Which Camera to Buy?

[shootist87122]

The time has arrived to get a digi-camera. How about some updates on a good value. I need something that is easy to use, in the $300 to $500 price range. Candidates so far include the Fuji 3800 ($299 on-line price). Ted mentioned he was looking at this model also.......

Here is a pic of my SA58 I took with a borrowed cheapie. BTW, my first build (Dan's Grade 2 with IZZY Wood) is finally headspaced and may get a range test today. The next project is an Outstanding STG58 kit that showed up complete with a really nice original wood butt stock!

[tiger222]

shootist-

i just went thru the same questions- i ended up with a sonyp7
it was more than i wanted to spend but it had features that i wanted.

1: the ion lithium battery
2: macro feature
3: 3.2 mega pixel

i too looked at the fuji 3800 and almost got that one - but
after looking around the p7 was the winner.....

i paid $399 at best buy - but the time i was done - somehow
$650 had left my wallet!! 64mb card, the 4 year warranty that covers the battery, floppy interface, tax etc.... i could of shopped
around on the net - but needed one asap.....

the advantage of the ion lithium battery is the fast charge and non-memory (supposedly!) - but they last about a year. the other cameras use aa batteries - but the rechargable must be used and they must be fully drained before recharge. using regular aa batteries only works for pic or two!!

so in a nutshell this was the cheapest lithium ion powered camera i could find .....

steve

[Rayman]

I stick to Olympus. They are fast and use the smart media card that is half the price of the Sony stick. Yes I do like the Sony 707 but that is a different price range. I use an actual digital SLR that is hard to find and uses both the smart media and the compact flash in the same unit. Its drawback is the it is not quite 3 megapixel but it does true SLR stuff when needed. Most of the time I use the compact Oly as it travels so well and is small. THe Kodak is the best bang for the buck as user friendly but the quality and battery drain are high.
The bunny makes phot batteries that are lithium rechargeableand they last for about 75 flash shots before changing out.Just get one that has 4x optical zoom as digital zoom is just blowinf up the pixels for lower quality. Next year bigger sensors will be on the common market producing yet another price drop.

[shootist87122]

4x optical zoom - Check
HD Batteries - Check
Compact size - Check
SLR (What the heck is SLR?)

If I were a liberal Female from Kali who just decided to buy her first pistola, I would be less confused! There must be thousands of different models available!

Steve - Did you get a charger with the Sony p7 + extras and is that the exact model number?

Rayman - which Olympus/Kodak/Fuji, etc., would you buy right now for general use? Bump the budget up to about $600 - $700, but bear in mind it's also for the wife [who cannot program the VCR]. She will be taking it on a 17 day tour accross the pond next summer.

Thanks for the help!

Joe

[tiger222]

shootist

the model is p7 (reminds me of the hk's!)
it came with a charger for the battery.

the warranty from best buy covers the battery for four years.
so i paid for an extra battery so to speak and the next three
are free....

i had to go with the sony for me as i do not have a usb port -
my compaq was the last of them to be built without it...
i could of added a usp port - but it would of meant taking
the beastie in etc.

i really like having a reader card / floppy adapter.

i got the sony p7 $399
a 64 mb card $50
the warranty $60
the floppy adpator $80

plus the sony with a 128mb card will do 14 mins of 'film'
with sound. couple that with the night mode.... hmm.

[sportsnut]

Originally posted by steve m
shootist
plus the sony with a 128mb card will do 14 mins of 'film'
with sound. couple that with the night mode.... hmm.

You nasty boy you. He he he.

[Mr pogo]

Originally posted by steve m
plus the sony with a 128mb card will do 14 mins of 'film'
with sound. couple that with the night mode.... hmm.

[Gewehr43]

Now, that's just....wrong!

[citizen]

I myself have just completed some in-depth research into this market, and have a few recommendations.

All prices are approximate on-line costs.

About $175- Either the fuji 2650, or Olympus 520.
Both 2 megs, good 4x6 prints, convenient size.
(Just found the Fuji at Long's Drugs for $200, if
you prefer B+M retailer; not net) Both 3x zoom

About $375- Fuji 3800 3megs, 6x zoom, more features.
(Update of 2800; 2 meg camera still available at
reduced price.)

About $475- Olympus c-730 3megs, whopping 10x zoom, real
nice, lot of features. Update of 720; 3megs, 8x,
still available at reduced price.

Also Hewlitt-Packard 850. MSRP only; nearly 4 megs,
8x zoom, (only) good camera from HP.

KEEP IN MIND!!!! - ALL digi purchases REQUIRE additional accessories; expanded memories, more batteries AND charger,
card reader, possible editing software. Can run $100 - $300.

Several excellent websites review products; e-mail me for details.

[tiger222]

mr pogo

thanks for the 1st really good belly laugh of the morning!!

LOL!!

how did you know?!?!
steve

[Bloodless]

Check this web site! It has a wealth of info and great reviews.

http://www.dpreview.com/

[CZ]

This pic is made with a Fuji Finepix 2800Zoom. 2.0Megpix and 6x optical zoom. Uses normal AA batteries (get the recharchable NiMh with 1800mAh, these go on for ever on a single charge!)

I resized the pic for getting is quicker on the screen.......

CZ

[dougjones31]

this is a pic from my Kodak DX3700 3.1 megapixel digicam
i think I paid $200 for it?
$150 at http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...email,zwb11876

[shootist87122]

Don't know about the camera, but CZ gets the prize for best design!

[CZ]

Shootist,

Thanks for the compliments!!

CZ

[shootist87122]

So far, I like the looks of the 4.1 megapixel Sony DSC-S85. Out of store price is under $500 and the only thing to add is a memory upgrade and a case. It comes with a NP-FM50 rechargeable Lithium battery, charger, and all the cabels.

The Sls Mgr and Operations Mgr at work have both bought one recently and swear by it. I saw the home print (8 x 11) of the Sls Mgr's field shot of a Mulie and it was outstanding.

What am I missing?

[FotoTomas]

My first post and it involve both of my favorite things, Guns and cameras.

I used to use high end Digital cameras provided by my employer. Kodak DCS520, CanonD30, Nikon D1.

I have now a Canon A40 for fun photos. Simple to operate and a cost of $250. The results can be very good.

I am looking to get a CanonG2 for christmas. More options to play with but priced at around $600 at todays prices. I am using several 128 meg Compact Flash cards from my old pro photo days.

If the photo posts this is a sample of what the A40 can do with a card table and two household 60 watt bulbs in reflectors.



Edited to give a current working link to the photo.

[shootist87122]

Very nice Tomas! Your 1911 pic is a great example of the greatest all around pistol ever produced. JMB's genius still Rules.

BTW, I bought the Sony DSC-S85 last night.

[shootist87122]

Playing with the Sony. Mostly trying to find out how to things. This is a DSA "Excellent" STG58 kit just about ready to finish. Just need Sledgehammer to neuter and attach the Stoll.