I really, really want a new digital camera

[budbeerlady]

I have been looking at all the great pictures you have all taken. I love the color with the Canon S2. Are you all retouching your photos or is the camera really that great with color? Also this may sound silly but is it instantanious enough?
I have an OLD kodak digital easy share (I swear it weights 10lbs!) that I dont use because whenever DD does something the picture has changed by the time it is taken. I have gone back to using my trusty old Nikon 35mm because then I know I got the exact look on her face as she does something. My digital was fine for pictures with princesses and the staged shots. I really would love to upgrade. If not to the Canon S2 what else would you recommend under $500? (It is at best buy for $379 w/ free ship) Thanks!!!!!!

Also how many shots are you able to hold on a good sized memory card?

 

[YEKCIM]

You *could* get a Pentax *ist DL for sub-$500, online, if you are inclined to move to the next level (dslr).

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I second YEKCIM.

If your budget is that high. Might as well get a Pentax ist*DL for about $500 including the kit lens. The picture quality, especially at high ISO (400 and up to 3200) is rather remarkable and definitely MUCH BETTER than S2 ISO 400.

 

[PoohJen]

If you do go with the S2, I've seen it at many legit places for well below $379. Amazon has it right now at $330, free s/h.

Good luck, and enjoy!

(btw, I purchased my Rebel XT last night on amazon, and got their credit card in order to get $30 off! Woo Hoo!)

 

[WillCAD]

I never alter the color of my pics once I shoot them. The only time I did so was one of the pics in my signature (of me leaning on Spaceship Earth- the sky was gray that day so I substituted blue).

When I shot film, I always shot Fuji, because I loved the color I got from it compared to the washy, crappy color I got from Kodak film (especially Kodak Max - garbage!)

When I bought my first digital camera, I searched quite a bit to find one in my price range that had decent color, no shutter lag, and controls like an SLR. I took a while to find one, and even then, I could only afford it when it was put on clearance at Circuit City due to Fuji discontinuing the model.

My current camera is a Canon Digital Rebel 300D, which gives me terrific color, plus all of those important features I looked for in my Fuji digital. But even so, some of my pics come out with funny colors. The most common color shift is when I do a long exposure at night with a tripod; incandescant lights often give a yellowish tinge to the shot (but I am going to try the Tungsten white balance setting next time and see if that brings it back).


Edited to add:

Oh, yeah, I forgot - once I shot an entire day (over 100 pics) in bright sunlight, with the camera set to Tungsten white balance, which turned them all blue. I had to apply a color correction in Photoshop Elements to bring them back to normal.

 

[mhutchinson]

Oh, yeah, I forgot - once I shot an entire day (over 100 pics) in bright sunlight, with the camera set to Tungsten white balance, which turned them all blue. I had to apply a color correction in Photoshop Elements to bring them back to normal.

Trust me you aren't the only one who has done that...but the sky gets really blue

 

[captaincrash]

I hope this does not come across the wrong way....

... but if you're good to $500... why not defer a little to save up to $700 and get a Canon XT kit? I know the Pentax is a raging value - I jus looked over the details at Steves' Digicam - as DP review seemed to not have a review up yet... and it looks impressive. Of course, the down side is every week of deferral for an XT you'll lose photo ops.

You kno ... for what you're spending on a single roll of film and processing (and prints) ... say $20... you could have had the same 36 images at ZERO incremental cost? Yup... after having shot your next 10 rolls of film if you're willing to accept my estimate of $20 a roll - you could have SAVED $200... enough to step up to the XT.

My 1st experience with a digital camera was a borrowed Epson 800 with only 1.25 megapixels. On a 10 day vacation I shot 800 images... which is comparable to 22 rolls of 36. At $20 comparable cost = that was a "savings" of $440! Ii ran out and got a digicam right after that experience.

Now I know you have a Kodak digicam... but if acquisition speed is getting in the way of going digital - then the cost (alternately - savings) difference should justify the change and step up!

Oh well...

Take the plunge!!!! You'll very unlikely to regret it!

