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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: jane l on Saturday 26 February 11 20:09 GMT (UK)
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my birthday is on it's way :-\ and my lovely oh is buying me my 1st digital camera so i can [we] can do some grave yard photograph but i don't know which one to choose . there are so many grave yards around my area and though only 1 or 2 have my ancestors in them i would really like to take some photo's of them and record the info for others to share. when i was in lymington last year trying to trace oh relies i found it very sad that most grave's were un-readable and lost for ever.
looking for a camera max £100?? any ideas
thanks jane l
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Hi
Might be worth looking at this
http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/digital-cameras-under-100.cfm
I bought a Nikon Coolpix S8000 last year and I'm pleased with that, but it was about £150.
Jan
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Argos has loads in your price range, get one about 8-10 megapixels and with optical zoom rather than digital zoom then you won't lose clarity on those close up shots. Most nowadays are excellent and a lot in that price range as well can shoot movies in high definition as well.
Mine is a Kodak and cost less than £70 at the time from PC world. Best camera I ever had!
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I love my Lumix TZ7 - although unfortunately it costs more than £100. The cheapest I see at the moment seems to be £169 at amazon (it should be over £200). I wanted to be able to shoot video too which is why I had to get a more expensive one.
I got it last year and had intended to get a Canon of some kind as I have loved the previous canons I have had - but saw this and thought it even better. But I would have been happy with either.
Whatever you go for though - apart from the advice from Mc about optical zoom and 8-10 megapixels - I would always make sure I have a lithium ion battery in it rather than AA rechargeable ones. I used to have a nikon which used those and they were forever running out after hardly any time at all. in the end I had to keep buying normal AA batteries as a back up and it cost a fortune!
Now I have two litium ones and have one charging while I use the other - although one charge generally lasts me all day unless I am using it to view pictures or take video a lot. (oh yes - that was the other thing - I like the video options on the Lumix and the Canon). The pictures are fantastic.
Milly ;D
PS There is a cheaper alternative Lumix on the site where I got mine which actually looks quite nice...http://www.rootschat.com/links/0c1i/ and a Nikon Coolpix which looks within your budget http://www.rootschat.com/links/0c1j/
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Get a Canon Ixus every time ... dont know the current cost ... but I've got two ... they have served me very well indeed over the last month in sticky humid heat on the Equator ... and took around 1400 pics plus about a dozen little videos ... all on a 4 GB card ... see my blog for some of the results from Kenya !
Canon for ever !! (And no, they aren't paying me !)
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I agree with Milly - I have a lumix which is brilliant. Mine is a DMC-FX35, which is an older model (2 years!) and probably been superseeded but the qualityu of photos is excellent. I was out with a friend who had an SLR and we were trying to get the same shot of a moody sky. She was unable to capture the photo and agreed that mine was better (not meaning to brag here - it was the camera, not the monkey behind it!)
sallysmum
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hi everyone and thankyou that really helps its always good to find others input into such things. will go and check them out and see what i can find. hopefully when i have my new camera i will be able to start with the grave yard where my father is buried which is full of some very old and interesting stones.
thanks again
jane
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Make sure you hold each camera you are thinking of buying. In some cases the controls will feel natural, in others they will be awkward. What about physical size? Bigger cameras are easier to hold, generally have bigger control buttons and a bigger screen but may not fit in your bag or pocket.
Don't forget the camera will probably not come with any memory so budget for that. Beware that some kinds of memory card cost a lot more than others.
As for batterys its is swings and roundabouts. Lithium Ion batteries have a high capacity so will last longer but they are expensive. The manufacturers original ones particularly so, but the unbranded ones, although cheaper, tend to have a lot less capacity. My compact uses AA batteries. I bought a set of 6 rechargeables and charger for about half the cost of an average lithium battery. But I do have to carry them as well as the camera.
I made my living from photography for a lot of years and still get some income that way. For serious stuff I have a reflex but I also have a Panasonic Lumix LZ10 camera that I carry every where. It has Japanese electronics and a Leica lens. The images it produces up to about A4 are indistinguishable from the much more expensive reflex camera and the difference in quality at A3 is small.
