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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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If you're just getting digital now after disposables, I would guess you like things to work simply and easily, yet gives you reliability and quality
photos. Most of the digitals have so many capabilities it's difficult to remember how to use them beyond your everyday point and shoot on "automatic"
setting. It's fun to use self timer, video and change the setting to more specific exposures (like "sunset", "portrait", "landscape"), and pretty
easy to learn. For all that you can get a Nikon Coolpix for about $100-125. 7, 8 pixels would be fine. Be sure you check out the type of battery
your choice of camera needs. AAA or AAs are pretty cheap and available, but be sure you buy titanium batteries that last 4-8 times as long as
regular. Always have extra batteries and memory chips with you - my biggest problem with my first digital was running out of memory or an exhausted
battery at the worst times.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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I advise you to get a small point and shoot with between 8 megapixels and 12 megapixels. You do not need to spend more than $200 USD, and don't spend
less than $100. Try to get one with a viewfinder if you can these days. Also, make absolutely sure that you get one that has a manual mode wherein
you can individually set the shutter speed, f-stop, ISO settings and have the ability to turn off the flash. If you can't get the complete manual
mode, at least make sure it has TV mode and/or P mode, at the very least.
When you get the P&S camera, generally set it to 3 megapixels and set the quality/compression to mid quality for most of your general photos.
This will serve you just fine and it will limit your image files to just less than 1 megabyte each, which is all you need for viewing on a PC, a
Television, in a slide show in a PC or or over the internet. A 4 GB SD card will hold 4,000 such images! Only set it to more megapixels and/or higher
quality for special photos that you intend to print out larger than 4"x6" images. 3 MP is plenty for 4x6 printouts, all day long. Try to stay below
an ISO setting of 800, and, in general, try to take as many photos as you can without flash.
Learn what a histogram is and learn to read your histogram on the images you take. The most important thing you can do to get great photos all the
time in digital photography is to make sure you get the exposure right. The histogram is the exact reflection of your exposure for the image. For
the most part, good exposure will provide you with great color, image sharpness, and a good looking all around image. And, you definitely do not need
8 or more megapixels for that. Actually, anything over 8 megapixels is overkill, and even 8MP is overkill for 98% of your photos anyway.
If you really want to take this up as a kind of hobby, get yourself a copy of Photoshop Elements software for under $100 USD as it has 95% of the
stuff that the much more expensive CS version of Photoshop has, and 100% of everything that a non professional photographer will ever want/need.
[Edited on 3-23-2011 by MitchMan]
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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The BIG Picture
Nothing wrong with taking a pic at the HIGHEST Resolution you'd like, whether it's better or not. The only thing wrong is when you DON'T reduce it to
a manageable size before sending it as an attachment. THAT'S Rude.
As far as BIGGER being BETTER, a couple of years back one of the Network TV stations did a "Man in the Street" Blind poll with a bunch of photos done
in various resolutions with One MegaPix being the lowest.
ONE person was able to distinguish correctly the proper order.
When the (surprised) Reporter queried her, she said that she'd just finished a Night College-course on Photography and knew what to look for.
Admittedly, if you're Blowing them up, there's a difference.
[Edited on 3-23-2011 by MrBillM]
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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While all of the talk about megapixels and viewfinders is important, I didn't see any reference to something of much more importance (now that decent
megapixel file sizes are common on pretty much all digital cameras) and that is the OPTICAL magnification (referred to as zoom) range of the camera
you buy. I emphasize optical because the digital zoom factor is something you can throw out with the garbage, it serves no purpose that you can't
accomplish in your computer.
I'm really happy with my Canon PowerShot SX10IS. While it won't fit in a shirt pocket, it will give you 15X optical zoom (most entry-level cameras are
in the 3X-to-5X optical zoom range), which will really get you up on a bird or lizzard or that cute San Juanito squirrel and still give you a nice
wide-angle range, too. Best of all, it's relatively inexpensive and quite easy to use on automatic setting. The only gripe I have about the camera is
the non-attached lens cap it uses, I'm on my third one.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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8 MP at highest quality = 4MB file size; 3MP at medium quality = 0.9MB file size. * MP takes up much more SD card space 4 times more), worse if even
higher MP. Meaning a 4 GB sd card will hold only 1000 images and a 3 MP will get you 4,000 images on the 4 GB card. Takes much longer to move, copy
images at 8MP, plus, most down sizing sftwe doesn't down size as much as on a 8 MP as it does on a 3 MP image. Also, your camera has a buffer that
holds all recently taken photos. You use up more space on that buffer, 4 times more, with an 8MP image than on a 3MP image. As a result, if you are
using continuous mode shooting or just shooting a bunch of photos quickly, you will fill the buffer and the camera won't let you take more photos
until the buffer finishes saving those 8 MP images. So, you get abruptly interrupted. Also, since it takes a lot more battery power to save a 4 MB
file than a 1 MB file, not only do you use up your battery appreciably faster, it drains power from your flash shots. As a result, you will have to
wait much longer in between flash shots, waiting for the capacitor in your point and shoot to load up adequately.
