Since I'm Staying....Need a Camera - Recommendations?

15 years ago

Since I discovered this forum last summer it has provided me some of the best recipes,cooking tips and ideas I've ever found. I am especially pleased when someone includes a picture with a post. I would like to be able to contribute photos, but I don't own a camera.

DH loves electronics and tech gear in the same way I love cooking and kitchen equipment. I don't like using his camera and my brain quickly goes into that "TV snow fuzz" whenever he starts going into the finer points of how to use it. I need easy. Easy to understand and use. I'm also hoping to find one that's not too expensive.

In addition to "canning," this year I resolve to learn how to add links and pictures to my forum posts.

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Comments (15)

pkguy
15 years ago
I'm on my 2nd digital camera now. Our first from about 10 years ago was a Kodak something or other and it cost the earth back then but it served us well.
It was acting up and Kodak no longer supported it with online updates. Not wanting to spend big bucks I opted for a simple to use Kodak C813 and got it for $79 at Staples. It has everything you need and it's simple simple simple to operate. Turn the dial to make movies, or photos, or closeup photos or anti-shake if you're shaky LOL. Does some other stuff too but I don't bother. Best of all it uses 2 regular AA batteries, no built in batteries. I'm leery of built in batteries because when they go bad you're stuck, when they run out of charge you're stuck until you recharge them.. You can always buy AA batteries at any store anywhere if you need them quick. I buy 48 batteries for $7 at WalMart. They last a long time in the Kodak too.
User
15 years ago
DPreview.com is is the best website for camera reviews. Whenever I buy a new camera I always check there first.

Last year when I was in the market for a new camera I compared the three cameras I was considering, based on recommendations from forum members. After comparing The Sony DSCH9, The Olympus SP560 and the Panasonic DMZ FZ18 I went with the Panasonic. Almost all of the digital cameras have an automatic setting and that is the one that I use 99% of the time.

