Also Calling All Techies--Digital Cameras

[Alexander]

The thread on laptops was tops! HeHeHe--Sorry! I learned everything I need to know when we begin shopping. Now I need you to tell me about digital cameras. We still are using the ol' point 'n shoot with film. (For those of you who forgot, it's that little cartridge you put in the camera, and then take somewhere to be developed.) I understand a little about pixels and that, the more, the better quality, but how many do you need and how about memory, and cards, and attaching it to the computer and all of that. I hate to ask at the store because I don't want them selling me things I don't need just to boost their commission. Thanks guys!

[Keith]

1. Pixels are important but not everything

Anything 2Mpixels or over is fine for the type of prints most people make. You can make 6x4 (standard) or 7x5 (large) prints with ease from a 2M camera.... and frankly these days, you can resize to 10x8 (a4, letter-ish) size too.

3Mp is "nice to have" 4Mp and over start consuming memory cards for little benefit for most people.

If you want something a bit more scientific, printing at a lab usually manages to need between 250 and 300 "coloured Dots Per Inch" . So if you look at a 6inch by 4inch print, ideally you'd take a photo of about 6*300=1800 by 4*300=1200. Which ends up for most people at 1600x1200 because that's a standard resolution from 2MP and above :)

In *theory* a 14MP camera will be able to see finer detail than your 3MP... in practice at the consumer level, the lenses aren't good enough to resolve the detail anyway, so all the extra pixels do is fill up your memory.


2. Lens

Assuming you're looking for a general camera, something in the range of 35-105mm (or thereabouts) is a good range to look for. 35mm is reasonable wide angle (ish) so good for landscape and set the scene type shots. 105mm is a reasonable zoom that will get you closer to your subject (or more accurately, allow you to fill the frame without having to trample people ;-)

A lens with a small Fnumber (2.8 better than 4.0) will be better in lower light...and your flash will probably have a better range for parades and the like.

3. Memory cards

Try for a camera that accepts compact flash rather than smartmedia or Sony sticks. This is not to do down those cameras, but compact flash cards tend to be cheaper and more available (especially at higher capacities).

How big and how many will depend on the camera you buy and how you use. A 2Mp camera will store a lot more photos on a size of card than a 5Mp will.

I'd recommend at least a 256M or a couple of 128M ones. They tend to be best value at the moment.

4. What will you do when your digital film fills up?

In the point and shoot days, you popped in another film.... but digital you tend to have one or two cards. So play with the camera before you go, work out how many photos you get per card and if you think it'll be enough for your hols. When they fill up, you'll either need to move them to a laptop, take the card to walmart and get them to make you a cd, or buy another card.

5. attaching to the computer.

It's dead easy nowadays as long as you have USB. Look for a USB camera (99% of new cams out there have this). You'll install the software that comes with the camera, pop in the cable and the pictures should be on your computer in a few minutes. Easy as that.

6. Printing

Do think about how you're going to get prints. In the film days, you HAD to get prints really just by developing the film... now you "develop" them onto your computer and hardly ever print them to show anyone :( walmart (and others) in the states, boots in the UK will take your memory card and print your prints :) in an hour or so. Great way to start and better quality than the lower end inkjets (though they're getting better all the time).

7. Recommended models.

I'm a canon fan... so you know my bias :)
Canon S45 - oodles of power, all most people would ever need..
Canon Ixus v3 - miniscule tiny tiny camera! I carry it everything and dont notice it in my jacket pocket.
Canon g2 - the g3 just came out and the g2 is now a bargain for a very powerful cam
nikon 4500 - weird swivel body that can be really useful

(the ixus is probably called something else in the states, MM will know).

If you're looking at another budget range, let us know.

Have a look at camera review site (http://www.dpreview.com)

If you fancy putting down a few details of what you want to spend, use it for etc... we can come up with some more targetting recommendations.

Feel free to ask about anything !

[Mickeymac]

(For those of you who forgot, it's that little cartridge you put in the camera,

Wise guy... Keith, did you catch that one??

The Ixus is the Powershot S series - I have the S330 - basically the same as Keiths - and it's fabulous. I like a camera I can carry with me everywhere, take shots quickly, handles a wide range of lighting, review and toss easily, and prints out beautifully.

As Keith said, price range, intended use, and who is going to use it would be great (if the kids are going to get ahold of it, for instance, you want a more durable case - Keith doesn't have kids YET so probably hasn't thought of that)

Hey, it was the only thing I could add! LOL!

[Keith]

Wise guy... Keith, did you catch that one??