All these will be a significant difference in your experience. Especially if you are on vacation shooting a bunch of photos.
The nomad was right, you should consider the higher magnifying capacity as part of your camera choice. I have heard of even 30x in a point and shoot.
That's an amazing capacity. You won't use it that much, but it's nice to have.
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
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Here is one from Panasonic "Lumix" that I just picked up for use on the boat and side trips around Baja..
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Q=&am...
Alittle pricey, but has alot of nice features, including HD video w/ a Leica lens
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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The Lumix line is a good product. Here is the model that the Leica is fashioned after:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/09/28/the-leica-d-lux-5-r...
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Panasonic Lumix cameras are excellent. They have a leica lens and you can buy a camera at varying sizes and price points. You can't go wrong too
wrong. Just decide whether you really want a camera that is slim and fits in your pocket which always helps or do you want a larger format and lens.
Here's a link to all panasonic lumix digital cameras
I think you would like the DMC-TS7. The lens is larger and wider plus it has 12x optical zoom and geotagging. You'll like the photos and the price at
$249
[Edited on 3-24-2011 by gnukid]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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I agree about the Lumix line. Many of my favorite shots of Baja were taken with the Lumix LMC-1 and the Leica D-Lux4. Great cameras if you need
compact with pro features.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
]I think you would like the DMC-TS7. The lens is larger and wider plus it has 12x optical zoom and geotagging. You'll like the photos and the price at
$249[/url]
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As someone with a lifelong interest in photography, this sounds like a hell of a deal. I will take a serious look at their products when I'm in need
of my next camera. And if it has a Leica lens, so much the better, they've been the industry's standard since before I was born.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
they've been the industry's standard since before I was born. |
Oh, yeah...right. Leica made it's debut in 1925. Remember? 
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I would like to thank everyone again for your input. I purchased a Samsung ST65 camera. It has a 5x zoom lense. I set the resolution to 2MP. It
doesn't have a 3MP. It has 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, two 12s and a 14. Way more options and features that I may never use, but who knows. It cost $128 at best
buy. I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too
but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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nikon 7000
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingerrticles/564/ni...
This just came up over at yahoo. I myself been looking for a decent camera. This $9.99 K Mart throw away I use...doesn't cut the cake 
[Edited on 3-24-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Don't forget the movie/video taking capabilitiesof your point and shoot. I am absolutely amazed at the great quality of video that these things take.
Just a pointer for taking video, stay as steady as possible all the time, limit most of your shots (60 -90%) to from 4 to 7 seconds, and, in the
beginning before you get more experience, don't move the camera while taking video, keep it still. When you do move the camera, move it twice as slow
as you think you should.
There, reasonably stick to those guidelines and your video will look acceptional.
[Edited on 3-26-2011 by MitchMan]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
I first went to Radio Shack but no one would wait on me so I left and went to best buy. I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but
didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty. |
My Gawwwd....you still shop in stores? Man.....not me. Gimme a computer, a credit card and a box of beer and I'm a consumer. 
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I do a lot of on line shopping but for the camera I wanted to touch and feel and ask questions in person. Like I said the girl was very pretty.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
Don't forget the movie/video taking capabilitiesof your point and shoot. I am absolutely amazed at the great quality of video that these things take.
Just a pointer for taking video, stay as steady as possible all the time, limit most of your shots (60 -90%) to from 4 to 7 seconds, and, in the
beginning before you get more experience, don't move the camera while taking video, keep it still. When you do move the camera, move it twice as slow
as you think you should.
There, reasonably stick to those guidelines and your video will look acceptional.
[Edited on 3-26-2011 by MitchMan] |
Thanks ... good shooting points...
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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damn...this string "jinxed" me...
looks like another camera is in the "future" for me...
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I have a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (for a while now) and it has been great... fits in your pocket, has zoom, movie with sound abilities, stuff I
haven't used etc. |
That's the best one. Also the Canon PowerShot SD1400IS which is smaller. |
I agree with this for a lower end camera. The Canon PowerShot series of cameras are fantastic. Just make sure you can adjust the resolution when
needed to downsize your photo size, etc. depending on how many photos you want to take on one memory card.
For midrange, I really love my Nikon D40, which now is probably out of date. Check the selection at Costco and Best Buy. Talk to the reps there and
ask them as many questions as you can think of for what you want use the camera for.
[Edited on 3-26-2011 by Bob H]
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
I purchased a Samsung ST65 camera. It has a 5x zoom lense. I set the resolution to 2MP. It doesn't have a 3MP. It has 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, two 12s and a
14. Way more options and features that I may never use, but who knows.
...I probably should have gone to Costco and Sams Club too but didn't. Besides the sales girl was very pretty. |
Pretty sales girl and a nice camera. Great combination.
Here's the scoop on this camera. Seems like a great choice for the price and for what you want it for.
http://www.samsung.com/us/photography/digital-cameras/EC-ST6...
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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