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[unsure][#800000][size 3] I'm looking for a digital camera. I don't know squat about them. [/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]What are the good ones?[/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]What are the cheap good ones?[/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]How can I keep from getting it wet while float tubing? [/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]little help please, tomegun [/size][/#800000]
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Tomegun
Get as nice of one as you can afford. Once you own one you will start to be interested in them and know more about them, soon you will see better cameras than yours and kick yourself for not upgrading to the better one. I would get one with a minimum of 3 megapixels. Anything less than that and you won't be able to blow up that picture of your monster catch to anything bigger than a 3"X5" size.
Also make sure you get one that allows rechargable batteries, they really eat up the juice, especially when you use the digital display a lot.
Also invest in nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH) they are considerably more money but they last much longer and will charge more times before they stop keeping a charge. Radio Shack has a battery charger that will recharge NiMH or NiCd for ten bucks that has a discharge feature that helps the life of your batteries.
Look at the accessories that come with your camera, the memory cards can be expensive so if one camera comes with a large memory card but costs more than the one with a small card, factor that into the price. Just look at the price of the memory cards and calculate the difference. It used to be about a buck a megabite, but I think it about fifty cents per megabite now.
Most importantly once you buy your camera, don't continue to price them. You will be dissapointed when you see the same camera sell for $100 less six months after you get it, that is the way technology works. Something new comes out and the price of the old technology drops down an ice hole.
When I am float tubing I put mine in a clear zip lock bag that has the sliding type sealer (easier to open when you are fighting a fish and want an action shot). In a pinch you can operate the camera while it is in the bag without hurting the quality too bad.
This is just my opinion, you can get digital cameras for well under $100, but if you get into it at all then I think you will eventually be dissapointed in them. I have an Olympus and am happy about everything but the 1.3 megapixel quality. The pictures look great in about a 3"X5" size, but that is about as big as they will go.
Hope this helps,
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[cool]Hey Bro, Mr. P. Hopper gave out some good guidelines. I just picked up an Olympus D-550 for $299. List price was $399 and I got a free 64 MB memory card too. I am still working on learning how to use it, but I did my due diligence before buying and I am satisfied it will be a good fishing camera. I trust a good friend who has used Olympus and has used this model. The pics, with the 3 megapixels are great, and with the 3x digital lens and macro you can shoot some good closeups...on flies, lures, etc.
It is about half the size of the 35mm SLR Minolta I have been using and is very compact. It fits nicely in the little pouch I wear around my neck on the water (in my tube). I also double protect it with a plastic bag, but I use a heavy duty one that I seal with a twist and a rubber band.
There are a lot of websites for evaluating digital cameras. here are some links to sites I used in the review process.
[url "http://www.shortcourses.com/"][#800080] http://www.shortcourses.com/[/#800080][/url]
[url "http://www.dpreview.com/"][#800080] http://www.dpreview.com/[/#800080][/url]
[url "http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital.asp"][#800080] http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_sectio...igital.asp[/#800080][/url]
[url "http://www.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera.htm"][#800080] http://www.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera.htm[/#800080][/url]
[url "http://www.photocourse.com/"][#800080] http://www.photocourse.com/[/#800080][/url]
[url "http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,4148,5,00.asp"][#800080] http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,4148,5,00.asp[/#800080][/url]
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There are several other thing to consider when buying a digital camera. Beyond the most basic megapixels look at optics. Many [size 1]manufacturers[/size] save by using plastic optics. Look for glass optics and look at the rating 10x optical zoom is better than 10x digital. The higher optical zoom gives you a sharper image. Digital zoom is a good extra feature to have, but optical zoom should be one of the main feature that you should look for in a good camera.
Also as tomegun said get and extra set of rechargeable batteries and a second set for backup or regular AA's as spares. The size of the viewer is another feature.
There is a new developing trend that has only been in the top end of digital cameras for photo journalist. Digital SLR bases with exchangeable lenses. You need 6 megapixels to get 35 mm quality. Be looking for these style cameras to drop in price over the next six months.
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[size 4][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Tomegun,[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Interesting that you should asked this question. I, like you, have never owned a digital camera and am a bit of a novice. But, I have been researching them and talking with friends and sales people since before Christmas. The sales people at Inkleys are WAY tired of seeing me come through the door to ask more questions. I have now set my mind on a Minolta - Dimage S404 ... $400 and hope to order it over the internet this week (saving $30 in taxes). Because I will have done my homework and because I know the prices are bound to go down, I will pay the money and NOT look back.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]http://www.ritzcamera.com/[url "http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=7801581&topCategory=1003&cat1=1009"][/url][url "http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=7801581&topCategory=1003&cat1=1009"][/url][url "http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=7801581&topCategory=1003&cat1=1009"][/url][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Originaly I was going to buy a less expensive ($300) camera but I changed my mind. Here is why I will be getting the Minolta S404:[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]4 million pixels[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]4 x glass optical zoom[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]There are several other features that are of interest to me in this camera but pixels and optical zoom are the main ones. The 4 meg pixels allows for cropping and zooming without loss of detail. And, as PHooper said, allows you to print pictures larger (much larger) than 3x5 without loosing clarity.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]As for the 4 power optical zoom (that's the lenses that move in and out), I'll be taking lots of pictures that are more than just close-ups of fish. I suspect that I will want to "zoom" in on the wild life around me while out on the waters.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Optical zoom (not to be  with digital zoom) and the number of pixels are the two things that raise the price of a digital camera the quickest.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]But honestly, the more I think about it, if just taking pictures of fish is all you will be using it for, the only thing to make sure you do is to get a 3 mega pix camera. There are a lot of nice pictures posted that came from 2 meg pix camers but I would still stick with 3 or higher. JMHO[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Once we get our new digital cameras, we'll have to talk one of the BFT moderators into providing a link to some good helpful instructions on "how to include pictures within your post". Maybe there is already one out there.[/size][/font][/size]
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Gee, thanks alot Tomegun, you just put me and my $75 camera to shame. Oh well, I too am greatful for all the great advice as some day I hope to upgrade. Let me know what you decide on.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]DOH! Me too! All the pics I post come for a 3 year old Polaroid 700D. If it's got 1/2 a megapixel I'd be surprised. I just won't cry when I drop it in the lake! [/size][/font]
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[angelic] [#800000][size 3]Bryan, its all your fault. If you didn't create the "utahtalkfish" group at yahoo(shameless plug, I know), I wouldn't be interested in a digital camera. You created another monster[laugh][/size][/#800000][#800000][size 3]. [/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]Tommy [/size][/#800000]
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You mean "UtahFishTalk" don't you??? Thanks for the plug...
