Community Newsletter: Q&A: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice!
- 11/19/07 6:16 AM
Calnique Calendar
by flinkar - 11/9/07 1:11 PM In reply to: Hi flinkar, wrong topic and forum by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Lee,
I have tried this forum idea before, and just tried it again using your link. I won't work. you need to register to post anything on their forum, and here is the message I get, as explained in my previous posting:
"Could not insert new confirm code information
DEBUG MODE
SQL Error : 1406 Data too long for column 'code' at row 1
INSERT INTO phpbb_confirm (confirm_id, session_id, code) VALUES ('a003ffd39b25220d21f883f58736c768', '555604538d95e3412ff781e915c8dc4f', '3A273BDF4O')
Line : 1002
File : usercp_register.php"
The is the Q&A forum
by R. Proffitt - 11/9/07 1:31 PM
In reply to: Calnique Calendar by flinkar
It may be a bit off to discuss PHPBB or SQL.
It told you the issue. It's the table... "SQL Error : 1406 Data too long for column 'code' at row 1"
Now run your SQL tool and see if the column 'code' would hold your entry...
Bob
PS.
by R. Proffitt - 11/9/07 1:32 PM
In reply to: The is the Q&A forum by R. Proffitt
Since this is the QA Forum and not a discussion forum I won't track this discussion. I think you should try one of the normal forums here.
Maybe helpful information.
by Elizabeth Eichner - 11/11/07 12:53 PM In reply to: "Calnique' Desktop Calendar., owned by "Specialty Calendars" by flinkarHi Flicker, I was reading you your entry with interest ,transfering info from XP to Vista, well you may find it helpful to go to:- convertu2.com.au Hope this helps.
Keeping it simple
by JWskiman - 11/2/07 9:04 AM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You're right on a lot of things, including the need to keep it simple. I'm sure there are others out there more qualified than me, but as a regular Joe like yourself, I'll pass on what I've learned and hope that it's helpful.
First of all, you need to examine your existing computer, whether it be a laptop or desktop, and see if it has a memory card slot. This would be found on the front of the computer. If you don't see one, then you know you'll need to download your pictures with a USB attachment to your camera. This is usually a standard item included with the purchas of most digital cameras, but something to make sure of. This can also help you determine what kind of capacity you would need for a memory card (more on that in a moment).
One of the things you're absolutely right on is megapixels don't mean a thing. In laymans terms, megapixels are the total amount of pixels that make up the total picture - the resolution of it. The more megapixels there are (higher resolution) the larger you can print a photo onto paper without it looking fuzzy. Unless you're planning on printing posters, a 4 to 5 megapixel is easily enough to print out quality 8x10 pictures.
Features on cameras can be overwhelming. Unless you're a true shutterbug and know apertures, f-stops and the like, don't bother getting one with a bunch of bells and whistles. Some cameras have easy-to-recognize presets for outdoor, sports, indoor, and close-up settings. If it has more than 8 on the dial, that's probably more than you need.
Battery life is also important. Some have rechargable batteries while others rely on AAAs or AAs. Do a litte research and find out what the expected battery life is, especially if it's rechargable. The plus to those is that you don't have to keep spending money replacing batteries. The downside is if your battery runs out and you're not near your charger, you're out of luck.
Finally there's the matter of a memory card. Even if you're going to be taking TONS of pictures, 1GB of memory will be more than enough if you're going to be using a 4 to 5 megapixel camera. 512MB will probably be enough. I have 512 on mine and have never come close to filling it up all the way.
Best advice I can give in closing is keep the reciept! When you first get it home, take tons of test pictures. Try low-light situations, outdoors, anything you can think of. Then make sure to download them and make sure they're not blurry - sometimes a picture will look great on the viewfinder, but not so great full-size.
I probably threw more out there than is necessary, but hopefully this is helpful and you'll enjoy shooting pics with your new camera!
Digital camera...
by flinkar - 11/2/07 2:22 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Walter,
1.Look for an "image stabilizer' when you buy your camera- it's for us old gizzards who get a bite shaky with age- this feature will keep your shots sharp, even if you tremble a bit when taking the photos.
