Digital Cameras

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CB900F

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
4,716
Fella's;

I've notice many fine photographs posted here & admired the quality of the work. However, I've never posted a picture myself due to the hassle of trying to do the film to computer conversion. So, in the interest of being able to post pictures of my reloading room, guns, targets, etc., I'm gonna go digital.

I'd like to know what's good, what to avoid, and what makes it easy to put up the results on site. My son seems to think that the Nikon Coolpix 5600 is a good choice, but refuses to purchase one for me to test. Imagine that!

900F
 
Too many variables to make a recommendation. This is like asking in a photog forum what's a good firearm? I'm a hobbyist photog. If you say what you're hoping for here, what your b/g is in photography, your $$ range, and even more.

For example, I like the SLR's myself. I use a Canon 10D (now superceded by the 20D) but these are HEAVY cameras so when in the field, I use my PalmPilot for snaps.

The CoolPix is a fine camera. If you just got one, I'm sure you'd be happy with it.

Also try:

http://www.dpreview.com/
 
Not an expert, will say the Fuji S5000 I got about a year ago has been great. Came with the software to load pics to the pc, zoom, macro setting for close-ups, and flash.

Friend of mine is getting a new Nikon; digital, but uses the same lenses as a 35mm SLR, so he can use all his telephotos, etc.

Got to some camera stores, tell them what you want it for, and shop around
 
The CoolPix cameras are a good choice. Generally, pop the extra jack for one the has "ED" glass and always buy the highest pixel count you can afford. Having used Nikon for YEARS, I appreciate that they use the same metering techniques in the Coolpix cams as they do in the 35mm bodies.

A step up in flexibilty, although not necessarily a "better" camera, is the Canon EOS Rebel line. This line is sized more like a 35mm SLR and accepts 35mm Canon lenses. We use a couple at work for location scouting, etc. and they've proven to be good cameras.
 
Buying a digital camera is like buying a gun or a car. It all hinges on what features you want/ need and how much you can afford. Bear in mind, 3 months down the road, it will be outdated, as with most consumer electronics. Optical zoom is much preferred over digital zoom. The higher the optical zoom, the better quality of the picture. I have a Minolta, currently. There are plenty of cheapies out there, around or less than $100 that will do right well for web pictures, family get togethers, etc. If you need GOOD quality pictures, anything over 4 megapixels is ok. The higher the megapixels, the better the quality of the picture. I would recommend for the average end user to get something under $200, learn and practice with that. As far as brand goes, it's like Glock vs H&K, Chevy vs Ford, etc.
 
What's your budget? This is my suggestion...either of these if the budget allows. You can grow into these for years to come. You can use the point & shoot method and start using the advanced features as you learn.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...912&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...308&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

This one if you are on a tighter budget:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...426&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Go to Steve's Digicams and read the reviews on all the stuff he has there. Really good information.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/g6.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/pro1.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a620.html

I am a Canon guy in case you didn't notice.

Greg
 
You can't go wrong with a Nikon. I acquired my first one way back in 1972 - a 35mm, F2 model. It's still going strong. I've owned top of the line canons, fujica and pentax. They're all good cameras but don't hold a candle to Nikon when it comes to reliability and quality of image.

Based on my Nikon experience (and some advice from the folks on Armed Polite Society I bought a Nikon D70s. It's a 6.1 MPixel camera with more bells and whistles than anyone but a died in the wool professional photographer would use. It's expensive (about $1200 in OKC) but in my opinion well worth it. It accepts almost all Nikon lenses whether made for their digital line or 35mm camera line (though the lenses made for the digital line take full advantage of the camera's features).

For those who don't want to spend $1200 on a camera that will be obsolete in 3 years (digital cameras are like computers in that respect) there is the D50 which runs around $700 and IMO will do about 90% of what the D70 will do (most amateurs wouldn't ever notice the missing features).

The Nikon Coolpix line are good cameras but not as versatile as a digital SLR because the lenses are fixed. Not my thing but will work fine for 99% of the folks out there taking pics.

There is a wide variety of digital cameras out there. Personally I think Nikon makes the best but don't not research Canon, Olympus, Minolta etc because they make good digital cameras too.
 
You will get a lot of suggestions about cameras, but the most important thing may be your budget. Therefore one important thing should be noted. If your primary purpose is to make pictures to post on the Internet (The High Road being an example) you don't need to buy a high-resolution camera (4 mega-pixels or more.) One around 3.2 MP will do everything you need, and cost much less.

Also keep in mind that if you have a superior film camera, you can use an inexpensive scanner to scan prints into digital files, and then you're in business. The resulting file will be identical to one you'd get from a digital camera.
 
This discussion is really pretty much off-topic for THR. Consider starting a thread over at APS. There have been several threads over there already about digital cameras with useful info.

:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top