Digital Cameras

[Guest Tim13]

I'm in the market for a digital camera. It must have full manual control as well as the usual point and shoot features. Price range is under 800.00 USD. Any recommendations or personal experiences?Thanks for any help.Tim13

[Sonar5 3]

Hi Tim,I have had great success with the FujiFinepix 4900z.They don't make that model anymore, but you may want to look at their Finepix 3800, which is similar to mine:http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners...roduct=43860768Or their Finepix S602 here:http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners...roduct=43860757I got a great price from camera World when I bought mine. They are selling the S602 for $799http://www.ritzcamera.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...&@($*=cameraworldNo Sales TaxFree Shipping (I got mine the next day) My pics below were all used with my Fuji.Full USA WarrantyGood Luck,Joe.Oshkosh Pictures From 2001 (Part 1) 78 Pics in Frames with 1mb in ThumbnailsHigh speed connection Recommended:http://home.attbi.com/~flypics1/FrameSet.htm.Oshkosh Pictures From 2001 (Part 2) 106 Pics in Frames with 1.5mb in ThumbnailsHigh speed connection recommended:http://home.attbi.com/~flypics2/FrameSet.htm.Picture Gallery of My Flight in a 1945 SNJ-6 on June 1st, 2002Joliet, Illinoishttp://home.attbi.com/~jranos/FrameSet.htm.http://home.attbi.com/~jranos/mysig.jpg http://avsim.com/hangar/air/bfu/logo70.gif

[Guest The Ancient Brit]

S'mae Joe,On the strength of your endorsement of the FujiFinepix brand name, I have only a few hours ago purchased a FujiFinepix6900Zoom. It is at the moment having its battery charged. If I fail to take great shots with it, can I hold you entirely responsible? (LOL)Denis. The Ancient Brit.

[Sonar5 3]

Hi Denis,Sure, why not. I get held responsible for everything else around here, right... :-lol :-lol :-lol :-lolHonestly, if you do have questions regarding its use or settings, feel free to ask and I will be happy to try and assist.The 6900 is lsightly above mine, but not much. Make sure you have a second battery li-ion and I have only needed a 128mb card. It uses the same cards as our mp3 players. And smartmedia memory is cheap these days.Regards,Joehttp://home.attbi.com/~jranos/mysig.jpg http://avsim.com/hangar/air/bfu/logo70.gif

[Guest B1900 Mech]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/dc4800.html I have had good luck with this camera. I just need to learn how to post good screenshots on Avsim :)

[Guest Jeff S KDTW]

Tim -This is a subject that is dear to my heart ;-) - I used to design 35mm cameras (as a mechanical engineers) years ago and have recently (1 year ago) switched over from my 35mm SLR system to digital.I ended up getting a Sony F707, 5 Megapixel camera, which includes a Carl Zeiss 5X Optical zoom lens. I've been VERY happy with it.I would suggest that you view some of my 190 or so pictures on airliners.net (click link below). Although, make sure that you are not viewing the 727 cockpit shots as examples, since these pictures were taken with our office's digital camera. If you have any questions about any of them, let me know, because some may have been taken behind glass or under other unusual circumstances. :-)Additionally, I'd suggest that you peruse this site ( http://www.dpreview.com/ ), as they have EXCELLENT reviews on every available DC.Good luck in your search and feel free to email me with any additional questions, if you'd like (see email below).Regards,http://www.pbase.com/image/4765991.jpg | [LINK:www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?photographersearch=Jeffrey%20L.%20Snyder&distinct_entry=true|AIRLINERS.NET PHOTOS] [link:www.biblegateway.com/bgaudio/english/NIV/Max%20McLean/RM/bgaudio.pl?selection=1|AUDIO BIBLE] ] JEFF_S_KDTW@YAHOO.COM[/b

[Guest Tim13]

Thanks for the heads up on the Fuji. I looked at it today at my local Ritz Camera and it was very nice. My only problem with it is that the lens moves in and out. Why is this a problem you ask? I want to dabble a little in unguided short exposure (<60 seconds) astrophotography as well as use it for everyday pics. I also looked at the Nikon Coolpix 4500 and 5000. The Nikon 5000 was equally nice. Tim13

[greggerm 312]

I am a Nikon Coolpix 4500 owner, and I love it.I am NOT a pro, and I cannot figure out an F-stop from an F-word, but I manage to take some good pictures with it. Plus, for someone learning, it has good auto- and assisted modes. A small gallery of some of my Coolpix 4500 shots (non aviation related) can be found over [a href=http://www.pbase.com/greggerm]here[/a].I would recommend it highly! Durable and excellent photo quality.-Greg

[Guest Tim13]

:-lolJeff, It looks like we both posted at the same time. Thanks for the tip on the Sony. I just took a quick look at the link that you provided, and I'll probably e-mail you with some specific questions if that is OK with you.Thanks again to everyone who has responded.Tim

[Guest SoarPics]

