posted on January 7, 2008 09:53:16 AM
I have been using a Kodak millenium camera for about 9 years. It takes wonderful close-up pictures, but it's falling apart. The batteries are rechargeble, and only take about 6 pictures, and the housing is kept in the rubber bands, now the card, which used to hold 36 pictures, is down to 2. It takes terrible pictures outside, but I don't need it for that. We have a good digital family camera, but my husband travels a lot and takes it with him, so then I am without one.
What I am looking for is something reasonably priced that takes good close-up pictures for china etc. I mostly sell craft books, which I scan, so I don't need it a lot, and I don't want to have to pay for all the bells and whistles which I won't use. Does anyone have a good idea for a camera I could get?
By the way, I became an official senior citizen today! 65 years old.
posted on January 7, 2008 10:39:37 AM
I am in love with my Kodak Z612 - takes extremely good closeups. I photograph mostly jewelry and the pictures are phenomenal.
posted on January 7, 2008 10:39:39 AM
Thanks aintrichyet, my husband told me I should get a Sony, he thinks they are the best, I will have to check out the prices.
posted on January 7, 2008 11:03:42 AM
You don't need a lot of features so something around 75-100 bucks should do the job there are dozens of choices. The little cameras are tempting but are hard to hold steady for clean shots. Try a few get one that "fits" in your hands.
Visit a local camera store (not a chain store dept) talk to the sales person explain what you are doing. Bring'em your old Kodak maybe they can fix it up!
Happy 65th... your mailbox will now be filled with letters from companies trying to sell you medical insurance,a scooter,and or a condo in a retirement community.
Good luck,
posted on January 7, 2008 11:49:10 AM
That is interesting pixiamom:
Fortunate in business ventures and will achieve wealth, I guess that bodes will for my eBay sales.
Monday and Tuesday my lucky days: I guess that is when I should list.
Will marry happily: Yes, true, to the same man for 42 years, even though he is away for my birthday.
Thanks for the applause Tom and Ralphie, and for the other good advise from others. I have thought about getting a used camera, but I'm a bit reluctant.
alldings: I agree with you about the size, I have arthritis, and holding a small camera is a problem. I am afraid my old Kodak is past repair, I have asked, but they just want to sell me a new one, plus recharging AA batteries is a pain.
posted on January 7, 2008 01:14:17 PM
I love my Mavica too. There are plenty around, and they're cheap. The only drawback is that MOST of the models only use floppys for media. If you don't have a floppy drive in your computer, figure another $35.00 for a usb floppy drive.
As to picture quality, anything above 640x480 is wasted on ebay anyway, so even the oldest model Mavica will serve you just fine. The macro mode is great on all of them.
posted on January 7, 2008 08:14:27 PM
I LOVE my Sony Mavica 73! Closeups are a breeze, and I'm thinking I should replace it with another before they're all gone forever.
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posted on January 7, 2008 08:47:55 PM
COMP USA is closing shop and everything is 25-35% off,you can go and take a look if there is one near you.
I went from Kodak to Sony Mavica to Nikon Coolpix,I like my Nikon.
posted on January 8, 2008 12:55:10 AM
Any "camera brand" digital will produce good photos. The key pointers to look out for when buying a digital camera for auction photos is a decent macro mode so you can get good close-ups of smaller items. I'd choose a camera that runs on rechargeable AA or AAA NiMH batteries rather than the more expensive LiON ones. A spare set of NiMH batteries is much cheaper than a LiON one. Also large LCDs (3-inch) tend to run down batteries much faster than small ones (2 - 2.5-inch).
Check if you can operate the camera remotely from your computer via the included USB transfer cable. It makes it much easier to take large series of overhead- or tripod-mounted photos and have them directly downloaded into your computer...
To be honest there isn't much difference between camera brands so whatever is on "special" or is recommended by a photographer friend is probably going to work out fine. Hope this helps!
posted on January 8, 2008 04:25:06 AM
I have a Panasonic Lumix 12x Opt Zoom. I don't recommend it for beginners, though. I'm still getting the hang of it. I may never have it totally figured out. I just might need to take a class, LOL!
posted on January 8, 2008 08:33:45 AM
I really appreciate all the help and suggestions. I live in Canada, but my husband is in Florida for a week, so I am passing on the info. to him, and he's going to look in some camera stores today.
What do you think about buying used camera's, is it worth it?
My son, who has literally thousands of dollars in cameras and lenses, only buys used. Having said that, he only buys from two sellers (B&H photo and KEH.com). He has saved a lot of money, and has not had a single bad experience.
I got him a used Nikon D2H from KEH at a huge discount to new. It has worked flawlessly for a year now.
posted on January 8, 2008 01:11:22 PM
amber, I have used a Casio for over 10 years on ebay, I am on my second one, they are in the price range you are looking for. The problem is where to find one. I know Radio Shack caries them. The a dock you put them in, it recharges the battery and also is hooked to you computer for up loading. You do not need a chip, it will hold up to 53 photos, if you need more then you can buy a chip. Just my $.O2 worth.
posted on January 8, 2008 07:28:11 PM
my Sony DSC F717 is 5 years old and still uses it's original L-ION rechargeable battery. I can shoot a full 1 gig memory stick full of hi rez 4mb photos with it and still have battery left. If it dies, a new one is about 60 bucks. Let's see, 12 dollars a year pro-rated to today. Wonder what AAA's would cost me over that many years, rechargeable or not.
posted on January 9, 2008 08:43:25 AM
I paid $8.00 plus shipping when I bought a spare battery for my Mavica. Rechargable Lithium Ion batteries for Mavica's are cheap, and last for years.
posted on January 9, 2008 08:37:58 PM
I have a Sony Mavica 73, same battery, & have been using it for 6 years. My laptop has a built in floppy drive, but you can get a usb drive if your conputer doesn't.
I've never had a problem & if this one goes I would have no problem buying a used one which is all you can get now anyway. In fact I'm thinking of buying another just in case.
I love this camera & it is so easy to use.
I chose it because many, many VD members recommended it & they were right, great camera for eBay sellers.
