New Digital Camera

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject: New Digital Camera

OK, probably won't smash the Olympus C-3030 and throw it overboard like I wanted to do during our Blakely whale watch, but its days as my main camera are OVER...just logged off Amazon.com, where I ordered a new Minolta Dimage Z1...would really have liked the Dimage A2, but at over twice the price, not really worth it to me...plus, I like the Z1 because it takes AA batteries (will use rechargeable nmh, Costco alkalines for emergency backups, as I did in the Olympus) instead of li-ion which the A2 uses. It is "only" a 3 megapixel - but who needs more? Big selling feature, the optical 10x zoom. As for picture quality, see the Lake Roosevelt photos - Bill and El have the Z1, and the picture quality is awesome. Now waiting for the brown truck...

SENSEI · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:09 pm Post subject:

I have my eye on the Cannon Digital Rebel single lens reflex. the Idea of interchangeable lenses is what I like

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:19 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it all gets down to how much you are willing to spend...the Z1 with the 10x zoom was $299 at Amazon.com ($344 at buy.com, $499 list). The 10x zoom is equivalent to a 38 to 300 mm zoom. Of course I still need to buy a big SD card. Should meet my needs!

Sneaks · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:41 pm Post subject:

I liked the fact that the Canon Rebel takes EOS lenses since I have a drawer full, but it's just too big and bulky for my taste. I settled on the Kodak 6490 for the same reason Pat got the Minolta. The 10X zoom. We had a juvenile falcon visiting our yard and the digital camera I had then (Nikon) just couldn't handle his speed. Minolta makes a great product. You're gonna love the 10X optics!

By the way, Pat, did you know your sig Daydream photo seems to be broken? I get everyone else's sig graphic but yours turns up with the old "broken graphics" note.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tip on the sig photo - what happened was, I re-organized my photos into nested albums...voila, broken link. So hows things in Sandy Eggo? One of our favorite places!

Sawdust · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:58 pm Post subject:

I use the Nikon D100 -- works great but too danged heavy, and I could buy a good anchor windlass for the price of just one lens. The Z1 is great compromise (they all are compromises), and only reason I went Nikon is because of a bag of Nikon glass -- which a don't use!

Daughter uses the Canon MKII -- but that rascal is REALLY heavy. Cool machine... but she's a pro and needs the stability of those crazy lenses.

Dusty

Sneaks · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:12 pm Post subject:

sailor-d · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:46 pm Post subject:

I bought a Canon PowerShot S1 IS a few months ago, very good results so far. I like the image stablilizing system in this camera - a must for most boat pictures.

stevej · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:02 pm Post subject:

Just purchased a Canon S1 also. Had great luck with my last Canon digital and liked the image stabilization feature. Also picked up the waterproof enclosure off of ebay, thinking that I will keep it closer at at hand when on the water and not worry about getting it wet.

Couple of little tricks for ya
Canon has the ability to use a lens barrel that can be picked up for under 30 bucks and will take 52mm filters and such.
I keep the barrel on all the time and use a clear lens cover to protect the camera lens. For cheap protection from water cut a small hole in a zip lock bag push the barrel through the hole and rubberband the bag around the barrel. The clear lens cover will protect the lens while the bag will protect he rest and let you operate the camera.

Trick two is to pick up a circular polarizer, great for reducing glare for on the water shots and will enhance the the colors a bit.

stevej

sailor-d · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject:

Thanx for the tips Stevej. I was getting a bit of overexposure with light subjects on auto (corrected with manual settings). I always used polarizing filters on my old Pentax Spotmatic - I will give the lens barrel a try on mine.

Cheers - Dave