We're looking for a digital camera for someone who has very poor close vision. She's switching from a 35mm point and shoot (which worked well for her) and an entry-level film SLR (which did not).
My fear is that, even with the diopter, her eyes couldn't focus well on a dSLR's ground glass. Especially the ****** pentamirrors in the Canon Rebels, for instance. The image is tiny, dim, and requires good vision to confirm focus. Even I can't figure out to get the focus zones to work consistently or get the camera to focus reliably in subdued light and I've got a 17-55mm IS on it. That's a good lens known for focusing reliably!
I don't really like point and shoots and my worry with them is that the small LCD and tiny buttons would be no better for someone without great eyes or motor control. Especially since she mostly wants to do nature photography, which requires bright daylight. And as soon as a mode dial is accidentally switched, it's over. This is someone who is extremely non-technical (but who has a good eye).
How about a rangefinder? I personally love rangefinders and maybe this is just me hoping to get my hands on a Fuji X100 occasionally (though the Mamiya 7 is my real dream camera), but does the rangefinder allow easier use for those who are farsighted? I know you still have to line up the image, but shouldn't the image itself exist in the distance?
Also, we need a camera that's very easy to use. It's being given to someone who has spent 10 years with OSX and still can't close a window or use google so like...no complicated menus! Must have a great auto mode and no tiny buttons.
Any ideas? I want the entire process to be about one thing: composition. No menus, no cluttered finders, no superfluous modes. After all, composition trumps all else and it's her strength.
Are there any easy to use point and shoot cameras with optical finders and low shutter lag? Are any of them intuitive? I don't want a mode dial that can be set wrong and then change how the camera works. I want it to be simple!
Of course she wants everything (low light, zoom, portability, high resolution, etc.) but none of that will matter relative to ease of use and quality of finder for someone farsighted. Price is not THAT important, but after she just got a 17'' macbook pro I don't know if $1000 cameras are in the cards unless it's like the greatest thing ever. Otherwise I would recommend a Leica M9, not that I've used them but I love how Leica's rangefinders feel.
Thanks!
My fear is that, even with the diopter, her eyes couldn't focus well on a dSLR's ground glass. Especially the ****** pentamirrors in the Canon Rebels, for instance. The image is tiny, dim, and requires good vision to confirm focus. Even I can't figure out to get the focus zones to work consistently or get the camera to focus reliably in subdued light and I've got a 17-55mm IS on it. That's a good lens known for focusing reliably!
I don't really like point and shoots and my worry with them is that the small LCD and tiny buttons would be no better for someone without great eyes or motor control. Especially since she mostly wants to do nature photography, which requires bright daylight. And as soon as a mode dial is accidentally switched, it's over. This is someone who is extremely non-technical (but who has a good eye).
How about a rangefinder? I personally love rangefinders and maybe this is just me hoping to get my hands on a Fuji X100 occasionally (though the Mamiya 7 is my real dream camera), but does the rangefinder allow easier use for those who are farsighted? I know you still have to line up the image, but shouldn't the image itself exist in the distance?
Also, we need a camera that's very easy to use. It's being given to someone who has spent 10 years with OSX and still can't close a window or use google so like...no complicated menus! Must have a great auto mode and no tiny buttons.
Any ideas? I want the entire process to be about one thing: composition. No menus, no cluttered finders, no superfluous modes. After all, composition trumps all else and it's her strength.
Are there any easy to use point and shoot cameras with optical finders and low shutter lag? Are any of them intuitive? I don't want a mode dial that can be set wrong and then change how the camera works. I want it to be simple!
Of course she wants everything (low light, zoom, portability, high resolution, etc.) but none of that will matter relative to ease of use and quality of finder for someone farsighted. Price is not THAT important, but after she just got a 17'' macbook pro I don't know if $1000 cameras are in the cards unless it's like the greatest thing ever. Otherwise I would recommend a Leica M9, not that I've used them but I love how Leica's rangefinders feel.
Thanks!
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