Digital Cameras

[vsvo]

Lens pens are great. I don't have the Carson one, but I use a couple of different brands, pretty much the same thing. As noted, just check the cleaning tip and brush frequently. Once you get any kind of grit in there, chuck it and get a new one. For simple dust removal, I use the Giottos Rocket Blower.

Neat tip with the lens paper, jfhiller!

I get that the higher MP the better. What I am looking for is a digital camera that I can use to photograph documents that are right in front of me. Just trying to save copying costs at the clerk of courts. I am thinking image stabilization would be good to have, along with AA rechargeable, flash, large review screeen to make sure I get it right, and enough resolution to get the 6 pt font fine print, and downloadable to my Windows XP professional computer. Recommendations?

[lindy]

Originally Posted by Remington Raidr

... I am looking for is a digital camera that I can use to photograph documents that are right in front of me.... Recommendations?

Minox!

Although primarily marketed as a luxury item, the Minox was also used as an espionage camera. Its close-focusing lens and small size made it perfect for covert uses such as surveillance or document copying. The Minox was used by both Axis and Allied intelligence agents during World War II. Later versions were used well into the 1980s. The Soviet spy John A. Walker Jr., whose actions against the US Navy cryptography programs represent some of the most compromising intelligence actions against the United States during the Cold War era, used a Minox C to photograph documents and ciphers. An 18 inch measuring chain was provided with most Minox cameras, which enabled easy 8x10 or 8.5x11 inch document copying. The espionage use of the Minox has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, and some Minox marketing efforts have played up the "spy camera" story.

[dr. mabuse]

The small Canons work very well. My wife is too impatient to scan things so I lay the documents on the floor, stabilize the camera on the edge of the desk and shoot. If needed, I clean them up in Photoshop.

BTW, more pixels is not always better. The more they crowd onto a small sensor, the more leakage between pixels. Not too much of an issue if you like to keep prints small. For the same sensor size, less pixels is better, especially if you want to shoot in low light.

For example, on the large SLR cameras, there are less pixel yet the pixels themselves are large and produce a better image with little/no blooming between the pixel site on the sensor. I still keep an old Canon D30 3.2 mp for travel and the pictures are superb.

Still got my Minox too.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by lindy

Minox!

Although primarily marketed as a luxury item, the Minox was also used as an espionage camera. Its close-focusing lens and small size made it perfect for covert uses such as surveillance or document copying. The Minox was used by both Axis and Allied intelligence agents during World War II. Later versions were used well into the 1980s. The Soviet spy John A. Walker Jr., whose actions against the US Navy cryptography programs represent some of the most compromising intelligence actions against the United States during the Cold War era, used a Minox C to photograph documents and ciphers. An 18 inch measuring chain was provided with most Minox cameras, which enabled easy 8x10 or 8.5x11 inch document copying. The espionage use of the Minox has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, and some Minox marketing efforts have played up the "spy camera" story.

I think he is looking for digital, not film.

TR

Originally Posted by dr. mabuse

The small Canons work very well. My wife is too impatient to scan things so I lay the documents on the floor, stabilize the camera on the edge of the desk and shoot. If needed, I clean them up in Photoshop.

BTW, more pixels is not always better. The more they crowd onto a small sensor, the more leakage between pixels. Not too much of an issue if you like to keep prints small. For the same sensor size, less pixels is better, especially if you want to shoot in low light.

For example, on the large SLR cameras, there are less pixel yet the pixels themselves are large and produce a better image with little/no blooming between the pixel site on the sensor. I still keep an old Canon D30 3.2 mp for travel and the pictures are superb.

Still got my Minox too.

I have a Minox as well, but I have to agree with everything you say. I'm a part time wedding photographer, it pays the bills while I am in college. Lots of people who ask me about my camera usually try and compare megapixels. For example I have a Nikon D700 which has 12 MP (DSLR), and some of the latest Canon point and shoots have 15. People automatically assume that more pixels is better, but in reality its not. I've yet to see anyone actually need more then 12 MP even when cropping. Lots of the major camera companies have started to create a MP war and it's getting out of hand.

