comparisons of the various types of Porsches that are offered. Every once in a while isn't there someone posting a repeat question that may, for example, ask for advice on whether to close the deal on a new Cayenne TT or a slightly used GT3 , given the same funds outflow. Which one is easier to photograph, what colours are offered, etc. We can even have a column for car colours which are hard to photograph.

Viken

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have one more question for Q. I have been told that I could take pics in RAW mode and process them in a photo editing software. Apparently, this would produce better colors, but I have no clue what can be done in the software to save them to JPEG format and reduce the file size?

Thoughts?

ruffy

just a thought...
tiff format is probably the ideal compression for commercial print. (cmyk over rgb)
after your image adjustments and enhancements, " save for web" will prompt you to convert the file size again for what ever output you media you need it for.
general rule of thumb is to work from highest resolution and reoutput to desired resolution
300dpi (cmyk) at least if you intend to print... 72 dpi (rgb) for on screen presentation.

apologies if it is redundant to you already... just trying to help

38D

I always shoot in RAW mode on my 20D. Canon provides easy to use software to let you manipulate the images and save in other formats. Where it's really nice is for that one great picture that you want to manipulate. The downsides: the files are much larger, and you can shoot for as long in burst mode.

To reduce the size, crop and save as a jpeg.

Q

Viken,
Yes, you COULD shoot in .RAW mode, as it is theoretically the ideal senario.

I did a [rather brief] photographic study of NYC in RAW mode.
For comparison, I also took several of the same photos in .jpg format.
Surprisingly, there was little or no tangible difference for me by the time I was ready to print.
Any difference in colour that may have existed was easily adjusted in Photo Shop.
Infact, I was still adjusting the RAW images for colour.....
[.....& superyellowfly adjusts my colours even more !! ]

All I do now is:
- shoot in .jpg mode
PRINTS - adjust dpi to 300, mode to cmyk, save as a .TIFF, burn to CD, hand to print shop
WEB - adjust dpi to 72, save as .jpg or use "save for web" function where size is critical

Have these points actually answered your questions ? :-/
....or did you want to cover the RAW ----> .jpg issue in more detail ?

Cheers
Q

Viken

Yes, thank you. No need to go into further detail. I will continue experimenting with this camera to see if there is anyway I can fix the problem.

Thanks to all others who helped as well.

Q

I assume you are refering to your current camera...... ?
I felt my "tweeked version" of your pic actually had the best red out of all the test photos....

Which program are you using for your photo tweeking ?

Viken

Yes, current camera. I agree about your tweaked photo, but I am not able or prepared to spend that much time to tweak photos. I am trying to learn Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9.01.

Q

ok, in photoshop i did this in under 30 sec.

Image > adjustments > hue/saturation
select red
hue: "tweek" to -11
saturation: "tweek" to + 56
lightness: "tweek" to - 49
ok

DONE

Viken

Looks like I *need* a copy of Photoshop.

Q

If you are keeping the current camera, yes you need it
I have an old version of PS, much cheaper than a camera

I'm off to take the 575 around the track......
cheers
Paul

Greg H.

Since this thread is still around I might as well ask: How did you remove the car? With the magic wand? Pixel by pixel with the eraser? I thought someone told me about "masks" but I'm only using Photoshop Elements and maybe I don't have that capability. (Its always the equipment, right?)

Greg H.

Viken

Well, I just looked-up prices for Photoshop 8.0 and they are between $600-$700. Yikes! I think I could spend that kind of money in a new camera. Although, it would be nice to know it's going to like red cars.