Help : My negatives have been misplaced. And a digicam guide!

GTO · 22nd April 2004, 15:35

Hey TBians,

Folks are headed to the States in May, and I am asking them to pick up a digicam for me. Butttttttttttttttttttt if only I knew as much about digicams as I do about cars...Bottom line - My knowledge in this area is zilch.

Okay pal, my budget is apprx $400, but dont mind spending another $100 if I am getting much superior picture quality. Picture quality is a big driver for me. Usage will be split equally between day and night, indoors and outdoors. And yes, 50% of the pictures will be car-related.

From my research so far I have narrowed it down to the Sony Cybershot DSC-V1, the Canon G5 and the Canon S50.

But now theres some new models I am hearing about such as the Canon Powershot S500 and the Sony DSC-T1.

Which one? Help?

GTO

adityapd · 22nd April 2004, 17:49

GTO,

probably this http://www.mouthshut.com/read.php?cid=109&r=1 might help

cheers
~A

ps: look out for the link "buying a digicam" to start fromthe scratch

Rtech · 22nd April 2004, 18:22

IMO for that price, go for the Sony DSC-T1
Really compact too! Perfect camera if you ask me, + being a Sony, you have tons of support for it.

1/2.4" 5.1-Megapixel Super HAD™ CCD for up to 2592x1944 stills
JPEG (Fine/Standard), Voice Memo and E-Mail still image modes
Carl Zeiss 3X Optical zoom lens (38~114mm 35mm equivalent)
Auto, Program AE, Scene Mode (Twilight, Tw Portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, High Speed Shutter, Fireworks, Magnifying Glass)
Auto Shutter range 1 ~1/1000 sec; Auto aperture f3.5, f5.6, f8
Five area Multi-point Auto Focus, with AF Illuminator low light focusing assist
Slow Shutter NR subtractive noise reduction for long exposures
49 Segment Multi-pattern measuring exposure system and Spot meter modes
4 Mode flash (Auto/On/Off/Slow Synchro), TTL Pre-flash metering, red-eye reduction
White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent and Flash)
Live Histogram display in record and playback modes
4-shot 2.5fps Burst mode
Auto-Exposure Bracketing 3 shots w/0.3, 0.6, 1.0EV steps
MPEG Movie (w/audio) - VX Fine (640x480, 30fps), VX Std (640x480 16fps), email (160x112)
2.5" 211k Pixel LCD; Transflective design reflects ambient light for increased brightness
Playback Zoom with selectable resolution trimming function, in-camera re-size and copy functions, A/V Output
Memory Stick Pro Duo compatible to 512MB, 32MB included.

Thanks to: www.steves-digicams.com

Powerslave · 22nd April 2004, 21:11

GTO, go to http://www.dcresource.com and pick the camera you want to research from the dropdown list. On the next page, click on the 'gallery' hyperlink. You'll see photos taken with the camera being discussed. I strongly believe that to choose a camera, you have to see the pic with YOUR eyes; (very much like buying speakers - you need to hear the music with YOUR ears). A friends view may be different from your taste, as with an expert or critic.

My personal opinion: If we're talking brands, get a Canon or a Nikon. Sony is very good, but cameras are not what they do best. My sister owns the Canon G3 (older G5) and I own the S50. They're both awesome cameras, but the G5 has an edge in that it has an accessory shoe for an external flash and a bayonet mount for lens (if you ever need one). The add-on flash is extremely important for indoor pics and poor lightling, as I experienced at Jacob Javits'. A small hitch with the two Canons - they use proprietary batteries that are expensive, but it can be overcome.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck !

v12 · 23rd April 2004, 00:20

Hi guys,
I was just passin that studio today when i heard someone callin out my name. When i looked up, it was the owner of the studio. I went up to him and he told me that "Tera photos aa gaya" . I was shocked and told him "Kya baat kar raha hai". I told him to tell me seriously and not joke on this matter. Its a very sensitive matter. he said no seriously they've come. What happened was a driver had collected the photos on behalf of his madam. The madam was out of town and came back just 3 days back. And when she seen the pics she realised that these were not hers and returned them back.

God Bless Her.

P.S. I have scanned the SL500 pic and posted it in the appropriate topic. Heres the link :
Red SL500

Rehaan · 23rd April 2004, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (v12 @ April 22 2004,22:50)]I told him to tell me seriously and not joke on this matter. Its a very sensitive matter.

God Bless Her.

LOL

GTO i will do some specific research n get back to you. But right now i have some major homework due for tomorow...

later
Rehaan

GTO · 23rd April 2004, 21:47

Thanks very much, you guys...buts you still aint heard the end of it.

So did some more research and found the Canon A80 4 megapixel camera for $200 shipped. For you boys in the States, dont ever pick up anything before checking on The fatwallet forums.

Now the question is, is it worth paying $300 more for just one extra megapixel? I know zilch about cameras, and all the manual settings that Rehaan spoke about before will never ever be used by me. All I am going to do is point and shoot in automatic mode. I have also heard that 4 MP is more than enough to take print copies of 4x6 size with quality comparable to regular 35mm cameras.

Another factor is that if I spend $500 on a camera, I will have to use it for atleast 3 years. But if I get a $200 camera, I can always upgrade to the then-introduced 8MP camera in a year or two itself.

Waiting...

GTO

GTO · 23rd April 2004, 21:51

Seriously OT, but check out my own find here on the Fatwallet when I picked up my Laptop. Its got 27000 views and led to the creation of www.x1000forums.com

GTO

v12 · 24th April 2004, 00:37

The Canon A80 costs 18500 in Bombay with software , USB Cable , Video Cable , 32MB CompactFlash Card and strap.

JJ Mehta

Rtech · 26th April 2004, 13:23

What do you need a 8 Mp camera for anyways? I mean, how many times are you actually gonna print out pics that ;large anyway??

A lot of ppl mistake MP for picture quality, which is not entirely correct. All that states is how large a photo can be without pixelating. A pic taken by a 5 MP cam can look quite bad if the lens used is crappy. So the main thing too look for first is the quality of the lens i would say.

Rudra Sen · 26th April 2004, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (GTO @ April 13 2004,14:34)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Those pics mean a lot to me.

I feel your pain bro. I suggest looking out for a digicam now

GTO

But make sure it's at least 4 mega pixel.
Happy shooting.

22nd April 2004, 15:35	#31
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,693 Times View My Garage	Hey TBians, Folks are headed to the States in May, and I am asking them to pick up a digicam for me. Butttttttttttttttttttt if only I knew as much about digicams as I do about cars...Bottom line - My knowledge in this area is zilch. Okay pal, my budget is apprx $400, but dont mind spending another $100 if I am getting much superior picture quality. Picture quality is a big driver for me. Usage will be split equally between day and night, indoors and outdoors. And yes, 50% of the pictures will be car-related. From my research so far I have narrowed it down to the Sony Cybershot DSC-V1, the Canon G5 and the Canon S50. But now theres some new models I am hearing about such as the Canon Powershot S500 and the Sony DSC-T1. Which one? Help? GTO
	() Thanks

22nd April 2004, 17:49	#32
adityapd BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, Philadelphia Posts: 288 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	GTO, probably this http://www.mouthshut.com/read.php?cid=109&r=1 might help cheers ~A ps: look out for the link "buying a digicam" to start fromthe scratch
	() Thanks

22nd April 2004, 18:22	#33
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	IMO for that price, go for the Sony DSC-T1 Really compact too! Perfect camera if you ask me, + being a Sony, you have tons of support for it. 1/2.4" 5.1-Megapixel Super HAD™ CCD for up to 2592x1944 stills JPEG (Fine/Standard), Voice Memo and E-Mail still image modes Carl Zeiss 3X Optical zoom lens (38~114mm 35mm equivalent) Auto, Program AE, Scene Mode (Twilight, Tw Portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, High Speed Shutter, Fireworks, Magnifying Glass) Auto Shutter range 1 ~1/1000 sec; Auto aperture f3.5, f5.6, f8 Five area Multi-point Auto Focus, with AF Illuminator low light focusing assist Slow Shutter NR subtractive noise reduction for long exposures 49 Segment Multi-pattern measuring exposure system and Spot meter modes 4 Mode flash (Auto/On/Off/Slow Synchro), TTL Pre-flash metering, red-eye reduction White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent and Flash) Live Histogram display in record and playback modes 4-shot 2.5fps Burst mode Auto-Exposure Bracketing 3 shots w/0.3, 0.6, 1.0EV steps MPEG Movie (w/audio) - VX Fine (640x480, 30fps), VX Std (640x480 16fps), email (160x112) 2.5" 211k Pixel LCD; Transflective design reflects ambient light for increased brightness Playback Zoom with selectable resolution trimming function, in-camera re-size and copy functions, A/V Output Memory Stick Pro Duo compatible to 512MB, 32MB included. Thanks to: www.steves-digicams.com
	() Thanks

