Something small and light, but quality pictures

[Libby]

I've been researching cameras for a few weeks now trying to find something small and light, but that takes quality pictures. Any suggestions?

I'm looking at a Fuji Date Zoom 1300 and a Nikon 130 zoom.

Anyone know anything about these?

[MuvverRussia]

I only work with digital now, so I'm not sure about film cameras. However, if you were to look at digital ones you can't go wrong with the Pentax Optio S4. It's absolutely tiny and will give better quality photos than lots of point and shoot 35mm cameras.

[Libby]

Thanks, but I'm a electronic toy geek and I jumped on the digital bandwagon years ago with a Kodak digicam that cost me nearly a grand. It ate up the batteries, I was able to get 16 pictures on an 80 dollar card and printing them off sucked up 100's of dollars worth of ink from my printer. I can honestly say that digital photography was one of the worst technology related events in my life.

I won't waste my money again on a digital camera. I'd rather pay for the development and scan the ones I really want.

I've just had so many BAD experiences with digital.

[LHR02]

ah Libby....an old fashioned gal after my own heart! I too have totally forsworn digital...I think we are in the great minority. ;D It is not light nor especially small...but you simply can not go wrong with a Nikon! I have a N65 with 5 lenses...god, how much do I adore this camera? And also an Olympus Stylus zoom 140, a pure point and shoot which has served me so well for travel pics. I offer both highest praise. I adore my film, love the anticipation of waiting to see what I shot and hoping for the best...with a great camera the odds are excellent that you have that wonderful shot...and the ability to crop, repair, enhance, whatever I want. Forgive me all you digital fans...I acknoledge your enthusiasm and expertise....but it almost seems like cheating somehow to me. The thrill is in getting that great shot, getting it right, and getting in on film the one and only chance you have. I know, I know, I am of the 'old' school, but hey, I am old so give me a break! ;D Film!! The ultimate challenge for travel shots....and everything else.

[Eagle]

LIBBY,

I'm not familiar with the two Camera models you mentioned, but wanted to suggest the Pentax Espio 135 (35 mm). In my experience, it has always delivered consistently good photos although there's a bit of a learning curve in figuring out the auto focus and different settings. It has a fairly decent zoom range also, which has proven useful on a couple of occasions. Hopefully, this model or one similar is still available from Pentax.

I also have an older Canon SLR, but I've pretty much given up travelling with that due to the size and weight (the Camera with all the lenses and accessories are fairly bulky). It's a bit of a trade-off though, as I have to give up some zoom capability and flexibility in travelling with smaller Cameras.

It's too bad you've given up on digital. The technology has advanced a lot in the last few years, and I think your experience with this would be much better now than it was on the first occasion you tried this. The cost of memory cards is much better now, with Compact Flash being about the most cost effective of all the formats.

I don't bother with printing the photos on my home printer for several reasons:
> somewhat expensive for both ink and paper (as you noted).
> to get really good results, usually a very expensive Printer is required.
> the inks are not as durable in the long term, and depending on printer model, can fade or smear after a while.

I've found that the most cost effective solution for printing digital photos is to either upload the photos to my usual photo mart (London Drugs) or just take the memory card into the store and use their card reader to transfer to their in-store photo lab). They put the prints on proper photo-quality paper (the same as used to print 35 mm), and the cost is only 0.59 cents per 4 x 6" print. I usually get a CD "burnt" at the same time, to take the place of "negatives" (it's an extra $5.98 or something, but not an unreasonable cost).

There is one minor difference with digital prints that I should also mention, in that the aspect ratio is slightly different than with film. A 4 x 6" digital print doesn't fill the entire space -- there's a small white border on both edges. You can choose to have the print "fit" the size of the print, but in so doing there's the possibility of "cutting off" a small part of the top & bottom. My preference is to just tolerate the small white border on both edges, but this is a matter of personal preference.

Good luck in choosing your new Camera. Hopefully you'll be able to find a model that fits your needs and your budget. Cheers!!!

[jennifer]

ah ging, I love your attitude! I hated digital too, but the higher power decided I couldn't stick to 35 mm when I won a 400$ camera at our work christmas party! hehee

I figured with this value, i'd better off use it and it had also good things about it. Now that i've been using it, it's not so bad, I have the basics, but once in Europe, it seems I'll freak! there are too many things to think about.!

Go 35MM! Just put a battery in, go for a year with it, take pictures, put a film, take out the film, go to the store, go back and get your pictures! ah simple life!


ehehhe sorry, had to say!

[Libby]

Eagle,
I've checked into the PENTAX Espio 135M and I can pick one up for about $229(CDN) plus tax. That doesn't seem bad for a Pentax

I've been reading some reviews of that camera and almost everything has been positive. Is it really as small as they say? Someone wrote it was almost too small. Also, how light/heavy? What speed film do you use? I normaly purchase 200 (with 400 for night) but reviews said that 400 is required with this camera.

Sorry for all the questions, but you might have found me a camera ;D

[Kim]

I don't know this model in paticular but I have to give rave reviews to Pentax in general as every Pentax I have had has been outstanding.

Eagle, I think it depends on your camera as I get my digital pictures printed all the time and I don't get any white borders. I think it depends on the size of pictures your camera takes and the megapixels.