.The more pixels you can afford, the better, in case you ever decide to enlarge a pic...up to a point of course. You will be pretty safe between 7-10 megapixels.
3. Unless you are a professional who likes to use manual settings a lot on a camera, buy a "power-point" model. It has enough auto and manual settings for most users.
4. Buy a Canon: Great brand, great products, great lens quality, great service after sales, and good prices. Another brand you might want to consider is Kodak: Decent cameras at lower prices than Canon, but not quite the same overall quality as Canon.
I own a Canon Powershot A570 IS (which stands for Image Stabilizer), and I love it. It beats the Nikon digital camera I previously owned by a long shot!
From a 83 yrs old one some hints.
by engelbert - 11/3/07 8:13 AM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am somewhat in the same postion as far as age goes.
A:Think about the way you chose your car:
go to a trusted dealer, and be NOT afraid to ask pertinent answers on the things YOU want to do with your camera?
B: Basic question for a beginner are definitely NOT deep goiing questions on technical aspects. Most camera's -let say from above 150 euro- from te better brands are technically quite well. They are in fact are in fact the same as for the car: How easy is it in general use!
C: Of course some aspects you have to know in that respect to ask the the right questions.
Q. 1: what does the camera automatically when taking the pic. a:Automatic Focussing? [Most do]
b:Automatic taking into account the daily, and climatic situation [Most do, it's called White Balance].
c: Automatic Exposure [Most do, always balancing out Exposure time against the diameter of the diafragma]
d: Has it compensation for erratic movements of your hands?
Q.2: How easy is the camera for my hands and eyes?
a: very important. Many compact camera's, even nowadays , ask you to refer to a 'menu' on the back of the camera to make little changes in the built in standards. Some of those menu's are very irritating: ask timeto much time, ask to many, sometimes difficult to read detail. Definitely let the dealer show in practice what camera's have to offer. Do not tkae a nice shake of the head as an answer.
Mind you: if you are used to an 'old fashioned camera" with al the knobs and rings on the outside of the camera body, the the above advice extra important. Because by many Compact Camera's Such knobs are non-excistent. There are now coming CC's on the market that have easier knobs on the outside . ASK FOR THEM, so can see for yourself what I am talking about.
If you were used to a Reflex Camera in earlier times, it is worth while to think about having a digital one now, even if they are somewhat more expensive. Even the cheaper ones in normal use run in there behaviour in the same way as the old non-digital types.
Q3: camera;s run on batteries. Your camera MUST have batteries that are easily to change, RECHARGABLE, and always have spare pack in your pocket. A CHARGER MUST be part of the deal.
Q4: images are saved in electronic memory. ALWAYS have a camera that allows you to use memorycards that are robust, and easily changeable.[Again ask demonstration. Do NOT go for little ones that are uneasy for your fingers. Compact Flash Typoe Camara's are wonderful in this aspect]]
Q5: Loading your pics to your PC is best done by NOT using als the extra's the try to sell you like docking systems. Just buy a cheap memory holder that fits to the USB-entrance of your PC. Buy one that can hold different types of cards. The advantage: Wherever you go you only need this little apparatus in your pocket and you memory card [mostly Compactflash], and your friends PC's can easily host your pic's.
At home: just put the card from the camera in the Memrocard holder, and off you go. [Wit a little bit more money: you can use such apparatus with your TV as well].
REMEMBER:
There are lots and lots of software programms that are cheap of even free software, that do all the normal extra's with your images , that in earlier times had to be done in the darkroom and took a lot of time. You do NOT need a photolab for that anymore. PICASA, FASTSTONE IMAGE VIEWER are just two of to mention. This means that an AVERAGE
beginner, with an AVERAGE compact camera [or reflex], and AVERAGE freeware for Picture Improvcement, can produce very quickly technical MORE THEN AVERAGE results [as compared to the older days']
Some extra's:
With the camera MUST go a good written guide.
Your Camera definitely will have an optical zoom. Do not hesitate to go for at least 6 x optical. [Some have already 10 times OPTICAL]. Let not advise you to go for Digital Zooming!!!!!]
