Digital Cameras - Page 3 - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Qwardian · 07-23-2005, 07:59 PM

very nice picture.

If you want to you can just type the model of your camera on evilbay and find a lens kit which also allows you to add filters. And filters are great. I just wish i could buy an ugly filter to keep all the fat ugly old people out of my pictures on the beach. Gross!

I didnt want that to be a charished memory!

jas_the_ripper · 08-11-2005, 05:34 PM

i have a sony dsct7b and LOVE it BUT for someone who backpacks, pentax has a waterproof camera that i've heard wonderful things about

**MeTurk** · 08-12-2005, 03:31 AM

I have the canon powershot A510 and it is a lovely little camera but it eats batterys 2 hours of use and it's dead, very annoying.

Quote:

my favorite (and excellent for traveling) is a feature called "stiching." Dont know what it is? look into it. Its sooo cool.

Yeah thats really cool, I got a picture of hoover dam with that feature. The software makes it easy and you'd never know it wasn't just one big picture.

Qwardian · 08-17-2005, 05:01 PM

Lithiums my friend Lithiums.

They cost a little more, but they last 7x longer. another tip, turn off the display.
It will help the batteries last even longer.

Quote:

Originally posted by MeTurk@Aug 12 2005, 02:31 AM
I have the canon powershot A510 and it is a lovely little camera but it eats batterys 2 hours of use and it's dead, very annoying.

**MeTurk** · 08-18-2005, 04:30 AM

Lithiums eh, I seen adds for them alright. I'll have to get a bag of them at the airport.

I do turn off the display and the flash and avoid taking video, I was taking alot of photos that time it died within two hours of putting new batterys in.

**agriadam** · 08-18-2005, 05:27 AM

Hey I just baught the Fuji finepix Z1 a week ago.... fucking bad ass .6 second startup and 1.1 sec between frames 6.1 mp pretty nice cammera for the compact size it is...smaller than my wallet

nemesis331 · 12-06-2005, 01:51 PM

I too have the Canon SD300 and would recommend it to anyone. one of the greatest all around cameras ive ever used. most of my friends have them and i did alot of research before i purchased mine. If your interested i found this site online and it has gotten good reviews from bizrate, i paid almost $300 for mine and here it is for $252. <a href=\'http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php?refid=14&sku=CANPSSD300EK\' rel="nofollow" target=\'_blank\'>Canon SD300</a>

Canon is a very reliable camera company and their digital elphs are great for traveling and are durable enough to withstand most anything. If you want to, go to the Canon website and they have a product advisor that will help select the camera best for you based on your needs, and uses. Also, you can side-by-side compare any models you want.

Good luck!

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-13-2006, 09:14 AM

this is an older string, but i've just realized that my digital camera is turning into an old man, it can't take pics of moving objects. and apparently i fidget too much to even take pictures of buildings. suggestions?

**The Monsignor** · 05-14-2006, 09:01 AM

realizing that most digital camera's still have a bit of delay between pushing the button and actually snapping the photo (same as autofocus cameras, anymore) and a bit more delay while the photo is stored on the card, almost any modern digital camera will do what you want - they've improved the hell out of them in the last year or so...

Therefore, the question remains "What kind of photography do you like to do?"

A large SLR camera (Nikon d-50/d-70 or Canon EOS rebel) will give you the most flexibility, best image quality and the most control over your photos. The downside, it's like taking a baby on vacation, nothing will happen quickly, and there's the inconvenience of carrying around a bag full of accessories. If you're a true photo geek, that matters little in the long run, because of the features.

If you're the outdoorsy type, or the adventure sports (throwing yourself down a hillside of jagged rocks at breakneck speeds kinda stuff) Then size matters (hush, ladies). You want something small, quick to use, armored and waterproof (as much as possible) (Pentax makes a couple waterproof models that seem to do pretty well, I have an olympus, but they're not quite as waterproof as advertised) For someone who knows what they're doing, they can get the job done with even the smallest equipment (again, get your minds out of the gutter)

Sony and Casio make some really sexy super compact models, while not armored, are infinitely portable, and take some really good pictures (I forget the sony models, but Casio's line is called Exilim) they have the advantage of being able to be taken along with you everywhere (I've missed tons of great shots simply for not having a camera - any camera)

Cost on the compacts is much higher, and there's plenty of mid-priced models that will give you the features you want.

Next is memory... if you're gone for long periods of time without being near a computer, you're going to either buy extra memory, or buy larger cards or both... Compact Flash is what most of the SLR cameras use, it's kinda bulky, but it's cheap and large (I can buy a 6gb microdrive for $169). Most cameras come with some really crappy inadequate memory chip (32-64mb at best). Sony uses propietary memory technology, so you'll be paying through the nose for 'memory sticks' SD/MMC is the cheapest right now, and probably the most common (and many other devices - MP3 players etc - use the same chips) I believe most chips stop at 1GB and you're likely to pay over $150 for one that size.

