Camera advice for the technologically challenged About This Page:

[Huntermom]

I'm not sure if this is the right board, but I thought I'd start off here. I've decided to indulge myself with the purchase of my own digital camera. I have been practicing a little with DD's.

I am looking for a good, basic, simple easy to use digital camera that someone who can barely use the VCR (won't even go near the DVD player) can use. I don't want to ask my kids because they really don't understand that I need simple. I have an old Canon Sureshot film camera, which was perfect for me. Is there a digital camera out there that's as easy to use? DD and I are going to the Disney half marathon in January and I'd like to be competent by then.

Diane

[jimmymac]

Are you looking for bells and whistles? Zoom capability? What price range?

[Huntermom]

All I want to be able to do is take pictures that look decent. DD's camera has a delay and I find that frustrating.

DD does ride hunter/jumper and I would like a picture of her over the fences rather than the horse's backside as he canters off after the fence.

Bells and Whistles?? Probably couldn't figure out how to use them unless they are really simple.

I'd like to stay under $300.

Diane

[Colexis Mom]

I'd check out this thread http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ll-camera.html

[lukesmom]

I have a Kodak Easyshare digital camera. Not too expensive. Takes great pictures.

[Chrissi]

We have a Canon Dimage Z2. Love it! It's super easy for me to use (I'm techno challenged) and it still has bells and whistles that my DH loves.

A note about digital photography: the lower the resolution and the newer the batteries, the faster the photos will be. Which means less lag time. You give up resolution, but you can still get decent 4x6 photos at the right resolution.

[RobinKay6573]

My mother has a Kodak Easyshare with a 10x zoom. She LOVES it and has not used her film SLR since she got it. She can't figure out how to use her answering machine...but she knows how to use the camera! Poor mom....anyway it is user friendly. Every once and a while QVC will have a good special on digital cameras and they give alot of extras (printers, cool software...etc). I hope to have a new Kodak Easyshare before my next trip.

As far as taking photos of your daughter riding. I go to a few horse shows every year (I use to show in Vermont but I can't ride anymore now). Anyway...I usually snap the photo when the horse is on the other side of the jump. If the camera is delayed a bit the photo will still come out. I can count how long it takes for my camera. Also make sure the "sport" setting is on. I have gotten some outstanding photos of my friends' horses with my digital point and shoot. I am sure you will have good luck with any camera you purchase. Keep in mind that some stores (Best Buy, Ritz Camera) will let you return the camera if it doesn't fit your needs. Take it to your daughter's training sessions and snap a TON of photos...get the feel of the camera. It is best to pay a bit more NOW then say "I wish I would have...." later.

Check out this website it might help you a bit:

Steve's Digicams - The "Best" Digicams

[SarahJ]

I have a Canon Powershot SD400 which I absolutely love. I love that I can just pull it out point and shoot and get great pictures. And it fits perfectly in my purse, so I'm always prepared to take pictures.

[Irenaroo]

I love my CanonPower Shot A520. It has some bells and whistles, but you don't have to use them. I always have my camera on the auto setting and love my photos.

[jimmymac]

Panasonic DMCTZ1 has bells and whistles, but can be operated in simple mode also. Takes great pix. The zoom is amazing

[Ms_Butterfly]

We got my parents their first digital camera, a Canon PowerShot SD630, for Christmas and they love it, although my mom still needs to learn how to use it a bit 'cause she was trying to take a photo but accidentally had the switch set to video, so we ended up with a seven-minute video, mostly of her boobs and the ground!

She is older than you are, though, so I am sure you can figure it out faster.

This camera has the largest screen on the back - it takes up almost the entire back of the camera (which is very thin, by the way). That is good for my parents so they can see the screen at their age. It is 6.0 mega pixels, 3x zoom, takes stills & video clips, and has a few settings incl. timer and rapid-fire photos (you may like that for taking the hunter/jumper pix - get the horse in all stages of the jumps!).

My digital camera is much older (I don't take pictures often, so I haven't upgraded it). It is a Canon PowerShot S50 and is 5.0 mega pixels (that's the most that were out at the time I bought it) with 13 different modes. I would like to upgrade to a digital SLR someday so that I can use LensBabies, especially the new one that turns light into shapes - check out this pic from the LensBabies Web site (www.lensbabies.com) that looks like the person had fairy dust (it really is only a pic of a hand):

That would be so fun to take pix in Disney!!!

Anyway, I used to do hunter/jumper, too. I'm a USEF & USHJA (or whatever the initials are, LOL) Life Member, but sadly haven't ridden in the past few years. I used to have an Arab/QH cross gelding. I do hope to get back into riding again someday, though, if I physically can!

[Nysa]

I am going to put in another vote for Kodak Easy Share. I just upgraded from a CX7220 (super easy to use & takes awsome pics) to a Z710 zoom (fairly easy to use but does more). Action shots are no problem on these cameras. I would recommend getting the Easy Share Printer with it because it makes printing your pics as easy as pushing a button. They are quite inexpensive so I was suprised they take such great pictures.

[blondie]

My husband is a professional photographer and uses a Canon digitalfor his pro stuff which is pretty expensive. However, he and I both love our Kodak Easyshare digital with a printer dock. You can get a decent 6 or 8 megapixel one on ebay for no more than $250.00 (refurbished) that does let you take photos of things like fireworks, flowers, night shots, etc.. A new one will cost more, but if you look around you can get a package with the printer dock, too that saves you some money. We love printing our pictures right away sometimes!

[Pris]

Another vote for the Kodak easyshare. It has a feature where you can set it to shoot about 6-8 shots in a row which might work well for the horse shows.

[mattjs]

It's a good time to be looking. Most new cameras seem to come out Spring and Fall, right around two big annual trade shows. The spring one is going on now so there are tons of just announced models -- Introduction: PMA 2007 Show Report: Digital Photography Review -- You got your pick of the latest and greatest. Plus most stores will have the earlier cameras that are getting replaced heavily marked down. Latest and greatest, or a great deal. Either way you win

I don't know if you've tried this for action shots, but one thing you can do to work around the focus/exposure lag is to prefocus/preset the exposure. All you do is press the shutter halfway, and hold it. Might work well with the horses.

If there's a fence you know the horse is gonna be jumping, you aim the camera at the top of that fence. Press the shutter halfway and hold it there. The camera will set and hold focus at that distance (which is exactly where the horse is gonna be). It'll also read the light, and set exposure. As long as you hold the shuter button halfway pressed the camera will keep those settings locked in even if you re-aim the camera. So now (keeping the shutter half pressed) you re-aim and reframe the picture in the LCD, and wait. When you press the shutter the rest of the way the camera won't have to find and lock focus, and it won't have to set exposure cause both are already done. There'll be virtually no lag at all (less than a second versus probably well over a second without prefocussing). With a little practice, it'll definitely help with action shots.