Mine takes giant pictures due to having digital SLR so I don't every get any pixelation of the photos when enlarging either.

www.winkflash.ca will do your pictures for .24 CND with a set $1.99 CND for shipping, no matter how many pictures. There is a US version as well for the Americans on the board, www.winkflash.com - .18 US a picture, free shipping for the summer.

Kim

[Eagle]

LIBBY, glad the information was of some help. In answer to your questions:

> the Camera is small but I don't find it too small; it fits well in my hands. In fact, the size is a bonus for travel as it's so easy to pack. However, this is likely somewhat of a "personal preference" so be sure to try this yourself in the store.
> the weight is 8.3 oz., without battery.
> I often use 400 ASA Film, although lately I've been working with Kodak High Definition 200 ASA. I don't know where the Reviewers got the idea that the Camera is only capable of use with 400 ASA??? This is what the Espio 135M Owner's Manual says: "Film -- Auto film speed setting with 35mm perforated DX-coded film with ISO rating from 25 - 3200 (1EF step). Non - DX coded films are automatically set to ISO 25." IMO you should be able to use your "normal" film without any problem. Ask the Sales person about this. Whoever did the review might want to think about a change of career!

I can only speak for my own experience with this Camera, and so far it's been good, dependable and takes great pictures. One note however, it uses a 3V. Lithium Battery, No. CR-123A or equivalent. I've never had any trouble finding these in my local stores (Okanagan Valley, BC) but if you're travelling you might want to take a few "spares" along. Radio Shack and London Drugs both stock these, so they're readily available. The life of the battery is somewhat dependant on how much the flash and zoom are used, but I'm still using the same battery that was supplied with the Camera when I bought it (if that's any indication of life-span?).

I've been using my Digital Camera somewhat more lately, but I stll like to have the Pentax for "backup", especially when I'm travelling. I was amazed at the good results I got in "low light" conditions with the Digital on a recent trip to England. However, the Pentax didn't disappoint me on that trip either. If I could only improve my skills as a Photographer, I'd be happy!

I bought a small two-pocket nylon case for the Pentax, which I would definetely recommend. The main pocket holds the Camera, and the accessory pocket on the front holds two rolls of film and a spare battery (it's a tight fit but it works). If I'm out touring, I either use the case (with belt loops), or I pack the Camera around in one of the pockets of my Tilley Vest (which has a steel ring to attach the Camera wrist strap to, making it a bit more resistant to theft and being "dropped"). I was using the belt option to carry both Cameras in the photo in the "England" photo section.

Good luck with this, and hope you find the perfect Camera! Cheers!!!

[Eagle]

KIM, thanks for the information on winkflash. I'll check it out! I assume their service is accessed by uploading the pictures to their web site (along with my credit card number), and then they mail the prints back to me?

Regarding the "white border", the staff at London Drugs said this occurred due to the fact that the image size produced by digital cameras is designed to fit a 4" x 5" space. My prints are usually 4" x 6". They said I could choose either to "fit" or to "fill". In the case of "fill" the image would cover the 4" x 6" area, but the top and / or bottom would be "cropped" a bit.

When this was explained to me, I could sort of see the logic behind it, as I used to develop and print my own pictures. I'm not sure if they use an enlarger as we did in the "old days", but the optics are such that if you expand the image on the sides, it tends to cut part of the top or bottom off. The clerk indicated this was normal with digital prints (not exclusive to my Camera?). Maybe winkflash has a way to compensate for this?

My Camera is a Canon S-50 (5 MP). BTW did you ever buy the Nikon you were looking at?

Thanks again for the info.

[Libby]

Eagle,
I've been taking pictures for years and never heard of a camera that would only work with 400 film. Very strange. I wonder if the reviewer was an action sports person who really needed the speed.

I won't get a chance to see the camera for a few weeks. I could order it online, but I'd prefer to get touchy/feely with it.

When you bought it, what came with it? a case? a battery?

[David Beveridge]

If you want to go digital I reccomend Nikon Coolpix 3100. Its really small, and can print out 8x10 at great quality. Plus with digital you can erase pics that dont turn out well.

[Libby]

Thanks for all the hints and suggestions I purchased my camera today. ;D

I'm now the proud owner of a Pentax 140V. It's smaller and lighter than the 135M (weights only 210 grams) and came with a case and battery for $149.00 plus tax. It's a slightly newer model of the 135, but has all the Pentax basics.

Now I have to get out an take pictures.

[Eagle]

LIBBY, Congratulations on your Camera purchase!!! Sounds like you got a good deal on it. Pentax has been making quality Cameras for many years, so I'm sure you'll get some great pictures.

Sorry I wasn't able to reply to your last post in a more timely manner, but it probably wouldn't have mattered as I can't recall if my Camera came with a Case & Battery. I've been working on renovations, and the painting hasn't been going well -- I'm just about ready to hire a contractor!!!

I'll look forward to seeing some of your photos posted on the Board.

Cheers!!!

[defining]

congrats. My new camera is a Pentax Optio S4i, the new version can record mpeg movies, so it will be great for little clips from my trip. And Right now I think it's one of the smallest camera's on the market. The s4 is a little smaller but has less features.