At the moment Currys have a sale on with an end of line Lumix at about £90:00
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-compact-digital-cameras/344_3199_30301_36_xx/xx-criteria.html?sPageInfo=1_12&sSortInfo=topsellers-desc
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thanks John W some very intersting points there to take into account that i would not have thought of so thanks again
jane
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Jane
Whatever camera you get remember that for the insriptions to show up best you want the sun to be shining on the stone at an angle so that the shadows show.
So since most stones face East you should be taking the shots about one to two hours before noon.
Bryan
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thanks Bryan i will make a note of that very useful. :)
jane
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Get a Canon Ixus every time ... dont know the current cost ... but I've got two ... they have served me very well indeed over the last month in sticky humid heat on the Equator ... and took around 1400 pics plus about a dozen little videos ... all on a 4 GB card ... see my blog for some of the results from Kenya !
Canon for ever !! (And no, they aren't paying me !)
Absolutely agree about the Canon Ixus - we've had every model for years and I can't fault them. That is what I went out to buy - but came home with my lovely Lumix ;D Would have been equally happy with either of them though. My brother just got the latest Canon and it does look fab.
Make sure you check out the controls for changing settings etc on whatever you buy and make sure you are comfortable with them. I had a nikon once and (probably because I was so used to the canon ixux) I could never find anything in the menu. ::)
Milly
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Jane
Whatever camera you get remember that for the insriptions to show up best you want the sun to be shining on the stone at an angle so that the shadows show.
So since most stones face East you should be taking the shots about one to two hours before noon.
Bryan
I never knew that - ty Brian!
sallysmum
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Why not go for a high grade camera phone? Combine the two articles in one, less to carry, and I believe there are now phones available with 5mp cameras which should be enough to produce an acceptable image.
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thanks gosh -so many things to look at and think of . the trouble is it always takes me ages to choose anything so this is going to be harder than i thought -but still all very interesting and positive stuff. thamks again
Jane
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Hiya
For once I don't agree with RedRog........ ::) ::) ::)
I think that you should go for a reasonable cheap to mid-priced model, that Kodak or Ixus sound alright.
THEN
Evaluate whichever one over the spring/summer/autumn.
THEN
Ask OH to get you a soooooooper one for Xmas. ;D
You'll know what you want by then ;D ;D
Won't you? ;D ;D ;D
You can always give this one to kids/sis/g-kids/agedaunt/wotever
Ray
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My advice, as a very amateur amateur would be to make sure it's got a viewfinder (and that's not easy or cheap)!! It's all very well having these screens on the rear of the camera for indoor photographs, but outdoor photography is horrendous if that is the only view you have of the subject, and especially so if the sun happens to be shining, you can't see a thing via the screen!!
BumbleB
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oh no bumbleB -not something else to think about :-[ but thanks anyway] ;)
jane
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Sorry Jane, but I did find out the hard way - I was in South Africa and trying to take photographs of giraffe and antelope and I just couldn't see a thing!!! It was literally a case of point, click and hope for the best! The only way I managed to get any photographs of my friend's garden out there was to stand under a tree so that I could see what I was looking at! Had the same problem trying to take photos of memorials on Spion Kop - not a cat in hell's chance. But, no, we don't need viewfinders :o :o like h.ll we don't!
BumbleB
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I spent weeks comparing one camera against another and finally chose a Ricoh R10, a brilliant camera
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showing my age now -but .....yrs ago we didn't have this trouble you only had 1 or 2 choices of things -where as now you have 100+ :-\ :-\
jane
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Given your specs and needs.
I`d suggest this camera.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80065/show.html
It has a viewfinder.
It is a 12 MP camera.
It is from a quality Camera company.
It uses standard easily available Memory cards SD cards.
It use AA batteries... cheap NiMH batteries are available everywhere, chargers are equally cheap.
It has audio recording and Movie mode so I`d take that as video?
It fits your budget.
The only downside is CHDK doesn`t support it yet (most folks won`t require/need/understand what I mean).
I have a A530, had it for a fair few years and its still works, been bashed about, uses AA batteries, SD cards and CHDK works brilliantly.
It should be top of your list.
Regards.
Steve
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thanks Steve- I know what CHDK is [ i googled it] looks interesting
jane
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Just to add......I've got a Kodak and it's brilliant! Takes great photos :)
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I have a small 4 mega pixel Olympus and generally speaking I am absolutely delighted with it. I've had it some 5yrs/ now and like other contributors on this thread I use Lithium batteries. The only complaint I have about the smaller digital cameras is that they do not have a "view finder". Oh! I know they all have a small LCD screen, which for most of the time is OK, but they are useless when trying to shoot against the sun. The much more expensive SLR type do have a view finder so they are OK, but sometimes it just isn't possible to use the smaller camera, simply because one cannot see the "picture"
Bill
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thanks LLoydy and Bill- my list is getting longer ??? but a veiw finder is looking like a Must ;)
jane
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My advice, as a very amateur amateur would be to make sure it's got a viewfinder (and that's not easy or cheap)!! It's all very well having these screens on the rear of the camera for indoor photographs, but outdoor photography is horrendous if that is the only view you have of the subject, and especially so if the sun happens to be shining, you can't see a thing via the screen!!
Good point. The other option is to see if the camera has variable brightness for the rear screen. My LZ10 has that facility and it is some years old.
The screen automatically varies the brightness so that it can be seen clearly even in tropical sunlight. It also has a High Angle setting to make it easy to see the screen when the camera is held overhead.
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thanks Steve- I know what CHDK is [ i googled it] looks interesting
jane
It runs on my old camera and its a lovely piece of software, easy to use as well, as far as I know no other camera brand has it available.
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That Jessops camera mentioned earlier has a 28m equivalent wide angle. That can sometimes be very useful to get all the scene in.
One of my cameras only goes to 35mm and betimes; in a room or trying to photo a church or even a gravestone I find I just can't get far enough back to fit the subject in.
Another point
You'll also find your camera useful to photo documents or even photographs - so how close up can the camera focus. Most cameras will have no trouble with this. Where I go wrong is putting it in Macro mode (wide angle) and then forgetting to put it back and getting loads of not well focussed distance shots; and I've done it the other way.
Bryan
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My idea about combining the two items phone and camera is simply that when I take both out with me I feel encumbered as though I am carrying as much equipment as a traffic warden or John Wayne in a cowboy movie. Also I am not happy with the view finding for outdoor photography with either my camera ( Acer 5mp) or phone (Sony 2mp).
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crikey who would have thought that there would be so many things to think about when buying such things -still all good info and i'm very grateful
thankyou
jane
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Let us know what you eventually decide on !
We've all had a part in this !
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oh i will -just waiting for brother to get back to me as he has just been to a huge camera show +is a bit in the know -then will be buying it very soon. and once again a big thankyou to all who have helped +added to my prob :-\ but having said that i can't wait to buy the thing and give a go and yes i will then show you my end result -though don't expect to much as i will be a complete novice watch this space ;)
jane
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Hi Jane
As you probably appreciate by now the main question is will you be able to cope without a viewfinder. If you can do without you will get a compatible camera for a lot less than one with a viewfinder. You should ask around and see if anyone can loan you an old digicam with only a screen for aiming.
Once you have decided you should buy a magazine to see what comes top for value and features in the reviews specialist camera mags do all the time. I do not have any camera mags around at present, but PC Pro is recommending the Canon Ixus 105 - 12.1 Megapixels - no viewfinder - available from Amazon at £89 in silver, and £100 in pink.
Unless you are planning to print your images a metre square you can get away with 7-8 MP or less. And you will still have to reduce the resolution in order to put the results online.
Ken
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now think a view finder is a must and as oh has just won £83 ;D we can now up the price on the camera
jane
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See ...what did I say ! A Canon IXUS every time ! ;D
(I wonder if they would pay me for recommending their camera so much and to everyone ?!)
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As a 35mm user who cannot abide electronic viewfinders, nor screens that disappear in bright sunlight, I'd wait until Steveuk's suggestion gets a few reviews.
That Canon A1200, with an optical viewfinder, might tempt me to test the digital water.
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right bruv says Canon Ixus - :)
Lumix- :)
Fuji- :)
Nixon- :)
then he talks about lens speed etc and as said before to see how they feel try them out. so this wkend we will be off for a serious look
thanks again
jane
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... IXUS !!
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lydart- i guess you like yours ;)
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with my first digital camera, a Canon bought in 2004, I was pleased to have a viewfinder. With my Sony Cybershot, bought in 2008 I found I did not need one in any lighting conditions. It is a bit like cars with starting handles (in the early 70's I couldn't do without), suddenly it is no longer needed.
cheers, falcybe
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As a 35mm user who cannot abide electronic viewfinders, nor screens that disappear in bright sunlight, I'd wait until Steveuk's suggestion gets a few reviews.
