I give up.

[taximomfor4]

I have been researching for days (neglecting my nursing school homework shamefully). My stupid Fuji Finepix something-or-other dig cam died on day 2 of our WDW trip (straight horizontal lines throughout every picture). Searched online for remedies or whatever, found none. This camera is only 2 yrs old, and I didn't use it much at all.

So today, after researching all over the DISboards (except on this part, apparently!) I shopped. I drove to several stores, in several towns, with my list of often-complimented cameras. I ended up finding a Kodak Z650. Left it in the box (so can return it still), then started checking some more online. Found this part of the DISboards with the Kodak-hating. Ouch. So started searching old threads to find something comparable in options, but a better brand. I do NOT want my new camera to need replaced in 2 yrs again!

I am aching from sitting here, my eyes are dried out from staring at the computer for so long, and my homework is not even started yet. I am throwing in the towel now...if anyone can advise me, I REALLY want to keep this under $300 but liked the idea of the Z650's zoom, etc. I prefer whatever new camera I get to use the batteries I already have -- rechargable AA NiMH (or whatever they are called). I have SD memory already, as well as XD so either type is ok also.

Start advising, DISbuddies, because I have to buy a new camera within 15 hours!!

Beth

 

[Anewman]

Read this Review(especially the last 2 paragraphs).

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakz650/page13.asp

 

[ukcatfan]

I am going to put this as politely as possible because there has been an overabundant amount of conflict here lately. If I were you, I would return the Kodak and buy a Canon S2 IS or a S3 IS. For the average consumer, the Kodak is great, but in general, Canon will have better image quality. The IS makes a big difference. I always say, go to check them out in person to see what you like. The S3 will likely put you a little over your budget, but the S2 is in your range. Please go look at some reviews to see what is best for you. I like Steve's Digicams, DCResource, and Dpreview for advice. Steve's seems to be the most down to Earth consumer oriented site.

If you want to buy online, I suggest Buydig, Butterfly Photo, and Beach Camera. Beware, there are some REAL dishonest people in this industry. If it seems too good, it probably is too good. Beware of the bait and switch tactic.

The most important thing is that you are happy with your choice. Take our advice as that. Do not take it as what you must do.

 

[taximomfor4]

thanks.

I have been making myself crazy...it's almost time to wake up and I am still researching cameras. Unbelievable! lol.

Reviews are what changed my mind. This is absolutely not money I should be spending, but with 4 kids, I don't want to go without one!! At WDW, we ended up buying disposables.

I found a decent price for the S2, but I'd have to order it online and perhaps settle for a disposable again, on Saturday, since the s2 wouldn't be here yet.

Do stores still have the s2?

 

[geetey]

Last time I looked Target still has the S2 in stock. Probably not the best price, but it was there. You could call your local stores and see if they still have any available.

Circuit City doesn't even list it on their website anymore (thinking you could buy online and pick up at the store). Neither does Best Buy. I don't shop at Walmart but I checked and they have it on the website as well. I don't know if that reflects "in the store" items as well.

Good luck! It is a lot of research to pick out a camera!

 

[taximomfor4]

I found an s2 nearby. YAY! but it is $80 more than online. I guess I will do my Kodak return today, and then mosey into a couple of stores, check their s2 stock. If any of them has it cheaper than $340, I will get it. Otherwise, I will come home and order it, and use a disposable for this Saturday.

THanks for the input out there! I really really want this camera to last a good while and take lovely pictures!!

 

[makinorlando]

You will love the S2 - I know I do!

 

[JR6ooo4]

We have a DSLR and still got an S2 for DW.

B&H has the S2 for $304
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=381966&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

buydig has it for $286
http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product...utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CNPSS2&sku=CNPSS2

print the prices and bring to the local shop for pricematching. My local best buy matched B&H price.

Mikeeee

Hope this is not too late. But most stores that will price match, will price match for a certain length of time after the sale as well. So ask first, then bring the reciept back in for the matching. If they know you already gave them your money they might not offer anything.

 

[Greg K.]

Even if your local store matches the price, you will have to pay tax.

Order online from www.buydig.com, which I've done, and you won't have to pay tax OR shipping. The price you're quoted is it.

I've used buydig a couple of times and have always been VERY satisfied with both their prices and their quality.

 

[all4fun]

Hi there,

Was your camera that broke the Fuji Finepix F700 ? We had the F700 and it was doing the same thing! I thought ds had dropped it (there was a small dent on the casing) so I figured it was probably our fault... Anyway, we replaced it with an Olympus P&S that we are not very happy with (plus it just started making a strange noise when we turn it on...grrr) and just a few days ago ordered another Fuji, the S5200 which hopefully we will be happy with. One of our reasons for going w/ another Fuji over the Canon S2 was that we didn't want to have to spend more money on another type of media (this wb our 4th digital camera). I just wanted to say I feel your pain about having to replace faulty cameras. Hopefully this next one will last us longer than the last two we bought have.

