thinking of getting a digital camera (planning to actually) - but this is not an area of technology I have kept apace with.


what features should I be looking for?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2937810022&category=3336"]this one looks good[/url] - its a Kodak (a name I have heard of) and importantly to me - it has a docking station (want the missus to be able to just drop the camera in and upload the photos - no messing with cables etc)

know there are a few guys here with cameras, and keen on them (eh Steve?) - so thought I'd ask the LOC collective for opinions!

any thoughts?


and - any reason why I shouldn't buy from ebay?

the kodak docking digi camera is just a standard camera... easy features reasonable results. Prhaps easy to use to,, but you wil get just basic results.

Myself I would buy either Nikon or Canon as these are very fine camera manufacturers.

I would look for something in the region of 3 to 4 megapixels!

nothing wrong with ebay mate.. just make sure its a reputable dealer!

When buying mine, I was told to avoid Kodak (that was the one I was going to buy), because they have so many faults...

Personally I have a FujiFilm 2600Z.. which is the same as the new A204, which has optical and digital zoom, a LCD screen and movie capture...
This is available at about 150 quid..
The only complaint is that it is bulky. Have a look [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006IJK6/qid=1057234636/br=3-2/br_lfncs_ce_2/202-3410617-6200640"]here[/url]


I found the Fuji really easy to use, and transferring pictures onto the PC is very easy.. But I cannot really compare it to any others, as this is the only one I have had.

also if you are looking for a great deal then goto [url="http://www.dealtime.co.uk"]http://www.dealtime.co.uk[/url]

this will list all the stores by the chepest price... i saved £100 over jessops prices!

ive recently bought an Olympus camera

4.0 megapixels, comes with everything needed, and a zoom lens, also does film and sound

best bit is its not bulky fits in the palm of the hand

the model number is

Olympus Camedia C-40ZOOM

Olympus are also a good make... I have previously been looking at some of their cameras!

I myself have a Nikon Coolpix the flip model.. 3.5 Megapixels

nice camera.. quite complex though

I swearby the Sony camera's, although they don't have the photographic history of Nikon or Fuji they have put together some superb camera's with absolutely amazing lenses....

Reasonble priced and good quality, I have had mine for 3 years and never hada problem with it yet.

I use an Olympus C-700 Ultra Zoom. Check DABS out - very reasonable on soft as well as hardwear.

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jul 3 2003, 01:23 PM']ive recently bought an Olympus camera

4.0 megapixels, comes with everything needed, and a zoom lens, also does film and sound

best bit is its not bulky fits in the palm of the hand

the model number is

Olympus Camedia C-40ZOOM[/quote]
i have the 300z
much the same as above
only 3.0megapix but very good quality
second olympus i have had
good battery life even on rechargables

i use a card reader about £20 uses usb port
just slot in card and access like a hard drive

though its not too practical I prefer using a big 35mm canon camera for events.. as the lens is far more superior and when i attatch my big lens the quality is superb.. I then have the film put onto CD

[quote name='Administrator' date='Jul 3 2003, 01:38 PM']though its not too practical I prefer using a big 35mm canon camera for events.. as the lens is far more superior and when i attatch my big lens the quality is superb..

I then have the film put onto CD[/quote]
isnt this where the quality is lost though

best option is slr digital but they are mega bucks

do you have a budget planned - that will help narrow down the choices a lot

With modern technology the quality is dam good when going to cd at a decent film shop... as analogue camera's are that much better quality than digital anyway as a general rule the qulaity is superb.

I got the Cannon Digital Ixus v3

3.2 million pixels, shoots 640 x 480 (bigger if you want) movies aswell, does allsorts of stuff and wieghs only 180grams[url="http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/IXUSv3/index-e.html"]here[/url]

[url="http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk"]web cameras[/url]

good

[quote name='dark_is200' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:44 PM']do you have a budget planned - that will help narrow down the choices a lot[/quote]
ermm - hadn't thought of it that way.

around the £300 mark is sensible isn't it?

should be able to get something decent for that shouldn't I?

my camera

[url="http://www.olympus.com/cpg_section/cpg_product_lobbypage.asp?l=1&p=16&bc=1&product=712"]The C(D)-40ZOOM...LINK[/url]

[quote name='Fargo' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:48 PM']I got the Cannon Digital Ixus v3

3.2 million pixels, shoots 640 x 480 (bigger if you want) movies aswell, does allsorts of stuff and wieghs only 180grams[url="http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/IXUSv3/index-e.html"]here[/url][/quote]
thats nice Paul - but no cradle

can't keep up with thread - more advice than Ican handle in one go!


thanks folks - not ignoring you - looking at other cameras like you advise!

remember matt aswell i can get them tax and duty free...

