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The Sweet Spot

Yesterday, 11:04 AM

Posted by raymac46 in The Restaurant at the Edge of the Universe

Time was when you had a consumer film camera, the film came in only one size, one speed and one type - prints or slides. So you were somewhat limited but also free in the sense that you had few decisions to make about the camera. Most folks bought a point and shoot; a few got an SLR.
Now with digicams, it seems that you are always trying to make compromises or hit that "sweet spot" when all your needs are met. Basically you have three considerations:

Portability - nobody wants to haul around a huge camera and lens kit on vacation today. Not when most people are using their smartphone, you don't. Not unless you work for Sports Illustrated or National Geographic.
Sensor size - the bigger the sensor, the better ISO speed, low light performance and less noise in the image.
Zoom range - for most of my photography something in the 24mm- 300mm (on the old 35mm scale) will suit me.

So right now given the state of the art and science, you can have a big sensor, a lightweight unit, or a decent zoom - pick two. There is really no sweet spot and no a smartphone isn't anywhere close to it yet.

I have sort of solved my problem by having two different types of camera.

Rather large DSLR with a lens kit. This has the big sensor and fast speed for keeping up with grandkids on the run, plus I can use a decent flash to get family portraits. Not about to take it on vacation though. And my kit is relatively compact. Check out those Canon shooters at NFL games.
Tiny box with a huge zoom range. This is great as long as the light is bright but it has a tiny sensor that sucks in dim light. I better avoid those cathedrals in Europe and stick to the beach with this baby.

Lately I've seen something that might do both jobs but neither one as well as my two cameras in hand. However, I already have a fair bit invested in my legacy cameras and the one I discovered would probably cost as much as the other two - given that I'd have to sell both at a loss. Digital cameras have come a long way, but for me that sweet spot is still elusive.

37 Views · 2 Replies ( Last reply by raymac46 )

/e/ - LineageOS fork from Gaël Duval

Yesterday, 09:00 PM

Posted by sunrat in Mobility

This looks interesting. You all know who Gaël Duval is of course.
https://hackernoon.c...re-89e39f492c6f

Quote

Less than a year ago, I posted a series of articles “Leaving Apple & Google…” [part 1, part 2, part 3] to announce that I was planning to create a smartphone OS. A new OS that would:

be free from Google (no Google services, no Google search, no Google Play store, etc.)
be far more respectful of user’s data privacy
be attractive enough so that Mom and Dad, children and friends would enjoy using it even if they aren’t technophiles or geeks

Today we release a first beta of what we have done so far to make the initial vision a reality.

Limited number of phones currently supported so far but I'd love to try it.
https://gitlab.e.fou...is/devices-list

19 Views · 0 Replies

Linus, Linux and Civility

22 Sep 2018

Posted by raymac46 in Bruno's All Things Linux

Haven't seen any comments yet on Linus Torvalds' decision to step away from Kernel development to concentrate on improving his attitude. Also, the Kernel boys and girls have published a new Code of Conduct which looks like the respectful workplace stuff I went thru about 15 years ago. Is Linux becoming the kinder gentler O/S? :devil: