Digi-Camera Experts~Howboutthis?

[MollyBelle]

I've been reading your insightful comments regarding the digital cameras: which are good, which are not, which are idiot-proof (need this!) and which are the best value, etc.

Today in BigLots ad, they have a Polaroid Megapixel for 99.99. I cannot post the link, because they post the ads on Wed for their website, and we get them in our paper on Tues. This price includes memory and a dock station thingy. (can you see why I need the advice??)

I want a decent camera for a great price (ha) that I can use to begin Ebay-ing...I need to start so badly, and I know I can be great at it, but the camera thing is getting me down. I know I can use it as an investment, and make the money back but I'm clueless about where to begin...

Any any any advice is welcomed...you people are a fantastic resource!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Wolf Camera/Ritz Camera has a Fuji 205 or 210 for the same price and it is a great camera. I have also seen this camera at the same price at Office Depot. See link below:

URL=http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=657264&location_info=SG_3_DV_19_CT_1901_SC_1901012_SK_657264]Office Depot ad[/URL]


I saw the camera you are referring to in the Big Lots ad and must warn you that it is probably a factory reconditioned unit. I have a Fuji 2600 that I have had for a couple of years and it is pretty idiot proof and I like it very well; it is the predesessor to the one Wolf and Office Depot have. I got it back when it cost $299. Boy have prices dropped.

You really don't need the docking station. Just plug the USB cable that comes with the camera into one of the USB ports on your computer (you will have to do this with the docking station anyway), the other into the camera, and you will be set to download your pictures.

If you want to get serious about digital, for another $50 Target had a 3.2 megapixal Fuji camera on clearance over the last couple of weeks. I use my digital camera virtually exclusively now. This is coming from someone who swore by his 35mm SLR 'til he had to lug it and the flash attachment and camera bag loaded with the other accessories around WDW for a couple of trips and decided to go for a point and shoot 35mm and eventually to move to the digital. Now I'm a digital convert.[

 

[4greatboys]

Either Circuit City or Best Buy has a Kodak 3.2 mp camera for $129 I was thinking about that one. I think the camera you saw was 2.0

 

[TiffJ]

I just got the Kodak DX6340 and I love it. I was using for a couple of days before I finally decided to read the manual a little. I had the Fugi 210 and sent it back. Too much lag time between pictures. This one is great and very user friendly.

 

[Tigge50447]

this maybe a little more then you want to spend but I just recieved my Nikon coolpix 4300 and it rocks. I had some pictures developed at eckerds to see the print quality and they look just like 35mm pictures. So far I'm super happy with this product. Not sure how to use all the functions but if you are looking for a high quality digital I recommend the the Nikon coolpix 4300

 

[nowellsl]

I just got a Nikon Coolpix 2100 (2 MP) at Target on clearance for 139.00. I love this little camera. It has a great closeup feature and takes great close-up shots. Even though it's only 2 MP it still takes great pictures and if you're not planning on enlarging beyond 5" X 7" it should be fine. It has a 3 X optical zoom which is nice.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Typically, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji and other brands historically associated with 35 mm cameras have better optics than the Kodak and HP cameras.

One thing to keep in mind re: lag time, the smaller the memory card the longer it will take to write the file. As the card nears capacity, it will take longer to write the file no matter the size of the card, but the smaller the memory size the quicker you will reach that point.

Also, the lag time will be longer when the battery is weak. I purchased a set of four additional Sunpak rechargable batteries for my camera and two worked fine, but two wouldn't cycle fast enough for the flash and the image capture to be in sync. This resulted in under exposed and blurred photos. As long as I use the batteries that came with the camera and keep them charged, the cycle time is pretty fast and remains in sync.

If cost is a concern and you can wait, I think the prices will really start to fall after July 4th when the demand for cameras for vacations will start to wane.

 

[MollyBelle]

I appreciate all of your replies.

I will keep your suggestions and keep checking prices...

Cost is always a factor, but I'm in a hurry to do Ebay as well.
I sure thank you all for your answers...

Molly

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by nowellsl
I just got a Nikon Coolpix 2100 (2 MP) at Target on clearance for 139.00. I love this little camera. It has a great closeup feature and takes great close-up shots. Even though it's only 2 MP it still takes great pictures and if you're not planning on enlarging beyond 5" X 7" it should be fine. It has a 3 X optical zoom which is nice.

Actually those 2mp Nikon's are really pretty nice all the way up to 10x14, if you use the best setting. I used to make prints from wallets to 10x14/15 to show what could be done with a digital.
Enjoy your camera, it is a really nice one.

 

[Goofy4Mickey]

Tigge50447, where did you buy your Coolpix 4300?

Our May/June WDW trip will be the 1st time we are "going digital", and I've narrowed my camera search down to the Coolpix and the Canon S400/410. I am leaning towards the Nikon, but finding it in stock has been somewhat of a chore.

thanks

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Goofy4Mickey
Tigge50447, where did you buy your Coolpix 4300?

Our May/June WDW trip will be the 1st time we are "going digital", and I've narrowed my camera search down to the Coolpix and the Canon S400/410. I am leaning towards the Nikon, but finding it in stock has been somewhat of a chore.

thanks

If you don't mind a refub, Refurb depot has them for 259.95. I purchased my Nikon 950 through them and added the 39.95 for a 3 year warranty and still came out much better than a new camera. They are really great to do business with and I have used the warranty service, which was absolutely no hassle and I was extreamly pleased with the service. (The problem, btw, was a problem common to the 950 regardless of where it was purchased). Here is the link. http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=2902

 

[wdwmom2]

I just saw the Nikon coolpix 4300 at Walmart. I have one also and love it!!! Very easy to use. I highly recommend it.