Jen, I understand how all confusing the numbers are. It took me awhile too. I glanced at the link you posted. You'd probably benefit those info more if you have a digital SLR. Basically, the smaller the number of mm, the wider the angle would be. ie: 28mm is wider than 50mm. You mentioned that you want to take close up. You'd need a camera that has "macro". It allows you to get as close to the object but still be in focus. Pay attention to the number of the macro which means how close you can get to the object. If $400 is your limit (which IMO is alot to spend on a good camera) 2 things I'd suggest: 1) Go to a camera store/department and play around with several model, you'd get a better understanding of the focus point and zoom capability. Get the model number and shop around or online for a better price. 2) If I have $400 to spend, I would bypass a point and shoot camera altogether and would invest in a digital SLR (DSLR). You mentioned Canon and that's among a good brand to go with. With $400, you can easily get a used Canon Rebel XT or Rebel XTI with a nice lens that has a decent macro, zoom range and a wide angle. Most photographers that owns DSLR are serious photographers (either beginners or pros), and we all tend to take care of our equipments. So, getting a used one is not always so bad; although, you may still want to check out the camera as you would with any other used item you'd buy. The Canon Rebel XT & XTI are being replaced to higher end models. It shouldn't be hard to find one inexpensively. You may want to use your local city Craiglist (online listing) and see if someone locally would sell it to you for a good bargain. Sometimes, you'd find someone throw in extras with the kit. I've seen it as low as less than $200. Why a DSLR vs. a point and shoot? A DSLR allows you to shoot instantly, no slow shutter speed, no missing the "kodak moment". You can do continous shooting for action. You can set it on "auto" or you can play with the settings once you grow your knowledge of photography. You can invest on better lenses later on when you have more $$$. If you keep with the Canon brand, those same lenses will fit on your next Canon camera body if you ever chose to upgrade with the latest technology. If you'd be using the camera for macro, a DSLR would allows you to purchase specific lens for better (closer) macro. Or, for less $$$, you can get extender tubes which connect to the lens and let you get so close to the object that you'd be almost touching it. Hope these tips help and good luck on your findings. Natalie

I got my last ones at America's Best also. I love them! They are the best lenses and frames I have had in years! I have a pair of bifocal, and a pair of sunglasses - also bifocal. They also did my exam. This is the best I have been able to see in years! And I had the option of paying $15 extra for a special exam so I didn't have to have my eyes dialated, which was great, as I am extremely light sensitive, and my eyes do not go back to normal for over 24 hours. I am diabetic, also, and made sure to tell them that. I felt I was given a very thorough exam. And I can go to any America's Best in the country if I have a problem or need them adjusted. Great, with all the traveling we like to do. I got them last April, and have not noticed a change in my vision. My expensive visits to my other eye dr's didn't make me see as well as these do.

I went from RGP lenses to daily soft lenses. RGPs have the crispest vision, but i find soft lenses trounce gas permeables in other areas. Much more confortable, a new fresh lens every day, no fear of dropping and losing or damaging one, you never have to clean them-just toss at the end of the day, no painful dust or debri under the lens. I wore hard lenses then gas permeables since the 70’s and switched a couple of years ago. I’d never go back! DH ordered my last RX thru lens.com and tbey were backordered. Previosly I got them thru the eye DR but its pricey doing that. My lenses have never ripped and I’m not careful with them. Your eye DR should be able to get you several days of free trials. It costs nothing to try them out to see if you like them. I’ve never once heard one type of lens is healthier than the other.

Correction, judijunebug, it was the very popular HT, Pascali, that I got at Sears for 49¢. Back in the 60-70's Pascali was sold everywhere, grafted, and in body bags. It did not survive in popularity to this day as have: Mr. Lincoln, Peace, Tropicana etc. I think it is that the bloom was small and it produced many blind growths although it had great HT form, exhibition quality. Sorry for the correction no offense intended. Hybrid Musks back then when HTs were king were unheard of. In those days grafted HTs were sold by the millions, the good old, 'spray 'til you drop,' days.