As far as those MEGApixels go: If you go for A4-images of good quality, then never buy a cam under 8 MEG.
Go for a cam that let you take very quick takes in succesion, it makes quick and unobtrusive photographing easier.
If offered a Compact that has only the window at the Back of the Camera to judge your photobefore your take it: if you have the sun at your back, imagine what that does with the window image! [So controll that effect Outdide the shop in teh SUN or with a very heavy light at the back in the shop]
Rien Buter [11081924]
PS
There is much more, but this what came to me, when looking over your letter.
Potential winning answers
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 11/9/07 1:35 PM
In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Here are the selected submissions grouped in one post. Read through them and place your votes in the newsletter poll.
Answer:
Megapixels Aren't Overrated
Walter,
You've got great timing on deciding when to get into the digital camera arena. With prices so low, in all likelihood you will get an affordable camera that will meet your needs. Based on what you said in your question, I would recommend a more basic "point-and-shoot" camera (meaning not too expensive, just turn it on and go). So here's what you need to know:
Let's start with megapixels. They aren't overrated, but they sort of are. A pixel is a small unit that makes up the picture. Think of a newspaper picture. It's made up of little dots of different colors; a pixel is just a digital version of one of those dots. A megapixel is one million pixels. So a 4 megapixel camera can take a picture that is composed of 4 million pixels or dots. So the more megapixels the better, right? Not exactly. A 4x6 print can hold approximately 3.2 megapixels. Since most basic cameras have 4-6 MP, most new cameras ought to take decent pictures. You will need more than 4-6 megapixels if you want to do one or more of the following: crop and zoom (use your computer or a digital developing station to select a portion of the picture and resize that portion to fit a 4x6 print), make prints larger than 4x6, or project your images on a large screen like a video projector. If you don't need to do those things and the salesman tries to upsell you to the 10 MP model that has the same features as the 5 MP, don't bite.
Zoom is also important, and you need to know the difference between digital and optical. Optical zoom is true zoom, like you would find on a traditional 35mm camera. Digital zoom just stretches your pixels. It's like putting a magnifying glass to the newspaper. Eventually digital zoom will stop looking like a picture and start looking like a bunch of dots. 3x optical zoom is pretty much standard, anything more is gravy. Don't even bother with digital zoom. You can do the same thing later on your computer.
There are some other things that make a good picture. A good quality lens helps capture the picture. Fast "shutter speed" will also help reduce blurriness. But the number one extra you should concern yourself with is image stabilization. This makes the camera a little more forgiving if you accidentally shake it while taking a picture, especially when zoomed in. Some cameras are even able to automatically focus on faces in a picture.
So what else do you need to get started? You'll definitely want rechargeable batteries. Some cameras come with their own specialized batteries. They usually last a bit longer but if you lose the battery you're stuck having to shell out $50 or so for a new one, plus if you run out of juice and don't have a spare, you're done taking pictures for a few hours to recharge. Some cameras take AA batteries, and for these I recommend getting Nickel Metal-Hydride (NiMH) rechargeables. If you run dry, you can always use a spare set or even use some standard alkaline in a pinch (though they won't last as long). You'll also want a memory card. The camera will come with enough onboard memory to hold 5-50 pictures. A 512 MB or 1 GB card will expand that memory to the hundreds or thousands of pictures. You can put pictures on the card and take it to a photo station to develop your pictures.
If I were you, I would stick with the name brands like Sony, Kodak, Samsung, or maybe Fuji. One other option is to buy a kit that has a camera, docking station, and 4x6 printer all in one. It's not economical to print large numbers of pictures from the printing station, but it sure is easy, and the pictures look just as good as any others. Lastly, go to a store with a good salesman that will heop you and a generous return/exchange policy. So happy shopping!
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=269383&messageID=2615841#2615841
Submitted by: jskrenes
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Answer:
Figure out what you want out of a camera
Digital cameras these days can do lots of things, and you need to figure out what you want your camera to do before you go shopping for it. To help, I'll define each term before I address it and how it relates to your usage of the camera.
