I'm looking to buy a camera so we can shoot some of our own pics for CalROCS. I'm looking at the Olympus D510 ($299.99). Does anyone have any info or opinions as far as a good camera in the 300.00 range.

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Rich Klein
CalROCS

i got an olympus d-150 for christmas for $199 ... hard to beat that price. with the auto USB stuff olympus has got going on that allows you to download the pics by just plugging up a usb cable i'd definitely get an olympus product....

- jack

I did a study of digital cameras for about a week before I purchased the one I have now. I got a stainless steel Canon S300 powershot. 2.1 megapixel, zoom lense to 3 power, flash, and it'll shoot a 30 second movie with sound, uses a compact flash card. They retail for about $675-700.00. I shopped on the 'net, and got it fot $377.00.
If it wasn't that series of camera, I would have bought a
FUJI FINEPIX 2600. 2.1 megapixel, 3 power zoom, flash, and not a bad price. Staples has them for under $300. Shop around and you can save $50-75.00.
P/S...... Buy a memory card at least 128 mb, or 256 mb for tons of pics...... my .02 cents worth.:D

To amaze and confuse yourself. Try this link......

www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com)


:smokin:

I have an Olmpus D460 Zoom. Works great. 64meg card and I can take several hundred pics.

One thing I would check out for sure is the speed in which the camera can be point, focus and shot.

I have an older Olympus D-360L and I have trouble catching the action shots. It's too slow much of the time and when wheelin' that sucks.

I have the Olympus C-D3000. Paid $350 for it after brow beating the manager at the local Target. It's a 3.4 Mega pix.
Go to www.dealtime.com they have awsome prices. Nice listing of features so you can compair. Print out the price list and go wear out a manager of a local store and see if they will match.

Originally posted by tail_lite
www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com)

Screw those amateurs. If you can't find what you need at http://www.imaging-resource.com - it doesn't exist, or else you know more about photography than any progfessional I've ever met.

I personally like the Olympus C-2020. Here's <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/C2020/C20A.HTM" target="new">the imaging-resource.com review</a> of the C-2020. When a site like that picks that camera to take all of thier product review shots with, I think that says something. And it's in the $300 range, to boot.

I personally have a Kodak DC215. Got if for $135, slapped a 32MB memory card in it, and it'll hold 488 640x480 (web resolution) shots. It's a high-end 1 megapixel (low-res) camera - but it's all of the camera I need. Just get lots of spare recargablebatteries if you plan on being out there all weekend with the thing. The 1600mAh batteries last about twice as long as a regular alkaline battery and can be brought back to life in 1 hour. I carry 3 sets in my camera case on the trails, but rarely kill 1 set in a day of shooting photos. My suggestion would be to make speed a priority. With 4 wheeling, you need fast follow-up shots for rolls, stucks in mudholes,and the like. Mine takes about 5 seconds btw. photos and it sucks.

Try and find one with a good OPTICAL zoom. Count digital zoom as NO zoom. It kinda works when you're on a tripod. When you're out in the woods shaking the thing all over the place, snagging shots as you move to follow a rig, you get really crappy shots that are all pixelated (you can see the little squares a digital image is composed of). I would suggest at least a 3x optical zoom.

Those are my two main suggestions - fast record speed (go to a CAMERA store and try a bunch out, shoot sucessive pics to see how fast it goes,then go somewhere else and buy it. I got mine on EBay for much less than any store)

...And at least a 3x optical zoom. Mine is 2x, and you just plain have to get close. Which doesn't always work at things like ARCA events.

Thanks for starting the thread, Rich. I've been shopping for one for a couple weeks, now. I think I'm gonna get a Fuji 2600. Seems like the best for the price.

glad you're gettin a camera, Rich... It's hard to compete and take pictures at the same time. :rolleyes: :flipoff2:

Ok, now here's a thread I can relate to.

I'll start by saying that I am a professional photographer, and my clients include Warn and ARB.

Alot of the shots I did for Warn last year were digital, and we used a Nikon D1 and D1x.

OK, OK, I know a $3000-$5500 camera is out of the realm of possibility for just about every amateur out there (besides, you'll have more fun with your D60 conversions), I'm just saying all of this to give you a basis of where I'm coming from.

I am a Nikon user for the past 18 years, and when I'm buying my next digital point and shoot camera it will either be a Canon G1 or G2.

If you've read this far you can go to some of the sites listed above and check out the specs.

The best thing you can do for your 4-wheeling digital pics it to take LOTS of them. Remember, you can CHUCK those S&&TTY frames and erase them. Fill your cards EVERY time you go out, or you have wasted your hard earned $$$$.

Look at LOTS of wheeling pictures, find out which ones you like and why they work.

The rechargable battery suggestion is a good one, you'll burn a LOT of them.

Regardless of what camera you buy, I would *suggest* that you purchase one 'grade' or 'level' above the ones you are looking at. What typically happens is that you learn the camera, and quickly outgrow it. If you jump up a notch in either pricepoint or functionality (usually both at the same time), you'll have a camera you can live with happily for a longer period of time.

Good luck and happy shooting!!!

Michael

PS You could also come to one of my Photo-safaris I am offering, but that's a commercial plug and I hate it when I get them, so I hate myself for giving one.

I bought the FUJI FINEPIX 2600. 2.1 megapixel, 3 power zoom, flash, etc, for under $300 at Target at Xmas. I haven't found a
thing I don't like about it yet. The batteries seem to last a long time (heard that was a problem with alot of dig cameras). It comes with the 16MB Smart media card. At normal resolution I haven't filled it up yet. We had over 50 pictures on it at times
and it still had room.

When I was comparing it seemed to have all the right features
that other brand name camera had but for alot less$.

It's a good starter dig camera.

