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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Sun Aug 19th, 2007 06:54 pm | 1st Post |
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Hi All:
I need some help from all you expert photographers!!
I'm looking to buy a new digital camera. I don't want one that's especially difficult to use -- point and shoot! I want something with a decent (up to 85 mm compatable) zoom lens, one that will take great pictures in low light (the one I have right now flashes 2 or 3 times when taking photos in low light -- if anyone moves, it looks like I have double/triple exposure!!).
I'm looking at a Canon Powershot A570 IS -- doesn't have the zoom that I'd prefer, but it's possible to buy lenses (with an adapter) to increase the zoom.
What do you all think?
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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grinningramps
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Posted: Sun Aug 19th, 2007 07:55 pm | 2nd Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: Hi All:
I need some help from all you expert photographers!!
I'm looking to buy a new digital camera. I don't want one that's especially difficult to use -- point and shoot! I want something with a decent (up to 85 mm compatable) zoom lens, one that will take great pictures in low light (the one I have right now flashes 2 or 3 times when taking photos in low light -- if anyone moves, it looks like I have double/triple exposure!!).
I'm looking at a Canon Powershot A570 IS -- doesn't have the zoom that I'd prefer, but it's possible to buy lenses (with an adapter) to increase the zoom.
What do you all think?
Actually, we just bought 164 of that model camera for use by field staff where I work. This is our second generation of Cannon cameras. The first model we used was the A70, purchased 4 years ago, and we liked it so we got a similar current model this go around when we replaced our field equipment.
IMHO it is a good all round camera....but then every major mfr has similar cameras...its kinda like some people prefer, or swear by, Ford, some Chevy's, Toyotas, etc. The flash on your old camera sounds like maybe it was using the flash for enough light to focus in low light conditions...and most all cameras now use infrared, IR, light to focus so that should be a non-issue on most any new camera I think.
Oh...I almost forgot...I don't think you will find much higher zoom than this in a point and shoot camera...and don't let them fool ya with their advertising...the only zoom worth a crap is optical zoom. Digital zoom is just software enhancement and is very poor quality. Only consider how much optical zoom the camera offers....again...this is MHO.
Last edited on Sun Aug 19th, 2007 08:00 pm by grinningramps
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bsdmhutch
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Posted: Sun Aug 19th, 2007 09:54 pm | 3rd Post |
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I'm with GG on this on. I just bought the Canon A550. And so far I love it. I got it to replace my 520.... went from 4.0 MP to 7.1.
And be sure to turn off any digital zoom or you won't be able to enlarge pictures worth anything.
The one thing I will add about a flash is, although digital flashes are getting better, you will probably still have problems in a low light situation unless you have an external flash (which most point and shoots don't have the option to add).
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Stephanie
S&S4 Destiny 10/30/08
Austria 2009(?) for choir tour.
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Sun Aug 19th, 2007 11:58 pm | 4th Post |
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This camera does have options -- including adding a flash (as well as different lenses -- zoom and wide angle). I'm basically looking for something that works well in low light. I used my old digital at our son's wedding, and I was SO disappointed with the pictures! My DD's Fuji did a better job in low light than mine...
____________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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bsdmhutch
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Posted: Mon Aug 20th, 2007 12:15 am | 5th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: This camera does have options -- including adding a flash (as well as different lenses -- zoom and wide angle). I'm basically looking for something that works well in low light. I used my old digital at our son's wedding, and I was SO disappointed with the pictures! My DD's Fuji did a better job in low light than mine...
I would seriously look into an external flash then. My husband is really big into digital photography and that is his biggest complaint (even with his digital SLR).
Check out this site: http://www.dpreview.com
Brian uses this when he wants to research a new camera.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=canon_a570is
This is a link to some user reviews. There might be some more information on the site too if you poke around a little.
Last edited on Mon Aug 20th, 2007 12:18 am by bsdmhutch
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Stephanie
S&S4 Destiny 10/30/08
Austria 2009(?) for choir tour.
