Camera choice Cancel The title field is required!

1. Verdun Scott M

   
   9/30/2011 2:09 PM

   Good afternoon Gents,
   
   I have been looking for a nicer camera to take some pictures around the golf course. I'd like to better document projects as well as photoshop pictures to show what parts of the course could look like with certain small projects. I'm currently using a Nikon Coolpix L11, 6 megapixles, 3x zoom and it does a really good job most of the time, I would just like something better. I'm NOT looking to spend a lot just hoping some of you can make recommendations on basic cameras that have improved drastically in the past 5 years since I last made a purchase.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Scott Verdun
   Golf Course Superintendent
   Kenosha Country Club

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   9/30/2011 4:09 PM

   Scott,
   
   I upgraded to a real camera a few months ago. I got the Canon EOS 60D SLR with a 18-135 lens. I highly recommend a lens hood since you will be using this outside. Not an everyday camera though, just for those special shots.
   
   For everyday use I carry an older Canon PowerShot 1100. Cheap, rugged and takes great pictures. I've had it for about 5 years now. I keep mine in a cheap padded case. It's amazing what a $10 case will protect when it bounces around in the cart. Something comparable would be:
   
   http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PowerShot+ELPH+100+HS+12.1-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Gray/2030087.p?id=1218306466236&skuId=2030087
   
   Whatever you look for, make sure you get one with a rechargeable battery pack. The days of carrying around spare AA batteries are over!

   
   
   
   
3. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   9/30/2011 5:09 PM

   Scott,
   
   I have a Nikon Coolpix S8100 for everyday use and love it. It offers 10x optical zoom, full HD video and 12.1 Megapixels even though I don't need that kind of quality. So far it has worked great inside and outside. I have a $20 thick case to prevent damage bouncing around. The only thing I do not like is most compact digitals do not have optical viewfinders. I hate looking at that lcd screen. Outside in the sun it is hard to see and inside in meetings everyone can see it.
   
   Technology has advanced so fast and prices have dropped so much it is easy to find a good quality digital for under $200.
   
   I also have a Canon Rebel 2Ti as a hobby camera and occasional use on the course but it is not really made for bouncing around the cart.

   
   
   
   
4. Heath Puckett

   

   0 posts
   
   9/30/2011 5:09 PM

   Fwiw, I know you said "nice" camera, but.... over the past two years, my Droid phone has proven to be able to take more than adequate pics for communicating with membership, owner, gm etc. I used to carry around a good point and shoot, but now it just stays in the office. I have my phone setup to immediately upload to my photobucket account, and I simply link to the album or pic when I need to share anything. Gone are the days of uploading to computer, then uploading to net, and/or resizing files so that I can attach them to an email....the phone does all the work! All I have to do is organize them by date, project, etc. My sisters would kill me for saying this, as one is a professional photographer, and another shoots as a side business...mostly artsy stuff.

   
   
   
   
5. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   9/30/2011 5:09 PM

   Like Heath, I use my phone (iPhone 4) and it does a great job. Attach to emails, direct posts to FB, video...etc.
   
   Personally I use a Samsung HZ30W which has been a fantastic camera. Small enough to slide in your back pocket but with great features and zoom. 14 mp, 15x zoom, wide angle Schneider Kreuznach lens, Dual Image Stabilization and awesome battery life. rechargeable lithium battery lasts us 2 days when traveling and taking a lot of pictures. Think I paid around $200 not even 1 year ago.

   
   
   
   
6. McCallum David K

   
   10/3/2011 10:10 AM

   I have a variety of cameras as it has been a hobby for a number of years. The digital I carry in a case on my cart is an Olympus SP-55QUZ........8.1 mp........18x optical zoom and wide angle lens. A good padded case is a must.

   
   
   
   
7. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/3/2011 11:10 AM

   After hearing the news today, might be a good idea to stay away from Kodak...but I wonder where am I going to get film for my old SLR?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
8. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   10/3/2011 1:10 PM

   BallMark said: After hearing the news today, might be a good idea to stay away from Kodak...but I wonder where am I going to get film for my old SLR?
   
   Mel

   
   
   Mel,
   
   I still have a Nikon 35mm, but haven't used it lately. I kept it because of the lenses i have for it. It's not everyday I use my 180-450 lens, but its great for reconnaissance missions! I wish the Nikon lenses fit my Canon. I'd be set then.

   
   
   
   
9. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/3/2011 2:10 PM

   Andy, that's partially why I have kept my Canon, AE-1 because I have some lenses, although I only have up to 135. (plus it was my 18th birthday gift and I'm a little sentimental, plus cheap, haven't broken down for a digital) I wish those lens would fit a digital Canon.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
10. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    10/4/2011 12:10 PM

    You know that in some cases your older SLR lense will fit some of the newer models. you can do a little google research on them to find out what they will fit and while the cameras have gone digital the lense tech has basically stayed the same. I bought a sony dl-7 because all of my older Konica Minolta lense fit and work on the camera. While the DSL cameras are not cheap if you already own the lense you can generally save $300-$500 on the cost of a good camera body. What would normally cost between $1,300-$1,500 cost me about $800. well worth the cost seeing what it can do and how fantastic a shot you get out of the higher end DSL's.
    
    If you just want something to snap a few pics on the course with though it is really hard to beat the new camera phones My I-Phone 4 takes great pics and is always in my pocket so it makes it extremely convient. If you need to upgrade your phone plan anytime soon you may look into spending the money for a camera on a better phone with a good camera on it.

    
    
    
    
11. Verdun Scott M

    
    10/8/2011 2:10 PM

    Thanks for all the replies gents. I do currently have an iPhone and with the release of the 4S I'll probably upgrade to the iPhone 4 which does have a better camera on it. What I really needed to find out and what I have found out since through research is that what I want is a camera with better auto settings ie. sports, landscape, stars, etc... which is what I have since been looking at.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Scott

    
    
    
    
12. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    10/9/2011 6:10 AM

    scott1019 said: Thanks for all the replies gents. I do currently have an iPhone and with the release of the 4S I'll probably upgrade to the iPhone 4 which does have a better camera on it. What I really needed to find out and what I have found out since through research is that what I want is a camera with better auto settings ie. sports, landscape, stars, etc... which is what I have since been looking at.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Scott

    
    Scott, search E-Bay to see what cameras are being sodl the most and stay clear of those models. People generally get rid of what they do not like or what does not work well. DSL is the way to go if you have the bucks.