Digital Cameras

[forsyth]

This summer, as I've said, I plan to go a-wandering a bit. And I would like to document this visually as well as with words. And the best way to do that in this modern age of marvelous magic is with a digital camera. However, I'm not full of money to splurge on such a thing. But buying something cheap and crappy rather than something good and durable is a recipe for bad things. So, I turn to you, the LJ-having public that I actually know, what's a good digital camera that's not uber-expensive? Good quality pictures and good storage are nice, though obviously I can buy a new flash card, and will probably have access to the Internet so I can store the pictures somewhere like Flickr. And where's a good place to buy one?

Comments

[dezro.livejournal.com]

I don't know a good model, but I can help you shop: When you're comparing zoom levels, treat digital zoom as [i]no zoom at all[/i]. Like, if the thing says "4X Zoom (2X digital, 2X optical)" then think "2X zoom". Digital zoom is just worthless.

[dezro.livejournal.com]

damn it why do I keep putting ubb code in html fields and vice versa

[raanab.livejournal.com]

I've always been a fan of Nikon, and from my time at the camera store Olympus cameras tend to be pretty sturdy, and if you're shopping on the web. www.bhphotovideo.com is the site for what is basically the best camera shop on the east coast.

[shadwing.livejournal.com]

I HIGHLY recomend Olympus camaras, they have a good price range and are very sturdy we've used Olympus for years both film and digital and no problems!

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

The one you work for? :)

[raanab.livejournal.com]

I haven't worked in a camera shop since 1999, and I've never lived in NYC. No, this is a place that you can trust for used gear and a good price on new. and probably the widest selection.

And olympus might be best as they were generally inexpensive and sturdy. And I second the above suggestion about digital zoom, worthless really.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Is there enough difference to worry about between 2.8X optical zoom and 3x optical zoom?

And minimum focal distance is how close something can be to take a clear picture, I take it?

It looks like a decent simple one will be < $200, or I could get a low end-ish fancier one for Around $260. Plus $40-$60 for a memory card, too.

[raanab.livejournal.com]

Eh, the 2.8 vs 3 isn't too much of an issue really. The digital zoom is just worthless really. Yeah, minimun focal is just what you say, usually you'd have to use a Macro setting to get focus at minimum.

I'd suggest probably going for the lower end camera and the biggest card you can get for it.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Biggest card looks like a gig. And the lower end one should be fine, since I'm just taking pictures of nerds. Like me.

And it even has a closer focal distance, now if only I played 40K any more to have minis to take photos of.