I'm going to buy a PHD/P&S!

[Nnnnsic]

Okie dokie... graduation is coming up in a months time and I'm thinking that, on the high likelihood that I'll be getting severely drunk, I'd like to not lug around the D70... protecting it as I can't remember where I put things as I get drunk... I've already lost myself... and I haven't started drinking!

Regardless, I'm probably looking at a max of around $350-ish with the size being something I can stick in my pocket... and something of fairly good quality...

So what are your opinions on what I should get?

And before anyone asks... either the Hong Kong or Australian method are fine... preferably the less expensive of the two.

[birddog114]

Leigh,
If you're going down to this way then you won't have the Tamron 90 macro lens

Get a Nikon S1

[Nnnnsic]

I can afford the Tamron 90, Birdy, I just don't need it at the moment.
I need to upgrade my computer, think about buying a violin, buy some toys, and possibly the PHD.

And the S1 is out of that price range. Lol.

[birddog114]

And the S1 is out of that price range. Lol.

Gary,
Need some help!

[gstark]

And the S1 is out of that price range. Lol.

Gary,
Need some help!

So do I.



Remember who bought him his D70? That was a combo birthday/graduation/Christmas present, so apart from free advice, I'm out of the loop on this one.

[MCWB]

Leigh,

The Canon A series is quite reasonable. I'll bring along my A80 to the minimeet tomorrow, see what you think. It has a cool swivel-LCD thingy so you can take photos from above or below, and decent flash. You're more than welcome to borrow it if you don't want to buy one BTW, I hardly use it anymore now that I have a D70.

[shutterbug]

Hi Leigh,

I recommend this Canon IXUS 30 Digital Camera

The new 3.2mp Digital IXUS 30 comes with Canon's revolutionary UA lens technology in its fully retractable 3x optical zoom lens delivering sharp, high resolution images. The Canon IXUS 30 comes with standard 12 month warranty with Canon Australia. (RRP $499) $369.00
inc GST within Australia

from http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au

My dad has the ixus 40, it looks great and it just slips into your shirt pocket or jeans.

[shutterbug]

The ixus 30 is $341 at umart.net

[Greg B]

Yep, the PHD Canons are hard to beat, and the IXUS is very stylish for the young man around town.

[birddog114]

Leigh,
You've told & PMed me you want to order the Epson RD-1 for someone's birthday next month

[gstark]

Leigh,
You've told & PMed me you want to order the Epson RD-1 for someone's birthday next month

I wish!

[bago100]

Leigh

Jokes and tomfoolery aside, I'd like to say "Congratulations on your achievement!"
Graduations represent a lot of sustained hard work and effort on your part, and probably considerable forbearance and possibly money leakage on your dads part!!
If you aren't shy or bashful could you tell us what your graduation award will be?
Cheers
Graham

[shutterbug]

Leigh,
You've told & PMed me you want to order the Epson RD-1 for someone's birthday next month

Can I get one for my birthday ? Always wanted a rangefinder

[birddog114]

Can I get one for my birthday ? Always wanted a rangefinder

Vince,
You can have whatever you want, it's yours

[yogi]

I can thoroughly recommend the canon Ixus 400;
4Mp 3x Zoom,fits in your pocket( or if you have atendancy toward drunken and disordely behaviour,on a leash around your neck)
Though it may be off the price a bit .

The Canon A75 is also good;can be had packaged with a printer at a good $$

What ever,... keep it small and light enough to carry in your shirt pocket,
otherwise it defeats the purpose of a P & S camera.

Congratulations & good luck.

[Onyx]

Nnnnsic, have you graduated yet? A pre-emptive congrats. Did you end up buying anything? Care to share your shopping experiences with someone else in the market for a PHD?

As you know, my D70 died. And simultaneously the FM ran outta batteries so I have no metering on it whatsoever (I'm essentially shooting blind and will see the result of my guesses at exposure settings when the prints gets back). It uses mercury halide or something cells which are no in made and I can't be arsed shooting film if I get replacement cells anyways.

