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I've ordered a Nikon Coolpix L110 from amazon.com ... got a really good deal on it.  It should arrive today along with Photoshop Elements 9 and Photoshop Elements 9 for Dummies ...



I can't wait to play with it this weekend ... it's been about 6 months since I've had a functioning camera all my own (long story) and so I decided to use part of my tax refund to treat myself to something I've always enjoyed = Photography and Photoshop

What do you have ? ... any tips ?

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I have a Kodak 5pm cam that I got back in 2004. 5pm is greatly outdated by today's standards, but I still love the pics it takes. But if i were to purchase a new one, here are the things I'd keep in mind:

1) Ease of computer archiving pictures, preferably via USB.
2) Quality of pic in less than perfect lighting conditions
3) Replaceable-Rechargeable battery. I don't want a phone that takes standard batteries.
4) It has to be big enough for my hands to comfortable hold on to. Some of these cams are physically too small for me.
5) Long range optical zoom, at least 10x or better. Digital zoom typically sucks.
6) Has an optical view finder option. This can be really helpful in locating things high in the air.

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Thanks, Shawn.

I don't worry about what kind of software the camera comes with as I generally store my photos online using Photobucket or Snapfish.   So as long as it has a USB (this does, of course) ... I'm good.  I don't generally store my pics on my hard-drive (learned my lesson years ago on that), rather store them on a USB flash drive.  

Ratings and reviews give it 4 out of 5 for less than optimal lighting conditions.  But I use Photoshop to edit so adjusting the lighting should not be a problem.

It uses AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries which is something new to me but everyone I've talked with likes the ability to have batteries on hand at all times.  None of that "****, I forgot to charge the camera".

I've had several of the small digitals and have enjoyed them I tend to damage them easily.  For me, I prefer something I can really get my hands around so I'm trying this larger style.  The style of this camera with the rubber grip covering the battery casing is really appealing to me.  My hands don't always work that well so feeling comfortable with something to grip onto is important.  

This has an incredible 15x wide-angle optical (28-420mm) Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens ... really excited to play with it.

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Digital camera's are like wristwatches for me.

Not that there's no merit in having a good digital camera but both have been replaced by my cell phone.

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I gotcha Scott, ... thanks.

I still do BlackBerry simply because it works better for me in my profession but the camera is not all that great.  Not to mention a digital camera does so many more things than a cell phone camera can do.  I like to play with the settings, different features and scene modes.  It has something that's really handy to me in the stabilizer feature.

It also has Smart Portrait feature which automatically detects as many as 12 faces in the shot, "Face-priority AF helps produce satisfying portraits by adjusting focus and exposure. Smart Portrait Mode* helps to faithfully record precious moments by automatically releasing the shutter when the subject smiles. Blink Warning alerts the photographer when it suspects that a subject has blinked. Now featuring faster processing speed, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically corrects perceived red-eye effect before saving the image to memory".

How exciting !!! ... I know I sound like such a geek but I've missed photography !!!

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I have a cheap crappy Kodak. But it does OK. I had a really nice Canon, but Ralph broke it when he dropped it.... as soon as I pay off my credit cards I'll be upgrading.... not sure to what, I'm looking!

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Actually Jann I've had really great luck with the Kodak EasyShares ... and that's what I buy for my daughter because they seem to be the most sturdy.  The pic you posted earlier of the winter scene is beautiful ... if you used your Kodak for that, I'd be completely happy with it.

Truth be told, the L110 I ordered is the model before the newest that just came out so I got it for less than $200 ... which was what I had budgeted for myself.  As hard as I am on stuff, I just can't imagine going much more on a camera.

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For work I carry a HP photosmart E427.  For my other pix I use a Canon EOS Rebel

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Cool camera. I just purchased a new camera at amazon too...yesterday morning...I should have it on Monday.  I have two right now.  One I bought about 5 years ago and back then had to choose between a better zoom or a higher pixel count.  I went with the zoom (24x), but it only has 4 mp and can be a bit grainy so I thought it was time to check out some upgrade possibilities.

My lifestyle means that I can get everything into two large backpacks and one smaller one.  I personally don't want a wide selection of lenses...there's a size and weight to everything.  So I still wanted to keep it in the point and shoot models instead of going with a DSLR.  

I also wanted to keep the zoom at least 24x.  For me, it depends on where I am my journey, but like last summer I would take it out on hikes and hunt grizzly bears with it.  Now I do prepare for the possibility of getting face-to-face encounter...I'd rather get the shot from a distance.  It gets a little disappointing if you get a shot and people ask you if you're sure you didn't take a pic of someone's dog in a backyard somewhere.  In other places I sometimes get into bird photography, a zoom helps.

My second camera is a smaller Nikon Coolpix...one of those that's harder to handle.  It's really nice for those times you don't really think you're going to take a picture.  But it easily fits in your pocket...about the size of a smart phone..but still a little more features than most phone cameras.

The camera I chose to upgrade to is a Canon SX30IS.  14MP and a 35x (28-840 mm) optical lens.  It's about twice the $$, probably not worth it for most people for just a few differences.  But I'm also looking at as being able to keep that grizz oh another 50 yards away.

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Hopefully I can get pictures like this cub without the fuzz with a higher MP:



http://www.amazon.com/Canon-SX30IS-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0041RSPR8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298065341&sr=8-1

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Interesting Keith ... my son is an artist of many genres.  One of his interest is photography ... he takes at least one class a semester.  but he started at the most basic level of 35mm  to completely understand the camera from the ground up so he sort of laughs at the digital.  He had a professor tell him as far as the pixels go, anything over 10 is more than likely a waste for the everyday photographer unless they plan on taking pics to blow up to posters.  His attention would go more towards the lenses and zoom.

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Originally Posted by Mike Allen:
For work I carry a HP photosmart E427.  For my other pix I use a Canon EOS Rebel

I've always wanted a Rebel, my sister has one (might have something to do with Andre Agassi).  The price scares me a bit in addition to not wanting to fuss with the settings.  This too makes my son shake his head.

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I actually have all the digital point & shoot cameras I've bought over the last 10 years, with the exception of one that I sold my ex after we split up. I have an old Sony, which is REALLY outdated now, but still works. I have 2 Milnota cameras with great optical zooms on them. They still work great & take awesome pics. My favorite point & shoot digital I have and use the most, when I need a point & shoot is my Olympus. It works great, takes awesome pics & has an 15X optical zoom, which was the highest they had at the time I bought it. But, my favorite camera of all, that I use the most is my Sony Alpha 300 DSLR camera! I bought it over 2 years ago and love it! Bryan has a Canon EOS Rebel he bought about 6 months before I bought my Sony. It takes great pics too, but I like my Sony better, so does Bryan.   We both are into photography & love going out on photoshoots together.

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I still have my trusty Canon Powershot SD1200 When I take a still  like this, it's good enough for me!

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Originally Posted by Teri Lacy:
Interesting Keith ... my son is an artist of many genres.  One of his interest is photography ... he takes at least one class a semester.  but he started at the most basic level of 35mm  to completely understand the camera from the ground up so he sort of laughs at the digital.  He had a professor tell him as far as the pixels go, anything over 10 is more than likely a waste for the everyday photographer unless they plan on taking pics to blow up to posters.  His attention would go more towards the lenses and zoom.

I still have my Canon A1 and AE1- they are about 35 years old..... but it's a pain to get film developed.... I do my own black and white but I have to send colored out.... digital is so much easier... just download....

and it is my little $80 Kodak that takes most of my pictures. It is sturdy! It's been with me on the 4 wheelers, on horseback.... you can't hurt it!