[Ret10Echo]

Just picked up a Pentax K-x with 18 - 55 and 50 - 200mm lenses. (When I say "just" I mean last night)

What led me in that direction were some of the attributes of the camera that made it a little more than an entry-level system while still having the "beginner" prompts available. It will also fit all legacy Pentax lenses, which I have a few of.
I liked the idea of using AA batteries of whatever composition. Currently utilizing AA Lithiums, but the camera will work with rechargeables or even alkalines in a pinch.
Image stabilization is built into the camera body and seems to work well even at higher zoom levels. Since it is a 12 mps camera, the highest quality images are fairly large (5 Mb) so they will eat up some disc space, but 2Gig and 4Gig (SD and SDHC respectively) cards still have plenty of storage. I have not made a choice on or worked with editing software as of yet to see what I can do from there. Rapid fire at 4.7 fps really catches action sequences well.

I am going to continue to experiment as I knock the dust off of the old "photo-lab" notebook.

R10

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Just picked up a Pentax K-x with 18 - 55 and 50 - 200mm lenses. (When I say "just" I mean last night)
R10

I'm still educating myself. Could you share how much and where you got it?

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by Remington Raidr

I'm still educating myself. Could you share how much and where you got it?

I compared several different sources and "packages" before I came to my decision: Drilled down to these three based upon my personal familiarity. I know there are other online retailers that may beat the prices, but I lean toward the manufacturer sites so I can be relatively assured of what I am getting. Of course that may be more of me having a false sense of security.....

COSTCO: K-x, Black with 18 - 55mm, Gadget bag, 2 ea 2GB SD cards - $579. However I am not a COSTCO member and the closest is about 1 - 2 hours away. Membership is $50 so I factored that into the overall cost.

WalMart Online (not available in-store): K-x, Navy with 18 - 55mm - $649 (plus S&H or Ship to Store option)
WalMart also had the 50 - 200mm lens seperately for $279

Pentax online: K - x, Black with 18 - 55mm - $ 649
However the online store also had K - x with 18 - 55mm and 50 - 200mm lenses $749. S&H was $14
I paid an extra $10 shipping in order to ensure UPS delivery as opposed to USPS (I have had small, somewhat expensive electronics "lost" by the USPS more than once)

So given the cost of the 50 - 200mm lens alone I decided to go with the Pentax Online package. (749 - 279 = 470 for the body and 18 - 55mm) I wanted the zoom to avoid the small speck in the middle of the frame (I hate having to explain "Yeah, that was......") and to have the autofocus capability which I would not get with my existing Pentax zoom lenses (no factor for still shots, but for action shots it could be problematic since my eyes are not getting any better over time).

Hope that helps.

Also used this site to narrow the field on which make/model: link

R10

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

I compared several different sources and "packages" before I came to my decision: Drilled down to these three based upon my personal familiarity. I know there are other online retailers that may beat the prices, but I lean toward the manufacturer sites so I can be relatively assured of what I am getting. Of course that may be more of me having a false sense of security.....

COSTCO: K-x, Black with 18 - 55mm, Gadget bag, 2 ea 2GB SD cards - $579. However I am not a COSTCO member and the closest is about 1 - 2 hours away. Membership is $50 so I factored that into the overall cost.
WalMart Online (not available in-store): K-x, Navy with 18 - 55mm - $649 (plus S&H or Ship to Store option)
WalMart also had the 50 - 200mm lens seperately for $279

Pentax online: K - x, Black with 18 - 55mm - $ 649
However the online store also had K - x with 18 - 55mm and 50 - 200mm lenses $749. S&H was $14
I paid an extra $10 shipping in order to ensure UPS delivery as opposed to USPS (I have had small, somewhat expensive electronics "lost" by the USPS more than once)

So given the cost of the 50 - 200mm lens alone I decided to go with the Pentax Online package. (749 - 279 = 470 for the body and 18 - 55mm) I wanted the zoom to avoid the small speck in the middle of the frame (I hate having to explain "Yeah, that was......") and to have the autofocus capability which I would not get with my existing Pentax zoom lenses (no factor for still shots, but for action shots it could be problematic since my eyes are not getting any better over time).