Hi Tim,As a photographer I try to avoid these types of questions (they're like a mine field), but my interest in the medium and a desire to assist a fellow simmer makes me step into the discussion.Others here have offered solid recommendations of products that do exactly what they are designed to do. You didn't mention what you will be using your camera for (family gatherings, holidays, vacations, fun shooting... or working on honing your photographic skills with the goal of maybe selling some of your work). You also didn't mention what, if any, level of experience you currently have. I'll take a stab at this, and try to be as thorough and helpful as possible.First of all, if you are new to photography do yourself a favor and buy from a dealer close to your home. They will assist you in finding the right choice for the type(s) of photography you are interested in. They will be there to assist you two weeks later when you have questions (always happens) or troubles (usually involves a failure 6" behind the viewfinder). In short, they will be there for you. The downside is you will pay more... which is only natural considering they are selling their expertise along with the equipment.Personally, I would never buy a camera from a retailer like CompUSA, Best Buy, Staples, etc. unless I knew exactly what I wanted and was simply fishing for the best price. Usually the folks who would "help" you will know less about the cameras than you.If you decide to brave the purchase from one of the many large sellers (whether you buy on-line or via phone) be prepared to do your homework. These folks are in the business of moving alot of product quickly at reduced prices. They will only assist you in buying what THEY want to sell you. Study the products you are interested in, make your decision, then get it done. But you must know what you are doing and what you want. A final word here about warranties. Many online sellers offer what is known as "grey market" products at a reduced price. Depending on where you live this can be a problem. These products offer warranties that are honored only by the manufacturer at their discretion of repair facilites (often in a country half a world away but not at a facility in your country). This can mean that if your camera requires some sort of warranty repair you may not see it returned to you for quite some time (maybe... maybe not). If you are a resident of the U.S. definetly stay away from grey market products (I'm not sure about other countries and their warranty laws). The money you might save isn't worth the aggravation you might experience. In short, make sure you have the proper warranty for what you are buying. As a U.S. resident I NEVER but grey market stuff. For me, it's not worth the risk.Avoid folks who INSIST you MUST buy the brand camera they own (no offense to other posters) because they think it's the greatest. Recommendations are great, but some folks can be over zealous about their toys. Ignore them, and concentrate on finding what works for you. Also avoid "package deals" where the seller throws in a handful of doodads in an effort to lure new buyers. The doodads are more often than not junk, and these deals benefit the seller when selling to impulse buyers who fail to do their homework. They're sucker deals.There is a plethora of info available, both online and at the newstand. I won't recommend any specific sources because they each offer they're own perspective, which I find useful.And now for the recommendation: If you are buying for fun, holidays, vacations etc., then you have a wide range of brands and capabilities to choose from. Find one you like within your price range and make it yours. If your intentions are more serious you have some tough decisions to make (as in how much money can you spend?). I would then suggest one of the interchangeable lens digitals (Canon and Nikon are hitting this market hard now, and both offer excellant offerings). The price won't be cheap ($2000.00 - $2500.00USD minimum). And then there will be lenses, and flash heads, and... well, I'm sure you get the point.Sorry if this was long-winded, but not knowing exactly where your interests lie I tried my best. Hope I was helpful.Regards,

[Sonar5 3]

Here is a good source for additional batteries. I have 2, which seem to get me by just fine.http://www.sabahoceanic.com/Good Customer Service, and I recieved it promptly.Joe.Oshkosh Pictures From 2001 (Part 1) 78 Pics in Frames with 1mb in ThumbnailsHigh speed connection Recommended:http://home.attbi.com/~flypics1/FrameSet.htm.Oshkosh Pictures From 2001 (Part 2) 106 Pics in Frames with 1.5mb in ThumbnailsHigh speed connection recommended:http://home.attbi.com/~flypics2/FrameSet.htm.Picture Gallery of My Flight in a 1945 SNJ-6 on June 1st, 2002Joliet, Illinoishttp://home.attbi.com/~jranos/FrameSet.htm.http://home.attbi.com/~jranos/mysig.jpg http://avsim.com/hangar/air/bfu/logo70.gif

[Guest The Ancient Brit]

Greg,Thanks for that well written and well thought out message. Readers of this forum who are newbie purchasers of digital cameras would do well to remember the mistakes they made as newbie computer purchasers.I am suffering from an unexpected side effect at the end of the first day using my camera-that of stiff legs! As a dedicated simmer, I normally spend hour after hour sitting in front of a computer. Since I live in Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales, an historic Cathedral and University City, I have been walking about the city taking pictures. This sudden bout of exercise has taken its toll and given me stiff legs.The way to look at this is that if taking an interest in photography helps one to realise there is life outside of a computer screen, then it can be no bad thing.Denis. The Ancient Brit.

[Guest]

http://www.dpreview.com/This is the best place to find out about digital cameras!Before you buy.Learn about Shutter LagWrite timeand what kind of batterries are used!.

[Guest]

Isn't that a great site!I love the forums especially.A refreshing change from flight simming.I looked at the 717 on Saturday.For Tim, I would think the Olympus 720 fpr $499

[Guest]

Ah pbase!How many of us have a pbase account?www.pbase.com