Digital Camera

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Jerry,

I don't know a thing about digital cameras... except what my "eyes" /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif tell me...

I've been on TBN for a week or two now and I tried to look at everyone photos... if they were extraordinary... I'd ask the poster what kind of camera they used...

Last summer, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/35-58736-JD722rearlampsmount2.JPG>I started with an el cheapo $49 camera...</A> that got me fiddling with the digital world... about a month after I got el cheapo... I stumbled on a Kodak 2.1 Megapixel for under $190... I just had to buy just because of the price...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/35-67298-Camera-Bird-Fairtest.jpg>...Here's a sample picture I took with my Kodak at the one of our fairs last year...</A>

With enough light available... the Kodak has performed better than I expected... I recently saw a Kodak 1.3 megapixel being closed out for $69... so the bargains are alive and well...

So, I guess what I'm saying... if you can hold off on the $300. unit and instead buy a "name brand" bargain so you can "fiddle" and then you can work your way up... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Ozarker]

Whatever camera you get, if it uses flash cards for picture storage, consider getting a flash card reader to attach to your USB port. I have 3 of them. One on my computer, one on my wife's computer and one for my laptop.

The reason for the flash card is that it is convenient to use and saves your camera battery. If you get a unit that just plugs into the computer to download pictures, it uses the camera battery power to do that. And digital cameras eat up lots of battery juice.

They, the readers, also make it very convenient to transfer files from one computer to another. The computer sees the reader as just another disk drive so you can upload and download any type of file to it.

Most cameras come with an 8k flash card. I purchased a 128k flash card so that I can take about 250 pictures before I have to download. And the 126 card lets me transfer huge files between computers when I need to.

The higher the pixel number, the better potential for high quality pictures. I say potential because some cameras are simply better than others within the same pixel range.

There are two types of zoom, digital zoom and optical zoom. Optical zoom is better. Digital zoom simply crops the picture and uses pixels to "draw" a bigger picture. Optical zoom actually uses optics to magnify the scene.

 

[jyoutz]

I just bought a Minolta Dimage 7i digital camera. The features are simply awesome and the 5 megapixels produce amazing photos. 28-200 mm zoom lens. BUT, it cost 3 times what you want to spend. You have to be a shutterbug to buy something like this. Still if you want something to produce enlargements, I highly recommend it. If you just want to print 4 x 5s or post online, then the 5 megapixel camera is way too much camera for your needs. I have way too many expensive hobbies.

 

[patrickg]

If the Kodak DC4900 is anything like our Kodak DC 4800 then that is a terrific deal. The 4800 is 3.1 megapixel and uses flash cards. I don't seem to need a card reader or "dock" as the camera came with a charger and USB cable. When plugged in to both cables the charger powers the camera (or charges it if you turn it off) and the O/S detects the camera as a device and the desktop treats it like a drive with drag and drop file xfers (or multiple xfers). Supplied CD has S/W to allow camera control (change settings/modes/etc) even easier than working the camera controls. There is picture fidling software that allows rotating, cropping, enlarging, printing, or making slide shows etc that came with it for free.

I bought a couple close up lenses and a X2 teleadaptor to boost the built in zoom. Not as easy as built in macro but tremendously effective. Can fill the picture with a very small item.

Oh by the eay, I bought a RCA close out camera at Wallmart for $50 last year and used that while shopping for a beter camera. It died, just out of warranty but the concept of getting a cheapie first is sound AND yo have a knockabout camera to put in your pocket when tractoring so yo can share the fun and unusual things you see.

Patrick

 

[Mrwurm]

Thanks to all that responded. There was lots of good advice dispensed. I did end up buying a camera yesterday. I went to BestBuy to look for a window air conditioner and I decided to look at their cameras. They had a Kodak DX3500 2.2 megapixel camera. This camera is discontinued and was on clearance for $189 (original price $289). They had the display model for sale at $129. I looked it over and decided to take a chance on the floor model. Turns out the software was missing, /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif They offered me the camera for $89 and told me I could download the software from the Kodak site. I did, and I'm up and running. I would like to post a picture for this thread but I need to resize my pictures (they're all too big). Thanks for all the help, you'll be seeing some of my new pictures in the customization forum soon.

 

[Golfgar4]

Congrats Jerry on finding a real deal on the camera! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

If your pictures are as much fun to look at as your posts are to read, we've got some real fun times to look forward too! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...Kodak DX3500 2.2 megapixel ...for $89 ...</font color=blue>

Jerry... You did great...! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

I said this before in another post but...

Now pick up a 64 or 128 memory card, (2 sets)rechargeable batteries and charger and you're in like flint... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

One last thing... don't get into a habit of using the LCD screen to view or "snap" pictures... it's a battery hog... use the optical viewfinder instead... I can take about ~~170-190 pictures on my Kodak with one set of batteries before a recharge is due...

I think the 2 megapixels is just right... my eyes just don't justify any major quality difference with the 3 or 4 meg units when the majority of the pictures are under 8 by 10...

The one thing you'll long for is a better optical zoom... but hey this is fantastic for a starter...

Looking forward to seeing some beautiful posts... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[rstcso]

Now that you have your camera, batteries are going to be an important part of your life. If you have rechargeables, that's great. But if you're going to be away from the charger for an extended period of time (now for my 2 cents), may I suggested the Energizer Lithium-Ion batteries. They are blue-colored and sell at Walgreen's for $10 a four pack. On the surface it seems high, but I literally get hundreds and hundreds of pictures with one set (and I have the LCD display all the time). Most importantly, have fun with it. It's nice to take a gazillion pictures and just delete the ones you don't want.

 

[woodmills1]

go to xat.com for some nice free optimizer programming to easily resize your pictures

 

[Mrwurm]

Thanks for all the tips.

LCD as viewfinder.... You're right! I ran down a set of alkalines after only 15 pictures (I was using the LCD)

Lithiums.... Yep, downloaded the owners manual last night, it says not to use alkalines because of short life.

Extra memory, I bought a 32 meg card. It will hold about 40 'best quality' pictures.

xat.com.... I'll check that out. The only way to resize with the Kodak software is to do a 'save as'. 'Save as' provides an option for three sizes.

I added a toolbox to my TC30 yesterday and photographed the entire process. As soon as I resize them, I'll post them in 'customization'.

Thanks to all.