Need camera purchase help

[vjw1218]

My camera died on my last trip and now I have to buy a new one before I leave for my Alaskan cruise next week.

 

I'm not interested in bells and whistles since I don't know much about the art of photography. I just want auto focus, zoom, easy film loading and the ability to turn the flash off and on. (which is great for museums and places where flash photography is prohibited)

 

I've been looking at either the Canon Sure Shot 80 or 90. (I can't afford anything over $100 right now.)

 

I love the idea of a digital camera, but can't really afford a decent one with all the memory and features on my budget right now. Besides, there's something great about holding those photo memories in your hands.

 

Also, do the disposables do a comparable job - even though they don't have the features? I've considered going that route, but didn't want to regret not having a zoom lens for all the majestic scenery.

 

Any and all opinions would be welcome.

 

Thanks! (sorry for the length of this post)

 

"9 days to go until the ms Amsterdam!"

[mscloyd]

I'm looking for a new camera for our trip, too. I'm looking at digitals with as high powered zoom as possible, though. I have used disposables. The high end ones (more expensive) are good, but the some of the cheaper ones aren't. I would buy one and used it first and see how they come out before buying a bunch of them. You may end up spending more money on disposables than if you just bought a camera. You should be able to buy a decent basic camera for $100. Here are some websites that you can research cameras:

dpreview.com

imaging-resource.com

[dmarsey1]

Go with the Canon. I have 2 and have been very happy with them.

 

8-15-04 NCL Star: Alaska

 

[gpearce]

I agree with dmarsey1. Have never had a problem with a Canon! Good cameras.

[Jolimont]

I'm taking my old digital Cannon Coolpix 950, it's a great little camera, but it's slow on the trigger. You push the button and then you wait for something to happen a second or two. That's not a big deal usually, but when shooting wildlife is completely useless. I think most digital cameras will have this problem to some extent, although the new ones are a lot better I'm told, but you'll definitely want to take into account when buying digital.

 

Personally I've decided against buying a new camera for this trip. For outdoor shooting I'll also take 4 disposable cameras (no flash 400/800 ASA) and my new Cannon ZR85 camcorder with 20x optical zoom and the ability to take stills too. I hope that'll be adequate and welcome your input if you have any.

 

I'm not big into photography either, I just do it for memories, so I'm happy when my photos turn out clear, well lit, pretty basic stuff.

 

Diamond Princess HERE WE COME! Alaska has never been so cool! 5/22/04

May 31, 2003 Carnival Triumph to Western Caribbean.

 

[cujosmom]

Please re-consider thinking you cannot afford a digital. By the time you spend $100 on a regular camera, buy film and then pay for processing...well it all adds up fast. Plus, with a film camera you really don't know if the shot came out OK until it's been processed and then, of course, it's too late if it comes out blurry or you "should have used a flash". With a digital you know immediately if the picture is good or if you have to re-take it.

 

You do not need a high megapixel resolution camera unless you plan to print 5x7 or 8x10 prints which you probably won't. You can get a reasonably priced 2 megapixel digital camera and with using it on standard setting, you'll get 300 + pictures on say a 16MB card.

 

Then, when you get home you just download the photos to your computer and with the camera's software you can crop, lighten, darken, etc. the pictures. Email and or print your very best shots or take them to have only the best ones printed. You can also make really nice scrapbook albums with the digital pictures as you can control the size of the photos and add your own descriptions.

 

Also, you don't have the hassle with film being exposed to all the x-ray machines that you have to send your film through going through the airport or security at the pier.

 

We have two digital cameras...one a "first generation" 1.3 megapixel and the one I use for my business. Sometimes the 1.3 megapixel camera photos actually comes out better than my better camera.

 

Until we set sail to Alaska on the Serenade of The Seas

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[LynnObie]

I agree with those above that Canon is a good choice, either film or digital. Also consider the points that "cujosmom" made above in favor of the digital. Here is a link to 1 digital camera under $100 in case you are interested. You have to add it to your shopping cart to see that it is about $95. Amazon ships with no sales tax and free ground shipping, but they also offer various shipping options such as overnight, 2 or 3 day should you want to go that route. Cost for these shipping options can be seen at checkout. One thing.... if you buy a digital camera, you really need to buy 1 extra memory card... Think of it as "digital film". You can obviously reuse this once your pictures are downloaded to a PC or CD but the small card that comes with every camera is usually good for only 20 or so pictures. Click here for one that should give you about 120 or so picture capacity before downloading. Also, more info on digital cameras you may want to see.

