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shantell Aug 10, 2006

I'm finally doing some research to find a new digital camera and have already search through here for camera recommendations etc. 

Silly little question to follow:

When looking at the specifications how do I determine if they truly have these features:

1.  White Balance
2.  Macro
3.  Resolution (I think this is what its called)...is it capable of 300 dpi, etc. (in the event I want to submit magazine photos).

I'm asking these questions because I'm not sure of the technical terms used and it seems not all manufactures use the same language in the spec descriptions.  What other terms or phrases may be used to say the same thing as above.

I hope I'm making sense.

Thanks!!!

SunnieOne Aug 10, 2006

Shantell
Most of the cameras that are over 3 megapixels will allow you to manually program all of the above features. You always want to shoot as the highest resolution posible. Instead of resolution, it may say just " high, medium, low" or it may say, 1 M fine, .500 M medium, or 5M, etc
White balance may not even say white balance, it may just show pictures or the sun or the sun and clouds, or different types of lights
Macro usually is just called macro and is the setting you would use when photographing anything under about 1 yard away to get fine detail
Hope that helped
Hugs
Sonya

shantell Aug 10, 2006

Thanks Sonya...yes that does make sense generally speaking.  However my camera I have right now is 3.5 pixels but has none of those features...or at least I can't find them and I have gone through the manual a dozen times.  Even having it set at BEST when I load my photos they generally only come up at 72 dpi, however, sometimes they show up at 275ish dpi...I have no idea what makes the difference as I've only changed the option once. 

So...when I finally (and it will be soon) purchase a new camera I want something reasonably prices (and I know that's different for everyone), easy to use, has the functions I need for bear photos but yet I can use for everyday grab the camera the kids are doing some I must capture.

I have a Pentax PZ70 which was a gift several years ago and I love it for general photography.  I'm sure it would serve me well for bear photography except its a film camera.  I don't want to add the expense of film, developing etc., for only a couple really good photos...that and I'm impatient.   I have, however, taken some great pictures with it and wish I knew how to fully use it...which I don't.

Hugs

Dilu Aug 11, 2006

The hubster was doing some research- because our digital is 5 mega pixels.  And he said for the money he couldn't see that the extra mega pixels were helping the picture quality yet.   

He said that our Sony was still good enough, until they make the new ones actually sharper with the more megapixels. 

I love macro- def. need to have that!
you probably also want to be sure you can shut off the auto flash.

I think you should probably buy the best quality you can possibly afford, knowing that you wont learn everything about it right off the bat.....By a camera you can grow into.....

shantell Aug 11, 2006

Thanks Dilu...I'm just a bid confused about what all the "stuff" is called and what it means.  I'd go to a local camera shop but the only reputable one in town closed.  There is another here but I've not heard many good things about them...that and I don't want to be talked into something I don't truly need because I haven't a clue what I'm talking about.

huggleybear Aug 11, 2006

Hi Shantell,

Could you go into that camera store with all of your questions and just get information from them?  Be sure to tell them what your needs are.  Tell them that you are trying to figure out what camera best fits your needs so you are doing some research and are on a fact finding mission at this time.  At least that way you can possibly get some hands on information.  There are also many camera sites that compare models, quality, price, specification, options, and ease of use.  Once you know which one you want, you can buy it anywhere. I was also told that unless you are a professional photographer,  you will not need more than 6 mega pixels.

Hope this helps!
Good Luck,
Cindy

Chowlea Bears Aug 11, 2006

Is there a local amateur photographic group in your area?

Usually they are very generous with their knowledge and can often tell you of reputable traders etc.

There may be photographic courses/evening classes at educational facilities - they would do the same - It could be an interesting exercise for them to photograph bears.

Now why didn't I think of that for myself :doh   

Just a thought................

sarahjane Aug 11, 2006

Shantell if you can narrow down the camera you want to a few (makes, models etc) you can get on the internet and have a look for some reviews and they should tell you if the camera will do what you need, they are also good for finding out how easy it is to use.

Jane Perala Aug 11, 2006

Hi Shantell,
I recently purchased my second digital camera.  It is a Fujifilm E-900.  It has 9.0 megapixels, and I know that is probably more than I need, but I would rather err on the side of having too much than too little.  I just love this camera.  Before this one I had another Fujifilm and really liked it too.  I spent quite a bit of time researching different brands, and even went so far as to purchase an Olympus, but I had to return it, as I found it very hard to understand, plus the instructions were all on line - grrr.  I find the Fujifilm instructions easy to understand, and I really like the program that comes with it for downloading the photos from the camera.
That's just my two cents worth!  I sound like an ad for Fujifilm!

