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Old 06-26-2004, 00:35   #1
NousDefionsDoc
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Digital Cameras

What does a QP need in the way of a digital camera?
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Old 06-26-2004, 05:26   #2
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Not a QP but in working with photos, TRs does a very good job and from what I understand it's very affordable.

I would look for a camera that's easy to use, allows you to turn off the annoying little sounds it makes, has plenty of storage capability, good optical zoom, the ability to take short 5 to 10 second videos would be a good feature. Waterproof or semi-waterproof is probably a factor. Some companies are starting to put out cams with low/no light capabilities.

One thing people tend to overlook is how do you get the pics off the camera and into the PC. Some companies use proprietary cables. If you can't find the cable hanging on the wall in compusa or walmart then pick another one. The cable always goes bad.

At the Guard unit I was with we had a large flight case with a Nikon in it. It had every conceivable attachment known to mankind. Looking back, everything in that case is now contained in a canera that you can carry like a pack of smokes.

Of course that's just my 2 cents.
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Old 06-26-2004, 07:35   #3
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Re: Digital Cameras

Quote:
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
What does a QP need in the way of a digital camera?
I agree with K on most of that.

A camera is like a gun in that the small, cheap one you have with you is better than the best, most expensive one you left at home.

I like having the max possible optical zoom within the class, the most MP I can afford, common rechargeable batteries, which can be replaced by dry cells like AAs if necessary, and a common media like a SmartCard or XD which will allow at least 50 pics to be stored, more if possible.

It would be nice if a water/weather proof model were available, but there are few good choices with that capability. I just use a Ziplock bag

There are a lot of Digicam review sites which allow you to see what is available within the class and price range you select.

I am currently using a Fuji FinePix 2600, which is a small point and shoot 2MP camera, easily carried and used, cost about $200 new.

I am looking to upgrade to a larger, more advanced camera for home/pre-planned use. Currently, it is looking like the Fuji FinePix S5000, which is a 3 MP camera with a 10x optical zoom, costing about $300.

HTH.

TR
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Old 06-26-2004, 07:41   #4
NousDefionsDoc
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Canon PowerShot S500 5MP Digital Elph with 3x Optical Zoom
for under $500?

5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
Canon 3x optical zoom lens combines with 4x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
9-point autofocus; movie mode; PictBridge compatible
Store images on Compact Flash Type I memory cards (32 MB card included)
Powered by rechargeable battery pack NB-1LH (included with charger)
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
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Old 06-26-2004, 07:58   #5
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Memory Card.
Figure each shot is 1.5 meg each. A 32 meg card is food for say 16-25 shots max. I'd get a mininum of a 128 MB card, that way you can shoot all day, or a couple of days. (about 100 pic's)
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:20   #6
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What TS said, plus I think the zoom is a little short, especially in that price range.

Also consider that it appears to use a proprietary power pack, only available at great expense from Canon.

No way to just drop in a couple of Duracells when it runs out. I like using rechargable AAs myself.

TR
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:24   #7
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Get one that's slim so that you can carry it easily. Preferrably with a memory stick.

One that's easy to use also! I have the Sony DSC-V1, 5MP with interchangleable lenses...more "bells and whistles" than I know what to do with!

TS,
Is correct on the memory stick...I have a 256MB stick which I have yet to fill up. The battery went dead first.
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:41   #8
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Good G2. Now let's talk specific makes/models please.
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:42   #9
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Presuming you are talking operational use rather than recreational or professional use durability and size are important. In my day we had two very diverse cameras -- the Leica M-2, and the Pen-EE half-frame 35mm. The PEN-EE was the standard camera in SOG. It was small, durable and basically point and shoot. I asked an intel specialist about taking pictures and he said all we had to do was get a focused image on film. The lab would take care of the rest. I'm sure that this is even more true with digital cameras.

BTW: The wuestion came up with the Leica which seemed like a formidable, complicated camera. It was complicated but the main object was to have the picture in focus.
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:57   #10
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NDD:

This is a little like someone asking what kind of gun you recommend without knowing who they are or what they want to do with it.

What do you want to do with it? That will drive a recommendation. Drop in a pocket to take quick snapshots, take surveillance photos, clandsestine photography, publish pics, what? The 5MB Canon S500 is very sexy and compact, like Sofia, but probably overkill for a pocket camera, and makes the camera much more expensive than the older lower res Canon S400. High maintenance, anyone?

I would go with a less expensive $200-$300 model till you see what you really like/dislike.

If you get the S500, get a 256 MB card, and at least one spare battery at $45 each.

Some reviews to read. Look for the comparisons, or just decide what you need the camera for and look for recommendations on the sites.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml

http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_PowerS...2.html?tag=top

http://www.photoxels.com/canon_s500_execSummary.html

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500.html

http://www.megapixel.net/cgi-bin/fs_...00-review.html

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0402/04020906canon3ucs.asp

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1581455,00.asp


Bottom line on the S500 from some of the reviews:

What I liked:

Very good photo quality
Small, beautiful metal body
Very fast performance
Good burst modes (esp. the S500)
AF-assist lamp
VGA movie mode (S500 only), although limited compared to competition
Excellent bundle
Optional underwater case
What I didn't care for:

Redeye
Flimsy plastic doors over battery/memory card compartments
Sluggish frame rates, recording time limits in movie mode
Scene modes would be nice


Pros:
Compact size; sharp images; excellent battery life

Cons:
Heavy; some flash shots overexposed; menus can be confusing

Bottom line:
The Canon PowerShot S500 Digital Elph is easy to slip in a pocket, like an ultracompact, but this 5-megapixel 3X optical zoom camera brings a lot more shooting power with it. Sharp pictures and excellent battery life make this camera a solid choice.


Editors' rating: 7.4 Good

User rating: 83% 17% from 42 users

The good: Attractive and functional design; pleasing photos.

The bad: Small LCD; blur on the frame's left side.

What's it for: Taking 5-megapixel photos and capturing VGA (640x480) video clips.

Who's it for: Snapshot photographers who want an ultracompact camera.

Essential Extras: A CompactFlash Type I card with a capacity of at least 128MB.

The bottom line: Though the S500 is a respectable pocket snapshot camera, its performance and its feature set make it seem creaky next to the competition.


HTH.

TR
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:58   #11
Bill Harsey
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Are there any digital cameras with manual focus? Sometimes I think auto focus is defeated when trying to shoot thru a window.
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Old 06-26-2004, 08:59   #12
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Harsey
Are there any digital cameras with manual focus? Sometimes I think auto focus is defeated when trying to shoot thru a window.
I thought you used a brick for that trick?

TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

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Old 06-26-2004, 09:01   #13
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Once more, I didn't think of the easy answer. Sometimes one may not wish to draw that much attention to their artistic endeavors.
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Old 06-26-2004, 09:17   #14
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Talking LMAO!

Quote:
Originally posted by The Reaper
I thought you used a brick for that trick?

TR
That reminds of this older gentlemen, when we had to take a test by computer...

"Put the test on paper and I'll take it...if not, then fire me. At my age there are somethings I refuse to do and messing with a computer is one of them".
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Old 06-26-2004, 09:21   #15
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Sparkplug insulator?

If you really want a manual focus, many cameras have them.

This statue from the SF Museum was shot through the glass case on autofocus.

TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

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