Cameras

[YumAz]

I'm probably going to buy myself a new camera for Christmas, in the 7-10 megapixel range. I'm hoping to get one for $700 or less. Does anyone have one they are especially happy with? Maybe we could post some macros (maybe with some color variation) and tell which camera we used.
This is from my 5MP Kodak DX4530

thanks to any who reply

[ihc6480]

I'm currently using a 5MP Kodak EasyShare Z730 plus I have a lens adapter ring that allows the use of 37mm lens. The camera features the tradition auto features plus it has the options of manual settings such as apeture and such. I'm still trying to figure all the settings out
Heres a picture I took.

[YumAz]

thanks ibc, nice pic.
yes, the kodak isn't bad, I don't think mine has the Schneider-Kreuznach lense. What would really be nice is to find a camera under 600 with Carl Zeiss optics. I'm not a professional, so I don't really want all the high end bells and whistles on it, here are a few I'm looking at;
Canon powershot G7
Canon A710is
Canon A640
Kodak P712
Kodak P880
Sony Alpha 100
tks

[peter]

Hi all

My tips for your camera
Switch off the automatic features and set
1) ISO value to 50
2) Diaphragm to F= 4.5
3) Use indirect light on a sunny day (for example shadow at noon)
4) Contingently use a tripod
5) Set the camera to highest resolution (attention, affected the capacity of the memory card)
Edit: less than 1/6o maybe you need a tripod.
Edit: don't make one photo, make ten photos.
For example this picture. Exposure time 1/15 and F-Number 4.5
Canon powershot A75 3,2 mp


Exif Data

Code: Select all

[Camera]
Make                          : Canon
Model                         : Canon PowerShot A75
Orientation                   : top-left (1)
X-Resolution                  : 180
Y-Resolution                  : 180
Resolution unit               : Inch
Date modified                 : 2006:11:10 13:29:12
YCbCr-Positioning             : centered (1)
Exif offset                   : 196

[Image]
Exposure time [s]             : 1/15
F-Number                      : F4.5
EXIF version                  : 02.20
Date taken                    : 2006:11:10 13:29:12
Date digitized                : 2006:11:10 13:29:12
Components configuration      : YCbCr
Compressed bits per pixel     : 5
Shutter speed [s]             : 2 (3)
Aperture                      : F4.5
Exposure bias value           : 0/3
Max aperture                  : F2.8
Metering mode                 : Multi-segment (5)
Flash                         : Not fired
Focal length [mm]             : 5.4063
FlashPix Version              : 01.00
Colour space                  : sRGB
Image width                   : 2048
Image length                  : 1536
Interoperability offset       : 1872
Focal plane X-Resolution      : 2048000/208
Focal plane Y-Resolution      : 1536000/156
Focal plane res. unit         : Inch (2)
Sensing method                : One-chip color area sensor (2)
File source                   : DSC
Custom rendered               : Normal process (0)
Exposure mode                 : Manual (1)
White balance                 : Auto (0)
Digital zoom                  : 2048/2048
Scene capture type            : Standard (0)

[IOP]
IOP index                     : R98
IOP version                   : 0100
IOP width                     : 2048
IOP height                    : 1536

[Makernotes]
Macro                         : Macro
SelfTimer                     : Off
Compression setting           : Superfine
Flash mode                    : Not fired
Drive mode                    : Single or timer
Focus Mode                    : Single
Image size                    : Large
Easy shooting                 : Manual
Contrast                      : Normal
Saturation                    : Normal
Sharpness                     : Normal
ISO value                     : 50
Metering mode                 : Evaluative
Focus type                    : Close-Up (Macro Mode)
AF point                      : Unknown
Exposure mode                 : Manual
Focal length [mm]             : 519
Focal length short / mm       : 173
Focal units / mm              : 32
White balance                 : Auto
Sequence number               : 0
Picture info                  : IMG:PowerShot A75 JPEG
Firmware version              : Firmware Version 1.00
Image number                  : 1080-819
Owner name                    :

Best regards

[GeneS]

YumAz,

First thing you need to do is better define the things you want in a camera, besides price.

There is an incredible range of equipment within your price range, many with unique or usefull options.

You can get other's opinions here
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
or
http://dpreview.com
Look also at sites like http://pbase.com
where you can see actual work and lots of information on the equipment used. The forums there are also very usefull if your choice is down to 2 or 3 options. You can look at brand/model specific forum threads for decision help.

I own several digital cameras and all have their favorite uses. Here are the current faves and how I use them.