Hope that helps.

Also used this site to narrow the field on which make/model: link

R10

Next time you want to buy something at costco, find a members card, bring cash, and just buy the product and they wont even ask to see your membership card only at the door when letting you in.

I like pentax to a certain extent, I think its definitely up to par if not better then some of the "entry level" camera's. I'd be interested to see what you think of it as time goes on.

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by cszakolczai

I like pentax to a certain extent, I think its definitely up to par if not better then some of the "entry level" camera's. I'd be interested to see what you think of it as time goes on.

It is early on, but I will get back here once I have run through a couple of sets of batteries

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

It is early on, but I will get back here once I have run through a couple of sets of batteries

Sounds good to me, in for updates.

This is a bit lower tech than most of those, but I got a Polaroid t833 last year and I wish I had it when I was on a team. It fits in your pocket, it's light, waterproof, tough, takes awesome photos and video. I love it. It's perfect for a hike. It takes some pretty amazingly good shots in low light and stop-action, plus video/sound quality is very good. If I ever tear it up I will definitely buy another one.

The only downsides to it are that it does not use off the shelf batteries (it has a removeable battery pack with a charger it fits into). Also for me it has too many adjustments to choose from. I would personally like it better if it only had like 4 settings because I'm not on top of the pro photo stuff too much anymore.

Folks who like the manual cameras might like this one though. Instead of turning the lens dial to set aperture you do it with a digital button...they are all there.

http://products.polaroid.com/product...54.61271.0.0.0

Also, if you are looking for a nice video camera for carrying easily, check ot the ipod Nano. I gave my wife on for Christmas and that little thing takes some excellent quality video...way better than I would have expected. You guys may know about it already, but I don't keep up with technology too much. haha

Be safe,
Randy

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by rltipton

This is a bit lower tech than most of those, but I got a Polaroid t833 last year and I wish I had it when I was on a team. It fits in your pocket, it's light, waterproof, tough, takes awesome photos and video. I love it.

Randy,

I still have 2 other smaller cameras similar to the Polaroid you mention. The capabilities of the point-and-shoot systems have come a long way and there are times where bringing in a DSLR is impractical or overkill. The motivations for me upgrading were the variety of lenses available and an overall frustration for missing certain shots because I was trying to do something beyond the capability of my previous camera. As with all things, the right tool for the situation.

R10

Originally Posted by rltipton

This is a bit lower tech than most of those, but I got a Polaroid t833 last year and I wish I had it when I was on a team. It fits in your pocket, it's light, waterproof, tough, takes awesome photos and video. I love it. It's perfect for a hike. It takes some pretty amazingly good shots in low light and stop-action, plus video/sound quality is very good. If I ever tear it up I will definitely buy another one.

The only downsides to it are that it does not use off the shelf batteries (it has a removeable battery pack with a charger it fits into). Also for me it has too many adjustments to choose from. I would personally like it better if it only had like 4 settings because I'm not on top of the pro photo stuff too much anymore.

Folks who like the manual cameras might like this one though. Instead of turning the lens dial to set aperture you do it with a digital button...they are all there.

http://products.polaroid.com/product...54.61271.0.0.0

Also, if you are looking for a nice video camera for carrying easily, check ot the ipod Nano. I gave my wife on for Christmas and that little thing takes some excellent quality video...way better than I would have expected. You guys may know about it already, but I don't keep up with technology too much. haha

Be safe,
Randy

Judging by your post and hiking. If you break the polaroid, you may be interested in this. Price tag is getting up there, but it can take a beating, and the picture quality is great. Its crush proof, waterproof, and shock proof. I am going to get one of these later on down the road when I need a nice point and shoot.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus.../dp/B000EA0EDO

Chris