[Tom Swaman]

Thanks to many of your responses and to the fact that few to none responded to several of my recent threads about compacts, or at least aboutpoint-and-shoot, camera issues, I think I have exhausted this subject. However, before dropping this issue completely, I find one photographic consideration totally enigmatic.

People keep buying compact cameras having huge focal length ratio lenses with relatively long wide angle or no wide angle performance capabilities. These wonderous and expensive pocket-sized boxes also contain built-in flashes. Clearly, these compact wizards are not being used for what they really could do best if designed and constructed properly. Much of this was pointed out in the excelent review/commentary by Thom Hogan which Michael called to our attention. Upon reading this, I recalled originally reading this and being a bit saddened by what I read.

On a 35mm equivalent basis, a compact camera that takes good photo image files ought best have a 28mm or thereabouts wide angle capability with an idealized optical-only zoom capability in the 2X to 6X range. Think of the benefits to today's obese society. Photographers would need to get a bit more exercise walking forward to lessen the amound of diffraction degrading their image at any given viewfinder crop. A few steps forward, a sharper overall image, a more detailed crop and a more dynamic perspective and the camera would still fit in your pocket! If only the consumer would think about and care about the products of their own efforts.

Oh yes, and family photos would appear without partial heads or without half of a birthday cake and not palled by deathly putrid colors due to built-in flash fall-off. All of this is possible if we the consumer and we the photographer exercise a bit of restraint and a bit of care and pride. We must tell the camera producers that we want compacts with optical glass lenses having their minimum focal length such that we can image at least 75 degrees on the long image axis. Then we need only use the camera that we worked hard to purchase correctly. .....and how do we do this? Simply by only purchasing quality and rejecting crap!

Is it not a bit enigmatic that we buy expensive dSLRs, extoll the virtues of prime lenses, belabor the degree of weaknesses exhibited optically by zoom lenses, gruel and ogle over the increased distortion of ever wider angle optics and then we go purchase compact cameras with lenses whose focal lengths can only start to produce mediocrity and decrease in production quality as we sit on their zoom rocker switches?

The morals to the story are:
.....1) Consider purchasing compacts with moderate glass element zooms capable of wide angle coverage of about 75 degrees.
.....2) Walk a few steps closer towards your subject and get not only a better view, but a better lasting memory of your view.
.....3) Let the pride of your improved quality photography enhance your fun and the smile on your face which will prove positive for all!

Now that is two cents worth,
Tom


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