[quote name='Matthew_McNally' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:52 PM'][quote name='dark_is200' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:44 PM'] do you have a budget planned - that will help narrow down the choices a lot[/quote]
ermm - hadn't thought of it that way.

around the £300 mark is sensible isn't it?

should be able to get something decent for that shouldn't I? [/quote]
Would recommend the Fuji F401, great quality, v compact (quite similar to the Ixus), does movies etc and about £280.

OK

[url="http://www.plymouthshopping.co.uk/mall/FotoFirstDirect/products/product-841711.stm"]I'm liking this one now[/url]

pretty certain I can get it from costco for £249 or 269 too.


any opinions on this one?

[quote name='lexicon' date='Jul 3 2003, 01:11 PM']Would recommend the Fuji F401, great quality, v compact (quite similar to the Ixus), does movies etc and about £280.[/quote]
hahahaha

great minds think alike mate - thats the one I linked to below!

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:59 PM']remember matt aswell i can get them tax and duty free... [/quote]
noted Mr C

everything you ever wanted to know about digital cameras but where too afraid to ask...


See [url="http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm"]HERE[/url]

[quote name='Matthew_McNally' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:56 PM']thats nice Paul - but no cradle [/quote]
Nope, it comes with all the leads you can handle.. one for outputing directly to a TV or Video (RCA connectors)
and a USB lead for hooking up to you PC, you also get all the software your gona need for downloading/uploading, picture albums, yada yady yada..

same [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006RGGI/ref=sr_aps_electronics_1_1/026-2382126-7625224"]KODAK LS443[/url] for 279.95 WITTH FREE SHIPPING, which would save you £24.05 compared to the one on e-bay

ergo check [url="http://www.pricerunner.co.uk"]pricerunner.co.uk[/url] for prices

of course in the US they're bloody [url="http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=631665/ut=c23c6a056e423103"]half price[/url]

[quote name='bazza' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:38 PM'][quote]
i have the 300z
much the same as above
only 3.0megapix but very good quality
second olympus i have had
good battery life even on rechargables

i use a card reader  about £20 uses usb port
just slot in card and access like a hard drive[/quote]

[/quote]
I've got the same one and I really rate it, the quality is excellent.

If you're getting a camera, get optical zoom rather than digital - quality is much greater

i've got the kodak ls443. and being a bit of a novice with cameras, i found it really easy to use and the docking station is a great idea.

I've got a Olympus camedia c50 zoom and its wicked !!

I bought a Nikon Coolpix 4300 4 Million pixels last Christmas . I studied the mags and saw my friendly Photographic dealer. It is user friendly and downloads quite easily via a digital formatter. I have taken some great photos this year.

[quote name='Matthew_McNally' date='Jul 3 2003, 01:15 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2937810022&category=3336"]this one looks good[/url] - its a Kodak (a name I have heard of) and importantly to me - it has a docking station (want the missus to be able to just drop the camera in and upload the photos - no messing with cables etc)[/quote]
I am looking to buy the exact same model, Kodak LS443. I can get them for £279.99 incl VAT, delivery and Dock staff discount

[quote]When buying mine, I was told to avoid Kodak (that was the one I was going to buy), because they have so many faults...[/quote]
I have never heard of any faults with Kodak digital cameras

[quote]Personally I have a FujiFilm 2600Z[/quote]
Boo...you'd get sacked if you said that at my workplace

[quote]same KODAK LS443 for 279.95 WITTH FREE SHIPPING, which would save you £24.05 compared to the one on e-bay[/quote]
That's the same price after my staff discount (actually Ebay is 4p cheaper) I need to have words with the staff shop people

I have had to fuji digi cams and have found the both o.k although mine have been cheap models but still pretty good for the money , Although i have now just bought a pansonic dv digital camcorder which also takes still..




jac

I used to have a Kodak DX3900. I loved the camera and the quality was fantastic. I recently sold it because I wanted a newer model with higher resolution and better zoom. The LS443 is the best one I can find that gives me everything I want and I know the quality will be good also. Not biased at all

Try [url="http://www.dpreview.com"]http://www.dpreview.com[/url] - great site for digicams and testing etc.

