Got a digital camera...any tips?

[bamamom]

I just bought a digital camera for our trip. I am going to take my SLR too but will be using the digital camera for most pics. I also got a 256 MB stick and plan on going to Walgreens to download onto a CD (probably every night the way I like to take pics ). I bought the Sony DSC-60. I would love any tips and does anyone have this camera?

2 weeks from today we will be on our way!!!!!!

 

[barkley]

start playing with it now so that you are comfortable with it on the trip. also take extra batteries (they cost too much at the parks).

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Buy rechargable batteries! Have at least two sets charged each morning.
Learn how to turn off your flash. If you want to take photos of fireworks and such, you should turn off the flash, but many don't know how.
Unless you plan on blowing up the photos, I always use the lowest setting. The photos print "normal" size without any loss of quality.

 

[oogieboogie]

Buy more memory cards.

Get 3 sets of rechargeable batteries - one set recharching, one set in the camera, one set in your fanny pack - that way you'll never be left in a lurch when the batteries die.

When taking night shots of the fireworks, turn off the flash and use a tripod.

Get a small, portable, compact, tabletop tripod. It's well worth the $10-$15. If you don't have a tripod, a trashcan works well too.

Practice, practice, practice.

 

[robertchance]

Bama,, some cameras can use rechargeable AA or AAA batteries,, other cameras will only use the rechargable battery ( called a propriatary battery ) that comes with the camera. Before buying any batteries, check which type your camera needs.

 

[jmminarik]

Don't bother deleting out bad photos in the parks, that's what more memory is for. Plenty of time to delete the bad ones after the day out. Since you can spell SLR, you probably know a little about taking good photos, but you're not burning film, so keep shooting.

Edited to add: Minimize the use of the LCD...it will suck your batteries dry faster than a politician can raise taxes.

-Joe

 

[Vickie46]

that is great advice!

 

[pgowder]

Having a digital camera at a place like Disney is great!! Take more photos. Don't stop shooting you can sort through them later. Since you aren't burning film, just shoot and shoot--don't just take one of each pose. You never know when you'll catch that great smile or moment!

Also if you have an iPod you can buy and adapter that will allow you to transfer your photos ot the iPod. This will allow you to free up your memory card and keep shooting!

 

[StitchIsARedSoxFan]

Bama, I would echo the "practice" advise. Best thing to do is keep playing with the camera. You can't waste film so it won't hurt to just play around and take pictures of everything. Also, if you have a laptop, we like to take it to transfer the pictures each night. It frees up the memory card and also is fun to relive the day.

 

[AbbysFamily]

Definately get another card 512 or 1 gig.. They are WORTH it!!!

Also what did you get? That can mean more tips. What do you shoot/print for with your SLR? If 4x6 only you can shoot at 3MP, more isn't needed unless you're going bigger or going to crop later.

 

[nuzmom]

Use the flash for all character photos.

The characters stand in shaded places most of the time. Pictures turn out much better with the added light of the flash.

If you have an adapter to view the pictures on the TV, take it and use it. I take a 256 mg card and a smaller card. Every few nights we view the pictures on the TV and I delete the bad ones. It makes for a fun time for our family to see the pictures so quickly and I don't have to buy a bigger card

 

[pgowder]

Great tip! Using a fill flash outside is one of the things most people miss. It will add alot to your photos!

 

[Tiggerbell05]

Put a sticker with your name and cell phone number or resort number if you don't have a cell, on your camera in case you lose it!

 

[WillCAD]

Go to CompUSA and buy something like this:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=309688&pfp=SEARCH

It's a pocket-size plastic case for carrying a memory card and a set of AA batteries. There are a bunch of different configurations available - one for each different kind of memory card, some with and some without space for AA batteries, some plastic, some metal, some that carry only 1 card, some that carry up to 4 cards. All are about $10 or less.

They are all displayed together in the store, so you can choose the one you need.

 

[gt0163c]

When I bought my digital camera I also bought a hard sided, water proof case for it. It wasn't made specifically for the camera, but it fits great.
www.pelican.com/cases/cases.html (sorry, I don't see how to make a URL linkable here.)

I have the 1010 model for my camera (and a 1020 for my ipod).
The thing I like best about the case is that I can put my camera in it and not have to worry about it getting banged around, damaged, wet or whatever. I've taken the camera on two mission trips multiple camp outs and any number of other activities. I've had the camera in the case in the cargo pocket of my pants or in my backpack and never had any problems with it. I like not having to worry about it at all.

I got my case at Fry's Electronics, but I've also seen them at some sporting goods stores and Wolf/Ritz Camera stores. You mayhave to add a little bit of packing material (I use the white sheets of foam type stuff) to get a good snug fit, but I think it's well worth it.

 

[jdan]

On the subject of batteries: Definitely buy rechargeable batteries. Digital cameras eat through batteries like crazy. Even though rechargeable ones are a little expensive, that will quickly balance out. I would also recommend that you buy a really good set, not the bargain priced ones. I paid $50 for a set of 4 AAs Monster Power rechargeable batteries about 3 years. They have a huge charge capacity - I can take 1000+ photos on every charge, a little less if I use the flash a lot.

 

[kizmac]

I just got back and took around 4000 pics! I had a 1gb sd card. My tip is if you are someone who likes to take LOTS of pictures, spring for something like this Trancend Digital Album I paid $284 but it is so worth it! Think of the time you will save trying to get to Walgreens or Walmart daily. Plus you'll have it for future vacations.

I absolutely recommend it! I would just insert my card at the end of the day and save all my pics to it. I could view them afterwards to make sure they were saved then I would delete my card. I got home and hooked it up to my computer via the usb cable and uploaded all my pics. It was pretty fast too. I didn't time it but maybe around 15 minutes. You can even hook it up to the TV and view your pics that way and it comes with a remote control. It also can function as an MP3 player but I won't be using it for that. Something to consider if you like to take lots of photos. It certainly makes things simple.