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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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camera choices for BAJA.....
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......
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Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
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take those questions to the guys at Pro Photo Connection on Airport Circle Drive. They'll point you in the right direction.
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surfdog
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 11-9-2006
Location: Not where I want to be...
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Mood: Ready to go...
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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.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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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]
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Bajalero
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 11-24-2003
Location: todos santos/ rcho san diego
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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
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Some good info coming in already....looking forward to posting some trip report photos when this is finally decided....
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White Angel
Junior Nomad
Posts: 57
Registered: 2-25-2005
Location: Danvers, Mass
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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.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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A related subject--------AA batteries------
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.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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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
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Realizing that you said "no mini's"
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...
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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oldhippie
Banned
Posts: 742
Registered: 6-25-2006
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Mood: muted
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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.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Old Sony 3.1mp 6X
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:
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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kodak z740 5 mp
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.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3754
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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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)
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fandango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 1-30-2006
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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.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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thanks for the tip
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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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.
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Bajalover
Nomad
Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
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Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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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.
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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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]
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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| 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]
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