Firstly, "megapixels" literally means "millions of pixels", and represents how many pixels are in the image. Because digital cameras capture images through an array of tiny light-sensitive elements, the pixel count of the image is limited to the number of elements in that array and how tightly they're packed together. An image that is 2048 pixels across and 1536 pixels high is said to be 3.1 megapixels, since it has 3,145,728 pixels; thus a camera that's rated at 3.1 megapixels (or MP) will put out an image that's 2048x1536, which is large by most monitor standards, but not so much by print standards.
While the pixel count is generally overrated, it does have an effect on the quality of the picture, especially when printed - and even more so if you will be wanting enlarged prints like 8x10s. As an example, a 1.3MP camera will make pictures suitable for e-mailing friends and family, at a resolution of 1280x1024. However, if you try to make a 6"x4" print with that the 1280 pixels across will be spread over 6 inches, resulting in about 213 pixels per inch, which isn't even as good as a cheap inkjet printer, and will result in blurry or grainy prints. Similarly, a 4MP camera might make a 6x4 print decently, because the ~2300 pixels across result in about 385 pixels per inch... but when you spread that across 10" you're again down to 230 pixels per inch. If you plan on making enlarged prints, I would recommend a 6-10 megapixel camera. There are other benefits to a higher resolution as well, but unless you plan on doing photo editing on your computer after taking the pictures (which is actually rather easy now with the abundance of free and cheap software out there, and some are even packaged with the cameras) you won't be able to take advantage of those benefits.
Next up is the zoom factor. Zoom, as the name suggests, allows you to zoom in on your subject (at the expense of field of view); there are two different types of zoom employed by digital cameras, digital and optical - most cameras use both in combination. Optical zoom is achieved through use of lenses, and results in little to no loss of picture quality, though sometimes the image can get a bit of a "fisheye" effect. Digital zoom is calculated by a processor in the camera, and since it's essentially working with a small fraction of what the camera captures so digitally zoomed images tend to be inferior. Wikipedia has a nice detailed explanation of digital and optical zooms. The thing I pay attention to is optical zoom.
Often when you look at digital cameras in ads you see them offering cameras with "30x zoom" or some similarly absurd zoom factor. This is usually the combination of optical and digital... cheaper cameras will have a relatively weak optical zoom of about 3-4x, and then a 8-12x digital zoom. While digital zoom does have its purposes, I tend to ignore it when shopping for cameras and instead seek the optical zoom factor, which is sometimes hidden in the fine print of the product description (though usually any camera with a decent optical zoom will advertise it quite plainly).
A third factor to consider is storage. Digital pictures can quickly devour large amounts of space, with a single picture from a midrange camera consuming 2-3 megabytes. Fortunately memory cards for cameras are cheap and large these days; unfortunately there are many different types (or formats), most of which are incompatible with one another. The common formats are:
* Secure Digital (SD), a fairly standard and widespread format which comes in four flavors (SD, miniSD - a smaller card, microSD - an even smaller version, and SDHC, for capacities of 4GB and more)
* MultiMedia Card (MMC), which has mostly been replaced by SD but is usually interoperable (most SD systems can read/write MMCs, but check your documentation, or better yet just stick with SD)
* extreme Digital (xD), a proprietary format commonly used by Fuji and Olympus with a few confusingly incompatible subformats (standard, type M, and type H)
* CompactFlash (CF), a long-standing format that is also widespread, especially in professional-grade cameras; the media also tends to be more durable than other types
* Memory Stick (MS), a proprietary format used almost exclusively by Sony
If you already have a computer with an SD/MMC card reader, you'll want to make sure you get a camera that can use that type of storage (SD cards, in this case); on the other hand, if you have a lot of Sony devices already (VAIO computer, PSP, whatever) you might want to get a Sony camera so you can share the media between the devices. If you don't have any current devices that use flash memory, you may want to base your format decision on the strengths and weaknesses of each format. For example, SD cards are cheap and widely available, but if you want more than 2GB you'll need to make sure the camera and whatever reader you use support the SDHC version. Similarly, if you're concerned about durability of the media, CF cards are a bit pricier but their packaging is tougher and can generally withstand a bit more abuse.
