Caving in and buying a Digital Camera - have questions

[Zurg]

I Bless this Camera for this User.
Go forth and photograph!

More Details Here (this review is much better than CR)

 

[FergieTCat]

Now I want one!! Although my heart still yearns for a Fuji Finepix 2800.

 

[Zurg]

Trust you heart as long ast it can cope without the video out. I bought two Fuji 2800s for work.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I accept your blessing Zurg and will go forth and photograph immensely! When I figure out how, I will post a picture that I took. Thanks again for ALL your help!

 

[jfulcer]

LTM,

Do what I did for the extra battery. Ask for it as a birthday present. I think when I was pricing it, the battery was about $35. Considering standard AA Li-ion batteries will cost like $12 for 2, I didn't think it was that bad. Especially since I got it as a gift.

If you want to see a sample of how it records the video clips, you can look at our Easter Pictures . Scroll all the way down and there are 4 or 5. Beware, these are large, I did not compress them any and they are 5-6 meg apiece.

As a suggestion, I never really got to like the software that comes with the camera to download the pictures. It's usable and functional but for the quantity of pictures I take it seemed to bog down. I use a card reader to download them, or when using my laptop, I bought a $10 PCMCIA adapter the flash card slides into and copy that way.

I'd glad Mr Zurg sir blessed this camera for you.

 

[mickey4ver]

I am digitally challanged, but with some email help from Zurg, (thanks Zurg) I made the decision to purchase the Canon S30. I've not done a whole lot with it, mostly just reading the manual and messing around with it, but it seems wonderful!

Now, I priced mine around on all kinds of websites, price scan etc. Perhaps it is not for everyone, but I won a brand new one on ebay from a camera place out of Canada, and even with shipping it (and they threw in a small leather case), it was cheaper than any place I had priced it. I also found an online site that sells the battery packs (not Canon but a generic brand) that was 1/2 the price of a Canon battery and they had free shipping. I also found another place with the compact flash cards REAL inexpensive (internet orders were 10% off) and free shpping also, so I think I did pretty good.

Zurg gave me some very nice pointers and I tried to follow them and so far I'm happy with my choice. I'll know better after I take the camera on its first trip in October....I'll also have the trusty 35mm along too for backup....in case I get too digitally challanged.

So, that is my 2 cents, and again, I thank Zurg for being patient and answering my questions.

Hope this helped.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good luck, enjoy!!!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I went on the price club web site and noticed that the memory cards they sell were, from what I read, well priced. 128MB for 49.99 and 265 for 99.99. Is this average or below average pricing? I saw that they sold batteries too. Like I said before, we will most likely get the rechargeable ones, but I want a couple others just in case.

I mentioned to my parents that if they need ideas for christmas, extra batteries or memorycards would be greatly appreciated. I also noticed that they sell an underwater casing for the camera. Would LOVE that!

I found a site that would give me the executive set included for $415. Does that sound too good to be true? Will also check out EBAY/

 

[Dan Murphy]

Check this site for batteries. http://www.nimhbattery.com/

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Thanks Dan - I bookmarked it for future use

 

[jfulcer]

LTM,

Yes, extra batteries are a must. I like to use the screen all the time when I take pictures, so I run through the battery quickly. I can generally take about 150 pictures on one battery, but I know that will not be enough for a whole day in Disney.

On a positive note, if you take your battery and charger to any photo place in WDW, they will plug it in to charge it up for you. I did that once when I left my extra battery in the room for my old camera. We had an early dinner while the battery charged up and the charge lasted enough for the rest of the night.

Ohhhh, an underwater case? I'll have to look for that.

$415 seems like a good price, I got my for about $499 about 8 months ago...

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

The company online I found was Worldwide Direct. Pricegrabber.com had it there. Anyone ever use them?

 

[jfulcer]

Check CNET for prices. The lowest price they list is $389.

Click Here

Good luck!

 

[mickey4ver]

I checked on CNET, and some of those places that were really less expensive, were for the camera only when I looked into them, not the other stuff that comes along with it, so be sure and make sure you are getting it all if you use one of those sources.

I found most of those places to have pretty steep shipping too, but looking at all the avenues of pricing is the best way to make an informed decision.

 

[jfulcer]

Neat PDF about the camera here.


I love doing more research on the camera I already have. It makes me even happier to have it.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I did it! I just ordered the camera. Seems like I got a good deal. For a total price of $472.95 I got the following:

Camera
16 MB Card
Battery
Charger for Battery
All cables for hooking up to Computer, Printer and TV
Wriststrap (WOW - note the sarcasim in my voice)
Manufactures Warranty
Software

I also purchased another battery - normally $79, but they gave it to me for $59 since I bought the camera.

Now I just have to get another Memory card - 256 at priceclub is only 99.00. Maybe I will search internet again.

How did I do?

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Well, camera came yesterday - can't believe I ordered it Thursday, and Monday it shows up. I Love it!! I have been playing with it and it takes awesome pics. Went to Best Buy last night and got a 256 MB card - on sale for 99.99 and I also got an additional 15% off - $84.15 total - I don't think that is too bad. The only problem is my manual handbook only goes up as far as 128 MB(with how many pics on each setting it will hold). On the lowest settings, 128's can generate up to 1300 pics!! I can't imagine what the 256 will hold -


Zurg - do you know?

 

[mickey4ver]

On the site I PM'd you about for the flash cards, they have a place you can click to see just how much each card will hold. It is a very nice site and informative too.

Hope this helps!

 

[Zurg]

b

Originally posted by LOVETHATMOUSE
Well, camera came yesterday -..... I can't imagine what the 256 will hold -

Zurg - do you know?

Congratulations have fun learing to use it.

I would go with twice the 128 setting. That will be close enough.

Good price on the memory.

(Don'tshoot on the lowest setting unless you have no use but the web for the pictures.)

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I called Canon, Zurg, and they told me the same thing. I am soooo excited to hook up the printer I got - HP Photosmart 7350. Best Buy has that great sale, so I will go back and get a price adjustment Friday (OK'd it w/manager first).

Will post a pic as soon as I figure out how to work it.

Oh - a really neat feature on the camera - you can personalize your camera. I am now searching for a pic of Cindy's castle to put on it, so when you turn on your camera, the castle shows. Then you can use any sound bite for all the features (menu, shutter, turn on, self timer, etc.). Will try and find some disney related sounds. Any ideas?