I am thinking about a new digital camera - UPDATE IN LAST THREAD!

Aethelred

I know there have been several threads on this topic over the last few weeks, but I thought I'd add mine.

I currently have a Fuji Finepix 1300 which is a 1.3 megapix. I bought it about three years ago. I have never been happy with the macro. It works good if I am taking photos of a group of coins or banknotes, a book or something like that, but I can't do the kind of up-close photography that I would like to and that I see Phil, Scott and Bill doing.

I am looking at the following models:



Canon Powershot A70

Kodak DX-6340

Any thoughts from anyone else? What do you use and how do you like it?

laurentyvan

Some people I've talked to simply get an add-on macro lens that lets them get to within one inch. The Olympus 3000 zoom I have lets me get to within 8" in Macro mode at which point I utilize both the zoom and the digital zoom to get closer, although I'm going to be picking up the optional macro lens next year.

cosmicdebris

The C5050 lets me get 2 inches away from the coin with no macro lens. 5 plus mega pixels too.

1jester

The BestBuy links show no prices!

Darkhorse

Macworld did a huge review of all the digital Cameras in May, the A70 came out on top. Here's their review.
Macworld Review
But now the A80 is the current champion.

I can get about 2 inches away from a coin when I shoot it. But I can also use its macro capabilities when I shoot at 3x optical zoom (which comes in handy sometimes).
The camera also has great use beyong coins of course. I'm going to have to ask you to trust me on this one and get the A70.

Aethelred

Phil,
What type of memory does your camera use? How much does 64mb or 128mb cost?

Darkhorse

I used to have the 16mb card that came with it for a long time. I had that when I went to Australia so I had to drag my laptop along too to upload them all the time.
At a Boxing day sale a few days ago I got a new 256MB card for about $60-$70 Canadian. Of course you need the NiMH batteries I mentioned (and a recharger if you don't have one), you may want to consider a camera bag if you don't have one (I don't use one personally).

Aethelred

I have two sets of the NiMH batteries and a charger, without those a digital camera will eat you out of house and home! I also have a nice camera bag and all the extra goodies, which I am not going to sell when I get rid of the Fuji.

It says on the site you linked to that this thing takes mpeg movies, is that correct?

CIVITAS

Nikon Coolpix 4000.

The pictures speak for themselves.





Should you not want to take pictures from 2 1/2 feet through glass, there's also a 2cm macro capability.

1jester

Interesting display, Civitas!!

1jester

Josh, nice store set too. It looks like a comfortable place to come and talk coins. And buy some!

CIVITAS

Anytime you're in Madison, Jester.....

Darkhorse

It does indeed take videos.

You can see some short videos I've taken here: http://www.formerairline.com/video/

theboz11

nothing fancy here, Fujifilm Finepix 2300. You have seen the Pictures, they come out OK.

Aethelred

I think you have about sold me Phil. Call Canon and tell them you want a sales commission.

Darkhorse

Darkhorse

Like any piece of gadgetry it'll take a while to get used to its functions and features; It took me a little while to get used to my camera before I was able to exploit its creative potential to great effect. But I think its a great camera for the beginner to the advanced photographer.

Coincracker

These threads are always interesting, I'm using a Fuji finepix 3800, 3.2 meg, 6x optical 3x digital. I am still trying to get the nice photos like others are capable of. I guess I should take a photography course.

CIVITAS

Apparently I should randomly photograph coins in my cases more often. Someone just came in and bought the exact Saxon Thaler shown in the photograph above. Go figure.

The Coin Gods are a mysterious bunch.

CIVITAS

Now to further add to the strange sequence of events. Ten minutes after I sold that coin, an old man came in with a coin about which he wanted to get my opinion. He pulled out an incredibly worn, but nonetheless identifiable example of the very same coin I had just sold. The second half of the date was worn off though. Apparently his father had picked it up in WWI in Germany and carried it as a good luck piece. Is it getting weird in here, or is it just me?

1jester

You're just weird, Josh.

Aethelred

I went to Bestbuy today to look and ONLY look at the Canon A70 and compare it with other cameras. The macro on the A70 seems to work pretty well and it is a nice camera overall. However, I used most of the cameras they had on display and found one that I liked a lot better.

I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix (and I just went to look). I believe this is very close to the type of camera Scott (Cacheman) and Josh (Civitas) use. I was very impressed with it's macro focus, in fact it did a better job than many of the $500 cameras they had.

I want to thank everyone for their advice and help on this, it makes a purchase like this a lot less stressful!

CIVITAS

<< <i>I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix >>



One of us........One of us...........One of us.........

Darkhorse

Well it's your choice. Good luck with your decision and I hope you're happy with your new camera.

cacheman

neener neener neener.....

Aethelred

<< <i>Well it's your choice. Good luck with your decision and I hope you're happy with your new camera. >>



You have been a big help in this process Phil. Even though I did not end up taking your advice, I feel that my choice was a much more informed one because of the info you provided me with. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Darkhorse

<< <i>neener neener neener..... >>



I still rule at life.

cacheman

<< <i>I still rule at life. >>



I'll remember that each time I think of you in your basement room......

Darkhorse

I'm on the top floor, buddy. Room with a view.

MacCrimmon

<< <i>I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix >>



The olde Dead King is a brother of the pixils.......

I dub thee MacAethel-Nikon!!

Aethelred

<< <i>

<< <i>I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix >>



The olde Dead King is a brother of the pixils.......

I dub thee MacAethel-Nikon!! >>



I see how it works, you buy the right camera and the Dark Mouse, sworn enemy of the Aethelkings, becomes your friend!

MacCrimmon

kinda like the English prince marrying the Scottish damsel princess.....hey, wait a minute!! I'm no princess!!

Aethelred

<< <i>.....hey, wait a minute!! I'm no princess!! >>



That is not the version of the story I heard!

MacCrimmon

<< <i>That is not the version of the story I heard! >>

Aethelred

Here is a sample:

1jester

Congrats on your new camera, Dead One. By the way, which model did you buy? Not that I would know one from another.