Please help

[ZPT1022]

We're leaving for WDW in 15 days and our digital camera has abruptly decided to stop working. We have a Kodak Easy Share that my FIL bought us a few years back. Been thinking about upgrading anyhow, I would LOVE the Canon Digital Rebel, but two weeks before our trip I feel slightly uncomfortable spending over $1000. We don't use credit cards or I would just charge it and deal with it later. I obviously can't go to WDW without a camera, and it seems silly to replace one I wanted to upgrade anyhow, but I'm hesitant about spending that much money right now. Any suggestions on where I could find the Rebel for a steal, and still have it come in before August 17? Any other camera similar to the Rebel but not as pricy? yes I know- I am big into scrapbooking and this will be our last trip for a while so I can't not have a camera. What to do? I am freaking out!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Pentax ist*DL with Sigma 18-200 lens (don't bother getting the Pentax kit lens) is approximately $700 shipped from B+H (after Pentax' $100 rebate)

 

[ZPT1022]

Thank you Kelly! I am off to check out B&H. I really appreciate it!

 

[jann1033]

just to let you know you might have to work to figure out a dslr in a couple weeks if you are going from a easy share...you would probably just want to use it in auto modes for the trip and learn more about the other user set modes when you get back

on newegg the rebel black body and sigma 18-125 lens would be roughly $860 so not a whole lot more for a basic kit...course that is only the start you might want to check via pricegrabber and compare the two...can't remember exactly why now but for some reason i chose the canon over the pentax. I think both have been reviewed on dpreview also.

 

[ZPT1022]

Thanks! I have an old Pentax film SLR so I wouldn't be coming at it completely new but it has been awhile since I used the old one, the digital was just soooo much easier to use, and I love being able to see right away that it is a good shot (or not). I'm thinking for now that we're going to just pick up a relatively inexpensive digital ($300) and go with it and if we only use it for this trip that's fine. Right now though with back to school and going away the Rebel just isn't in the cards. Soon though. We have an uncle who usually gives us a VERY generous check for Christmas, that's how we paid for this year's trip, and next year it will be for the camera and all the lenses and whatnot that I just can't live without. LOL. Kind of sad, but I know myself and DH and we wouldn't be able to just stop at the Rebel and one lens- we'd be buying more lenses, filter, etc......... plus memory, etc... we get carried away. This is the one we're thinking of for the trip:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Fuji...40000/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Just a simple kind of thing to get us through without spending too much. We'll use it afterwards for just a quick easy camera to have, when we don't feel like bringing the Rebel- or just to keep in the diaper bag. Not my favorite thing but being realistic about things, it's the better choice financially right now. Being responsible stinks

 

[Razor Roman]

try it before you buy it - lots of people I know with Fuji's have a tough time getting shots that aren't blurry. The $200 Canons they sell at Best Buy seem to give better results (albiet with less Zoom and possibly less megapixels. Haven't looked at them lately)

 

[YEKCIM]

That's the camera I am using at present. I took over 2K pix at WDW last month. The best are on my photobucket site, if you want to have a look-see:

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/DisneyWorld 2006/

Fortunately, I had had the S5200 for several months prior to going to WDW, so I had a chance to get accustomed to using it. I will tell you that, despite the learning curve and some out-of-camera softness (whcih is easily remedied in Picasa or other PP software), it is a very good camera, and produces excellent results...at least I was pleased with mine. Note that all the pix on my photobucket site were shot in "chrome" mode, which results in more vivid colors.

If you want to read a review, go here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_s5200.html

The CC price is pretty good, but you could save a few bucks by shopping online, though. Given the circumstances (15 day countdown), I'd pay the small extra $$ and get it at CC so you will have time to play with it, and learn how to best use it. Be sure and get a couple sets of rechargeable NiMH AA's and enough memory to get you thru WDW. Sam's Club is a good source for both, if you have a membership. I shot about a 512MB card and a half each day (about 30 pix) and then dumped them to our laptop each evening. Your mileage may vary.

