What camera to buy?

[HardDrive]

Well here is one you can afford, and its an superb point and shoot pocket camera. My wife and I bought it on recommendation from my sister who's a commerical photographer.

Cannon Powershot SD750: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14919

We have the older SD630 model, and it has been a work horse. Only negative? As is typical for a small lens, it has poor low light sensitivity.

[motion]

I have the SD850IS as my point and shoot and absolutely love it.

[nostatic]

I bought the Nikon 18-200VR lens (for my D70 body) and took it back. I know it has amazing reviews and whatnot but I found it kind of cheaply made, clunky, and was not impressed with the sharpness of the shots.

I should qualify that by saying that my main lense is a Nikon 105mm Micro, so maybe I'm spoiled.

I find that some of the best photos taken in my collection were with my Canon SD430 P&S. It is the eye and the moment, not the hardware. That being said, once you shoot RAW (on the Nikon, and I can do it on my FZ30), it is hard to go back to compressed images.

[Steve Carlton]

Thom Hogan is considered one of the top Nikon gurus. Here's his review of the lens:
http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm

I believe you've said most of your work is macro. P&S cameras can excel in that usage, but can't hold a candle to a DSLR otherwise, especially at a track.

[nostatic]

like I said, stellar reviews. But if you read closely (and between the lines), it has some issues:

"Why the low build rating? Plastic and wobbly extension, plus clunky rings, mainly. I'm tempted to give the performance five stars, but it just misses mostly due to the linear distortion."

"Build quality. Build quality doesn't exceed the price point. I always worry about that slightly wobbly extension at 200mm--I'm not sure the lens would survive even a mild drop fully extended. And the zoom ring is rough on my sample (but apparently loose on some others). "

For the money it is a great lense, and it is versatile. But in my hands, it bugged me. In addition, I don't really care for zoom in a still photo application. At the track I've had good results with my FZ30 (big zoom capability) and you can work around the shutter lag. But I totally agree about the pluses of DSLR. That's why I shoot with one. But it is just another tool that I use to get the shot. And for some applications, it isn't the right choice. My digital elph goes almost everywhere with me...places and times that I can't/won't lug a DSLR around.

Horses for courses...

[Rich Lambert]

After weighing everybody's input and spending about 4 hours on line last night researching, I officially put the Nikon D40x on the Christmas list. For a rank amateur like myself, it just seems nearly perfect. Costco's got a deal going for $849.99 that includes the body, an 18-55mm lens, a 55-200mm lens with image stabilization, a bag, a 1GB SD card, 2 Nikon school DVD's and free shipping.

Thank you all for the help and expect a deluge of '66 911 pictures starting on about 12/26.

[madmmac]

Originally Posted by nostatic

My digital elph goes almost everywhere with me...places and times that I can't/won't lug a DSLR around.

Exactly. I have an Elph, it does go everywhere.

I have an old Canon S2IS, very good overall with a huge zoom....when I know I am going to be kicking around quite a bit and will probably need a big telephoto, it is hard to beat.

When I am going to need the most versatility, speed, low light, frames per second I take my Nikon D200. Multiple lenses that cover from 18 to 300mm starting at 1.4f....but the Elph is still usually in my pocket in an Altoids can.

Nostatic has nailed it right.....You don't take any pictures without having a camera with you.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by nostatic

like I said, stellar reviews. But if you read closely (and between the lines), it has some issues:

"Why the low build rating? Plastic and wobbly extension, plus clunky rings, mainly. I'm tempted to give the performance five stars, but it just misses mostly due to the linear distortion."

"Build quality. Build quality doesn't exceed the price point. I always worry about that slightly wobbly extension at 200mm--I'm not sure the lens would survive even a mild drop fully extended. And the zoom ring is rough on my sample (but apparently loose on some others). "

For the money it is a great lense, and it is versatile. But in my hands, it bugged me. In addition, I don't really care for zoom in a still photo application. At the track I've had good results with my FZ30 (big zoom capability) and you can work around the shutter lag. But I totally agree about the pluses of DSLR. That's why I shoot with one. But it is just another tool that I use to get the shot. And for some applications, it isn't the right choice. My digital elph goes almost everywhere with me...places and times that I can't/won't lug a DSLR around.

