Thread: Digital Cameras

For you two get an elcheapo that way when the Rocky gets sunk, flooded bounced, etc.. you won't worry too much. The one I have cost me $150.00 off ebay no name brand no optical zoom, but a 6x digital zoom and 8.0mp

When it breaks I'll take out the card and batteries and get a decent 35mm SLR

Or get a camcorder, you can take digital images from tape, and they cost hardly anything for a basic model nowadays

Hah, I was going to mount it on the roof inside. That way I have to drown before it gets ruined!

I've got two. A Nikon Coolpix 2500 - great little camera which, because of the tilting lens, doesn't have a viewfinder. This is a real problem in bright light. You cannot see what you are photographing.

It has excellent macro capability, e.g., this pic of a the guts of a P38A belnd motor:



I also have a Fuji FinePix S5500 with both view finder and and a screen. Not a bad camera with x10 optical zoom but the close-up capability is nothing to write home about.

I wish I'd spent the equivalent amount on a digital SLR.

Ron

Originally Posted by p38arover

I also have a Fuji FinePix S5500 with both view finder and and a screen. Not a bad camera with x10 optical zoom but the close-up capability is nothing to write home about.

Ron

I also have a Fuji Finepix...I think its a fantastic camera and everyone always comments on the quality of the pics taken with it. I like the eye piece as opposed to the screen when taking pics. I don't find the close up so bad...are you using the correct macro setting? I like to take pics of flowers and don't find it a problem at all...at least as good as my old SLR with extension rings was.

Numpty's Missus

If you're already a Nikon person then I'd stick with them. I must say though it seems using a Nikon SLR is like driving a Landy. Do Canon owner's drive Cruisers or something they have the same attitude? Anyway I digress...

One thing that Nikon has in the Coolpix and DSLR range is cominality of use menu's are all the same style, buttons tend to be in like places etc.

You're better off getting a camera with a viewfinder as well as the LCD (as mentioned sunlight is an issue on LCD's). Best review sites are dpreview and steves digicams. Remember to allow extra for a good size card, range you are talking about is almost all SD nowdays but shooting 6MB + photos will use space on a trip so budget for a 512MB or better card - It is always best to shoot at high resolution so you can print enlargements, edit etc. SD cards are by far the most afordable, you'll find Fuji and Olympus use XD which are slightly more expensive and then there's Sony with their proprietry Memory Stick. For editing software get a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 - Shop around and get the academic version and save money.

Why not get a Nikon Digital SLR and be able to use your current lenses - prices start about $900.

Gazzz

Originally Posted by garrycol

Why not get a Nikon Digital SLR and be able to use your current lenses - prices start about $900.

That's why I'm looking at a Pentax DSLR.

One problem I find with my Fuji is that I'm left-eye dominant so I put the view finder uo to my left eye. "So what?", you ask. Well, the camera controls for most smaller cameras are set up for right-eye dominant users. The viewfinders aren't central like they are on SLRs, they're offset to one side.

I can't reach the controls on the back of the camera becasue my face is in the way. Put the camera up to each eye in turn and you'll see what I mean.

One thing I do like about the Fuji is that the eyepiece can be adjusted so the image is focussed when not wearing glasses (I have one long-sighted eye, one short-sighted eye). I don't need a correction lens like I do with my Pentax SLRs.

Ron

Originally Posted by numpty

I don't find the close up so bad...are you using the correct macro setting? I like to take pics of flowers and don't find it a problem at all...at least as good as my old SLR with extension rings was.

Yes, I use macro mode but it's not in the same class as the Nikon - and that's why I didn't sell the Nikon when I bought the Fuji.

Ron