:D

hi guys....
just wondering la...

The Story
- my current digicam is a Canon Powershot A70 nd is >4 years old already
now the digicam is giving somuch problem especially the battery consumption and today another problem happens,... couldnt on at all!!

- This digicam uses 4x AA Rechargeable Battery

Battery consumption story
- this problem is getting to my nerve when i was at LIMA 2007 recently.
- i change to a new set of battery, but the camera only let me took <15 pictures!!! then the camera just die!!
- then i change to another new set.. same problem..< 15 shots...
- lucikly i bring a spare digicam..

i saw the camera CK Loo is using... Panasonic Lumix ithink... so how is that Loo ok ka?

Budget & Requirement
- my budget is < RM900 and no DSLR please... too bulky for me and too pricey .. :D
- and this will eat my kit budget for next year al well :((

if possible i need some kind of optical zoom
and must not be too bulky


so guys... any suggestion ?

Kuman

Lan,
A few things you may wish to consider.
1) A camera should not limit you to the shots that you may one to take. With a budget of RM900, you may be able to get quite a good camera which can deliver 5Megapixels but no wide angle zoom

2)Most digital cameras in that price region will have the Makro mode availlable for close ups. Personally, I think Canon's makro mode is superior but loses to the Leica lens that Panasonic have for overall picture performance in all different situations.

Try avoiding the camera's which uses rechargeble AA or AAA batteries. Those batteries do not last. I usually get the shop to bundle a deal with a spare battery because you will need it especially at those crucial times.

3)If budget permits, get one with a wide angle lens. You will need this in confined areas and especially for shots with lots of people in them. Optical zoom is only good in bright daylight unless your subject does not move and you have very steady hands.

4) Personally, I think Lumix has a better picture quality but Canon has good start up and shutter control. The TX3 has very good picture performance but bulky. Also, it does not fit well in your pocket nor does the cover slides into your belt. Canon's packaging is better in that respect.

Have not tried Nikon, Olympus, so cannot comment on those.

Hope this helps.

Loo

I might know the answer why your new batteries die just after 15 shots. This will happen if you use normal batteries. I had that happened to me before. For digital camera, you need to get the special AA batteries design for digital gadget. They are a tap more expensive than the normal batteries. Usually the packaging will indocates if they are for digital gadget.

If you're going for a new camera then I think you should take Loo's advice and get one with wide angle. Anything start from 28mm (35mm equivalent) is consider wide angle. Unfortunately, not many compact point and shoot camera have wide angle so you have to shop a bit for one.

My wife uses a Canon Ixus 850 IS which has wide angle and she's pretty happy with it.

Just my 2 cents.

I am currently using the Casio Exilim EX-720, bought 2 years ago for RM1.5k, other then giving me 7.2 mega pixels quality, the best part is it comes with super long lasting built-in battery that last 500 flash shot after each recharge of 3 hours, it was the most popular for its battery power that time, of course now I believe its competitors should have been catching up today.

But I think if to take pictures of our kits (in micro with best lighting), DSLR should be the preferred choice, I am having an eye of this Olympus E-410, costs RM2.5k, it is currently the lightest DSLR in the world at this moment, weight only 375g. But I, too decided to keep my budget for the model kits....

Lan, I have to agree with Holy P on the DSLR camera choice to take pictures of our model kits.

I'm saving some money to get one plus a macro lens but usually the money that I saved will dissapear almost instantly when I step into a model shop... :lol:

But looking at your budget with less than RM900, you can still get a load of choices for digital camera but you will have to scout around and ask to get the best deal and the best camera.

I myself prefer a bulky camera but for ease of storage, transport and usability I think you better look for the slim "point-and-shoot" compact digital camera.

You can try to find the Canon powershot S3IS. This is the old model and not easily to find. The new model is S5IS and well over your budget. So I guess the S3IS will be below RM1k. This DC is nearest to DSLR but compact with 12x optical zoom, macro, super macro, rotate screen, image stablelizer and excenllent video capture. For shoot model kit till normal shoot is no problem.
Like you, I don't like bulky DC as is it too heavy and take up alot of space for my holiday. But I want DC that have same function like DSLR. Others my requirement is must operate on AA battery and must use SD card. It it recommended by most of the DC preview.

bro..for point-and-shoot digicam..I suggest u Fujifilm range models like Finepix F30 or F31d or F41..very good output & can take a great night pictures..If you cant find one, choose Nikon ranges or Panasonic lumix with it's Leica lens.

