Digital Cameras - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**cliffo** · 09-22-2003, 08:15 PM

I'm definitely going the digital camera route when i travel. Just wondering what you guys have used whilst on your travels. I'm looking at a Sony F717 but am worried it might be just a bit too bulky given the lens barrell on it. There's plenty of tiny 5 megapixel cameras with 3x optical zoom that would be great but this other Sony has 5x zoom which would be handy for some great shots. Any comments appreciated

Oh the curses of travelling...

cliffo

TUI · 09-22-2003, 09:08 PM

If my mind in its current state recalls corectly, there was a great thread about this sometime last month, I'll see if I can find it for ya when I get a chance.

**cliffo** · 09-22-2003, 09:19 PM

That'd be great...i did have a search and found one on video cameras but nothing specifically about digital still cameras...anyway if you can point me to the thread i'll send some karma your way...hell i'll send you some karma anyway for just trying

cheers,

cliffo

**travelpunk** · 09-23-2003, 02:44 AM

That´s a big barrel on that camera! A guy I know had a camera similar to that, but for some reason most of his photos came out blurry. I think with a lens like that, any little moement when taking a photo, is magnified tremendously. I know it´s that way when I'm using a minidv camera and recording with a zoom lens.

Verstehen(a member here) takes some great shots with his camera. You may want to email him and probe him with your questions.

Here´s his site- http://www.rollanet.org/~centuri/ (check out his phot section)

B)

**cliffo** · 09-23-2003, 03:20 AM

A mate of mine took an earlier model of the Sony around Europe a few years ago but he was a photography nut. I've used that camera quite a bit - same shape with the big barrel lens - i'm used to holding it steady so that wouldn't be a problem. Of course i'd probably prefer something i can just slip into my pocket and not have to worry about it taking up much space.

I'll email Verestehen and see what he uses/reccomends..once again thanks TP

**travelpunk** · 09-24-2003, 01:17 AM

Well then, I'm the wrong person to be giving you advice

I'm just learning it all myself!

Hopefully you hear back from V B)

**cliffo** · 09-24-2003, 02:18 AM

Yeah he got back to me pretty quickly and gave me the details about his camera. I'll have to research it a bit more i guess but i'm sure i'll find something that will do the job for me.

I'm no expert by any means - i know which way to point the camera and what button to press

Thats about the extent of my knowledge at the moment

**voyd** · 09-24-2003, 06:44 AM

I LOVE my Canon Powershot s400! HIGHLY recommend it!

**cliffo** · 09-24-2003, 02:16 PM

Voyd,

The s400 is definitely on my list of possibles. Few questions -

Whats the battery life like?
Does the zoom get up close on things?
Have you got any shots posted somewhere that i could have a look at?

**voyd** · 09-24-2003, 03:03 PM

Check out this review. The s400 basically came out on top in its class, IMO, at the time I bought it. It's credit card-sized footprint is perfect for travellers, too. Not to mention much cheaper now, as well...

Battery life? Long and no prob!
I haven't used the macro zoom-in much yet, not too sure about that offhand.
I got many pics I will post from my trip, but haven't gotten around to it yet - but I think there's some on that site.

**cliffo** · 09-24-2003, 03:44 PM

Thanks for the info Voyd...much appreciated. Thats one damn fine looking camera...now off to read the review...cheers

**Canadian Dude** · 09-24-2003, 05:10 PM

I really need one of those things aswell...my Video camera had on built in, but its so BIG compared to the small ass ones that i have seen..that pic of me at the Giants Causway was taken with the smallest frik'n digi-cam I have ever seen..i seriously gotta get one!! That would have been better for my trip aswell I think...actually I know...

**cliffo** · 09-24-2003, 07:04 PM

Went and had a look as some cameras at a local store - OMFG!!! that Canon is sooo tiny...I'll probably leave it a few months before i buy one - who knows what will be out by xmas... can't wait to get one though - I just love my toys

**travelpunk** · 09-25-2003, 03:35 PM

My cousin has that camera! After buying his computer from Dell, he got a special offer to purchase it...and mannn! Those pictures come out Xtra crispy clean and bright! I took a few pictures with it in his living room with only light coming in through the closed curtains, and the flash is so powerful that the pictures came out soooo crystal clear and looked at if there was studio lighting!

His battery, lithium, lasts a long time. My girlfriends Pentax, almost the same price takes good photos too, but the battery life is nilch compared to my cousins Canon, which last for hours.

Canon, hands down, makes the best product. They're exclusively a camera company and not an electonics company like (sony, jvc, panasonic, samsung,etc...).

Read how they started (very interesting)- Canon's history

**cliffo** · 09-25-2003, 04:39 PM

From all the reports and reviews i've been reading, Canon certainly gets the thumbs up very often. The s400 does look the goods but i'm still undecided between several cameras, theres just way too many to choose from. i won't be buying one for about 2-3 months anyway so who knows what new models will be out then to make my decision even harder..hehe

Battery life will certainly be an important deciding factor though - no point taking a digital camera if its battery isn't going to last a decent amount of time.

**travelpunk** · 09-25-2003, 05:26 PM

damn straight

Prices are coming down fast with all of the competition on the market, and they will continue to do so.
I, personally, am not one for too many bells and whistles. I like to get to the point as fast as I can with the best results. Personally, I can't tell the difference between a picture taken by $100 camera and a $500 camera. It's mostly on how you light and frame the subject.

**Canadian Dude** · 09-25-2003, 08:12 PM

So what your all saying is Cannon is the way to go??? Interesting....

TheCross · 09-25-2003, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Canadian Dude@Sep 26 2003, 03:12 AM
So what your all saying is Cannon is the way to go??? Interesting....

If you are serious about you photography Nikon is the way to go. They have some awesome fully manual digital cameras.

If you ever want to get a good indepth review check out http://www.dpreview.com/ DAMN awesome site.

-TC-

**cliffo** · 09-25-2003, 10:42 PM

Have to agree with TC about Nikon - they have the best profesional cameras. Mate of mine is a medical photographer and has just begun to move from film to all digital and Nikon is the only brand he will touch....I think there's a few Fuji cameras that are rebadged Nikons - don't quote on that thoug

Of course for travelling you want something small and portable for the most part so from what i've seen Canon is one of the best in that regard

**Canadian Dude** · 09-26-2003, 04:09 AM

Hey Cross, welcome to da family!!!!!

Really I am not to SERIOUS about taking pics, i just kinda want a good camera, that takes good clear pictures, and is small/portable. I don't use it for fancy stuff, just like personal use....first i will have to save the money to buy one, then i will start my research...Cannon, Nikon??? hmmmmm.....