Need Camera Information because of .....

[jmitch8011]

I had a blast last night using my new DA with the #151. I was told to use the #80 and #83 to start because the Flex is a little paint happy but seeing as it's my car and if I can't do it to my love I can't do it someone else's love. Ok actually i have to wait for those to today and I had scratch X but didn't know if it was the one that can be used by machine. (I was also to lazy to jump online to check) So I tape off a section of the trunk after washing, drying, and claying. I used the white flex cross cut pad with the 151. My frist application seemd to look like a wax haze so I stopped and did 3 ciricles instead of 2. I did another pass with light pressure and WOW. I would say 98% of the scratches were gone! I could still see a slight etch of two off the corner so I hit it with two more applications. I also didn't know the 50/50 worked so good to check your results. Anyway, I switched to the black pad and applied the NXT 2.0 and then removed once swipe test passed with the orange pad covered with the mg bonnet. I would say from buffing to was removal it was 20 minutes. I know it will be faster in the future but since i'm new I wanted to watch my hand speed and pressure more than anything.

*I took some camera phone shots but the pictures don't show the story so it hit me that I need to have a way to document my work as well as learn from it.*

I also bought another bucket to wash my pads with. I filled it just hight enough to make it where half the pad would stay above water. I had hot water with woollit. I could see the 151 turning the water pink which was a good sign. I think used my double folded MF to wrap around the pad and then pancake the water and soap out. I rinsed the bucket and repeated twice and then let water run through the pad for about half a minute or so. Repeated the pancake method as well as squeezing the outer edges outward to get the rest of the pink out the pad. I think fanned the pad for about 20 seconds or so and then let dry. This morning the pad looks brand new so I will keep this process until I purchase the pad washer.

Sorry for the information but i'm so excited to see whatelse I can do. I know

So please all the advice I can get would be great. Oh and i'm trying to stay as low as possible but I like taking pictures so if I have to go high I will.

[BlueZero]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

Glad to hear your loving the Flex and having fun!

My 2 cents on cameras... Stay with a camera company like Canon or Nikon. I've heard some good things and some bad things about Sony's. Your best bet is to check out the reviews on this website and figure out what sort of features you will want.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

Do you want something pocket size? Do you want zoom? Etc...

Don't get caught up in the mega pixels, more isn't always better. It's mostly just a marketing thing.

Welcome to another expensive hobby! Post away if you have questions.

[BlueZero]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

I knew there was another website I want to share links for but I was blank. It came to me now.

Here's a good link for a feature search...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Here's one for comparing different models side by side...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

[jmitch8011]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

hey thanks I'm heading over there now but a few questions on the flex. When you use it to cut do you go to the 5 setting or 4. I started at 4 and then for the last two I did 5 just for that deeper scatch. I also used 2 to apply the wax and to remove. I should have moved it up to 5 like the video shows. Oh and that video was great to see before working. I think I said I was going to finish the whole car but actually i forgot I was going to leave just that one spot for a while so I can check my cleaning technique to make sure i'm not added scratches. This way I'm not doing double work to the entire car. I know it's going to be amazing when i'm finished because I feel a lot more confident in the product and equipment. You were also right about getting used to the flex's rotation. It was easy but if I moved at a odd angle like northeast or southeast, I would have to really watch my movement. I am going to do a section of the side panel as well. I hope to borrow my friend's camera to at least show you all what I did. Who knows i might have cut through the clear coat(not) - need to get that paint gauge too - anyone want to donate to my detailer fund? I take paypal! lol - and thanks for the links - time to study!

[BlueZero]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

I'm no help with the Flex. Maybe someday I'll get one.

I just checked out a few camera reviews quick. They are all Canon's, not that there is anything wrong with the other brands, just that I shoot Canon so that's the line I know better.

Canon A580 - MSRP $150
Canon SD1100 IS - MSRP $250

I get all of my photo gear from B&H Photo, never had a problem with lots of orders and thousands of dollars. Make sure to budget for getting a larger memory card and a spare battery right away. I have a link at home for a great battery place if you need it.

[jmitch8011]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

If you can give me that like it would be great. Are you able to get very close and clear shots? I see shot son here where the picture zoom is just as clear as moving away and shooting.

[BlueZero]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

That's just like a rotary buffer, the tool can do it but you have to learn how to get the tool to do what you want. Focusing on swirls isn't the easiest thing to do but with some practice you'll get it. The SD1100 IS has Image Stabilization so if you are a little shaky it should still be a clear photo. I looked that one up on B&H and it's about $215. Read the reviews, go to a local store and play around with them. If you have questions just let me know, I can look up more info for you. I am leaving right now and won't be back online till Sunday night but I'm happy to help.

