What else do I need?

[spaceacewannabe]

Hi all!
I've been lurking around the photo boards for awhile now, and I FINALLY bought a camera, after quite a bit of research. I know the S2IS is THE thing around here, but it was more than I wanted to spend and more features than I really need.
So I bought the Kodak z740 and got a pretty decent deal on it, I think. I'm super happy with it so far, but I know I need some accessories. I know I'll need more memory, batteries, and probably a camera bag (although this one I'm not too confused about).

So...my question is...what do I get for memory & batteries, and what should I plan to pay? What's a good deal? I don't mind shopping around, but if I know a ballpark, brands, etc., I'll won't waste as much time browsing.

The thing I'm most confused about is the whole SD, compact flash, etc. on the memory cards. I'm also perplexed by lithium batteries vs. rechargeable vs. regular AAs. We have an older Easyshare, and we have a charger dock, but it hasn't worked very well, and I don't think I'll want to lug it to Disney. I used AAs in the old Easyshare this weekend at a wedding...they were fresh that morning and I changed them during dinner (and it was NOT on all the time).
I would be interested in rechargeables as well as thoughts on lithium but need some suggestions on more efficient, smaller, and hopefully not too terribly expensive.
Anybody know about any father's day deals on accessories? I know there are lots of sales on these things around now, and I should really practice for my trip, you know...
TIA!

 

[JR6ooo4]

5 mp is nice. I printed pics larger than 8x10 from my sony 717 with same 5mp.

You need SD (secure digital) memory. Before buying check the specs or reviews. Some cameras do not like the 2 gig or 4 gig cards.
here is a search return at www.pricegrabber.com
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=2411375/sort_type=price

I could fill four 128 meg cards in a night of shoooting theater with my 717.
I would reccomend a 1Gig (at the current low memory prices) as long as your cam supports it. Any larger and it would be a great loss of photos if the card was misplaced.

Batteries are rated in Mah. Milli amp hours = how long the battery will last. Higher number is better. Old NiCads were 500mah. The newer Lithium-ion batteries are 2500 and 2800 at only $20 US for a charger and 4 batt.s. $10 for 4 more. They will last much longer than regular AAs. I always have two batterys (or sets of batteries) at any time.

here is an example:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5700057&type=product&id=1066095853260
fold up charger is about the size of a wallet.

I hope that helps some,
Mikeeee

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Thanks so much! That helps a lot!

 

[jann1033]

my daughter has an easy share and i think has only replaced the lithium AA batteries 3 time in over 2 yrs of occasional use with a few vacations in between( once only cause i left it on with brand new batteries in it....oopppps ) so they do last a good long time if you don't want to go the charger route..( she doesn't for some odd reason but i digress)

i have gotten some decent deals on sd cards( that's what her's takes so i am guessing yours might also) on ecost...some people really complain about them but i have ordered twice from them and they have been great, stuff being shipped before close of business that same day and arriving ahead of schedule..they use dhl now( ups and fed ex are going to have to work to keep up with the promptness of dhl imo) if you go on the countdown threads they have rebates on some of them( i got one 512mb card for 4.99 after rebate...not particularly fast but it's fine for normal stuff with other daughters canon 620) they have lots of stuff with good rebates and so far all the rebated companies have responded and told me how the processing is going along so it seems to be fine.( one order i spent $126including shipping and am getting $70 back,for a 2 gb 130x sd card, the 512 and a card reader)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

okay, everything have been covered here. Nothing else to add!