Looking for a new digital camera

[Adrian]

Hey all, im in the market for a dig cam, ive been using a Sony Mavica mdv-fd73 for 4 years now, its not a bad camera per say, I can get a good shot everynow and then, I really like the amount of zoom and the fact that it takes a standard 3.5 disk. Im looking for something around $300, with lots of zoom, great picture quality (resolution) and exposure, and excellent color rendition. I dont ask for much Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Adrian]

Well thanks alot for all the help :roll: Kidding, I did my research and Im looking at buying either a new nikon coolpix 4300, or a refurb 4500. Any opinions on either camera?

 

[Len]

Hey Adrian,

Sorry, but the weekend can be slow for this particular forum

The 4300/4500 are fine cameras and I do recommend them. Another option to consider in the same price range is the Canon A80. If taking tank pics is your primary interest, and especially if macros is important to you, the Nikon 4000 series is probably the better choice (Nikons are renowned for their macro abilities, especially considering they are a big player in the microlense industry). But the Canon A80 is also a very good overall performer and the results I've seen for day-to-day shots are very nice.

 

[Adrian]

Hey Len, thanks for the response. I went to a camera store today to check out the 4300, man is that thing tiny, never would have guessed judging by the pics ive seen online, and the size of my current digi cam. One thing I didnt like was that the lens extends when you zoom, i can see that becoming a pain when it comes to aquarium macros, the sales guy didnt know jack so I couldnt really find out much else that I havent already read online. This camera is strictly for my tanks and web site, I shoot a Mamiya m645 or a nikon N65 for everything else, so I want to get the best tool for the job. Do you know if the lens extends on the 4500?

 

[Adrian]

One more question, at first I was a little confused about optical and digital zoom, but today when I was playing with the 4300 I noticed it would zoom smoothly to a certain point, the lens would stop extending, and then if I kept zooming it would enlarge the image by like 150% 3 or 4 times, is that the digital zoom kicking in? Is that useful, or what, I guess im still a little confused on that subject :roll: Everything Ive read says optical zoom is what matters, and not to worry about the digital. Should i be prepared to buy some extra lens' for true macros? TIA

 

[azcaddman]

the optical zoom is the actual physical lens on the camera doing the zoom.

the digital part... is just like cropping the center of the image in photoshop, and re-sizing it (interpolating details that the lens isn't really seeing, its the computer's best guess)

I'm not familiar with that model camera, but the nikon 5000 i have, you can disable the digital zoom. If you feel the need to crop & resize the image, you're better off doing it in photoshop (or other editor), they do a better job than what's built into the camera.

Art

 

[Adrian]

Yeah thats exactly what it looked like, the image was being blow up rather than zoomed in on. Well ive decided on the 4500, it has a better macro focusing range, and the lens donst extend when it zooms, and I can get it for about $400 brand new on ebay. Ill post some pics when I get it Thanks for the help

 

[Adrian]

pics as promised

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, very nice stuff!

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say you made a great choice! Nice pics!

B

 

[Wampatom]

Those are fantastic pictures. I guess you don’t need help.

 

[Adrian]

Thanks all

So far the camera is turning out to be exactly what I wanted, although I still cant get close enough Ive been looking into the 2x and 3x lens, and a +1, +2, +4 set of filters, can anyone comment on any of these?

 

[Anonymous]

Used to have a set of +1,+2,+4'S the set rocked. I had the kind that went into a holder on the front of the lens. It was easier and quicker to change on the fly than the screw on ones.

Pick up a set, they're cheap and you'll get a lot of use out of them.

B

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. I've got a set of closeup filters for my 300D, and now I rarely shoot my tank without them. THey shorten the DOF some (especially when stacked to make +7), but you can get a lot more detail out of the shots.

 

[Adrian]

Thanks for the replies, I will definitely pick up a set of those filters. Does anyone know if the telephoto lenses have macro ability?

 

[Adrian]

Sharkky, Bingo, can you suggest a place I might be able to get the filter set, since its not made by Nikon im having a little trouble finding it...Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Just check your yellowpages for a camera store. Most any camera store that carries filters would have closeup filters.

You could always go online to b&h or somewhere like that, too.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, since your 4500 has 28mm rings, you'll need an adapter to get up to 37mm. (the smallest screw on filter size that's 'standard')
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 306&is=REG

Then you'll need the screw on filter set:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 436&is=REG

or, the drop in kind:

First you need a Cokin filter holder:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 316&is=REG

But then you'd need another step up adapter to 49mm:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 722&is=REG


+1
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 974&is=REG

+2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 975&is=REG

+3
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 976&is=REG

Just call b&h and talk to them, they'll know exactly what you need.
Hint: call the used department first! they'll probably have step up rings and close ups cheaper.

B

 

[Anonymous]

the drop in kind are Cokin filters. There's a whole series of interesting filters, from color, to star filter, difusion, all kinds of good stuff

B

 

[Adrian]

Yeah, I wish there was a camera store in my area that carried anything but the standard stuff, I went to the best one around and they couldnt help. I saw a set of 28mm filters on ebay a while back, just wasnt sure how good they are, and I cannot locate them on ebay anymore. I will check out B&H, thanks for all the links, I buy a lot of stuff from them for school, and I knnow the Hoya filters are good as I use several of their filters on my 645. Thanks again