make the switch.

[Neballer]

For all of you out there that haven't made the switch to digital yet, might I suggest the Canon SD400 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=11158). Right now this is one of the smallest, fastest and in my opion greatest compact digital camera out there today.(slightly biased because I only by Canons) For around $4bills this camera is worth every penny. 5 mega pixels, amazing video capability and the darn thing is so small it fits into an empty pack of cigarettes. Supports up to 2 gig card and has a 2 inch LCD screen (larger than the LCD Screen on the Canon EOS 20D). And I tell you all of this because I myself wish I had this camera, but as the technology cookie crumbles, I already bought it's little brother the SD300 in Feb. So I will leave you with a pic from the SD400 that my buddy took at Cochella

http://www.rgsdesign.com/carp/mos.jpg

[Roo-1]

I'm lusting after a digital SLR...that saweeeet Cannon 20D (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=10464)

Right now I'm using a Nikon Coolpix 995, but maaaaaaaaan I want a digital SLR!

[Allen Harkleroad]

Take a look at the canon digital rebel xt, 8mp, tons of manual control, it is a pro camera for a consumer price. under a grand with a lens even. It has white balance selection, or auto, and much much more.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SupportDetailAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=11154 (http://)

Amazon has them (and wolf camera/ritz interactive) with lens. it uses the EF lens which can be swapped between the older digital rebel and even 35mm cameras.

[steve-o]

I have the Rebel 300D and just bought a Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 lens.

Allen is right. Check out the new Digital Rebel XT. More important than 8MP, it uses the same sensor as the 20D. You also may be able to find some great deals on the 6MP 300D.

The XT, however, is also smaller and lighter. The original 300D is pretty heavy. Strap a flash on it and a metal zoom lens, and let's just say a few trips to the gym may be in order.

[morea]

I am using a digital that is a few years old... it is a 3.2 mega pixel Exilim (EX-Z3).

While this works nicely for most purposes (also has a nice sized viewer and is pretty lightweight) I am hoping to eventually upgrade to something with more functionality and a greater zoom capacity.

[keith1]

here's mine. it's a canon sd10, 4 megapixels, & also fits inside an empty pack of cigarettes. no optical zoom though, which sucks. but it has many manuals options including long shutter of about 4 secs, macro mode for close ups, 320 x 240 video with audio and it was around $250. But now I think they replaced it with SD20. Neballer, your friend went to Cochella? Lucky bastid!

[Ulysses]

I was thinking of a Canon A85 ... but that SD10 looks sweet. It doesn't take off-the-shelf batteries though, and from my own experience, that can come in mighty handy when you're out on a photo shoot.

[D-Zine]

I am hoping to just get a damn digital one day!! :( SOON DAMNIT!

thanks for the info Neballer, and everyone else too :)

[Allen Harkleroad]

the XT took a while fo rme to get used to it is like 1/2 the weight of the Rebel EOS digital 2000 (6.2mp), but it is sweet. I use it for all of macro photography now and it actually is starting to "feel" comfortable to me.

[Ulysses]

It would seem we're all smitten by Canon's.

[Neballer]

I was thinking of a Canon A85 ... but that SD10 looks sweet. It doesn't take off-the-shelf batteries though, and from my own experience, that can come in mighty handy when you're out on a photo shoot.

You really don't want to be messing around with alkaline batteries. They last for about a second, escpecialy if you use your LCD screen alot. I use my camera everyday and review my pictures alot. My Litium Ion Battery (http://www1.bottomdollar.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=4180721/id_type=M//) battery last about a week without the need to recharge. Also one of the biggest differences between Lithium Ion and Alkaline Batteries is, that as alkaline batteries get used the power is slowly drained out of them, so at the end of their use they're running at 50%, 40% etc. till they're dead. Lithium Ion run at full strength untill they need to be recharged.

[Allen Harkleroad]

i fell in love with canon about 20 years ago. I actually still have my first canon 35mm camera and lenses. I use it from time to time but it is showing it's age.

Allen

[Ulysses]

It is interesting you point that out neballer ... I guess it'd be wiser to carry a couple of spare charged proprietry batteries, instead of AAs.

[Ulysses]

Older camera's look so much more robust, don't they!? And they're still in use 20-30 years later. Still, I've long since had access to a darkroom (as fun as they were), so digital all the way for me, especially as I am by no means a photographer. I'm seriously looking at a SD20 now, or a SD10 if I can find one cheap.

[woodwardo]

I'd have to disagree with the lithium ion batteries bieng better. I personally think that the AA's are great. In my camera (fujifilm S7000) my AA's will last a weekend, which is plenty of time. I own three sets of NiMH AA's and keep two sets fully charged, while the other is in use. Sometimes I don't remember to charge or end up using some in a CD player or something and that's when the third set comes in handy. There's been a few times when out on the road, that I haven't had any charged batteries and whalla - gas station and $4 later, my camera's ready for another couple days. Personally I know I'd be shooting much less (or spending more $$) if I had a propprietry lithium battery pack.

[Ulysses]

Hmmm ... I'm undecided now. A proprietry or AA battery operated camera ... I've used AAs on FujuFilm camera's, and they didn't last long. They did only take two AAs though (as opposed to the A85s 4) but they didn't even last half as long as a few Sony Powershots that I've tried.

[Neballer]

you too allen. My grandpa gave me this camera, and ever since I've been in love with canons.

http://www.rgsdesign.com/carp/ae1program.jpg

[keith1]

Well the sd10 does only use lithium as you know and there is also only the screen LCD option for taking pix, no eye hole to look through. I've never used them anyway with any digital camera. The lithium in my sd10 lasts forever while I am constantly changing AA's (rechargeable) in the Olympus C-3000 (3.3 megapix) at work.

[D-Zine]

Neballer - I have that exact camera..bought it used back in lik 1995 from a pawn shop to use for my intro to photo class.

[Neballer]

It's an awesome camera huh! The nice thing about these old school cameras is that they are all manual so you really get to learn how a camera works. I took the two black & white pics in the showcase thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8518&page=1&pp=10) with it.

[D-Frag]

since were all showing pics of our cameras :D

http://img290.echo.cx/img290/9575/sonyf7177lt.jpg

[bdamit]

yep, I've had cameras for ever. Olympus OM1n, FED Zarya, Canon EOS 30e, and my incredible Olympus C8080wz, with a trifling 8Mp.

I'm really an Olympus fan, but the EOS film SLR is the best to use of these.

Picture taken with a Sony, so apologies...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/bdamit/mine.jpg