The next thing to consider (and this may or may not be an issue for you) is battery type and battery life. Many digital cameras now are using AA batteries, which is great because you can buy a huge pack of off-brand AAs, or if you're more environmentally conscious you can use NiMH rechargeable AAs. However, some cameras still require the specialty camera batteries, which are somewhat harder to find and more expensive. Although battery manufacturers like to market lithium batteries as great for cameras, I discovered that during extended use they can get quite warm and may have actually been the cause of my old camera's demise as a result of heat damage to the camera's circuitry; Fuji actually explicitly states in their manuals not to use lithium batteries due to this. Unless your camera explicitly calls for lithium batteries either by the battery form factor or in the manual, try to avoid them. That being said, you'll want to find out what the expected battery life of any prospective camera is - you certainly don't want to find yourself having to fiddle with batteries during your grandchild's graduation ceremony (whether it be kindergarten or college), and at the least, if you get a camera with a short battery life you'll want to know how many spares to keep on hand.
Something you may or may not bother with when buying a camera would be all the bells and whistles. My new camera has an "image stabilization" feature, which helps to reduce blur caused by an unsteady hand; I've found it works quite well, and is nigh-indispensable for zoom shots (since zoom unfortunately tends to magnify any shaking of your hand too). Another common feature is a "reduced light" mode that is great for dusk or indoor shots, or perhaps even an actual "night vision" mode that uses infrared to take pictures in total darkness. If you plan on using the LCD screen on the back of the camera instead of the viewfinder, I would recommend looking at them in-store to get an idea of not only the size but also the clarity of the screen - it doesn't matter if the camera has a 3" screen if it's fuzzy or dull.
Last but not least, when you're about ready to buy a camera, jot down the model numbers of potential candidates and start looking up reviews here on c|net! If the camera hasn't been reviewed here, you can always turn to Google - usually putting in the manufacturer, model number, and the word "review" will turn up some good results. You might find a camera with great specs and a great price, only to find out that it has sub-par image quality, or eats batteries like crazy. When looking for my new camera, I went through all my other criteria to narrow it down to three models, but between the price and reviews, the choice became obvious.
...oh and one last footnote - Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and that means Black Friday sales! Lots of electronics stores have huge sales on digital cameras and accessories (like flash memory) the day after Thanksgiving, and you can get some absolutely amazing deals. The caveat would be that you generally have to check the ads the night before and find the one camera you're absolutely certain you want to get, then prepare yourself to camp in line to get it (or have a child or grandchild do your dirty work for you).
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=269383&messageID=2616019#2616019
Submitted by wired one
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Answer:
Recommendations for digital camera.
Hi Walter - As one grandpa to another, I can easily relate to what you are going through.....I have been there - done that, so hopefully you can benefit from my experience:
When it comes to combining ease of use with good quality pictures, Canon digital cameras are a standout. You didn't mention a preferred price range but Canon have a wide variety of cameras to suit different budgets. Here are some of the things to look for/you need to know:
MEGAPIXELS: Technically, a megapixel is a unit of image sensing capacity, for the layman it means the number of dots per inch....the higher the value the more dots per inch. I agree with what you have already heard about them being overrated (for the average user), I would suggest anything over 7.1mp to be a waste for you. The main benefit derived from having a larger megapixel value is if you wanted to 'blow up' photos to large sizes (e.g. 3' x 2') you can do so without suffering a great deal of picture quality loss (i.e. graininess). On the other hand higher megapixels will create larger file sizes with increased processing times and memory usage for very little gain. I would suggest a range of from 5.0 to 7.1 mp's for you.
OPTICAL ZOOM: Refers to the zoom/magnification capacity of the camera's lens, typically rated as 3X, 4X, etc., the higher the number the more powerful the zoom. For everyday use, family photos, snapshots, etc. a 3X to 4X zoom will more than meet your needs.
DIGITAL ZOOM: Is software built into the camera to enlarge the picture, because it is enlarging the picture without any extra details nor pixels being added, using this zoom will mostly result in lower quality, more grainy pictures. For this reason most digital cameras come with this option turned off as default and most owners would leave it disabled. Consequently, this feature is of little value/concern to you. Why do they include it then?....well, I'm blowed if I know.