Ann
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I have the canon sx 50 hs. Overall Quite happy with it. Can take close up pics of the birds in the trees out behind the pond - which is a couple hundred feet away - from my living room window And can even get close ups of individual flowers or tiny bugs on flowers. The image stabilization works well - as long as I keep reasonable still! It's been a bit of a learning curve. Sometimes it's hard to get the autofocus to focus on what you want to focus on - the camera will focus on the flower instead of the butterfly. It can take some time for the camera to come into focus. And I've found that I have better luck stepping back and zooming in than getting too close to a subject - like when I want to take a photo of an individual flower petal. The camera isn't too big. And it's lightweight for its size. It's also a point and shoot. The camera has a million more features and I am unaware of how to use them and have no interest in learning. My criteria was point and shoot with a huge zoom and ability to take close ups. One thing I found when looking for cameras - many have wifi now. And no cable. Which means you can upload your photos to a photo hosting site on the internet. But cannot upload the photos to the hard drive of your computer. Pay attention to that if this is an issue that concerns you.
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Sorry Mindstrong, you don't know what you are talking about---but I do. The majority of the "big dogs" use Canon. LOL!!!! What "big dogs" do you know? Apparently, they are not as big as you think they are. LOL!! Many National Geographic photographers still shoot with FILM cameras, which are much different than DIGITAL cameras--and they shoot in chrome. And, the ones who shoot digital, shoot with Canon. The archival aspects of the present digital process prevent many photographers from using digital when they don't have astringent deadlines. Sad to say, but, National Geographic photographers are not" cutting edge" by any means. Most are very traditional, which means, NIKON. No "trash talking" here. When the staffs of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe and every other major newspaper use Canon, you know Canons are the best, otherwise, why would they risk shooting with inferior hardware, like the horrible Nikon system? The difference between Nikons and Canon is well documented in professional circles. Ask any "real" professional and they will tell you that Nikon sold-out to the amateur ranks many years ago, that Canons are the best. Most magazine photographers are contract photographers or freelancers and 80 percent of them use Canon. I know what I'm talking about: I'm one of them. Canon digitals are the best in the consumer market too!
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The ground screw is not required to be green by the NEC, but it must be a machine screw in a threaded hole, not a self tapping screw. The first 'electrician' is in a world of hurt and knows it. I would not allow him to set foot on the property, and would report him to the AHJ immediately. Not allowing him to 'fix' his poor work may have some repercussions under local law. A few minutes with an attorney would be well spent at this point, especially if he has already mentioned the 'lien' words to you. He may lose his license (more likely a fine) for not pulling a required permit, especially if you [pursue the complaint against him. Talk with the AHJ. You may need to pull a permit yourself to get an inspector to review the work.
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Thanks for the re-welcoming responses everyone! :) Skip the individual replies below and go to the next post to read more about kitchen details... Julie - the crossing of your body parts is WORKING! Dianalo - thanks for the fingers crossing - it's totally working - and yes I agree there has been too much drama! Johnliu - thank you! That's a major super kind compliment - especially considering how many pictures you see on this forum! :) I really appreciate it and thanks for thinking of me. It's going better now, at least re. the kitchen! Aliris19 - I KNOW! Crazy weird. I don't get it - the best I can come up with is that I somehow acquired some bad karma! Kathe - thank you. It's finally working out - yay! More details below, about the kitchen. Re. my husband, I'd love to give you some better news but yesterday we went to the doc after he had a second echocardiogram (sp?) and much to our surprise (since he's feeling and looking better and has adjusted well to the meds) they said he wasn't doing as well as they'd hoped - especially for his relatively younger age and relative health. His heart hasn't decreased in size and his EF% did get to a safer/higher number (between 30-35 as opposed to the 20-25 it was before) but it has to be 40 or above to be able to prevent getting a pacemaker put in. :( So now he's facing that and he's incredibly discouraged after how well he was feeling. Also, some of his heart is apparently dead now (?) - forget the terminology - so a second advantage of the pacemaker is that a third wire can be put in which will help sort of stimulate that area, if I'm understanding correctly. The doc says the way my husband's heart is now, he has a 5-10% chance of dying which is of course high, though he thinks on the low end cause of his general health. But still that's high!!! I forgot what the number is after the pacemaker though. He said he recommends doing it soon but he said an alternative would be up the meds (which is happening either way/regardless) and then wait 6 weeks to see if his EF# gets up to 40 but he said that's very unlikely and that postponing things is a risk, especially since we have 3 kids (and no life insurance, thank you very much...or you can thank my husband very much...we fought about this so many times prior to his diagnosis - it kills me to think about!). My husband wants to wait the 6 weeks, which is a pretty big concern - I'm pretty worried about this. I mean if you look at this as "how much luck is this couple having lately" - it points to HAVE THE SURGERY DONE NOW. Doesn't it?! Thanks for inquiring, and sorry to have such a long reply! Marcolo - thank you! You can see the details about the hubby in the above post - and thanks for thinking of him! As for the Jaclo faucet, here's what I have to say about it TODAY anyway: I love so much about it, but the particular one I ordered has had some issues which appear to be a major fluke based on everything I've read and heard about them. The company has been very good about responding appropriately and they're about to send me a brand spanking new one. They've send some individual replacement parts which have worked out relatively well but not well enough for the amount the faucet costs! In other words for the price, this thing needs to be tight and working beautifully in every way, IMO! The man who's helping me said that the moment the order comes in from my local store (I won't be charged) he's going to take it off the shelf himself and make sure there's no jiggling in the neck and that everything else looks and works perfectly. I've been wanting to talk about the faucet on here but have been waiting to see if the issues could get resolved first so that I can give a thorough and fair review. I do love the faucet though, even with the issues. I just love how funky and different it is while also appearing period-appropriate...I love the hidden sprayer that doesn't require putting holes in your countertop, I love the choice of very high-end levers/colors or the stainless wheels option and I love love love the gorgeous polished solid stainless body that isn't as cold as chrome - it's much more like polished nickel warmth-wise but more durable. Also, because my countertop is stainless, it's a perfect match. Not blue as chrome or yellow as nickel. :) Fori - thank you! Flwrs n co - your positive juju is working! I'm going to be able to show pics soon it appears. The paint on the upper original cabs and crappy old windows (lead paint, mind you) is another matter. Not sure how to afford that but it looks terrible compared to all the other nice work. But you'll just have to look past that! :) Thank you for the well-wishes. We'll take any and all that we (he) can get right now. Honorbiltkit - I can picture this dance in my mind, perfectly. Why do I have a feeling you're a writer? Cluelessincolorado - it's good to know if I'm gone too long, you'll head up the search party! ;) #3 is making me so happy. Read below to hear all about it. Thank you for the well-wishes, including for my badly-needed sanity...you have NO IDEA, honestly (they're talking about sending me away for a week so I can get some respite - but that's mostly cause the kids are making me crazy. I think I'm developing a tick!!)!!!! Details about kitchen in the next post below...
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User
15 years ago
Forgot to mention - Glad you are planning on staying.

Ann
wizardnm
15 years ago
I just got a new camera for Christmas and I already love it, very east to play!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

It's like AnnT's, just a newer model.

One of the things I've already noticed is the anti-shake. That helps a lot. I'm not one to always get out a tri pod.
It also has a automatic setting for food. With a 18X optical zoom and wide angle I'm ready for anything!
Sounds expensive? NO!

