View Full Version : What Digital Camera?
sooty
28-04-2003, 06:25 AM
Can anyone recomend a reasonable digital camera. Am not looking at top shelf gear as the budget will not allow it
There is a Kodak CX4300 advertised for $369. 3.2 mp, 2x zoom & all glass auto focus lens.
thanks Kev
Wayne
28-04-2003, 06:45 AM
Hi Sooty,
Asking people what digital camera they like is like asking what fishing reel is the best so you get many different opinions. As far as I know Alvey don't make a dig camera as yet.
May I suggest that you have a look at this site which is probably the best around for dig camera info:-
http://dpreview.com/
Work out which camera suits you then shop around. The cost of digital cameras, especially the 2-3 megapixel range seems to be coming down every few months as new models hit the market.
I hope this helps
Cheers
Wayne
Check out Photocontinental ( don't necessarily buy it there) but a lot of cameras have functions that most people never use but you still pay for them. I reckon go for the best possible quality lens and highest resolution and less of the gimmicky functions unless you will use them.
Derek Bullock
28-04-2003, 12:18 PM
Hi
I have recently been looking at digital cameras myself and let me tell you there are heaps out on the market. #For me I wanted something to produce photos similar in quality to my Canon SLR, otherwise it wouldn't be worth having. #I looked around a fair bit and if you want to spend the dollars then take a look at the Nikon range. #The one that interests me at the moment is the Nikon Coolpix 5000. #On a trip through Singapore recently I saw it for $1500 Singapore Dollars at the Airport Tax Free.
In standard form it comes with a lens equivalent to an SLR lens of #28mm to 85mm range and has standard a 19 mm wide angle lens adaptor.
Also has 5 million effective megapixels so your prints are going to come out looking pretty good.
Will take all the happy snaps you want on auto mode plus that little bit more for the semi professional look.
You can check it out at http://www.maxwell.com.au/photo/cameras/Digital/cool5000.html
You will also find that there are heaps of other models more in your price range but keep as high as you can in the megapixel range or your photos may come out looking a bit grainy.
Cheers
Derek
adrian
29-04-2003, 03:01 AM
hi
pending on what you want to use it for there are cheap ones on the market as well if its' for the boat then i'd go the cheapest possible as it may not like the water . but as i always say buy the best yuor budget can afford you to have and if you cant afford it don't buy it .
oh make sure that it s insured for taking it outside ( don't laugh read insured or not to find out why )
Anzac
dazza
29-04-2003, 06:11 AM
Hi Sooty,
I am also looking to buy a dig very soon. Another consideration is software. make sure it is compatable with your computer and easy to use. apparently some won't run on certain systems and others you need to be a rocket scientist to work out how to use it. currently cannon is winning for me. the cameras are pretty good and the software is easy to use, which for a computer moron like me is a very big bonus
happy snapping
dazza
lordy
29-04-2003, 08:26 AM
Can anyone recomend a reasonable digital camera. Am not looking at top shelf gear as the budget will not allow it
There is a Kodak CX4300 advertised for $369. 3.2 mp, 2x zoom & all glass auto focus lens.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # thanks # Kev
Digitials are a mixed bag. I've seen some good quality digitals struggle for correct colour and light in a few situations. I think digitals are still in a big upgrade curve and the longer you hold off the better your camera will be and it will cost you less to get it. If you have some mates get them to take a few pics or go to a camera house and take a few pics with one and then get the salesman to put them up on a PC for you to get an idea of quality.
If you have a decent film camera already you could hold off for a while and wear the $15-20 cost its take buy and develop a 36 shot roll of film. Thats about 700+ photos for the price of the digital and you get prints. Even those crappy throw away cameras seem to do as good or better job than a lot of the cheaper digitals.
The Cool Pix $1500 dollar one that Derek mention is starting to get to a quality level I'd consider replacing my 35mm film camera with. A year a go it would have been worth 2 or 3 times its price now. Likewise a 3.2mp camera would have set you back $1000+ last year. You might end up a year from now deciding that you need to upgrade it again, especially when you look at your mates 5mp $350 with better colour and resolution with a little envy.
If you have to get one try and test a few first.
