Saturday, July 12, 2008

Camera Woes

I recently found a little gray button and a tiny spring in my purse and neither Andrew or I could figure out what it was from. We assumed some toy of the boys or perhap part of a pen and threw it away. Wrong. So wrong. Alas it was the button for taking pictures on our camera. I'm so sad. I'm now using a toothpick to take pictures...that makes the picture of Wednesday all the better because it was taken via toothpick button. :)

So I'm sort of beginning the search for a camera upgrade - though we may go ahead and have this one repaired. I think I'm ready for more than a digital point and shoot. I definitely want to stick with digital, though. I do not want to spend a ton of money but would like a camera that is easy to use and takes excellent pictures. Do you have any recommendations?

11 comments:

CityStreams said...

I recommend the nikon coolpix 260. That's what I got after shopping around. It's awesome. I have pictures in my archives somewhere, but we're about to leave. Going to a funeral. Yay.

Alicia said...

You're looking at least $450 for a [new]DSLR (digital SLR) for the Nikon D40 which is their least expensive camera. I think you would be happy with Nikon or Canon.

Canon DSLRs:http://tinyurl.com/zjnt5
Nikon DSLRs:http://tinyurl.com/6bghu2

If you eBay, you could look on there for a week or so and find a good price on a reburbished or used camera once you figure out which model and brand you want. I actually got mine from eBay and it was reburbished and was $630 two years ago (Canon XT/350D). I chose not to get the highest model that was out at the time and I LOVE mine even though there are three newer models today.

Search results for my camera on ebay:
http://tinyurl.com/5kf8ke

my camera on amazon: http://tinyurl.com/5cdue8

Be aware when you shop that there are listings for a camera that comes with the "kit" lens which is a standard lens, and the whole package is a kit. Other listings sell the body of the camera only and you buy the lens separately. I recommend kits whether it's nikon or canon.

If you do get a DSLR, I strongly encourage you to learn to use more than the auto settings. It's not worth the money if you only do that, even if you use photoshop after the fact. The DSLR will take great pics on auto, but the design is intended for more and is priced accordingly. They're digital versions of old SLRs that use film.

Hope that helps!

Heather L. said...

Well, I think I remember you know about the camera repair man we used -- we were happy with him.

Monica said...

Ebay, my friend. We bought Hannah a nice Coolpix camera (the point and shoot kind) on ebay for less than $30. We saw Sean's camera (normally $250) sold for $115. Happy shopping.

Barbie said...

We love our Canon Rebel XT. Lots of my friends have the same camera and love it. It is the model before the XTi but just as great. I think the difference is 8 mexapixel compared to 10. We have all bought it from beachcamera.com They have THE best prices that we could find. I love that there is NO delay!!

Anonymous said...

Go to Robert's Distributor's. It's downtown, a bit of a haul, but you'll be happy. Talk to Chuck (he's a friend of mine) and he will sell you the camera you need. He'll ask you all sorts of questions about what you are going to use it for, and he'll be able to point you in the direction you're looking for. Just give him perameters.

Thad and Ann said...

We had several point & shoot cameras in the last 1 1/2 yrs(1 was left outside & one fell on the cement) & when our last one started to just take horrid pic's, we made the jump to the Nikon D40.

We LOVE it. It's so worth the money. It's so much fun. :)

Jen said...

Depending on how much you want to spend...I just bought this before Africa--Cannon Powershot SD 1000

They have a more updated one now, but this was $178.00 at Walmart and takes great pictures! The most recent model I think is $250.

But you may want a even nicer one...

Alicia said...

If you decide to keep with P&S cameras, I would second the Canon Powershot line. I have the SD500 from a couple of years ago and have occasionally taken it when I didn't want to lug my DSLR. It's a good one. The walmart price quoted is a GREAT price too. Mine was about $300 three years ago.

Alaina said...

Thank you all for your recommendations! We've been leaning towards a Canon Rebel XT but are also interested in Nikon. Hopefully we will have a new one in a week or two! Your advice and experience has been so helpful!

Andrew said...

If anyone with an SLR is still reading these comments, I'm curious what advantages you see the SLR has over the P&S. I know they have a lot more features, but is it just the the ability to do more things that makes the SLR better, or is the performance (quality and speed) a lot better, too? Any thoughts?