BajaNomad

camera choices for BAJA.....

surfer jim - 1-11-2007 at 09:52 AM

I have been looking at digital cameras recently and wondering what others here are using. I DON'T like the "pocket" size models as they are too small for me and DON'T want the full size SLR body models as they are too expensive/big.

My needs :
10-12 x optical lens....(surfing photos)
prefer "regular" batteries....( easy/ cheap to replace)
must have manual exposure capablites
flash built in
decent viewfinder so I don't have to put glasses on to shoot

I would like to keep the price in the under $300 range.There are many models around that look good but hard to decide....

Give me some ideas......

Bajamatic - 1-11-2007 at 10:40 AM

take those questions to the guys at Pro Photo Connection on Airport Circle Drive. They'll point you in the right direction.

surfdog - 1-11-2007 at 11:09 AM

Cannon S1 (2 or 3) IS are great cameras. They run between $250 and $450. They have a great SLR feel but still smaller than a full size SLR and they use regular AA batteries. I have on of the original S1's and love it. Also can buy a underwater housing through Cannon for under $200. I use mine for diving.

Skipjack Joe - 1-11-2007 at 11:21 AM

I'm in the same position and considering the Canon A630. Appears to be a great camera but has a 4X optical zoom. Consider using this website when making your decision. Search for cameras where the reviewer concludes "Highly Recommended":

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

After reviewing the previous camera recommendation I agree with the poster that the Canon S1, S2, or S3 is a better fit for what you are seeking than the A630.

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Bajalero - 1-11-2007 at 11:48 AM

Surfer jim , some cameras have a diopter adjustment for the viewfinder to make it better for the optically challenged .

Surf dog: I was looking at the S3is a couple of weeks ago myself . Can you tell me if the lens is glass or plastic and also how is the macro function on this camera?. I kind of liked it.

Thanks , lero

surfer jim - 1-11-2007 at 11:56 AM

Some good info coming in already....looking forward to posting some trip report photos when this is finally decided....:biggrin:

White Angel - 1-11-2007 at 12:06 PM

Surfer Jim- I have a Canon SLR and love it; but it is a little big-certainly not a pocket fit! With dropping prices, I looked at samller units for somehting to always have on hand. I've been disappointed in their speed of focus and "bounce-back" time. Spend some time in the store with your final options to see what "feels" right. Also, as you've indicated, look for something that runs on AA batteries that can be purchased anywhere. Even for my SLR I bought a battery pack/grip that allows use of AA's.

A related subject--------AA batteries------

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 12:12 PM

At Wal-Mart are now Ray-O-Vac rechargable AA batteries (4 for about $5) that are still Nickel-metal-Hydride types, but are treated with a special chemical that makes them hold their charge for up to 9 months----------unlike previous rechargables that have been available that only hold a charge for about 2 weeks.

For those of us that use recharables, this is a really great advancement, in my opinion.

tripledigitken - 1-11-2007 at 12:32 PM

Surfer Jim,

Regarding the battery issue. Something to consider...

The new lithium batteries that so many camera's have now last a long time between charges. With an extra battery and 12v charger for you car, you will allways have a charged battery and you will not have to worry about buying AA's. I would never go back to AA's. (My Nikon D70s will last 500 shots between battery charges!)

Another issue worth checking when shopping....research the delay time on the shutter release. I had a cannon powershot that was great except the delay with the shutter release was maddening. I eventually replaced it for that reason alone. A good camera shop will guide you with this.

Good luck.

Ken

Realizing that you said "no mini's"

vgabndo - 1-11-2007 at 12:44 PM

My digital camera stash is up to four and my favorite by far is my Canon S 400. I don't get the picture if I don't have the camera handy. This one makes really nice images without making a really big deal out of it. It takes the big compact flash card. Fits in a pocket, pants or shirt, and is ready to shoot in about 4 seconds. Cheap now. You could afford to destroy one without too many tears.

I also have a Nikon Coolpix 5000 (very complex, large camera) good stuff if you have time, an Olympus 720 (difficult auto-focus to get right) Looong optical zoom. and an HP point and shoot that has been through hell at work, but keeps on clicking. Image quality just can't match the little Canon. No questions warranty...twice.

