TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Digital Camera advice

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 May - July: Buyers Banter (ARCHIVES): Digital Camera advice users admin

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
Archive through January 08, 2004Juju2bigdog25 01-08-04  7:15 pm
Archive through February 27, 2004Bob211225 02-27-04  7:44 pm
  ClosedClosed: New threads not accepted on this page        

Author Message
Lobster
Member

04-13-2001

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 8:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Bob!

Thanks for your help. Yes, it's a Sony Cybershot 2.0. I haven't really used the camera a lot and when I do I transfer the pics to my computer pretty quickly. I have no idea how many I can get on the 8mb. Right now there are 48 pics on there. If I've done the math correctly it will hold about 100.

I didn't even think to check the manual to see if the info was in there. I was hoping that someone here would have maxed one out and known the number. I'm lazy like that. Besides, right now I have no clue where the manual is. LOL


Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 9:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster: Unfortunately there isn't a reliable way to truly estimate the number of pictures a memory stick (or any digital media for that matter) may hold due to a number of factors:
  • Resolution
  • Image Quality
  • Subject Brightness/Darkness
  • Compression scheme used by the camera
  • Image format selected (if selection is allowed)
All of these factors account for a wide range of image sizes unfortunately.

You should also check to see if the newer media will work in your camera. They now offer a memory stick with double the capacity but you have to flip a switch on the stick to use both 'banks' of memory. I would recommend either visiting the Sony Service & Support website and look for the compatibility of your camera with what is available today.

Hope that helps.


Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster: Do you have a model number like DSC-U30, DSC-U40, etc...?

The couple 2.0 Megapixel Sonys I looked at supported 512MB and 1GB, so you should be in good shape, but better to check for the exact model.

If you're getting 100 pics on the 8MB card, then you must have it set for lowest quality, since that would give you about 80KB per jpeg. I have a similar 2.1 megepixel camera and I use the medium quality setting and the jpegs average around 400KB.

If you send your jpegs out to be printed, the resolution you pick could have a big effect. I currently get about 256 jpegs on my 128MB card, but I want to switch to the highest resolution mode and have some pictures printed to see how big the quality difference is.

For posting on the internet or just viewing on the computer, you are probably fine. I usually end up close to that size when I reduce the pictures for posting.

If you plan on having then developed or like larger prints, you should probably consider using a higher resolution and getting something like 128MB or 256MB.

OK, find the model number.


Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster, 8 MB is pretty small. I think I would get a 64 just to be on the safe side.

As Bob said, if you want to print out your photos, you will want to be using higher settings, which means you will get fewer pictures per MB. With the settings we normally use on our camera, we would get about 15-16 pictures out of 8 MB. The pictures come in around 560 KB each and make very good prints.

If you are comfortable using ebay, you will find some good prices on there.

Lobster
Member

04-13-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Draheid, Bob, and Juju, you guys are the bestest!

It's a DSC-P31. I think I've had it almost 2 years now.

I wasn't even thinking about the resolution of the pictures for printing. I have only printed out a couple and the resolution wasn't so great and I thought it was because I wasn't using an actual photo printer or photo paper. Now I know to check the settings.

I'm probably going to want to print the pics from my vacation and Moon's wedding. At least some of them anyway. So, I guess I definitely need more MB.


Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster: Here is a direct link to a pdf of the DSC-P31 Owner's Manual (Note: This file is 6.46 MB) in case you can't find yours. On page 25 are the following charts to give you an idea of the capacity and image quality settings. Note in the first chart the numbers in parentheses are for 'Standard' quality and the other number is for 'Fine' quality in the first chart:
memorystick

This chart describes the use of the different settings:
quality

Note: Your camera supports only up to 1600 x 1200 resolution. These charts cover additional cameras with more capabilities too.

Hope this helps.

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 1:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OK, Then it's decided. You need to switch your camera setting to use the 1600x1200 resolution and get a 128MB card so it will hold 240+ pictures.

Everybody search online and find the cheapest price
for a 128MB Sony Memory Stick


The A4 size is quite large (like 8x11), so you should have great prints at 4x6 or 5x7. I have used the photo paper and color printer at home and the results can be good, but the cost of ink and paper can get quite high. Many local and online places will print your jpeg images in better quality and the cost may not be that different (especially when you start to figure in your time, messed up prints and wasted materials).

