What Camera to buy...mine bit the dust.

[AnnieQ]

Well I guess I dropped the thing one too many times. Not an expensive one anyway.

I have around $250 to buy a camera mostly for taking pics of jewelry and beads. I had a macro but think I need a super macro. Maybe, just maybe my pics sucked because my camera sucked or was messed up.

What does anyone suggest? Should I buy a used one off ebay, I ain't askert to do that, if I know what I'm looking for.

I could post in the garage for 'wanted' but would like some hints on what to buy. I'm thinking I could get a better camera for less if I bought a good used one.
What do ya'll think???

What I had was a fuju finepix a350.

[AnnieQ]

I have found a ton of threads on different cameras.
I'm still confused but getting it down a little bit...I only have like 15 to research.....LOL.

I think I'd like auto white balance?
At least f11 or higher?
Super Macro?

I doubt I can get that on my budget.

Oh yeah and simple.
I need a class.
I need a shot.
I need two shots.
I'll take a beer or 4...LOL.
My head is about to explode, that one brain cell up there can only handle so much info....LOL

[Rose]

I have a Coolpix 4300, Nikon. It's 4 mp and 3X optical zoom. I've had it for several years and still LOVE it. I paid over $400 for it and I know they are in the $200 range now. I would try to buy a new one tho. It has a great macro.

[annabannanas]

HI,

I have had a nikon cool pix as well, liked it a lot. Took awesome pictures.
I now have a samsung digimax. It rocks!! Bought it at Costco for around $250. Costco has a great return policy (unlike most stores) if you don't like what you purchased, for ANY reason, they will return it. They have a huge sellection.

The nikon was purchased through ebay. owned it for 7 yrs. before upgrading. But these days, I would probably take the time and effort to find something at a reputable store where you can see touch and feel the camera, to test out it's functions.

Hope you find what your looking for!

Annmarie

[sleekbeads]

I have a nikon coolpix as well and I wouldn't part with it for anything in the world.
I love my camera!!!!!

Jo

[Toni Lutman]

I also have a Nikon Coolpix 4300 that I've had for several years. I love it! It has the macro setting, and I can do quick, easy white balance editing in Photoshop Elements.

[AnnieQ]

I went to BestBuy and a few other stores, at bestbuy I got the Panasonic lumix 7.2 mp...my pictures are already better.
The guy that helped me compared the macro to the Nikon Coolpix L6...and the macro and pics seemed better on the panasonic. However I like everyones pics that have the Nikon so I'm not sure I feel so good about my purchase...YET. Both cameras are around $200.

I know I have to become a better 'picture taker' and I can't just depend on the camera. I feel a little ickish about panasonic...but the pics seem good so far. I'll post some in a bit when I can get my bearings on the camera a little better

Here are the specs on both if anybody has a clue...because obviously I'm still clueless.

If there's anything negative about either or if you've had a bad experience with panasonic let me know....otherwise I'll just see what happens.

DMC-LZ6 DMC-LZ7
Sensor • 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.38 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
•1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 10fps
• 848 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps (16:9)
File formats • JPEG Exif v2.21
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lens • 37-222mm (35mm equiv)
• LUMIX DC VARIO
• 6x optical zoom
• Extra optical zoom (4:3: 7.2x for 5MP, 9.0x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 9.0x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 9.0x for 2MP)
Image stabilization MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1/ Mode2)
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
AF area modes 1-point/1-point high speed/3-point high speed/5-point/Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 50cm - infinity (wide) 120cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro / Simple mode / Intelligent ISO / Motion image: 5cm - infinity (wide) 30cm - infinity (tele)
Metering Intelligent Multiple
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1250
• High Sensitivity mode ISO 3200
Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3EV step
Shuttter speed • 8-1/2000 sec
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture F2.8 /8.0 (wide: 2 steps) F4.5 / 12.7 (tele: 2 steps)
Modes • Program AE
• Simple
• Normal Picture
• Macro
• Scene
• Intelligent ISO
Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Starry Sky
• Beach
• Aerial photo
• Snow
• High Sensitivity
• Baby 1 & 2
• Sunset
• Pet
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogem
• White Set
White balance fine tune 150K step, -1500 - +1500 K (except for auto set)
Self timer 2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting n/a
Image parameters Black & White, Sepia, Natural, Standard, Vivid
Flash • Auto
• Auto / Red-eye reduction
• Forced On
• Forced Off
• Range: 0.5 - 5.4m (wide) 0.5 - 3.3m (tele)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.0-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 86,000 pixels • 2.5-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 115,000 pixels
Connectivity • Video out
• USB
• DC in • AV out
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • SD / SDHC / MMC card compatible
• 27 MB built-in memory
Power • AA Oxyride battery included
• Optional AA Ni-MH rechargeable / AA alkaline
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 180 g (0.39lb) 184 g (0.40lb)
Dimensions 98.5 x 62.3 x 33.1 mm (3.88 x 2.45 x 1.30 in)

