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Help I can not Decide and Hate it ! ! ! ! !

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xzebra

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I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest problem is money or lack of. I want a camera that can give me the best of both worlds but dont want to spen top dollar. I just dont see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can buy a real camera for about $500 less. So I am in a tough spot now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050 which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon G2 but that is a little pricey for me. I dont want to spend more that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible. So what are your opinions and thoughts?

I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8 lens. Is it that big of a difference?

Thanks again to all who help my strugling decision!!!!!
 
xzebra said:
I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less.
Click to expand...
Are you claiming a digital camera is not a real camera? ;)

Sure, you can get a film camera dirt cheap compared to a digital. Maybe that is what you need. You're not explaining your expectations and needs very well, so its hard to give any form of advice.
xzebra said:
So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me.
Click to expand...
That's quite a range of cameras, from pocketable to huge.
xzebra said:
I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible.
Click to expand...
Best possible for what? Do you do studio work? Architecture? Landscapes? Tourist style shooting? Portraits? Candids? Do you like to be in control of every aspect of the photo or do you prefer automatics to help you with technical details? Will you sell photos? Make large prints? Email pictures? Post on the web?

You need to decide what you will use the camera for, and from there decide what you can't live without and what compromises you can make.

I do primarily concerts, artistic photography, architecture, portraits and model shoots, so I tailored my decision after that. In addition I am a control freak and will not let the camera decide anything if I can help it. This made my choice clear for me. You have to make your decision based on your own tradeoffs.
xzebra said:
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?
Click to expand...
It's 1 stop of difference; the same as going from ISO 400 to ISO 200.

--
Jesper
 
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of. I want a camera that can give me the
best of both worlds but dont want to spen top dollar. I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less. So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me. I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible. So what
are your opinions and thoughts?
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?

Thanks again to all who help my strugling decision!!!!!
Click to expand...
" I just dont see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can buy a real camera for about $500 less."

What's a "real camera?" And why buy a digital camera if a "real camera" is somehow superior?

If by "real camera" you mean a film camera, yes they are considerably less expensive than a digital camera for similar use. The trade-off is convenience and less cost if you take lots of pictures.

The old saying "you get what you pay for" is somewhat true here. You don't "always" get what you pay for, but you will "pay for what you get." There is no free lunch with digital or film cameras. The more expensive types have more features and more capabilities. The less expensive types with digital are similar to less expensive 35mm film cameras, they tend to be point and shoot types. There are a number of all around quality digital cameras for the $700 range. Whether you need a fast lens or not (both F2.0 and F2.8 are relatively fast lenses) depends on whether or not you want to shoot in lower light. Also, you need to consider whether you need more zoom or less zoom (optical zoom) and whether you intend to shoot extreme macros or extreme telephotos. If you want the extremes, then you need one of the CP series Nikons like the CP995 or CP4500. The CP995 is 3.34 megapixels and the CP4500 is 4 megapixels.They are the best candidates for both super closeup and super telephoto. Neither has a very fast lens so they don't do as well in low light. The camera retails for $695 and can be found for about $600.

If you can get by with less extreme telephoto or macro, then a camera like the Fuji S602Z is a very good all around performer with 6x 38-210mm optical zoom and very good macro. It has a good fast lens, works well in low light and uses both SmartMedia and CF including microdrive. The S602Z is a 3.2 megapixel camera which also has a 6 megapixel interpolated mode. This camera sells for around $699.

For the fastest lens and best low light use the Sony DSC-F707 at 5 megapixels and 5x optical zoom to 190mm. This camera can shoot in total darkness, takes great images and can be purchased for considerably less than the $995 retail price. These are just some suggestions - obviously there are many more excellent possibilities.

Lin

--
http://208.56.82.71
 
it's a 4 MP with 4x optical zoom -- might be your best value. Quite a bit cheaper than G2
 
I figured that a 36 exp. roll of good slide film with development and (part of) a storage tray cost me around $18. Every time I pressed the shutter button I heard this 'Ka-ching! $.50!' go off in my head.

Seems to me that if you buy your film and have it developed at a discount store you're still going to be spending around $10 for a roll and small prints.

Twenty rolls a year could be $200 - $350.