 

[Anewman]

I hope this does not come across the wrong way....

... but if you're good to $500... why not defer a little to save up to $700 and get a Canon XT kit? I know the Pentax is a raging value - I jus looked over the details at Steves' Digicam - as DP review seemed to not have a review up yet... and it looks impressive. Of course, the down side is every week of deferral for an XT you'll lose photo ops.

You kno ... for what you're spending on a single roll of film and processing (and prints) ... say $20... you could have had the same 36 images at ZERO incremental cost? Yup... after having shot your next 10 rolls of film if you're willing to accept my estimate of $20 a roll - you could have SAVED $200... enough to step up to the XT.

While I agree with your point 100%
IMO it is more than just $200 out of pocket.

Beachcamera.com prices
Pentax DL with lens = $480
Canon XT with lens b4 rebate = $750

IMO we should also consider the refurbished NIKON D50 with kit lens, which can be had for only $70 extra.
Nikon D50 refurb with kit lens = $550

 

[budbeerlady]

Hello again. I have been off checking out the Pentax *ist DL. Wow, that is a bit more camera than I think I will ever know how to use. The changing lense thing is a bit more than I want to get into. I love taking pictures of DD and things like the Airshow in the summer near our house. So shutter speed and clarity is big thing with me. I'm off to google the other options people just brought up. Thanks and keep them coming.

 

[tony64]

You can also get the Canon Rebelxt or the Nikon D50 at $500 have a look on this siite
www.royalcamera.com/nikond50kit.html

worth a look and almost no camera Lag!

 

[PoohJen]

You can also get the Canon Rebelxt or the Nikon D50 at $500 have a look on this siite
www.royalcamera.com/nikond50kit.html

Just be careful and check out ResellerRatings.com before you buy from any vendor that is significantly below the better known vendorsany Here's the review for royal camera

I did major (weeks!) research in pricing the XT before finally buying it this morning. Every vendor showing a significantly low price (i.e., much lower than amazon or beach camera-type vendors) had an online reputation for classic "bait and switch" and similar scams.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

if changing lens is your only concern, you can get Pentax body only + Sigma 18-125 for around US$650 total.

 

[Greg K.]

if changing lens is your only concern, you can get Pentax body only + Sigma 18-125 for around US$650 total.

That's what I did. I keep the kit lens tucked away in my closet somewhere, and use the Sigma all the time. It suits almost any purpose.

 

[YEKCIM]

Wow, that is a bit more camera than I think I will ever know how to use.

You can use a dslr in "point and shoot" mode unless or until you get ready to be more creative with it. You'll get a bigger sensor which will give you better IQ, especially at higher ISO's, as Kelly pointed out. You'll have a lot more flexibility on several levels than with a P&S. Main drawback, IMO, is the size and weight. If having a pocketable digicam is a high priority, you may want to confine your search to those kinds of cameras. If not, definitely consider a DSLR.

~YEKCIM

 

[WillCAD]

Hello again. I have been off checking out the Pentax *ist DL. Wow, that is a bit more camera than I think I will ever know how to use. The changing lense thing is a bit more than I want to get into. I love taking pictures of DD and things like the Airshow in the summer near our house. So shutter speed and clarity is big thing with me. I'm off to google the other options people just brought up. Thanks and keep them coming.

The idea of "too much camera" is a valid issue (I have heard stories of Gramma and Grampa at a photo show layout out $40,000 for a Hassleblad medium-format setup to take pics of the grandkids, only to become upset when they found out that it was manual focus and you couldn't develop the film at WalMart). However, you should also keep in mind future expandability.

A basic DSLR like the Canon Rebel XT or the Nikon D50 will come to you with one lens, one battery, a charger, a USB cable, and a CD of software. These cameras have lots of buttons and dials on them, but the truth is that you DON'T HAVE TO USE ALL OF THOSE CONTROLS for basic picture taking.

The vast majority of my photos are shot in Program mode, which is basically a fully-automatic mode. Without knowing anything about DSLRs, you can pick up a Rebel XT or D50 in Program mode, point it at something, and shoot the picture, and the picture will come out better than 90% of the point and shoot cameras on the market. Problem solved, and you didn't have to learn a thing beyond what you already know from using p&s cameras.