[jmitch8011]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

Hey thanks a lot even though I just came back from break and you will not see this until today's from now lol. I will go and check that one out. I was going to order my pad washer but i'm in a toss up. If I can get my friend to let me borrow his camera for a day i can at least upload some pics and get some advice and thoughts.

[roushstage2]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

I have a Canon A620. Found it for about $150 (that's when it just came out) at J&R Music World. EDIT: Just check JR, this seems to be the closest match now: http://www.jr.com/canon/pe/CAN_A590IS/. Looks like it is even better than mine now! Great place to buy from. Lots of options, easy to use, and it takes great pictures for a point and shoot.

Here's a sample from it:

[jmitch8011]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

Hey thanks and wicked ride. Was that taken with the regular lens? You ever take it to the track?

[roushstage2]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

Yep. Just how the camera came. To fit lenses on a point and shoot, you have to buy adapters, etc. If I am going to go that far, I am getting one of these:

You can do a lot with a P&S Camera, just have to know how and what you're doing.


Thanks! I been to the track twice. Once when I first bought it and then about this time last year. I always run full street setup (full tire psi and usually 1/2-3/4 tank of gas), engine is pretty much stock, and have run high 14's.

[RamAirV1]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

I work with digital cameras every day and I know what holds up and what doesn't. For point and shoot cameras, Canon is the best choice by far.
The A590 is great! Plus it runs on two AA batteries. Get some good Ni MH batteries and you will get great battery life from what are relatively inexpensive batteries. The proprietary batteries that some models use are more expensive and don't have nearly the battery life. Then when the batteries are dead you have to wait for recharge unless you buy an extra battery. The A6XX series run on 4 AA batteries and they are also excellent. Which model you want depends on how many megapixels you want/need. How big are you going to blow up your pictures? If you really want a pocket sized point and shoot the SD series such as the SD870 or SD1100 are very v good. I prefer the A series because they give you automatic and manual modes. Sometimes you may want to manually set aperture or shutter speed.

The top of the line Canon point and shoot is the G9. You get more features, like raw files and a built in neutral density filter. It's about $499 so you have to pay extra for all the features. But it's built like a bank vault yet still small in size.

If you are a Nikon fan, the P50, P80, and P5100 are your best choices. The 5100 is my favorite Nikon P&S. It's similar to the G9 but with less bells and whistles. Like the G9 you can add external flash though, but the 5100 is only about $299 on sale.

I have yet to see a Canon point and shoot break.

If you shoot a lot of moving subjects, the DSLR is the way to go. My favorites are the Nikon D300, the Canon 40D, and the new Canon 450D/XSi. There is no shutter lag. The larger sensors in the DSLR give the best image quality. Plus you can change lenses for macro or telephoto work. I am biased toward the DSLRs for their higher capabilities, but you pay a lot more too. However, if you can get your hands on one, the Canon Rebel XT is on sale for $499 WITH a lens!

RamAirV1

[roushstage2]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

To add to that, I do like the battery options (forgot to mention it!). My mother has an older Canon G series camera and if the battery pack dies, you have to wait to recharge. I carry an extra set of AA's and if the batteries die while in use, out with the old and in with the new. No down time waiting for a recharge!

[Mosca]

Re: Need Camera Information because of .....

If you are staying in the point and shoot, stay with the less expensive models. I spent a lot of money being dissatisfied with high end p&s cameras. The A580 is a lot closer to the G9 than the G9 is to the Rebel XSi. Anyone who tells you that the G9 is close to a DSLR hasn't used the two side by side like I have. I love my G9. It is the camera I want when taking pictures isn't as important as being at the event. It captures a great memory. But there is no comparison to a 40D (and there shouldn't be, at 1/3 the cost). Even smaller, and almost as good at $100 less, is the Nikon P5100. The Canon has more optical zoom, though; I find the Nikon's 3x limiting. But picture quality is essentially identical.

If you want to go "good", then go with the Rebel XSi with the kit lens. It is almost twice the cost of the G9 (you can get it for around $850), but it is more than twice the camera. The DSLR has better depth of field, more intense colors, and it is easier to use. The downsides are cost and size/weight. I tried very hard to get my G9 to perform like a DSLR, even purchasing the add-on lenses. It was an expensive mistake; you get the worst of both worlds. You get all the size, cost, and unwieldiness of DSLR, with the confusing menus and lower image quality of p&s.

If all you want are nice pictures, stay with the p&s. Because once you have invested close to $1000 in a camera, you will feel obligated to take up photography as a hobby. It is fun, but the learning curve is steep from "oh, look at the pretty flower!" to taking the kind of pictures that make people catch their breath.