Looking to upgrade my digital camera

We have a Pentax istD SLR. It is 6.2 MP. I was tempted by the Cannon Rebel at 8.? MP but after I viewed some 16×20’s shot with the Pentax we went with it. It came with a 16-55mm lense and we added a 50- 120mm. It is the best thing we could have done. Our daughter uses it to shoot weddings and other events and has added a bigger chip. With the 2 chips we can shoot just under 1000 frames. I think the photos from this camera would blow up to poster side without losing resolution. It is auto everything and really does product photography very well. The cost is a little more than you are talking but I think it is a good investment. Most of the shots on my projects page were shot with the Pentax. I hope this doesn’t muddy the waters for you . Good luck.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I bought a Canon because of the 10X optical zoom. It is 6.2 Mpx, which has been more than adequate for what I want to do. I have a 512 MB chip. On a recent trip I took 185 pictures and the chip was 37% full. (Sure glad I bought a spare 512 chip!)

-- Maplewood, MN

A big factor for me in my next camera will be the viewfinder. If this is not accurate you dont have a chance in hades of getting an accurate focus .
Wtihout a decent focus all the megapixels and resolution of image are waisted.
There is a tradeoff vs megapixels and artifacts on the picture sensor. Several models fudge the range of the cameras by using interpolation to describe the acutual megapixel capacity of the units.

If that info baffles you then I suggest you go to a good camera dealer and make him walk you through the advantages of diferent brands your price range.

As for me , I have my sights set on a new Nikon D80 or better.

Remember your pictures are usually the first impression people with have of your work.

If your pics suck – what are they to think?

Good luck

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

my suggestion: go into the store and try them out, taking pictures equivalent to how you will be using the camera.
For me one of the key elements is how it feels in my hand and how accessible the key buttons are.

(oh yes.. fishing and cameras—as we were flyfishing in our new canoe several years ago, the seat broke (no wise cracks on that, thank you very much .. ) .. and over we went. My $1500 Nikon digital went to the bottom along with my $150 binoculars. It was my favourite digital camera for macro. Nothing since has come close.

Now I have a Konica-Minolta 7D digital SLR and love it. As for smaller cameras, I have the Nikon Coolpix 2200 for those times when I want something light and can fit in my pocket.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’ve had great luck with Fuji Finepix and am getting ready to upgrade to the Fuji S9100. Most of my photos though are of a landscape type, and for that you need a film camera. Digital is great for portraits and closeup stuff. Couple all of this with a good Photoshop program and you’ll turn out some fine work.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Thanks for all the suggestions…

Unfortunately I haven’t quite reached the RICH and famous level yet so a SLR is out of the question, sigh..

I may try looking at used but at this point today I am thinking of the Kodak Z712. It’s 7 mp, the CCD is 1/2.5”, the iso 80-3600 and the LCD is 2.5” and it’s ~ $250.00

Weight and size don’t matter because almost all of my shooting is with a tripod. The big LCD is a plus though, my original camera is 7/8” x 1”.

I am truly amazed at the variety of camera’s out there. Buying a new woodworking tool/machine in comparison is a breeze :)

Cheers, Don

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

Hey, Dadoo, I’ve got a Pentax K-1000 I’ll sell ya. Good set of lenses too.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I have a Fujifilm S5000, it’s 3.2 mp. The best thing I like about it is the 10X optical lens.

I also like the LCD eyepiece viewer.

I’ve taken some great wildlife pictures with it.

They have some better ones now for a lot less than I paid for mine.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Shopping for a new digital camera? WOW, there are a lot of choices out there today and I had a lot of fun shopping for myself. I am not going to say what I bought, because, as you know everyone has their favorite and to them it’s the best, as well it should be. Whatever you buy, it only needs to please you. You decide what you want in or from a camera and start checking off the ones that fill the bill. I will say that mine is not an SLR, I’m like you, more than I wanted to spend, yet it has full manual control and a hot shoe should I ever want to add an external flash. Most of my pictures are taken in manual mode, I like the control I have over the exposure and focusing. I am very happy with my choice and have taken a lot of very good pictures. Good luck and happy shopping.

-- Doug, Cass City, Michigan

Here’s a good review website.
http://www.dpreview.com/

My next one is going to be bulletproof. It’s gotten to the point that a small, waterproof, shockproof, 7 MP, that takes nice pictures and can hold 60 mins of video can be had for $350. I have my long lenses and a few different digitals but something small that I can have with me everywhere is next.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Don’t confuse raw megapixel count for quality. I’ve got a Canon D60 SLR and an HP point-n-shoot, both 6 megapixel, and while I wouldn’t expect the image quality between those two to be similar (especially when I’ve got a $1500 lens on the SLR), I also went through a couple of older 2.1 megapixel Canon point-n-shoots, and in most situations I’d put the end printed image on those up against the 6 megapixel HP any day. Those extra pixels are still pretty soft, and depending on the lighting conditions can have lots of noise in them.

