Digital camera question

[LWolf]

I didn't see a group called "help for techno dinosaurs," so I thought I'd drop this question in here.

I've never used a digital camera. I don't know how they work, what kind of ports I need, software, printer, etc..

My loyal pentax 35 mm camera has given up the ghost and I need to replace it. I'd like to replace it with a digital camera.

I take lots of pictures. I'm a complete amateur, and one of my weakest areas is anything spatial. I'm spatially incompetent. I do/did use my zoom lens all the time. What is a cost-effective way to get pics as good as my old 35 mm gave me with a digital camera? What camera/s should I be looking at? Any input?

Thanks!

:hi:

[unhappycamper]

1. USB ports seem to be way to go with digital cameras.

I bought my first digital camera from Ritz this January. It's a 5 mega-pixel Sony, model DSC W1 for about $350. You can get a better price for pretty much everything on the web, but you can buy an insurance policy from Ritz that covers stoopid. (The only thing not covered is losing the camera.)

Some features you should consider:

Get at least a 5MP camera - you'll need that resolution to make big prints of your favorites.

Make sure you get at least a 3X optical zoom - more is better. Do not rely on digital zoom to get those in close shots - you'll lose detail. FWIW, about the only way you'll get the same zoom capabilities as you had on your old 35mm is to buy a digital 35mm - big $$$$$.

Get at least a 512MB memory card/stick. More is better - take all your pics in the highest resolution possible. (You can use software to reduce file sizes.)

Buy a flash memory stick same size as your card to carry around in your camera case. (You might need to unload stuff while on vacation.)

A large viewing screen is nice if you've got old eyes. This Sony has a 2" screen, which I really like.

Go to a camera store and talk to one of the folks there. They can usually guide you in the correct direction.


The photo editing software supplied with your camera (or PC) is pretty much useless. I picked up a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for about $80 at CostCo. So far I've spend about $80 on books on how to use it and am finding out it's some serious kick-ass software.

You should also be prepared to part with $500~$600 for all of the above.

[democracyindanger]

2. I have a Nikon D70 that I'm happy with

People like the Canon, too. Pentax also makes digital SLRs, which would probably work with the lenses you have now, but I've never read anything about them.

[LiberalUprising]

3. I've got a Sony 2 megapixel and a

Fuji 4 megapixel. I bought the Sony years ago (paid $250) and recently bought the Fuji $199 last year, came with docking station.

Both the Sony and Fuji will give you good pics, for photos up to 4x6 all you really need is a 2 megapixel, if you want a bigger print, go with more megapixels. The Fuji will use regular alkiline batteries as well as rechargeable which is nice if your batteries are not charged and you need a shot.

The camera lens is the most important part of a digital camera, so get a major brand name. (check review sites below)

The digital zooms are worthless as you can get better results with photosop or any picture editing program so look for a camera with an optical zoom.

You will want a memory stick as stated above and a quick charger for your batteries. Most digitals use the USB port a 2.0 usb port is much faster than the 1.0.

The number of pics that can be stored on the memory stick will vary according to the resolution you have the camera set to, the review site below will give you the numbers of pics they will hold under different settings.

I use a Epson 860 for printing, it has capabilities for printing quality photos but you will find it is just as cheap to have prints made from a store as the ink costs are rather high ($60 for both the color and B&W cartridges)

As stated above if you want quality that rivals your 35 mm be prepared to spend btwn $700-1000. The lower priced cameras are basically point and shoot but are fine for amatuers, be aware of the delay btwn the push of the shutter and the actual time the picture is taken in a digital camera, makes it near impossible to get a candid shot, this is the one drawback of digitals.

For reviews of digital cameras check here:

This site is the best I've found so far
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

More review sites here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=digital+camera+review&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[bvar22]

4. Hi LWolf.

Most of your questions are the topics of ongoing debates in the Photography Group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=280

1-1/2 years ago, I bought an Olympus C-750 4.0 MP based on it's 10X Optical Zoom. This was my entry into the "Digital Era". I have been well pleased with the performance and features of this camera. It has been reliable and sturdy having survived two heart stopping falls, a Minnesota Winter, and many long Summer miles strapped to the handlebars of my bicycle.
Pictures from this particular camera have made the finals in all of the Photography Group's Photo Contests this year.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1189&fl=4

It is a good "entry level" camera (Olympus C-series) that allows the user to control and experiment with most of the camera functions, or operate in full automatic mode. I paid less than $400, and spent the 1-1/2 years learning to use it, and expanding my understanding of the Art of Photography. I am "stepping up" to a more sophisticated (and expensive) digital SLR in the near future (Canon 20D). There ARE some things that my Oly won't do.

My personal suggestions for Digital cameras:

*USB is the "way to go", and most (all?) new digital cameras offer this method for download. I "plug in" to my USB cable, and the camera "appears" in Explorer as just another drive. I can copy the pics I want straight from the camera and put them in whatever folder I choose. I usually "Cut & Paste" everything from the Camera to a "dump file". That erases everything in the camera memory so that it is ready for more work, and saves everything to my HardDrive for later editing.

*My Olympus is powered by 4-AA Batteries. I bought a AA Battery Recharger and extra rechargeable batteries. I strongly recommend buying a camera that is powered by AA batteries which are available almost everywhere, but I may be giving up that in my new camera. It is nice to be able to pop into a convenience store for a few AA's instead of being dependent on rare battery that only fits a few cameras.

*Get the BIGGEST memory card available.

*Optical Zoom rocks, digital zoom is a scam.

*Shop Online

*Taking pictures "RAW" is the latest thing (NO, not naked photography....that's been around for a while.) RAW refers to an "in camera" file storage option. Basically, it stores the data from the "digital film" in a raw format which when downloaded to a computer Graphics Program (Adobe or Corel) allows a greater degree (or more accurate degree) of digital processing. I am not sure which cameras are now offering this option, but if you are interested in anything beyond just taking "snapshots", you should insist on having a camera that offers this option.

*Join the Photography Forum. I have learned MORE about Photography there in 6 months than the last 40 year. The "Photography Challenges" have motivated (challenged) me to go out and take good pictures, and to experiment in ways that would not have occurred to me otherwise. The Forum is populated by some serious photographers who are willing to share their experience with newbies like me.

Have Fun!

[SoCalDem]

5. I love my Kodak Ls443

It's discontinued now, but they have comparable ones now that are cheaper and easier..


I am a dinosaur too, so I got the kind with the dock that automatically dumps my pictures into my computer (Kodak EasyShare) amd then removes them from the camera,..

My big printer also has a slot to just insert the card from the camera.. (haven't used that one)

[LWolf]

6. Thank you for all the suggestions!

It definitely helps in the shopping process.

:hi:

[Ready4Change]

7. Unless you create posters of your shots, digital is fine.

Set yourself a price and get the camera with the highest megapixel count you can. (Assuming that cammera has the features you'd like and a quality reputation.)

When looking at a cameras zoom rating, only look at its OPTICAL zoom rating. Electronic zoom ratings are junk, which you can duplicate afterwards on your PC in far better fashion if you want/need to.

Most cameras use USB connections. (Usually USB2, which most relatively recent computers can handle fine.) Some of the higher end cameras have firewire connections, which can also be found on most recent computers. Shouldn't be a problem.

It's hard to make a horribly bad choice with digital cameras. With some effort and research, you've a good chance at making an excellent choice. Have fun, and good hunting.