| Subject: Re: digital camera advice? |
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The wide range of both film and digital cameras discussed in this thread
attests to the wide range of approaches that people take to photographing
their travel and their varied needs. I have previously written in favor of
my Sony Mavica which is about to make its fourth trip abroad. At the same
time, technology has caught up with it. Its resolution is less than a third
of a megapixel (the number of dots it registers), and there are affordable
cameras which resolve above 3 megapixels now available. However, it does at
least a passable job on pictures where resolution is not vital--I have any
number of ones I printed on 8 1/2 x 11 photo paper. My model has a 10x zoom
lens. Although it is larger than a point and click camera, I don't find
its size a burden. Indeed, as was pointed out by another writer, it weighs
less than many commonly used digital cameras. Accidentally erasing pictures
is _very_ unlikely on the Mavica, especially if you remember to
write-protect the floppy when it is filled.
Some of the things to consider about a digital camera (which I understand have outsold 35 mm cameras for a couple of years now): 1. The resolution in megapixels--If you want to make prints, you want at least two and preferably 3 megapixels for 8 1/2 x 11 size if the picture does have important detail. However, resolution is not the only things that determines picture quality. 2. The storage medium if you are using the camera for travel. The new Sony I lust for uses a CD format, but, unfortunately, it is $1300 with little, as of yet, discount. You can't accidentally erase CD, since it is not rewritable. Flash and similar memories are expensive, unless you want to provide some way of downloading while on your trip so you only need one. For example I usually make at least one stop at a cyber cafÈ. If they have the appropriate (usually USB) connector, you can use one of the Internet storage sites like Idisk. Also, although IHMO Sony's technology is usually the most impressive, at least one company (Panasonic?) uses LS120 disks which seem to be another effective way to store the large number of pictures you may take on a trip. 3. Zoom range--wide angle, specifically, for narrow street scenes. 4. Printer--printers, as well as cameras, vary widely in their quality. Nothing probably holds up as well as a dye-transfer photograph (I have ones nearly 30 years old), but, on the other hand, you can always reprint pictures since, as was also noted, it is not difficult organizing them. I always burn a couple of copies of CDs with my vacation pictures. If you print, consider always using photo paper which is now very cheap. 5. Size, but how big is too big obviously varies. On the other hand, there is a lot of amazing free editors such as 2020 on the Internet, so the only software you may need from your camera, if any, is to download it. IMHO, I personally think that film cameras will be obsolete in a few years in all areas (even in making movies). Ira H. Bernstein, Ph. D. Professor of Psychology UT-Arlington |