Author Topic: Camera questions  (Read 6723 times)

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Offline Miss Mia

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Camera questions
« on: May 25, 2008, 01:44:30 PM »
Okay, I have finally decided that it's time for me to get a digital camera.  I have a weekend trip coming up the first weekend in June and I think it'll come in handy.

Anywho, so I don't know what I'm looking for really.  I only want to spend around $100 (yeah, I'm cheap).  It obviously doesn't have to be a big fancy thing, just something that will take pictures, come out decently and have a little zoom on it.

Does anyone have any suggestions? 
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline Chris_

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2008, 01:49:10 PM »
You'll probably get a better deal on a used one.  Pawn shops and Craigslist are a good place to start.  I need a small/portable camera as well.  My only camera is a Maxxum 7D.  It's not little.  :(
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Offline bijou

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2008, 01:55:57 PM »
You'll probably get a better deal on a used one.  Pawn shops and Craigslist are a good place to start.  I need a small/portable camera as well.  My only camera is a Maxxum 7D.  It's not little.  :(
Sounds like a good idea, I don't know about the US  but over here digital cameras are getting cheaper and better at a rapid  clip so get a used one first, play around with it for a while and then if you want to upgrade you'll have an idea of what you want.



Offline Schadenfreude

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2008, 01:56:05 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.â€

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2008, 01:57:37 PM »
You'll probably get a better deal on a used one.  Pawn shops and Craigslist are a good place to start.  I need a small/portable camera as well.  My only camera is a Maxxum 7D.  It's not little.  :(

I needed a camera for an event a few months ago and had to use a disposable.  :( 
Stink Eye
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Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2008, 01:58:39 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.

I'm not looking to spend much.  :)  I think the day receptionist has one of those Kodak Easy shot or something cameras. 
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline Schadenfreude

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2008, 02:03:06 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.

I'm not looking to spend much.  :)  I think the day receptionist has one of those Kodak Easy shot or something cameras. 

They have been known to plop good lenses into less expensive cameras. I picked up a reasonably priced Sony with a Zeiss lens.
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.â€

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2008, 02:05:01 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.

I'm not looking to spend much.  :)  I think the day receptionist has one of those Kodak Easy shot or something cameras. 

They have been known to plop good lenses into less expensive cameras. I picked up a reasonably priced Sony with a Zeiss lens.

Ahh, I see.  I thought you were suggesting a fancy schmancy camera.  I just need something that will take pics of a convention, and people in a restaurant and some bars. 
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline Schadenfreude

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2008, 02:05:54 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.

I'm not looking to spend much.  :)  I think the day receptionist has one of those Kodak Easy shot or something cameras. 

They have been known to plop good lenses into less expensive cameras. I picked up a reasonably priced Sony with a Zeiss lens.

Ahh, I see.  I thought you were suggesting a fancy schmancy camera.  I just need something that will take pics of a convention, and people in a restaurant and some bars. 

Stalker!  :evillaugh:
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.â€

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2008, 02:08:39 PM »
You buy the lens, not the camera. At one time I knew the two top of the line lenses to look for ...  All I can recall is Zeiss at the moment.

I'm not looking to spend much.  :)  I think the day receptionist has one of those Kodak Easy shot or something cameras. 

They have been known to plop good lenses into less expensive cameras. I picked up a reasonably priced Sony with a Zeiss lens.

Ahh, I see.  I thought you were suggesting a fancy schmancy camera.  I just need something that will take pics of a convention, and people in a restaurant and some bars. 

Stalker!  :evillaugh:

*gasp*  You've found me out!


This is really like my vacation this year and it's a long weekend and convention.  LOL 

I'm really looking forward to it, but when I had to buy a cheapy disposable camera for something a few months ago the pics all came out like crap.  I finally just realized that I should actually spend some money and get something better. 
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline Chris_

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2008, 02:16:48 PM »
cnet has a digital camera review sorted by price.  Fuji and Sony are at the top.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?filter=100021_9231531_&sort=edRating7+desc

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Offline Randy

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2008, 02:18:32 PM »
I bought an Olympus a few years back from http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/home.aspx

Find one in your price range and do a Google search for reviews on it. You may also stumble across a better deal on it that way too. Don't be afraid to read and search. There's tons of info out there on the interwebs.

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2008, 02:56:42 PM »
cnet has a digital camera review sorted by price.  Fuji and Sony are at the top.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?filter=100021_9231531_&sort=edRating7+desc



Chris thanks for the link. 

I think I'm going to go with the Canon PowerShot A470.  It got good reviews on CNet and it's only a little over $100.  It also got good reviews on Amazon.  http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A470-Digital-Optical/dp/B0012YA6P2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1211745342&sr=1-1
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline Chris_

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2008, 02:58:42 PM »
I have 2 -- my older camera is an Exilim and for the size it is fantastic -- almost instant on, 3X zoom 6Mp capable (I have it set to 3.4 since rarely do you need 6).  It is only about 1/3" wide and fits in my shirt pocket wonderfully.