22nd April 2004, 21:11	#34
Powerslave BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY/USA Posts: 103 Thanked: Once	GTO, go to http://www.dcresource.com and pick the camera you want to research from the dropdown list. On the next page, click on the 'gallery' hyperlink. You'll see photos taken with the camera being discussed. I strongly believe that to choose a camera, you have to see the pic with YOUR eyes; (very much like buying speakers - you need to hear the music with YOUR ears). A friends view may be different from your taste, as with an expert or critic. My personal opinion: If we're talking brands, get a Canon or a Nikon. Sony is very good, but cameras are not what they do best. My sister owns the Canon G3 (older G5) and I own the S50. They're both awesome cameras, but the G5 has an edge in that it has an accessory shoe for an external flash and a bayonet mount for lens (if you ever need one). The add-on flash is extremely important for indoor pics and poor lightling, as I experienced at Jacob Javits'. A small hitch with the two Canons - they use proprietary batteries that are expensive, but it can be overcome. Let us know what you decide. Good luck !
	() Thanks

23rd April 2004, 00:20	#35
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,739 Thanked: 7,213 Times View My Garage	Hi guys, I was just passin that studio today when i heard someone callin out my name. When i looked up, it was the owner of the studio. I went up to him and he told me that "Tera photos aa gaya" . I was shocked and told him "Kya baat kar raha hai". I told him to tell me seriously and not joke on this matter. Its a very sensitive matter. he said no seriously they've come. What happened was a driver had collected the photos on behalf of his madam. The madam was out of town and came back just 3 days back. And when she seen the pics she realised that these were not hers and returned them back. God Bless Her. P.S. I have scanned the SL500 pic and posted it in the appropriate topic. Heres the link : Red SL500
	() Thanks

23rd April 2004, 21:47	#37
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,693 Times View My Garage	Thanks very much, you guys...buts you still aint heard the end of it. So did some more research and found the Canon A80 4 megapixel camera for $200 shipped. For you boys in the States, dont ever pick up anything before checking on The fatwallet forums. Now the question is, is it worth paying $300 more for just one extra megapixel? I know zilch about cameras, and all the manual settings that Rehaan spoke about before will never ever be used by me. All I am going to do is point and shoot in automatic mode. I have also heard that 4 MP is more than enough to take print copies of 4x6 size with quality comparable to regular 35mm cameras. Another factor is that if I spend $500 on a camera, I will have to use it for atleast 3 years. But if I get a $200 camera, I can always upgrade to the then-introduced 8MP camera in a year or two itself. Waiting... GTO
	() Thanks

23rd April 2004, 21:51	#38
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,693 Times View My Garage	Seriously OT, but check out my own find here on the Fatwallet when I picked up my Laptop. Its got 27000 views and led to the creation of www.x1000forums.com GTO
	() Thanks

24th April 2004, 00:37	#39
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,739 Thanked: 7,213 Times View My Garage	The Canon A80 costs 18500 in Bombay with software , USB Cable , Video Cable , 32MB CompactFlash Card and strap. JJ Mehta
	() Thanks

26th April 2004, 13:23	#40
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	What do you need a 8 Mp camera for anyways? I mean, how many times are you actually gonna print out pics that ;large anyway?? A lot of ppl mistake MP for picture quality, which is not entirely correct. All that states is how large a photo can be without pixelating. A pic taken by a 5 MP cam can look quite bad if the lens used is crappy. So the main thing too look for first is the quality of the lens i would say.
	() Thanks