Nikon Coolpix L5 specifications
Sensor • 1/2.5" Type CCD
• 7.41 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1024 x 768
• 640 x 480
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30fps
• 160 x 120 @ 30fps
• with sound
Lens • 38-190mm (35mm equiv)
• F2.9/5.0
• 5x zoom
Image stabilization Lens shift VR
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
Focus Auto
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • 50cm - infinity
• Macro: 4cm - infinity
Metering n/a
ISO sensitivity n/a
Exposure compensation n/a
Shuttter speed n/a
Aperture F2.9/5.0
Modes • Single
• Continuous
• Multi-shot 16 (approx 5fps)
• Auto
• 4 modes with Scene Assist
• 11 Scene modes
• BSS (Best Shot Selector)
Scene modes • Portrait
• Landscape
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Party/indoor
• Beach/snow
• Sunset
• Dusk/dawn
• Night landscape
• Close up
• Museum
• Fireworks show
• Copy
• Panorama assist
White balance • Auto with TTL
• 7-mode manual (Direct Sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Flash and White Bal. preset)
Self timer 10 sec
Continuous shooting approx 0.7fps
Image parameters Color options
Flash • Auto
• Auto with red-eye reduction
• Flash cancel
• Anytime flash
• Slow sync
• Range: 0.5-5.5m (wide) / 0.6 - 4.0m (tele)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.5-inch
• 115,000 pixels
Connectivity • USB
AV out
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • 8MB internal memory
• SD card compatible
Power • Rechargeable NiMH battery EN-MH1 or 2x AA
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 170 g (6.0 oz)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 45 mm (3.8 x 2.4 x 1.8 in)

[AnnieQ]

I can't believe the difference from the old piece o' crap that I'd been using.:P
This is a bracelet I wear all the time, not anything new.
These were point and shoot, no tripod, auto wb, macro, no flash inside, no tent, just on my desk top. Edited a little with photoshop, levels, unsharp mask. I know they aren't the best they can be, but I'm so happy with this so far for just 15 minutes into this :-({|= :happy:



65237
65238
65239

[drnihili]

We use Lumix at our house and love them. IMO they are on a par with Canon and Nikon. I don't know the particular model that you got, but the optics on ours are outstanding. Panasonic has worked with Leica on the optics for their higher end models, I suspect some of that may have rubbed off on the lower end models too.

The only thing I've noticed in glancing at the specs is that the Nikon can get about half an inch closer on the macro focus. For bead pictures I don't think that really matters, especially given that you have 7 megapixels to play with. The Nikon also looks to have a continuous shooting option which can be good for action shots. On the other hand, the Lumix has better optical zoom and more features. I use the +-EV feature on the Lumix a lot and I think it would be an advantage.

Short answer is that Lumix makes solid cameras with good optics. I wouldn't worry about them as a brand. Choose the camera that feels best to you and fits your budget. You'll take better pictures with a camera you like than one you don't like.

[AnnieQ]

Thanks Doc...after playing around with this panasonic, I really like it. Not a struggle to get a decent picture for a change.
I think I can be happy with this one....I'm really excited. I've struggled for so long with a couple of low end cameras to get a good pic it was drivin' me batty...LOL.

Annie :love:

[drnihili]

Here's a review of the camera from a good site.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07013102panasoniclz6lz7.asp

That site also has a panasonic forum and some good places for getting picture taking advice.

[AnnieQ]

Hey y'all check out my pics from my new camera over in the jewelry thread. I feel like a new woman.....LOL. Tell me what else I can do to make them better...so far I haven't really done much and I feel like they look a lot better, so I know I can get them even better, just not sure what to look for.

Scott, I've found somewhat of a sweetspot in this new lens...it's like once you see it...boom...it's amazing....still got some other sweetspots to find though. I can't believe I struggled with that other camera so long, not that it was a bad camera I guess, just bad for me. LOL

[AnnieQ]

Here's a review of the camera from a good site.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07013102panasoniclz6lz7.asp

That site also has a panasonic forum and some good places for getting picture taking advice.

Hey thanks Doc, I already love, love, love this camera!!!

[VivianLampwork]

I've this Lumix & it's really easy to use!! My daughter really wants one & I'm thinking of getting her one for her birthday. Is you Lumix model easy enough for an 11 year old?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz7/