My other is a Panasonic Lumix and has more capabilities -- 10X zoom and 8Mp (also set down to 3.4),  Small (but a little bigger than the Exilim) but very high quality.

I would recommend either.  The first for everyday and small size, the latter for high quality.
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2008, 03:03:30 PM »
I bought an Olympus a few years back from http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/home.aspx

Find one in your price range and do a Google search for reviews on it. You may also stumble across a better deal on it that way too. Don't be afraid to read and search. There's tons of info out there on the interwebs.

Thanks for the link Randy.  :)
Stink Eye
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Offline Flame

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #15 on: May 25, 2008, 03:06:52 PM »
The things you want to look for are MP (I'd not do anything under a 7), and OPTICAL zoom, as oppsoed to digital zoom.  You can get something with 3x optical zoom for around 100 bucks...anything more, the price will be more than you want.   Digital zoom is crap, so don't even count that.

(I was just at the camers store yesterday...not a good place for me to go!!  I came home with a new lens and a new mono/tri-pod)

Offline BEG

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #16 on: May 25, 2008, 04:33:18 PM »
cnet has a digital camera review sorted by price.  Fuji and Sony are at the top.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?filter=100021_9231531_&sort=edRating7+desc



Chris thanks for the link. 

I think I'm going to go with the Canon PowerShot A470.  It got good reviews on CNet and it's only a little over $100.  It also got good reviews on Amazon.  http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A470-Digital-Optical/dp/B0012YA6P2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1211745342&sr=1-1

I have a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, while it takes pretty good pictures there are some things about it I don't like.  I got it about a year and a half ago. 

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #17 on: May 25, 2008, 08:24:01 PM »
cnet has a digital camera review sorted by price.  Fuji and Sony are at the top.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?filter=100021_9231531_&sort=edRating7+desc



Chris thanks for the link. 

I think I'm going to go with the Canon PowerShot A470.  It got good reviews on CNet and it's only a little over $100.  It also got good reviews on Amazon.  http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A470-Digital-Optical/dp/B0012YA6P2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1211745342&sr=1-1

I have a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, while it takes pretty good pictures there are some things about it I don't like.  I got it about a year and a half ago. 

It turns out my SIL has the same camera that I'm looking at.  She said that she's happy with it, so I think I'm gonna go ahead and purchase that one.
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline jtyangel

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #18 on: May 25, 2008, 08:47:29 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

Offline Schadenfreude

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #19 on: May 25, 2008, 08:54:24 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

I can't say it sister.  :evillaugh:
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.â€

Offline jtyangel

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #20 on: May 25, 2008, 08:55:14 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

I can't say it sister.  :evillaugh:

Is my doppelganger showing again?  :evillaugh:( :lmao:)

Offline Schadenfreude

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #21 on: May 25, 2008, 08:57:08 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

I can't say it sister.  :evillaugh:

Is my doppelganger showing again?  :evillaugh:( :lmao:)

I thought maybe it was.....  :naughty:
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.â€

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #22 on: May 25, 2008, 09:00:47 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

Thanks for the links Jty.  I went ahead and got the Canon PowerShot A470.  It was $107, so well within my range.  Since my SIL said she really liked it I just went ahead and got it. 

I wish I had it for in the morning for the little race with the boys.  My SIL said she knows her parents are going to forget the camera.
Stink Eye
"Bloodninja: It doesn't get any more serious than a Rhinocerus about to charge your ass."

Offline jtyangel

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #23 on: May 25, 2008, 09:02:45 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

I can't say it sister.  :evillaugh:

Is my doppelganger showing again?  :evillaugh:( :lmao:)

I thought maybe it was.....  :naughty:

And I said it was dinky too... :thatsright: :lmao:

Offline jtyangel

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Re: Camera questions
« Reply #24 on: May 25, 2008, 09:03:12 PM »
Hey Mia...We actually take photos professionally(no folks, no TiT stories forthcoming :rotf:) so we do have the expensive high end stuff, but I prefer the quick, fit in your purse little ones.

I have both of these:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kodak+digital+camera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=7081602996959310266&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000DZHA6O?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=dealtime-ce-mpfeed-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000DZHA6O&linkCode=asm

The first one is actually in your price range and I actually preferred it over the other because it was so portable and didn't have any pause for the flash to come up or whatever. It's a great little camera.

Thanks for the links Jty.  I went ahead and got the Canon PowerShot A470.  It was $107, so well within my range.  Since my SIL said she really liked it I just went ahead and got it. 

I wish I had it for in the morning for the little race with the boys.  My SIL said she knows her parents are going to forget the camera.

Good for you, Mia. I'm sure it is a fine camera. I think you will really enjoy using digital! Very convenient.