Horses for courses...

I agree, it's the Indian not the arrow.

I also agree that the best camera is the one you have with you!

The 18-200VR is a great lens, but no lens is perfect. It is the best all around lens I have ever used in 20 years of shooting.

Even the '73 911 RS has some flaws, but most folks don't get hung up on them.

Best,

Kurt

[Steve Carlton]

"You have chosen wisely..."




Don't forget the stocking stuffers!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/22702-REG/Hoya_520197_52mm_Circular_Polarizing_Glass.html

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by URY914

bought it a Ritz Camera and got a bag and a great warranty for just under $1K. Warranty says I could drop it out of a plane and just so I have enough of it left to prove it's a Nikon, they'll replace it complete. I'll pickup another lense soon. My wife and 12 year old daughter use it too. Very easy to use. We're happy.

Is that in writing? Family got screwed at Compusa with a similar camera warranty last Christmas. Lying POS salesman said if we got the warranty, we could return that camera ANYTIME we wanted and get a new one with full credit. After 5 weeks the camera starting taking blurry shots... the ACTUAL warranty said they would handle shipping and handling charges or something much less than promised.

Any good P&S cameras that take quick pictures under $500? We have a newish Sony 8.1 megapixel Cyber hots DSC-W90 that take decent pictures, but the SO complains of shutter lag. She wants something with no lag.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by madmmac

Exactly. I have an Elph, it does go everywhere.

I have an old Canon S2IS, very good overall with a huge zoom....when I know I am going to be kicking around quite a bit and will probably need a big telephoto, it is hard to beat.

When I am going to need the most versatility, speed, low light, frames per second I take my Nikon D200. Multiple lenses that cover from 18 to 300mm starting at 1.4f....but the Elph is still usually in my pocket in an Altoids can.

Nostatic has nailed it right.....You don't take any pictures without having a camera with you.

I totally agree. I think for most people, a decent "point and shoot" is the ticket.

When my wife and I went to Africa, I debated taking my Olympus OM-2 with lenses ranging from 24 mm to 400 mm. After looking a the cost of film, plus processing, plus hassle in moving that much stuff from place to place, I decided on getting a nice digital. Originally, I was going to go with some type of SLR with interchangeable lenese etc but got to thinking that what I really needed was a long lenses for the trip but portability for everything else. I setted on a Nikon Coolpix with a 10x optical zoom. It fits in my pocket, seems to take great pictures and since I am willing to carry it with me just about anywhere, I get the shots I wants. The only real downside, IMHO, is the lack of a truly fast lenses for low light or fast action needs and the irritating delay (that all digital cameras seem to have) between pressing the shutter button and getting the shot.

For me, the $199 (included a free 4x6 photo printing machine) I spent on the Nikon was the best $$ I spent on a camera to date.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Any good P&S cameras that take quick pictures under $500? We have a newish Sony 8.1 megapixel Cyber hots DSC-W90 that take decent pictures, but the SO complains of shutter lag. She wants something with no lag.

Check out the Casio Exilim EX-Z1200SR.

[Steve Carlton]

I ordered this 35mm film P&S for my mom for Christmas. At 76, she's not going digital. Olympus doesn't make it anymore, but its output is supposed to be amazing.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131332-REG/Olympus_102320_Stylus_Epic_Camera_Black_.html

[campbellcj]

FWIW, if you are thinking about a Nikon DSLR you'll find plenty of info and sample images here: http://www.nikonians.org

Also you can find threads and pics from any imaginable type of camera on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com (camera finder: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/ ) plus DP Review http://www.dpreview.com has some mind-bogglingly detailed hardware reviews

[RKC]

Have a Nikon D200 with the 18-200 and am quite happy with a one-lens quiver.

It doesn't have the sharpness of my old 105mm 2.5 AI Nikkor from the early 1980's - nor does it have that mechanical metal/Nikon/Porsche feel to it. But what does these days?

I've on my 4th Nikon in 30 years, and I've sold all my old fixed length lenses (even the 105mm) and cameras - which is saying something about the usefulness of the new digitals....

You will take great pictures - and so will just about anyone you hand the camera to with the new electronic brains....Enjoy!