That Canon A1200, with an optical viewfinder, might tempt me to test the digital water.
The A1200 sounds a cracking piece of kit.
I have 2 DSLR`s, and 3 Compact Digital cameras (+plus some 35mm & a 120mm), my fav is a Canon A530 (it takes amazing pictures and has a viewfinder - its knocking on a bit and hasn`t been treated gently-still works fine).
When I looked at compacts, I set a few "must haves", must take AA batteries (easy to buy and I had loads of rechargeables already), Must use SD cards (same as Batteries) must have a viewfinder, must be a decent make/brand and must have decent reviews.
Advice for the OP, stick with a decent Brand, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and you generally won`t go wrong.
Regards.
Steve
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When I looked at compacts, I set a few "must haves", must take AA batteries (easy to buy and I had loads of rechargeables already), Must use SD cards (same as Batteries) must have a viewfinder, must be a decent make/brand and must have decent reviews.
all very useful info thanks
jane
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update-having done the rounds -setting off alarms in three shops when picking up the cameras to really look at them we think wait for it ;) that stevieuk suggestion of the canon a1200 is looking good-best price found=£102.99-online-though oh really likes the fujifilm s1900-£129 or the panasonic fs30 {but think a1200 just might win the day] sorry as i said it does take ages too choose things after all it is a lot of money on a luxury but will make decision end of wk
jane
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I've always been a huge fan of Fji cameras - I just really like the pictures they take.
I also like the "bridge" cameras like the s1900 mentioned.
Just another thought - have you considered buying second hand - I just picked up a Fuji s5000 for £32, complete with a one year warranty. OK, it's not the latest model and is only 3.1megapixel, but that's quite enough for me.
I'll be following this thread with interest.
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it's my birthday +i have my camera-so shall i tell you what i got or leave you in suspense a little longer ;) ok Sorry Lydart i went for Stevieuk's Canon A1200-£106 took only 2days to arrive and i love it.shot out +got a camera bag-memory card+re chargable batteries .so there you go ;D went to see my dad's grave +took several pic's so with the sun in the wrong place but i think considering they are pretty good.
thank you all once again for your help+info
jane
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and another 1
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Perfect photos, you obviously made a good choice :-)
falcybe
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Why not go for a high grade camera phone? Combine the two articles in one, less to carry, and I believe there are now phones available with 5mp cameras which should be enough to produce an acceptable image.
Despite having a shed load of cameras of all sorts of vintage and format, it riles me to admit that my most often used camera for gravestones is my Nokia phone 5mp although I did seek it out (not new) as it had a Tessar lens and Xenon flash.
Having said that how the picture is taken, where the light is coming from and the time of day etc. are arguably of equal importance
deebel
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Well done for making a decision - hope you and your camera have lots of happy days together ;D ;D
Milly
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Lydart
Re: my 1st digital camera but which one to buy
« Reply #35 on: Thursday 10 March 11 17:13 UTC (UK) » Reply with quote
See ...what did I say ! A Canon IXUS every time ! Grin
Should have got a Panasonic.
Tomkin :)
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Nice pictures, you must be very happy.
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Whatever camera you get… use it… use it for everything… beauty of digital is you don’t have to spend a fortune getting the film developed, and then discover your pictures are c**p… keep the good ones… ding the rest…
I bought a rolle when I went touring Scotland last year, and forgot to pack my camera… took over twenty five thousand photos… ditched about two thou… but with a digital camera you can see straight away if the pictures a good’un… fantastic fun.
Want the latest cannon now… in my dreams… I took photos of every street sign I passed… so I could keep track of my journey… I was up there a year, and went down every road that went to the sea… wonderful…
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Thanks for that Deebel, worth a look if still available.
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Hi Jane
Hopefully the choice works out well.
I`m always concerned about any recommendations, but choosing a camera manufactured by a major brand is generally a safe`ish bet.
Certainly your Pics seem good.
When I saw your pic of your fathers grave I instantly thought "West Norwood" I was there a few weeks ago on a guided tour and an exclusive visit to the Catacombs, I cannot post any Pics - part of the tour agreement and respect for those who are buried there.
Kind regards.
Steve