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
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grinningramps
Founders
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Posted: Mon Aug 20th, 2007 12:17 am | 6th Post |
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If low light is your primary criteria, you may not want this camera then...it does not get good reivews from at least one respected review site.
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-PowerShot-A570IS-Digital-Camera-Review-13215/Testing--Performance.htm
Noise – Manual ISO (4.01)
The PowerShot A570IS is not a low-light camera. The noise levels are acceptable from ISO 80 to 200, but they take a big jump at ISO 400, and keep rising steeply at 800 and 1600. Users should avoid going over 200 unless they can't get the shot without higher ISO. The noise level at 1600 produces images that are obviously low-quality, even at small sizes. The image noise at higher ISOs shows up with light and dark speckles, and oddly-colored spots...
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grinningramps
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Posted: Mon Aug 20th, 2007 12:22 am | 7th Post |
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The Fuji line may be worth looking at...this is from the site Steph mentioned...
FinePix F30 Zoom: a low light landmark. Fujifilm’s revolutionary compact works in the light conditions that other cameras hate
While this is an older model, it is probably worth doing some research on current Fuji digital cameras.
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Mon Aug 20th, 2007 02:52 pm | 8th Post |
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Well, you've all given me something to think about!
I couldn't find the Fuji F30, but did find an F40 -- and it's not much more than the price for the Canon.
I guess I'm partial to Canon cameras, since my film camera is a Canon Sureshot 85, which I love and takes wonderful pictures. Just don't get that "instant gratification" that you get with a digital though...
If anyone has more suggestions, I'd be willing to hear them! I also got a copy of the consumer reports magazine from a co-worker with their recommendations on digital cameras, so I've got my homework cut out for me!
Thanks!
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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bsdmhutch
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Posted: Mon Aug 20th, 2007 03:21 pm | 9th Post |
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It's great that you are researching and doing your homework. You will be much happier with what you choose, knowing you looked at all the information first.
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Stephanie
S&S4 Destiny 10/30/08
Austria 2009(?) for choir tour.
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:03 am | 10th Post |
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Whew! After reading the links you all posted here, plus the Consumer Reports issue dealing with digital cameras, I'm more confused than ever!!!
I REALLY want to get a new camera before our cruise on 10/31 -- anyone else with suggestions? Even after all I've read, I'm still leaning toward the Canon I mentioned earlier. DH thinks I should go "all out" and get the EOS and then can get any lenses I want to add....
AHHH!!!
____________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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grinningramps
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:07 am | 11th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: Whew! After reading the links you all posted here, plus the Consumer Reports issue dealing with digital cameras, I'm more confused than ever!!!
I REALLY want to get a new camera before our cruise on 10/31 -- anyone else with suggestions? Even after all I've read, I'm still leaning toward the Canon I mentioned earlier. DH thinks I should go "all out" and get the EOS and then can get any lenses I want to add....
AHHH!!!
You need to be good your DH tonight...and get the Rebel! 
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:15 am | 12th Post |
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| You think? Seems awfully clumsy to me -- all those lenses, add on flash -- I was honestly looking for something simpler...
____________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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bsdmhutch
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:23 am | 13th Post |
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Actually the digital SLRs are not harder to work in auto mode than the point and shoots. And the pictures are awesome.
And they are just as easy to hold and carry then the 35mm of the past.
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Stephanie
S&S4 Destiny 10/30/08
Austria 2009(?) for choir tour.
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:25 am | 14th Post |
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| Yeah, but I've never had a "real" 35 mm -- just a Canon Sureshot 85 (and a 55 before that) -- simple to use, takes great pictures -- but FILM. I've actually gone to not having photos printed, but having them put on a CD instead, because then I can print what I want, e-mail any of them, and have a permanent record of the photos...
