Childrens digital camera

I have three children 12,10, and 9.We are going to have a three week trip to South Africa - involving mainly safaris etc.

I have my Eos 10 D, could anyone suggest one good or three cheaper digital cameras that are robust, good quality and easy to use - I know, a lot to ask!!

I have a car adapter for everyday plugs so battery charging no problem. I also need a storage device either Apacer Steno CD writer? or a hard drive- I really need to know how much they can be abused.

Also do you have any advice regarding SA - we are going to be in the Zulu natal region.

I do feel the kids lost out not taking photos in the past. Start'em young!!

Thanks

Shooting animals without some zoom is pretty frustrating. I'd do a search and see if you can find some 2 meg Fuji long zooms for sale. They also use AAs so that makes a few sets of NiMH AAs reasonable.

If you've got some more money to spend then there's the Panasonic FZ1 - a 12x image stabilized lens. That could reach right in to the waterhole and bring back a trophy.

Two meg cameras are going to make great album shots, be more than enough for the screen and kids that age are probably going to be very happy with 8"x10"s printed at 150 dpi.

Digital cameras and portable hard drives are just like any other piece of electronic equipment. Don't use them for hockey pucks.

I'd just get a good case that will hold all the cameras and PHD/burner and dispense the cameras when needed and hyperactivity is not prevailing. Set some simple rules about how to take care of one's camera, return camera to case if rules aren't being followed.

pickle said:

I have three children 12,10, and 9.We are going to have a three
week trip to South Africa - involving mainly safaris etc.

I have my Eos 10 D, could anyone suggest one good or three cheaper
digital cameras that are robust, good quality and easy to use - I
know, a lot to ask!!

I have a car adapter for everyday plugs so battery charging no
problem. I also need a storage device either Apacer Steno CD
writer? or a hard drive- I really need to know how much they can be
abused.

Also do you have any advice regarding SA - we are going to be in
the Zulu natal region.

I do feel the kids lost out not taking photos in the past.
Start'em young!!

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

You might want to look at a used Oly 2100, it has a 10x optical IS lens. It is only 2mp, but the pictures are pretty nice. Plus I would bet you could pick one up for not too much.

Ed

BobTrips said:

If you've got some more money to spend then there's the Panasonic
FZ1 - a 12x image stabilized lens. That could reach right in to
the waterhole and bring back a trophy.

Two meg cameras are going to make great album shots, be more than
enough for the screen and kids that age are probably going to be
very happy with 8"x10"s printed at 150 dpi.

Digital cameras and portable hard drives are just like any other
piece of electronic equipment. Don't use them for hockey pucks.

I'd just get a good case that will hold all the cameras and
PHD/burner and dispense the cameras when needed and hyperactivity
is not prevailing. Set some simple rules about how to take care of
one's camera, return camera to case if rules aren't being followed.

pickle said:

I have three children 12,10, and 9.We are going to have a three
week trip to South Africa - involving mainly safaris etc.

I have my Eos 10 D, could anyone suggest one good or three cheaper
digital cameras that are robust, good quality and easy to use - I
know, a lot to ask!!

I have a car adapter for everyday plugs so battery charging no
problem. I also need a storage device either Apacer Steno CD
writer? or a hard drive- I really need to know how much they can be
abused.

Also do you have any advice regarding SA - we are going to be in
the Zulu natal region.

I do feel the kids lost out not taking photos in the past.
Start'em young!!

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Click to expand...

--
Ed
http://www.cbrycelea.com/photos/Index.html Old Pictures

Thanks - I have just looked at the prices and spec for the FZ2 and it looks very good. I think at the price it will just be the one to share but is probably the one to go for.

Your other ideas were great too.

I wont be doing any hockey but when you are living out of a canvas bag and a jeep the whole holiday with 3 large kids aaaghh - i just didn't know how robust these things are and if anyone had experience of size, usability in the field etc.

Thanks for the recommendation.

BobTrips said:

If you've got some more money to spend then there's the Panasonic
FZ1 - a 12x image stabilized lens. That could reach right in to
the waterhole and bring back a trophy.

Two meg cameras are going to make great album shots, be more than
enough for the screen and kids that age are probably going to be
very happy with 8"x10"s printed at 150 dpi.

Digital cameras and portable hard drives are just like any other
piece of electronic equipment. Don't use them for hockey pucks.

I'd just get a good case that will hold all the cameras and
PHD/burner and dispense the cameras when needed and hyperactivity
is not prevailing. Set some simple rules about how to take care of
one's camera, return camera to case if rules aren't being followed.

pickle said:

I have three children 12,10, and 9.We are going to have a three
week trip to South Africa - involving mainly safaris etc.

I have my Eos 10 D, could anyone suggest one good or three cheaper
digital cameras that are robust, good quality and easy to use - I
know, a lot to ask!!

I have a car adapter for everyday plugs so battery charging no
problem. I also need a storage device either Apacer Steno CD
writer? or a hard drive- I really need to know how much they can be
abused.

Also do you have any advice regarding SA - we are going to be in
the Zulu natal region.

I do feel the kids lost out not taking photos in the past.
Start'em young!!

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Click to expand...

I've been traveling with a PHD for over three years, top of the pickup, bus with bad springs, horse cart, etc. Just wrap it well when underway.

When traveling from place to place my PHD goes in my camera bag. When trekking I wrap it in a T-shirt and put it in the center of my backpack.

I carry enough cards to get me through the day, download at night (as I review my shots on LCD). Either PHD or CD burner should go on a nice steady surface while operating.

The other option that you might want to consider is a sub-notebook. I just picked up a small one that weighs less than four pounds, has a CD burner built in. Cost about $800 US. It would be quite a bit more than a PHD/burner but would give you viewing/editing capabilities and the ability to keep an electronic journal.

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Thanks these are really helpful hints. There are so many things to think about that any short cuts are worth their weight in gold.

I don't think I want to invest in a notebook but I think the PHD will have future use at home. Just which one to choose now!!!

I have 512,256,128 and 64 cards. I think a mixture of JPG's for general and RAW for the specials would allow a couple of days between transfer.

Sounds like you have travelled widely where would you suggest for another big holiday? With my tribe -

Thanks

BobTrips said:

I've been traveling with a PHD for over three years, top of the
pickup, bus with bad springs, horse cart, etc. Just wrap it well
when underway.

When traveling from place to place my PHD goes in my camera bag.
When trekking I wrap it in a T-shirt and put it in the center of my
backpack.

I carry enough cards to get me through the day, download at night
(as I review my shots on LCD). Either PHD or CD burner should go
on a nice steady surface while operating.

The other option that you might want to consider is a sub-notebook.
I just picked up a small one that weighs less than four pounds, has
a CD burner built in. Cost about $800 US. It would be quite a bit
more than a PHD/burner but would give you viewing/editing
capabilities and the ability to keep an electronic journal.

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Click to expand...

I second the Fuji long zooms. We have a 3800 which is 3.2 meg with a 6x optical, GREAT little camera. It comes with an adaptor so pick up an inexpensive polarizer at your local Ritz for $15 and you have a very capable outdoor camera, I recommend it highly and it's very, very simple to use. AA battery life is very good and the EVF makes shooting in bright sunlight a snap.

You may also be able to find the 2800 around as well, which is an older model but I don't believe it comes with an adapter for polarizer use.

--
Eric, Snapshooter
Canon G2/420ex, Fuji 3800
http://www.pbase.com/haglunde

BobTrips said:

If you've got some more money to spend then there's the Panasonic
FZ1 - a 12x image stabilized lens. That could reach right in to
the waterhole and bring back a trophy.

Two meg cameras are going to make great album shots, be more than
enough for the screen and kids that age are probably going to be
very happy with 8"x10"s printed at 150 dpi.

Digital cameras and portable hard drives are just like any other
piece of electronic equipment. Don't use them for hockey pucks.

I'd just get a good case that will hold all the cameras and
PHD/burner and dispense the cameras when needed and hyperactivity
is not prevailing. Set some simple rules about how to take care of
one's camera, return camera to case if rules aren't being followed.

pickle said:

I have three children 12,10, and 9.We are going to have a three
week trip to South Africa - involving mainly safaris etc.

I have my Eos 10 D, could anyone suggest one good or three cheaper
digital cameras that are robust, good quality and easy to use - I
know, a lot to ask!!

I have a car adapter for everyday plugs so battery charging no
problem. I also need a storage device either Apacer Steno CD
writer? or a hard drive- I really need to know how much they can be
abused.

Also do you have any advice regarding SA - we are going to be in
the Zulu natal region.

I do feel the kids lost out not taking photos in the past.
Start'em young!!

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Click to expand...

pickle said:

Sounds like you have traveled widely where would you suggest for
another big holiday? With my tribe -

Click to expand...

Most of my travel has been South East Asia, India, Nepal, Mexico and Central America (well, the US and Canada, as well...).

I'm very hooked on Asia, so let me recommend that you think about that part of the world. One of the best places to get your 'Asia legs' is Bali. Inexpensive, very friendly people, exotic, ocean beaches, rice fields and mountains.

From a photographer's viewpoint it's excellent. Spend a bit of time in one of the temples and you can get wonderful images of colorfully dressed people coming to make their offerings. Great lush landscapes. Totally surrounded by ocean vistas.

Culturally it's great. Lots of art, dance and music (although the music takes a bit of getting use to). The Balinese seem to be much more interested in art and music than business, especially in Ubud.

Asians love children and that's certainly true of Bali.

There's enough western culture (restaurants, etc.) that it's not as big a stretch for undeveloped western palates. Along with that there is excellent local food.

If you want to make a bigger jump into the 'not like home' places, then I'd recommend Myanmar. It's still largely non-westernized/modernized. Lots of opportunities to take photos of 'life as it used to be'.

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Two Hours in Delhi'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

I am considering a Minolta Z1 for my almost 10-year old boy.

Check it out.

--
Kent
San Francisco