 

[theblondebee]

I too am researching for a new digi cam for our Dec trip to the World. I have been looking at the cannon after reading all the great comments. But two things I want in a new camera are good ISO ratings for low light shots and a wide angle lens adapter. Can anyone comment on these?

 

[taximomfor4]

OK, the S2 was at not my closest Circuit City but another about 20 minutes away, for $3xx and change. On the way, I stopped at Sears just for the heck of it to see if any of the cameras on my shortlist would be there for a great price. I ended up buying the S2 there, for $299. Oh, and they also had JUST found the Energizer AA battery 8-packs with the tradeable WDW pins inside. On sale. So I bought some packs of those as well (the last few~!)

So I've been playing with the camera for a little while now. Gotta figure out how to capture moving children better -- they blur. Having fun, already earned a low battery warning from the set that came with the camera. Since I already have AA rechargable NiMH batteries + charger from my old Fuji, I am all set for tomorrow!!

To the PP who asked about my Fuji, it was the Finepix A210 (3.2 megapixels). I KNOW we didn't drop ours! It is not used much and is stored safely all the time.

This Canon better be more long-lived!!

Beth

 

[handicap18]

Beth, good luck with the S2. I do believe you will be happy. There are quite a few regular users here that have it and they produce some amazing photos. I think I might tell my mother about it considering the price it is now.

As for getting non blury pics of kids. Try the sports setting, or Tv mode use a fast shutter speed {1/200th or faster} (outside will work best to get the best pics). As for night shots with high ISO. Hopefully some others will have some good ideas on that (maybe Makinorlando or Dan Murphy, I think Fudge Judge also has an S2 or S3). I haven't used that camera. Also, since its digital, practice. Use the night settings, use Tv (shutter priority) setting at like 1/30th (hold the camera still, though with the IS you might be able to get away with a slower shutter. Keep in mind the IS will only hold the camera steady, it wont keep a moving subject from bluring) at ISO 400 & 800. See what your results are. Try other settings as well so you know what the functions do. Don't be affraid to try things. You can always delete the pics.

Have fun and enjoy! Thats the most important thing!

 

[taximomfor4]

OK, here is a pic from my first photo shoot with my new toy! (You guessed it, homework never even got STARTED!!)

 

[JR6ooo4]

Even if your local store matches the price, you will have to pay tax.

Order online from www.buydig.com, which I've done, and you won't have to pay tax OR shipping. The price you're quoted is it.

I've used buydig a couple of times and have always been VERY satisfied with both their prices and their quality.

right..., who wants to support their own community?

Mikeeee

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Even if your local store matches the price, you will have to pay tax

Technically, if you live in a state with a sales tax and you buy an item from out of state, you still have to pay tax. If the merchant has a presence in your state, they are typically required to collect the tax anyway. If they don't, you are responsible for reporting the purchase and paying a use tax on the item.

right..., who wants to support their own community?

Supporting my community and supporting merchants in my community are often different things. I support the merchants that provide the best value. Sometimes those are online vendors with the lowest prices. Sometimes those are local vendors that provide the best service. If some local merchants go out of business because people aren't willing to pay the extra overhead it takes to profitably run those businesses, so be it.

 

[ukcatfan]

Even if your local store matches the price, you will have to pay tax.

Order online from www.buydig.com, which I've done, and you won't have to pay tax OR shipping. The price you're quoted is it.

I've used buydig a couple of times and have always been VERY satisfied with both their prices and their quality.

This is just an FYI, it should not be looked at as a moral judgement. Just trying to be a good Disboard citizen and the accountant in me must speak out.

If you buy something online (or anywhere else) and they do not collect tax, you are bound by law to mail the sales tax to your government. While this is very rarely tracked back to an individual and enforced, it can be. Small or home businesses (for this board i.e. professional photographers) need to take a larger interest in following the law because they are more likely to be subjected to an audit. Not really an issue for large businesses because they are most likely subjected to a sales tax audit every few years anyway.

The larger the amount of the uncollected tax, the more likely that the auditors will look for you. For example, they are not going to pay an auditor $30/hr for four hours of work to collect $50 of uncollected sales tax. Also, an audit of the people that sold it to you can catch you. If caught, you will have to pay the tax along with interest and penalties.

Sorry if I bummed anyone out with this info

Kevin