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Poll: Which backup "pocket" camera is preferred

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james s. kennedy

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I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However, with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and experiences.

By the way, Happy New Year to all Fujitives. Along with my cameras, this forum is one of my joys. I can't count all of the valuable tips I have gleaned from your messages, plus the inspiration from your artistry.
--
Jim Kennedy
 
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.

By the way, Happy New Year to all Fujitives. Along with my
cameras, this forum is one of my joys. I can't count all of the
valuable tips I have gleaned from your messages, plus the
inspiration from your artistry.
--
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
I find the Olympus D-520 makes a very good Pocket camera, fits nicely in my pant or coat pocket. It has a very good 5-15mm 8 element lens providing sharp 2mp shots. Also it only uses 2 AA batteries.

MrMagoo
 
I don't have any backup camera as yet, but if I were to get one today, it would probably be a Sony DSC-U20. I know, I know, it's closer to a toy than a camera - no viewfinder, impossibly small lcd screen, little or no manual control (not sure), and it takes memory sticks. But the cool factor is off the scale. And even though it's teeny tiny, it's actually handles quite well. The topper for me is the fact that it takes AAA batteries.
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.

By the way, Happy New Year to all Fujitives. Along with my
cameras, this forum is one of my joys. I can't count all of the
valuable tips I have gleaned from your messages, plus the
inspiration from your artistry.
--
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
 
As well as my 602, I've still got my Fuji MX1700 upright, the much older brother of the 601. I've had it for ages & its great. The unique package is an asset. If I could afford to update, it would be a 601. If you get one & don't like it, send it to me. I'll pay the postage!
BigWaveDave said:
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
S602Z, Raynox DCR-1850 tele, Sunpak 383 + MX1700Z
 
DomT said:
DomT said:
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
S602Z, Raynox DCR-1850 tele, Sunpak 383 + MX1700Z
Click to expand...
 
I know what you mean, can't lug that anchor around just for an occasional snapshot. I carry my Canon Digital Elph S300 everywhere (I think it's an S330 now). It's very small and with the optional Canon case it slides on my belt and I don't even know it's there. You can call it a pocket camera but I hate putting something like that in my pocket with lint, loose change and house keys. The pictures are terrific and actually has better color and a much better flash than my S602 although not as sharp. It even has a half way decent movie mode that I've used several times. I know Minolta, Sony, Oly, Toshiba and others make little cameras but nobody does it with as much style and class as Canon. I would have bought a Canon instead of the S602 but they don't have a camera with the features I want other than the very expensive D60.
 
Try the Fuji A303 - it's very compact and light. Costs about $60 more than the Olympus 520, but has 3 Mpixels instead of 2. Functionally similar to the others in the Fuji family and uses the same software.
 
DomT said:
As well as my 602, I've still got my Fuji MX1700 upright, the much
older brother of the 601. I've had it for ages & its great. The
unique package is an asset. If I could afford to update, it would
be a 601. If you get one & don't like it, send it to me. I'll pay
the postage!
Click to expand...
--
I purchased the 601 as a backup for my 6900, and have no regrets.

JohnD
F6900z F601z
http://www.earth-lights.net
http://www.pbase.com/john54d
 
Happy new year, Jim.

I always keep my liitle Oly C-990 in my jacket pocket when it's impractical to carry the 6900.

--
If comments and feedback brighten a photographers day, let there be light!
 
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.

By the way, Happy New Year to all Fujitives. Along with my
cameras, this forum is one of my joys. I can't count all of the
valuable tips I have gleaned from your messages, plus the
inspiration from your artistry.
--
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
--
Best Wishes,
Richard Dunn
Warwick UK
http://www.pbase.com/rmwd/galleries
 
Agreed,

any backup "pocket"camera should at least:
  • use THE SAME media as the main camera, to support interchangibility, and you don't have to invest on few different types of media
  • preferable pocketable, so there times when you just want to walk down the shopping center you can always carry it
or, if you transfer the data to the computer by connecting it direct (most people I know would rather buy a CF or Smartmedia USB reader rather than doing this), you should consider the same brand so you can use the same software already installed in your computer.

