Getting a new camera, old one was stolen....

[Scales Zoo]

Well, I've wanted to upgrade my camera for a while now - I guess since my trusted friend was stolen 2 days ago, it will prompt me to do it sooner. I've never had anything stolen, but I had really grown attatched to this camera, we had memories and 4000 pictures between us.

I've read all the threads about cameras on this forum, and got a lot of good info. I've also been doing reading on the net. I figured I'd ask about cameras again, as things are always changing.

At first we wanted another sony mavica series camera for the convenience. It isn't as convenient with the big pictures I'm thinking, and I'd like to go for bigger pictures so we can have some nice ones printed for resale. It looks as if some of the new cameras from them are really good.

I saw a Canon G3 tonight and liked it very much, and have been reading about the Canon G5 as well as a new one coming out, The Canon S1.

The Canon S1 has a 10x optical zoom (like my old camera) which I value for doing scenery and wildlife shots. It is a 3.2 mp cam.

However, I see the Canon G5, which is at 5mp - has a 4x optical zoom, (and a 4x digital zoom) - but with a 20$ adapter, I could get a $130 1.75 magnifying lense with it. I think cropping the 5mp images would get me a "closer" picture (far off trophy mule deer) than the 10x 3.2 mp - so the 10x zoom isn't much of selling point to me with the new camera (the lens is big, which is cool looking)

I'm looking at a G5 package on ebay, with extra battery, card reader and case for just under $1000. I'm thinking this is a good price for a camera that will make me happy for a couple of years (except when their price drops, after paying the current price).

Any suggestions about the G5 or similar cameras?

Any downfalls associated with the G5 you know of?

Anyone know a good place to buy a G5 for a good deal? Ebays been good to me in the past - I may snag the package one.

Does anyone feel sorry enough for me having my cherrished camera stolen - to start up a fund to buy me a new camera?

I mean come on, I take nice pictures - imagine if I get a really good camera what nice pictures I might post for your viewing pleasure. You can use them for desktop backgrounds.

Ryan

[chamitch]

man. if your gunna spend around a 1000 bucks i would go to this otehr digi. forget the name but at future shop it was 1400 bucks but u could get it cheaper on ebay. it was like a rebel g but digital. 6mp. u can change teh lenses with better bigger ones if u like. and with 6mp u can crop in like a billion times better.

its a little bit more of a investment but it is awesome man.

[chamitch]

here it is http://www.canon.ca/english/index-products.asp?lng=en&prodid=525&sgid=23&gid=2&ovr=1

and it takes test pictures for u so u can adjust the setting to the proper lighting. i just checked it out today and it blew my doors.


good luck

ohya and it could have ben not a rebel but just the eos. i dunno. check them out just for amuzment if nothign else

[Scales Zoo]

Thanks for the info Mitch.

I had considered a Canon EOS Rebel until very recently. With the SLR digitals, I would need a variety of lenses to suit my needs - but they would fit the film SLR's which I had also considered for doing slides. To do so, it would cost me close to $2500 - and when I have that much money sitting around, I'm guessing there will be insanely amazing cameras available, for less than that.

And for the slide show stuff, I could likely get a proxima or like digital picture projector - to go with the G5, for less than SLR combo and developing costs for slides. And powerpoint or other computer presentations would be much better than slide shows.

Anyone know anything about Proximas, or cheap laptops?

Ryan

[Scales Zoo]

I actually made my second post before you got your second post up, haha.

The Canon Rebels do look nice, and I am still considering it - but my gut feeling tells me the G5 would be more versatile and usable for my needs. The G3 I saw in action really impressed the hell out of me.

I'll read more about the Rebels - but my gut feeling tells me it may be too much camera for me at this point, when I am ready for a more advanced one, better ones will be available for cheaper.

I may be able to trade rodents for a film Rebel with some nice lenses and a bag, if so - the digital rebel may be the way to go.

Still undecided, but it looks as if it will be a Canon.

Thanks for the link Mitch

Ryan

[chamitch]

what lenses woudl u need? you can make it digital zoom in a amazign amount with a 6.3 mp. and couldnt u make slides with the digital aswell. jsut edit them how u want then take them to the photo shop?

i just know a little on cameras from my sister and using those SLRs a bit but those digital ones blow my mind. because to get good with teh settings with teh film ones is hard because u dont se teh results rigth away. but with the digital it is instant and u coudl become a better photographer faster.

i dunno g5 is pretty rad though. cant really go wrong. the digi SLR's are really entering a whole new realm of photography and of course cost.

