NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
General Forum => Product Reviews => Topic started by: Capt. Ed on February 03, 2007, 12:34:12 PM
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Hi All,
My Kodak Digital camera bit the dust yesterday. I am in need of a new one.
I still shoot a lot of film. I will use the camera on the boat and as a backup to my "film-based" cameras.
Anybody have any things to look for such as optical zoom and megapixels?
Anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Capt. Ed
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There good now a days, I have a 3 megapixel that takes great shots, I use it for the boat. My mother just got a new Kodak. I think it's like 8 megapixels.. I was like. OK.. do you really need that much..
Anything over 4 would be great for use out on the water.
In my opinion.
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I know the digital camera market intensely thanks to my wife's demand on taking pictures of our children!!!
We own everything from a 3 megapixel canon to the new Nikon D80 professional digital that captures in raw format and produces awesome pictures.
Assuming you want to use the camera for pictures of fish on a boat on a sunny afternoon in july, here are my comments.
Right now the average camera contains 5-7 megapixels... If you are just looking for album pictures to show your friends the great catch you had, canon makes the powershot line, and kodak the easy share line, which are lightweight, somewhat pocket sized cameras that are great for quick shots.
Both lines are very inexpensive but deliver what the average person is looking for. Unless you have a powerful multi head printer, you're not going to see a print difference if you go above 7 megapixels anyway.
Now if you decide that you would like to have a powerful camera that produces magazine quality images, can capture in RAW format (image format before filters are added), and have the same lense, aperature and exposure capabilities of a film camera, go immediately to the Nikon D series cameras. They start at $899 and can range up to $5,000 just for the camera body. But I can put any size lense on it, manually adjust for any exposure or aperture setting I want, and gather RAW format images to photoshop to create magazine style images.
All features aside, if my wife ever found out I took the D80 on a boat with saltwater, smelly bait residue and fresh fish slime in the air, she would KILL me.
Ed if you want to check out any of the cameras we have let me know.... The D80 will dazzle you but is not in any way meant to be on a boat unless your shooting for some magazine paying you $20,000.
- Dennis
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I will talk to you on Monday night about this.
I need all the help I can get,
Ed
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Wish i knew a little more about digital cameras too. My dad has a nice kodak. Takes real good pictures.
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I have a Kodak easy share camera, point and shoot quick and easy. Only real issue I had with it was the load time for start up. I would often miss great shots with this camera due to the lack of speed. My wife picked up a Canon EOS Rebel XT for me for Christmas, and I must say this camera is quick easy and takes some damn fine photo's. Has many of the functions of a pro's camera, but (IMO) is a dummy friendly operation something I am glad about.
This camera is great but I would be a little weary of taking it out on open water. I personally would go with a cheaper point and shoot type. Also if you look around some places do have disposable digitals and camcorders now. May be more for a boat scene if it gets broken wet or damaged your only out a few bucks and the pics that were on it.
Also get a good case, the sun will put a beating on the lcd screen.
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Hey love the Canon power shots all my pic come out great.. any now they have better pixel clarity on the newer one.
All my professional video equipment is Canon.. They have a great service deal right in Cranbury if something goes wrong.. Turn around time is excellent!!
my $.02 cents
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You will be VERY well served with this camera (might be able to get closer $200 or so if you shop around).
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&prodCatType=1&catalogId=10051&productId=154859&cmArea=SC3:CG43:DP1600:CL140465
We have an older model and love it. Add in a 1gb SD card and you are set to go.
Nice thing is it doesn not require a proprietary battery pack like many others, so you can always pop in energizer AA's and such.
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Yuip, Canon makes GREAT cameras. Did a lot of research before we purchased our Powershot couple years back.
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drome,
Any recommendations for a pocket sizer? I saw Paul's (NJH) Sony Cybershot W100 and it was pretty compact and took nice photos...and pretty cheap.
As you know (or may not) I take A LOT of pictures, but it's all on the fly shots for the most part...bulky cameras won't be the best for my purposes...so I'm looking for a shirt pocket or pant pocket type point and shoot with nice quality pics (but nothing higher than 8x11" prints)...I won't say excellent, because I don't believe you are going to see that with anything less than digital SLRs+.