I am pretty happy with my HP318 that I got 4 xmas, 2.31mp, 8mg internal mem., all the basic goods...& still can use my cards that I have...and fill em up as stated above...cut the bad ones & post the rest!:skull:

ive got an olympus and it kicks ass. its one of there cheaper models and damn have I gotten my moneys worth out of it!!! It takes abuse and still works fine. :D

I got a Nikon coopix 775, not the most expensive, but takes good pics and i can even make a 30second vid on it too.
Jordan

Originally posted by Serious One
Ok, now here's a thread I can relate to.

I'll start by saying that I am a professional photographer, and my clients include Warn and ARB.

Michael

.

I have a Kodak DC5000. It has the water resistant casing which makes a big dif for me . I have taken pics in the rain and the thing has had mud splatered at it and has survived,. Pics are pretty good quality. Zoom sucks.

I'm thinking of getting a digital video camera. Want more mpgs.
Looking at Sony's. Any suggestions?

the fuji 2600 thats been mentioned a few times is great. easy to use. 2x optical zoom, 3x digital zoom (i think...). 2.1 pixs. i have a set of rechargable batteries from costco and theyve been lasting a long time. i went with a smartcard reader for like $25 and that works great if your worried about battery life. pics come out great and its easy to use. i also have a 64MB card ($20) and it will hold 80pics at the highest setting, or like 400 at the medium setting...and you can take soundless video which is cool. take as many as you like til you fill the card...although theyre a little dark

oh yeah, i won mine! :flipoff2: i won a $500 shopping deal at a camera shop and did a bit of research for low cost, high feature camera, and this seemed like the best. shop around and you can get it $270ish

I don't care much for Fujis cameras. Their film is a different issue, but their digital cameras all seem to lean toward underexposed images (dark). Canon and Olypmus have the best balance, and Kodaks tend to be on the overexposed end of the spectrum.

I still stand by my recommendation of the Olympus C-2020. I think it's the best camera for the $$$ in the price range you are looking in.

Remember - don't count digital zoom. Digital zoom doesn't work at all in action shots, and the quality is barely enough for stills to come out legible.

got pic will 4x4:eek: :D :D

Personally I wouldnt spend too much cash on a camera, esp if you are taking offroad pics. Mainly cuz if you drop it or loose it or what have you. Then it wont be that big of deal.. I have a cheap one that I use for trail pics and a nice one for other stuff. And if you arent printing these pics, then anthing around a 1.5mpexal should be fine........peace

Most of the pics on my website are with a Kodak DC-240. I want the new DC 3something offered at Costco for like $300. Hell I payed like $600 back a few years ago and like the camera. I am selling it for like $250 OBO so i can get either the Kodak or the above mentioned Olympus

Just my .03 cents worth

Originally posted by white knight


I'm thinking of getting a digital video camera. Want more mpgs.
Looking at Sony's. Any suggestions?

Make sure you get a mini DV camera instead of a Dig8. If you have the money, a Canon GL1 is a medium high-end camera ($2000) that is very versatile. Same quality picture as more expensive XL1, but smaller and way more useable.

OK I bought an Olympus D-150 and I like it, I know everyone has there choices but I've owned many older oly's and they have always been good solid camera's, so I guess we'll see.

Thanks for all the input.....:D

Rich

Originally posted by Serious One

Alot of the shots I did for Warn last year were digital, and we used a Nikon D1 and D1x.



Man I've been drooling over those for a while now. So much nicer than the Kodak backs I ran on my F4 back in the day.

Hey Rich,

Always remember, it's not the camera in front of your face that makes the photograph, it's the grey matter between your ears! (oh yeah, you should be able to at least see out of one eye)

Congrats on getting a dig! Now let's see some wheeling pics!!!!

Later,

Michael

hey Rich----nobody mentioned the Sony Mavica 75........I myself have the next model up, the 85....As such, I have a 3x optical zoom and 1.3 megapixels AND floppy storage. The next model down, the model 75, strangely enough, has a superior 10x optical zoom but only 640x480 maximum pic size....that is perfectly adequate for posting pics of rockcrawlers but that 10x lense is a KICKER. Oh ya, it also has floppy so no usb cables, no software issues bla...bla...bla. By the way, I'm very happy with my 85 but if I destroy it more than I already have I may go down to the 75 for 300 dollars I think.... I think the simplicity of it and the 10x got me thinkin'.....
...oh ya, I forgot about the macro capability of the 75.....can get as close as 1/2" from object with crystal clear pics.
Floppies cost about 15 cents each and store about 30 pics of 640x480 size.
The 75 also generates floppy copies right on the spot to pass out to spectators/drivers/friends that want them.

I have the HP 612. Super easy to use, quality is GREAT outside / good lighting, but IMHO the flash isn't worth a shit no matter what you do. Pictures have been turning out good. I bought a 128mb card, i can't fill the damn thing.
I'd reccommend it if you can get it for cheap. Otherwise, spend the extra $100 and get a NICE camera

-J

I have a sony fd87 mavica, seems to work Awesome on still shots, but action shots Im not sure yet.. Havent taken enough... Does zoom in real nice, see!

Originally posted by ZUK
hey Rich----nobody mentioned the Sony Mavica 75

Don't bother with the Mavica 75. We have one at work that I have been using for the past month. the 10x Zoom is ok but the camera is extremely slow to focus. We've got all the attachemnts and extra lenses but when you get right down to it this is a bottom of the line camera and it show when you use it. We also have last year's model of the DSCF707 (can't remember the exact model number) and it works much better but lacks the regular viewing lense of the DSCF707. Trying to aim a camera through the little screen is awkward. For me when I buy digital camera it will definately have to have a normal viewing lense to aim with.

Listen to the serious one. And tag along on one of his classes. Good stuff. TO, anyone?

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love to shackle