The cheap HP serves its purpose, I won’t cry too hard when I do something stupid and reduce it to rubble (as happened with those two previous Canon point-n-shoots), but it’s for shots where I’m lucky to be carrying a camea, not for good shots.

So when you go to your camera store, take some pictures with each, take ‘em home, and look at ‘em at 2x magnification and see which look better on the details, and then step back and see which looks better on overall color, before you make your choice.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I’ve had good luck shopping with these people: www.adoramacamera.com . Maybe you’d like to check them out sometime.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

I heartily agree with recommendations to try different models out in stores. I tend to look at quality of the optics and available accessories.

My personal choice for a pocket portable camera after checking out reviews and visiting a couple of stores to try out my candidates, was the Panasonic DMC-TZ3. It sports a Leica 28-280mm equiv. lens, and has a host of preset modes for picture taking. It’s main drawbacks are: it doesn’t have manual settings (f-stop and shutter speed), nor a viewfinder, and image quality suffers at fast shutter speeds (as many cameras in this class). However I wanted something to toss in my pocket/satchel for leisure photos. There are a few accessories, and this excellent wide angle/zoom lens covers a lot of situations. There is also a rather pricey underwater shooting case available for those desiring shots in the drink. The picture quality is very good with very minor drawbacks. It has a built in flash, does movies with sound (or stills with sound), supports pictbridge printer interface (you can print directly from the camera to any printer with this feature) and it has excellent image stabilization for telephoto or slow shutter speed shots. So far the battery life is excellent too. Oh, and it is a 7 Mp CCD which is near the middle to last part of my needed feature list (e.g.- I like a small camera that is large enough for my big klutzy hands to hold & operate – top priority). One of many reviews of this camera can be found at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/. It sells around $300, but 42nd Street Photo had them around $280 – http://www.42photo.com/pd-productid-14049-ref-pricegrabber.htm.

Happy hunting!

-- Joe, Oakland, CA

I’m happy with my SONY Cyber Shot. 12X…............it accepts a lens adapter for a wide angle and an extra zoom albeit I didnt buy the extra adapter lens.

Lots a places that sell them also do “courses” for cheap that teach better use of the camera and the web has lots of sites for help as well.

I really wanted the Nikon D80 because I have several Nikon lenses from my 35 mm camera but the “Auto focus” feature wouldnt work so like you…........opted for the Sony.

As far as I am concerned it takes a fantastic photo and the problems with my camera isnt from the camera, its from the operator. Lighting is my next purchase…........gotta get rid of the shadows.

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

Thanks Roman,

I’ve narrowed it down to two or three models in the $300 range but I am still lusting after a SLR with live view.

Olympus Evolt E-510 is $570 plus card plus taxes, sigh…

And a real backdrop and lights, double sigh…

This is the best I can get with my 2 mp Kodak CX 4230, not bad but no where near submission for publication quality.

Cheers, Don

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

Well, on my birthday, 18th of Dec., I purchased an Olympus Evolt E-510 and I am HAPPY.

Way more money than I had planned on spending but the live view, image stabilization, sensor cleaner, 10 mp and the FEEL of the camera did it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Cheers, Don.

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

We are also in need of a new camera. Will google the Olympus and check out the cost. Have you posted any pics taken with your new camera? Look forward to hearing from you.

Terry
www.wrightwoodworks.com

-- Terry

Hi Terry,

I’ve just been taking snapshots and getting familiar with the “controls” :) And after the fourth time through the instruction manual I think I know what does what…

So far the clarity and detail is amazing. I have just purchased two light stands and cone reflectors, I might pick up a paper backdrop tomorrow. I’m sure the new lights will shine through my old bed sheet, he, he…

Here in Canada the camera and a 2g card plus taxes was $675.

I recommend you check out http://www.dpreview.com/

You can compare models and prices in US funds. Once you have narrowed down your choices you still need to “feel” the camera. I can’t stress how important this is.

Cheers and happy shopping, Don

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

Hi again Terry,

Forgot this test I did, it’s a pic of the shop, at dusk, the worst time for lighting and the camera is set at it’s lowest file size.

I’ll spare you the Xmas shots :)

Cheers, Don

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

Nahhh….

this is my mother (85) and my niece (18). I like to get creative with my present wrappings :)

The milk carton contains batteries and charger for a Kodak Camera I gave Haley… Mom is laughing because she’s not sure if the carton contains a rock, a carrot, one sock or some other “trick”. I’m proud to say I learnt this “gift giving” from my grandmother, bless her soul.

Cheers, Don.

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

Thanks for the pics. Looks very clear and colored well. I can’t wait for tax refund time, because I won’t to hold a new camera in my hand. Thanks again for all the info…..

Terry
www.wrightwoodworks.com

-- Terry