Budget camera recommendations?

[btvillarin]

What's up everybody,

It feels weird posting here, but I'm glad I am, cuz I'm finally deciding to get a digital camera. :lol: I'm gonna have at least $180 to spend, cuz I'm building two computers for people: tomorrow and another after New Year's.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm not sure what's best, but I don't want top of the line. This is just for casual pictures, maybe a few moving shots and whatnot. (I'm just rambling.) I have a firewire card, but no USB 2.0 (only 1.1). I'd like to store a good amount of pictures though, so I'm guessing to go to Crucial for that? *shrug*

Hopefully I'll have like $250 to spend on this, but I'm not sure. Please check <A HREF="http/direct.mwave.com/mwave/DeptCAM.hmx?UID=&CID=&Back=" target="_new">Mwave</A> for cameras first, because they're closest to me and I can drive there for will-call.

Thanks!!!

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[bw37]

Bryan,

If you haven't already, check out the links posted in a few of the other threads here. I put a few links in the post "2 or 3 Megapixel camera?" just below. There are some very good resources for sample pictures and reviews, etc. There are lots of pros and cons to be considered and compromises to be made.

I stay with most of what I said in that post, but would add that the place to start is at a store where you can actually handle the cameras before you order one. Best Buy and CompUSA each have a reasonable selection and at least something resembling knowledgable help. Some cameras are just not as nice to hold and the controls not as easy or intuitive.

Happy hunting.

BW

 

[btvillarin]

Hi BW,

So far, I've been debating and I was thinking of the Canon PowerShot A200, in addition to getting a 128MB CompactFlash card from Crucial. I'm going to wait until after New Years, because that's when I'm going to be getting most of the money. Hopefully I'll be able to use it for that. I'll look through the posts you've made, and check if I can look at some at CompUSA and Best Buy.

Thanks!

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[rubikian]

What a coincident that I want to get a digital camera as well. The only thing with Canon A200 is that it does not have any optical zoom, only digital zoom. Is optical zoom important for you? I was thinking of Canon A40. Though it was introduced in last year february but now it's a cheap 2MP + 3X optical zoom and the best is, it uses AA size batteries. What do you think about the A40?

 

[btvillarin]

<A HREF="http/direct.mwave.com/mwave/doc2/757570.html" target="_new">Canon A200 Info via Mwave.com</A>

<b>Update:</b>
I've ordered the Canon A200, and I'm picking it up at Mwave tomorrow afternoon. Optical zoom isn't too important for now, I'm just getting my feet wet. Like everyone else, I'm sure, I'll probably want a much better one in the future. But I really wanted a digital camera for the longest time... :lol: BTW, the A200 uses AA batteries, too.

My friend has the Canon A40, and it's really nice. I didn't use it for too long, but he really likes it, I liked it (although it was for a short time), and there are good reviews on it.

Crucial has cheap CompactFlash, so you should get it from there. Free shipping can't go wrong!

I would say start up your own thread, but this is probably cool too. We're all trying to figure things out...

Best of luck to ya! I'll try to remember to post back how I like the camera tomorrow.

See ya!

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[bw37]

Hi guys,

One other thing you will need for either the A40 or A200 is NiMH batteries and a charger. There are lots of 3rd party options, and the Canon accessories are pretty expensive. Any discount store will have plenty to choose from. The charger prices seem to depend on the recharge time.

I have a friend who got an A200, and couldn't figure out how to make it work. It turned out the only problem was that the alkaline batteries were wearing out so fast she couldn't get the pictures to upload to the computer before they were dead! Digital camera's just EAT up batteries so don't expect to get too far without the NiMH ones.

I also suggest some kind of flash card reader, which will also save the batteries since you won't need camera power to read the flash card.

Good Luck, and have fun with your new toys

BW

 

[btvillarin]

Nope, more bad luck. It's OOS at Mwave, and won't be in until maybe the 11th. I went to Best Buy to see if they had the A40 (eh, I'll get the money to pay it off). It's OOS there, too...until maybe tomorrow.

Batteries...charger...sheesh. Flash card reader...any suggestions on that one?

I'm not out of the woods yet. Thanks for the tips man!

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[vagabond]

Hey Bryan,

I don't own a digital camera yet but I've used a lot of different models from friends. Fuji DX7 (old) Fuji 2800 Finepix just to name a couple.

I just checked your link on the Canon and it's not a bad choice for just starting out. Seeing as your order is delayed, I would opt for at least 16MB but 64 would be better. Believe me you're gonna want to shoot high rez and you're going to need the extra RAM.

Although the camera has the AA option I suggest investing in NiMHs. You're gonna go through a box of Alkalines in no time. Especially if you're going to visit a park with the family and use flash. Nice if you have a notebook you could dump it into but who wants to hump a notebook while shaking hands with Mickey Mouse? :lol:

FIY:<A HREF="http/www.dpreview.com/articles/mediacompare/" target="_new">http/www.dpreview.com/articles/mediacompare/</A>

Rommel
<b><font color=blue>veni,vidi, and ended up in THGC<font color=blue></b>

 

[btvillarin]

I just got the <A HREF="http/www.powershot.com/powershot2/a40-30/index.html" target="_new">Canon A40</A>, plus this PNY CompactFlash USB reader. I already have a Crucial 128MB CF card. I definitely do need a case and extra batteries, so I'll look into NiMHs (if those would be best).

Any thoughts on software or just tips in general now? Links...<i>anything</i>...

Thanks for all the great input. I really appreciate it.

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[bw37]

Bryan,

Here's an article about NiMH batteries and chargers:

<A HREF="http/www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM" target="_new">http/www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM</A>

Regarding the software, I'd at least try what you got with the camera and what Windows gives you. Also, some printers and/or scanners come with LE versions of Photoshop or similar.

I use Paint Shop Pro which seems adequate for my needs and doesn't cost an arm and a leg like Photoshop.

BW

 

[btvillarin]

Wow, thanks! I'm going to see if I can find that Maha C204 charger anywhere, because that looks very reasonable. Wait, that charger and batteries are @ <A HREF="http/www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=powerex" target="_new">Newegg</A> for $28 for the kit. It's labeled as Powerex.

I've got Photoshop, but it seems that I'll have to use the Photostitch software included with camera.

That should be alright, right?

Thanks!

Bryan

<font color=red>Taking stabs in the dark once again...</font color=red>
<A HREF="http/www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=329" target="_new"><b>My System Rig</b></A>

 

[CompSci]

Fuji 2600 Zoom! < $200 , What a cammera...
After using a early Kodak, and borrowing others cammeras for Digital pics,
I got a Fuji 2600 Zoom, 2.1mp, 3x optical zoom, 2x Digital, batteries and charger included for like $183 to my door
Check immage-resources.com for best deals - like digi4me.com
Everybody likes my Fuji 2600 zoom - killer pics, even wife and family can use, good macropics if ya want to get super close.
Best value to be found - in fact in the last 8 months the price has gone while other have come down...