Mad_Barry
29-04-2003, 08:35 AM
Saw one the other day that might be worth a look,
It was an olympus mju 300 ??? (I think),
promoted as water resistant, O'ring seals on openings etc,
3.2 mega thingys.
Sounds good for boat/fishing applications.
was 699, or 799, can't remember.
Anyone had any word on these, good or bad.
whiteman
29-04-2003, 08:50 AM
Pentax 330GS - a hands down winner for my company. We build web sites and do a heap of other things with digital photography. It's 3.2 mp with 3x zoom which is ample colour saturation (use with Adobe Photoshop to get the best results). The cost was under $700 at Harvey Norman, very portable and uses standard rechargable batteries and standard memory so you can buy 64kb for less than $80. We looked at 20 other cameras in the $500-$1500 range and checked out plenty of reviews on the web, including Choice Magazine.
It is great for fishing - it's always on my boat - as it is easy to use and the auto feature compensates for just about all conditions - and it's a Pentax so expect good quality with 1st class service.
Professionals spend well over $10k on digital cameras but if you are a "happy snapper", this camera will satisfy your needs for a few years.
Barrymundi
29-04-2003, 10:24 AM
Have a look at this picture taken today.
The good wife and I stopped off at Magnetic Island for an icecream after a bit of mackerel fishing.
Photo shop is handy, this one was 5 pictures stitch together with the Canon program
Camera - Powershot A20
Maybe I should have been at work, it is Sunday ?
Mad_Barry
30-04-2003, 04:30 PM
Top photo,
How'd you scam the day off with the only little window of opportunity in the weather lately ? :-[
Did you get a few off the channel markers ?
Hi Guys, have alook at the new canon A70 it is reasonable in price around $699,, plenty of gimmicks runs on AA batteries so you can carry spares easily, and best of all has a very compact small waterproof housing which will dive to 40metres..
Had mine for a few weeks looks like being good without being over the top price and feature wise
Voltzy
01-05-2003, 12:32 PM
Saw one the other day that might be worth a look,
It was an olympus mju 300 ??? (I think),
promoted as water resistant, O'ring seals on openings etc,
3.2 mega thingys.
Sounds good for boat/fishing applications.
was 699, or 799, can't remember.
Anyone had any word on these, good or bad.
Mate, I cant say anything about the MJU digitals, but the mju's film cameras were excellent value for money and pretty easy to use. Great pics too. there was/is a range of prices and features. I hope that helps a little. If you want, shoot me a PM and I'll scan some pics taken with a mates MJU.
The digital i am using is a c730, bit more than the MJU at $1200ish but a great camera. Like wise if you would like to see some pics taken with that, shoot me a PM.
Voltz
Mad_Barry
01-05-2003, 05:44 PM
Thanks for the offer Voltzy,
I have found some digital pics & reviews of the camera here,
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/stylus_300-review/index.shtml
& here,
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/stylus300.html
as well as the www.dpreview site mentioned earlier.
At the moment I run a 35 mm Canon eos 500, (or 5000 #:-[ ,it's not in front of me #:-[ #;D) #and am very happy with it.
I was planning on staying with canon when going to digital, but this little chap of similar specs, with it's, water resistant ability sounds handy for those wet, fumbly, slimey, fishing & boating foto's,
Do you think this feature , compared to a simliar priced/featured canon, would be worth straying from the brand I'm happy with ?
Voltzy
01-05-2003, 09:47 PM
Do you think this feature , compared to a simliar priced/featured canon, would be worth straying from the brand I'm happy with ?
If you want my uninformed opinion...
Given the old technology (lense and optical shit) meets new technology (digital interface and related stuff) you can take or leave brand loyalty. Just coz a brand made great film cameras doesn't garuantee great digitals, and vice versa. I'm not sure if each brand manufactures their own lenses either.
So given the potential for confusion and maybe hybrid products, the best advice I can give is research every camera within your budget. Go and try each one of them if you can. Take a few pics and have a look at the results.
Read the user ratings at www.dpreview.com there is a fair bit of constructive criticism but not all of it is accurate.
Also check on the ease of downloading from your camera to your PC, and also storage devices etc.