Shoot everything a bunch of times and then print the best. You'll almost always end up with at least one great picture and the others can live on your computer or get deleted.




Lobster
Member

04-13-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 6:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Bob and Draheid!! I don't know what I'd do without you!!

I have a couple of gift cards for Best Buy so that is most likely where I'll get my new Memory Stick.

I almost just bought another memory stick without coming and asking any questions. I would have been very upset with the quality of my pics if I had kept things the same.

Thank you Juju Bob and Dra for all your help!!

Scorpiomoon
Member

06-06-2002

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 9:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Draheid: I'm totally embarrassed to come to you asking for digital camera advice. But I have completely lost objectivity. I need your help.

I bought an Olympus 3030--a 3.4 megapixel camera--three years ago. I am passionate about street photography and have shot thousands of images with it. I get excellent 8x10s and 11x17s prints. I'm so familiar with the camera by now that I know how to get the best out of it.

The thing is, now that there is 5, 6 and even 8 megapixel cameras out there, I feel like I should be buying a new one because my 3.4 megapixel now seems like an antique.

I know, with the newer cameras, it's not just about the increase in megapizels. I know they have brighter, faster lenses and more options. But I don't necessarily need them. Also, over the years, I've collected a million Smartmedia cards. Newer cameras aren't using Smartmedia so much anymore. The idea of having to a new form of memory and abandon the cards I have now pains me.

Do you think there's any reason not to stick with my current (beloved) camera or should I be looking at a new one?

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Scorpiomoon: I'm a firm believer in the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" If the camera you have now is providing you with the quality you want, there is really no reason to change now. What I would suggest is that you consider stashing a little money aside for when you do have a need to replace your current camera. To replace all the media cards and a camera all at once will be expensive. Perhaps by continuing to use what you have but save a little at a time toward a new camera, you will be better prepared for when the time does comes.

Hope that helps.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Scorpiomoon, I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but I just want to say that I wholeheartedly second what Draheid said.

My partner is a professional photographer, and I just asked him what he thought about your question, and he agrees with Draheid that if you're happy with your camera and the quality of the photos, stay with it. 3.4 isn't that ancient, unless you're taking photos for a living.

And he said the exact same thing Draheid did about saving some $ for the future to replace both the camera & cards -- because you're right, Smartmedia cards are phasing out.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 11:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster, just one more suggestion if you haven't bought your memory stick yet. I would get two 64's rather than one 128. A 128 can contain LOTS of pictures, and it can get tedious trying to sort through that many looking for what you are after. In addition, when you have a 64 full, you can work with it on the computer and still have another 64 in the camera. AND, if you lose your camera like we did, there is less to lose if you only have a 64 MB half full of pictures instead of a 128 worth.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 11:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Smart Media cards are phasing out? I did not know that. Anybody know why?

And for those who may, like me, be somewhat new to digital cameras, I highly recommend getting a card reader for use with your computer, instead of hooking up the whole camera. You plug the card reader into a USB port of your computer and then put the camera card into the other end. And that's about it. It will show up on your computer as E: or F:, something like that.

Scorpiomoon
Member

06-06-2002

Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Draheid & YIC: Thank you both, so much, for you insight and thoughts. I think you're both right. Your words calmed me down. :-)

I'm going to expand on your suggestion. Inevitably, what I want to do is start getting serious about my photography and start selling prints on eBay. (Sales on eBay won't pay the rent, but I'm more looking to build confidence in my work by having people pay for the prints and then take my work to the next level.) While I'm building and practicing, I can use my old camera, save for a new one and, when I'm ready to turn semi-pro I can get a better camera.

Juju2bigdog: If I'm not mistaken, Smartmedia cards are limited in the amount of maximum space they can have. New forms of media cards can, literally, hold gigabytes of photos whereas the Smartmedia can't. Also, I can't recall exact details, but I seem to remember hearing new forms of media cards are proving to be more reliable than Smartmedia.

Getting a card reader is an excellent idea.

Lobster
Member

04-13-2001

Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Juju! I was wondering if that would be the better way to go.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 10:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Scorpiomom.

