Reliable Digital Camera

[Robson Valley]

I would really like to post pictures of what I'm carving. I'm tired of just beaking off.
So far, digital cameras have cost me $7.00 per image. Yup, that's correct. I can say that because that's the price when the camera dies. I have a box of them behind the downstairs beer fridge. One is still trying to take a picture in 2007.
What does reliability cost?

[Alfwok]

Check some of these out maybe? I like Cannon and Sony personally just from what I read and from playing with them in the stores. Best budget digital cameras - CNET Reviews If they are breaking for other reasons maybe check out the "Olympus Stylus Tough" line.

[Robson Valley]

My hands seem to be death to digital cameras. Maybe I have to build my own. They die, simple as that. Fear not! I'm smart enough not to ever take a picture on your behalf with your camera. You would regret it.
I have nearly 10,000 B&W analog negs over 50+ years to say otherwise. I could make 48" x 96" prints and they would all be razor sharp.
The secondary puzzle is that I can't force the computer to put the images where I can find them. . . they're allover the machine. Worse than that, 60% or more are out of focus.

So if I shoot 200 images, the camera has cost me $1,400 and maybe 80 are in focus. There just has to be a more economical way to do this. Do you just blast away and hope for the best?

[Robson Valley]

Three serious issues:
1. How long until it dies? Weeks? Months? That was how I came up with the $7/image.
2. No matter what I do, where are the images in my computer? "My Pictures" is a myth. I know for a fact that there are pictures all over the place (quite entertaining, actually)
3. No matter what camera it was 60-70% images are out of focus.

I know that these things seem entirely improbable to most of you. I could spend $5k on a camera with no more hope of pictures than a pin hole in a beer can.

[sashadoc]

RobsonValley; Now you've scared me! I haven't posted many pictures because I can't afford a camera and my friends don't own any. The picture I posted of my carving box was actually scanned on my printer and tweaked with one of my graphics programs. I was thinking of giving up the internet for two months so I could buy one. Now......?
Tim

[Robson Valley]

Go ahead, Tim. I doubt if you will ever share the problems I have. It is me. It is April. My annual query s for digital camera information. I have a Canon 8800 scanner, a big Epson photo printer, etc largely because other people said that was what I needed. However, a couple of dozen out of focus pictures and another dead camera have slowed my progress.
I'd like to do what everybody else does but I'll try again next year. At this point it doesn't bother me very much.

[AlArchie]

What kind of cameras are you buying? My Canon has been in service for 0ver 5 years and other that eating batteries it plugs along just fine. I have found that "auto- focus" doeas not work well under those new fangled flourescent lights.
Out of focus close-ups are usually my fault...not using macro function. Try increasing your distance to lense and using the zoom function.

When you save a photo, check the destination...make sure you are sending it to "my photos" or wherever you want to save. Initial downloads usually set the destination to a temporary file. Just check the dialog box to see where the default destination is and scroll down to where you want them kept.

Sorry can't offer any suggestions on you dead camera problem....maybe they will resurect on Easter Sunday.

Al

[squbrigg]

I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30, it's was worth about $1200.00 when I bought it about 5 - 7 years ago. It has three focus options, including macro and manual, and sports a 12 X optical zoom lens. It take a 8mg picture, so the quality is great for what I want from it. The battery is rechargeable, and I keep two full charged. The memory is a removable Kodak S card, in 1 gig or 2 gig size, though you can buy larger. As you can view the picture you have just taken on the camera's screen, you only have to keep what pictures that you like and delete the rest. It does not have removable/interchangable lens , as do some of the new digital SLR's. I wanted to keep my camera bag light.

I find this camera perfect for my needs, shooting family and my creations. I use a tripod when shooting my creations and often external light, not the on camera flash. It takes practice to learn to use a camera well, and I do recommend new photographers take a class in using their camera, to get the best out of it.

Good luck.

Bob

[Nomad]

Canon G series cameras are sweet. I have a G11 and hardly pick up my digital SLR anymore. Don't know why you are having a high failure rate. I have bought 6 digital cameras over the years and all have been 100% reliable and all still work. Started with Nikon, bought a Fuji, then two Canons. I find the Canons most user friendly.

You might consider getting an extended warranty. One of the problems with camera repair is the cost is often nearly the same as a new camera.

[rcurtism]

I would sugest a photograhy class. Many community adult education programs have them. They will teach you where to look when saving a file of photo's to make sure they are in the right place. And how to turn off the auto focus on extreme close up shots to get the shot as close to right as possible. ( assuming you have a single reflex camera) I have not had great luck with Cannon Digital but I think I just got a lemon one. My ex has a Nikon and it does wonderful. Both were in the 500 to 700 dollar range which is a ton of money but they give you many more options then the cheaper ones and the lens can be used on futur cameras.