Hi kuman.... just to share with u...

after a longggg wait (10 years :P ) and budject finally i just got myself a 'reasonable' digital camera recently.....Sony Cybershot DSCW90. Is about your budject now (recent price is Rm980) and with some promo going on, u can have it at extend warranty to 2 or 3 years...This camera comes with 8.1 Megapixel, 3x Optical, ISO3200, Macro mode @ 4cm and this is the main reason i choose this camera ..... it uses Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens.

For more info on the camera ...... CLICK HERE

Who and what is Carl Zeiss ..... CLICK HERE

Hope this help.... ;)

thanks guys.. :D

really a lot of good suggestion... i'm still in dilemma on which one to buy...
i'll take all the proposal and take into consideration and will go to a digicam shop this weekend and scout around for the best price and best package for it...

in the meantime keep the suggestion coming guys.. :)

really appreciate all the thought
:D
kuman

Updates

In an effort to save some cost on digicam (to get more kits),
i send in my old Canon A70 digicam to Canon service center to get a quote on how much to repair the thing... (i've been lucky the last 3-4 times, i send over for repair they didnt charge a thing).. well.. just now i received a cann from Canon staff... they quote me RM474 to change the digicam board and some component in it... i was like :blink: :blink: might as well get a new one!! even the Canon rep also said the same thing.. add a few hundred more i get a new one... :D

and with that i RIP that digicam nd targetted to get 1 new digicam at the upcoming PC Fair.. hopefully can get a good deal there :)

now i short listed 3 digicam already...

Panasonic Lumic TZ3
Canon SI 100
Sony Cybershot H-3


just to update you guys.. :D

kuman

My personal preference is Nikon. But htat may be expensive. Olympus is really the best value for money. I never liked canon. When I was using SLR Canon SLR was the least versatile.

Lan,
my current shots are with the TZ3.
It has great features but the only complain is that it is quite bulky.

a liltle update from me guys..

Last week during the PCFair over at PISA Penang i bite the bullet and get myself a Panasonic TZ15 + 2GB card + casing + LCD Protector + Lens Protector + 400 pcs printing voucher etc + 2 years warranty...

as i told you guys before i was eyeing the same model as Loo is using the TZ3,, but at the final moment just before i made the purchase.. the salesman (whom i met before in another digitalcam event at Carrefour) noticed me and recommend me the latest release from Panasonic which is the TZ15... same feature as TZ3 + the size is slightly smaller and now include the IA (intelligent setting thinggy) :)

anyway...

here is the review & details from PhotoReview CLick Me!! :D

and attached below is the sample picture i took with this camera all using the standard IA setting

Sunset


Sunrise


Broad Day Light Noon


SHopping mall (my daughters in action here)


The full Zoom (early in the morning)


The Macro shot


thats it...
thanks for all the help guys.. :)

kuman

very nice shot indeed.. esp the sunset pic ^_^

but i was expecting some model kit shot on the macro mode.. check check gambar rotan pulak.. kekeke.. :lol:

hehe.. rotan pun ok laaa. :D

ok la since you ask for model shot... kekeke..
actually this is from the PT-1M resources.. i took with this cam laa.. B)



kuman

jus a lil bit curious.. how come on both macro shots, the pic on the borders seems to be shaded?

:D
due to the fact that i'm tooooo close to the subject thus blocking the flash somehow.. (i think :D )

will try without flash

kuman

Was thinking about getting a Digicam..so with "search", I found Kuman's old thread here and also with you fellas taking some pretty nice shots from another thread.

Question time:
1. Is all Digicam able to give good Macro shots?
2. I'm leaning towards to a Sony or a Nikon, any thoughts about which particular model?
3. What are the extras to get besides from the manufacturers package?

Your thoughts please...Thanks!!

Bro, my 2 cents:

1. Yes, technology is so canggih nowadays, most Point n Shoot (compact) cameras with a macro function will do a pretty good job. Just ensure good lighting and dont harap so much the flash. When you go to the shop, ask for one that has a macro function on the lens (most have it anyway)

2. Well, I would still recommend Canon for compact and Nikon for DSLR (haha, some wud disagree) but its a matter of taste and preference. Practically all compact digicam now will take pretty decent photos..technology all lebih kurang. All depends on the budget and your own brand loyalty. Most of my WIP shot taken with a cheapo RM500 Canon A series powershot (fast n easy) while final completed build shot with Nikon DSLR for more control.

