OT Sort Of

Lawn Ranger

I really enjoy the pics that are posted on the Forum. I've been considering getting a digital camera, but just haven't gotten around to it. Now I really need one, both for the family, and to keep track of LR items. [p]Can anyone direct me as to features to consider, or maybe even suggest a particular camera? I don't want a cheapo-deluxe, but I don't want to spend big bucks if $200 - $300 would get the job done. I just looked at the Sunday ads, Man...it's like smelling perfume samples.... after a while....they all start to smell the same.[p]Thanks, Mike[p]Thanks

Chef Wil

Lawn ranger,
good morning Mike, I have a Nikon CoolPix 995. I'm sure your gonna hear a lot of different reviews but I'd bet you'd be safe in buying a Fugi, Sony, or Nikon. Get 1 with at least 3 mega pixels and a big view screen than the more compact ones, easier to see as we mature. Decide on what kinda of storage fits you best. I use compact flash because it fits in my camera, computer, and printer. Get yourself a good picture editor, I use Jasc software, it really cleans the pics up nicely. With 3 mega pixels or more you can print from mini wallets to 8 X 10's with real sharp colors and no distortion.

The Naked Whiz

Lawn ranger,
I think that there are a lot of good cameras out there and it is probably more important that you focus on the features that you want/need and not worry too much about the brand. Once you decide on a couple of candidates, you might want to see if they are reviewed at www.dpreview.com. His reviews are the best and most detailed for my money. Steve's Digicams is another popular review site.[p]I'll assume that you don't have any particularly specific needs and just want a good overall digital camera. 3 megapixels is a good sensor size. You'll be able to make great 8x10's and good 11x14's if you want to blow any up. Make sure you pick a model with 3x or more optical zoom. Digital zoom is not very good and you'll find that 3x optical gives you a lot of flexibility in your framing.
I'd suggest a camera that uses standard batteries. If you go on a trip, it is nice to be able to buy some AA's instead of having to worry about keep a proprietary battery charged. With some NiMH rechargeables as your main power source, you can always get the AA's in an emergency. [p]I recently bought a Canon Powershot A70 for about $250 as I recall. It has been a good little second camera to my big equipment. All of the recent photos of charcoal in the reviews have been done with it. Feel free to email me if you get to looking and have questions.[p]TNW

Spring Chicken

Lawn ranger,
If you go to Google and ask for Digital Camera Comparison you will get a lot of information. One site lets you plug in what is important to you: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp
Once you narrow it down to features you want you can then make a better choice. I'm sure our fellow Egghead friends will be waking up shortly and jumping in with some suggestions. My camera is old but does a great job. If I get another one I'm going to check all of them out and see which is best for me. By then the technology will expand even more.[p]I want a camera cell phone but the image quality is not that great. I know it will get better in time so I'm on hold til then.[p]Good luck. You will thoroughly enjoy going digital.[p]Spring Chicken
Spring Texas USA

The Naked Whiz

The Jasc Software that Chef Wil mentions is Paintshop Pro. I highly recommend it also. It has a whooooole lot of function for a reasonable price. Something that you have to realize when you go digital is that your photos often will benefit from some digital darkroom work. You can improve photos and you can rescue many "mistakes" using an editor. When you send film off to be developed and printed, the processor is going to do things like adjust color balance and exposure. Now it is up to the camera to do it, and to a certain extent, up to the photographer also. Paintshop Pro has some automatic tools for adjusting color balance, brightness/contrast, and color saturation. You'd be amazed how a little tweeking can improve an important photo. [p]I'd also add Canon to Chef Wil's list of "safe options".[p]TNW

Steve-B

Chef Wil,
The photo editing software I started to use about a year ago is Ulead's PhotoImpact XL. I am very happy with it and I think the cost is almost the same as Jasc's. I think you can download a free 30 day trial from there website.

Peggy

Lawn ranger,
After lot's of research, I brought home my digital camera yesterday. Now I have to learn how to use it! Watch for Pics of my BGE cuisine!

tach18k

Lawn ranger, for reviews go to www.eopinios.com, a real good source for info.
I have a Nikon coolpix 855 3.2mp and its great, wish battery could be recharged. I have a sony 3.2 at work and comes with battery charger. Both work great.

Lawn Ranger

tach18k,
Thanks to all. Great info. Unfortunately, like most everything nowadays....there's just too many choices. Ended up with a Canon A70....closeout at $240. Of course you can drop a nother $200 pretty easily for all of the "extras".[p]Now let's see if I can figure out how to use it. If I do, I may get excited and give away a handle or something.[p]Mike

Unknown

Lawn ranger,[p]I've got a Canon G2 that's just great. Canon is up to a G5 now, but if you can find a used G2 it would be worth looking into. Also, the A70 is very good choice. I bought one for the office and as a result several folks at the office have now bought one.[p]Good Luck.[p]OctoberGlory

Lawn Ranger

OctoberGlory,
Just bought the A70....now to see if I'm smart enough to use it. Looks doubtful as of this post.[p]Mike

Unknown

Lawn Ranger,[p]Great choice - have fun and takes lots of pictures. That's one of the things I enjoy about going digital - never having to worry about taking to many pictures.[p]OctoberGlory

J Appledog

Lawn ranger, If you have a Macintosh computer the answers may be totally different.... JCA