Osprey

Earlier in the year - I posted that I had sold my Fuji F31, and was looking for a new camera.
I had a number of pointers to the Olympus XZ-1, there were a few things I wanted it missed ... in particular lack of full HD video.
The new XZ-2 is now out ... what is the considered opinion on this as my replacement ?

Same lens (which was bright & well rated), slightly larger sensor increased ASA to 12,800
Increase to 12.8 mega pixel and full HD video.

However seeing a number of reviews that point instead to Sony RX100 as a consistent performer ......... I have never owned a Sony Camera ...

What would those that know suggest ?

I am a 'happy snapper', don't venture deeper than 40m .... I did try strobes & wide angle lenses and it was not for me ............

Probably used 50% of time outside scuba ... so a good all rounder needed.

Like many of you I guess .. I have an ever growing digital picture collection.
After almost every trip I get requests asking for a copy of the pictures .... up until now I have just given them a copy of CD or memory stick.

However as I go to effort of getting best I can out of them with Photoshop ... be good to be a bit more professional on sharing a disc.

I had originally been pointed to use ProShow Gold .... but haven't bought it yet.
I do have Sony Vegas Movie Sudio HD ........... which is what I use for video, I could create a video of the pics ........

be interested how forum members share their pics (other than on-line sources)


I would prefer not to go buy yet another software package ... but will stay open minded.

(original post is wrong sub-forum)

Just sold my F31 set up .. and looking at what to get to replace it ... and it's not urgent, as I can't dive for 3 months ... so hopefully time to get decision right.

My first Digi was a canon G3, then up in size to Olympus C 8080, then a Fuji F30, followed by a Fuji F31.
Now looking to get my next camera, not wanting to go to DSLR... it needs to be a reasonably compact item with at least a 3" screen.

This is not just used as an UW camera, but obviously for UW use I need a reasonable wide angle zoom ... with a good aperture and sensor size.

3 considerations..
Canon G 1X ... it has good zoom coverage with the 28-112mm F2.8-5.8 lens  and it's 1.5" sensor is almost up at the DSLR size.
Although it probably has a huge range of functions I will never use.

Olympus XZ-1 .... it's about 1/2 the price of the Canon, small sensor but good lens, however this Olympus is now approaching 18 months old, so is it due to be replaced ?

Fuji X10 ... specs are good, initial reviews promising, but no Fuji housing, which means an expensive 3rd party housing

I'm not a beginner, but thought this most likely sub-forum.

My first Digi was a canon G3, then up in size to Olympus C 8080, then a Fuji F30, followed by a Fuji F31.
Now looking to get my next camera, not wanting to go to DSLR... it needs to be a reasonably compact item with at least a 3" screen.

This is not just used as an UW camera, but obviously need a reasonable wide angle zoom ... with a good aperture.and sensor size.

I have been considering the Canon G 1X ... it has good zoom coverage with the 28-112mm F2.8-5.8 lens
and it's 1.5" sensor is almost up at the DSLR size.
Although it probably has a huge range of functions I will never use.

It was mentioned here to consider the Olympus XZ-1 .... it's about 1/2 the price of the Canon, the Oly is now approaching 18 months old, so is it due to be replaced ?

Any others I should consider.

Be interested if any Photoshop guru could adivse on my workflow ..

Currently for a typical Blue colour cast image    (jpeg, no strobe )
In CS5 I usually follow this sequence ...

Open
> copy
> crop
> new adj layer - remove backscatter  (Dust & scratches filter)
> new adj layer - channel mixer - recover Reds
> new adj layer - Levels  r, g, b
> new adj layer -Hue & Saturation - then change mode to multiply
> new adj layer -Brightness & Contrast
> new adj layer -Sharpen  (either High Pass or Smar Sharpen filter)
finish with Auto level/colour/tone ... if they make any improvement


Have read a few articles where Sharpen action is carried out at start rather than at the end .... which is the better approach ?  ..... I assume at the beginning you are sharpening based on actual pixel information ,whereas at end you are sharpening based on what you think the pixels should be ... not sure which is best.