Digital camera ???

[Thráinn E. Skúlason]

Ok guys. I am in need of some advice.
I need to buy a new digital camera which will serve me well in taking pictures in the field first and foremost. I have been looking at Canon Powershot A95 or something in that price range.
So my questions are:

Which camera are you using?
Which one would you recommend?
The A95, your opinion?

Thanks.

[phoneman]

good question Thrainn, i am looking for the exact same thing, shoot me an e-mail with any info you've found out so far.
Thanks,
Mike Richied
mikerichied@sbcglobal.net

[Outhouse]

My simple opinion is that you can't go wrong with any of the major brands, Canon, Sony, Olympus, etc... I have a Canon s50 and love it. My only complaint is I wish I had a longer zoom lens (not comments from the peanut gallery!). The Canon A85 gets really good reviews. I believe they have a A90 out now. You might also check out the Panasonic, can't recall the model number, but it has a 12 power optical zoom lens and is rated pretty highly. I can give you the address of several websites that review cameras if you need them.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Outhouse- I am sure lots of us are looking for digitals. Could you post those links up on here? I would like to see them. I am looking for one, and not sure where to start. Thanks!
Mark

[Mike Hungle]

Guys,

I use Nikon cameras and lenses as I find they produce extremely sharp pictures corner to corner. For my magazine work, I use 35 mm slides and SLR bodies. I added a Nikon CoolPix 4300 point and shoot digital to my arsenal this spring. It works really well and produces some great pictures. As more and more magazines start accepting digital images, I'll upgrade my digital to an SLR. (As a sidenote, I've found Nikon's computer software to be easy to intall and use)

One word of advice, try and pick a digital camera that takes rechargable batteries. If possible, buy a spare. That way, you'll never miss the shot of a life time and will always have a fresh battery at hand, no matter how far you are from the nearest store.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Mike- I have a Nikon 35mm that I spent a ton on... it takes unbelievable pictures, but I am afaid to take it out in the field for fear I will dunk it in the lake etc... I guess I didnt realize they made digitals. Any idea on price ranges on them?
Mark

[Idahoan]

All-

www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com) is the absolute best place to get good gouge on digital cameras. Might not be best suited to someone who has no knowledge of lingo whatsoever, but this Phil guy does a superb guy reviewing and wading through all the BS.

-Idahoan

[administrator]

Thrainn,

The Canon A95 is a great camera for the price range. Canon, Nikon and highend Sony is the only way to go.
Usually you can get a decent camera for around $350-$400.

[Mike Hungle]

Mark, all the prices I know are in Canadian Dollars so those figures won't be of much use to you. Some time you should try taking your good camera afield. Once you see the photos, you'll wish you took it with you years ago. My cameras have been ALL over the place. In boats, duck blinds, layout blinds, mud, snow and ice. You just have to be a little careful where you put them and clean them when you get home. Avery has a new little camo camera bag that I've been using this fall. It's great, offers lots of protection from impact and the elements and is the perfect size for carrying a camera or two afield.

[Outhouse]

Guys, Here are a few sites that I check out periodically:

www.steves-digicams.com (http://www.steves-digicams.com) (my personal favorite as he recommends specific cameras for specific instances)

www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com)
www.dcresource.com (http://www.dcresource.com)
www.imaging-resource.com (http://www.imaging-resource.com)
www.zdnet.com (http://www.zdnet.com)
www.cnet.com (http://www.cnet.com)

I have purchased cameras from www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com) before with a lot of success. Not always the cheapest on the net but I never felt like I have been screwed either. I do know that Pentax has a camera that is water resistent, not waterproof.

[Kevin Addy]

I have a Kodak DX4330 (3.1 mega pixels) that works good and is easy to use. It has settings for low light, action...etc that helps with taking good pictures. It also will do video clips. I also have a Toshiba PDR-3310 that I got because the wife and I were constantly competeing for the camera. I would have it out hunting and she would be looking for it to take pics of the kids. When she found it, all of my hunting pics would be erased off the memory card to make room for her pics. The Toshiba is a 3.2 mega pixel camera that is similar to the kodak for options. It takes pretty good pictures for being an inexpensive camera. Here are a few pics of late last year and early this year...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/Theflock.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/incoming1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/Takeem1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/takeem2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/inyourface1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/6-geese.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/kadd/2-geese.jpg

[Outhouse]

Kadd, you need to take me huntin!!! I have always wanted to shoot a goose! All we get here are greenheads, not that I am complaining!

[Brett Beinke]

I use an Olympus Stylus 300 digital that I bought from Buydig.com for about $220.00. It is weatherproof and takes some pretty good pictures at 3.2 megapixels. For after the hunt shots it does a great job and I would reccomend it to anyone. Mike, you are wrong about Mark. Unless it is an underwater camera, he shoulldn't own it!
Again, here are some of my favorite photos taken this year in the field with my Olympus. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/P1010050.jpg

[Brett Beinke]

Another Photo http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/P1010003.jpg

[Brett Beinke]

One last example http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/01e93a4d.jpg

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Mike- I used to take a moderately expensive camera ALL the time. Then I tripped and dunked it in the lake. It never worked again. Then the next year, I left one in my blindbag, and the bag got tipped over. Camera number two gone. Then I bought my Nikon, and my wife told me if I took it out in the field I was TOAST. To date this year, I have had 2 disposables ruined from getting wet. I will get a digital and take it with after this season.
I have been lucky enough to get some great shots with my Nikon the few times I have snuck it out, and some of them were published. I have several others of my dogs retrieving that are now 16x20 pics on my wall in the house. I love having good pics from the field... I just get a little jittery with the luck I have had!
Mark

[Outhouse]

With some of the major brands, they have accessory waterproof boxes that you can buy. I know my Canon S50 I can get one for about $150 and I can take pix out in a waterproof container.