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Capt. Ed
www.Cnet.com is a good place for reviews of electronics such as digital cameras. If your used to shooting with a regular full size 35mm like me, going to a small digital you may have a problem just holding it steady, also I like to use a view finder a lot of times if the camera just has an LCD screen you cannot see what you are shooting because of sun glare on the LCD screen. Another thing is if do you have memory cards or momory stick you may want to stick with the same style card you already have so you can use them with your new camera. Cnet is a great starting place! GOOD LUCK :)
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Two other excellent sites.
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
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Pentax makes some nice waterproof ones that you can find for just over $150.
Mine is the 6 or 7 megapixel one I picked up a year or so ago.
pricegrabber.com is pretty good to use for online retailers.
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Hi gottog,
Thanks ... as my cheapo Kodak died, I need one quickly.
I will check it out!
Best wishes,
Ed
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Gottog, the only thing I've noticed with your Pentax is T's fish seem to always look bigger than yours...what's going on there? ;D
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Hi All,
Many thanks for all the info!
I can all count on you folks to help me out!
Ed
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Hi Capt. Ed,
I run all Canon equipment here as you know so I am partial to them. I bought a Canon A640 for my wife as we both are into photography. It has a great zoom feature and runs 10Mp. you can run fully automatic or if you really get into it there are some good manual options. The nice thing about the A640 they have an underwater housing for it. t^
I believe the next model up even has a steady shot feature good for a rocking boat. You can check these models and features out on line where I buy my cameras at:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Their prices are good and they stand behind the warranty. Plus their staff are very knowledgable.
If you have any questions call anytime.
Happy Catrching
Paul
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Hi Capt. Ed,
I run all Canon equipment here as you know so I am partial to them. I bought a Canon A640 for my wife as we both are into photography.
Hummm, any recommendations for a decent zoom lens for my Rebel XT? I am interested in getting one before September but don’t know much about them. I would probably be looking on the med. quality range as I am not into it enough to justify a high-end model, nor do I want to drop the dough for the price tag.
I currently have a cannon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II, what I want to do is get some nice zoom in shots without having to stand on top of my subject.
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bump for my Qs on page 1... :D
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Hi KYB,
I guess most of the bigger brand names like Sigma and Tamron would be OK but I have found that the main manufacturers are the best for any particular cameras.
All my lenses are Canon,and they range from 18 - 55mm, 28 - 200mm and 100 - 400mm with a 2X tele extender for the 100 - 400mm making it into a 200 - 800 mm lens.
I do a lot of photography so my range of lenses has to vary but the quality can not be compromised. That is why I spend the extra money up front to make sure I have the best.
Many of the other manufacturers use plastic lenses with inferior coatings that in time will cause problems and cause you to buy another lens. My suggestion would be to spend the money up front, get a good lens that will last years and give you top quality pictures.
Canon is the leader in the lens field just look at any football game and the majority of the lenses on the field are Canon (the off white lenses are Canon).
So with that said I would recommend the Canon 28 - 200mm ultrasonic (USM) with auto focus. It is my goto lens hands down. Try the pricing at B & H Photo and Video I use them for all my photo needs. Shipping is usually within 2 days of placing the order. Here is the page for that lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=Canon+28+-+200mm+zoom+lens&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t
Sorry it is so long.
You will see that there are two designations USA and Imported. This has to do with the warranty. USA is the one you want. It will cover all factory repairs under Canon's umbrella where as Imported will not B & H has their own warranty but I would rather rely on the manufacturer itself. BTW, the repair center is in Jamesburg, NJ and easy access from the Turnpike.
I hope this helped
Happy Catching
Paul
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If you're into serious photography then don't bother listening to me ;)
In any case, if you're looking for something to take decent snapshots with and you don't want to spend a lot of money, 3 megapixels is probably more than enough.
Remember if you're looking for something to take decent shots to toss on a webpage, going much higher than that isn't really necessary since video displays will basically lose all the extra data from very high res images.
However, if you're looking for serious photography, the more data the better, and you're beyond my realm of expertise. My photography skills basically involve getting decent snapshots, and doing a little tweaking/fixing/color balancing in Adobe Photoshop.