LCD SCREEN: Now this is one of the nitty gritty items, the rule of thumb for wrinklies like us (with failing eyesight) is the larger the better. Unfortunately most of Canon's lower priced cameras come with a 2" LCD screen, which is on the small side, they help to make up for this though by including an old fashioned 'viewfinder' in each. Walter, if you get a camera that does not include a viewfinder make sure the LCD monitor/screen size is at least 2.5". Some cameras, including the Canon Ixus range, now incorporate a 3" LCD screen but they do not include a viewfinder. I strongly suggest that before clinching any purchase you ask the sales assistant to power up the camera and you test drive the LCD display and viewfinder (if it has the latter).
Most 'brand' name cameras come with the usual features, including auto focus, image stabilization and full auto mode for point and shoot operations, all the necessary cables and software BUT they do not normally come with some very important 'extras'...
THE MEMORY CARD: This is where your precious memories will be stored within the camera (replacing the old film, if you like). Typically, new cameras will come with a very low capacity memory card (up to 20 photos only), if necessary make sure you purchase an additional/extra memory card with a much larger capacity. Your sales assistant will be able to help you with this one, but here is a rough guide; for a 6mp camera a 256mb card will hold approx. 80 photos and a 512mb card roughly twice that number, etc, etc.
BATTERY CHARGER & BATTERIES: These little cameras can be quite heavy on power usage and the usual 2 - 4 AA batteries supplied will quickly expire. It is generally much more economical in the long run, and more convenient, to purchase a battery charger and 4 rechargeable batteries.
Well Walter, you are now armed with as much non technical information as I can muster.....good luck mate and happy snapping.
Regards..........JIM
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=269383&messageID=2615905#2615905
Submitted by Grimbles
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Answer:
Selecting a 'first-time' digital camera
Hi Walter, Probably the main things to think about:
1. You need a computer so you can download the digital images into it - so you can see them 'full size' on the computer screen - so you can 'edit' pictures if you like (all the tricks of a dark-room without all the mess) - and if you want, 'print' the pictures. You could get away without the computer and use a printer which can connect to your camera, or take the camera into a shop which has a photo-machine you can use in lieu of a computer to edit, resize and print any pictures from your memory card, or (heaven forbid!!) just give the camera to them and ask them to do the prints for you.
2. What's it going to cost - what's your budget
3. What do you expect in terms of quality? What category will most
of your pictures fall into? - Snapshots?, Family life scenes?
8" x 10" works of art? etc?
3. What size are you expecting the camera to be? - something as big
as a Box Brownie (dont ask a youngster what that is!!), or must
it fit comfortabley in your shirt pocket?
As with anything else, What you get depends on how much you pay. You don't need to go overboard, but dont go for a 'cheapie' bargain either. Reputable brand name cameras (Kodak, Sony, Epson, Canon, Panasonic, and many anothers) start at around the $100 mark, all the way up to several thousand!!! Modern Digital Cameras are Hi-tech instruments and will easily outperform old 'cheap film-cameras' for the most part.
As for the technical specifications, you really dont need to concern yourself with megapixels. Unless you really want to go beyond the snapshot print size (which will also look good on a standard PC Monitor) there is really no need to pay for more than 2 or 3 MP (megapixels). However, even the low price cameras these days come with more than that, but don't let the salesman sell you a more expensive camera just because it has more MP's. As with any type of camera, a good lens and a comfortable feel with ease of operation is what you should spend your money on. Although all come with a small screen on the back of the camera to let you compose the shot, and review it afterwards, I recommend you get a camera that also has an eye-level viewfinder. There are many light situations where you will have trouble seeing much of anything in the little screen - ever tried watching your TV outdoors in direct sunlight???. A viewfinder on the other hand will let you compose a picture in all but a dark night.
