IA's Potential Digital Camera?

[ImaginAsian]

Been looking around at Digital Camera's and finally think I may get one, now that I have Photoshop 6.0 and a Good book to teach me about it.

What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.fujifilm.com//Content/15/14821/dfinepix2800_detail.jpg (http://www.fujifilm.com/tcm.html?x-tempest-op=generic&ContentId=14821&UserTypeId=2&CurrentTopCategory=4&pagetype=ContentItemLeaf)

6X Optical Zoom! :eek2:

[Darksword]

That thing looks great! I checked out the specs and it looks like a real winner. I like the sleek and sexy curves on it. Kinda reminds me of your mom. :p

[AmStoned]

Ah, DK's just jealous 'cause his mama's flat as pancakes front and back.:D


Fuji Finepix 2800 Digital Camera

*2.1 Megapixel Digital Camera
*1600x1200 Image Resolution
*6x optical zoom lens
*2.5x Digital zoom
*Motion Video mode with Sound
*Voice Annotation w/Image
*5-Mode internal Flash
*16MB Smartmedia Memory
*64 zone TTL Metering
*Shutter speeds up to 1/1500
*Webcam Mode
*1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
MSRP: $399.99
ETA: 10/28/01

Aside from the Smartmedia Memory, this baby's all good. Love the video mode, 6x Optical Zoom, and especially the AA battery usage (Remember to get the 1800 mAh Ni-MH rechargeables). However, since this is a new product that will not be on the market for another 6 weeks, I'd check out the reviews before making your final decision. Here are two of my references:

http://www.megapixel.net

http://www.dpreview.com

[ImaginAsian]

What's not good about the SmartMedia, Stone? Im a newbie at this so any information is valuable!!

I really liked the AA instead of some proprietary battery crap. I like how it looks too and you KNOW me and looks :p

Is a 2MP camera good enough to take photo 8x10 quality?

[martzweb]

I got myself a Kodak DC-215 2 years back.... Not exactly cutting edge, but it does 11xx X 8xx res, and provided you want to shell out for a USB card reader uploading the files is easy peasy.

[Alakazam]

Fine looking camera IA. does it have a macro mode and what is the closest focusing distance it achieves?

[AmStoned]

Let me see, CF cards are more durable, have a much higher storage capacity, and cheaper than SM. SM's maximum capacity right now is 128MB, while CF goes up to 512MB. But for starters, 128MB should be enough.

Al: Here are the in depth specs.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?cameras=fuji_finepix2800z&method=sidebyside

[Darksword]

Hmmm...I've never heard about CF media until now. How much cheaper is it than the Smart Media?

[ImaginAsian]

I'm sure I can get a good deal with this bad boy by using them Staples coupons or someting similar when it comes out!

CF media is compact flash media...that's about all I know :P

[martzweb]

Compact Flash is great..... i use it with the Kodak, and it behaves all the time :)

[Alakazam]

Tnx for the link Am, looks to focus down to 4 ", very good. My cheapie cam only goes to 3', not good for closeups. It looks like a pretty good performer for the price.

[ImaginAsian]

Hey Zammy...where did you locate the information on the specs? I couldn't deciper it from Stone's link or my original one?

[Alakazam]

About halfway down the specs on AmSoned link:

Normal focus range 80 cm
Macro focus range 10 cm

[Orange Peel]

Sound like a good camera. I used one simular to that on the Castle holiday. I can't fault the pictures at all. Even in dark conditions the pictures came out clear and sharp.

Flash media is very cheap at the moment. I used 2 X 128MB cards and had no problem with them. All I would say is, remember to use the USB cable to download the pictures to your PC. The serial cable takes forever.

[AmStoned]

Slayer brought up something important. Virtually all current DigiCams use USB connection to transfer data to your system, the problem (well, my problem at least) is that it still takes a long time (especially if the CF card's full), and you're forced to use the DigiCam company's proprietary photo album program to store the photos. Thus, I bought a SanDisk CF Reader. This baby is sick. Works exactly like your SCSI Zip Drive, and it's damn fast. Beside, it doesn't eat up your DigiCam battery. So, there's something to think about when you get your DigiCam. But, it's up to you 'cause it costs around $25.

On a side note, I need to buy a wide angle lense and adapter for my DigiCam. Everytime I take a panorama picture, the landscape come out like they're 100 ft. away instead of 50 ft. That's it for tonight. Goodday gentlemen.

