Camera Buying Help

[trekwiz]

Got the help I needed, thanks so much!

Original post below to preserve thread continuity.

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Hi,
I want to buy a new camera, but I'm having difficulty finding what I want. I saw your board and thought this might be a good place to ask, but I'm not sure if my question is too...peanuts...for here...lol.

I'm looking for a point and shoot. My current one doesn't have manual focus at all; I've lost a lot of shots because the autofocus can't handle less than ideal lighting. All of my shots of Wicked Fest were blurry, even after a friend with steadier hands gave it a go with my camera. That was incredibly disappointing.

I specifically want a camera with a manual focus ring--that's the absolute number one feature I'm looking for. I want control of focus so that if a shot comes out blurry, I can blame myself and try again with better results. If the manual focus is hidden within a billion menus, or is of the, "hold this, then push this and this" format, I'm never going to use it, it's too much of a hassle so that defeats the point of buying a new camera in my situation. It has to be a focus ring to be worth the cost of buying another one, and because I do want that bit of control, I don't just want another that has good autofocus abilities.

I'm not particularly looking for something with a high megapixel range, 4-6 is plenty. It'll primarily be used for personal shots at events, but there are times when I may need it for a shot for my website, my boss' company's site, or even for use on TV, so I don't really want to go below 4. I'm able to spend up to around $400. I've been searching online for reviews, looking at what's available on Amazon, Best Buy, etc, and I can't find what I'm looking for. Anyone here know if what I want is out there?

-Joe

[Doug Pardee]

A manual focus ring on a point-and-shoot is a tall order. The only reasonably current camera that I can think of with a nice big manual focus ring would be the Panasonic DMC-FZ50. And it's more than your $400 budget. I think that Fujifilm's S6000 and S9000 series cameras have a small manual focus ring at the base of the lens, but they're also in the same price range.

[trekwiz]

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

I see the S9000 available on Amazon in my price range. Have you used the camera to be able to say if it's decent? I saw a few bad reviews on Amazon, and being just a casual owner, it's sometimes difficult to separate a true bad review and a bad review from someone who doesn't know what he's doing but tries to look like he does.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0007GIXS8/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&filterBy=addOneStar

[Sime™]

Would you consider second hand? I hd a quick look on eBay and saw a Canon Powershot Pro 1 - which is all you want, and more... Currently at $200 with three days to go. I have had one of these and it is a great camera, I sold it to move up to a DSLR, but, while I had it it was a great camera... I will include the link - but as with any online auction site, I urge you to do all you can to confirm the seller if you decide to purchase the item. LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Powershot-Pro-1-w-bag-Memory-Tiffen-Filters_W0QQitemZ110229137703QQihZ001QQcategoryZ14 6254QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It comes with some filters and stuff too... not a bad buy!

Good Luck!
Sime

[catleclerc]

Hi!
I'm currently owning a Fuji S9000 and while I think it can take fairly good pictures and it has nice characteristics, I sometimes wish I'd gotten a real SLR for just a little more cash. I just think that I've outgrown it already.
Also consider the size and weight of the camera. It's just as bulky as a SLR so if you don't have a smaller point and shoot, you're likely to miss out on great photo opp. I went on vacation this summer and didn't always bring along my camera because it was too big but regreted everytime not having anything to take pictures.
All that being said, it IS a good camera, the colors are vivid and it also performs well in low light - but you ABSOLUTELY need a tripod. There's no image stabilisation, which can be a problem at full zoom! Here are some examples, with no post processing to show you what I've been able to do with it!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.be/Catherinedebine/Divers/photo#5152936270874948178"><img src="http://lh5.google.be/Catherinedebine/R4LoPKe6MlI/AAAAAAAAAIU/fNmimbnGPv8/s400/DSCF0664.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.be/Catherinedebine/Divers/photo#5151710049122005490"><img src="http://lh3.google.be/Catherinedebine/R36M_qe6MfI/AAAAAAAAAGY/r51EuoTIyTA/s400/DSCF1165.JPG" /></a>

[trekwiz]

Thanks. I was actually looking to avoid Ebay, but that does sound pretty decent. I'll have to think it over--he only has one rating. Any idea how it compares to the Fujifilm S9000 that Doug Pardee recommended?

Canon has me a little hesitant, too...had a camcorder from them a few years ago, the video heads started to go after only a year of use. Any idea if their still cameras have similar issues?

[trekwiz]

Those images are really nice. I was looking for a camera I could use sans tripod--something I can use from the audience at shows at Renn Fests, and quick behind-the-scenes shots during video shoots at work. I don't mind carrying a bit of extra weight...I'm a bit of a pack mule when I have to be...lol.

How bad is it to get a good image without a tripod?

[catleclerc]

Well, you can take good pictures on zoom without a tripod, for example, that dragon was detail on a roof so it was zoomed.
But in low light obviously, it's a lot more tricky to come up with good pictures without a tripod.
Don't only take my opinion because I don't have a lot of experience and many of my problems can be due to a lack of experience!