Cannon digital ELPH ... I just replaced my 4 year old 3mp model with the SD700. Vest pocket size, 6mp, point and shoot with loads of features, includin macro mode. Market price . Appx $350. This is the all purpose carry around that can just live in you pocket or fanny pack so you always have something at hand.

Older Nikon 990. Unique for it's twist and shoot design. There are newer Nikons with this feature. Has some real uses when you can't get the angle you want. Again, is light and easy to carry.

Cannon SLRs. I've progressed through earlier D60 to my current 20D. In this series of EOS based bodies, there is again, a lot of choice with Digital Rebel, at $699 or less, and a good supply of used, earlier models at cheap prices, you could have semi-professional equipment in your budget. But, be ready to lug around 5-25 pounds of gear unless it's strictly studio type use. My 20D w/ 70-200 2.8 mounted is 11 pounds, and that doesn't count the mono/tripod, filters, extra battery, other lenses etc.

Do some research, do some hands-on(some are ergnomically better/worse), see what works for your intended use and go for it.

If you don't get it right the first time, you can just buy another

GeneS

[YumAz]

thanks for replys,
I've been lurking at photography forums and reading lots of reviews. The features I want aren't set in stone, I'll give up the SD memory if I have to for Carl Zeiss optics, but I've got a couple GB of SD cards, so if it will use them that's a pretty big +
at least a 5x zoom would be good, 7-10 megapixel, interchangeable lense would be good, like this
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/news/ar ... _8382.html
but the Sony alpha is alittle high priced right now, (for me), unless santa is especially nice this year.
I gave away my olympus when I got my Kodak, but I won't do that this time, the Kodak will be my 'pocket camera'
also batteries that aren't $40 a pop would be nice.
thanks

[peter]

Hi YumAz

I have been seeing that at steves-digicams
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/e500.html

And here a funny and interesting site! Enjoy!
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html

[GeneS]

Great site Peter !!

I'll add next to my favorite plastic camera and Holga sites!!

Extracted from galactinus.net

It Takes a Really Good Photographer to Take a Really Good Photograph with a Really Good Lens.
A perfect lens doesn't make a photographer any better than a reasonable lens would, alas.

Truer words were never spoken.

This artists direction of using a modern body possessed of good electronics and capture attributes with recycled lenses it a tremendous way to get a lot of bang for the digital buck. A lot of old Cannon and Nikon fans are doing the same using their old non-eos lenses in manual mode on current digital bodies. Used lens trade in both brands is very active and reasonable. 30 year old Cannon FD lenses and the Nikon equivelents are some of the finest ever produced and now generally available for a song.

GeneS

[peter]

Truer words were never spoken.

Hi Gene

Yes I agree

Best regards

[YumAz]

A perfect lens doesn't make a photographer any better than a reasonable lens would,

of course not, you have to have a camera to attach it to. A good lense will give you a better chance though.
Anyway, I got a Sony DSC H5. I had to trade off the SD for the Zeiss optics, but I got a $40 gift card when I bought the camera, so a 2GB memory stick pro duo only cost me $30. Thanks for the comments though.
When I got home my echinopsis aurea has started blooming, my first pic with the Sony.

Be Well

[daiv]

Nice way to inaugurate the new camera. I noticed the cow picture too. That's a fun one.

[YumAz]

Hi Daiv,
I sure miss those canyons in Colorado. The bull pic was taken at dawn with the sun coming up behind the hill, that's why the sky looks white. It and the canyon and the Pikes Peak pics were taken with my first digital, an Olympus 3.2 MP.
Almost got a hummingbird pic yesterday, but it's been windy here too and they eat very fast when it's windy, this is the only one I got with a bird in it, wish I could have afforded a good camera with a wireless remote

Thanks
Be Well

[parodias]

FWIW ..

I had an HP912C 2Mpx which had excellent macro capabilities .. Then I got a Canon G6 (which I still have, excellent picture quality but camera is darn slow with some focussing "hazards" in low light) in addition I got a Sony H1 which in the mean time I swapped for its bigger brother the Sony H5 .. my son has a Canon A520 ..
The Sony H5 is the most versatile to me .. with excellent macro capabilities without any camera add-on's ..

[YumAz]

The H5 is a great camera for me. I wanted a camera that gave me more control than the point and shoot, but I don't have the money or the time to invest in a DSLR. I just wish they could have made the H series compatible with their RM-VD1 remote. I don't really care for the user manual, but I found this,
http://www.aakatz.com/h1whitepaper/