The Canon uses a special battery, but I have a 12v charger that plugs into the truck and tops it off in about an hour.

Glad to hear about the cheap rechargable AA's. The Olympus uses four; the HP two, and I use lots of other with my business. They too charge in my truck. The AA's currently with a four slot Energizer unit.

dos centavos...:P

oldhippie - 1-11-2007 at 12:59 PM

My new 6 MB pixel camera has a 10x optical zoom , viewfinder, nice LCD, and manual mode. Kodak Z650 for $218 at Target. They threw in a free 1 GB memory card, $50 value. I thought it was a good deal.

Old Sony 3.1mp 6X

Sharksbaja - 1-11-2007 at 01:24 PM

Takes pretty good pics. Never can really show the high res pics here tho. It takes work and good software and user knowledge to resize and post them here.
Ken Bondy has a good handle on all that!




5 minutes ago:

DSC02330.JPG - 38kB

kodak z740 5 mp

woody with a view - 1-11-2007 at 04:57 PM

everything old hippie says. the only maddening thing i find is about 4 second delay between shots. it does have a "burst" 4 shots in 2 seconds function that is cool. 10x optical 5 digital that with a tripod or resting on your knee is AWESOME.

thebajarunner - 1-11-2007 at 05:22 PM

The Canon S3 was raved over at a recent photo class that our Baja Vida took. But, it is more of the SLR size than the pocket style.
Also, the reviewers loved the 12x lens- just awesome- but hated the pop-up flash feature.
I use my old Sony DSC-P92 and it has great clarity and ease of use.
It is all a compromise.... I miss the SLR "reality view" that I get through the lens, but love the convenience of the little guys hiding in my pocket (no, no, the camera, not that other thing)

fandango - 1-11-2007 at 09:47 PM

woody:
i have a kodak z650 and really like it. had to get a tripod for the digital zoom and it is helpfull when i use the timer, tripod works better than various rocks. to get around that 4 second delay between shots i push the zoom bar for a quick second right after i take a photo and that effectively eliminates the delay. have gotten accustomed to doing that when taking pictures quickly and of different things and i can do it quickly. try it.

thanks for the tip

woody with a view - 1-12-2007 at 07:14 AM

Alan - 1-13-2007 at 08:22 AM

For Xmas a couple of year ago I bought a Canon SureShot for my daughter and a Nikon Coolpix for my wife. The Nikon doesn't even begin to compare with the image quality of the Canon and the shutter delay on the Nikon is maddening. The "ability" to use AA batteries is a major plus.

We bought underwater housings for both of the cameras for our sailing vacation to the BVI. We could rarely catch pictures of fish with the Nikon because of the shutter delay. By the time the shutter released the shot you painstakingly lined up was long gone. We found it most effective to take underwater photos in the video mode and when we played them back we learned that the Canon recorded audio as well where as with the Nikon it was only video.

Bajalover - 1-13-2007 at 11:48 AM

Agree with Alan. Nikon coolpix 5000's shutter delay is sometimes maddening. Missed several good fish shots at Captain Cooke's monument on Hawaii a couple of months back. Too Bad.
Underwater housings? Where did you buy those. I'd like one for my coolpix and D70 if they're made. Then snorkelling in Baja will be that much more fun.

jeans - 1-13-2007 at 06:02 PM

I, too have the Kodak Z740 Easy Share

10X zoom and 5 megapixels. It's a bit larger and its contour shape makes for an easy grip. I have taken some absolutely fantastic pics with it...it amazes me. The screen is not as large as some, but it is sure good for my purposes. I think I paid about $350 for it. I also purchased extra rechargeable batteries,a charger unit and an extra memory card.

It gives you the option of looking through the viewfinder (like in the olden days) or using the screen

It even does video

I have taken more picutres in the last year than in the previous 10.

[Edited on 1-14-2007 by jeans]

100_0450 (Small).jpg - 35kB

Alan - 1-13-2007 at 07:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajalover
Agree with Alan. Nikon coolpix 5000's shutter delay is sometimes maddening. Missed several good fish shots at Captain Cooke's monument on Hawaii a couple of months back. Too Bad.
Underwater housings? Where did you buy those. I'd like one for my coolpix and D70 if they're made. Then snorkelling in Baja will be that much more fun.