Jane P.

shantell Aug 11, 2006

Thank you everyone for your advice.  One of my best friends, fiance is a photographer and she is an amateur photographer so when I asked her well of course she told me to buy something way beyond my means...HA HA.   I don't need a $2000 camera with all the gadgets.  Gotta love her though...

I already have a  few in mind as I have been doing some research already...I'll probably end up going to Salem or Portland...because there isn't any place here to go any more.

Hugs

jenny Aug 12, 2006

I have used film camera for years and years so when I bought a digital one it was 'all Greek to me' as they say..even though I undertsand cameras. I bought an idiots guide to digital photography ..and a What Digital Camera magazine with some techy reviews on various cameras but it does give you the spec on a whole list.

What's useful to have...well manual focussing for a start...if you buy one with a macro facility (unless you have a super-duper flashy lens that can manage it)...here's a bit of techy info I didn't know...you can't focus automatically within three feet..so you need to shift to manual for real close ups. That's handy for us to get close up focus.

Then you need a white balance mode...but then again if you have a photo-editing software thingy ..you can do this afterwards...but it's most disconcerting to work with blue or yellow photos.

A good lens...look for one with a small zoom with goes from say 35mm-70mm..at 70mm it will give you an optimum digital focal length of 105mm (don't ask my how that works..trust me it does) and 105mm is the optimum portrait lens and every photographer who takes portraits should have one as it has the ability to create the most visually correct and flattering portrait...which is in fact what we seek to do.

Centre weighted focusing is important as is a spot metre facility and centre weighted light metering. It's good to be able to select the aperture too...so you can work in low light if necessary....and make sure you get one with the option of switching off the flash.

As for megapixels..well, if you are considering printing stuff then the more the better..but for websites 5 or 6 is still ok.

I have a Nikon D70..which I have found very good...but it isn't a snip...but then again..it's your shop window so get the best you can run too. Cameras are like school clothes...you grow into them.

melissa Aug 12, 2006

Hi Shantell

Oh I know totally what you mean about being overwhelmed going into a camera shop.  I don't know much about cameras and could only afford a budget model when I got mine.  I'm looking forward to upgrading sometime!

There are a couple of good camera resources on the net that explain lots about the cameras, show you pics of the screens, modes etc and even test photos taken with the camera. 

This is one - this link takes you to his favourite cameras in various price ranges, but there is also a full list of a gajillion cameras on the site that you can look at specs for.
http://www.dcresource.com/buyersguide/

there's this page -  just on macro - with sample photos from the different brands (though these photos are at fairly low res for the web)
http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/sample-images-4.cfm

SunnieOne Aug 12, 2006

Shantell
All have great advise! Just wanted to make a comment about the 72 dpi. Mine is a FUJI also and I love it. I always use the highest resolution possible. When I open a photo in PhotoShop or paint shop pro. I can go to resize the photo and it will tell me it is 72 dpi. If I change it to 300 dpi the first thing you notice is the size has changed significantly. At 72 dpi the original photo is something like  21.34 inches by 28.44 inches. When you change it to 300 dpi, it changes the size to 5.12 inches by 6.83 inches. Now your photo has not really changed at all. It is still the same size in megapixels. That particular size would be 1536 pixels by 2048 pixels. You probably would never plan to print a 21 by 28 inch picture. But you would print a 5 by 7 picture. So even though it says it is 72 dpi, remember to look at the PRINT size. Also remember that a picture might not look bad at 72 dpi when you are just looking at it on a monitor because a monitor can only display 72 dpi. But to print it, you want the resolution to be as high as possible. If you could theoretically print that 21 by 28 inch picture that says it is 72 dpi and is 1536 by 2048, it would not look very good. But you could print the SAME picture that is 1536 by 2048 at 300 dpi and it would look great, but it would be 5 by 7 inches. My current camera is only 3.2 mega pixels and it takes great photos for what I need. Since I don't generally print larger that 5 by 7, the pictures look great. The total megapixels will determine the size of the printed photo. and the same picture will equal one large size if viewing it at 72 dpi and will appear smaller when viewing it at 300 dpi. When looking at it as a 72 dpi at 100 % it would not look nearly as nice as looking at the exact same picture at 300 dpi and 100%.
Sonya