The film (more correctly called a Memory Card) is a tiny thing not much larger than an average postage stamp and less than 1/8" thick. Forget about the one that comes with the camera, and buy one with a bigger capacity - don't get stuck with the old '36 exposures' concept, just ask for one that will hold a couple of hundred or so. The memory card is reuseable and cost is just a 'one-time' thing. You don't nned to keep the pictures in them for very long - you transfer them (or just the ones worth keeping) into your PC, and then erase the images in the memory card before using it again - "ad infinitum".
All digital cameras have an 'Automatic' mode of operation to adjust focussing, shutter speeds and light exposures. Most come with a few or many different modes and settings you can twiddle with yourself if you like!! Most of the extra features are contolled by pressing various buttons positioned around the camera and are also visible on the screen when you are composing a picture. Make sure to choose a camera where your hands fit nicely on the camera (this can be tricky to do with the very small 'shirt pocked' cameras) and without accidentally pressing any buttons.
Finally, if you had never owned a car before, would you go out to buy one on your own if you knew next to nothing about cars and driving?? - same with cameras, try to find a friend or acquaintance who has some experience or knowlege that can help you penetrate the quagmire, or just lay yourself in the hands of an assistant in a reputable shop.
There are many books available to help novices buy a digital camera, but often they will tend to confuse with excessive detail and technology. I realise my effort here is at the other end of the scale. Don't overspend, and ask the store for a trial test, perhaps just a 10 - 20 minute trial around the store and in the mall or wherever. Ask if they have a exchange policy if you buy it and take it home and then a week or so later, find you don't like it and would exchange it for another model.
Finally, digital photography will grow on you and you may well wish to upgrade to a 'better' camera in the future, so don't 'go the whole hog' right away, take a gentle dip in the ocean before swimming out into deeper (more exciting) water. Good luck, Arthur
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=269383&messageID=2615949#2615949
Submitted by grayja
First Digigtal Camera
by cyberay - 11/9/07 8:15 PM In reply to: Potential winning answers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Walter,
From one oldie to another I too had been looking for a camera and found it difficult to do so. I took a different route and actually went thru a number of cameras to finally find the one that suits my needs. I still have a number of the other cameras left but what really matters after the long search is which camera do I really use?
And that is what I think you need to address. You need to find the camera that won't end up sitting there unused. I finally ended up with the Sony 7.2 Cybershot. Even though some of my other cameras may have more feature the size and ease of this camera is exactly what I needed. I actually carry this camera in a pouch on my belt almost everywhere I go. I could not do this with the other cameras which required me to carry those cumbersome bags.
After going thru 4 cameas I found out that size really mattered. I finally found the camera that I had been looking for. I would recommend that you go to your camera vendor and tryout the camera in person. Some cameras felt bulky and uncomfortable in my hands.
The bottomline is you need to find the camera that suits your needs(you can find reviews online} and feels right in your hands.
Goodluck in your search.
I bought a canon power shot A630
by scarlet2007 - 11/9/07 4:51 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Last spring, I was in the same boat as you & I did a lot of research and ended up buying a Canon Powershot A630. I love camera. It takes great pictures. I've blown a few up to 8 by 10" and gave them as gifts. It has 8 megs. This is not a commercial for Canon but my girlfriend has another brand, about the same price & we can actually see the difference in quality. After you decide which camera you want, check CNET for online stores & best prices. I actually got a free printer with my camera & $80.00 in rebates from Canon.
No kidding.
good luck
good advice.
by welrdelr - 11/9/07 5:20 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Use cash when dealing with unscrupulous dealers.
Be sure you can see. A camera has as much use to the blind as a condom to the impotent.