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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bsdmhutch
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:49 am | 15th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: Yeah, but I've never had a "real" 35 mm -- just a Canon Sureshot 85 (and a 55 before that) -- simple to use, takes great pictures -- but FILM. I've actually gone to not having photos printed, but having them put on a CD instead, because then I can print what I want, e-mail any of them, and have a permanent record of the photos...
I would suggest then that you go to a Best Buy, Circuit City, Wolf/Ritz Camera type store and pick up, hold and play with a SLR and a Point and Shoot and see what you think.
That's always a good thing anyway... you want to make sure whatever camera you choose is comfortable for you to hold.
____________________
Stephanie
S&S4 Destiny 10/30/08
Austria 2009(?) for choir tour.
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 21st, 2007 01:53 am | 16th Post |
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That's something that I planned to do (we have Ritz Camera here) -- one thing that worried me about the Canon was the fact that it has a plastic body -- I tend to be a little careless, and I wouldn't want to break it!! A;lthough most are made this way, so as not to be too heavy.
Even my cheapie $99 Gateway (Canon) digital has a metal body -- it's a tough little camera and I don't worry so much about banging it around.
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 05:27 pm | 17th Post |
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| Well, I'm becoming more frustrated the more I research! I got the July issue of Consumer Reports from a co-worker; when I checked around for the cameras they recommended, NONE of them that I thought I'd be interested in is available! WTF??!!
____________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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grinningramps
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 10:27 pm | 18th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: Well, I'm becoming more frustrated the more I research! I got the July issue of Consumer Reports from a co-worker; when I checked around for the cameras they recommended, NONE of them that I thought I'd be interested in is available! WTF??!!
Remember, these are all opnions...and just like noses, everyobody has one...and they are all different!
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 11:27 pm | 19th Post |
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I realize that, but opinions was what I needed! I went with their opinions, and now the darn cameras aren't available!! So I'm back to square one...
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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vanniannie
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 01:45 pm | 20th Post |
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Check out Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 with 12X Optical Zoom. It's 36-432, and we love it. I found a good price on Amazon. It's very easy and offers a lot.
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Wed Aug 29th, 2007 01:40 pm | 21st Post |
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vanniannie wrote: Check out Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 with 12X Optical Zoom. It's 36-432, and we love it. I found a good price on Amazon. It's very easy and offers a lot.
Thanks! I did check that one out (and one step up) on line and it looks very nice! Think I'll be heading to the camera shop tonight to check it out in person!
____________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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Brangwen
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Posted: Wed Aug 29th, 2007 02:01 pm | 22nd Post |
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I got the FZ7 last year... LOVE it. It takes awhile to get used to as far as all the options/functions/settings, but it's a great camera.
Here's some pix I've taken, just kind of messing around with it (the moon was from Monday night, in fact)
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captN
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Posted: Wed Aug 29th, 2007 02:10 pm | 23rd Post |
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Brangwen wrote: I got the FZ7 last year... LOVE it. It takes awhile to get used to as far as all the options/functions/settings, but it's a great camera.
Here's some pix I've taken, just kind of messing around with it (the moon was from Monday night, in fact)
Thats quite a Moon yer shooting honey 
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captN
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Posted: Wed Aug 29th, 2007 02:21 pm | 24th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: vanniannie wrote: Check out Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 with 12X Optical Zoom. It's 36-432, and we love it. I found a good price on Amazon. It's very easy and offers a lot.
Thanks! I did check that one out (and one step up) on line and it looks very nice! Think I'll be heading to the camera shop tonight to check it out in person!
We have the smaller LZ model and love it ... takes great pics
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Brangwen
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Posted: Wed Aug 29th, 2007 02:21 pm | 25th Post |
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captN wrote: Brangwen wrote: I got the FZ7 last year... LOVE it. It takes awhile to get used to as far as all the options/functions/settings, but it's a great camera.
Here's some pix I've taken, just kind of messing around with it (the moon was from Monday night, in fact)
Thats quite a Moon yer shooting honey
Why... thank ya...
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~I'm the root of all that's evil, yeah but you can call me cookie~
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