Digital camera choices????

[roadhawg]

I'm sure this subject has been covered a thousand times, BUT...........

I have one of the first digital cameras that was ever made. It is a whopping 2.3 megapixel(state of the art 10 years ago), takes horrible, blurry close ups and I believe it is powered by steam. I want to replace it, but when I look at all the choices, my brain just goes into crisis mode.

Without getting into technical specifications which I don't understand anyway, what is a good digital camera to get? It will be used for general family type pictures in addition to model close-ups. Oh, and since I'm a cheapskate, it must be under 200 bucks. I was looking at a Fujifilm S1000 fd ($189 at Wal Mart) but figured you guys might have some ideas....

Thanks!

[ismaelg]

Hi,

Choices can be overwhelming. So you need to get it down to specifications. The most important one for models is to have MACRO mode. Macro will enable it to focus at close distances. While Megapixels are important, don't get caught in the megapixel war. I do all my model photography with a 3.2 MP camera. Heck, my professional DSLR is 6.2MP. Something you want to look at is the physical size of the lens. The bigger (wider) the lens the better, as more light can get in. Going a bit further deeper into specs, check if it has manual over rides.

You mention a Fuji model. My experience with Fuji has been excellent.

All digital cameras are thirsty on batteries. Make sure your option can use AA batteries. Some cameras use specialty batteries that can be very expensive. Consider a good set of rechargeable batteries. Also, make sure you get a good size memory card. Sometimes the retailers sell them without a memory card or with a very small one.

Digital cameras are far more delicate than older cameras. I've seen way too many great cameras wasted because they were bumped or dropped. There are some rugged weather resistant cameras out there but those can get expensive.

I hope this helps. Or at least confuses you more

Let me know if I can help.

Thanks,

[monkeyclaw]

Roadhawg; I use the FUJI S3100, which is an SLR style digi. I have been using this one for a couple years and have to say that I love it. It takes great pix; shoots great video clips....and the software is good....can't ask for more than that.....Well, I coulsd ask for the new NIKON 10.2 SLR....but that ain't gonna happen....bottom line.....fuji is a good choice........matt

[Custom Hearse]

My camera of choice is the Canon Power Shot A620 7.2 mega pixel. It gets really nice close up shots....

This is an inside shot of a Jo-Han Heavenly Hearse I took with it....

And another one....

This is the front of the hood....

And a close up of a wheel....

It also has video capabilities. You can try to see if you can find one used from a friend or pawn shop. I got this one from a friend for $75.00

[Guest Davkin]

I ditto the Canon, though mine is an A590. I just bought it for $120 brand new on sale at Best Buy to replace my old 2mp Olympus. I loved my Olympus but the 2mp has become a hard limitation to live with. The Olympus was a bulky camera so I had a second camera for hiking that could take video too. The Canon effective replaces both of those cameras with it's small size and video capability and takes good model photos. It doesn't work as good in auto mode as my Olympus did so I'm having to learn to fiddle with the settings but I can see I'll eventually get it to work even better than the Olympus.

David

[kingiguana]

Yes mega pixels isnt the most important thing. I have a fuji 2650, I bought back in 2002-03. Its 2.0 Mega Pixels and has macro mode and still takes great close ups. When using macro mode its very important to stay STEADY no shaking, even the slightest movement will blur it. I paid 199.00 back then, and bought the rechargeable batteries,since it will eat a set of regular AA's in about ten minutes. Another thing, to save on battery power, unless You really neen it, like for close ups, shut off the screen, and use the regular viewfinder, for family stuff, and vactions. I went to the zoo with my screen shut off and went almost the whole day on the first set of batteries.

[VW Dave]

When using macro mode its very important to stay STEADY no shaking, even the slightest movement will blur it.

That's good advice, the very reason I feel the $7 I invested in a mini tripod from Ebay was money well spent. I also got a full-size tripod for about $15 to serve the same purpose for 1:1 car photos.

My first digi was a Nikon Coolpix 3200(3.2mp), and it took decent model car close-ups as well as non-model pics. When the time came to get a second camera, we stuck with the Coolpix and upgraded to the 6mp L6 model; I feel the 6mp camera made a big improvement in my model photography. I'm pretty sure the L6 has already been replaced/outmoded by now, but it was about $150 at Sears at the time we got it. Shopping online helped us find the best price.

Here's the 'in progress' shot of my Charger's filler neck tube I took with the L6 in macro, on the mini tripod:

And a close-up of the rust on my junkyard Monte's nose:

[SoCalCarCulture]

You can read everyone's opinion based on what they use or you can read professional evaluations on websites like...

Digital Photography Review

Steve's Digicams

...these are two of the best sources for info!

You can read the reviews on your choice and draw your own conclusions.

If you look under Reviews/Previews on dpreview.com they recently did a review of groups of cameras to answer the same questions you have.

Good Luck!

[Harold]

You need to look at what your requirements and your budget call for. Last fall I purchased a Canon Rebel XSi DSLR. After I dickered with the salesman at Best Buy, I wound up with 1300 bucks worth of goodies for 1100. However, if you don't want to get involved with all the arcana, a good point and shoot can offer performance that was only the province of pro cameras five years ago. I know Canon has a 14 meg point and shoot in the $400 range that offers optional lenses to boot. Look for cameras that have a manual adjustment mode, and use available light as much as possible- one thing I never use shooting models is a flash. Good luck. Oh, and spend some money for a good tripod.

[tabsscale1]

I ditto the Canon, though mine is an A590. I just bought it for $120 brand new on sale at Best Buy to replace my old 2mp Olympus. I loved my Olympus but the 2mp has become a hard limitation to live with. The Olympus was a bulky camera so I had a second camera for hiking that could take video too. The Canon effective replaces both of those cameras with it's small size and video capability and takes good model photos. It doesn't work as good in auto mode as my Olympus did so I'm having to learn to fiddle with the settings but I can see I'll eventually get it to work even better than the Olympus.

David

I love my Canon Cameras I have a Powershot A540 nad a newly acquire A590. These pics were taken with A590. Can pic this camera up for $130 at Wally world.

[roadhawg]

Thanks so much for all the great answers. It especially helps to see actual pics taken with these cameras. Guess I'll be doing some shopping this weekend, huh?

Thanks again guys!