Cameras~

By **Duckeh**. 10/09/08, 08:19 am

So I'm looking to buy a camera....
Huhhhhrrr~
I don't know what I'm looking for at all, any tips?
I think my limit's $600.
n.n

So... Could you help me out guys?

:3 <3

> Expecting a reply from JP && Becky , cause they have cool cameras && look like they know what the hell they're doiiiing. D8<<< DOO IT.<

By **jpwise**. 10/09/08, 08:38 am

LOL, almost all of them are point and click. Razz

Umm, lotsa options. I had to kinda make a bit of a rush decision when I bought the new one in Christchurch cause the old one broke.
The one I've got currently is a Fuji S8000fd, 8mp, 18x optical zoom - DSE Link
It's a hell optical zoom which is overkill for pretty much anything but I though it was funky and also helps with outdoor zoom shots. Also takes XD & SD Memory which let me use my old memory aswell as picking up a newer (cheap) SD card to use.

In terms of options you'll get a REALLY nice camera for $600. Only points I'd recommend considering are:
*Usage/Portability - full fledged camera with high optical zoom, or quick and easy portable camera for on the fly shots. Mines a bit bulky to carry around readily, but you can get some really good compact ones now with higher megapixel and zoom than you used to be able to get. They're the sort of thing you can keep in your pocket and just grab out when you need it.
*Cost - yeah, up to $600, if you've set a cap just have a look at anything thats less than that and then consider the other factors.
*Low Light - lots of camera suck at low light shots. ie: indoor. Mines not that great, but at the same time it's WAY better than my old one (Fuji S3000), it can take a reasonable shot without flash, but if you have a look at some of the ones taken without flash you'll notice a slight speckling effect. The ones with flash you won't notice it.
*Memory Type - These days SD has become alot more common, it's also really cheap to buy. Other memory types can be more expensive, particularly for the Sony MemoryStick & XD types. Also get a decent high speed memory - 150x is pretty common for decent stuff these days. The slower types you'll be waiting forever for it to save the photo before you can take the next, especially when you're dealing with 8-10mp photos. I'd also recommend buying a 2gb (4 if you can afford it) card straight away. If it does comes with a card you can guarantee it'll only be good for 50-250 shots if you're lucky, especially at maximum resolution + quality. I've got a 4gb card and at max settings (what I usually use) it's good for about 1000 photos.
*Batteries - worth considering - do you get one that uses standard AA batteries - get a couple of decent sets of rechargables, and if need be buy some more from the shop in an emergency, or do you get a camera that uses it's own proprietary battery type that you have to buy from the manufacturer. I personally favour AA's but that's because you can get 2900mAh rechargable AA's now, and if you're not using flash they can last for a good 400-500 shots without a problem.

Other than that, yeah, just google for a review on the camera if you find one you like the look of. Also some of them have really crappy software to download the photos from the camera. The new Fuji I have I'm not impressed with the software at all. But depending on what type of memory it uses you can buy really cheap usb cardreaders now. I picked one up from Jaycar for about $22 and it's small enough to keep in my camera bag, even with the cable.

Edit: PS - usual case, once you find one you like shop around for a better price. Dont' buy the memory retail, you'll pay an arm and a leg. For memory if there's a special on some of the retail ones are OK, otherwise FlashCards is generally pretty good. It might also be worth a look so you know how much of a difference there is between the different types depending on what the camera you end up with uses.

By Static. 10/09/08, 08:51 am

For <$600 you'll be looking at automatic cameras (aka, point and click XD) Nikon are fantastic, as are Canon and Olympus - in terms of specs, don't go for less than 6MP unless you won't ever try to enlarge a photo ever. Go for more. 5x optical zoom is pretty decent, try to get that minimum if you can- but otherwise, like jp said just find some reviews of the camera you like. Personally I have two (...that are digital...); one little one (an olympus FE370) and a sweet DSLR (Nikon D70 which needs upgrading soon). The only problem with the FE370 is that it ALWAYS over-exposes on the flash setting, even shutting the aperture down two stops. So night photos aren't great. Daytime though, ample ambient light - not a problem, they look really lovely.

