35mm camera questions

[Shelle&Dave]

We want to pick up a decent camera before our trip. I don't want to buy a digital just yet. When I buy a digital it's going to be atleast a 5 megapixel and I don't have that much money right now . I have some questions about 35mm cameras and I'm hoping someone has some answers.

My Fiance and I were both looking on ebay. I keep looking at the Olympus Stylus 140 and DF keeps looking at big SLR cameras. He firmly believes a bigger, manual adjustment camera takes better pictures. I don't know much about cameras, but I think a compact would be just as good. Who's right here?

Also, what do the numbers mean? Olympus Stylus 140 or 105 or 80. What is the difference?

DF says he has an Advantix camera somewhere in storage. Would it be worth it to dig it out? It may take a while to find it .
A coworker told me the film would be more expensive as well as the developing.

Thanks for the help.

 

[lucky_bunni]

Your DF is right, SLRs are superior for many reasons. They offer you much more flexibility should you expand your photography interests. For one, you can change lens sizes, where as a regular 35mm you are stuck with one lens or zoom. You also have the advantage of the camera taking a direct photo of what you are seeing in the viewfinder. With a point and shoot, the closer you are to your subject the more distorted your actual photo will come out.

I purchased a Canon Elan 7e SLR a few years ago and don't think I'll ever have to buy another camera in my life. I would highly urge you to look at a Canon Rebel or it's Nikon equal. Also, I would suggest getting the lens from Canon or Nikon, not a third party.

 

[Samsara]

Lucki_bunni had made some great points.

An SLR gives you much more flexibility in your picture taking. And, with digital becoming so popular, a nice 35mm SLR can be had very cheaply now.

When I purchased my Minolta Maxxium SLR I paid close to $500. A 35mm SLR of equivalent standards today may run you as little as $250.00. When some point and shoots run $200 or more, the prices are great.

That's not to say that point and shoots don't have some advantages. They're small, lightweight, are well equipped to take great pictures, and some can be purchased very cheaply.

It's best to think about what you'll use the camera for, how you'll use it, and your future plans for photography purchases.

 

[Shelle&Dave]

Thanks for the tips. We're looking to spend $100 at most. I still have no idea what kind of camera I want. I guess I'm afraid if I get a nice SLR camera I won't have a clue how to use it.

 

[Zurg]

For the cost of a good SLR you can go diogital.

You could looke for a used SLR at a camera broker like KEH in Atlanta and may be able to get a good deal.

The advantage of a SLR over a point & Shoot is the reaction speed of the camera, ie it shoots when you push the button not facus set expouse shoot in a secone and you miss your shot.

A quality point & shot camera will take a great picture too.

My big advice with any camera is don't get it just before your trip get it a while before your trip and learn to use it well.

Also carry your film on the plane as the new xray scans at the airport CAN effect the film

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I have a Canon Rebel and I love it- I usually leave it on Auto unless I want something more specific- On auto its basically a glorified point and shoot but I love the "what you see is what you get" of the viewfinder

Mine was about 250 at Walmart but I believe they have dropped now-

-em

 

[Ronda93]

First, stay away from the Advantix. I don't know what Kodak, et al, were thinking, but what a bust. I have a stable of SLR's - digital one, too. Six, seven years ago I wanted a point and shoot to take places that SLRs fear to tread. I bought an Olympus Advantix and the results were awful. The film is considerably smaller than 35mm. The print quality was reminiscent of my first 110 camera. The different sizes/shapes offered by Advantix developers are just masks of the original negative and the enlarging resulted in awful quality.

That said, what you're looking for is a 35 mm, autofocus, zoom point and shoot. For $100 you can get some really good ones.

The biggest hinderance on p&s cameras is the minimum focusing distance. If the focus is listed as being fixed or focus free, the minimum is usually 8 feet. Combined with the wide angle of view it's easy to step way too close and end up with blurry pictures.

Canon, Konica Minolta and Olympus all have great choices that fit your price requirement.

Start here --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...earch&Q=&ci=376&al=0,0&bl=0&sb=ps&sq=asc&pn=1

Work your way down the list and note the names. Remember:

Auto Focus
Zoom

and check the specs, nice to have is a flash that can be turned off (no flash mode), date imprint that can be turned off and minimum focus of 3 feet. One last thing, pay attention to the batteries that it will need. Most are using the 123 lithium, but if you find one that takes AA, that would be nice. The lithium, while long-lasting, are pricey (especially at WDW prices).

Good luck.

 

[BringBackTapestries]

12 hours a day at WDW with a weighted strap around your neck is a consideration. Mine actually caused a "skin tag" once that I had to have removed when I got home. I'd say SLR for all your "home" pictures, but at WDW, a lightweight point & shoot with long zoom is the only way to go. I guess its all in your tastes.