This is not where I bought mine but it will give you a start on where to look
http://www.hotunderwatercamera.com/page/920294

Just search underwater camera. You are right about making snorkeling more fun. We are pretty much a water family but now about half of all our vacation photos are underwater. The video mode underwater is really neat especially with the Canon Powershot because it includes audio.

[Edited on 1-14-2007 by Alan]

woody with a view - 1-13-2007 at 09:02 PM

Quote:

The video mode underwater is really neat especially with the Canon Powershot because it includes audio.


audio underwater???:?:

bajabob13 - 1-13-2007 at 10:05 PM

the Olympus 740 is the exact camera you are describing, mine is about 3 years old ,so I'm sure there is a 780 or so model. check it out

Neal Johns - 1-13-2007 at 10:56 PM

I have been reading digital camera reviews daily for several years and the best site found is Digital Photography Review http://www.dpreview.com/ . They are hard graders and very few get Highly Recommended. One of these, a relatively inexpensive model, is the Canon S3 IS. It has 12X zoom, AA batteries, and anti-shake.
About $345 at decent on line stores: http://tinyurl.com/vg93p

Canon_S3_3q-001.jpg - 28kB

Bajalover - 1-14-2007 at 11:13 AM

Alan, many thanks. good website to start at.

surfer jim - 1-15-2007 at 05:29 PM

Well....the winner is....KODAK Z612.....12x lens...2.5 LCD screen....it does use KODAK battery which I didn't want but had to compromise somewhere....COSTCO $269......

To all who responded thank you....now to shoot some photos.......

tripledigitken - 1-15-2007 at 05:59 PM

Surfer Jim,

Enjoy your new camera, especially in Baja.:yes:


Ken

Canon Powershot with Underwater Case

Doug/Vamonos - 1-18-2007 at 08:33 AM

Go to www.canonusa.com and look at their powershot cameras. Click on the underwater photography tag and you will see that they have underwater cases for almost all of their cameras. I have one with my A-85. It is awesome. Very professional quality and hasn't leaked a drop of water in two years of use. It has buttons and levers for every feature of the camera. I especially like to take underwater videos with it. Really cool stuff, and not too expensive. It totally blows away any portable underwater film camera I've ever used (Minolta and Canon). I buy almost everything on Amazon and always get a good price, no shipping, no tax.

surfer jim - 1-18-2007 at 08:45 AM

D/V's post above reminds me about my NIKONOS camera...now about 25 years old and still working....it is a self contained underwater camera developed by JACQUES COSTEAU for diving photos....I got mine to use for surfing photography but ended up using it more in swimming pools (and off road adventures as it doesn't care about dust)....all manual setup and NO batteries either....still in use.....

rbwrivers - 1-22-2007 at 09:37 AM

I just bought an Olympus SP 510 UZ for our Baja trip. The cost was $245. It takes great pics and is easy to use. I looked at the similar Cannon but it was $100 more.

Nikonos--JYC

dean miller - 1-22-2007 at 01:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by surfer jim
D/V's post above reminds me about my NIKONOS camera...now about 25 years old and still working....it is a self contained underwater camera developed by JACQUES COSTEAU for diving photos....

________________________________________


A very common misconception -- the original camera was designed by Jean De Wohlers (spelling) a native of Beligum in 1957.

US Divers, the company JYC was associated with imported the original model as the Calypso camera in 1963. A few years later the camera system was sold to Nikon who renamed it Nikonos and throug the years offered 5 or 6 models of the camera.

I agree--Great camera, water proof, dust proof, low maintenance, easy to repair-- perfect for the condidtions encountered in Baja.

sdm

surfer jim - 1-22-2007 at 06:01 PM

Quite possible....the CALYPSO was the name of the boat they used for exploration if memory serves me right....?

vgabndo - 1-22-2007 at 09:17 PM

Canon Power shot S-400 is selling on e-bay for under fifty!!!