What do you plan on using it for? Just personal stuff, or do you think you might end up studying it/working in an arty area?

ALSO BUY A DECENT MEMORY CARD. CF cards are what I use with my Nikon, and they
re hellishly expensive - XD and SD cards are the cheaper ones, so go with a camera that supports them if you can :)

EDIT: Size too! I had to get a little one because my Nikon is flippin' enormous. If you want to be able to pop it in your bag/pocket/whatever, keep that in mind. It's no good have an awesome camera if it never gets used.

**Guest** Guest

be very careful buying a "cheap camera" as the cost of the cards will likely cripple you (around 100 for a fuji xd 1gb or 100 for a 2gb cf card as aposed to paying 25 for a 2gb SD card)

By Strieth [Leon]. 10/09/08, 10:25 am

Buy a Canon.

They last ages, and they are good. I has a $50 Canon that works PERFECTLY and is clear and good quality.

By **Duckeh**. 10/09/08, 11:18 am

Arrrrh~ You guys are my heros! ;3;
Thanks Static, Jp, Strieth && Lord blamung.
n.n

Rarara~
Well... I'm interested in photography, so I thought I might aswell go get a better camera & try it out. n.n'
I need to actually try getting photos of cosplays, etc & no doubt my family will use it on occasion.
:3

Again, thanks muchly! <333

By Static. 10/09/08, 11:21 am

If you're getting into a little bit of arty stuff, go with as much manual control as you can get - if you can, go for a manual focus camera so you can fiddle with it and make some sweet pics Very Happy

By **Duckeh**. 10/09/08, 11:24 am

Static wrote:: If you're getting into a little bit of arty stuff, go with as much manual control as you can get - if you can, go for a manual focus camera so you can fiddle with it and make some sweet pics

Ahh!
So that's what I want. O:
It'd be nice to have something to play around with like that~

I would FEED YOU in appreciation.
Sept, I have no food. >:

By Static. 10/09/08, 11:53 am

Lulz. I accept internet cookies, brownies, cupcakes and pizza Very Happy

and you know, examples of photos when you get your sweet new camera. SHAZAM!

By **Duckeh**. 10/09/08, 02:13 pm

Static wrote:: Lulz. I accept internet cookies, brownies, cupcakes and pizza and you know, examples of photos when you get your sweet new camera. SHAZAM!

I can work with thee last one~
Not sure if I'm willing to give away my pixelated fewd though~ P=
+Chucks cookie crossed with pizza+
>.>
<.<
Bwahahahaha~

By mority. 10/09/08, 06:33 pm

SX100 Review

Fujifilm S1000fd Review

From the DSE website those are probably the best two performance camera's they have for under $600 both from good names to.

Final choice is up to you but the info is there if you care to look.

By Suixelo. 12/09/08, 06:32 am

I told you over MSN, but lol. JP has pretty much covered everything anyway.

Mine is a Sony DSC-H1, second hand but it was his back up camera, and it was used maybe once or twice. Be very careful with second hand cameras, but it's worth it looking, you can usually knock hundreds off, like me XD

Mine was picked on the basis of being slightly higher specs than my mums, since I knew what results we had with that one.

I say look around, and then google a few you like. Look at a range of reviews and ask yourself what you really need it to do.

And I'm still learning about my camera lmao. Take the time to get to know your camera, go for walks with nothing else haha. Just experiment with it, and you'll get to know it better.

By Static. 12/09/08, 08:44 am

When you buy a camera from Wellington Photographic Supplies down here, you get a free two hour lesson on how to use it. Just sayin'.

By Pura. 12/09/08, 10:42 am

I want a better camera. Mine was bought with Flybuy points, so I'm no complaining, and atleast I have a camera.

I may need a buy a new one next year depending on how good it really is. I'm doing photography next year >3.

I love my 2gb memory card. I went to Noel Lemings after school, and so I was still wearing my uniform. It cost around $70, and then they said that they'd give me a student discount, so it was then around $50. Which was really cool. It was kinda late, and so no many people were around, and then he said, "you know, I'll just put it under the school's name," and so, I found out that my school gets cheap memory cards because of massive discounts ^___^. I got a 2gb card for $16 in the end.

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