[ImaginAsian]

Damn...I saw this baby over at CompUSA this weekend. This thing is sweet. 400 clams though :(

Hopefully Santa is nice to me :D

[Techvillage]

Since you asked.... :)

It all depends what you are going to do with the picures afterwards. If it's purely for sharing picures on the Internet, and rarely getting printed out, then a 1 or 2 megapixel camera is great. But when it comes to printing out, you need pixels, pixels, pixels... did I say you need pixels? Coz when you print out, that's where the maximum pixels count.I'm ultra fussy about image quality, and lots of people may have 2 megapixel cameras here, they will get great results but a 3 megapixel does it better. But 3 megapixel cameras cost a lot more.

Each picture you take is a "master" image. What you do there after is limited in what you can do to the pixels to make it look sharper. So my advice to you, more than anything else, is if you can get up to the next level of 3 megapixels, do it, even if you gotta shag someone's mom for the money! :)

I have been using DC's for years now, I had one of the first 640x480 camera's, boy it was crap! It needed a powerstation to run it (I spent a small fortune on batteries, went over to rechargeable, but they only gave 10 minutes of shooting time!!!) But it was only this year that I sold my trusty 35MM Nikon body, lens and accessories.

When I look at those picures now, the quality is awful, compared to todays camera's. But todays camera's, 4megapixel (true, not interpolated) cameras and above area good match 35mm film when printing out.

What I'm trying to say, but badly, get the best "master" image you can, because down the road you never know what you are going to do with it.

Amstoned is absolutely right on the transfer front. All these camera's come with software for transferring the images from the DC to the PC, by USB these days, But with the high capacity CF cards around, and not forgetting the IBM microdisks, huge storage capacity is available and even usb can be slow - to the extent that certain pro-sumer/professional DC use firewire to transfer and not USB(too slow for the large images these babies produce).

I also use a CF reader like Amstoned. I use an internal version like the http://www.antec-inc.com/product/pc_card/pccard.html
the PCI Datachute, it's a card that slots into one of the PCI slots, and a ribbon that connects to the actual reader it self which looks a bit like a floppy dosk reader. Tres rapido!

The next thing you will find yourself doing if you are going to be printing these out are upgrading your printer and getting in so photo grade printing paper.

I get an immense amount of satisfaction out of it all.

The Fuji Finepix 2800 is a very fine and sexy looking camera IA, what is about you and sexy looking hardware..... :)

[AmStoned]

Time to back Tech up. I know you have the money IA, get the 3.2 MegaPixel DC. Didn't know how ordinary pics taken with my 2.1 DC looked until I saw my friend's pics taken with a 3.2. I was like damn, why'd you get them pics? It's damn good.

In case you want to get a print out of DK's mom, look into Canon printers, specifically the new S800. It's just superior.

[DragonAce]

this is the one i got IA..
imo Fuji's are great cameras!!
i think i would have preferred the 6900 now that i think about it..but ah well...too late..

[muckshifter]

:eek:

Take your picture here ... No camera needed (http://www.monitorcamera.com/)


;)

[floppybootstomp]

Mucks - you git :) This is my photo according to your link...

Not too far off a real likeness I suppose :D

[Orange Peel]

DA - Is that the one designed by Porshe? I've seen one like that in a UK catalouge that looks the same. Nice camera from what I have read.

I've just aquired this baby. Its a Sony IP7 Digital Camcorder. IT takes Digital tapes and Sony Flash Memory for taking still pictures.

[DragonAce]

Slayer..ya pal..Porsche designed it..
it's pretty cool..it'll do pics, act as a web cam, take short movies w/ audio too..
multi exposure, zoom, 3.3M super CCD and 2832x2128 pix...WAY too much to list..
it's an upgrade to the 4800 from last year..but a lot better imaging

nice rig you got there..
i thought about going that route, but thought, nah, i'm more of a photographer than a director so get the best i could afford in the genre that i'm proficient..

hmmmm..maybe next year tho i'll grab something like what you've got for "extra-curricular" rememberances :D
(just how small is that camera??:lol: )

[ImaginAsian]

Thanks for all the great info guys! It's making my decision much easier now that I know what to look for. If you guys really think 3MP is the minimum for Photo Quality Prints, then by all means...IA will have to put DK's mom out on the street every MWF :)

Hmmm...the search is on again!

Any reccomendations? One rule...if its ugly, feggidaboutit!

[AmStoned]

If it's simplicity you want, than look no further than the Canon S30. This baby gives you great pictures, 3.2 CCD, sleak design, and controls a dummy can understand. Okay, I'm being totally bias here 'cause I have a Canon A20 and S100 and they are about the easiest DCs to operate. I've tried other brands, but if you ain't got the manual with you, tough luck.

Here's an in-depth review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons40/) on it's brother S40. They are virtually identical except for the CCD. Lowest price for this baby is $489 (http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10315423) @ buy.com.