Most importantly choose something which is best for you. If you are gonna have wet or slimey hands, consider the relative complexity of the controls and button sizes. Ease of navigation is often overlooked for other features. I would also highly recommend getting a protective case. Something like the "everything proof" pelicans.
That is my opinion and I hope that is some help.
Barrymundi
02-05-2003, 04:04 AM
Top photo,
How'd you scam the day off with the only little window of opportunity in the weather lately ?
Did you get a few off the channel markers ?
We fished Burdiken Rock - no Mackerel, moved to the coast guard and fished the tripods - no mackerel
I bought a olympus mju 300, 2 months ago for $720 delivered to my door (through the union shopper). Great camera, the pictures are very clear and the fact i can touch it with wet hands is an essential when out in the boat.
Using it as much as i can taking shots that you wouldn't usually take with a normal camera as you would consider it a waste of film. The best part is being able to show people you photos that afternoon and also being able to email them to people who you rarely get to see in person.
As far as features, optical zoom is the way to go, it works like a normal camera and produces clear shots. Digital zoom just increases the size of the pixals (pixalates), and you end up with some pretty dodgy shots.
Personally i think its worth every dollor, cheers.
Justin.
Mad_Barry
02-05-2003, 08:17 AM
Thanks for that Voltzy & Justin,
Sounds like I'll go & talk turkey with the camera shop #8)
will let you's know
rosella
02-05-2003, 11:26 AM
I have a digital Mavika...cost around $1400....went and bought a 1.3 m/pixal at Tandy for $130 just for the boat..includes lots of software and usb cable and 7 meg storage...it is a CONCORD....has a cable so you can view on your TV and you can take a small AVI file ...in-built flash....uses twoAA size batteries...it is also a WEB-CAM...32MEG CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AS ARE 64MEG. # THE ONBOARD 7 MEG TAKES 54 SHOTS in standard mode...and less as the pic quality improves.....if your gonna drop one over the side....or drop it anywhere....better $130 than $500+
# # # # cheers......rosella
P.S....I AM IN ADELAIDE..... if you are not over here...if you go into one of their store they would be able to get one....if not...e-mail me and we can figure out how to get one to you.
Cheapy.... Vivitar Vivicam 3640, under 200 buks, has a 60 second video mode, 6 different pic qualities from 2048x1536 to 800x600, has all the works 2 mega pixtels, can take Smart Media cards up to yonks, has 8 meg internal memory. Use as a web camera, exports to your computer, quality is not bad. I do direct colour prints to my Canon S520 and its as good as any film stuff. Mine was from K Mart on special $149.
Neat viewer, all the goodies and it takes rechargable batteries to boot. You get a CD with a few pic programs, all good Ulead stuff. Have a look at it. Cheers Max
sooty
02-05-2003, 05:46 PM
Thanks for all the feedback mates, I guess it is like asking what is the best lure/rod/reel or ?
see ya Kev
imported_admin
03-05-2003, 03:04 AM
Hi
It all depends on what features you want and how much you have to spend so it is always hard to recommend a digital. You can get them from under $20.00 to over $20,000.00
A couple of things I would suggest would be to look at where you are going to use it. If in the boat around Saltwater I would suggest you get a Pelican, or similar, case to store it in. Depending on how much you pay for the camera as the case may be more expensive than the camera.Most digitals are not water ressistant and they do not like salt water at all, speeking from experience ;D
Consider how much you will really use it and what for. If you want to take a few pics of your catch and post them on the net, etc why not look into using a cheap 35mm camera in the boat and getting the film developed by someone like Extrafilm. Thay can have the film developed and Internet delivered within 24 hours of receiving your film. This saves you the hassle of getting them developed locally and then having to have a scanner to scan them. If you are only taking a roll of film every now and then it maybe worth looking into.
You will typicly find that the cheaper cameras are fine for outside use but are not so good for inside/low light use so consider where you are likely to use it most.
If you can find somewhere that will alow you to take a couple of pics inside and out with a couple of cameras and then give you the files on disk to take home and play around with to see what they look like and print, etc, it may make it easier to decide on which one.
More info on Extra Film can be found at http://www.extrafilm.com.au/
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