Look at the Nikon Coolpix P50 for about $200 (cheap)
by boland7214 - 11/9/07 5:22 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I suggest you go to www.amazon.com and type in Nikon Coolpix P50. There are some reviews on that site. The Nikon has BOTH an LCD screen AND an optical viewfinder.....plus a WIDE ANGLE LENS...and uses easily obtained AA batteries instead of the expensive and hard to find proprietary batteries in most other cameras. It takes shart photos at wide angle AND telephoto contrary to what someone wrote on the amazon website. I have one and I'm very satisfied. If you want to see some photos I took with it, send me an email boland7214@aol.com
Regarding the proprietary battery as compared with AA batteries, when you are out on safari in Africa living in a thatched hut or tent and your proprietary battery runs out of power, do you want to be running all over the jungle at night in a fruitless attempt to find a battery at a local "sari-sari" store while you hear lions and hei-enas roaring and sounding off all around you? With the Nikon P50, you can easily carry enough AA batteries with you on your trip so you won't have to risk your life searching for the proprietary battery all over the jungle on those cold nights with wild animals searching for YOU! Got it? :o)
So, you ask, "who needs a 28mm or 23mm lens?" You do! Most people concern themselves with how LONG is their telephoto lens. But, most people who "know" know that it is the WIDE ANGLE lens that is most important---most of the "best shots" are made with a WIDE ANGLE lens. For example, you're in Europe and you are trying to "get a shot" of that Cathedral of Notre Dame over there. You NEED a WIDE ANGLE lens. You are in the California Poppy Fields and you want to get the expanse of the golden-yellow poppy flowers with the huge blue sky filled with white clouds above---you need a WIDE ANGLE lens. You are sitting at thanksgiving dinner and you want to take a photo from the foot of the table with everyone sitting on the left and right---you NEED a WIDE ANGLE lens. You are in the garden of the California Mission and you want to take a photo of the ENTIRE garden surrounded by the mission walls---you NEED a WIDE ANGLE lens. It's Christmas day and you want a photo of the ENTIRE GROUP of visitors in front of the Christmas Tree---you NEED a WIDE ANGLE lens. This is where the 28mm lens (or 23mm on this camera) comes in! So, you NEED THIS CAMERA! Otherwise you'll be cutting off heads and leaving Aunt Sylvia out of the "Christmas Group Photo" this year---and she'll disinherit you and you'll live a life of poverty and misery everafter! :o) If you agree or disagree or know of ANY other digital point and shoot camera that has a WIDE ANGLE lens please write, Email:boland7214@aol.
Why do you need an optical viewfinder when you have an LCD screen? The simple reason is that the LCD's SOMETIMES get "washed out" in bright sunlight. And, another reason, I think, is that the optical viewfinder is "faster to use" under "pressure circumstances" like when you want to "grab" that smile on your kids face. Why not have both is my opinion. If you disagree fine, but two ways to view and take photos seems better than one. It's just common sense. (Plus, some people are "far sighted" and have difficulty clearly viewing a the little LCD screen a few inches from their eyes.)
All the bells and whisles.
by starrpoint - 11/9/07 5:58 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It is tempting to go all out, but really, write down what you need and focus on this.
A lot of the bells are not really useful or down right confusing!
Grandkids move quickly. Fast response is best.
by RustySly - 11/9/07 6:22 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
From this blog you've got all of the technical advice you'll need to select a camera, but, being a grandparent and great grandparent, I've experienced the woe's of digital camera lag. With my first digital camera being the top of the line dedicated Nikon digital camera, with 8 megapixals and 35X optical zoom, I expected taking pictures of moving kids to be simple. NOT SO.
See the action, press the shutter, wait . . . the kid's gone. And posing the kids didn't give me the candids that I wanted. I finally learned to anticipate the movements, but that still didn't work as well as my old 35mm SLRs, which took the pictures instantly.
Well, I finally solved that probelem. I got a Canon Rebel XTi, which took pictures when I pressed the button. (Nikon, Pentax, etc., work as well.)
Turns out that even the top of the line Canon and Nikon dedicated digitals still have lag, even through they are working on it. BUT the DSLRs don't. They all take pictures when you press the shutter release, again and again.
If it's active grandkids you're trying take spontaneous pictures of, forget the megapixals. Get a Digital SLR, which, of course start at about 8 or more megapixals and now, as low as $500. And learn to use PhotoShop, the great equalizer for pictures
When the kids are being......
by cesareDH - 11/9/07 6:37 PM In reply to: Grandkids move quickly. Fast response is best. by RustySlyactive and running all over doing kid's stuff, use the movie feature on the camera. If you want stills, you can always get them from your movie.
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