[JackDaniels]

IA - I have a FUJI finepix 4700. It is quality!

The inbuilt (USB) interface is a pain as it doesn't work with w2k (without fiddling) but since I use XP and its an XP supported camera that isn't a problem. Works with MAC and Win98 too.

A single 64MB SM card will allow 101 Med res HQ shots.

The only advice I would offer is buy some spare NiMH batteries as these toys use a lot of juice.

JD

PS - Slayer, is that the new cam you were telling me about, you know the one you have been using for your latest home movie :D

Cheeky boy ! ;)

[Orange Peel]

JD - Yup, that's the one. Not been used for any home movies yet!

DA - Its very small. About the size 80mm X 70mm X 40mm ish, I'll dig the manual out later.


Taking it with me Skiing in January, which should be fun. Just filled out the Holiday Insurance form, can't be too careful!

[ImaginAsian]

I finally got a Digital Camera :)

Check out this bad boy...Olympus C-2100 10X Optical Zoom :eek:

http://www.digital-camerastore.com/olympusc21002.jpg

I decided to go with this one cause the 3MP cameras are pretty expensive and I reason in two years Im gonna get another one anyway and by that time I can get a 5MP for the price of my 2MP. Plus I get 10X zoom and the reviews are awesome on this baby! I took a look at a ton of cameras and I have to say those Canon Digital Elphs, Nikon CoolPix, Fuji 2800 are pretty but they feel like a litle toy. So small and hard to hold...I needed something substantial. This camera feels GREAT in my hands and very stable. It was between this or the Minolta DiImage series and price and reviews won! Of course, this camera is still good looking to me :D

Picked me up a card reader and 128MB of SmartMedia also. I haven't been this excited since I scratched myself this morning!

The fun begins...

[floppybootstomp]

I'm sure we all little boys at heart and nothing like a new toy to make that boy feel good :hat:

Enjoy, IA, you gonna have a lotta fun with that thing. (Hmmmm.... the, uh, bedroom possibilities are endless, are they not?) :D

Ahem, scuse me, mind like a sewer.....

And, as a Brit, and a London Brit at that, 'Iron Chef' is still making me giggle..... viva la culture clash :lol:

[Techvillage]

Hey - very tasty IA :) The Olympus Camedia range has a mighty fine reputation, used by a lot enthusiasts, because of the manual controls this baby offers, and outstanding optics - you chose a goodie :)

[Techvillage]

By the way IA - what do we call you now, IA or Iron Chef? Can't shorten it to IC as that may cause some confusion ;)

[DragonAce]

nice rig IA..
good choice!!

[ImaginAsian]

Thanks guys! I'm loving every moment of it. And it sure feels like that little boy feeling when you get a new toy! Bedroom shots..hmm...u want one of me hanging from the ceiling fan and letting it all hang out :D

If you guys think I made a good choice, I can rest easy. I was torn between this one and the Olympus C3000 3.1MP but it only had 3X zoom and was $100 more. I used that $100 to buy another 128MB of SmartMedia, a card reader and a bag. The Nikons are really nice but they only save in JPG - how weird? The Fuji I was set on is so small and it's all Auto (which is a good thing for a dumbass like moi) but the manual features on the Olympus sure is a nice feature to have when I wanna play around.

And that Porsche Fuji was sure pretty DA, JD but 700 clams was a bit too steep for my IRON WALLET :p

And true to IRON blood, I got this baby on closeout at CompUSA for $500 clams. Saved 200 smackers :yes:

Re IA vs. IC, considering how my name changes on a weekly basis, IA shall be fine :)

[AmStoned]

Okay, may a sentence or two. Damn, that's one of the ugliest DC I've seen in a while. And what's up with the 2.1MP and SmartMedia? *sighs* But hey the 10X optical zoom looks good though.

[JohnnyBra]

I've had my 1MP Kodak DC210 for 2 years now.. I still love it and use it frequently, but it's quality is not too good compared with the more modern 2 or 3 MP cameras :(

Still, I like it :)

Maybe when I win the lotto or get a really good paying job, I'll upgrade ^_^

IA, That camera looks very nice. I like the Olympus cameras. My boss has one.. Very Schweet.

[Techvillage]

Originally posted by JohnnyBra
I've had my 1MP Kodak DC210 for 2 years now.. I still love it and use it frequently, but it's quality is not too good compared with the more modern 2 or 3 MP cameras :(
Still, I like it :)


Hi JB - I got one of em in my collection too, (my dc collection is a little bit like my PDA collection - you know the first PDA bought years ago, replaced by another a few years later, and so on, but you never throw the old ones out, but keep 'em in an drawer/cuporard somethwere collecting dust) bought not long after my first Casio 640x480.