3. Dont need anything expect maybe good rechargeable batteries (if camera uses AA battery) and maybe some photo editing software like Photoshop if you want to play around. Otherwise the OEM software bundle and a 2 gig SD card good enough. If you get one of those small tripod they give for free also good, its cheap to buy anyway.

HTH :D

Brutus san.. heheh

reviving old thread ehh.. :lol: good good..

1. I would agree with syah on this, when you do survey ask the shop to take macro shots of your lengan... see if can really capture the liang-liang roma on your hand or not and check if there any noticeable pixel-pecah... that what i do with my panasonic last time... also i test on Olympus... the model i test got pecah-pecah once used in xtreme macro shot... :D

2. as of model, its up to you to decide as for me i personally have used Canon and now using Panasonic. Both are pretty good... so up to you to decide.

3. As for freebies, i think you just miss the boat. The recent PC Fair is a good place for package buys and deals... they offer xtreme stuff during the Fair. Last time i saw Canon ging away 4GB card + tripod + beg pack + 2 sets of rechargable batteries + the small tripod and xtended warranty...

Now a thought on batteries... my last digicam (Canon Powershot A40) used rechargable AA batteries, man that was hard... yes.. can use normal alkali batteries but wont last long... i think all he time i used rechargable batteries with the digicam i bought no less than 13 set of rechargable batteries... and it just runs dry without warning ...

so i would suggest try to get those with Lithium Ion batteries... they can last long time... its just me though..

anyway.. The Choice IS Yours - Captain Planet

kuman

Digitalcam and Digital Single Lens Reflex are 2 different category camera.

If u looking for normal macro, most of the DC got this function. Kuman had mentioned on how to test the function.

If u looking for magnification macro then u need to consider DSLR, with macro lens.

So, what would ur catch on this?? For modelling or bug hunting?? :P

FYI, Canon had a macro lens which magnified 5x (MPE), best macro lens so far.

For durable and economic AA batteries, try get Tesco or Ikea alkaline batts. ^_^

My Turn!...
Oh Oh Oh Oh Reviving old thread ...

Kuman, about the Baterries Life span. i read in my Canon DSLR Manual said: " Don't Fully Charged your battery if you not planning to use them in a Long Time.
Leavethe baterry inside the Camera for it to discharge and re-charge them 1 day b4 you trip. Seem like leaving a fully charge battery may cause Life Span Shortage... that what my DSLR manual said. leh

Brutus, I agreed with becky point, if u want to shot subject with blur blur background effect... u need a DSLR camera... get a entry level DSLR lah like Canon 450D, Cheap, Wallet Carring, Good for everyday use and not too over the top...!... Sony Brand eh... ask Becky... she know best!...
Semi - Pro go Nikon Brand.

Read This!... and try to understand this... hope it can make u choose...
Pro Tip : Sensors and sensitivity: making sense of the megapixel myth
http://www.nikonian.com.my/default.asp?contentID=764
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Psst: are you convince yet to become a DSLR owner?????

Eh, Sony entry level DSLR, i recommend A330. Rm2199 with kitlense. With live view n adjustable LCD. Very compact n light weight.

Sound like Sony sales girl. ;)

Juz go down the camera shop n try out all those cameras. :P

Becky.. Canon EOS 7D... 19 AF/ Focus Points!..... now can focus by Zone....

Geng!

I still not at that lvl lah. Me still entry kit nia, but will test that body out :D

I am using Canon A460 (GOT Super Macro 1cm) suitable for model capture/photography) U can see my sample here

http://picasaweb.google.com/leewuichong

All photo I take with Canon A460 DC

Brutus, and anyone buying camera, my take:

Keep it simple....from what I understand of your needs its just a leisure tool...ambik decent gambar enough edy....spend the rest of money on kits :P

If you want to take it more seriously, then only spend more. Remember, depreciation on this stuff is scary....not like model kits where price can go up :lol: In most cases, if you want to ever want to sell a digicam, confirm rugi habis..same standard like handphone edy.

Actually there are times i prefer my Canon A580 to my D3....and sometimes nothing beats my Yashica Electro 35....Theres a time and place for everything.

I think too many people mix it up and end up throwing money on things they dont use (or build :lol: ) Thats Msian consumer culture...buy only, whether got use or not is another story.

Coincidentally, I came across this article yesterday showing you how to use the lens from a CD/DVD player to convert your mobile phone camera into a super macro camera.

Check out some of the photos taken with the cam

WOW! Excellent response from you guys and gal..Thank you very much.

Landyshah...you somehow sum it all up so far. Appreciate more inputs if there's more..something like scoping down to what you people use.

Cheers!! :D