Picking a new camera

[funkychunkymonkey]

Konica Minolta Dimage Z3 4MP Digital Camera with Anti Shake 12x Optical zoom

Minolta Dimage 7i 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom

Olympus Camedia C700 2MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom

Fujifilm Finepix S3100 4MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Zoom

I found these cameras which are in my price range (used of course). I’m new to photography but I want to have control over as many features as I can. I take a lot of landscape, portrait, and outdoor photos. I would also like one that uses regular batteries so if they run out in the middle of a shot I can replace them (I carry backups). Most of my photos don’t get printed larger than 8 by 10.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I can tell you that if your shopping for a Dimage Z3 on ebay, you'll be bidding against me, and you may have already!!! I have bid on several of the Dimage Z cameras already. (read my P.S.)

I had a Dimage Z10. I used to be an ebay powerseller. That little camera had the most amazing MACRO mode I have ever seen! I had people emailing me all the time asking me what kind of lens I used, etc. They thought it was DSLR pictures. It broke, and I returned it.

I'm currently looking for BOTH a Dimage Z series (I'm more after the Z3) which will be used primary for selling on Craigslist, etc and also looking for a DSLR for family/pets/vacation.

I dont want to use an expensive DSLR for Craigslist, but I do want good looking pictures. I sell all sized items, and MACRO is VERY important. I could take amazing Hot Wheels cars pictures with my old Dimage and you could see every little flea bite in the paint. (Which saves the feedback!!!)

The DSLR is going to be more for fun (and obsession...)!

P.S. Here is what I have concluded... a couple weeks ago I was watching Dimages sell in the $30 - $40 range on ebay. At the time I was undecided as to what I really wanted, so I didn't bid high enough to win any. Since all the snow, people have been flooding the internet for cameras. Think about it... It snows; ITS BEAUTIFUL!!! Suddenly that little 10 megapixel 3X optical pocket camera isn't as nice. They go to the internet to buy a camera to take pictures of the snow (or in our case... the flooding!!!). Hence the huge surge in bids and increased ending price. (Ebay sellers take note!!) Now they are selling in the $70 - 80 - $90 range. I'm gonna keep searching, but I'm bettin the prices will again fall when the weather clears up on the East Coast. JMHO.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Are the Dimage DSLR cameras? I couldnt tell from the magizine I was reading. I really want a DSLR. Im not using ebay, Im buying used off of my favorite site, amazon.com

 

[ukcatfan]

That little camera had the most amazing MACRO mode I have ever seen! I had people emailing me all the time asking me what kind of lens I used, etc. They thought it was DSLR pictures. It broke, and I returned it.

That makes more sense than you realize. Due to physics, a p&s is easier to use for macro work than a DSLR. With the right equipment and in the right hands, a DSLR will still outperform a p&s at macros though. It is easier on a p&s because the depth of field is much larger than a DSLR. This is due to the size of the image sensor.

Are the Dimage DSLR cameras? I couldnt tell from the magizine I was reading. I really want a DSLR. Im not using ebay, Im buying used off of my favorite site, amazon.com

Minolta sold their camera division to Sony a few years back. Sony does make some very nice DSLRs. My personal brand of choice is Pentax. Their current entry level model, the K-x, is probably the best bang for the buck going right now. It has class leading performance in many areas and is only around $550 street price with a kit lens. It comes in black, white, red, or navy.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Minolta sold their camera division to Sony a few years back. Sony does make some very nice DSLRs. My personal brand of choice is Pentax. Their current entry level model, the K-x, is probably the best bang for the buck going right now. It has class leading performance in many areas and is only around $550 street price with a kit lens. It comes in black, white, red, or navy.

I was wondering why I never saw any Minolta DSLRS in my searches!
I'm planning the purchase of a DSLR myself, and, being the obsessing gadget fan that I am, (combined with some bad timing... gotta wait about a month or two to make the purchase; I wouldnt be "selfemployeddebtfree" if I just acted on whim.) I have been looking a lot at the Pentax. I'm looking at it the most because it takes AA batteries. I think all the others take those expensive lithiums. Anyone who has ever owned a camcorder with a defective battery, who tried to find a REASONABLY PRICED battery, knows what I mean by that. Albeit, I'm sure batteries have came down since that experience many years ago, but there's nothing like being to grab a $2 4-pack of AAs from any kiosk or convenience store (or walmart, etc) in a pinch to get you up and running again.
My only concern is that the K2000 is getting slammed in some of the reviews I've read. One good thing about my necessary purchase delay is it gives me a space of time to do some research.

