Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Kerygma99 · Apr 8, 2001, 06:33 PM

I'm going shopping tomorrow, and I need some information. I've never owned a digital cam before and know little about the interface software and related issues; suggestions, advice, success and horror stories are invited...

K99

Apr 8, 2001, 07:01 PM

I have a Nikon 700 and it works great with my Pismo and Sandisk Compact Flash adapter. The Nikon Browser software has worked just fine from System 8.6 (on my Kanga) through 9.1 with the 4.1.8 firmware. I've never even tried the serial port connection and software - the Compact Flash adapter is about 100x faster. All the newer Nikon models (the 700 is out of production now) all use the same software as I have, but have USB instead of serial.

PeteWK · Apr 9, 2001, 03:25 AM

Hi Kerygma, I'm a church pastor and have a Pismo that I use in my work extensively. It's a Panasonic 4090. The thing I like most about it is that it has a SuperDisk drive inside of it. Those are the kind that use the 120mb floppys (it will also take the 1.4mb size). I have a VST internal SuperDisk drive so it goes from camera to laptop. It's a 1.3 MegaPixel camera but a 3 MP has replaced it on the market. If you can find one, they can be had for as little as 300 bucks, though I got mine for 600. Imation has stopped manufacture of the drives, but they'll be around for many years to come just because so many of them are out there.

PeteWK

ddiokno · Apr 9, 2001, 06:51 AM

Hi,
This topic should be in peripherals... moving there....
dave

RoofusPennymore · Apr 9, 2001, 09:35 AM

It depends on what you need and how much you are willing to spend. I purchased Cannon DIgital Elph becasue of it's phisical size, it's use of Compact Flash and it's 2.1 MegaPixel resolution. It's image quality is good, but it's definatly not good enough for profesional photos. If you were wanting to shoot say, UFOs then I can't recomend this camera becasue it takes too long from the time you press the button to the time it actually takes the picture. I was rather impressed with the software that came with it. I was expecting some pathetic Windows port but it came with very good quality Mac software.

ddiokno · Apr 9, 2001, 11:15 AM

I'd have to agree with Roofus, I like the Canon cameras... I had the A5 Zoom, and now use the S20 and have always had good luck with them. The form factor is very manageable and compact. I also like the sturdy construction of the Canon cameras (metal frame). the quality of the pictures from the S20 is incredible and the compact flash cards are easy to load via a compat flash card adapter (around $10). A great resource to find reviews and links to good Digital camera pricing is The Digital Camera Resource Page.
good luck
dave

Paul S · Apr 9, 2001, 11:33 AM

I use a Kodak DC280 (just replaced by the DC3400) with my Lombard as well as G3 and G4 towers. Works great. Nice software, USB, serial, and PC serial cables included. The user interface on the camera couldn't be easier. At 2.1 Megapixels, I print 8x10's on my Epson Photo Printer that look outstanding.

There is a bundle called the DC3400EZ that goes for $499 ($100 more than the base camera) that includes a 32MB Compact Flash card plus rechargeable batteries and charger. Well worth the extra money.

RoofusPennymore · Apr 9, 2001, 03:35 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that be sure to look at the cost of media. They seem pretty close to the same until you get to higher capacities. This can be a factor if you think you are going to take a lot of pictures.

kertong · Apr 11, 2001, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by RoofusPennymore:
It depends on what you need and how much you are willing to spend. I purchased Cannon DIgital Elph becasue of it's phisical size, it's use of Compact Flash and it's 2.1 MegaPixel resolution. It's image quality is good, but it's definatly not good enough for profesional photos. If you

I'll also throw my vote in for the canon digital elph. The size is AWESOME - there has not been a single time where I took the camera out of my pocket and somebody didn't say something good about it.

Battery life is good, the mac software is actually pretty awesome.

My only complaint is that the shots at night aren't as bright/clear as i'd like them to be. Needs a stronger flash, I guess.

------------------
My computer can beat up your computer.

fobside · Apr 11, 2001, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by kertong:

My only complaint is that the shots at night aren't as bright/clear as i'd like them to be. Needs a stronger flash, I guess.

yeah the flash is kind of weak. you could always buy another flash but then the camera becomes less portable as you add bulkier items.

------------------
I used to use a PC.

RoofusPennymore · Apr 12, 2001, 12:05 AM

Yup, agree with all of that. Including the flash, it sucks if your more than 10 feet away.

Originally posted by kertong:
I'll also throw my vote in for the canon digital elph. The size is AWESOME - there has not been a single time where I took the camera out of my pocket and somebody didn't say something good about it.

Battery life is good, the mac software is actually pretty awesome.

My only complaint is that the shots at night aren't as bright/clear as i'd like them to be. Needs a stronger flash, I guess.