Digital Camera....

[Molokidan]

I'm gonna be running away to Japan in just a few weeks now, and I've been having trouble picking out a digital camera to take with me. My biggest concert is the voltage issue, since I can bet that a digital camera will take a lot of volts up in charging. Compatability really isn't an issue, is it? I'm just worried about whether or not I'll be able to use the darn thing in Nihon. Does anyone use a digicam regularly, or know a good type that will hold up in Japan, that's worth the price? They're pretty hefty, but I could really use one for the trip.

[fast_dave]

AA Batteries and Compact Flash Memory.

AA Batteries are available world-wide, so if your rechargable batteries die, you can always buy alkaline batteries from a store.

Compact Flash memory os the "oldest," and seems to give you the most "bang for the buck."

Reccomendations: Canon A60 or A70, Nikon Coolpix 2100 or 3100.

Regards,
FD

[Caustic Saint]

Also, in Canon, I'd reccommend the Powershot A300. Runs on 2AA batteries, uses CF cards, compact size. The only real drawback it has is that the zoom is digital only, but that does go up to 5.1x.

The price on this one should be coming down (full list is only $199) since Canon just announced the A310 this week. (Better resolution on the LCD and a "print/share" button are the only real differences.) Pick up some NiMH rechargable AA batteries and you're set. You can use a US charger in Japan with no problems.

Big list of places to buy an A300 at Shopping.com

[Taro Toporific]

Runs on 2AA batteries, uses CF cards, compact size. The only real drawback it has is that the zoom is digital only, but that does go up to 5.1x..... You can use a US charger in Japan with no problems.

I must STRONGLY agree about AA batteries and CF cards Both are the cheapest and most widely available. Please note that most camera cards and memory sticks with fit into the PC slot in a notebook computer with a dirt-cheap, less-than-$12, adapter and USB adapters are cheap too and so much easier than farking about with drivers and USB cables.

The charger is not an issue for rechargable batteries since most all cameras (and computers) have beeenuse switching power supplies since the early 1980s.

[what's a]good type that will hold up in Japan

Now for the sad news:
All, yes, ALL digital cameras are flimsy sheeeee-it. I've owned 12 cameras since my first "XAPSHOT" in 1989 and they all crap out in less than a year if you carry them EVERY day to use like me. By their nature, digital cameras are NOT very robust]XAPSHOT[/url], circa 1989

[Caustic Saint]

[quote="Taro Toporific"]Now for the sad news:
All, yes, ALL digital cameras are flimsy sheeeee-it. I've owned 12 cameras since my first "XAPSHOT" in 1989 and they all crap out in less than a year if you carry them EVERY day to use like me. By their nature, digital cameras are NOT very robust]
BAH!

You all laughed at the ghettocam,



but it's four years old and still works.

I also used my old Toshiba for over two years (before sellling it) and it held up very well. What are you doing to your cameras, Taro?

[Molokidan]

Thanks for all the reccomendations, guys. I'll look up the cameras you mentioned, and yeah, I don't wanna go all out and splurge on one, just one that gives decent quality and will hold up for me while I'm over there. And geez, 12 cameras, Taro!??! that's crazy!!! Hopefully mine won't break during my 10 months.

[Caustic Saint]

And if you get a camera that takes Type II CF cards, you'll be able to pick up an 8GB CF II card somtime this Spring.

Yours for only $5,999!

[Mini_B]

I bought the Canon A70. It's a decent camera...but I wish I would have went with the smaller Casio EX-Z3 instead. The A70 is heavy and bulky.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

I thought the Canon ixy(ixus) 400, was the Official FG camera?

They are now selling at 3,5000 - 3,8000 at most online shops.


I took some great pictures at the tokyo boat show last weekend.

[Taro Toporific]

I thought the Canon ixy(ixus) 400, was the Official FG camera?
They are now selling at 3,5000 - 3,8000 at most online shops. .

Among the folks in the Tokyo/Japan Bloggers Ring the IXY seems to be the camera of choice. I was considering the cheap waterproof model so I would have something more robust.