 

[ukcatfan]

I was wondering why I never saw any Minolta DSLRS in my searches!
I'm planning the purchase of a DSLR myself, and, being the obsessing gadget fan that I am, (combined with some bad timing... gotta wait about a month or two to make the purchase; I wouldnt be "selfemployeddebtfree" if I just acted on whim.) I have been looking a lot at the Pentax. I'm looking at it the most because it takes AA batteries. I think all the others take those expensive lithiums. Anyone who has ever owned a camcorder with a defective battery, who tried to find a REASONABLY PRICED battery, knows what I mean by that. Albeit, I'm sure batteries have came down since that experience many years ago, but there's nothing like being to grab a $2 4-pack of AAs from any kiosk or convenience store (or walmart, etc) in a pinch to get you up and running again.
My only concern is that the K2000 is getting slammed in some of the reviews I've read. One good thing about my necessary purchase delay is it gives me a space of time to do some research.

I also like having the ability to use AAs. I always keep a set of disposable lithium AAs in my bag because they have a very long shelf life and probably last around 1K shots. They have saved the day a few times. If you go Pentax, go with the K-x, not the K2000/K-m. They made HUGE improvements with the K-x! The only out of production models I would consider from them are the K10D and K20D, but those both use the lithiums. Here is the DPReview review of the K-x. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Its nice to know im not the only AA obbsessed person!! Im glad to know others perfer aa cameras. I love the fact that if i run out of jucie and can just pop out another set of my cheapos!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

UKcatfan... THANK YOU!!! You just made my night. After weeks of searching i have finally decided on the camera I want. I'm gonna buy the K-x in RED!!!
What a COOL color!!! I had saw this camera a couple days ago on the walmart website and I thought to myself "that has got to be cheap". When I watched the review on walmarts website... WOW!!! That camera has EVERYTHING I want. I did quite a bit of research and I have yet to find a single review anywhere where they could say they liked the Nikon or Canon better.
It seems its the best all around camera for the price. I'm sold. I also found it for $499 with one lens at buydig. I'm just relieved that I finally found the one I want.
Now I can delete all the DSLRs I'm watching on ebay and do my research based on this camera.
The hardest part of any big purchase for me is the decision of which one to buy.
Once that is resolved its all a piece of cake.

 

[ukcatfan]

UKcatfan... THANK YOU!!! You just made my night. After weeks of searching i have finally decided on the camera I want. I'm gonna buy the K-x in RED!!!
What a COOL color!!!

You're welcome and congratulations!!! The red is also what I went with.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I have already bought and paid for one. I got this: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKKX1855R for $499. It shows it at $599, but when you add it to the cart it comes up as $499. It worked out perfectly, because I couldn't afford the camera till next month, (or at most the month after that) so I got it for the 90 days same as cash deal. I will be sure to have it paid off before it's due. I always do.

Can you give any advise as to which lens to purchase? I'm after best bang for the buck, and I'm watching Craigslist closely. I'd like to have one more lens for long range shots. Maybe a 200 or 300. But I'm still a little bit of a newbie on this. I see some on ebay sitting at $20, and others nearing $1000. Are there any i should avoid? What about these Asahi? Are they any good? Can I squeeze any more info out of you???

 

[ukcatfan]

Groucho is the expert on used Pentax glass, so I will somewhat pass this off to him. Be sure to check out the used departments at KEH, Adorama, and B&H. There are also many sold through the Pentax Forums.

The Pentax brand DA 50-200mm and DA 50-300mm are nice starter lenses for more reach. You should be able to find some used as well. As for the $1K lenses, well, you get what you paid for. They are without any doubt better lenses. As for the $30 ones, same deal. I bought a used Tamron 80-210mm for $25 when I first got started and it is decent. You can tell the difference between it and the DA 50-200mm that I now have though. You should consider a good prime lens for low light. As long as you do not mind manual focus, there are many fairly inexpensive 50mm primes available used.

 

[gokenin]

Can you give any advise as to which lens to purchase? I'm after best bang for the buck, and I'm watching Craigslist closely. I'd like to have one more lens for long range shots. Maybe a 200 or 300. But I'm still a little bit of a newbie on this. I see some on ebay sitting at $20, and others nearing $1000. Are there any i should avoid? What about these Asahi? Are they any good? Can I squeeze any more info out of you???

Asahi Optical Company is the manufacture of the K & M series of lens that Pentax introduced I am not sure if they continued after that but the name stops appearing after the A series of lens is introduced. Are you looking for autofocus or are you willing to do manual focus? Pentax manual focus primes in the 200-300 range can my found in the K,M,A prices will vary with the aperture speed and make but these are all manual focus lens. The F,FA and DA lens are all autofocus and they are all * lens which means that they are all very costly. There is also the Takumar lens but for those you will need a M42 adaptor so that you can use screwmount lens on your digital SLR. There are third party lens out there as well.

Here is a good place to look for info about the various Pentax lens lines
http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/