Travelling across USA. Vegas, NY, LA. New camera?

[Dan_S]

Hello, next month i am going to USA for a couple of weeks, starting in Las Vegas, then to New York, L.A and finally Niagra Falls (i think thats the correct order :rolleyes: ). At the moment i currently own an ixus V3 - 3.2MP, i dont think this will be good enough and i might regret not buying a better camera when i return and be disappointed with my photos? I want to stay in the P&S selection for now, will i be impressed with a step up to the 800IS (currently the one i want). Do you think this will be a wise decision to make?

[ba15ck]

do you want more manual flexibility--if so you should consider the A series (A610/620) or maybe the s2--has a 12x zoom with IS which is very handy and welcomes lots of difference shot opportunities

[Dan_S]

I just don't want to return from this once in a lifetime vacation (i live in UK) and get home to realise that my V3 has let me down. Manual flexibility is an option i would like.

[ba15ck]

I think you would be impressed with the 800, technology has come along way and that camera will take great pictures that will meet your needs. However, if you think at all you would like manual controls--I would seriously consider the canon A series--they are great cameras and come highly recommended--and the A 620 just won a award of excellence for best in show--or something like that.

amazon has the a 620 for $220 (US), the 800IS/SD 700 for $455 and the s2 for $309.

out of all of those I would consider the Ixus 800 last. It is a very nice camera that is certainly a step up from what you have now, however it is an ultra compact and you are paying for the size--if size is a factor, I would consider the a 620, if not then go with the s2.

just my 2 cents

[ba15ck]

oh and I hope that that is not the order in which you are traveling. Las Vegas and Los Angeles are reletively close to each other, or at least much closer than New York--and Niagra falls is in NY. If this is your order, it doesn't seem to be the most effecient use of time.--lots of air time

[Dan_S]

Okay thanks for the advice - i'll take a look at your recommendations. At the moment i cannot remember the correct order of the trip, i will check when i get home :)

[Stefan A]

I was going to say the same thing as above. LA and Las Vegas should be together. Then NYC and Niagra should be together. I hope you are not driving :).

As far as the camera, I don't know the europe model numbers, but I think you should have a camera with a higher MP count. And then make sure all of your photos are at the highest resolution and lowest compression. That way if you want to print any up - especially large prints, you will have a shot with enough detail.

[Dan_S]

Nope, no driving involved :D

I will be printing, hopefully a couple at A3 size :)

[bndaidbob]

Also consider a way to water proof your camera when visiting Niagra Falls, if you go on any tours like Maid of the Mist or go to the cave of the winds. I destroyed a camera due to the mist off the falls at these two places.

[Dan_S]

Also consider a way to water proof your camera when visiting Niagra Falls, if you go on any tours like Maid of the Mist or go to the cave of the winds. I destroyed a camera due to the mist off the falls at these two places.

Yes, we have planned to do the maid of the mist, and i never gave that a thought tbh :confused:

[Dan_S]

I was going to say the same thing as above. LA and Las Vegas should be together. Then NYC and Niagra should be together. I hope you are not driving :).



Just checked, that is the order im going what you said above :)

[jrobert]

As a counterpoint to the previous recommedations, I'll just offer this to think about: The camera you're familiar with might return better results than one you are still learning. Will you have time to get familiar with the new camera - and discover any potential glitches - before you have to depend on it? Will you be able to take the old faithful one also, as a backup?

-jeff-

[Dan_S]

jrobert - thats a good point mate, i really need to order one asap to get to know the camera, i have 7 weeks to go. I think i might take my old camera too...i'll be gutted if i mess up when i get there, especially as its for 2 weeks :)

[Dan_S]

Sorry to drag this up a little, but, my first stop being Las Vegas - do they have any photography shops in the area? I feel i need another battery or two. NB-5L.

[RossW]

I'm sure there must be, although I can't suggest anything specific. However, many other stores probably will have that battery. Look for Circuit City, Best Buy, OfficeMax, Staples, CompUSA, etc. -- and of course the old stand-by, RadioShack.

[Dan_S]

Okay thanks mate, i'll keep an eye out for them :)

[sonnyJ]

for something like the made of the mist ride, etc is is worth going to a Walmart, Target, K-mart etc and buy a disposable/one time use waterproof camera

[asolie]

If your camera is like mine, you could perhaps get some re-chargeable batteries and use those and charge them up at the hotel room, that's what we did while on vacation. :)