posted on October 11, 2000 04:55:54 PM
Now that I have your attention I need help. I'm finally ready to take the Sony Mavica plunge. Which model would be the best for autcion use? My main concerns would be overall picture quality and zoom capabilities. Thanks for any input.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:13:53 PM
I just got the FD-73 and I love it. It's got the 10x zoom (which is great for very small items). Most of the 80 series models only have 3x.
Do a search in the message center because we just had this discussion a few weeks ago. There were lots of good suggestions there.
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That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
posted on October 11, 2000 05:23:55 PM
I've got the FD83, which has 6X zoom. But I almost never use the zoom- just find it easier to adjust distance to the subject. For closeups, it has a macro feature, that someone will come along and demonstrate in a moment, no doubt (these threads always turn into the battle of the digital closeups!).
Of more interest to me is the drive speed. Mavica records onto a floppy, and if you've only got a single speed drive, it can take a while to record to the floppy (time during which you cannot shoot the next pic). FD83 comes with 4X FD Drive, which means that there is about 2 seconds down time after you take the pic before you can shoot the next.
Any of the Mavica's have sufficient resolution for web pics. The 83 does 1216 X 912, but you'll never use that resolution. It also does MPEG movies, another trick thing you'll never use for auctions.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:28:15 PM
Almost though you were serious...
I use the FD91 since last Christmas. I sold it in August and bought the FD95. Absolutely the best. Sold the FD91 on ebay, of course. Paid about $875.00 for the FD91 and paid $925.00 for the FD95. There is a price comparision on cnet.com and get free shipping also.
These two model has internal LCD veiwfinder like the one in camcorders which is not affected by exterior bright light. Close up to less then 1 inch.
posted on October 11, 2000 06:13:14 PM
The FD91/95 are WAY more than you need for auction pix.
I have an FD71 that I've had for about 3 years (it's the earlier version of the FD73) and I love it! I've used it for everything from eBay pix to vacation shots to a brochure for work. The 10x zoom has been great for vacations... got some wonderful shots on a whale watch last year
My recommendation is the FD73 - and shop around, the prices vary greatly! I usually do a search on various price comparison web sites. The two cameras I've bought over the past few years (started out with the FD5, upgraded to FD71) both came from www.buy.com.
posted on October 11, 2000 06:15:12 PM
I have the FD-88. 16X zoom which I never use for auction pics and macro which I almost ALWAYS use for my auction pics.
Best hint is to use the frosted "scotch" tape to diffuse the light from the flash which causes "burn" spots in the picture unless you use external lighting and don't use the flash--which is best.
posted on October 11, 2000 07:02:24 PM
If all you are going to use the camera for is auction pics, then the FD73 is just fine. However, it is a low resolutoin camera and I was disappointed in the results for general picture taking, such as parties, events, family, vacation, stuff like that. I'd recommend a Mavica in maybe 80s series at least (FD81, 83 or 85), with higher resolution, if you want to use it for stuff other than just small auction pictures.
I just bought my FD73, but I'm ready to sell it because I want to upgrade to a more multipurpose camera.
