Digital Camera...

[Mr70]

Tom
I highly recommend picking up a used Canon powershot A60,A70 or A85.You can find them used on Ebay starting at $50-60-75.00 respectively.They are compatible with nearly all the computer software,with professional looking images and features.
These are quite possibly the simplest,easiest digital cameras you can find,that are easy to replace as well.
I own an A60 & A70 and bought them both off Ebay.I recommend you purchase one from a Reputable seller that will back it up if it doesn't work upon arrival,and not some kid in a college dorm.
I'll get that CW Jpeg from you yet!
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They're On The Move..

[DarrenX33]

See, another satisfied Canon customer. My recommendations do work sometimes.

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
www.dpreview.com

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D,
I spent HOURS on this site trying to make a decision. Good, detailed info.

[DarrenX33]

This is also a good one...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

Oh yeah. My Canon is a PowerShot SD600.

[Jeff Murphy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
www.dpreview.com

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D,
I spent HOURS on this site trying to make a decision. Good, detailed info.

[/ QUOTE ]

You <u>DO</u> get it. There is no better site for digital camera info. I've wasted a boatload on that site too...

My advice to all of you guys is the following:

1. FOCUS ON THE LENS (no pun intended)

Now that 6 or 8 megapixels is commonplace (Nokia just came out with a 3.2mp camera phone), the sensor has outstripped the capabilities of the lenses. Focus on the lens quality. FYI the pictures that I take for the sYc are off a little bitty 5mp sensor - it's the glass that makes the difference.

2. MAKE SURE YOU GET GOOD QUALITY <u>OPTICAL</u> ZOOM

See number 1 above. It's the lens that makes the pictures. Digital zoom is a poor alternative. Don't use it.

3. GET A CAMERA WITH CREATIVE CONTROL FEATURES AND TRY THEM

Canon cameras, in particular, have a lot of pre-programmed "creative" settings for things like fast moving objects (kids, dogs, race cars), portrait shots, tungsten vs. natural light (to balance off those horrible Gateway Center flourescent tubes), etc. Also look for a macro function that will allow you to do non-flash, closeups of parts, stampings, VINs etc. (buy, make or steal a beanbag or small tripod, like the kind made for remote flashes to allow you to use this function without camera shake).

4. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE TAKING ACTION SHOTS, YOU CARE ABOUT SETUP AND SHUTTER LAG

Digital cameras tend to be very lazy. Use the DP Review site to evaluate this. Nothing worse than that perfect Ken Barnhart launch and all the camera ends up with is the rear bumper. Fast setup times or sport shooting modes are key.

5. GET SOMETHING SMALL ENOUGH TO CARRY AROUND AND ACTIVELY USE

All that crap I bring to the Reunion is heavy and a pain in the ass. I carry a little Canon digital around in my briefcase all the time. You want something that is small enough to fit in a pocket or your wife's purse. With many of the new large LCD screen models you can have a small format camera and still be able to evaluate your images effectively.

6. BUY THE BIGGEST CF CARD YOU CAN AFFORD

If you are a budding Bruce, get a 2 or 4 Gb card for your camera. All those mp's take up a lot of room.

7. BUY A SPARE BATTERY

Keep it charging in the hotel room or car. Ask Bruce about this one too.

7. DON'T BE AFRAID OF MAIL ORDER

I buy all my equipment from either B&amp;H Photo or Adorama in NY.

8. CONSIDER THE CAMERA AS A WRITE OFF

Buy the best thing your budget will allow. After all it's a computer, so a new model will come out the week after you buy the thing and you'll have no residual value. If you've bought enough megapixels, with good glass, you'll be happy for a long time....

BTW all my stuff is Canon.

Hope this helps...

[Denis]

Great information, Jeff.

I noticed you failed to mention the flash. Flash can really make or break a good picture, viz:

Me at Barrett-Jackson without Flash:




Same photo with Flash:

[Xplantdad]

Spoken by someone who *knows* about cameras...Thanks Jeff!

I agree with Jeff...experiment with your camera with all the cool settings that it has to offer...it's not like you're using film anymore...if it doesn't work...delete it!

I can't tell you how many rolls of film I wasted screwing around with my "regular" Minolta SLR when I first got it...just to see what would happen...though I do miss screwing around in the darkroom...and 'pushing' my film, too!

And to reiterate...get lots of storage...it's getting cheaper to buy every day...and get rechargeable batteries (my next purchase) or be prepared to buy them in bulk at Costco...get name brand ones...the cheapo ones suck!

[Xplantdad]

Denis...what the heck is behind you in that pic?

[Denis]

Like I said, that's Flash.

[DarrenX33]

Flesh?