Digital cameras.
 

I'm thinking about getting a new digital camera. The one that I have now, an older Sony Cybershot, is pretty good, about 2.5 megapixels, not too huge, etc. But I'd like one with better resolution and with a thinner case. Does anyone have recommendations for a dig cam in the $300 range? I don't want an SLR. I'd like the camera to have a good balance of thin case and small size to large lens size.

Digital cameras.
 

I have a Casio Exilim with a 3.2 megapixel CCD. I got it because it is TINY: at the time I bought it, it was the smallest thing on the market. I have traveld with it pretty extensively as a backup/point -and-shoot to our SLR, and it's awesome. It's the size of a small stack of credit cards, and takes pics suitable for framing. Another plus, it has one of the bigger LCD's in the industry, which is very helpful for editing.

Canon Powershot s400
 

4 mega pixels and relatively small size. Prices are coming down too. Very happy here.

Digital cameras.
 

I think Nikon has a small point and shoot with 5 megapixles and a 3x optical zoom. I am pretty sure it's in your price range. I have always shot Nikon products and haven't been disappointed yet, over a twenty-plus year span.

Digital cameras.
 

I don't have a view on these, but can suggest a couple of places to go:

For the best reviews on the web, try Steve's Digicams ; for good prices, try either Adorama or B & H . If you do a shop-bot search, you may find a couple of places marginally cheaper (and it will usually only be marginally), but Adorama and B&H are much better at following through (as in delivering what you order in a timely fashion) and standing by their products.

Digital cameras.
 

Another place is dpreview.com. And, yes, it's worth paying a few extra bucks to B&H or Adorama to get honest people and avoid headaches.

As for the Elph, I've been pretty happy with my S200 (an older model), although I've started to learn some of its limitations, (although those may be inherent to all P&S cameras--e.g., no fill flash; no forced flash.

Digital cameras.
 

Aren't you a "film or death" guy who shoots to film and asks for a CD? I'm a Nikon snob, too, but you've previously expressed disdain for All Things Bright and Digital. Have you come over to the dark side?

Digital cameras.
 

I recently went back to film. I forgot how much better the colors are. And how much better shots I can get when I don't have to [press button .........[wait].........[wait]........[cli...no.. click].....[save]].

I still keep the digital around, and it's very handy for a lot of things. (Canon S40, BTW, nice, solid camera, but kind of big. - I was playing with a friends Canon A30 this weekend - very nice a light, but no idea what the resolution is. Could be a good choice.)

Anyway, my return to film has led me to think about finally getting that Nikon F3 body I've always wanted. 20 years old and they're still $200+, $400+ with a motor drive and lens. Hmmmm.

Digital cameras.
 

Psst. A secret.

Try the Minolta 5 or Minolta 7 and one of the HS flashes. The lighting system will make more of a difference to your photos than having the ability to get over 3000 different lenses that Nikon and Cannon offer. Unless you're buying a professional lighting kit with your Nikon or Cannon. Or unless you're mostly taking bird pictures with 2 ton lens.

Digital cameras.
 

Agree on the Maxxum 7. The value that Nikon and Canon have is network interoperability--many more lenses--and legacy benefits--no lost investment in lenses. Neither is of any import to me, as I started with a Maxxum years back, and I don't have a source to swap lenses with (e.g., a news photog pool) or need to rent them. Minolta has plenty of lenses in its line to cover everything I could want to do, regardless of whether I could afford it (e.g., the 300/2.8 AD lens)

Digital cameras.
 

Yes, I will count myself filthy rich the day I can justify the purchase of this lens to my spouse.

http://www.cambridgeworld.com/Minolt...300mm_tele.jpg

We can all dream.

Digital cameras.
 

Agreed. There's just something about a Nikon. It's like an SUV instead of a minivan - I know that the minivan does everything I need it to, but the guy next to me driving the Grand Cherokee / shoting with a Nikon is still going to snear.

In my mid-teens, my geek gear lust focused on three things: a Nikon F3, a Gretsch guitar and a Saab convertible. I could, in theory, afford all three at this point, if I didn't have a perfectly functional Minolta X-370, an American Strat and a lovely sedan. Of the three, I'm most likely to pull off the F3 these days. Or the Saab. Assuming Saab comes back to reality and starts asking the $35k they're worth new instead of $48k.