Well I saw it.. but hmmmm is this related to that film stuff that the history books say people used to use? Before my time I guess :hehe: :bounce: ;) :hehe:

Don't have kids but if I did, I'd be getting them disposables :) Durable case or not, if they lost my digital camera, I'd be the one sitting in the pram crying :) From when I've been to friend's kids' parties, they seem to have more fun with the disposables although I enjoyed seeing one of my friends standing in the store having paid to develop 36 prints from his son's camera all of which seemed to either be of his son's eyeball or the ground :) I believe the appropriate MM copyrighted expression is "Wicked funny!" ;-)

[Mickeymac]

Did I say "wicked funny?" I'ma lookin' in that post, and I don't seeeeee "wicked funny" Did I say that and you whipped out your mod wand and edit it out? Did I really say that? I don't talk like that...

BTW, we found a great little 2mp camera at Walmart for wicked cheap cheap cheap. Now, the nose hair shots are downloaded to the kid's computer... so they can have a wicked good laugh over them. hehehehehehhhhhahahahaaaa!!! off to find me cough meds...

OMG - the kids are listening to Homer Simpson singing the Flintstones song (wicked butchered lyrics) on Tunetracker.com... They are wicked dying laughing here.

I wicked needs sleep... I wicked need to be off to bed, and you Euros will STILL be up when I get up in the morn... I wicked can't keep up with you guys! Too wicked funny!

[Whitequeen]

WICKED!!!!!!!:D

[Keith]

LOL heheheheheh That'll teach me :-)

yeah amazing the prices you can get 2MP cams for now... agree that'd be really great for the kids.

I bought one of those intel microscopes that attaches to the computer for friends kids and I have to say, I had a great time with it.. I mean,.... erm THEY had a great time with it :-)

[Alexander]

Camera User: Me Only, It's Mine, Mine, Mine (Paid for by DH)
Price Range: $300 (I need a laptop too--so I can't go too high)
Uses: Typical Family Things (vacations, bday's etc)
I still like my 35 mm (with that prehistoric film thing) for B & W

[Keith]

Well this one breaks my "compact flash is best" rule but to be honest, once you have the camera and you have a couple of cards, it doesn't matter much.

This is the kodak easy share digicam
Kodak easyshare (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11170385&m=82&cat=83&scat=84)

I know a couple of people who've got this one for its ease of use and really enjoy it.

There's also this canon s200
canon (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11121260&m=82&cat=83&scat=84)

The canon has 2Mp rather than the 3 of the Kodak but I don't think that's mega important. (but I have to say, chances are people you talk to will think its a major thing.. so if you're swayed by public opinion ;-) you'll want to opt for something else). Its a solid unit and at $279 and maybe cheaper elsewhere, you can perhaps afford a bigger compact flash memory card to go with it.

[edward58]

I use a Canon 300d digital rebel and a Canon 20d both use compact flash (1GB) I use a laptop and I also use a Meade 125etx telescope (all purchased in Florida) The Telescope can be attached to the cameras and have had some lovely moon shots. I take the laptop to down load and burn my photos to disk and I also have the MS programme Streets & trips Ideal for using whilst driving around Florida. I agree that any camera over 3mp is ideal. Walmart were selling cheap digital cameras for $20 and is ideal for children (no memory cards).

[Watchinherskip]

Well done Keith,
That was an excellent description about the ins and outs of digital photography that even I could understand. Very sound information. I don't think I am too biased...I have Nikon 35 mm bodies and lenses but really love my old Fuji S5000. I would highly recommend the camera now that you can get it in the states for under $300. The 10x opitcal lens is terrific and the features will make your feel right at home if you are just leaving the 35 mm camera bodies. I did notice that there is a similar Cannon camera out there now with a 10x optical lens. It looked to be a very sold camera. I guess for my wish list I would opt for the Nikon digital cameras that could accept my old Nikon lenses if I were to move up.

[ruscopico]

I've just bought a Sony DCS-W17 (7.2m pixels) £250 on WWW. However £350 in local Sony Centre!!!!! Fab if you have a photo printer and want to print out in A4 plus size. Also just got the marine pack and cant wait to get under the water at DC and try it out!

[Sweet_girl99]

Camera User: Me Only, It's Mine, Mine, Mine (Paid for by DH)
Price Range: $300 (I need a laptop too--so I can't go too high)
Uses: Typical Family Things (vacations, bday's etc)
I still like my 35 mm (with that prehistoric film thing) for B & W
:iagree:

I still use my 35 for a ton of stuff! I had gotten a new lens for x-mas and use it at AK, man I a super good! i got some hanging on the wall. I blew them up to 8x10's:Photo: