Camera suggestions

[Deleted]

So, I'm going on this "once in a lifetime" trip to Alaska and people are telling me to take lots of pictures, and I just realized I don't actually have a camera outside of my cell phone.  Well, I DO have a digital SLR, but it's old and I think kind of crappy...think like 8mp I'm going to look it over when I get home to see if it's worth taking along.

I only have about a week and a half, so if I'm going to order anything I'd need to do it, like now.  My limit would be $300.  The one thing I really want it to have is a viewfinder.   I am so sick of looking through sun-glared screens to take pictures.

Anyhow, I'm still on the fence.  I have my phone with me everywhere, and it has a 16mp camera.  Maybe that's good enough...

[toomuchreality]

I LOVE my Fuji waterproof camera. It's an older one. The new ones are even better!

I hope you find what you are looking for and that you have an AWESOME & FABULOUS trip!  

[giramomma]

Do you have a camera store somewhat close by? They might have some good recommendations.

Personally, I would take a camera, because our cell phones suck at distance.

Have you looked at Amazon Warehouse. They've got 16 MP cameras with some good zoom for under $200.

[Lizard Queen]

Yeah, I don't know.  I just started using my Nikon I bought last summer, and it takes really good pictures, but it was $450, I think.  And it's bulky.  Doesn't anyone else in your group have a good camera?  If so, I say let them take the good pictures, and just use your phone.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have a Canon digital camera with a zoom that I took with me to Africa.  It did better than TD's DSLR, and was a hell of a lot lighter.  

The one thing I make sure I have on a camera is a viewfinder.  The new Canon does not have one, but I'd give some serious consideration to this one.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011PKJI2Y/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B011PKJI2Y&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtag19288-20

[Deleted]

crap. 

Think I'd have to spend more than $300 to get what I'd really want.   Everything is saying to get at least a 200mm zoom and a wide angle.

[thyme4change]

My husband's Samsung 7 takes fantastic pictures. Our best pictures are from his phone or the kids' phones, despite his hundreds of pictures he takes with his $800 Cannon. It infuriates him. I bet the s8 is even better.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2017 8:30:08 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have a Canon digital camera with a zoom that I took with me to Africa.  It did better than TD's DSLR, and was a hell of a lot lighter.  

The one thing I make sure I have on a camera is a viewfinder.  The new Canon does not have one, but I'd give some serious consideration to this one.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011PKJI2Y/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B011PKJI2Y&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtag19288-20

Wait, what?  The canons don't have a viewfinder?  I was looking at the EOS Rebel T6 and it says "optical viewfinder"

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

The Powershot I was looking at does not appear to have one from the pic.  It is the newer merl that I have, with the mega zoom.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jun 27, 2017 8:59:55 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jun 27, 2017 8:30:08 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have a Canon digital camera with a zoom that I took with me to Africa.  It did better than TD's DSLR, and was a hell of a lot lighter.  

The one thing I make sure I have on a camera is a viewfinder.  The new Canon does not have one, but I'd give some serious consideration to this one.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011PKJI2Y/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B011PKJI2Y&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtag19288-20

Wait, what?  The canons don't have a viewfinder?  I was looking at the EOS Rebel T6 and it says "optical viewfinder"

You'd have to get a separate zoom lens for this, MPL.  I really do recommend that whatever camera you get, you do.  I know that when I was trying to get pics of animals, the zoom really helped.  

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2017 9:59:10 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jun 27, 2017 8:59:55 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Wait, what?  The canons don't have a viewfinder?  I was looking at the EOS Rebel T6 and it says "optical viewfinder"

You'd have to get a separate zoom lens for this, MPL.  I really do recommend that whatever camera you get, you do.  I know that when I was trying to get pics of animals, the zoom really helped.  

Yeah.  I was looking at whole kits with a wide angle and zoom.  I was reading a bunch of reviews on the Rebel T6 which was about $520 and they said if you're going to spend that much go with this one instead. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU0ORBL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AXCB29L39I26U&psc=1

Of course, now we're at double what I was looking to spend. 