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Gottog, the only thing I've noticed with your Pentax is T's fish seem to always look bigger than yours...what's going on there? ;D
Since things look bigger, I'll have to get her to hold...wait, thats those other pictures :-X
She's little, I'm big.
The Pentax Optio W20 is the one I have. The W30 is real nice and good prices out there.
Far from having any clue on taking pics or editting them, but the camera is easy to use and has alot of features. I take it fishing and have no worries about it getting wet. Even dropped it in a bucket of saltwater as a test and worked fine.
Takes good photos in my opinion, plus easy to download and fix with the software included.
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Hi Paul,
Here are my thoughts ...
I will buy some decent cheapy digital for the boat. I have that covered.
I am looking at the Canon DSLR. Which one do you suggest ... I think I know the painful $$$ answer already.
Thanks,
Ed
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I have to show you my wife's Nikon D80 I bought her..... Way to nice for the boat tho.
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Hi Dennis,
That is my other choice ...
That will not go on the boat ...
Ed
PS - I will PM you in a few minutes ... waiting for a call back from a potential charter to confirm Saturday or not.
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Hi Ed,
Sorry fore the slow return on the post.
Canon has a really great package through B&H Photo and Video it is one of the new Rebels the XTi/400D, 10.1 Mb. The body, EOS 18 - 55mm lens and 2mb compac flash card all for $772.95
This camera will take any of the EOS lenses besides the one that comes with the kit.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494375-REG/Canon__EOS_Digital_Rebel_XTi.html
You can also check out the accessories on that page as well.
I hope this helps.
Happy Catching
Paul
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Hi Paul,
All my high end film equipment is Cannon and many of the lenses will interchange with some/most DLSRs.
If I wanted to spend between $1-2K, would you change your suggestion to an EOS ???
Thanks,
Ed
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Hi Ed,
I know you suggested between 1 - 2 but the one I have had my eye on is the 5D great camera and this is for the body only you might be able to talk them into the card as well I would suggest a 4 Gig card with this camera.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397314-REG/Canon_0296B002_EOS_5D_Digital_Camera.html
Remember this is for the body only. This is a pro camera no flash built in so you might factor that in a strobe as well if night shots are in order.
Like I said I have been looking very seriously at this camera for a while.
Happy Catching
Paul
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Hi Paul,
Yes - body only.
I was hoping you would say the 5D and not the 30D.
From rumors, Canon will announce its new line on or around August 20 or so.
I believe I am covered with lenses and strobes.
My needs are Raw files; total manual control; and good IQ. I have viewed many photos lately from some of the top of the line dSLRs and I must say they have come a long way. Maybe now I can retire the film cameras. Until recently, I was not willing to compromise the IQ just to go digital.
I like your choice of vendors as well.
Thanks,
Ed
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I have been dealing with them for over 15 years now and no regrets.
The 30D is like mine only with a bigger LCD I believe. It was good at the time but the 5D has many new features and is the one in my price range.
I wish I could afford the EOS-1DS Mark II, 16.7 Megapixel, but at over 6 grand it is way out in left field.
Paul
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Hi Paul,
The low light shots with the 5D are incredible. Also, at ISO 1600 it makes film look bad.
Being that only one camera has a larger sensor than the 5D, I like it.
Thanks,
Ed
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Hi Ed,
I have to agree. Yeah it is a little pricey for me right now, but if I had my choice I would go for the 5D hands down.
I've seen the camera in action and it is incredible. I agree it is the closest thing and in my mind surpasses film in many ways. They have the noise problem pretty much under control with the new sensors today and advanced algorithms factored into the total picture.
It is a little heavier than mine but the extra weight is forgotten when you see the results.
If you get the 5D can I come over and play? lol
Happy Catching
Palu
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Hi Paul,
I will wait until after the third week in August to see if they announce the 5D replacement or wait until Feb or Aug 2008 to do so.
If they announce the "new" 5D, I would imagine we can save a few $$$.
Thanks,
Ed
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Hi Ed,
So true.
I was hoping something would have slipped out at the last Photo Show in Germany but nothing.
Happy Catching
Paul