I am looking for a new digital camera. Mine was good in its day -- Nikon Coolpix 3 megapixel -- but I want something that is going to give me better definition, more stabilization (especially with close ups) and lots of other neat stuff.
Can any of you give me an idea of what your favorite camera is? Why do you like it so much? Would you post a sample picture so that I can see what kind of picture it takes?
I would really appreciate it. I'd like to get the new camera for the EB cruise and want to have some time to practice with it beforehand.
Many thanks!
A couple of things Mike,
Now there are other dedicated sites that steer folks into "popular" and "good performers"..... such as right here on the DIS there is a photography forum, and off the DIS a favorie of mine populated by semi-serious enthusiasts and semi-pros is DP Review... as there are also serious enthusiast sites like Fred Miranda
http://www.fredmiranda.com/ and Rob Galbraith
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp who (arguably) cater to the technical purists.
These sites can soak up tons of your time - but they can also satisfy and nurture those with a real passion for the pursuit.
On the other hand, if ya want a quick and simple suggestion - I would simply buy something from COSTCO because of their "no questions asked" easy return policy good for 90 days. Provided you keep the receipt and not damage the digicam - you can buy in confidence - try and see it in your own hands for a while to deermine if you like it. AND if your local store does not quite have what ya like - then maybe it can be had throught the on-line Costco store. AND if you're ultimately unhappy then you can still return it to your local store.
Aside from that - if you want specific recommendations - then I'll offer a short list with the following conditon(s) ... a) Technology and power even among the intermediate pocket digicams has advanced tremendously so that todays cameras sweep away the performance standards of digicams only 2-3 years older! b) I feel only a FEW pocket digicams truly UNDERPERFORM in general... so you should select a nice feeling/handling model and double check the reviews (if any) then just buy and try. c) the final precondition... the only major step up is to a bulky/heavy/costly DSLR. Aside from that your BEST INVESTMENT into your digial photo taking is to take a basic or intermediary photography class ... as I feel it has always been the PHOTOGRAPHER who makes the most difference in the final images.
Now as for my general suggestions: I am biased towards Canon due to their general dominance with several key areas - especially among the professionals. Hence, Canons generally cost more for what you get - but only by a modest degree in some cases.
Next consider what physical configuration you want - slim and tiny to slip into a pocket - small and mildly bulky with NO in the pocket carry ability? Or big and heavy however with maximum performance and handling versetility?
These would steer you towards something like an SD series for the slim one, or small but bulky with steer you towards the "S" or "G" series... while the big and heavy would steer you into a DSLR like the XTi (about to be replaced) or the 40D... + several seperate lenses or zooms, flashes, plus an endless list of alternative accessories.
An SD series can come with or without optical strabilisation - a nice feature or not. That will be the likely "big" difference. The "S" series is simply an "all in one" with big zoom - while the "G" is a bit of a variation in a full sized hand sized digicam. I initially choose to go with a "G" series digicam... and now shoot with a combination of DLSR and a Fuji digicam which I bought ONLY because there was a rebate +
Amazon credit balance on hand - which brought my purchase on the Fuji f40 down to $29 net. I am a cheap skate because I feel I've spent over $6000 on equipment and thus I feel I should try to economize a little... until I encounter a piece of equipment whcih I cannot endure living without.
If you want to reply with a form factor - or ask a specific question on another digicam maker I would be hapy to search for background info on it. However, they are all decent performers... with some a little better then others. Also, if you have a preferred budget - then this would help as well.
Aside from all that... a final thoughts are HOW will you use the digital files? Are you just using them online - are you printing any and if so what are the usual and maximum sizes? Will you be shoting a lot and spending tons of time (more time likely) post processing / tweeeking your images? AND... will you in fact enroll into a photography class? Because - if the answer is YES then you'll need a pocket digicam with a full set of "manual controls".. probably. These considerations may sway your decision somewhat - and you may want to budget for postprocessing software if you're gonna get much into the fine aspects of that. IE, DxO with some DSLR/lens combinations or something like Aperature (Apple Macs only) or Lightroom/full power Photoshop???
Here is something very similar to my DSLR (the flash gun appears to differ from mine).
Also, out of consideration to all... I will have NO negative criticisms of any model or maker of dgicams. Although there are a few models out there with rotten reviews... I'll not be spreading questionable opinions. Strictly favorable encouragement is to be had from me.
And now - I must go. We had our 1st Jazz/Ballet/Tap class earlier - and next comes gymnastics classes for both girls. SO I gotta run and play "Daddy Taxi service" for the kids now. TOmorrow we have a wedding then a visit to
Disneyland after on account of there being no evening reception and because we're not too far from the parks. I think after all that we'll not do a hotel and just come home saturday nite. It
s been so busy these past 2 months we have hardly been at home at all! AND ,.... good news... I just found out my $31 ticket may only be $140 after all... as the $371 was maybe fixable with proof of insurance. So I gotta go verify it - and then its' only $25 to process for traffic school! Yippiees may be in order as I thought it might have been $371 and NO option for traffic school. I'll confirm it maybe within the next 2 hours when I swing by a police station to get the fix it insurance portion handled. My expectations result from what I've seen online - and now I just need to dot ly "I"s and cross the "t"s.
Adios - maybe I'll swing by chat if I get back in time.
joke while esteri isn't around? Here's one my kids would love....
We were told they could cause some damage but since the vitamins also contained flouride, that was the main concern.
Hello fellow Pirates
When last I had some time to post, I think I was ear-deep in soccer season with my boys, looking for a new job and thinking about selling our house. WELL ... I'm happy to report that soccer season has ended ... and nothing else has much changed in my world
I'm still looking for that "perfect" job, and we're still probably, more-likely-than-not going to sell our house and move into something different in the near future.
I feel quite sure a week vacation should not cost the same as a year in college.