But i was told other comapanys are tryign to brign out some cameras that can compeat with the cannon in that price range. so hopefully the price will go down to like 8 900. that would be awesome.

[Scales Zoo]

Digital zoom is crap for the most part, as far as I can tell. The SLR's need special lenses for macro, wide angle and zoom shots. Each lense new costs $100 - $300 - which is a hidden cost to the digital SLR's in my opinion.

They would be great for someone with a Canon EOS set up (with much invested in lenses),with a desire to move digital.

I think the G5's have some of the pre-enhancing features you mentioned - not that I would need to use those. Photoshop and similar programs can do all that stuff to digital pictures.

I never considered a film place being able to make regular slides out of my digital pictures (cropped and enhanced, maybe even with text), if that is a possibility - and I think it might be, that would really be very cool. Anyone know more about this?

Oh, still looking for cheap proximas or another alternative that will project computer slide show presentations on a screen.

Ryan

[chamitch]

with 6.3 u can crop in alot without any noticable difference. even with my 3.2 it is pretty good. but liek i said i am no pro. but wouldnt just teh normal zoom on the SLR be better then the G5?? i sound liek a salesman trying to pitch it too u or somthin.haha. and i dotn knwo much abotu the macro or zoom lenses.

i just seen that digi eos today. and am still exited over it. i just wish i could have one souped up. but the fact of the matter is i will only get a throw away one. haha

later man hopefully u are pleased with whatever u buy. new technology i sweet

[CB Shwa]

hey,
I have a canon rebel, and it is the most amazing camera, there is so much fun stuff you can do with it, and the resolution is amazing. It also holds sooo many pics at once. And the digital zoon is awesome too. I spend hours just taking pics of my snakes with it.
Chris

[Big Mike]

Hey Ryan,

Did you like using the LCD screen for composing the picture? That may be an issue because you can't get real-time picture on the screen with an SLR camera. The Digital Rebel is a great camera, I may be getting one myself but I have an EOS film camera, gear and accessories. I'd much rather get the 10D because the D-rebel is still an EOS Rebel...which is the beginner level of EOS cameras. It's missing a handful of pro features.

The G5 is much more like the typical point & shoot digital camera but that may be a good thing for you. It's a lot smaller than any SLR for one. I would say that it's better than most P&S because it will accept some attachments and it has a hot-shoe for attaching a flash. It's almost a pro-level P&S camera.

I think a big factor, because you own herps, is macro mode. With the G5 (or most P&S digital) all you have to do is put it in Macro mode. With the D-Rebel, you would need a macro lens or some other attachment.

Also, you could look at the A80 & the S1 IS...in the same price range. The S1 IS looks pretty good. 10X optical zoom and image stabilization...which lets you get clearer pictures in low light situations.

There is also, the Powershot Pro 1...8X optical zoom...7.0 MP and Canon 'L' glass...the best in the biz. It's in the same range as the D-rebel though.

You could look at Nikon...but I wouldn't do that ;)

[Ron]

Hi Ryan,

I bought one of the new Panasonic cameras, the DMC-FZ10S-K to be more precise. Here is a link to the specs:

Lumix (http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/digitalstill/dmcfz10sk.asp)

I really like it, the 4 MP are enough for now as I don't plan to be printing any posters soon. I have a little trouble using the macro but I always do because I usually don't want to stick any of my subjects in blaring light. My old camera was an Olympus 2100UZ which had a 10x optical zoom and I don't think I could go without it so I found this one that has 12x optical zoom. I was also looking at the Nikon 5700 but any big zoom without an image stabilizer makes it pretty tough to free shoot while using the full zoom.

I'll have it at the show if you want to take it for a test drive.

Ron

[Tim_Cranwill]

Ryan, here is a great site that goes into GREAT detail and gives comsumer reviews. It's got a LOT of info, especially on the higher-end models. It can actually get a little too technical for me at times. :rolleyes: I know you'll get some great info from here:

http://www.dpreview.com/

Good luck and let us know what you choose. :)

[Scales Zoo]

Thanks Mike, Ron and Tim.

Mike - I have been looking at all the models you mentioned. The S1 is only a 3 MP, and I had kind of decided on the G5, with lenses.

Ron - 12 x optical zoom sounds really interesting, I will definitely have a look at it at the show - Thanks.

Tim, I'll have to check out that link. I can spend hours reading up on cameras.

I won't be making a large purchase any time soon, can't really justify spending any money on a Camera right now. I realized my digital video camera takes stills, I don't really like the quality - but I think I'll experiment with it for a bit - as it is already paid for and everything.

Ryan