Resortgirl
Member

09-23-2000

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 6:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think this is the one I've decided on. If anyone knows of a reason that this wouldn't be a good choice let me know. So far I've found the lowest price to be $273 and that includes shipping.
Olympus C-5000 digital zoom
Features and Specifications:
# 5.0 megapixel CCD
# 3x optical/12x total seamless zoom
# Optics designed for digital photography
# Can add on lenses (wide angle and telephoto) and filters
# External hot shoe for more flash options
# New compact design is almost 20% smaller than C-4000 Zoom
# Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and full Manual control
# 6 Preset Creative Scene modes
# Customizable "My Mode" setting
# Super Macro focus (1")
# Built-in flash with 7 different flash modes to choose from: Auto for low and backlight; Red-eye reduction; Fill-in (Forced on); Slow Shutter Synchronized (first curtain); Slow Shutter Synchronized (first curtain with red-eye reduction); Slow Shutter Synchronized (second curtain; Off (built-in or external)
# Record over 2 minutes of video in QuickTime Movie mode
# 1.8" LCD screen
# Auto-Connect USB
# Exclusive TruePic technology creates truer color, contrast and gradation for enhanced image quality
# Noise Reduction
# 32MB xD-Picture Card included (C-5000 Zoom compatible up to 512MB)
# Included rechargeable Li-10B Li-Ion battery and charger
# Included RM-2 Wireless Remote Control
# Size: 4.1" W x 2.9" H x 1.8" D
# Weight: 8.5 oz.

What's in the Box?
# C-5000 Zoom Digital Camera
# 32MB xD-Picture Card
# Li-10B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger
# USB cable
# Video Cable
# Carrying strap
# Lens cap
# RM-2 Wireless Remote Control
# QuickStart Guide and Printed Basic Manual
# Limited Warranty Card
# CD-ROM (CAMEDIA Master and User Reference Manual).

camera

Resortgirl
Member

09-23-2000

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 6:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just looked at the Olympus C-4000 and that got even better reviews... Shoot, now I'm torn again, because the 4000 uses the smart media card (which is good because I have two from my old camera but maybe bad if they are being phased out) and the 5000 uses the xD card....

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 7:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Resortgirl: There are a couple of pros and cons to both cameras as follows:
 
C-5000
C-4000
Imaging
5MP
4MP
Max Memory Size
512MB
128MB
Battery
Proprietary LiIon
4-AA*
Zoom
3x/4x-digital
3x/3.3x-digital


* C-4000 uses AA style batteries which may be disposable alkaline or rechargeable. Both cameras can use a proprietary AC adapter for when batteries run out however, this must be purchased separately.

You should consider the long-term viability of the SmartMedia cards and the capacity available in that format vs the newer formats now supported by newer cameras.

Have you considered any other brands of camera for your purchase?

Hope this helps.

Reiki
Member

08-12-2000

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 8:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've been looking too and have narrowed it down to 2 or 3. I have been looking for higher optical zoom power - at least 5x but in my wishes 10x. From what I've been reading the optical zoom is the more important one.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 8:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reiki: Consider that you have whatever number of pixels (mega-pixels) to start with. By optically zooming a subject, the camera is using the high-quality lens to magnify the image. With digital zoom, the camera will sacrifice detail to provide what appears to be a larger image, while reducing the possible quality of that image.

Here is an excerpt from HowStuffWorks.com:
An optical zoom actually changes the focal length of your lens. As a result, the image is magnified by the lens (sometimes called the optics, hence "optical" zoom). With greater magnification, the light is spread across the entire CCD sensor and all of the pixels can be used. You can think of an optical zoom as a true zoom that will improve the quality of your pictures.

A digital zoom is a computer trick that magnifies a portion of the information that hits the sensor. Let's say you are shooting a picture with a 2X digital zoom. The camera will use half of the pixels at the center of the CCD sensor and ignore all the other pixels. Then it will use interpolation techniques to add detail to the photo. Although it may look like you are shooting a picture with twice the magnification, you can get the same results by shooting the photo without a zoom and blowing up the picture using your computer software.


In other words, the higher the 'digital zoom' proportionally reduces the quality because less of the 'mega-pixels' are actually recording the image.

Hope that helps.