Nancy

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's a review
canarybird01
15 years ago
I use both Olympus and Canon SLR but for everyday food photos I use the Olympus SP 560, one of the ones that Ann was contemplating. In restaurants I take the tiny pocket Olympus Stylus 800 in my handbag which has a great little battery that goes on and on and on. I only use rechargeable batteries. On the SP 560 I use NiMH rechargeables which save you a ton of money. The small Stylus 800 has a little rechargeable battery pack, I keep the charges spare inside the camera case so I never run out.

Whatever camera you choose, one of the most important things to do is to read the instruction book and practice constantly on what you can do with that camera. Make dozens of mistakes and learn how to correct them. More often a good picture depends more on who is holding the camera than what is inside the camera. Good Luck!
And yes DP review is a good place as is Steve's Digicams for reviews and advice on what camera you might choose.

SharonCb
annie1992
15 years ago
Like PKguy, I started with a Kodak Easyshare that Jessica bought me. Eventually it just died, victim of a broken battery door but it was easy and I liked it.

Elery replaced it with a Canon something-or-another which is a nice little camera and does everything I want it to, although my pictures are not the caliber of Ann T's or Sharon's. I'm just not patient enough to read the instructions, I tried but they make no sense to me at all, so there are settings and gadgets that I don't use at all and haven't yet figured out. It's a great little camera though.

Annie
User
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the recommendations. I will check out DPreview. Interesting that there isn't just one brand that stands out among all of your replies. Good to learn that prices have dropped and that I can afford to get one sooner than later!
daylilydayzed
15 years ago
I love my Samsung L73 7.2 mega pixel and my Canon PowershotA470 7.1 mega pixel. The Samsung L73 has a rechargeable battery that lasts for quite a while when it is charged up. The Canon Powershot A470 uses 2 AA batteries. I use then mainly for flower photography You can't go wrong with a Canon, they are good point and shoot cameras.
eandhl
15 years ago
I too love the food photo's. A few yrs ago I bought my first digital camera, a Cannon SD550. It has a lot of stuff I haven't figured out how to use but basic inside/outside pictures have been fine for a novice. Very easy to use, as well as upload to computer. Good luck and I am anxious to see some of your bread.
whenicit
15 years ago
I have a Lumix also and the 10x zoom is great (not so much for food but for a recent trip I took and for DS's sports).

My advice - don't spend over $200. It'll last you a few years if you (ab)use it like I/my family does and then there will be better models when it breaks for about the same amount...

It's a tough choice. Just keep in mind which features you do and do not need.
User
Original Author
15 years ago
I got on the 2 review sites noted above last night and was immediately overwhelmed. I'm glad for the recommendations here because they give me a starting point, although some of the models have already been revised/replaced. I have discovered that cameras aren't like KitchenAid Stand Mixers. There seems to be radical changes in design, features and prices from year to year.

I tried to complete a form where you enter desired features. Most of the terms are not at all familiar to me. I've heard of them, but have no idea if they're something I need or want.

I feel like annie1992. I don't have the patience (or interest) to delve in so deeply - at least at this stage. Funny, I am patient and inquisitive about learning many things, but tech talk turns me off. Maybe as I learn more about photography, by just taking pictures, my interest will grow.

Thanks for all the advice above. I'm still looking.
earl
15 years ago
If I needed one I'd buy this one. Great price for a point and shoot, which I have. Easy to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canon PowerShot at Amazon-$100.00
User
Original Author
15 years ago
earl, I took a look at the Canon and I think it's a good choice for me. Since I had Amazon gift certs. from Christmas that nearly covered the cost, I decided to order it. Thanks!
mistihayes
15 years ago
I have the Canon A720 & love it. It's been durable & user friendly. My Kodak Easyshare required lithium batteries & this one uses regular batteries. I really like the regular batteries better. Hope you enjoy your camera.
chaplainkent
15 years ago
My wife is the photographer so I can give no recomendation for the camera but let me chime in with posting pictures. I am somewhat of a forum junkie and participate in several. This is one of my favorites since it has such nice people and none of the snobbery found on other forums. That said, I have tried and tried to post pictures here and have even recived e-mails from helpful forum members and still cannot get it done. One time I did successfully get a picture posted only to have it removed. My wife took the picture and it certainly had no copyright. I have a photobucket account as well as a photo reducer program. I am very good at using my computer and maintain three blogs and a web page but this has me stymied.

Here is a link that might be useful: traveling and cooking with grandpa

Since I'm Staying....Need a Camera - Recommendations?

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