Digital Cameras

karlT · 29 October 2002, 18:25

Santa should be here soon!

I am hoping to get a new camera (currently have a kodak DC100) and would like some advice from those of you who post regular photo files!

What type of cameras are you using?

Do you use underwater housings or 'take a chance'?

How many shots can you store on each memory card?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

batfalcon · 29 October 2002, 18:43

Please keep it simple. Don't confuse us with models, accesories extra features etc.
I' m expecting a Canon G2 soon. Isn't it Manos ?

Jizm · 29 October 2002, 18:53

I've always used Fuji film ones, they have come right down in price now. I don't bother with a cover as it may prevent a decent picture if covered in water, any way isn't that what house insurance is for?

Charles · 29 October 2002, 19:08

There is a massive thread elsewhere on the subject. Do a search and thou shallt find

Keith Hart · 29 October 2002, 19:48

Take a look at Jessops site and compare loads of digital cameras:

http://www.jessops.co.uk/

Keith (snapper) Hart

Brian · 29 October 2002, 19:58

Free digital camera.

I have an old Kodak DC120. So old that when you take a photograph, Cartier-Bresson himself pops out of the woodwork and says "Bon deragateur, monsiuer".
You are also in danger, everytime you raise the camera to your eyes, of being mistaken for a Mister Spock at a trekkie convention.
It has a small blemish (which may just be a spot of dried seawater), in the inside of the middle of the lens.

Anyway, anyone who would like me to post it to them FOC, pl. e-mail me your address. First come....etc.

(What will this saddo do next to attract an electric communication from a normal human being?).

geoff · 29 October 2002, 20:19

I use a Kodak DC5000. Waterproof, bomb proof and RIB proof. In my opinion the only camera worth going to sea with.

Keith Hart · 29 October 2002, 20:21

Quote:

Cartier-Bresson himself pops out of the woodwork and says "Bon deragateur, monsiuer".

Brian, and here you can see some of his work:

http://www.photology.com/bresson/

Keith (just being helpful) Hart

Richard B · 29 October 2002, 22:14

Karl,

This is a very fast moving technology sector, but it's all slowed down over the last twelve months. What I would advise anyone to do before buying a digital camera, is buy a copy of "PC Pro" - they have an "A-list" of recommended products which is updated as they review new kit, and they don't just tick off the features, they really use them. And the December issue has a feature on (yes, you guessed it...) digital cameras!

Anyway, a few direct answers...

What type of cameras are you using?
Fuji ix100 (it's also marketed under other brands)

Do you use underwater housings or 'take a chance'?
I "take a chance" as the camera only cost me £99 in 2001, and retails at under £70 now. The housings can cost more than the camera!

How many shots can you store on each memory card?
With my camera, a 32mb smart media holds about 90ish at full resolution, but my camera's only 1.3 megapixel, so this would decrease on a better camera.

I'll be probably be replacing it next year... possibly with a Canon Powershot A40 - the 3x optical zoom and outstanding image quality being major reasons. But there may be an even better camera by then!

When you look at the pics in the gallery section here, bear in mind that all the image files are reduced to under 100k, so you can't compare one camera against another very well... (my images don't need much size reduction as they're already quite small).

HTH,
rich.

Mike Garside · 30 October 2002, 08:20

My piece of digital hardware is the Jenoptik TinyCam Jendigital 2. It combines digital camera, PC camera and Digital Camcorder.

Got it from Tesco On-line via comparative shopping web site www.kelkoo.co.uk

It cost an amazing £39.99.

...and I just LERVE it...

Tiger · 30 October 2002, 08:52

I use a Fuji 601 with the standard 16mb card i get 40+ pics at a standard level. The 64mb card was a great investment, and alows 5 mins+ of video depending on settings.
Video on the fuji is very good.

Overall easy to use, download etc.

I dont use a cover, I store it in my personal gear flare box in a cloth to reduce shock loads and try not to use it when it will get wet.

Friend has had one die due to water, but he was white water rafting, but the photos recorded onto the card were recovered!!!

I bought mine at on the internet as I knew what I wanted (internetcamearsdirect I think, use the search engine) and use you credit card to get protection in case the company you decide on goes bust (maybe insurance too).

I have lots of dingy sailing stuff that has come out really well, if only I knew how to make more use of the images on my PC!!!

Tiger

Brian · 30 October 2002, 09:38

Another little thoughette here is this.
Some of these cameras can also take 10-15 second movies. These can be downloaded to your PC and using a free product like Windows Movie Maker, you can add music and commentary, stitch bits of film together and make yourself a little movie.
We have a gallery on RIB.NET, does space permit the upload of movies, John?
Then, all those wilh broadband (or a lot of patience), can sit at home in winter and watch others' Cecil B. de Mille's productions

Daniel · 30 October 2002, 10:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Pepper
... possibly with a Canon Powershot A40 - the 3x optical zoom and outstanding image quality being major reasons

Yep... got one of them, it's excelent.

I invested a further £100 in the waterproof case which allows ALL functions to work to depts of 30m.

With the 256 meg card i can take... well i've never taken that many... about 300 images at max quality. (2 mega pixel & 1280x1024 i think).

Camera cost about £200.

If anyone wants to know i could dig out the places i got both - just give me a shout!

Daniel

Alan · 30 October 2002, 15:47

I have a Fuji 2600 Zoom. 6x optical zoom, 2 megapixel. Tend to use it on the 1 megapix setting to make the files a manageable size. Fairly pleased with it so far but do find it a bit slow on action shots. (i.e. I've got nice photo's of RIB wakes when I was aiming for a photo of a RIB!). I'm sure in the way of techie things its now completely out of date or at the very least available for half the price I paid for it last year!

As an example of what it can do I attach a rather nice photo. Bonus points for anyone who can make a reasonable guess as to where it is!

Brian · 30 October 2002, 16:12

It's either somewhere on the east coast........or..........not in the UK at all. Which?

Alan · 30 October 2002, 16:26

Warm! Its in the UK.

karlT · 30 October 2002, 16:48

Daniel,

I have looked at Jessops site who quote £230 for the Canon powershot A40.

They also have the underwater housing for £149?

Can you let me know where you purchased yours as it was a lot cheaper.

Cheers
Karl

Julian · 30 October 2002, 16:57

Hi Alan

Is it on the Isle Of Wight some where. Am i warm.

Julian

Manos · 30 October 2002, 17:09

Mihali looks like I'll be in Greece begining of next week for 1 day with THE CAMERA!!! You better come and see me otherwise will keep it. The cam looks GREAT!!!

Manos · 30 October 2002, 17:22

KArl I use a small cam have never heard of the make (have left it in Greece and when I get there I'll tell you how's is called), I take photos with it all the time and is very good.
PRICE 7 years ago £ 60.00
It depends what you wnat a camera for. I also have an Olympus Digital Video and a Sony analog video with the housing.
I dive a lot and have taken some good shots. However, don't get the chance to use them much. I think for the investment it wasn't worth it.
I like my little digi camera takes shots which are wonderfull.
I attache a photo I took from the RIB while in Lefkas (Ionian Sea) in Greece the past summer.