BM Perkasa
Azrifel said:
James S. Kennedy wrote:

That is what I am considering. The image quality is very good.

--
Sander [Fuji602 SonyP1]
http://www.azrifel.org
http://www.pbase.com/azrifel/
Click to expand...
 
Totally S230. A sleeper camera.
James S. Kennedy said:
I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? I would enjoy
hearing your preferences and experiences.
Click to expand...
--
eL
s230, cp4500, g2.
 
James S. Kennedy said:
I think the s602 and 6900z are terrific cameras, still the pick of
the litter until you get to the megabuck pro cameras. However,
with the extension tubes (I wouldn't dream of leaving home without
the tubes), they are not pocket cameras, hence they are not always
on my person. I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? My old Kodak
Retina IIa (folding 35mm camera with f2 lens)? Have any of you
considered this? I would enjoy hearing your preferences and
experiences.

By the way, Happy New Year to all Fujitives. Along with my
cameras, this forum is one of my joys. I can't count all of the
valuable tips I have gleaned from your messages, plus the
inspiration from your artistry.
--
Jim Kennedy
Click to expand...
Brio d-230 is my pocket cam purchased at wal-mart for $$99.00 brand new 2mp and super fast, requires no prefocas here's proof this was takin by my 4 year old daugter, just slide open the lens cover and shoot it's that fast.
--



c700/c2100/brio D-230(c2) fuji s602z and a p.o.s aiptek pen cam:) http://www.pbase.com/dennis7
 
Go the Canon.

My first digital camera (actually, my first camera) was the A10, and I have some fantastic photos taken with it. Small, sturdy, 3x zoom and pretty good on the batteries too... obviously its only 1.3MP, so you would go one of the newer models.

Damian
 
damned said:
Go the Canon.

My first digital camera (actually, my first camera) was the A10,
and I have some fantastic photos taken with it. Small, sturdy, 3x
zoom and pretty good on the batteries too... obviously its only
1.3MP, so you would go one of the newer models.

Damian
Click to expand...
The canons are nice the a20 gets good reviews.
--

c700/c2100/brio D-230(c2) fuji s602z and a p.o.s aiptek pen cam:) http://www.pbase.com/dennis7
 
elzolan said:
James S. Kennedy said:
I would like to have a camera, let's say about the
size of a pack of cigarette or slightly larger, that I could carry
always but that would also be capable of quality photos. Before I
got into digital, I tried APS, via the Nikon nuvis. Nice package
but disappointing photo quality. The 601 might fit the bill but I
am put off by its unique design. Canon s45 or 230? I would enjoy
hearing your preferences and experiences.
Click to expand...
--
eL
s230, cp4500, g2.
Click to expand...
that they tend to go out with you more than the main camera especially if they are small. Then you regularly get into a situation where you take the "perfect" picture and you can't enlarge it enough without it showing.

I had an S220 and a 6900 and pretty soon found myself carrying the s220 around more than the 6900. Problem was I couldn't enlarge to A4 if I got a great shot without it being visible. 8x6" was the largest with clarity.

Now the 601 will enlarge to borderless a4 with absolute sharpness and with many subjects (like portraits) to twice the size.

I have a small pocketable camera with manual controls which can take pictures worthy of the S602.
What do others think?
--
Best Wishes,
Richard Dunn
Warwick UK
http://www.pbase.com/rmwd/galleries
 
I have a Pentax Optio430 which I love. But I wouldn't buy the same camera again - the CCD is too good for the small lens and the Optio330 is as good (see tests on this site) - it has the same lens, body etc. It is credit card sized and takes excellent pictures and goes with me nearly everywhere. CF media switches between cameras without formatting and apart from 6MP, the cameras can read each others pictures.

Try to find the original Optio330 - I was looking at the 330GS in a shop two days ago and it looks bigger.

--
Dave
 
The Carl Zeiss lens is pretty sharp and the compact camera is easy to use.
 
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