My trusty ol’ point-and-shoot saw its last days this weekend, when I lost the little door that kept the batteries in. (Although the structural integrity was compromised ever since I dropped it in Switzerland this summer… damn Swiss and their hard pavement…)
So, I’m looking for a new one. If any of you have had good experiences and sharp pictures with your cheap 35-mm camera, let me know. I’m also wondering about the Advanced Photo System film and developing - is it really expensive for what it’s worth, like I’ve heard? I don’t particularly care about getting a sheet with 25 thumbnail images and a perfectly preserved roll of film, I just want some decent pictures, dammit.
I’m a photo major (Imaging and Photographic Technology), and I have way too much camera equipment. So I hope I can be considered a reliable resource for this. I personally like the Olympus Stylus Epic. I suspect that for that price you’re not expecting a zoom. This camera does not have a zoom and has an excellent lens. The only thing I am telling you is to spend $30 - $40 more than your $50 and get this camera. Its got great optics and for $85 its a steal.
For less than fifty bucks, and if you’re not interested in the bombproof film storage, I’d stick with a 35mm camera - you’ve got a bigger negative than APS, so your pictures will look better (everything else assumed to be equal). And in my opinion, the premium you pay for APS photo finishing is not worth it.
The Olympus Stylus Epic mentioned by emorphien is a good one. It’s weatherproof too (splashproof only - don’t drop it in the pool).
Looking in my B&H catalog, I see several point & shoots under $50:
Pentax PC-550 $40
Canon Sure Shot Owl PF $40
Olympus Trip XB40 AF $45
Minolta AF-50 Big Finder $50
Yashica EZ-View AF $50
I don’t know anything specific about any of those cameras, but they’re all good companies. They all have about the same capabilities, i.e. basic, prime lens point and shoot with built-in flash. You probably won’t go wrong with any of them.
If you win the lottery, you might try the camera that is widely considered the best point & shoot on the market: the Yashica T4 Super ($160). It’s not a zoom, but it’s got a superb Zeiss lens and it’s weatherproof. Built-in flash, excellent autofocus. You won’t get better optics in a p&s. You want sharp? This is sharp.
If you know something about cameras, or have a friend that does, you may want to visit some camera shops and/or pawn shops and look at what they have available in used cameras. You may be able to find a gently used, higher quality, camera in your price range. Make sure you get some type of warranty and immediately shoot a few rolls of cheap film to make sure it works properly.
How many rolls of film are you planning on using per year? A roll of film plus developing is $10-15, right? That’s 3-5 rolls of film adding up to the price of the camera.
I’d spring for a little extra money on the camera, and you will get better results. I personally love the Olympus Stylus Epic, but you can get one of their zooms for a bit more money and a slightly less crisp lens.
Doubling your price range (up to $100) will get you a much better camera and also noticably better pictures. You’ll get better optics, better electronics, and more features.
If you know something about cameras, or have a friend that does, you may want to visit some camera shops and/or pawn shops and look at what they have available in used cameras. You may be able to find a gently used, higher quality, camera in your price range. Make sure you get some type of warranty and immediately shoot a few rolls of cheap film to make sure it works properly.
The Stylus Epic has gotten great reviews on the sites I’ve visited, so I might go with that one. What’s your take on “factory refurbished” cameras? Half.com has one for 50 bucks, but it’s factory refurbished and I’m not sure whether to take the gamble. Is the lower price an indication of lower quality, or just ue to the stigma of buying a “used” camera?
I think I might stay away from a refurbished camera - unless it’s a professional SLR. I have three camera bodies over 25 years old. I had two of them refurbished (cleaned and minor repairs)- they’ve both since broken again. The trouble with cheap cameras is that they’re really not built to last. They’re well designed from a manufacturing and operation standpoint, but they’re kind of flimsy. And there’s not much in them to “refurbish”. All the factory is going to do is clean and lubricate it. In my opinion, refurbishing one (by taking it apart) would just hasten its inevitable death. For your price point, stick with getting something new.
Used, however, might be a way to go. If you cruise ebay, pawn shops or camera stores you might luck into an older p&s or SLR that’s rarely been used and in mint condition. Be careful and do your homework - make sure you know what you’re buying so you don’t get ripped off.
I have a four-year-old Olympus Stylus and I love it. I believe that the Epic is simply a newer version of that camera. Perhaps you may be able to find a used Stylus out there that will fit your price range.
I love this camera because it is very small–I take mine just about everywhere. It still works very well. I have a little problem with red-eye, but I think that that problem is common to all small point-and-shoots.
You’re right. Red-eye is caused by the flash reflecting off your subject’s retinas and onto the film. It’s common to all cameras with a flash mounted close to the lens. Many cameras have methods to reduce red-eye - most strobe the flash annoyingly a few times before the exposure to make the subjects’ pupils contract (and destroy any spontaneity in the picture) - but none can eliminate it completely. A few tips:
Take pictures in bright light outdoors to eliminate the need for flash.
Have your subjects look slightly away from the camera - great for that “Sears catalog” look.
Have your subjects wear sunglasses or close their eyes.
Get one of those red-eye pens at the camera store and color in the red-eye on your prints.
Take advantage of the red-eye this time of year by taking pictures of your devil-posessed family!