As a side note.  Back in the day I was pretty big into photography...and was pretty good at it.   I had a really nice camera and even did all my own developing.   About the time I built the house and first son was born (and film became obsolete) I got out of it and never got back in.  I am CLUELESS to all the new digital stuff, but I really think I need a hobby again for my own mental health.  So, it's not just about spending money on a trip. 

[Lizard Queen]

Sometimes (often?) taking pictures on vacation takes away from the experience of it. Unless you really want the pictures and enjoy photography, I really suggest letting others in your family take the great pictures (if you have one or more of those going with you).

[Deleted]

I'm not sure about my extended family that live far away, but I know my parents and my aunt and uncle that live by me will just be going the iphone route. They travel ALL. THE. TIME, so it's just another trip to them. In fact, they just did this exact same cruise a few years ago.

I dunno...maybe that will be fine.  A lot more convenient anyhow since my phone is always in my purse or pocket. 

[alabamagal]

First off, I suck at taking pictures.  I was just looking at our family pictures trying to find some pictures of DS to contribute to his photo montage for his wedding.  There are large parts of his life where I have only minimal photos.  So here is my advice anyway:

The pictures you really want to have are of the people you are going with (assuming you like your family  ).  Cell phones are great for taking pictures of people, not so great for scenery.  If you want to seriously get into photography, you need a good camera.  If you want pictures of people standing in front of landmarks, just use a cell phone.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jun 27, 2017 10:11:06 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jun 27, 2017 9:59:10 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

You'd have to get a separate zoom lens for this, MPL.  I really do recommend that whatever camera you get, you do.  I know that when I was trying to get pics of animals, the zoom really helped.  

Yeah.  I was looking at whole kits with a wide angle and zoom.  I was reading a bunch of reviews on the Rebel T6 which was about $520 and they said if you're going to spend that much go with this one instead. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU0ORBL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AXCB29L39I26U&psc=1

Of course, now we're at double what I was looking to spend. 


As a side note.  Back in the day I was pretty big into photography...and was pretty good at it.   I had a really nice camera and even did all my own developing.   About the time I built the house and first son was born (and film became obsolete) I got out of it and never got back in.  I am CLUELESS to all the new digital stuff, but I really think I need a hobby again for my own mental health.  So, it's not just about spending money on a trip. 

I bought TD the next model up for Christmas a few years ago.  If you do get something like this (and check out Sam's or Costco.....they usually carry these too), you want to work with it before you go.   

[Lizard Queen]

I looked, I have a Nikon D3300 that I got as a bundle with a zoom lens, case, and a little wifi thing so I can get pics right on my phone from the camera.  It was either $450 or $550, but it was a deal at the time.  Here's a pic my DH took the other day (he's much steadier than I am):

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2017 11:22:48 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I looked, I have a Nikon D3300 that I got as a bundle with a zoom lens, case, and a little wifi thing so I can get pics right on my phone from the camera.  It was either $450 or $550, but it was a deal at the time.  Here's a pic my DH took the other day (he's much steadier than I am):

Nice!  Just think of the chicken shots I could get!  

[Lizard Queen]

Lol--thats exactly what I was thinking!

[cameragrrl]

DPReview.com did a roundup on long zoom consumer cameras.  They seem to start at $400 but some are really impressive from a specs and image quality perspective.  www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-consumer-long-zoom-compacts 

[Deleted]

Another confession.  My Dad and Stepmom are not able to go on this trip.  They originally told us they would be able to and whatever week we booked would be fine, but then it ended up that stepmom's 50th class reunion is happening the same time, so they backed out.  Last week they gave me $1000 that they want me to use towards the trip (I'm guessing because had they been along they would have been treating the grandkids a lot).  They told me excursions, luggage, whatever, but I think they really want it used towards the trip and not stuck in my Roth. 