 

Lynn Obie

 

Until 14 day Summit - San Diego to Alaska

 

 

8/1995 HAL Noordam, 6/2000 Carnival Ecstasy, 2/2002 HAL Maasdam, 3/2003 HAL Statendam, 1/2004 HAL Oosterdam, 5/2004 Celebrity Summit, 5/2005 Celebrity Infinity

[aloveforwander]

"cujosmom" I could not have said better. I agree that you can get a great digital and in long run- cheaper per pic.

 

By the way, a good point to evaluate, if afraid of "download and printing your own" jazz- or if simply you do not have the equipment or computer capabilities; you can go just about any convenience outlet (Walgreens, Eckerds, Walmart) and print on the spot for 20-29 cents a picture. The more you print- the cheaper. hey, it beats 1 hour photo and the quality is superb!!

 

*Fantasy 11/97;12/00;12/01

*MS Destiny 7/98;9/00

*Sov. of the Seas 9/98;9/99;5/00;1/04

*Majesty of the Seas 3/01;5/02

*Fascination 5/01

*Celebrity Millenium 1/02

*Navigator of Seas 11/02

*Grandeur of the Seas 5/03

*Explorer of Seas 9/03

*Disney Wonder 11/03

*Radiance of the Seas 5/04

*Mariner of the Seas 1/05

 

GOTTA LUV CRUZIN'

Until ALASKA!! Mama's trip!

Mariner of the Seas

[basser]

Cujosmom is right. You can make good acceptable prints of pictures that would not have been printed by the 1 hour people because they were too dark, etc. by using photo an imaging program on your computer.

[vjw1218]

Thanks to one and all for your input and responses. It is certainly appreciated.

 

I have weighed the digital camera pros and cons and will take your advice under consideration. I haven't ruled it out, that's for sure. Dad has a digital and likes it, but one thing to consider is when the pics look good on the little camera screen, they may not look as good after they're downloaded and viewable on the computer. We've had that happen several times.

 

I'm just trying to get the best "bang" for my buck.

 

Again, thanks!

[Treven]

You can get a decent digital for a little more than your $100 limit. I spent $1k for mine, but you certainly can get one and still stay within your budget, or slightly over.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cujosmom:

Please re-consider thinking you cannot afford a digital. By the time you spend $100 on a regular camera, buy film and then pay for processing...well it all adds up fast. Plus, with a film camera you really don't know if the shot came out OK until it's been processed and then, of course, it's too late if it comes out blurry or you "should have used a flash". With a digital you know immediately if the picture is good or if you have to re-take it.

 

You do not need a high megapixel resolution camera unless you plan to print 5x7 or 8x10 prints which you probably won't. You can get a reasonably priced 2 megapixel digital camera and with using it on standard setting, you'll get 300 + pictures on say a 16MB card.

 

Then, when you get home you just download the photos to your computer and with the camera's software you can crop, lighten, darken, etc. the pictures. Email and or print your very best shots or take them to have only the best ones printed. You can also make really nice scrapbook albums with the digital pictures as you can control the size of the photos and add your own descriptions.

 

Also, you don't have the hassle with film being exposed to all the x-ray machines that you have to send your film through going through the airport or security at the pier.

 

We have two digital cameras...one a "first generation" 1.3 megapixel and the one I use for my business. Sometimes the 1.3 megapixel camera photos actually comes out better than my better camera.

 

Until we set sail to Alaska on the Serenade of The Seas

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;09;5;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800<center>

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<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

'be a real student and take chances. live on the edge. teeter on the brink...skip on the tightrope. and if you fall, enjoy the wind on your smiling face.' -- paul lester

 

NCL Star - Hawaii (AtlantisEvents.com) 03.07.04

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Celebrity Infinity (AtlantisEvents.com) 08.21.05

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