However, all of those buttons and dials can be used, one at a time, to make small changes in the camera's performance. You don't need to take a photography class to use the camera, but you will eventually pick up the basics of what each button does as you use the camera.

And the best part of having a DSLR is that if you decide 6 months down the line that it doesn't have enough zoom for your air shows - no problem, buy a longer lens. The longer lens clips onto the camera, and you don't have to learn anything new to use it, becuase you're still using the same camera.

I, too, hate changing lenses constantly, so after I bought my Digital Rebel, I bought a lens that goes from wide angle to tele (about 7x), and that's all I use. I don't carry a camera bag with me at WDW, I just put the camera on a strap around my neck and go. I don't even carry spare batteries, since one is more than enough to get me through an average day.

In short, a DSLR may look like "too much camera" for you, but if you give it a look, it might not be so. After all, Microsoft Word has thousands of features that you probably neveruse - but that doesn't stop you from using it any time you want to write a letter.

 

[lambo606]

I have just bought one of the new Sony H5 cameras... OK, it isnt a dSLR but I would have to say that for anyone considering the Canon S2/S3 IS in my opinion it is a very feasable alternative - I am delighted with the quality of the images I have taken so far. Yes, there are noise issues at ISO400 and above, but nothing which isnt comparable with other cameras pitched at this level. The zoom is fantastic, pictures a clear, sharp, & full of colour, the LCD screen is amazing (it is huge!), battery life is perfectly acceptable for most. I can't wait for my trip to Disney now (18 Days away!) to test it out to the max. I'd quite happily reccomend this camera to anyone.

 

[handicap18]

Is your old Nikon 35mm a SLR camera? If not no biggie. But the price of dSLR's have come way down and are more affordable than ever. I love my D50. Other have made some great points. You can take you time learning how to use it. There are many many resources out there to help and of course you have us.

Starting with either the Canon or Nikon with the Sigma 18-125 will get you a lot of great pictures with plenty of room to expand down the road as you get more comfortable.

Happy shopping.

 

[jann1033]

I have been looking at all the great pictures you have all taken. I love the color with the Canon S2. Are you all retouching your photos or is the camera really that great with color? Also this may sound silly but is it instantanious enough?
I have an OLD kodak digital easy share (I swear it weights 10lbs!) that I dont use because whenever DD does something the picture has changed by the time it is taken. I have gone back to using my trusty old Nikon 35mm because then I know I got the exact look on her face as she does something. My digital was fine for pictures with princesses and the staged shots. I really would love to upgrade. If not to the Canon S2 what else would you recommend under $500? (It is at best buy for $379 w/ free ship) Thanks!!!!!!

Also how many shots are you able to hold on a good sized memory card?

i was thinking like you and ended up extending the budget and gettting the rebel xt ( had a film slr before) but the s2 and Canon A620 pictures are very similar to each other, the a620 does not have the zoom or IS( but is much smaller also) and only cost about $200. my daughter has this one and the picture quality right from the camera is great. i f you go to canon usa you can compare features of different canon cameras and at least narrow it down to point and shoot or dslr or what ever

i wanted to get shots like this of my grandbaby's first attempt to water the flowers and i know i would have missed them as the whole sequence was only about 10 sec( my daughter's easyshare was way to slow between shots .sorry these are straight from the cam. ( hence great grandma's shadow and with the giant zoom lens i have so i should have been standing on the neighbor's deck to take them )( what is up with this, it only took me 10 mins to do this since photobucket kept putting in the same img code for every differnt picture i put in????)

 

[PoohJen]

Amazing detail, Janet! oh PLEEEAAAASE Mr. UPS-man, get here soon w/ my XT!!!!

 

[jann1033]

Amazing detail, Janet! oh PLEEEAAAASE Mr. UPS-man, get here soon w/ my XT!!!!

i have $200 in rebates coming I am using toward my new lens so i am saying the same thing to Mr Postman myself