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Posts: 814
| what is a good camera to purchase for fishing to get really good pictures? if you are using digital what pixel camera do you recommend and what mode do you suggest shooting in? and if you are using film are you using interchangable lenses or are you using standard 35mm. Im looking to purchase a camera this winter and i would like to have some really nice photos come from it Lets here what you guys use to take pictures of your monster fish!!!!!!!   |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I have a Pentax 43WR and would highly recommend it!!! .nice for many reasons..but one of the main features is it is water proof to 3 feet! not that i'm going to dunk it, but you can take pics in the rain with no worries..i hated having my last nice sony out in the rain as rain and digital cams don't mix...it takes great pics..it is 4.3 megapixel which is plenty unless you want to make a billboard out of your pic..it also can take movies! so I got a 1 gigabyte memory card and you can shoot video with it! up to 30 min if you want! with sound! it has all the other bells and whistles most digital cams come with...you can get a kit camera, with chip, case etc for about $350 or so...I would look on Ebay first..or buydig.com 1 gigabyte memory cards run about $70 |
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Posts: 1046
| Heres what I know 2.0 meg should have a 64 card, 3.2 meg should have 128 card and 4.0 and bigger a 256 card. I use a weaterresistant Fugi 2.0 with a 64 card and can photo baits to panoramic views and a 30sec. video preforms safe/fine in the rain and the whole thing is 150.00 and usb`s to the puter very nice. Its cheap/good/durable and 2/3 years down the road when something better comes my investment is paid for! Good luck!
its a fujifilm- finepix A-205 and I got a full 2yr. warrenty out of them(RadioShak)
Edited by The Handyman 12/18/2004 9:46 AM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have three cameras, each with a particular function. The first is a Samsung Digimax 200, a 2.1 MP unit with a removable memory card. I can set it for 640X480, which is the perfect size image for uploading here. Sue and I use that camera on our crappie, ice fishing, and other trips. It uses rechargeable double a batteries, 2.
Number 2 is a Fugi Fine Pix 2800 2.1 megapixel. It has MUCH better optics, 6X zoom, and uses SmartMedia cards. Most of the quality one looks for in an image comes from the lens quality, and this one is very good (1:2.8-3.0, 6X Optical zoom, f=6-36mm) and cost me $139 from Overstock.com. I have several different sized cards for this camera. It's used for OutdoorsFIRST functions and coverage, and takes excellent low light pictures. Also very important, it has a good flash for cloudy days and low light shots that need flash. If the picture is destined for no bigger than a photo album, this is a good camera. It uses rechargable double a batteries, 4.
Number three is a Nikon, and is one heck of a Camera. It's a Coolpix 5000 5 megapixel, and is a production camera for OutdoorsFIRST projects and coverage. I have six 256 mb Compact Flash cards for this camera. The lens is1:2.8-4.8, 7.1-21.4mm. This camera is so adjustable, it took me awhile to learn how to use it. It has a hot shoe for strobe flash, which is great for getting stage shots for Walleye and MuskieFIRST tournament and show coverage. This camera takes shots that can be used for print and for some of our more defined webwork. It has it's own battery pack and charger. This is a $999 camera new, but can be bought in a factory refurbished for about $350. GREAT CAMERA!
OutdoorsFIRST has another production camera, again a Nikon D70. This camera is a recent generation of supermegapixel SLRs, and can shoot in files large enough to use for any purpose. Zach shot the entire 2005 Tuffy brochure with this camera. It's a 6.1 megapixel, and shoots as fast as you can hit the shutter button. I doubt Zach will let me mess with this one much. It costs about $1350.
Get a multicard reader(about $35) if you don't already have one, and if the card reader software doesn't have a good photo editing program, get one of those, too. Now you can upload, store, edit, and view your shots without your camera.There are plenty out on the web that are freeware. I use Adobe Photoshop and Broderbund Mediashop on my 'puters. Adobe is on my Vaio, and Mediashop on the HP laptop. Both are easy to use. Sue has Mediashop on her Firelite 'puter, and she seems to like the program.
I also went out and bought a Seagate external 120 Gig hard drive to store video and stills. Keeps the hard drive on my 'puters free, and carries Vegas Video for editing video clips and several other large programs, with tons of space free. That cost a couple hundred dollars. One can get an 80 Gig for under $150. |
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| I would recommend for 'all-around' use would be at least 3.0 Megapixel camera which takes AA batteries. Most cameras have a mode to change it or you can learn to edit and resize on your computer. I like the zoom, you can turn up your resoulution(which will burn up space on your card) and take a picture of a deer in a field and with the zoom from your camera and the help of your computer zoom, can make a nice picture. Some come with a Movie mode. I am not interested in this feature much. If you want a movie camera with sound, thats a different fish.
-I also like a built in lens cover when not in use.
-Waterproof or at least weatherproof and shock proof(in case you drop it).
-On a 3.2 Megapixel, I would recommend at least a 64MB card. They usually give you a small card with the camera, get a bigger one and use the small one for back up.
-A card reader that plugs into your USB port is also very nice and relatively inexpensive. It will also save your batteries in your camera when downloading onto your computer.
-Batteries: get rechargeables and Follow the directions of use.
-Tip: don't use your LED on the back of the camera when trying to conserve batteries, it burns them up quicker. You can still use the camera the old fashion way by looking through the view finder.
-Some of the bigger computer stores have 'Kits' with acessories. I would recomend one of those to a starter.
-A case, lanyard, and timer. Must haves! A lanyard(and use it), timer(when your alone with your fish, do a trial run by setting it on a bait box or 2, not on the floor, unless elevated)
-try and choose a camera that doesn't have 500 hundred buttons! Most people do not use all the features on those cameras. Which are used mostly by professional photographers. Point being if you were to all of a sudden hand your camera to someone they in a short order can figure out how to use it.
Edited by esox-dan 12/18/2004 11:34 AM
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| Cannon A80 |
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | Olmpus Stylus 300 Digital ( with remote) |
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Posts: 4266
| I have a Nikon N60 with a 25-100mm lens. When I fish alone and get a good fish, I've found that it's easier to pan it all the way back like I'm taking a landscape shot and use the timer.
That way I'm in focus and I'm in the picture somewhere. Then I go to Walgreens and use the "picturemaker" and zoom and crop what ever I want. Works good for me.
Beav
This is a self portrait that I cropped down to about half of the size of the original picture.
Edited by Beaver 12/18/2004 6:48 PM
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Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | I think this is one of the best buys out there!
Olympus C-725
3.0 Megapixel
8x Opticial Zoom
3x Digital Zoom
24x total Zoom
Auto and Manual Modes
16MB xD Card
Office Max has these for 199.99 and you get a free 64MB xD Card
If you need a printer, you can get an Epson C86 for free with rebates when purchased with the Olympus C-725.
I bought the C-725 because my Olympus C-3020 only has 3x opticial zoom. There is no sustitute for opticial zoom as digital zoom alters the pixals to get the subject closer, which distorts the photo. You won't find another 8x opticial zoom at this price. I love mine.
http://www.officemax.com/home.html |
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Posts: 189
Location: Hoboken, NJ / North Webster, IN | I'm a digital photographer, so ignore me if I go into overkill, but here goes.
What you need to consider is your end result and how much you want to spend. If you are looking for good looking photos for email and web only, then a high resolution camera isn't really necessary at all. For example...with a 6.1 megapixel camera, the print size at 300dpi(the correct res for photo prints) will be around 10 x 7 inches. At screen resolution 72dpi (for emails, and web) this same image would be 42" x 28" which obviously is complete overkill on a computer screen. Make sense? That being said, think of pixels as information points. The more you have, the more information is being obtained by the camera, and the less your camera or computer has to make up.
If you are mainly going to use them for email and for 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 prints, then a 3.0-3.3 megapixel will be just fine.
As far as a lens goes...the wider lens you get(lower the number), the closer you can get to the subject, the BIGGER the fish looks.
You really can't go wrong with the big camera makers...canon, olympus, nikon...
FYI...if you are looking at cameras take the pixels...say 2272 x 1704 (4mp) and divide by 300 it will give you your max photo quality print size out of the camera without having to "makeup" data. Divide by 72 and you get the max screen size.
Images below...one is with a 3.3mp the other is with a 6.1mp...really no difference at this size, so it's really up to what you want to do with the photos at the end.
Edited by muskiefishman 12/18/2004 9:08 PM
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | I second the Canon A80...
Esox23 |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I learned a very hard lesson on my first digital. Most point and shoot digitals are VERY slow to respond after clicking the button compared to a SLR. They don't stay powered up like an SLR so when you click the image the chip has to power up, think about light, speed, etc then finally shoot. If you have ANY movement, depending on light conditions, you may end up with a very out of focus subject. If you have a young child that won't stay put for a picture, a point and shoot digital may be very bad choice. I am tossing my 5.0mp point and shoot digital on ebay and upgrading to the new Canon EOS 6.0 SLR digital. Price has come way down to ~$750 |
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Posts: 393
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | I third the Canon A80.
A couple of other pointers...and maybe muskiefishman can correct me if I'm inaccurate
1. If you want to shoot in a rapid fire type mode (shots one after another), get a memory card that is a high speed card.
2. Those big screens on the back of tehe camera use up lots of battery power, but do offer a more realistic idea of what the lens actually sees vs. the viewfinder. |
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Posts: 1438
| I'll fourth the A80. Bought one for my wife last Christmas and have used it all year. Took it to DC for the family trip in June.
We still have the standard card that came with the package (a 28mb I think) and get in the ballpark of 30 pictures or so on it.
She'll be getting a bigger card this year for Christmas.
Anyway, great pictures, downloads direct to the computer, we use the rechargable batteries in it with no problems, simple enough for me to use and the best part is the Mrs. is happy.
Scott |
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Posts: 189
Location: Hoboken, NJ / North Webster, IN | Luke... and Out... are both dead on. Most, if not all, point and shoot digital have extremely slow shutter response. So if you're used to a normal SLR camera or even a film point and shoot, it will frustrate you with the response and fire up times. Lots of "asses and elbows" only shots if your not used to it.
And as Out2Lunge said the higher speed card, usually the faster you can shoot back to back images. That being said, certain higher speed cards become overkill on a lot of cameras that don't have the ability to use that speed. Speed also depends on the buffer size in the camera.
Also...the screen/battery relationship is such a big issue. It's not taking photos that's eats up batteries on a digital camera...it's the screen and the flash. Keep your review time as short as you can(mine is set to 2 seconds). And if your worried at all about your battery life, you should really try to not go back and keep looking at your images on the back of the camera....hold off until you download them.
Another FYI...if you are going for an SLR(digital or film), and have a set budget, you're much better off spending more on the lens. I would take a high end lens on a lower end body anyday over the opposit. With a better lens you'll be able to shoot in lower light, catch moving subjects at lower light levels, and have clearer images. Basically the lower the f number on the lens the faster/better it is(ex. a f1.4/50mm lens is better than a f3.5/50mm lens)
Josh
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Posts: 393
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | Josh,
How can I tell what the fastest card is that I should get for my camera? What spec in the O.M. would tell me that or is there a forumla that I can use?
TIA |
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Posts: 267
Location: Lake City,Pa. | We just bought a Fuji S5000 finepix with 10x optical and 2.2 digital. Nice canera for under 400 bucks. It has a full auto focus for a just point and click, also manual mode and movie mode. One great feature is the being able to go from 1mp to 6mp. We also got a 512 Mb pic card witch you can store a amazing amount of pics on it depending on the mp you select. 1mp 1071 frames to 6mp 337 frames! |
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Posts: 189
Location: Hoboken, NJ / North Webster, IN | TIA...to be completely honest, not sure if transfer rates are listed in O.M.'s. I just know that even with the lower end digital SLR's that are around $1,000 or so, the difference between a 12x card and a 60x card is negligable, so I would assume that for most point and shoots it is as well. Also look at the burst rate on your camera, if you have a high burst rate(number of shots at highest rate/second) then a high speed card could be more valuable. I don't know what camera you have, but most point and shoots have a very slow shots/second rate, and it will only work for a few shots.
The caveat to all this is that high speed, large cards, are so cheap now(1GB three years ago $600+, now under $100) and that high speed vs. low speed is usually not that big of a cost difference. The faster cards won't ever hurt your performance, but may just not be necessary. |
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Posts: 393
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | Thanks Josh! and BTW, TIA is thanks in advance My name is J.P. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | IS there a BEST camera out there for under $500?
BTW, I also have a Nikon Coolpix 950, nice camera. It's in at Nikon getting a rebuild from taking an extended swim. The reviews on this camera, a 1999 release, are still really good, if you can find one onsale used or in old inventory. |
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Posts: 341
| If you drop it in the water no biggie. I have a 5.1mp but unless I'm doing 8x11 or larger no need to spend more then this.
OLYMPUS CAMEDIA D535 3.2MP 137.00 |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I have a Pentax 606WR 35mm (weather resistant) always loaded with ASA 200 film. I have a Olympus Stylus 400 Digital that is also weather resistant. Those are my two "Fishing cameras". I also have two regular 35mm's that I bring on vacation for "scenic" type shots, both have interchangeable lenses. Those I rarely use unless I need a big lens for something. unless you got the cash for the rebel digital I'd stick with a regular style digital for now. My digital is normally set on auto. If you are looking for a "boat" camera go with either a WR Pentax 35mm or the olympus 400 series(I think the new model# is 410) as they are water/weather resistant. |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I have had my Fuji Finepix S602 Zoom for two years now and have almost finished reading the manual. It takes great pics and lives in a Pelican 1150 waterproof case on my boat.......................... |
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Posts: 393
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | Steve, can't say as I know what model to get for under $500, but my next digital will be an SLR. Which brand to buy? The one that I can interchange lenes with (if possible)` from cameras that I already own. |
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| OUT2LUNGE...
I shoot canon digital slr's and love them. Fairly easy to get the hang off, good control placement, great images. But as you said, the only reason I started with canon digital slr's was because I already shot canon fllm cameras and had some lenses. I'm on my second one, had each about 2 years or so(upgraded), and never had a problem. I should upgrade again if the one I want goes down in price like it should this year...and it wil be a canon.
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Posts: 189
Location: Hoboken, NJ / North Webster, IN | Sorry...that last post was me..thought I was logged in. And P.J...felt like a total idiot with the whole TIA thing...learn something new everyday |
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Posts: 7121
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | brought back to the top for Jackpotjohnny! Hope some of this info helps. |
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