I took some great pictures at the tokyo boat show last weekend.

So? Bring on the the boat booth bimbos!
Where are your hot :companion" pix like this one?

[Taro Toporific]

I took some great pictures at the tokyo boat show last weekend.

So? Bring 'em on!

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

I actualy didnt take any pictures of women. Because I was with a woman. But I did take some fantastic panoramic shots of the boat show and makuhari. But they are all huge. I will have to change their size if i want to upload them.


Can I ask why is it called the tokyo boat show. When infact it is in chiba. Do they expect everybody to belive tokyo and kyoto are the only 2 places in japan.

[Taro Toporific]

Can I ask why is it called the tokyo boat show. When infact it is in chiba. Do they expect everybody to belive tokyo and kyoto are the only 2 places in japan.

Well, actually Tokyo is the only place of sigificance; Kyoto's just a concrete museum.

(Except for certain cryo- transfected brains floating in preservation vats in Chiba, who would wanna go to the "Chiba Boat Show"?)

[ramchop]

They are now selling at 3,5000 - 3,8000 at most online shops.

You know you've been in Japan too long when you write numbers like that.

[Steve Bildermann]

Canon today announced three new ultra compact digital cameras. The four and five megapixel PowerShot S430 (IXUS 430) and S500 (IXUS 500) are based on the soft edged S400 (IXUS 400), both have bodies made from same unique 'Celabrite' material which is a mix of metal and ceramic. The PowerShot SD110 (IXUS IIs) is a follow-up to the PowerShot SD100 (IXUS II). These new models also take the total number of IXUS models to 30 since 1996.

Digital Camera Review

[Manarak]

The minolta A1 is a very good one

[Molokidan]

Just to let anyone know, I ordered the Nikon Coolpix 2100 today with a 64-MB CF card, hopefully that will suffice me for Japan. It was only around $160, I didn't want anything TOO expensive, just something that will work right and be compatible. Thanks for all your help, everyone!

[Caustic Saint]

I'm going shopping for a new one this weekend. Right now there are two models I've got my eye on, both from Canon.

The first is the PowerShot A300.

The other is the PowerShot SD100.

They're both 3.2 megapixel cameras. The A300 uses AA batteries and CF cards. The SD100 uses custom rechargables and SD cards. I've already got a CF USB reader and 4 pairs of NiMH AA batteries. I really like the size of the SD100 (85 x 56 x 23.9mm) though. The A300 is just a bit bigger at 110.0 x 58.0 x 36.6mm.

I'm looking for something to take the place of the 1 megapixel ghettocam I've got right now, and want something nice and small, but with more features and power.

There have been plenty of raves on here for the PowerShot S400 (IXUS 400, to some) so I'm wondering if anybody's every used either of these cameras.

[Taro Toporific]

They're both 3.2 megapixel cameras. The A300 uses AA batteries and CF cards. The SD100 uses custom rechargables and SD cards. I've already got a CF USB reader and 4 pairs of NiMH AA batteries. I really like the size of the SD100 (85 x 56 x 23.9mm) though.

I'd go with the A300's AA batteries and CF cards. It's a MUCH better deal except the A300 doesn't have an optical zoom. The SD100 only uses yucky SD cards and has lame-o 2X zoom(digtal zoom has little value to a person who already is using Photoshop).

[Caustic Saint]

I'd go with the A300's AA batteries and CF cards. It's a MUCH better deal except the A300 doesn't have an optical zoom. The SD100 only uses yucky SD cards and has lame-o 2X zoom(digtal zoom has little value to a person who already is using Photoshop).

I'll be checking prices this weekend, and picking up whichever one has the best deal. I'm all about the AAs and CF card though. Anybody know of another camera with that combination?

Right now the A300 goes for as little as $139 online in the US and the SD100 comes in at $225. Hopefully the A300 won't be much more than $40 more here. I'll see what kind of deal I can scam for an extra memory card or something.

[Caustic Saint]

Edit: I'm a 'tard and read the price wrong. Never mind.