The 5200 will be a good camera for your immediate needs and will serve as a backup after you go dSLR, which is my next move, when funding is sufficient.

If any specific questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. I browse this board all day so can probably get back to you pretty quickly.

~YEKCIM (or as I'm trying to get my wife to refer to me, "YEKCIM the Great")

 

[YEKCIM]

lots of people I know with Fuji's have a tough time getting shots that aren't blurry.

I would suspect that they are not particularly adept at holding the camera still at slower shutter speeds. The S5200, while lacking stabilization, *does* offer good high-ISO sensitivity, that can offset camera shake. Here is a handheld shot of SSE, taken with the S5200, using ISO 800 (ISO 1600 is available, but I try to avoid it, due to noise):

Now, to be fair, I did shoot 15 identical shots (another beauty of digital) in order to be sure I got one that was sharp. The point is, though, that the camera *is* capable of producing very sharp images, and the OP should not have the impression that it is not.

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

have you checked out the canon s2 IS...it was going for around that same price and has more zoom and the image stabilization which works great ( i have it in my 28-135 lens and love it, same technology as in the s2)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

and visit my photography lesson thread listed on my signature

 

[Anewman]

Thanks! I have an old Pentax film SLR so I wouldn't be coming at it completely new but it has been awhile since I used the old one,

Well if you have an old Pentax film SLR, you might have some Pentax Lenses compatible with the Pentax DL.

You could have a decent setup for around $350 after rebate.

Remember Buydig.com charges NO TAX and NO SHIPPING and their standard shipping is usually delivered within 3 business days.

 

[YEKCIM]

Well if you have an old Pentax film SLR, you might have some Pentax Lenses compatible with the Pentax DL.

You could have a decent setup for around $350 after rebate.

Remember Buydig.com charges NO TAX and NO SHIPPING and their standard shipping is usually delivered within 3 business days.

Also be advised that, while your old Pentax lenses should work (even 42mm screw mount supposedly will work w/adapter), there is a 1.5X crop factor due to the difference in size between the DL sensor and 35mm film. Thus, your wide angle lenses may not be wide anymore ( e.g.: 28mm X 1.5 = 42mm, which is *not* wide angle)

~YEKCIM

 

[Anewman]

there is a 1.5X crop factor due to the difference in size between the DL sensor and 35mm film. Thus, your wide angle lenses may not be wide anymore ( e.g.: 28mm X 1.5 = 42mm, which is *not* wide angle)

~YEKCIM

Very true, but...

the Fuji S5200 isnt exactly wide either, starting at 38mm. I really doubt that 4mm in that focal range is very noticable.

 

[YEKCIM]

Very true, but...

the Fuji S5200 isnt exactly wide either, starting at 38mm. I really doubt that 4mm in that focal range is very noticable.

Nor was it my intention to imply that the Fuji's 38mm *is* wide; in fact, that is one of the major frustrations with the S5200 and my "excuse" for looking for a dSLR replacement (excuse, reason, justification. whatever...I still gotta convince Mrs. YEKCIM that I *need* it!). I just wanted the OP to be aware that a 35mm film lens ain't gonna produce the same view on a DL.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

If budget is an issue, I got the chance to play with Pentax K100 with the Kelly lens today. It's a great combination that should not cost you more than US$1k including shipping, relatively clean ISO 1600 (clean enough I'd use it), and in-body Shake Reduction.

 

[pyrxtc]

If you haven't bought yet, here is ne until you get your SLR http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olym...57298/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It will work well where your SLR won't. i want one for me to use at the water parks or for those days when it is pouring but I just need the pics I want. You could have it out on wet rides and not worry My MIL has one and it works great. I'm going to ask to borrow it my our December trip for when I don't want to carry my SLR. The pictures are beautiful and it is easy to use. It also tucks anywhere due to it's size and you can almost forget you're carrying it around.