I'm trying to spend it on something that will last, but maybe a couple excursions would be better. 

I don't know how this trip snuck up on me! 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jun 27, 2017 11:55:06 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Another confession.  My Dad and Stepmom are not able to go on this trip.  They originally told us they would be able to and whatever week we booked would be fine, but then it ended up that stepmom's 50th class reunion is happening the same time, so they backed out.  Last week they gave me $1000 that they want me to use towards the trip (I'm guessing because had they been along they would have been treating the grandkids a lot).  They told me excursions, luggage, whatever, but I think they really want it used towards the trip and not stuck in my Roth. 

I'm trying to spend it on something that will last, but maybe a couple excursions would be better. 

I don't know how this trip snuck up on me! 

Buy the camera kit and spend the rest on expeditions!

[Lizard Queen]

Now I think you should get one, 'cause I want to see more chicken pix!     That could be a good hobby, right?  Chicken pic blogger! 

[simser]

I'm cheap and I love photography. Here's my off beat recommendation.

Borrowlenses (I think that's spelled right). Get a new body that matches your current lenses for a while (I'm a Nikon girl, my cousin is die hard canon). If you want to splurge, get a good 16-300 lens (all I use anymore. My dad too, and he used to teach photography). Rent for a week, return, and push off the camera decision for a time when it's not so pressing. You don't want to go cheap on once in a lifetime pictures.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2017 12:53:38 GMT -5 simser said:

I'm cheap and I love photography. Here's my off beat recommendation.

Borrowlenses (I think that's spelled right). Get a new body that matches your current lenses for a while (I'm a Nikon girl, my cousin is die hard canon). If you want to splurge, get a good 16-300 lens (all I use anymore. My dad too, and he used to teach photography). Rent for a week, return, and push off the camera decision for a time when it's not so pressing. You don't want to go cheap on once in a lifetime pictures.

That is a supercool idea, but it looks like with shipping it would still cost me about half the cost of new to rent for 14 days.    It might be a better deal with the upper end cameras.  I was just looking at the Rebel T6i with two lenses and it came  $250 or something.  I have NO lenses right now.  Nothing.  So I would need the entire deal.  The last time I had an SLR camera was in the early to mid-90's and I have no idea what became of it.

[simser]

I think I got it down to like 180 (the 16-300 Tamron is a good all around lens) but yeah it's not as cheap as you would like. Are you looking specifically for a slr? If not, pm me, I may have a solution?

[tskeeter]

I don't think you need to get too hung up on MP.  I've taken some quite nice pics that enlarged to 12X18 with good resolution with a 3.3 MP camera.

The features I look for in a camera is image stabilization, zoom, good optics, and portability.  That means the I've been using a Nikon pocket camera for the last 10 years.

[Deleted]

Well, go figure. I dug that old camera out and it's actually better than I thought, it's 14MP with a pretty good zoom.  Not a fancy DSLR by any means, but probably better than my phone.  I'm thinking I might just make this work for me. 

www.cnet.com/products/kodak-easyshare-z981/review/

This thing has been sitting new in the box for like 7 years at least.  The only thing that is missing is the cable to connect to a PC.  I think the ex took it at some point because it was the same one as the little CyberShots he had used.

On another note, I also found an almost new pair of water proof hiking shoes in Carrot's size in the basement when I was digging around down there.  This was actually on my list of things to buy this week for all three of us.  Just another example of how unorganized I am.  I have no idea what I have/don't have.

[Chocolate Lover]

You can always get a new cable on Amazon. They have everything   

[nittanycheme]

I purchased a new camera a couple of years ago.  I really like it for daytime photographs, and it has a fantastic zoom (48x!).  But it sucks in low-light.  Unfortunately, while my old camera is really good in low light, it is having functional issues.  Wouldn't be a problem except that my husband has started up a band again.  And they don't usually play in well-light environments.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd like to hear them.  I don't need that kind of zoom for the band.