The DC210 is a very robust camera. I tripped once while it was strapped to my waist and I went crashing to the ground with the camera beneath me taking the full force of the fall- I got up, opened the camera case and was expecting to see a million little pieces - not a bit of it - not a scratch - this baby isbuild like a brick sh*t house.

[DragonAce]

re:210

my bro has one of them too..
he uses it all the time, even tho he could easily afford something newer, he refuses to replace it..
excellent "general usage" cam even by todays standards, and should anything happen to it, you won't feel nearly as bad as what i would if mine hit dirt..:eek:

IA..any chance that baby has interchangeable lenses??
just curious..the lens length just looks like it might accomodate that feature..

[ImaginAsian]

Sure does DA! I finally got around to reading more about this bad boy and if 380mm isn't enough for you you can plop more wide angle, tele, panoramic etc lens on there :yes:

Man the manual is written for professional photographers. It's overwhelming to me. I need a good book on how to use this thing; im totally new to photography. Do any of you know if the ShortCourses books are good? Or any other books you may recommend?

[Pigflipper]

IA: I will try and get my dad to actually pay attention to the forums since he is in to photography and could probably help you quite a bit.

[frombadtraverse]

IronC, AmStoned posted a link to dpreview above about their camera reviews. They also have lots of other information, as well as DC forums, but don't spend all your time there. Start here:

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/Photography_techniques/

I have both digital and film cameras, taking pictures is different with the two types. Similar on composition and stuff, but different on dynamic range, grain vs pixels, noise, etc.

[ImaginAsian]

Thanks FBT! That link is valuable and bookmarked.

Hey Flip, thanks...anything to get your dad to start posting...we gave him big welcome as you can see :)

[AmStoned]

This is the other site I use for DC setup and stuff. http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.html

You can learn quite a few things such as exposure and lighting from photos people sent in each month. They also have a pretty good review list.

[ImaginAsian]

Sweet Site Stoner. Thanks...tons of good articles on there!

[ImaginAsian]

Sweetnes...the Olympus camera offers panaroma mode by collating sequential pictures together. But I Have to use Olympus Branded Smart Media to do so. Ah well...

Do any of you photography enthusiasts know if I should be getting some filters such as Polarizing, Neutral Density, etc? I'm really starting to like this stuff and would love to take it up as a hobby. I'm liking the Macro shots I have seen of peoples' work. Kewl stuff!

[JackDaniels]

No more out of film worries... :D

[frombadtraverse]

IA (sorry can't keep up with who you are today), there are many filters, depends on what you want to shoot. Outdoor shots really are best with a polarzing filter, cuts the haze and blues the sky, I use a circular polarzing one. I'm not sure if you need a circular polarizing one with a Dig camera but I had one for my OM-4, so I use it for my Dig. If you want to shoot B&W with the camera (don't know if it gives you that option) then you need either a red or yellow filter (check the link below). A skylight is always a good filter as it protects the lens and cuts out the UV (the ozone hole and all that). But use it sparingly as all filters distort slightly the image. The LensPen is good for cleaning those thumbprints off the lens. If you are really a nut for color (like me) then get a greyscale card from a local camera shop and adjust the white balance with it. I'm sure that Oly will give you the instructions to use it.

For B&W filters go here:

http://www.acecam.com/magazine/filters-faq.html

Sorry I'm hitting you with so much stuff, but I'm a photo nut, I now own nine film cameras and one digital camera. I'm new to this digital stuff also, and the transition is a learning one.

[edit] I would check for any SmartMedia cards as they should all be compatible with the format. Also, your camera should format the media. After all SmartMedia is an ISO standard. Fry's has recently run sales on SM cards, and try Pricewatch (though I don't need to tell YOU that, LOL). But, seriously it's a standard card, though no photo shop will tell you that.

[edit #2]Try this link out:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=2003248

[frombadtraverse]

Here is a pic from this weekend, reduced to 600X800 and quality to 200+kb:

[Techvillage]

Hey IA if your camera lens has a thread for filters, as FBT said, get either a skylight or a neutral density filter to keep on, all the time to protect your lens form scratching.

It's much cheaper to replace the filter than the camera if the camera lens gets scratched. And as the filter will be kept on all the time, go for a good quality one. You will find that most film camera enthusiasts, and some videocamera men go for a skylight/neutral density filter for lens protection, so go with the same principle on ya DC.

[Techvillage]

Hi FBT - off topic, where about's is that scene you shot?

[ImaginAsian]

Hey Travie, Tech...thx for the great info about filters. It looks like I'm off to the camera shops soon to pick me up so polarizing and NDF filters :)