Digital cameras.
 

Look at the Minolta 7 before committing. There is a wireless flash that automatically does a 1:2 sync, which means you can get professional lighting quality off a fairly normal flash. And it means you get to be the dude who sticks a flash on the corner of the stage during your kid's play and runs around getting great shots in the middle of the performance -- mildly obnoxious, yes, but the kids and about half the other Dad's think you're cool, and the pictures are 10x what the other parents get.

Digital cameras.
 

Why are you buying a camera to impress someone else (who may shoot a canon and sneer at your nikon)?

Think like you do about computers. Do you want to run windows on a Dell or use an iMac?

Digital cameras.
 

If I stay with Minolta I'm sticking with my X-370. It takes great pictures and in the non-autofocus, auto-exposure realm its very highly considered, perhaps second only to the Nikons (and maybe the Canon T series, but the Canons aren't as hardy). At this point I have no interest in a remote flash, although the X-370 will take one. I don't like flash photography much anyway, and tend to concentrate outdoors. I'm sure as school plays become more prevalent in my life, this will change.

BTW, if anyone has a kid, etc. interested in learning analog photography, I recommend the 370 or its big brother the X-700. Both are solid, basic, easy to use and understand SLRs that take great pictures. And I understand you can get one cheap on eBay. Minolta apparently made the 370 for years and years, so almost new ones are available. They were packaged with a 50mm lens that's pretty good, but a wide variety were available for it.

Digital cameras.
 

Has a Canon owner ever really sneered at a Nikon?

Why do people by vintage Ferrarris when a Honda Accord will better them in every objective measurement at a fraction of the price? Just because.

I don't really have much investment sunk into my current set up (two lenses, one body, everything else is not camera specific (flash/tripod/etc.). And Nikon lenses and accessories are easier to come by and likely to be supported longer than just about anything else on the planet. So it's not completely irrational. Especially since AF holds no charm for me.

So I'm keeping a lookout for a good cheap F3 body and a blue thin body semi-hollow Gretsch, but I'm in no hurry.

Digital cameras.
 

Sounds like you should go the alt route to camera cool and get yourself a large format with a dark-cloth. Then sneer at those silly F-3s.

Digital cameras.
 

One word: Pinhole.

If you're going old-skool, I've got no dog in the fight. I started with the original Maxxum, which I used essentially manually (while only the eye focuses faster, only a snail moves slower), and have been all the happier with my 7. No idea what the older minoltas or nikons hold.

Digital cameras.
 

Personally, I view cameras as toys, and enjoy playing with just about all of them, but the Maxxum 7 has become my favorite. But I keep a supply of various dusty ebay purchases around, in all kinds of formats, and am happy to play with any camera.

The drawback to playing with Nikon's and Canon's, however, is that their greatest plus is the great lens selection, which means you have to sink thousands into them to get the most out of them. Thats thousands you don't get to play with elsewhere.

I see your pinhole and raise you by a Holga.

Digital cameras.
 

We're playing different games of poker,here, but just so you know, occasionally I think it cool to smear some silver on a glass plate and see what develops.

As for photography, I agree on the toy stuff, but I also think it's important to recognize that the goal is to get the image you want. While cameras of 25 years ago did that capably, the cameras of today are even better, between autoexposure, autofocus, autowind, and a host of other features. But that doesn't mean it's a point and shoot--knowing how to use those features still counts. I just don't see the fun in having to tote out a light meter to ensure the right exposure, and then pre-focus to take an action shot, ensuring that the action in fact is on the right plane (or blow out the DOF).

Digital cameras.
 

Way cool.

Digital cameras.
 

BTW, light meter on the Maxxum 7 is another competitive advantage - the honeycomb essentially builds in a zone system analysis of the image.

(and where's Bilmore - he's usually into this stuff?)

Digital cameras.
 

Catsup-
I'll see your pinhole and Holga and raise you by a Diana. Hipshots with plastic cameras are fun. Gotta love those light leaks. I did some searching on eBay and discovered that my plastic cameras are worth more than my old Rollies.

As for learning old skool photography, you can't beat the Pentax K1000. Bodies and lenses are easy to come by on the used the market.

Anne
Who, over the years, sunk thousands into her Nikon lens collection and doesn't regret a penny.

Digital cameras.
 

I hadn't compared it to other current offerings, but I cannot overstate the improvement from my original maxxum. The exposures have almost always been right, except when I've screwed around with some really weird long exposures. It's remarkable, and I've given up bracketing in all but the rarest situations (although it's really quite easy to do on the 7, as well).

Digital cameras.
 

Oh, if I weren't spoken for, I'd offer to show you my Graphic View if you would show me your Rollies.

Digital cameras.
 

If you've ever used the screen where it maps out the image by the differing exposures throughout the picture, it can really let you do a lot. If you're doing black and whites, esp., it lets you pretty much choose your zone and adjust accordingly. I've had some shots I've adjusted by +/- 3 or 4 to nail and gotten exactly what I wanted.

Digital cameras.
 

You're in Boston, ever been to Photographica?

Digital cameras.
 

One of the many excellent features I've yet fully to take advantage of. If it weren't for work, I might know how to use all the useful tools. I am collecting all the exposure data, though, so I can go back and see what I did wrong.

Digital cameras.
 

No - details?

Digital cameras.
 

Annual show for antique/used/junk cameras. There's a bit of everything there. This year it's on October 23-24 in Waltham. There's conflicting info on the website as to location. Hunt's usually has the flyers. I've gotten some great stuff there over the years.

New iPod
 

Got one for my birthday. Why didn't you fuckers tell me how cool these things are?

New iPod
 

New iPod
 

My bad. Namaste.

Digital cameras.
 

I have an East German Pentax knock off that is pretty cool. Its an SLR stripped down to the complete basics. It has a light meter, but it's not integrated to the shutter control, so it's a bit of a pain to take action shots with. First you have to decide on a shutter speed, then adjust the f-stop, then readjust the shutter speed if you're too high or low, then readjust the f-stop. Old, old skool. It might be a Pentax K1000 direct knock off. Does the K1000 have auto-exposure?

Takes nice sharp pictures, though. And it's rock solid. It's got a mechanical shutter and only uses the battery for the light meter, so you can still take shots with a dead battery, albeit hit or miss.

Digital cameras.
 

There is nothing automatic about the K1000, which is what makes it such a great learning camera. Unfortunately they stopped production in 1997 but there are plenty available on eBay.

Lots of technical info can be found here.

Digital cameras.
 

Very interesting site. He also has a page for my Practica MTL3. Turns out it's not a Pentax clone (as it was described to me when I bought it), but rather a fairly decent camera in its own right. Has a screw mount instead of a bayonette mount. Otherwise, though, it looks like a pretty equivelent camera to the K1000, with the addition of an aperture preview button.

Digital cameras.
 

Cool. He has my Mamiya 1000 as well.

Bye Bye ATT
 

So after 10 years - 10 YEARS with ATT (formerly Cellular One) and bitching about service in the city (I get great signal strength everywhere but in the city) and waiting for GSM to roll out, I have abandonned ship and jumped to Verizon. So far, so good. I will note, that the Motorola V710 - while it has an awesome screen - has a real sweet spot on the earpiece. If it's off just a tiny bit, the voice quality drops - sounds like the caller is in a can. Same for the Samsung and LG phones that I tried out.
It takes a pretty good picture - better than the husband's Samsung. And it's light for it's size. I charged it on Sunday and still have full battery reading. It has Bluetooth capability, but I don't know whether that will be useful or not. Anyone else really use it on their cell?

Bye Bye ATT
 

Nice phone. I would check out recent press about the implimentation of BT, which Verizon has seen fit to cripple significantly.

I use BT daily, both for syncing data (I have BT on my Dell notebook at work and on my PowerBook at home) and with a wireless headset (mot hs-810). The latter is, for me, the killer app: once you use a wireless headset, you will laugh at all of the clowns using wired headsets. It's really that cool.

Using the phone as a wireless moden for a BT-enabled PC is also a terrific use, though, thanks to verizon you won't be able to do it. You get GPRS and/or EDGE speeds on GSM phones, which is about what I remember dial-up being. it's not perfect, but its better than nothing. Truth be told, I'd rather use WAP over GPRS, and leave the notebook packed until I get to a hotel/hotspot.

Google SMS
 

Google has rolled out a new service that allows you to do searches via SMS from your mobile phone: read about it here.