[Sime™]

i'm not so sure about the S9000, or, any fujis for that matter - been Canon all my life... I have bought half of my gear on eBay, through a shop on eBay though.. so I guess it's a bit different...

I have never used my point and shoot on a tripod... reckon you'll do just fine for snaps and all sorts of things...

s

[trekwiz]

Thanks. I don't have much experience either--my experience is more in video, all tripod based.

Situations like this are the reason I most want manual focus:
http://www.admiraljoe.com/voltaire3.jpg
http://www.admiraljoe.com/voltaire2.jpg

In your experience, would you get a clear image in that kind of lighting from that distance in both the wide and close shot without a tripod?

[trekwiz]

Thanks for the help!

Yeah, shops are another ballgame...I'd definitely prefer going through one, which is why I'm looking more at Amazon than Ebay. Guess I'll be thinking this one over even longer.

[Sime™]

i'd hazard saying no at lower iso - but, if you had a camera that was up around 400-800 iso, you might be OK... i'm rubbish full stop at handheld, i've been on ventolin most of my life and my hands shake something chronic... someone else might give you a better assesment... My mate can hold his camera still almost upto a 1 second exposure... no idea how... I have to hold my breath and all sorts!... lol

[trekwiz]

Thanks...I'm new to this...what's ISO? I'm more video editor than cameraman, so this is new ground for me. (And thus why I've come seeking help!) I drink a lot of Pepsi, so I'm not the most steady hand in the world either...haha.

From what I see on the specs, the Fujifilm S9000 can do that:
Sensitivity : Auto, ISO equivalent to ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600

The Canon can't? I think many of my pictures will end up being in situations like those...I'm going to a second Wicked Fest event in June (when I find out the date...), which is probably going to be the exact same situation as in the pictures. Then outdoor Ren Fest in September...

[Sime™]

The canon is 50 - 400 iso wise [ which is a little odd, but, it has a nice fast lens f2.4 which means it needs less light to "light a scene" if you know what I mean?]... iso is the sensitivity to light, like the old speed of film... you know, 100 speed film for a sunny day, 400 for a few clouds.. 800 for evenings out and 1600 [and a fridge to keep it in] for darkness!.. [sorry.. got carried away.. awwww film.. where are you now!... iLford..mmmm]

With the Fuji doing up to iso 1600 you will be find in low light situations... the Canon may struggle a bit, but, may make up for it a touch with the "L Series" lens... [hu hum.. Canon - thanks, it's not <i>really</i> an L series bit of glass...

hmmmm.... I think I may have just confused the whatsit out of you?...

What about a Canon Ixus 960 IS - mine focusses really good in low lit areas and has 80 - 1600 iso and Image Stabilizer... you'll get one new, almost, for your budget... I think...

[trekwiz]

Haha, I'm a digital boy, so when I said video editor, I did mean video--would love to go on a film shoot sometime, but working for a small business, it's a bit rare.

You haven't confused me too badly, I'm a Trekkie so I can generally pick up technobabble quickly. (-;

So let me see how much I did understand--the Fuji will probably give me a more-than-good-enough picture for my needs if I want to be casual about adjusting things other than focus. The Canon will give me a great picture if I'm careful about adjusting the finer settings, but probably not as good with the places I'll likely be using it if I'm going to be casual about the settings.

Is a lower f faster or slower? The Fuji is
Aperture range: f2.8 to f11; 13 steps in 1/3 EV increments, Manual/Auto selectable

Ixus is in my price range...but no manual focus ring. That's the main thing I want. Thanks, though. I really appreciate all the help. (:

[Sime™]

heh.. no worries... [I work in TV... i've not seen any actual FILM for years...sad times] lower f is wider aperture.. so... less light required for faster shutter speed [=less shake obviously] so... canon is f2.4 and the fuji f2.8 - much the same, really... the Fuji is newer.. the ixus doesn't have manual focus - my bad...ooops

what about a second hand SLR Digital?... [throws spanner quietly into works]

[trekwiz]

Oh cool...I work in TV, too, but nothing big--just local commercials. Been working part time for just over a year. I'm a bit of an everything-guy for my boss...script writer, PA, editor. A few rare times I've been handed the camera. Now and then I've done some VOs, and I have my own food critic segment on my boss' business show: http://www.youtube.com/joecriticshow

Haha...I think a DSLR is going to be too much for me. I don't really understand the mechanics enough to get great use out of it. I also want something I can just grab and go with and know that it'll be fine with few adjustments. I also did enough reading in the past few days to know that lenses are the really important part, and that's a bit far over my head.

I think I'll go with the Fuji, the price is incredibly discounted and it sounds like it's a good fit for how I'll be using it.

[trekwiz]

Thanks for all the help! I just placed my order. (: