strongly considering buy a digicam for Christmas. (Need a new
camera since mine "disappeared" from Calrocs event :(

so, what is everyone's preference??? I used to like the
full-size floppy version for conveinence.. but I'm kinda
leaning towards the memory stick models now. What is
a durable, nice-features, medium cost 500-600 buck range.

THanks for all the incoming replies.... I hope....

--Sherpa


The loss of my camera at the Calroc's event in no way
has a negative reference to Rich's organization whatsoever.
Rich has contacted me quite a few times with his condolences
and hopes that it would have been returned. Thanks Rich!

but I still wish the SOB that found the damn thing somehow
chokes from the string attached to it!

Chit chat :flipoff2:


I have a Sony DSC-S30 and it kicks ass. Bought it last Dec. for $300. Can probably find it alot cheaper now...

get one that has atleast 2.1 megapixel, no picture delay, small so it fits in your pocket, optical zoom, memory card, USB unloading dock, possibly rechargable battery capable, brand name.

I have one that has the picture delay. After you hit the button, it takes about 2 seconds to take to picture. It is very annoying. It also takes a long time to download the pics, and it eats the batteries. so get the USB unloading dock.

Do your homework. Just go to nearby Frys Electronics and get the Consumer Guide to Digital Cameras. It will feature all necessary guidelines in purchasing your first digi camera that fits to your needs. One thing without a doubt, get a digi w/ memory sticks, its gonna make your life lot easier. Good luck.

-nc

I am very happy with my Kodak DC280. It's older now, but is 2.1 Megapixel.

I got an extra 20MB Compact Flash card.

And the USB functionality wouldn't work with my PC (compatability with motherboard - not Kodak's fault really) I complained that there should have at least been a warning of the possibility, so they sent me a little CF card reader free.

In about 18 months I've taken 3500 pictures

Bill

I bought the Canon ZR25, video and stills with the option of DV tape or memery stick for stills. Best of both worlds and it was around $500 at Fry's.

Check out my site for the pictures I have taken, keeping in mind the ones linked to the thumbnails are 4 times smaller than the original. I use a Nikon 990. Picked it because it uses the high capacity nickle-metal hydride AA's and compact flash memory cards (both now very cheap). With a 48 meg card I can take roughly 225 1024x768 pictures, I picked up a 128meg card from Fry's today for $42. The other reason for going with the Nikon was the time it took to take a picture. This was the only camera at the time that felt like a real camera, If you pre-focus (easy to do) you can take a picture in under a second, which is why I have managed to get some really cool shots (see below). Here's a great site to look up specs/reviews Camerzon (http://www.camerazon.com) . Whatever you get you'll love the freedom digital provides.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/halloffame/4-01jawbreaker2l.jpg

[http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/halloffame/4-01jawbreaker1l.jpg

I guess I don't have to say I like kodak.
The nikon is great to. The compact flash cards are the best. you can get and adapter that will allow you to plug the flash into the pcmcia slot then it looks like another drive on your system. fast copy..

Zoom is good.

Yeah this is chit chat fodder, but...

I have a 2 year old HP C200 (I think its made by Kodak) and the only downside is if you don't pre-focus, its about 2 sec's to take the picture. otherwise its about 1/2 second.

click on my sig. All the pics there came from this camera.

It only has a serial interface and is dog slow so I bought a 32 meg card with a Jumpshot USB dock and it is mega fast. About 1 min to upload 100 pics, and you don't need batteries when uploading because the card is removed from the camera.

If you have the $$$, get one with Optical zoom. the digital zoom is pretty useless.

goto www.cnet.com or www.zd.net and read the reviews.

read about the USB adapters at www.digitalfilm.com.

Oh, btw, a year after I bought the USB dock I got a Win2K system and they had a new driver for Win2K free to download.

- Dan

I had a HP315 and it was great until I dropped it...Walmart took it back and thats when I found out it was discontinued so I got the new HP318 with 8MB internal memory, 2.31 mp, 2x zoom, and it uses the standard compact card. Came with everything you need...reatils 198 there...I went to Sears and got the identical one for $139 someone had just returned it so they had to sell it as used...big deal only 2 days old...but I made out!
I found out that all the cameras I looked at in August were already being dropped in favor of new models from most of the manufacturers....just like computers..outdated as soon as it hits the market! :skull:

I use an Olympus 340R or L something like that and it kicks ass. For one it didnt cost me that much and it takes great pictures... It all depends on what your going to use it for. Mine see's only wheelin trip thats why i didnt go buy oone of those 1200 ones. If you want a good dependable dig camera get an Olympus mines seen tons of abuse. :D
I can take 240 pics on one 16mb smart media. I keep two of them which enables me to take 480 pics.. Thats more than enough for a trip :D

http://www.buydig.com/shopimages/Olympus3030.jpg

I have the Olympus C-3030. It's an outstanding camera. Unlike most digicams, it's very fast. Can do 5 pics a sec for those action shots, and it does quicktime movies. Had mine about a year now and I'm 100% happy with it.

Learn everything about digicams here www.dpreview.com/

Check www.pricescan.com for the good online prices.

Check the stores reputation here http://www.resellerratings.com/
I learned the hardway.

I've bought from www.buydig.com and www.computers4sure.com
Both good places.

Learn about batteries here http://www.cliffshade.com/dpfwiw/batteries.htm

Buy batteries here http://www.thomas-distributing.com/mh-c204f-4aa160dc.htm

The AA batteries are the best for digital photography.

Olympus C-3030 is currenty $498 at buydig.com. That's a screaming deal!

Good luck!

BTW .....................Chit Chat asshole :nuke: :flipoff2:

hey Dan whats new. :flipoff2: zoom is worth it. otherwise you are buyin a digital instamatic.

I second the 990. Allegedly the new 995 isn't quite as good.

I've got the Digital Elph from Canon...

Great pictures, very sturdy Aluminum Case (Been dropped a few times), and the best part is that it's small enough so you'll actually take it with you...

Mines been all over the world with me...