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View Full Version : Need a cheap camera for a present

WebErika
20th of July 2004 (Tue), 07:04
A present and you're gonna be cheap?

I know I know ...

Some background:

There's a young friend of mine going away to college and she's broke. She's been struggling and struggling with lining up loans and scholarships to get herself into college and also finding a place to live for her and her dog out in Idaho (she's going to Twin Cities) ...

Anyway - her camera broke and whilst she could survive without one - she's a really nice girl and helps out a community of Greyhound lovers and other animal lovers all the time - so I was thinking of spending a little bit of money on a cheap digital camera for her - so she had something.

Nothing outrageous because - well - you can't spoil people ya know ;)

So I came across this camera:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=708484&Sku=D199-1000&CatId=126

And figured I would come here and ask the experts if they knew anything about it - or if someone could point me to a better source for something under $100 that would at least allow her to take decent pics she could use on her website to record her days at college.

Many thanks in advance for any advice! :)
stopbath
20th of July 2004 (Tue), 09:31
It really does not look much better than a toy camera.

If her old camera that broke was a worthy camera, a replacement toy camera will not be up to snuff. Perhaps a better option would be a gift certificate that she can get a cheap camera out right, or add to it and get a better camera.

Perhaps some of her friends could toss in $10 each or so...
Conk
20th of July 2004 (Tue), 11:35
Maybe take a look on E-bay and see what you can get. You might just get an A-series or S-series canon cheap. I wouldn't be too concerned getting a brand new one. I'm sure she'll be very happy just to have another half decent camera. :D

Here are a few to bid on right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64352&item=3828445 859&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31388&item=3828433 363&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46315&item=3827655 464&rd=1
WebErika
27th of July 2004 (Tue), 11:33
It really does not look much better than a toy camera.

If her old camera that broke was a worthy camera, a replacement toy camera will not be up to snuff. Perhaps a better option would be a gift certificate that she can get a cheap camera out right, or add to it and get a better camera.

Perhaps some of her friends could toss in $10 each or so...

Her old one was a cheapie too. She works with animals a lot (in her spare time I should say) and will likely not be in the best conditions to keep a really good camera out of harms way. Maybe it's best for something that is just functional and can at least get her pics to put on her website :D


I will take a look at these ebay listings! Many thanks!
ndh
27th of July 2004 (Tue), 12:37
This link shows prices around US$100 for refurbished PowerShot A60s (http://www.digital-camera-review.us/cgi-bin/store.cgi?input_item=B00008OE46&input_search_type= Refurbished). I'm just a beginner but I'm happy with the camera.

It might not be the greatest for photographing animals because of the slow autofocus -- many animals won't sit still! When I'm photographing cats or dogs I use the continuous-shooting feature in sports mode. About 80% of the time they have their eyes closed, head swivelling, etc. but I do get a few gems that way!
CyberDyneSystems
27th of July 2004 (Tue), 14:46
WebEirica and Stopbath... you two look related? :wink:

That A60 looks like a really nice deal.
jojo77
27th of July 2004 (Tue), 15:18
if it doesn't have to be digital, there are lots of film cameras for cheap now
RichardtheSane
27th of July 2004 (Tue), 15:59
Not bad for a pretty reasonable Canon... :)

And she works with Greyhounds... instant respect from me! I do a lot of greyhound photography and work for a local rescue here in the UK :)
WebErika
3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 00:16
Not bad for a pretty reasonable Canon... :)

And she works with Greyhounds... instant respect from me! I do a lot of greyhound photography and work for a local rescue here in the UK :)

Which one Richard? We got both our greys from Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare. Loves of our lives :D


Thanks for the camera advice guys - looks like I'm going to try and locate a refurb for her. :D I like the prices of those Powershots and I think it will do her nicely.



Also - those froggies are pure coincidence ;) :D A tree frog happens to be one of my companies mascots :) Aren't they the cutest? :)