Don't forget to add in shooting costs when calculating the cost of a 'cheaper' film camera.
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of
Click to expand...
--
bob
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
pictures from Thailand, Myanmar(Burma), and Nepal
 
BobTrips said:
I figured that a 36 exp. roll of good slide film with development
and (part of) a storage tray cost me around $18. Every time I
pressed the shutter button I heard this 'Ka-ching! $.50!' go off in
my head.

Seems to me that if you buy your film and have it developed at a
discount store you're still going to be spending around $10 for a
roll and small prints.

Twenty rolls a year could be $200 - $350.

Don't forget to add in shooting costs when calculating the cost of
a 'cheaper' film camera.
Click to expand...
Good point Bobtips...I guess I never looked at it like that.
Member said:
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of
Click to expand...
--
bob
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
pictures from Thailand, Myanmar(Burma), and Nepal
Click to expand...
 
TheSwede said:
xzebra said:
I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less.
Click to expand...
Are you claiming a digital camera is not a real camera? ;)

Sure, you can get a film camera dirt cheap compared to a digital.
Maybe that is what you need. You're not explaining your
expectations and needs very well, so its hard to give any form of
advice.
theswede #100093 said:
So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me.
Click to expand...
That's quite a range of cameras, from pocketable to huge.
theswede #100093 said:
I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible.
Click to expand...
Best possible for what? Do you do studio work? Architecture?
Landscapes? Tourist style shooting? Portraits? Candids? Do you like
to be in control of every aspect of the photo or do you prefer
automatics to help you with technical details? Will you sell
photos? Make large prints? Email pictures? Post on the web?
Click to expand...
I would like to be able to shot Landscapes, Architecture, Artistic type photos and some sports here and there. Also I want something that will be decent for macros but that is not the strongest point.
theswede #100093 said:
You need to decide what you will use the camera for, and from there
decide what you can't live without and what compromises you can
make.

I do primarily concerts, artistic photography, architecture,
portraits and model shoots, so I tailored my decision after that.
In addition I am a control freak and will not let the camera decide
anything if I can help it. This made my choice clear for me. You
have to make your decision based on your own tradeoffs.
Click to expand...
I do want some control over the camera!!!
theswede #100093 said:
theswede #100093 said:
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?
Click to expand...
It's 1 stop of difference; the same as going from ISO 400 to ISO 200.

--
Jesper
Click to expand...
 
xzebra said:
TheSwede said:
xzebra said:
I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less.
Click to expand...
Are you claiming a digital camera is not a real camera? ;)

Sure, you can get a film camera dirt cheap compared to a digital.
Maybe that is what you need. You're not explaining your
expectations and needs very well, so its hard to give any form of
advice.
xzebra said:
So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me.
Click to expand...
That's quite a range of cameras, from pocketable to huge.
xzebra said:
I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible.
Click to expand...
Best possible for what? Do you do studio work? Architecture?
Landscapes? Tourist style shooting? Portraits? Candids? Do you like
to be in control of every aspect of the photo or do you prefer
automatics to help you with technical details? Will you sell
photos? Make large prints? Email pictures? Post on the web?
Click to expand...
I would like to be able to shot Landscapes, Architecture, Artistic
type photos and some sports here and there. Also I want something
that will be decent for macros but that is not the strongest point.
Click to expand...
I also would like it to be able to do decent night time shots!!!
xzebra said:
xzebra said:
You need to decide what you will use the camera for, and from there
decide what you can't live without and what compromises you can
make.

I do primarily concerts, artistic photography, architecture,
portraits and model shoots, so I tailored my decision after that.
In addition I am a control freak and will not let the camera decide
anything if I can help it. This made my choice clear for me. You
have to make your decision based on your own tradeoffs.
Click to expand...
I do want some control over the camera!!!
xzebra said:
xzebra said:
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?
Click to expand...
It's 1 stop of difference; the same as going from ISO 400 to ISO 200.

--
Jesper
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
xzebra said:
BobTrips said:
I figured that a 36 exp. roll of good slide film with development
and (part of) a storage tray cost me around $18. Every time I
pressed the shutter button I heard this 'Ka-ching! $.50!' go off in
my head.

Seems to me that if you buy your film and have it developed at a
discount store you're still going to be spending around $10 for a
roll and small prints.

Twenty rolls a year could be $200 - $350.

Don't forget to add in shooting costs when calculating the cost of
a 'cheaper' film camera.
Click to expand...
Good point Bobtips...I guess I never looked at it like that.
Click to expand...
Even if you are going to print some pictures, not every picture is a keeper. With film, you have to pay the same whether you have 36 stunning prize winning photographs, or 36 pictures of your thumb.

