A survey: What model camera do you have?

spoon

I know these camera threads come up at least once a month, please bear with me. Now it's my turn to upgrade my camera, and since I was satisfied with it for so long I kinda glossed over all those old threads, now I need a refresher.

We'll take perhaps a different tack this time around. Of course, I'd like to hear your recommendations based on whatever info you have, but just for fun maybe we could all list off what kind of cameras we own now.

So here's what I think would be helpful in this thread:
1. What kind of camera do you have now.
2. Have you had experience with other brands/models? How do they compare?
3. What model would you recommend to the crowd.
4. And, for more fun, if you were looking for a camera today, what features would you consider as necessary and which could you do without? (Consider non-coin uses as well!)

Let's hear recommendations for the ideal camera also; if price weren't a factor. Too often that gets left out but it can introduce a lot of neat and new features and jargon. But, of course, I think for most price is a consideration.

I'll likely update this first post with a tally of the different models once we get a few responses. Maybe we should invite the Lightsiders for this?

Kicking it off with my entry below. Hope this turns out well.


=====

The Tally:
See individual posts for details

3x Sony FD Mavica: spoon, lordmarcovan, Danegeld

2x Canon Rebel Digital SLR: cosmicdebris, drjules
2x Nikon CoolPix 4300: MSD61, DorkGirl

1x Canon A520: BigAlan
1x Canon PowerShot A95: Man
1x Canon Powershot G2: hyperizer
1x Canon Powershot G5: JamminJ
1x Canon Powershot Pro: MadMarty
1x Fuji FinePix: EJB
1x Fuji FinePix A345: Bailathacl
1x Fuji FinePix 2300: theboz11
1x Fuji S 5100 Digital: Refrema
1x HP R707 5.1 MP: Spiffy469
1x Kodak Easy Share LS443: oldshep
1x Konica Minolta DiMage Z10: tbirde56
1x Nikon CoolPix 995: cacheman
1x Olympus C-765: bosox
1x Olympus C-770 UltraZoom: AuldFartte
1x Olympus C-7070: coinpictures
1x Olympus D-560 Zoom: wybrit
1x Sony Mavica CD-500, 5.0 MP: Preussen

spoon

I have a Sony FD Mavica, hauling a whopping 2 megapixels. Had it about 3 years now and it served me well travelling across Europe and elsewhere. For coin shots it's a bit tough to manage, but the macro function has turned out a few (mostly lucky) shots. It does have white balance and all that mess, but I have never found an ideal lighting situation with it. But, alas, it's the only digital camera I've ever used.

What I'm looking for is something with good macro and decent lighting adjustments for coin shooting. But I'd also like to be able to use it for outdoor photography. I think the most annoying thing about digital cameras is the startup time. Too often I found myself whizzing by something neat, or spotting a character that had to be shot and wound up missing it because the camera took days to start up. Other neat, but not essential features would be panoramic or multisize options. I haven't really read up on the pros and cons of that, and don't think many cameras carry it, so perhaps that's too limiting a consideration. Convenience would be a must, though. I need something fairly small. By that I don't mean a James Bond credit card camera, just something that can fit snugly in a pocket. Excessive buttons for largely useless features would simply be annoying.

That's my rant. What about you?

lordmarcovan

I have a Sony Mavica, too.

Like it OK, and it takes good pictures, but it's my first digicam so I dunno how to compare it with others. Nor am I up to speed on all the specs and gobbledygook.

I wish it were smaller sometimes. It's a big beastie.

JamminJ

Canon Powershot G5 with a macro lens.
Works great for everything coin related but a bit too bulky for easy carrying.
I can't recall my last digital camera.

wybrit

I have an Olympus D-560 Zoom. While it takes serviceable coin pictures, I don't really recommend it because it will not focus closer than about 9 inches and has only a 3x analog zoom.

cacheman

Nikon CoolPix 995

coinpictures

1. What kind of camera do you have now. Olympus C-7070 with Wide-Angle Zoom Lens. 7.1 Megapixels. Cost: $337 from Dell. Extensive Review Linky. The popup swivel LCD screen is VERY handy if you're mounting the camera to a copy stand. I like that the camera has a slot for IBM microdrives. The proprietary rechargable battery lasts for hundreds of pics.
   
   
2. Have you had experience with other brands/models? How do they compare? My first digital camera was a Nikon Coolpix 990. 3 Megapixels. Good macro mode, but a bit too complicated. I also still have a Konica Minolta Dimage G600. Nice little point-and-shoot camera, but can't hold a candle to the other two.
   
   
3. What model would you recommend to the crowd. I LOVE my Olympus. See my latest batch of coin pics here. The wide-angle lens makes everyday photography more fun as well.
   
   
4. And, for more fun, if you were looking for a camera today, what features would you consider as necessary and which could you do without? I am SUCH a photography NEWBIE, that I have no clue what features are essential. I am the ultimate "layman" when it comes to photography and its concepts and terminology. Aperwho? F-what? Now that I've had a camera with "Super Macro" mode in addition to regular Macro mode, I wouldn't buy a camera without it. I like the fact that there are 4 config slots where you can save all your settings and switch between them on the fly (so you could have settings for photographing proofs, and another set for dark coppers, etc.) I only wish you could name them instead of having to remember which set was in which number. There are also 4 config slots for white balance settings, independent of the other configs. A nice touch. What I could do without? The menu system is sooo huge and complicated, it's a bit daunting.
   

Bottom line: If I can get decent coin shots with the camera, anyone can...

Bailathacl

I've got a Fuji FinePix A345. It's 4.1 megapixel (which is plenty for my needs) and has a 3x optical zoom/3.6x digital zoom/10.8 combined zoom. For coin detail it would be nicer to have more optical/analog zoom, but it's a perfectly reasonable camera.

