Camera recommendation

[manning]

I lost the post so this may come thru as a duplicate.

Why not keep it lighter a simple for the young lady.

May I suggest the following

Canon s3is 12x zoom (36-432 mm)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/

Panasonic TZ1 10x zoom (35-350 mm)
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_tz1-review/

Panasonic FZ30 12x zoom (35-420 mm
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/

There may be more out there and others may be able to recommend.

She will be on a tour and on the go. With these cameras she will have to keep track of only one thing, the camera.

They are light, have good zoom range and are easy to use.

I am a believer in the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid). No, I am not suggesting anyone is stupid. It is a common phrase.

 

[lambo606]

Another camera worth a mention would be the new Sony H5 - I just got one of these and it is definitely on a par with the Canon S3 etc.

 

[jann1033]

since she has the budget and has taken college level photo. courses why not go with the dslr??? i kind of doubt she'll be happy with something less..unless she wants a p&s then save some money and get the canon a620, takes very good snapshots ( is she wants that)for a little over $200. the op might not know as much as her sister does ( not saying she's not intelligent, maybe just not interested in photography and just asking for the sister)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I agree with Jann.

 

[captaincrash]

Yeah...

A DSLR is the way to go - unless weight and/or bulk is an issue. Than a compact is the practical alternative. Of course, compact digicams are awfully powe,rful critters - and there may be less NEED for a DSLRs' strengths for an Alaska trip. Hows that for pulling a quick 180?

I count the strengths of a DSLR as speed to zoom, speed of actuation, noiseless low light sensitivity (or extremely low noise with boosted ISO - up to ISO 1600!!! And barely tolerable noise at 3200). Plus the versetility of changing lenses to gain the desired performance and handling qualities for your situations. AS SUCH... a powerful compact should serve well in 90%+ of travel shooting situations. As opposed to shooting say a sporting event indoors or anything requiring a really fast response to acquire (zoom) the image and snap it. OR - if you're shooting a technically critical application and need to deliver images near perfect. Then - a DSLR and high end lense KIT is assumed to be required.

Oh well - either way - any digicam is better than none. Maybe it's worth while to try and BORROW a digicam or DSLR from a friend to gain a hands on impression of what is really needed. Borrowing a compact may leave your sister convinced one way or another. You never know WHAT issues will matter? So give it a try is my suggestion!

 

[jann1033]

Yeah...

A DSLR is the way to go - unless weight and/or bulk is an issue. Than a compact is the practical alternative. Of course, compact digicams are awfully powe,rful critters - and there may be less NEED for a DSLRs' strengths for an Alaska trip. Hows that for pulling a quick 180?

yah you are quite the diplomat!!!

 

[Beastlover]

Wow...those are some recommendations!! She went yesterday and bought one...now for the let down...I don't know what she got!! I am trying now to get a hold of her so I can let you all in.

Thanks for all the input, it was a great help with her decision!!

I'll post her choice as soon as I can!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

[WISH] please don't be Kodak [/WISH]

 

[handicap18]

Wow...those are some recommendations!! She went yesterday and bought one...now for the let down...I don't know what she got!! I am trying now to get a hold of her so I can let you all in.

Thanks for all the input, it was a great help with her decision!!

I'll post her choice as soon as I can!!

yeah sure,,,, keep us hanging on the edge of our seats!!!!

 

[Beastlover]

Okay...this just in from my sister on the camera recommendations...

Thanks for all the recommendations! They really helped in choosing a dSLR. Years back I had an Olympus 35mm camera
plus 3 extra lenses. I loved the creativity of the 35mm. Then I got a bug (a real live bug, well it was dead) somewhere in the
camera. He appeared on all my pictures. Took the camera to several places and nobody could figure out where it was
or how to get it out. I eventually put the camera in the closet and forgot about it. Then I went to a basic 35mm point and
shoot. Not much fun but served it's purpose. Once the digital point and shoot came out I got one of those. Loved it that
you could see the picture before you developed the photos. But again, not very satisfying.

With my trip to Alaska coming up, I decided to bite the bullet and get a better camera. I kinda knew there was digital
cameras out there with changeable lenses, just felt kinda out of the loop. Michelle mentioned posting on the Dis boards
for advise and I was all for it. The people on this board seem to give really sound advise.

So drum role please - I bought a Canon Rebel XT. It came with a 18-55mm lens and I also purchased a 75-300mm zoom lens.
Need to bring those mooses and Mt. McKinley closer! I ended up buying it at Best Buy, they had the best price going
with a rebate on the camera and zoom lens. I got an extra battery and 1 gig cf card. Thinking I will buy another cf card
before we head out.

I have been taking pictures all weekend trying to get used to the feel and different settings. I also picked up "dSLR cameras
and photography for dummies". Need any pointers I can get.

Thanks again to everyone with the advise! I read all the posts and appreciate the input. I think I made a good choice
and will be very happy with this camera! I will have Michelle post some pictures when I get back. Dawn

Thanks everyone...Alaska pictures coming in August!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

congratulations! Welcome to the (Canon) dSLR family (emphasis on dSLR).

Get more memory, they are cheap, don't get Lexar, they don't play well with Canon cameras. I use Sandisk Ultra II.

Also make sure she uses JPEG-Fine resolution and don't skimp on memory.

Other pointers (and rants) are available on my photography blog below.

 

[ryanmilla]

First off, congrats on the purchase. Obviously, the most important thing is that you are happy with your purchase and it sure sounds like you are. Happy photo taking and I can't wait to see some pics from Alaska.

Ok, I have a quick question for Kelly (don't mean to thread hijack, sorry)

..... don't get Lexar, they don't play well with Canon cameras. .....

Are they all bad with Canon cameras? I just bought a 1gb cf for my Rebel XT. I have another sandisk 1gb, which is in the camera now, so I haven't had to use the Lexar yet. Am I going to be out of luck?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Ok, I have a quick question for Kelly (don't mean to thread hijack, sorry)

Are they all bad with Canon cameras? I just bought a 1gb cf for my Rebel XT. I have another sandisk 1gb, which is in the camera now, so I haven't had to use the Lexar yet. Am I going to be out of luck?

I don't know about ALL Canon cameras (I didn't use RebelXT long enough with my one-and-only-but-replaced-and-upgraded-to-the-total-of-6-times-by-Lexar Lexar card) However, I've lost quite a number of shots for no reason whatsoever on my Canon Rebel, 20D, 30D* and 5D* dSLR and on my Canon A95 P&S.

* on the two cameras mentioned above I took about several series of 30 test shots of calendar dates from 1 to 30, some of the images are missing from the CF card. That was the last time I used my Lexar card, I re-sent it for the 6th time to Lexar, they gave me a brand new card (in retail package), and I immediately sold it to my friend (a Nikon user -- Lexar don't have problem with Nikon cameras).
card. That was the last

 

[ryanmilla]

Thanks for the warning. I will make sure to be very weary of it when I try it out.

 

[0bli0]

fwiw - i have several Lexar cards and haven't had any issues in any of my dSLRs with them. i prefer SanDisk, but the Lexars have been ok.

 

[captaincrash]

Yea!

COngrats to your sister on her selection. Given her budget - it was the natural choice. IMHO....

Was this the 75-300 she got? If so, it is the image stabilized version. They also make a non image stabilized one too. If it is the IS... then it has historical roots as the 1st general market IS zoom lense in the world! The model was brought out in 1995. When it arrived it SHOOK the SLR camera world with its' affordable and incomparable movement dampening power!!! I have a slightly different version of this exact lens!

Just the same - cheers all around!