Well....I think I am finally getting ready to eat my own words. As much as I have bad-talked the price to the quality of digital cameras ratio, I am about to take a plunge...and for something that is not quite the standard that I promised I would keep for myself. I had planed on waiting until cameras like the Canon 10D came down in price (now $1500) But DW wants a compact one she can carry around with her since my 35mm SLR camera is just too big to be hauling around. So now I am on the sites doing my research. I was amazed to find that there are some compact cameras that allow you to have full manual control (which takes care of my biggest gripe which was that you can not control the depth of field of focus) I am a Canon camera person, so I am pretty sure I will go with one of theirs, plus they get the best ratings in their class.

Right now I am looking at the Powershot S45 vs. the Powershot S400. The S45 has more manual controls but the S400 is Really small. Prices are the same. I am heavily leaning for the S45 since it has manual functions.

Tripdaddy
Father of Sam, Rob, & Trey

I'm a point and shoot kinda guy who wouldn't have the foggiest idea of how to use those controls. I just know my digital camera (Fuji 2600) has been awfully convenient recently. We can keep family and friends updated with pics and email and limit the phone disturbances and NICU visits (by friends & extended family) to a minimum.

I'm sure you'll appreciate the convenience if the quality slightly suffers.

Phil
Proud papa to:
Brennan (20 mo.)
Jackson, Landon, Molly 6-10-03

Phil
Proud papa to:
Brennan (20 mo.)
Jackson, Landon, Molly

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Tripdaddy! This is yet another thing we have in common, besides the film degrees and the MBAs. This is Sam, Deidra's husband from Space City Triplets.

For my birthday last year, Deidra wanted to get me a digital camera so bad, but I flat out refused. I thought I would never use it. But she finally talked me into it and after a bit of research, I settled on the Canon Powershot A40.

Let me tell you, it's the best. You can use it in manual mode or auto, and it takes awesome quality pictures. And coming from a "film" guy, I would never go back to celluloid. You can take pictures and instantly review them, and retake if necessary.

But honestly, I bought the A40 for the manual settings, but I never use them. It's fun to play with, but the automatic mode works very well. Just don't use the digital zoom, since it makes your pictures grainy. Remember your photography professor's words of wisdom: "Get closer!"

I recommend that you buy a 128 MB flash card with your camera BTW. It will hold 100 plus pictures and believe me, you will fill it up constantly.

Hope to see you soon at the next "Parent's Night Out." I had a really good time at the last one.


Sam
Pop to Sean, Austin and Mason
BBB - 12/24/02

Deidra
BBB born 12/24/02
@32 wks 3 days
Sean, Austin, Mason
2 identical, 1 fraternal
BB born 12/15/05

Hey Sam!! Good to see you one the board.....now we need to work on getting you your own name.....I like "Sam's SAM"

For a little background for all you other triplet dads, Sam and I are members of our local triplet group. We had a parent's night out a few weeks ago and got to talking.....we both have Radio-TV-Film degrees, we both have MBAs, we both have triplets, and we both have the name "Sam" that is relevent to our families.....small world. I think there was more, but my mind slips.

Thanks for the info about the camera, Sam. I am pretty much sold on the A45. I have read the reviews and the upgraded features from the A40 make it very appealing....and since you love your A40, I am sure I will love the A45. I am glad to get a reference from you, of all people, with your film background.

Hey Sam, are you guys going to the picnic on Sunday? I think we may be out b/c of the time. We'll see.

Tripdaddy
Father of Sam, Rob, & Trey

I broke down last year and bought a digital - Nikon Coolpix 3100. Great pics of our trips last year and love seeing the pic right away.

BIGGEST compaint though, and I don't know if this is camera specific, is the response time when clicking to take the picture to the shutter response of actually taking the pic (I know, not real technical wording). Missed many picures of wildlife in the jungle becase of this. But overall the quality is fantastic. We took over 300 pics all on one disk (I bought the extra-large size memory card). Sure beats bringing all that film.

M and K
Parents of "The Boys"
Dave,Eric and Sean
Born 07/15/03 at 32w4d

Hey Steve, good choice. They are all good cameras.

When you get it, take a couple of pics and post them.
I want to see your photographic capabilities.

Here is my favorite picture yet with the new camera. Only had it a week. I will post on the photo forum when I get them into the computer and sized correctly.

Tripdaddy
Father of Sam, Rob, & Trey

Attachment #1, (jpg file)