Last is batteries... Most compact cameras have some sort of built-in rechargable battery. Great for battery life and reduced cost, terrible if you're somewhere and the battery runs out - you're outta luck till you can plug it back in. Other cameras use AA batteries, you can get rechargables for it, and in a pinch, they're available worldwide. The downfall to that is the battery life usually sucks (you change batteries as often as you'd change film) and the cameras tend to be larger to accomodate the battery box. If you use the camera in cold conditions, the battery life gets worse (if it's 2 hours in normal temperatures, it'll be 30 minutes or less in freezing conditions) Lithium batteries don't suffer like that, and you can buy AA lithiums (for a price!) but the rechargeables make more sense in those cases...

For specific model recommendations, you'll need to think hard about where, when and what you'll be taking photos of, as well as how close to civilization you'll be, how often you can "service" the camera and what price range you're shopping in...

twisted_tbar · 05-14-2006, 10:44 AM

After much research I bought my Pentax Optio W10 about a month ago and it's great!!! 6.2 mega pixles and beside all the features (which i use btw) it's is waterproof up to 1.5 meters and dust proof

Here's one that I took from my friend's apartment from behind a window.

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-14-2006, 11:15 AM

saweet picture. thanks monsignor. maybe after my calculus final i can chill and go camera shopping

nena · 05-14-2006, 11:54 AM

i have a canon powershot a80, its great. 4 megapixels, 2x zoom i think, and it has like a display that you can move.
it cost me like 400 euros two years ago

twisted_tbar · 05-14-2006, 04:15 PM

.....btw in case you're wondering why on earth u'd need a waterproof (note:not just water resistant) camera this is why!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 01-30-2007, 10:10 AM

So, I am in the market for a new camera. I have been suffering with my 3 year old 2mp beast for too long. I want an ultracompact point & shoot that also has an underwater housing made for it so I can take it diving.

So far, I have come up with the following:

Fuji Finepix F30
Canon SD630
Sony DSC T-30

Each have their pros and cons. The Fuji has the best low light capabilities and battery life, but is the bulkiest. I really want something that will fit in a pocket because if a camera is too bulky, I tend to leave it behind. I am leaning towards the Canon as it seems to have the best all around features and is only 0.8 inches thick. Anyone have any experience with any of these? All of them have underwater housings available. Comments appreciated.

**BigE** · 01-30-2007, 10:23 AM

I think I would get the Canon. It is compact and seems durable. And most importantly the price is right (about $100 cheaper).

I do like Sony. I have had my Sony for three years (DSC-P93). It is getting beat up and a little long in the tooth, and it is certainly a little bulky for what is available now, but I like it. But for a traveler, unless you are a serious photographer and don't mind the bulk, a compact camera that can withstand water and dangerous adventures may be the way to go. Durability is the key.

**freespiritz** · 01-30-2007, 10:53 AM

I've had a Canon for the past three years and have been happy with their cameras - especially the availability of manual controls. I *just* upgraded my A80 to the Powershot A630, and am also considering buying an underwater casing for it. I need to get my butt back into the ocean!

**lost in texas** · 02-01-2007, 05:48 AM

I've had a canon for a couple of years, never had any problems with it. I've read a lot of reviews and stuff on the SD800 IS, that's what I want to trade up to before too long.

The 630 looks like a good choice, that would be my pick.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-01-2007, 11:12 AM

I am really torn between the Fuji and the Canon. The Sony has been eliminated from contention. One thing about the Fuji, you can take about 480 pictures with a single battery charge, versus the Canon *only* about 160 per charge. Would I ever exceed the need to take 160 shots in one day....maybe?? Also, the low light/action capability of the Fuji with an ISO up to 3200 is very attractive. Canon (or any other compact digital) can't touch that. Canon is smaller, however.. Canon is stronger on scenery type photos, has this cool scene stitching capability to allow you to to take multiple pictures of a wide angle scene and stitch them togther using the Canon software. I imagine, though, Photoshope maybe has something similar? I am still a Photoshop rook. If only I could get Maria Sharapova to come over and teach me how to use the Canon and allow me to to practice by taking nude pictures of her then that would seal the deal. Since that is not going to happen I just need to think on it a bit more. Thanks for all the feedback!!

**Diorama** · 02-01-2007, 11:21 AM

Yeah keep going with those opinions! I'm reading intently. I'm going to get my first digital camera! So many options my brain hurts. Everyone tells me I should get a canon. So I was thinking about the SD600? But then I saw the SD700 and I love that one. Anything with a bit more zoom I'm into..But the damn price is a bit steep. Also one feature that I really want is viewfinder. I dont want to rely on the digital screen to take a pic especially if there is bright light . And then I could save battery power...decisions decisions...

**space virgin** · 02-01-2007, 10:11 PM

I love my Canon A630. I'm a big fan of the A-series powershots and have used them for years. They are bigger than the S-series though. Part of the reason I originally decided to get the slightly bigger camera (although I *can* fit it in my pocket, usually) is because the image quality is better. This is because the sensor is bigger/better, but if size is the deciding factor

then I wouldn't hesitate to get the SD.

Even my ancient 2 megapixel Canon A-series shot some absolutely breathtaking pictures. That's why I've stuck with them for this long.

*edited to add: Crap, I'm an asshole... I do have that CD made for you, Jamie, I swear!!

I'll put it in the mail ASAP.