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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Grr.

I have had terrible luck with my technological devices recently. While I was out of town last week, I spilled water on my cell phone and killed it. Then yesterday my digital camera mysteriously stopped functioning, simply delivering the cryptic message, 'lens error'. I called technical support and ended up having to send it in for service. Who knows when I'll see it again. (And this was the camera that I've only had for six months; I got it after losing my old one on my last trip to San Francisco, and I got that one after dropping the one before on the cement floor. Geez!)

In my line of work (and with such an irresistibly cute kid and flock of animals), there's just no way I can be without a camera for months at a time, so I'm going to buy a new one and sell the old one on eBay after it comes back to me. I'm thinking about buying my next camera used (also from eBay), seeing as how I haven't had the greatest luck with new ones anyways.

Right now I'm considering buying a Nikon Coolpix S4 Digital Camera (the used ones are, of course, a lot more affordable) - that's what Judy has and I tried hers yesterday and liked it. Although to be honest, I'm not thrilled about buying another Nikon - I just don't have any experience with other brands (except for an Olympus that I purchased and immediately returned six months ago - it sucked).

Anyone else care to weigh in? If you have a digital camera that you really love, especially if it has a very easy-to-use macro function, let me know!

8 comments:

Juli said...

I have a Canon Power Shot A560, and its great for taking jewelry photos. I have done all my jewelry photos with it.... I take all my photos outside, no matter what the weather, sun or not, using the cloudy setting, and have to do very little editing. It has an adjustable white balance on it, great for taking photos inside, using a light box. It has a macro lens, and has a setting for kids and pets. Really a wonderful little camera... Hope this helps. :) Juli

Kat Schaub said...

I've had good luck with my Canon PowerShot A560. It's not overly complicated and it has an intuitive interface. It's a good point and shoot camera.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A560-Digital-Optical/dp/B000NK3NBA/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1239823820&sr=1-33

Marji said...

I third the canon power shot. I don't work with it (I use two larger cameras), but I've handled it and think it's a nice camera for what you're looking for.

Sara said...

Another recommendation for the Canon PowerShot, though mine is the A650 IS. We got it locally at Costco and I take all my craft, kid and animal photos with it. Super easy macro feature, and easy to turn the flash off.

Tamara said...

Thanks guys. Looks like overwhelming support for the Canon Power Shots! I was also just checking out the Canon PowerShot A590IS. I'm also kind of tempted to step it up a notch or two and go with something like the
Nikon Coolpix 8800, but am a little worried that I'd be overwhelmed by it. :-)

Jaime/GirlLovesGloss said...

Ok well, since i sell digital cameras and work in photography for a living, I will weigh in. Over the years I've owned 4 major brands, and the one I always go back to, and will from now on is Nikon. They have the highest rated lens on them and give you the most bang for your buck.
I urge you not to buy anything under 7megapixels, purely for quality/resolutions sake. I know lots are happy with canons, but they have notoriously weak batteries, which often stop holding a charge after a year of frequent use.
Oh, and Lens Error usually ( not always) means that there is something jamming the lens.
lemme know if I can be of more help!
Jaime

Nathalie said...

Poor T! You really don't have much luck :(

I have a Canon Powershot S3IS (I think that now the model is S5, the S3 is no longer for sale unless you look on Ebay, you might find one). Very easy to use in Macro mode, loads of options ect for it. I do very little editing of my pictures and at the highest quality, you get some very sharp pictures.

:-)

Good luck my dear!

Robin Marie said...

Hey! I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 and I'm very happy with it! I find it very satisfying, the macro is a breeze, and I have absolutely no complaints!