I've used my sister's ISUX500 on a trip to DC (it's ISUX to me cos it's Canon), but found the lack of AF speed, battery life issues and handling a little too compromising - so was in the market for something myself for use here. My criteria has inexpensive topping the list. I've got CF, SD and MS Pro/Duo cards, so it'll be great to get one that uses one of those (yes, even considering Sony).

[Nnnnsic]

I did indeed graduate and I ended up buying nothing.

However, Dickie Smith's is currently doing a 4mp Ricoh for $246 that would have been mighty tempting at the time...

I opted not to so I could safely upgrade (but mostly spend my money on drinks that night).

Turns out that there was nothing really useful for me to take pictures of that night.

(Aside for my friends, which Dad did before I started drinking...)

[Link]

Onyx,

I've just bought a Canon A510 for my mum, I didn't know much about digital PS so I just searched the forum and found a few members praising their old Canon A series...

It was HKD 1680 with a 256MB SD card and its lack of speed compared to the D70 is shocking (to turn it on, and the lag between two shots with the inbuilt flash). Battery life is fairly weak as well, I'm going to get her some rechargeable batteries. However, photos are quite well exposed (but contrary to the D70, it tends to overexp), the quality is good for a 3,2 MP camera, there are a lot of potential manual controls and it's very well-built.

My mum is very happy with it but honestly I won't touch the thing myself as long I have my D70 (except for the movie mode, which could be good fun to share with mates by email). I have used other digital PS before (including some 5MP Coolpix) but I have invariably been disappointed by their lack of speed...

Link.

[birddog114]

Onyx,
You told us your D70 back to work as normal and it's now died again?
Does CPR help? if not, when its funeral will be? At least someone on this board can come and say goodbye to the legend

[gstark]

As you know, my D70 died. And simultaneously the FM ran outta batteries so I have no metering on it whatsoever (I'm essentially shooting blind and will see the result of my guesses at exposure settings when the prints gets back). It uses mercury halide or something cells which are no in made and I can't be arsed shooting film if I get replacement cells anyways.

Chi,

The FM just uses something like a couple of SL76s or similar. The same batteries that the FE (and FM2/FE2) uses. There's two choices - either a pair of single buttons, or a double size (double voltage) single button cell.

They should be available just about everywhere; wander into a wallyworld or K-Mart and they should be there.

[Flyer]

As you know, my D70 died. And simultaneously the FM ran outta batteries so I have no metering on it whatsoever (I'm essentially shooting blind and will see the result of my guesses at exposure settings when the prints gets back). It uses mercury halide or something cells which are no in made and I can't be arsed shooting film if I get replacement cells anyways.

Onyx, FM manual specified two S76/357, but you can use single 3V lithium battery - CR1/3N or DL1/3N or 2L76.
Or two 1.5V - 2 x LR44 or 2 x A76.
Handy battery replacement guide here.


Cheers.

[Onyx]

Thanks for the battery advicen guys - yes, I'll have to pop down to the local Radioshack or someplace one of these days to obtain some. But still, having shot digital, going back to film doesn't appeal.

Also, while I agree the Canon A series makes excellent entry level PHD cams, this was more the case when they were the A40, A50, A60, A70 etc. models. These days, the A510 and A520 models offer fairly marginal improvements on the A75/A85 they replace, but due to fierce competition I don't see them as offering good value these days. Other makers offer much more camera for marginally more money (eg. improved movie modes and that all important sexy rear LCD - size matters).

I've won a not inconsiderable amount from Atlantic City casino's recently, so a PHD cam is definitely on my list of purchase consideration. That's to tide me over till I get back to Oz to send my D70 in for elective surgery (and you know medical insurance doesn't cover elective procedures).

[gstark]

Chi,

Grabbez-vous a D50 ?

[glamy]

I bought my daughter a Kodak (4Mp) a while back and it's pretty good, sure is as good as her friend's Olympus...
Gerard