Posted by Teddog/CO on 11/14/06 9:23am
Msg #159817

Taking a poll

Anyone have any suggestions regarding digital cameras ? I looked at post postings . One post said to be sure that Macros is in the camera so you can take close-ups (drivers licenses) This will be my very first purchase of a digital camera and I know ZIP about them. Helpppp! Had my friend suggest the Olympus, but thought I'de try a get more info if possible.

My trusty Spectra passed on to the Great Camera Heaven in the sky. Time to upgrade!

Thanks in advance

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/14/06 9:24am
Msg #159818

lol Should be Past postings-not post postings. Coffeeee! n/m

Reply by Laurie_PA on 11/14/06 9:38am
Msg #159821

Good Morning Teddog!

I have several digital cameras and it depends on what you are going to use it for. If you simply need a camera for taking pictures of ID, the yes Macro would be a good idea but most one step cameras have a setting for this. If you want a camera for other pictures as well then you might want to get a camera w/ more pixels for quality but to be perfectly honest my first digital was a Kodak One-Step and it was GREAT for all round pix. Its not huge but bigger than some of the credit card sized cameras they offer now . . . which I currently have in my portfolio for taking pictures of ID's. If you go this option be sure to make sure that the camera has a good shake compansation (not exactly the techy wording) because the one I have is not good - Nikon Kool Pix.
Good Luck to you!

Reply by Laurie_PA on 11/14/06 9:44am
Msg #159824

I also have a Rebel XT EOS camera (can change lenses) much like the old 35 mm cameras just in digital. I have a lot of fun w/this camera, I'm still learning but that's half the fun.
Of course over kill for simple ID pix.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/14/06 10:25am
Msg #159833

Yikes ! Laurie you're a camera nut-cool ! n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/14/06 1:46pm
Msg #159866

Re: Taking a poll - Laurie

I have the Canon EOS10D which is similar to the Rebel. I love it. I used to have a regular Canon EOS 35mm camera, and the lenses from that one fit the EOS10D which was handy
I also have a Canon PowerShot 50 to carry in my purse. I love that one too.

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/14/06 9:44am
Msg #159823

I have a FUJI FinePix 2650. It has the Macro setting. It was relatively inexpensive, and has handled all sorts of abuse. It takes an XD memory card, and I recommend one larger than is included with the camera. It also has video capabilities, which is a great bonus
Mine is 2 years old, so I imagine a different model number is now in stores.
The photo quality is unsurpassed, too... I get regular comments on how clear and sharp my digital prints are.

Reply by cassiewi on 11/14/06 9:52am
Msg #159826

My 10 year old 35 mm broke on Halloween, only got a few pics of the kids, which was a bummer. My husband went out and bought a Sony Sureshot, it's sort of complicated and I'm trying to figure it out. Haven't used it to take pictures of ID's, though. It has a lot of settings though. Sorry I wasn't more help.

Reply by Les_CO on 11/14/06 10:06am
Msg #159829

I have an older Olympus, and a new Minolta. The new Minolta is smaller, more pixels, etc. I now use the old Olympus just for taking photos of ID's. (done it for years) Both work just fine. Remember the forest fires here? Afterward I had quite a few requests to go to homes in the mtns and take photos (I guess they wanted to know if the places were still there?) I used the Olympus and it worked fine. Be sure the camera you choose will have Marcos for close-ups. The new very small ones are nice, (shirt pocket) but more expensive.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/14/06 10:22am
Msg #159831

Thanks to You All ! Now the Quest is on.

Being your basic dummy about cameras I really appreciate everyones' help. How I loved my Spectra. Sighhhh But onward and upward towards technology.

Thanks Again !

Reply by Kirod9jx on 11/14/06 10:49am
Msg #159837

We bought a "Casio Exilim EX-Z50" and love it. It is small enough to fit in my briefcase for those last minute pictures of Id's. I also used this for my ebay listings since Macro is important for labels and such as well. It's easy to use and I've recommended to friends for the video feature as well. When in a pinch at the soccer game to film that goal! Updated models are out with larger LCD screens. This is actually smaller than my current Notary Stamp!
Good luck!

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/14/06 11:02am
Msg #159846

Teddog~ you can't beat Kodak. I love mine.

EasyShare DX7630. Very easy to use and I love the customer service.

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/14/06 11:03am
Msg #159847

One final suggestion... a link

http://www.komando.com/buyguide/
Kim Komando is awesome and her picks really help with the tech stuff I am clueless about. Just so happens that today she's featuring digital cameras on her buying guide
Hope it helps

Reply by Ndwa on 11/14/06 11:45am
Msg #159851

Casio Exilim EX-Z70BK Digital Camera $183.96

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0726022&cs=19&c=us&l=en

Reply by ME/NJ on 11/14/06 12:00pm
Msg #159853

Depends what you want

I've always used Canon products. My current is one of the top of the line P&S Powershot S3 - 12x optical zoom and 48X digital and you can add-on lens. Its not a cheap set up, but the zoom and video are well worth it.

Reply by Mindy_WA on 11/14/06 12:24pm
Msg #159855

Re: We have a Pentax Optio 330

Out of all the cameras that we looked at, this one has the most brilliant color. We have taken some sharp family pics with this one. The quality is very good for a 3.4 meg pix. We are looking at upgrading right now to another Pentax with more meg pixs, but would not choose another brand for the color quality. If you are planning on using for any other purpose, I would recommend that you go to a camera store and try out all the brands and see which one takes the type of pics you need/want.
Mindy

Reply by Gary_CA on 11/14/06 2:23pm
Msg #159881

Hope I'm not too late... n/m

Reply by Gary_CA on 11/14/06 2:38pm
Msg #159891

I hate it when that happens...

Pinky hit enter and POW n/m Grrrr

Okay, so a couple tips on Digital Cameras (I'm a Realtor who makes most of my money taking pictures and doing valuations for banks... my camera is my life.)

1. Go to Circuit City and ask what they have on "Open Box" cameras returned within 14 days, everything's there but the box, fully waranteed. You can save some bucks that way.

2. Two things you want... more megapixels and more OPTICAL zoom. Digital zoom is useless (okay, sometimes it's a little useful, but not really) 5x Opitcal 5Megapixel is a decent camera, my latest that I love is 12x zoom and 5 mega pixels.

3. More mega pixels is always better but more than 5 is still a little pricey.

I've had 2 Panasonics that I absolutely love. #1 was 5 mega pixel 5xzoom.... it was about 2 months old when Dad needed a camera so I sold him that one and upgraded to another Panasonic 5 megapixels 12x zoom. Both are great cameras. I had an HP previous that was great and I've played with the Cannon... all good.

Reply by David Kral on 11/14/06 5:33pm
Msg #159983

Big Screen

You want one with a good LCD screen on the back. Otherwise, you might take the photo and it might be blurry. Hard to tell on small LCD screen camera. I know I had one. With a large screen you can check the detail and make sure it captures what you need.

Actually, my Treo 650 cellphone takes a descent picture and it can be emailed to me wirelessly.