Information / Opinions Requested

12/06/2004 | reg45

[reg45]

I am thinking of upgrading my older digital camera, and I would like some comments from other digital photographers.

1. What camera (make/model) do you use?

2. If you were buying a new camera today, what makes/models would you consider and why?

3. What features do you consider important?

4. What features do you consider less useful?

Thanks!

[BrooklynGOP]

Nope. The 750z is not an SLR.. I wanted something I could put in my pocket and have with me every day (you never know when a photo op might come up). If you're loyal to Pentax, then check out this new digital SLR they have out - *ist DS

[Old Professer]

I have a print of an open wheel formula car at 175MPH+ taken from the overpass at Riverside raceway at F5.6 and 1/1000 on Tri-X 400 ASA, full-frame and can clearly read the number on the hood (Mamiya 1000DTL).

My daughter's digital would still be making decisions a full second later.

[BrooklynGOP]

Then again, you daughter can switch to the manual mode and adjust the shutter speed.

[WildTurkey]

We have all our Xmas photos out to the relatives on Xmas day!

[reg45]

It will probably be a general purpose camera. Family photos, etc. Also my wife wants to be able to photograph her jewelry for catalogs, etc. This may require macro and/or SLR capability. My pet-peeve with my old camera (Kodak DX3600) is slow shutter response. My daughter (age six) can move a long distance between when I press the shutter and when the image is actually created. One minor point is that if the camera supports CF, I can reuse my old media. I like the Nikon D70 but it is out of my budget.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Thanks for the tip. I note this camera is just out in 2004 so I'll wait for a review on how it stands up to daily use. I was looking at one of the new Nikon digitals but $750-$1,000 is more than I care to spend, plus the old Pentax is still clicking.

[Coyoteman]

One of the classics, now pretty cheap (about $175-225) on ebay: Nikon Coolpix 990.

Good close-ups, 3.34 megs, which is publishable quality (we just did a full-color picture book using this camera for many of the close-ups and a Hasselblad for the rest). Has the rotating head section which is great for hard-to-reach places.

[abner]

I love my Sony's. I have a Sony DSC-F707 with almost 28,000 photos on it, and a Sony DSC-F828 with about 7,500 photos.

I've also bought several other Cyber-Shots for other people as gifts.

They are wonderful!

Memory sticks are great, they go from camera to camera, and from camera to computer to laptop....

Image quality is amazing.

For lots of Sony Cybershot photos: My web site

[BrooklynGOP]

Canon's Digital Rebel dropped in price.. I think its ~$700 (at Dell) for the body and a 18-55mm lense. Got very high marks. An extensive review and sample photos here.

[reg45]

I sent out mini-CDs with photos, enclosed with last year's Christmas cards.

[abner]

By the way, I prefer the old 707 to the 828. The 707 is a 5 megapixel and the image quality is about the same, but the 707 is more forgiving when it comes to focusing. The 707 is no longer available, but the 717 is still out there for purchase. It is also available for under 500.00 I think. The 828 is a 8 megapixel and is about 800.00.

[eyespysomething]

FYI, maybe you can help?

[Budge]

You need to specify a price range.

[reg45]

I like Nikons. I learned photography on an old Nikon S2 (rangefinder).

[WildTurkey]

I also put together an automated slide show with Christmas songs playing in the background. Plays on most DVD players. A great way to share and to relive the day.

[WildTurkey]

Memory sticks are great, they go from SONY camera to SONY camera, and from SONY camera to SONY computer to SONY laptop....

[abner]

So I'm a Sony nut! It isn't a problem here...

The new 828 though does also take CF cards.

[reg45]

Price Range: I'd like to keep it under $500.

[reg45]

MemoryStick seems good, but it seems to be an exclusively Sony format.

I hate the fact that there are so many different media formats. There are at least nine different types of media - all incompatible with each other.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Nikon S2 ? That's not a camera. That's a tank.