This is no bull! And no political crap!

[LostArt]

I'm looking for a good camera and am willing to purchase one that is around $400 - $500. Anyone out there taking pics? What are you using? When I'm up on a hill voyeuering I want to make sure I get some dag gum good pictures! :D

What do you guys recommend?

[electriklady]

LA,

I just bought a Nikon cool pix about a month ago and I love it.......takes beautiful pics and is fairly easy to use.

[electriklady]

LA, If you may be interested in a Nikon, here are the specs for the one I just bought......It is a Nikon Coolpix L-110......It was about $280.00.....This is my first Nikon, as I have always been a Canon fan, but I really do like this camera.







Effective pixels
12.1 million
Image sensor
1/2.3-in. CCD; total pixels: approx. 12.39 million
Lens
15x zoom NIKKOR; 5.0-75.0mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 28-420mm); f/3.5-5.4; Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 1680mm)
Focus range (from lens)
50cm (1 ft. 8 in.) to infinity (∞); Macro close-up mode: 1cm (0.4 in.) to infinity (∞)
Monitor
3-in., approx. 460k-dot, TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Storage media
Internal memory (approx. 43 MB), SD memory cards*1
Image size (pixels)
4000 x 3000★ (12M), 4000 x 3000 (12M), 3264 x 2448(8M), 2592 x 1944 (5M), 2048 x 1536 (3M), 1024 x 768 (PC), 640 x 480 (VGA), 3968 x 2232 (16:9), 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Vibration Reduction
Combination of image-sensor shift and Electronic VR (still images)
Electronic VR (movies)
ISO sensitivity
ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*2, 6400*2, Auto (auto gain ISO 80-800)
Interface
Hi-Speed USB
Power sources
Four FR6/L91 (AA-size) lithium batteries (supplied), four LR6/L40 (AA-size) alkaline batteries (optional), four EN-MH2 rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (optional), AC Adapter EH-67 (optional)
Battery life *3
Approx. 840 shots with lithium, or 270 shots with alkaline, or 500 shots with EN-MH2 battery
Dimensions
(W x H x D)
Approx. 108.9 x 74.3 x 78.1 mm (4.3 x 3.0 x 3.1 in.) excluding projections*4
Weight
Approx. 406 g (14.4 oz.) with battery and SD memory card*4
Supplied accessories *5
Four FR6/L91 (AA-size) lithium batteries, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap AN-CP21, Lens Cap LC-CP20, Software Suite CD-ROM
Optional accessories
Four LR6/L40 (AA-size) alkaline batteries, four EN-MH2 rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, Battery Charger MH-73, AC Adapter EH-67


*1Not compatible with Multi Media Cards (MMC).
*2Setting is available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.
*3Based on CIPA industry standard for measuring life of camera batteries. Measured at 23°C (73°F); zoom adjusted with each shot, built-in flash fired with every other shot, image mode set to Normal.
*4Method of noting dimensions and weight is in accordance with CIPA DCG-005-2009 guideline.
*4Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.Specifications are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. February 2010.

[LostArt]

Thanks Steve and CL! That's funny that you mentioned a class because I thought, "If I'm spending this amount of money I need to know how to use one!" :D

Maybe I better go small and work my way up. Is there a JUNIOR camera I should start with? Is yours like a junior EL?

[electriklady]

It looks to me like it is in the lower technical end of Nikon......there are many other Nikons with "more bells and whistles", this has a manual and an easy setting.........till I get used to it I am not using it to full capability......I have seriously been thinking of taking a class....already bought a book on photography as it is something I have always loved, and would like to get more technical at.....have a natural eye for shots, just need the camera skills to make it complete. :rolleyes:

[LostArt]

Oh, get a camera with SPOT metering!!!

Learn to use it. You won't regret it.

Sorry, that puts you into a $700 camera with interchangeable lenes.

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/laugh007.gif Oh man. Give me a little bit of play time CL. I think I need a crash course on the camera lingo. :D

Thanks everyone. I'll let you guys know what I end up with. I would really like to get a decent (and yet easy) one. You will be proud of me CL. I actually know how to build a lightbox. :D

[Mike-E]

http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/Z915_Digital_Camera/productID.145103400

I bought this camera for my mom and dad based on Consumer Reports. I got to use it on a recent fishing trip. It is VERY user friendly and all of the settings have an on-screen description of their uses. It also takes panoramic photos.

[LostArt]

http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/Z915_Digital_Camera/productID.145103400

I bought this camera for my mom and dad based on Consumer Reports. I got to use it on a recent fishing trip. It is VERY user friendly and all of the settings have an on-screen description of their uses. It also takes panoramic photos.

I might be better off going with something less complicated. I'd like good quality pics, but it's mostly for art reference pics. In other words, I'd rather spend my time at the drafting table doing my art.

Point and shoot is my best bet. :D