New camera advice sought, Apply within

[ozwinner]

Welcome back Viewer.

I am after a new camera, my old one just carcked it.
I am thinking of a Kodak Z740 (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=6547&pq-locale=en_AU).
Has anyone got one?
What do you think of it, even if you havent got one.?

The price range is good for me $300/$400, I dont want one with too many features, haveing said that, its almost impossible to get new stuff without too many features.
(Have you tryed buying a mobile phone lately that just phones? :( )

Al :)

[Driver]

(Have you tryed buying a mobile phone lately that just phones? :( )


Al!

That is so-o-o-o 90s! Get with the program! You need one that, at the very least, will deliver your sushi and offer creative design ideas for your living and sleeping spaces, darling! I mean! Just phones? Get OUT of here!

Can't help you with your camera, lad. Don't know the Kodak. Got a Nikon Coolpix 4800 meself. Works well. Sarawak.

[ss_11000]

its got an alright zoom on it ( 10x optical)
good megapixel (5)
looks good

we've got a kodak easy share dx4530 and its good for what we use it for. the bigger camera we got is better, but for the price dif it should be.
u'll be happy with the kodak methinks.

just my opinion

and good luck trying to find a fone with no features...not sure anyone makes them ( new business for someone one day)

[woodbe]

Get a Canon. :)

Here's a review of the Z740, doesn't sound too bad:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakz740/

If you want something without features, forget it. Not made anymore :D

woodbe.

[Iain]

10X optical zoom looks OK, digital zoom is crap, just onboard cropping and loss of quality.
Bear in mind that the memory card that comes with them will be hopelesly inadequate, most are, and you will nedd to buy a decent sized one.
What sort of batteries does it use, I prefer 'real' batteries ie:AA-AAA which are now available for about $14 a pack of 4 NiMH 2100mah, if you get genuines you pay through the nose for the same mah rating, does it come with a charger or is that another option.
Shoip around for prices and have a good look, even try to screw hardly normal, they almost kill for a sale.
Don't buy memory cards from the photo dealers, too expensive, even try digital camera warehouse online (google it) for a price on everything.

[Groggy]

My daughter has an earlier model Kodak we gave her for a birthday gift. The thing will not stay charged and is such a pain she uses her brother's Pentax.

[echnidna]

That looks like a great choice Al.
Kodak's are user friendly.
That range with their good lenses take great photo's
It will take (enlarged) photos up to 20" x 30" size

[Bob Willson]

Kodak may be user friendly but the quality of their stuff is not quite the equal of early GMC.
Go for a Canon or Panasonic or one of the other better quality manufacturers.

[ozwinner]

As with GMC, you get what you pay for.

Al :)

[masoth]

Al, what particular photographic need do you have? Is it general 'snaps', woodwork, a need for detail, flash, manual control? Does size matter (I can recall your sense of humour, but still ask the question)? Do you have concerns carrying a camera: bulk, weight, accessories?

soth

[normell]

Don't be fooled by huge amounts of megapixels
They mean Jack S**t over 5 megapixels, unless you are a pro piccy taker;)

[Gumby]

Al, send a PM to Stuart Lees, he's a bit of a camera guru.

[namtrak]

This is a good site (http://www.epinions.com/Kodak_EasyShare_Z740_Digital_Camera/display_~reviews) for all that sort of crap.

[glock40sw]

Pentax is the Go.
I only use Pentax Film SLR's and Digital SLR's and Medium Format (645n).

[ozwinner]

Al, what particular photographic need do you have? Is it general 'snaps', woodwork, a need for detail, flash, manual control? Does size matter (I can recall your sense of humour, but still ask the question)? Do you have concerns carrying a camera: bulk, weight, accessories?

soth

All of the above.
Bulk/weight doesnt concern me as all new cameras are made from plastic anyway.

My old camera is a Kodak DX3600 and is almost as big as the one Im looking at.

Al :)

[knucklehead]

Al, I bought a cheap Kodak camera for my daughter, also use a Kodak for work. Now the cameras perform as I would expect, but the software is dreadfully.
The software is clunky and unreliable. Last week the program stopped working and caused the PC to run very slow. I had to reinstall from the CD to get it to work. When it installed it in overwrote all of the pictures previously stored under the default storage location. :mad:
The other issue I have with it is the software updater. This beast is constantly running in the background.

Anyway I would never buy a Kodak again just because their software is horrible.

[ozwinner]

I tend not to use their software.
I download into Photoshop.

On software, I always turn off the update feature as they seem to want to download at the wrong moment.

Al :)

[masoth]

Yow !! :eek:
You using Photoshop tells me you know your photography - so I withdraw from offering my opinion.

[Ian007]

Al get a real camera go an digital SLR, bugger the expense its only your money :p

[ozwinner]

Yow !! :eek:
You using Photoshop tells me you know your photography - so I withdraw from offering my opinion.

Its all smoke and mirrors my boy, smoke and mirrors.

Al :p :rolleyes:

[echnidna]

Got photoshop, don't use it
Prefer Paint Shop Pro

As Al says "Its all smoke and mirrors my boy, smoke and mirrors."

[ozwinner]

How do you find Paint Shop Pro to use?
Is it easier then Photoshop?

I only use PS for reduceing the image size, as I find the other functions a pain to use.

Al :)

[echnidna]

Its much easier to use.
Theres also lots of tutorials online if you google.

[Greolt]

The capabilities of Photoshop are realy quite amazing. It is used almost exclusivly by professionals. Really an industry standard.

However the interface is a bit daunting and if Paint Shop Pro will do all you need then by all means go for it.

Photoshop Elements is definately worth considering. Allmost all of the capabilities of the full version (or the ones that most people want)
with a much easier to use interface. EDIT: and much cheaper too

Greolt

[derekcohen]

Hi Al

I had difficulty uploading pics from my Kodak Box Brownie so I bought a digital camera:D

Timing is everything. I have just bought a new camera to replace my Olympus. The Olympus produced really excellent images but it just stopped working after 3 years and the cost of having a quote and repairs (even if minor) is not cost effective ($85 to look, and a minimum of $200 for any repair on what was originally a $600 camera - anyone here with expertise to identify a fault yell out please).

So I bought a Canon A540 with a 512 Mb memory card - these are extra cost which you must factor into the final price - and 6 years full replacement extended warrentee for $550. This camera has 6 MP and a 4X optical zoom.

I should add that I had the camera shop demonstrate several cameras (it was a quiet time for them) in the macro (close-up) mode that is important to me, and this Canon was head-and-shoulders above just about all, and the best of the bunch up to $800 (for a camera alone).

The 6 MP is a bonus and not really important since my pictures need to be reduced in size for the internet. What was more important to me was to obtain fine detail in close-ups of tools. So I was taking notice of the built-in flash, macro facility, size of screen, and manual controls.

It comes with better software than my old Olympus, although I edit with Photoshop anyway.

The bottom line is to narrow down the intended use of the camera and get a few demoed. If my experience is typical, then you will find a wide range in performances.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[ss_11000]

How do you find Paint Shop Pro to use?
Is it easier then Photoshop?

I only use PS for reduceing the image size, as I find the other functions a pain to use.

Al :)

i find photoshop cs easy to use ( i think thats is wat the school has) mainly cos we're spending 18 weeks in computers ( 2.5 hrs a week ) studying it and playing with it.

[ozwinner]

Thanks guys but I decided against the Kodak and went and bought my self a Canon S2IS (http://www.canon.com.au/products/cameras/digital_compact_cameras/powershots2is.html).
Cost $650 from Hardley Normal, a little more than I wanted to pay but from all accounts a far better camera.

Al :)

[bitingmidge]

I don't think you'll regret that one Oz!

Cheers,

P:D

[ozwinner]

Im still finding my way around the camera but it is a thing of beauty.
I took a couple of piccys today in Avoca to try it out but I dont hink I had the resolution set properly.

Al :)

[Bob Willson]

Good one Al. :cool:

And 12 * optical zoom too. Jealous of that bit!

[Groggy]

gotta luv a new toy Al!

[jow104]

The easiest way to get a new camera is when seeing someone taking a picture of a group is to offer to replace the photographer. When he passes over the camera then run like hell.;)

[Studley 2436]

The thing I like about that camera is that it has a decent diameter lens mounted on it. The smaller a lens diameter is the lower the image quality will be regardless of the number of pixels.

Studley