MSD61

Nikon coolpix 4300

bosox

Olumpus C-765

oldshep

Actually - I have a Kodak Easy Share LS443. And I like it very much.
Shep

MadMarty

1. What kind of camera do you have now. Canon Powershot Pro

2. Have you had experience with other brands/models?Yes
How do they compare? The Powershot pro has excellent super Macro
3. What model would you recommend to the crowd. a Canon camera of course (that is where I work)
4. And, for more fun, if you were looking for a camera today, what features would you consider as necessary and which could you do without? (Consider non-coin uses as well!) SUPER MACRO!! the 8 megapixel is very nice also!

BigAlan

Canon A520, it has more features than I care about but it does make a nice 8.5x11 print.

hyperizer

I have a Canon Powershot G2 with a macro lens. I bought it used, and it works great for vacation photos and coins. 4 megapixels gives lots of flexibility for making prints or computer wallpaper. JamminJ's is two versions newer (there was no G4).

EJB

Fine Pix from fuji, works great but eats batteries really fast...

Spiffy469

I'm currently using a HP R707 5.1 MP camera.

I have used a couple other models and did a lot of compare and contrast before purchasing it.

I would recommend this camera, and also any of the Nikon coolpix cameras. they are all easy to use and great for a beginner.

Recommendation would be to make sure your camera has a macro setting.

Jeff

Man

1. Canon PowerShot A95 5MP Digital Camera
2. Nope
3. Nikon D70
4. Macro lens, Zoom lens and 8 megapix, I could also do with a larger LCD screen.
--I wouldn't leave anything out.

tbirde56

I have a Konica Minolta DiMage Z10 from Wallyworld, my first.
I'd like to have been able to get something for closer closeups of varieties, etc but this one does really well for what I paid for it. My icon for one.
Startup time: Push the power button, aim and shoot.
8x Optical zoom, 4x Digital zoom, 3.2 megapixel, Rapid auto focus, 1 cm macro, good on batteries.

theboz11

I have a Digital FUJIPIX 2300 ,no other camera experience and only use my camera for coins. If I were to upgrade it would be to a Fujipix3200 which got rave reviews,is overkill for internet pictures, and is not expensive, Small in size

cosmicdebris

Canon Rebel Digital SLR with a 100mm F2.8 macro lens

Preussen

Sony Mavica CD-500, 5.0 MP. Works well...first digital I've owned. The "mini CD" media makes the camera BIG, and also a bit slow between shots, but it's fine for my use. - Preussen

AuldFartte

1. What kind of camera do you have now.
Olympus C-770 UltraZoom.

2. Have you had experience with other brands/models? How do they compare?
No experience with other digitals except the really OLD Sony Mavica that used a 3 1/2" floppy for storage, and less than 1 mp resolution. I'm glad to be rid of that thing. Lots of previous experience with Canon film SLR's, though.

3. What model would you recommend to the crowd.
If you're really serious about photography, get a Canon digital SLR.

4. And, for more fun, if you were looking for a camera today, what features would you consider as necessary and which could you do without?
My next digital will be a Canon SLR. And I'll actually take classes to learn how to use it.

Danegeld

Sony FD91 with virtually NO macro

Take Care
Ben

drjules

Canon Rebel Digital SLR with a 80-300 F4 macro lens

I really need a decent lighting rig though

Dr J

Refrema

Before answering the questions for this survey, I have a couple of comments. I have been employed in the Professional Photography Industry for the past 49 years. Often someone asks what model or type of camera was used for various types of images. Yes, some features make one model or another better suited for some images. But, the skill of the person that clicks the shutter has much more to do with the final image quality than the camera.

1. What kind of camera do you have now.
I currently use a Fuji S 5100 Digital for coins and general usage. It has Great Macro capabilities, Thru the lens viewing, 4 Mega Pixels, 10X Optical Zoom, is easy on Batteries, and has a full range of adjustments. It is handy to use, and has worked very well. Not too expensive, $325 or so.

The feature I like best is that in Macro mode, the camera will more than fill the frame with a quarter sized coin, but the camera is almost 3 feet away from the coin. This makes lighting much easier because the camera is a little farther from the coin than most other cameras. I love this camera for general shooting as well.

2. Have you had experience with other brands/models? How do they compare?
This is my 3rd digital camera; all worked well, but the Macro features left a lot to be desired. This is also the first with good easy thru the lens viewing.

3. What model would you recommend to the crowd.
Everybody will have their own favorites, but you need to do your own research, and really learn how to use it. If possible borrow or rent one and use it a little before you buy it.

4. And, for more fun, if you were looking for a camera today, what features would you consider as necessary and which could you do without? (Consider non-coin uses as well!)
It should fit your hand and be comfortable to use. I like the long zoom range of mine, and the easy thru the lens viewing is great.

You usually will not need the very high pixel counts. They just make for very large files. 4 to 5 mega pixels should suite most peoples needs. My best advice is to really learn all about how to use your camera.

Good Luck,

Bob

DorkGirl

Add another Nikon Coolpix 4300.

spoon

Often someone asks what model or type of camera was used for various types of images. Yes, some features make one model or another better suited for some images. But, the skill of the person that clicks the shutter has much more to do with the final image quality than the camera. -- Refrema

I very much agree (afterall, that's why so many of my photos are hit & miss!), and I think the results of our survey here have proven it.

If I were looking for a quick and easy answer I sure didn't get it! Of all the folks to answer so far only seven use a camera also used by someone else here. Yet with all this diversity in equipage, look how many awesome pics we see every day from each of these guys and gals!

Oh well... I guess I'll have to actually read some reviews now to make my choice!