[url "http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/utahfishtalk/"]www.groups.yahoo.com/group/utahfishtalk/[/url]
Membership is open.
Disclaimer: It is not the intent to detract from this site in anyway shape or form. I think this site is the greatest. My group is just as an e-mail type club where members can choose to recieve all messages via e-mail or choose not to recieve the e-mails and read the messages at the address above.
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[blush] [#800000][size 3] I'm lexdisic. [/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3][/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]Thats alot of information, thanks a bunch.[/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]If there is more out there, It seems there are a few that are interested.[/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3][/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]So far, I like the Olympus D-550. It runs about $299.00. But, You need nimh batteries(cost $49.99) and 64 ram(another $49.99). This comes out to(ciphering)-$398.98.[shocked][shocked][shocked] Oh My Heck![/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]Methinks, I need to do some bank robbing[ ][/size][/#800000]
[#800000][size 3]Tommy [/size][/#800000]
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My first digital camera cost $50 and I found out real quick that shots over 10ft were not worth taking. I waited to long to get a second camera when it was on sale, so now that K mart has
a going out of business sale with everything 50% off I've got to go take a look and see what they have. WH2
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I just bought a new one last night. Its a Pentax Optio 330 GS. 3.2 MP and 3x zoom. Got it for $260. Ought to be great for snappin the fishin pics. Hopefully the fish are big enough I don't have to use the zoom [crazy][laugh]
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LOL, I think I have you all beat. I bought my wife ab Argus so she could take some pictures of some candles and put them on the web. She said what the heck is this?!! It aint no good for nothing. Tha was 2 years ago and the camera has been sitting on her dresser ever since. Well I decided to try it out this fall and it works just fine. No I wont be making any 8x10 blow ups from it. But Hey I just want to post some pics of FB2 and myself when we're out fishing. And it has filled that bill just fine. (now that I know how to to do this)
I will say that I am currently looking for a higher quality camera in the 3 to 4 pixel range. But you can bet it wont be going on the water. This argus cost about 60 bucks 2 years ago and I bet you can get it today for under 20. It doesn't have all the whisles and bells, not even a flash. But it takes ok pics in the daylight, overcast or bright sun. The best part when I do get it wet (and yes I have) I don't worry if it's been ruined. So I get to still have fun fishing and take some pictures when I want and the worst that can happen is I might loose the pictures I took and a cheapo 20 dollar camera.
So for me I would go cheap with the first one. If you like it and how it works, then move up to a better camera. The digitals do have their limitations, but are a blast to play with.
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A year ago Last Christmas my wife, knowing I wanted a Digital Camera, bought me a camera costing about $70. I was quite disappointed when I first saw it. But, so as not to hurt her feelings, I started using it. Hey it has no bells or whistles as mentioned but the pictures it takes aren't too bad. It is almost advertised like a "spy" camera because it is so small. Here is a link if you are interested in seeing what it is: [url "http://www.aiptek.com/products/pencams/vr.htm"]http://www.aiptek.com/products/pencams/vr.htm[/url] If you would like to take a look at examples of some photos I took with it here is a link to a collouge of my 12 grandkids, each grandkid is an individual picture, all taken with this little $70 digital camera. [url "http://www.geocities.com/bryeld/Grandkids_2002.JPG"]http://www.geocities.com/bryeld/Grandkids_2002.JPG[/url]
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Nice camera Bryan and a good price. I wish I had found one like that when I bought my first one, it also takes a good picture. WH2
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Hey Bryant did ya buy that special Olympic topper for each of those cuties? Or did they have to share? Now where's the fish wearing that hat?
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I would like to tell ya that I purchased a hat for each one of my twelve grandkids, but then that would be streatching the truth a bit. But then, that is what some of us fishermen have a reputation for doin isn't it... [ ]
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[font "Garamond"][size 3]Tommy this got me a little curious when I first saw this post. Now I'm even "more curiouser" after stopping in at Best Buy over the weekend. I spent the better part of yesterday doing some research. If ya want we can get together on the phone or Yahoo IM. Too much to go into now but I know (among other things) that you can find that camera for less on-line. [/size][/font]
[font "Garamond"][size 3]P.S. I'm thinking about making a purchase come summer time. Like you, I'm poor right now...just not as poor.[/size][/font]
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[cool] [#000080][size 3]Hey, I saw your truck at work(slumming or honey do's). i cut my cast off sunday afternoon[] . The doc said today at least another month. I go back on St. Patti's day. Call me when ya get a chance tonight. And, I'm poor too! I'll just have to sell back a weeks vacation[ ][/size][/#000080]
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