Well, as you can see its a Jungle out there and you are spoiled for choice.

So here are my thoughts.........

Go for a decent optical zoom, as you can do as much digital zoom as you want using your PC.

Make sure that if you are planning on printing any of your pics, that you get a camera that can handle the size of print. (I.E. If your want to print an 8x10 photo, then a 2 mega pixel prob wont be enough)

I was looking at a few when i bought mine, but there was a v good offer going for the Minolta 7i (half original price) so i went for it and i dont regret it.

5 Mega pixel
28 - 200 mm Zoom (35mm eq)


Only thing i found that is a pain is when you take a pic on the highest resolution (15Meg file), it takes an age for the camera to store the pic on the memory.



[url="http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=589793/id_type=M/ut=c23c6a056e423103"]Reviews of the Minolta 7i[/url]

I just bought a Sony DSC-P10 - 5.0 megapixels and about half the size of a fag packet - awesome

[quote name='lexicon' date='Jul 3 2003, 01:11 PM'][quote name='Matthew_McNally' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:52 PM'] [quote name='dark_is200' date='Jul 3 2003, 12:44 PM'] do you have a budget planned - that will help narrow down the choices a lot[/quote]
ermm - hadn't thought of it that way.

around the £300 mark is sensible isn't it?

should be able to get something decent for that shouldn't I? [/quote]
Would recommend the Fuji F401, great quality, v compact (quite similar to the Ixus), does movies etc and about £280.[/quote]
Yep, I'd recommend Fuji cameras. I'm a digital photography buff in my spare time and am into landscape photography.

Take a look here for some examples of my work:

[url="http://www.javaboss.com/photos.html"]http://www.javaboss.com/photos.html[/url]

They are all 3 megapixel images taken with a Fuji 620z. I've lowered the resolution for the web. The super CCD on the 602 allows images up to 6mp.

I purchased my wife a F401z at Christmas and it's a good point and shoot camera. The 602z has digital SLR like features - such as manual focus, aparture/shutter priority modes.

Check out these digi-cam sites:

[url="http://www.steves-digicams.com"]http://www.steves-digicams.com[/url]

[url="http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk"]http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk[/url]

[url="http://www.dpreview.com/"]http://www.dpreview.com/[/url]

the Fuji F401 is the one I am considering at the moment.

Going to Costco on Monday to check if I can get it for £249 or £269 - pretty sure it was this one.

personally i like canon and nikon cameras.
at the min i have the canon powershot s40
matt go to this site (excellent for indepth reviews etc)

[url="http://www.dpreview.com/"]camera reviews[/url]

as others have said 3 - 4 megapixels is good.

instead of a cradle you could buy a usb card reader. at the mom i use a usb compact flash card reader made by san disk.

this may or may not be helpful

thanks
Paul

[quote name='javaboss' date='Jul 4 2003, 11:01 AM']Yep, I'd recommend Fuji cameras.  I'm a digital photography buff in my spare time and am into landscape photography.

Take a look here for some examples of my work:

[url="http://www.javaboss.com/photos.html"]http://www.javaboss.com/photos.html[/url]

They are all 3 megapixel images taken with a Fuji 620z.  I've lowered the resolution for the web.  The super CCD on the 602 allows images up to 6mp.[/quote]
Super piccies Javaboss

Fuji cameras do offer good quality

o.k here you are just to show that even the cheaper fuji digi cams can take good pics



[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/Misc/DSC_0230.sized.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/Misc/DSC_0180.sized.jpg[/img]

these were both taken on a 1.3 mega pix fuji @xia ix-100