Reiki
Member

08-12-2000

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 9:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Dra, that is kind of what I thought the difference was, but it's nice to see it explained like that.

There is an Olympus I have my eye on that will allow me the option of adding lenses and filters. That sounds kind of cool, but I ask myself would I really use them. Sometimes simpler is better.

I also like the HPs. My current camera is an HP. The ones I am looking at have the base for connecting to the computer and recharging batteries. I like that idea. My current camera eats batteries like they are potato chips.

My goal is to have a new camera by the time I go to the Chicago gathering so I can take some awesome pictures to share with you all.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reiki: I highly recommend a camera that uses a standard style of battery such as "AA" and works with the rechargeables suchs as NiMH (Nickel Metal-Hydride). A good charger and several sets of batteries, while expensive initially, will save you a lot in the long run and, if for some reason you don't happen to have a set with a charge, you can resort to alkaline batteries in a 'pinch'. The cameras that use unique battery styles could leave you without a camera if you use up the charge and/or forget to charge it (and keep it charged between uses) the next time you want to take pictures.

The use of special filters is very limited in real-world applications. Star filters, etc are fun occasionally but not something I would think would be of much use to you in normal shooting. Changeable lenses and/or lens adapters might be nice if they are affordable and compliment your shooting needs. Keep in mind that most times an adapter which increases the focal length of the lense may also reduce the 'speed' of the lense in the process. This isn't usually a problem when shooting outdoors in good light, however it can have an affect on low-light shooting situations.

If you have any particular cameras in mind that you would like me to look at for you, let me know. I would be happy to help if I can.

Reiki
Member

08-12-2000

Sunday, April 11, 2004 - 6:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think I have narrowed it down to the Fuji FinePix 3.24 MP S3800. It has 6x optical zoom with a 3.2x digital zoom. I found where I can buy it refurbished for $189 plus $50 for a 3 year extended warranty.


Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 11:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey, Reiki, if you need an extra 128 MB xD picture card, Office Max has them on sale this week for $39.99 after rebate. That is probably an excellent price for that card.

Office Max also has memory card readers for five different kinds of digital camera cards FREE after rebate this week. The card reader is probably one of the best computer devices I bought last year. You can leave it hooked up to the computer and just stick your picture card in there without having to hook your camera up to the computer. I highly recommend everybody with a digital camera and a computer get a memory card reader.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
i bought a new digital camera at staples with all my rebate dollars and cards i get for the purchases from work. it's a KODAK EASYSHARE CX6330 Zoom Digital Camera. with their rebate and all, i only paid $25.
Amazing prints up to 11" x 14" (28 x 36 cm) with 3.1 MP
3X optical zoom lens
Point-and-shoot simplicity
Multiple scene modes and video capture
Sharing is one-touch simple


Reiki
Member

08-12-2000

Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 2:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow Juju, that is a good price. The camera came with a 16 MB xD card and I ordered an additional 128 MB xD when I got the camera, but at that price I may just need to snap up another one. I will be able to take a gazillion pictures!!

Cathie
Member

08-16-2000

Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 1:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I love my Sony Mavica CD500, currently selling for $599. Instead of memory cards, the photos are stored on mini CDs, and in the highest resolution I can get about 75 on each CD. I really like this feature the most because I don't have to worry about hard drive crashes losing my downloaded photos since I will keep the original on the CD (plus there's no long wait for downloading.) You can use CDRW also, but I prefer the permanent storage on CDRs.

It uses a propriatory battery, but I bought a spare and a charger and have never run out of battery life. I have also added a wide angle lens and filters.

Here's some info from the Sony web site:

"Sony's MVC-CD500 Digital Still Camera also features massive 5.0 megapixel resolution with a Carl Zeiss™ Vario Sonnar 3X optical/2X Smart Zoom lens and the ability to write to inexpensive optical media. The incredible photos and MPEG video clips you take are saved directly to 156MB CD-R/RW media, measuring only (8 cm) in diameter and readable on most CD-ROM equipped PCs. This incredible camera features a broad range of advanced features such as Multi-Point AF (Auto-Focus), Hologram AF, Continuous AF Mode, Multi-Pattern Metering, Pre-Flash Metering, and an advanced shoe for your flash attachment. Giving you all you need to create the most compelling images you've ever seen."