Note in terms of costs of printing, I believe it is cheaper to send out 4x6's to a commercial photo place (like walmart.com) than it is to print the pictures on an inkjet printer (for 8x10's I believe it may be cheaper to print them yourself after your amortize the printer). I view it as Walmart lets me borrow their $40,000 Fuji printer from time to time (and the quality is much better than I can achieve on the printers I have in the house). Note, a lot of brick and mortar stores charge really high rates for prints.
 
While there are many good cameras to choose from. And while I own both Olympus and Canon for 35mm film, I chose the Fuiji 602 - a very SLR like, fast, accurate 3+MP digital priced at ~$6-700. Then again, you have to budget for AA rechargeable batteries and memory cards. I am very happy with 8X10s from it, shooting action, landscapes and people. If this interests you, check out the reviews ( http://www.imaging-resource.com as well), owner opinions and many posts and owners' galleries in the Fuji forum.

I don't know what type of shooting you do, but it offers a lot of control. The guy in this picture sure liked it (reduced for web). Some cameras are better suited for certain types of shots than others. I think the Fuji, with 5 fps continuous full res excels at action shots whereas the Sony 707 for example, does better at low light shots (from what I have read). BTW, the faster glass of an F2 or 1.8 will help indoor low light shots but it should be coupled with high ISO, and good low light focussing. Good luck with your decision.
Seth
'Momma don't take my Kodachrome away', or for you Brits:
'Always look on the bright side of life'
http://www.pbase.com/seth

 
The S85 is slightly more than the Minolta but still a better buy than the G2. If you check out the review on this site, Phil rates the camera almost identically to the G2. (but better marks for image quality!)

Personally, if I were in the market for a camera in this class, I would buy the Sony.
 
Thanks alot.... Looks like a nice camera. I will have to definetely have to keep this one in mind!
bronson said:
The S85 is slightly more than the Minolta but still a better buy
than the G2. If you check out the review on this site, Phil rates
the camera almost identically to the G2. (but better marks for
image quality!)
Personally, if I were in the market for a camera in this class, I
would buy the Sony.
Click to expand...
 
I almost forgot about the Photokina show coming up on the 25th of this month.

I have a feeling Sony might introduce an new model (driving down the price of the S-85)
You might want to sit tight a couple of weeks to see what happens.

Phil will keep us up to date of the show on this site.
 
Oh yes....I have not forgotten about this. This one of the biggest reasons I have been patiently waiting. Not only for new cameras but some price changes also!
bronson said:
I almost forgot about the Photokina show coming up on the 25th of
this month.

I have a feeling Sony might introduce an new model (driving down
the price of the S-85)
You might want to sit tight a couple of weeks to see what happens.

Phil will keep us up to date of the show on this site.
Click to expand...
 
Too bad there wasnt something like the Minolta Diamage 7 i for around $600. That is one bad camera!!
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of. I want a camera that can give me the
best of both worlds but dont want to spen top dollar. I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less. So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me. I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible. So what
are your opinions and thoughts?
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?

Thanks again to all who help my strugling decision!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
xzebra said:
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of. I want a camera that can give me the
best of both worlds but dont want to spen top dollar. I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less. So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me. I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible. So what
are your opinions and thoughts?
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?

Thanks again to all who help my strugling decision!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Might since the D7 Hi is to be announced on 12th and shipping is scheduled for 5th oct.
 
That is true.....I have been thinking it will come down in price. Just how much is the key!
rikster said:
xzebra said:
xzebra said:
I still have yet to decide what camera I want to buy. My biggest
problem is money or lack of. I want a camera that can give me the
best of both worlds but dont want to spen top dollar. I just dont
see the point in spending $1000 on a digital camera when you can
buy a real camera for about $500 less. So I am in a tough spot
now. I like the Olympus C-4040 and the C-4000 (and the C-5050
which is not out yet). I also like the Olympus E-10 and the Canon
G2 but that is a little pricey for me. I dont want to spend more
that $650 if I dont have to but want the best possible. So what
are your opinions and thoughts?
I have noticed that some have a f2.0 lens and some have a f2.8
lens. Is it that big of a difference?

Thanks again to all who help my strugling decision!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Might since the D7 Hi is to be announced on 12th and shipping is
scheduled for 5th oct.
Click to expand...
 
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