Cannon powershot A85.....

reptiguy420 · 11-27-04, 12:17 PM

I was just curious if anyone has or has used this camera, im thinking about going getting one.If i can find a place where i can put it on layaway i may even get the next step up which is the Cannon powershotA95.So if anyone has any opinions on these cameras, good or bad it would be appreciative.Thanks in advance

CDN-Cresties · 11-27-04, 12:35 PM

Check out this site that reviews digi cams. Its very helpful.

http://www.dpreview.com/

Big Mike · 11-27-04, 05:34 PM

I have heard that the A95 is better than the A85. Sorry, I can't remember what the differences are.

I do remember reading that Canon has a weird system of progression with their Powershot A cameras. The A85 & A95 were developed along slightly separate lines so the A95 is not just a slight step up...it's a different camera altogether. Or so I hear.

Jeff_Favelle · 11-27-04, 05:45 PM

I wouldn't pay the extra $100 for another megapixel and smaller flip out screen. I'd go with the A85. But its your money. Either camera will make you super happy, no question!

Removed_2815 · 11-27-04, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Mike
The A85 & A95 were developed along slightly separate lines so the A95 is not just a slight step up...it's a different camera altogether. Or so I hear.

You might have heard incorrectly. The A95 is only a slight step up from the A85 and the slight difference is in the resolution (5.0mp vs. 4.0mp). The body is exactly the same (the A95 has a flip out screen which I don't like) and the specs are almost exactly the same (save for the difference in resolution). Do a side-by-side comparison on dpreview.com...
Cheers,
Ryan

Ptindy · 11-27-04, 06:53 PM

I just bough the A85 a couple weeks ago (which is why I post pictures now) and I'm liking it a lot. I've yet to play with all the options and discover what it can really do. I'm impressed so far with it. I would recommend it if you want a average priced camera. Da da da da daaa, i'm lovin it.

Mike

reptiguy420 · 11-28-04, 01:03 AM

I was just curious on how good the close up shots looked, im sick and tired of not being able to post pics like most everyone else.I wanna share too!So hopefully after Christmas, unless the GREED really starts to take hold lol.

honduranfreekk · 11-28-04, 02:49 AM

I my self got the A95.I do love the cam for what it has and can do thanks to Jeff

butt agrea the A85 is JUST AS GOOD and almost the exact same cam exept it has 1 more meg and a flip out screen.

Kelvin@Brigitte

Jeff_Favelle · 11-28-04, 04:56 AM

Let put it this way reptiguy: I took these two photos with the A85. But I didn't take them in macro mode. I took them in regular mode, on manual settings (ALWAYS manual settings). Shutter speed at 1/125 and F-stop (aperature) at 5.2. I took them from about 2 feet away on the highest resolution (2272x1704). After that, I cropped them, and kept them at around 900 x 750. It looks like a close-up, but really its just a HI-RES shot that you only see part of. Now, imagine this in macro at FULL resolution, and you'll see these camera's capabilities!!! And the A95 resolution is EVEN higher! Insane eh? Digital cameras are nothing short of amazing these days.

reptiguy420 · 11-28-04, 02:05 PM

Thanks Jeff after seeing those pics i think im sold on the a85, thanks for everyone else's opinions as well really helped!

Jeff_Favelle · 11-28-04, 02:50 PM

And make sure to get a CompactFlash II so that it is Ultra speed. That way your pics will download in miliseconds! And make sure to get at LEAST a 256mb size card. Preferrably a 512mb one. You want to take the pics at the highest res possible.

clint545 · 11-28-04, 02:57 PM

Yup I've beening debating on what camera to get for awhile now and I think your pics just sold me on the A85. Thanks Jeff!

Tim_Cranwill · 11-28-04, 03:02 PM

Hi -res is where it's at! Why pay extra for quality and not use it?

I have the A70 and my sister just got the A75. They are the same cameras save for a few tiny details. I bought it fully planning to go DSLR in a couple years. The little camera is better than you would think though. They have impressed me both from my own images and from ones I see posted here by people I know have similar units.

WICKED shots Jeff!!!! I need some camera lessons, dude!

Do you/can you save your settings?

Jeff_Favelle · 11-28-04, 04:17 PM

The manual settings are saved (shutter speed and aperature), but I take about 15-20 shots for the same picture. I usually range the shutter speed from 1/60 to 1/250 and the aperature to 4.5 to 6, depending on light. I'll take a bunch of each combination and see what works best. After a few hundred, you get a feel for what you need. The pros use a light meter. But who wants to be a pro? Heh heh

Also, a useful setting is delayed shot. I set the delay for 2 seconds. This means when you push the button to snap the shot, them camera gives you 2 seconds to steady. The very act of pushing the button causes the cam to wobble. At slower shutter speeds (1/100 and less) you can get major blur.

Also, set the flash output to the lowest possible. Snakes begin to look fake as the huge flash makes the saturation look unrealistic.

Tim_Cranwill · 11-28-04, 04:22 PM

I've always used the auto modes. In fact, just now I was dinking around with the manual settings and it's tough to get a good pic but I really do need to learn the difference between F-stops and all that. I have a basic understanding, I took a class a few years back.

Two of my uncles are prefessionals and so is my step-father. I should just get one of them to give me a crash course!