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Digital Camera
Resources
Web Site Design for
Photographers |
| CoolPix 4500 and
5700 Tips and Observations |
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Check out the CoolPix 4500 and 5700 Gallery |
| CoolPix 5700 (and
4500) Review |
| Because of the timing of these releases by
Nikon, I'll be grouping the information together. |
| CoolPix 5700 Tips |
The CoolPix 5700 has more
infrared sensitivity than previous
CoolPix cameras aside from the CoolPix 950.
First of all, if you've purchased the CoolPix 5700, get yourself a
tripod. We recommend the Velbon Maxi 343E
for it's light weight and sturdiness. After my preliminary testing I
realized that it's just like any 35mm camera with a long telephoto zoom
and we're going to see a lot of images that aren't critically sharp as
people get used to their latest camera.
The LCD is smaller (1.5 inches) than the previous CoolPix cameras but
because of the reversible design, the
Xtend-a-View magnifying
finder fits like on the CoolPix 5000.
Much easier to see through than the new electronic, through the lens,
viewfinder.
Small digital cameras should be carried in a belt pouch and held
with a wrist strap for best usage. I like the
Domke pouches for carrying any of the prosumer digital cameras. I
regularly use the Domke Compact Pouch (Cat. No. 710-10B ) for the swivel
body CoolPix and have found the Belt Pouch (Cat. No. 710-30B) perfect for
the CoolPix 5700 and 5000 when walking around.
For a wrist strap, I take the supplied Nikon strap and thread both
ends into the strap lug at the top right (facing away) of the camera. Then
I knot it twice or three times to make a convenient wrist strap.
I've discovered a possible white balance problem
(also noted by others with the CoolPix 5000) where when shooting a series
of images relatively fast, every few frames appears to have a red cast.
This is when the camera is set to auto white balance.
Close focus macro. In an informal test, I was able to photograph a
1-3/4 to 2 inch section of a ruler with the zoom set at mid range and the
front of the lens about 3 to 4 inches from the subject. It appears you can
get the camera closer at mid zoom (82mm in 35mm) than at wide or
telephoto. It does take a while for the camera to hunt and lock focus
needing a contrasty image. |
 At full telephoto, I was able to get a sharp
image with the front of the lens at about 18 to 20 inches and it
focused on a 1-1/4 inch ruler section. Full width of original Jpeg
shown at left. Focus was tough to attain
though with the camera shutting off due to timing out and going to sleep.
If you're going to shoot macro, you'll need to change the time out factor
from the default. Camera support is mandatory. |
| CoolPix 5700 with WC-E80 wide angle
adapter. Heavier without the caps than the camera is by itself. |
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| The camera has performed extremely
well. I've gotten very sharp images during my limited shooting. But I
consider it part of a 2 camera system that consists of the CoolPix 5000
for wide angle and the CoolPix 5700 for telephoto. |
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CoolPix 4500 Tips |
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The CoolPix 4500 has more
infrared sensitivity than previous
CoolPix cameras aside from the CoolPix 950.
A continuation of the swivel body CoolPix heritage. If I were to buy my
first digital camera today, knowing what I like about the CoolPix 990, I
wouldn't hesitate to pick one of these small gems up and start all over
again exploring the possibilities of digital photography. Smaller and
sturdier than it's predecessors, it's got that amazing ability to take
photographs with perspectives not possible with any other camera. I feel
that Nikon should always have a swivel body camera in their line.
Like the 5700, the LCD is smaller than previous CoolPix models and
the Xtend-a-View finder is going to be redesigned.
The RX Flash Bracket from the CoolPix 990 is a perfect fit. It was
the most versatile and sturdiest flash bracket ever made for the CoolPix
990. Unfortunately their web site is gone and we don't know if they're
still in business. But if you've upgraded cameras and own one of these
great brackets, hold onto it. Because of the redesign of the pop up flash
from the CoolPix 995, the bracket can clamp between the flash and the
synch socket. |
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Digital Camera
Resources |
