Digital Camera - Buying Guide

Friday, 15 January 2010

What happened to my photos?

I have a Kodak EasyShare C180. Earlier today, I was taking pictures of my friend, but when I went to review the pictures, there were question mark icons, and the screen said something like, "format not recognized." I thought it might have been an error and turned my camera off for a few seconds, and turned it back on. Lo and behold, all but two of my photos were gone. Strangely enough, the amount of space left in the memory card stayed the same. Does anyone know what happened and how/if I can restore the pictures?

Best Answer

You can do a Google search for FILE RESTORATION UTILITIES

but there has to be information to restore in order for the utility to work. Whatever went wrong with your camera may have caused the information to never be recorded.

I've owned a lot of Olympus and Fuji Digital cameras and never had that happen. It sounds like maybe you didn't format the memory card before using it... or it could just be a cheap junk brand memory card. Or you could have accidentally put the camera close to a magnetic source...like a refrigerator motor.... which would erase or scramble the photos. Probably a dozen different weird things could have happened.

Answer by UrbanPhotos on 02 Jan 2010 05:45:37

what is the best camera?

I just got a Nikon D60 for christmas and i hate it, i love the pictures and the size of the LED screen but i hate that it has no live view mode and i hate looking through the view finder....what is a comparable camera? is nikon or canon better?

well nikons best camera is the D3x which i feel is ugly looking.. there is the D90 which is an amazing camera with 12 something mega pixels and also has live view ... canon is good if you like automatic.. if you are going to get a canon i recommend something out of the EOS Rebel series but some of their Digital cameras have liek 15.5 megapixels and are around i think 1 grand?? a little much for only 15

Answer by madmax18765 on 02 Jan 2010 06:07:44

Nikon. they have great deals and the clarity is great and their cameras have an LED screen.

Answer by emily on 02 Jan 2010 06:12:05

Best Answer

If you do not like to look through the viewfinder (which is odd) and want to just use live view exclusively, get a Sony Alpha dslr.

Why?

Nikon and Canon flips the mirror up and use the sensor to record live view images. When it's in live view, the camera have two ways to focus:

It can use the normal phase detection focus which is fast (like how you look through the viewfinder), but it will need to flip the mirror back down and you'll get a black screen for a second, and it's ultimately slowed down.

Or it can use contrast based autofocus. It's accurate, focuses like a normal Digital camera, and it's very very very very slow, but you won't get black screen at least since the mirror doesn't flip back down.

Sony on the other hand, make the live view with a secondary image sensor in the viewfinder. The mirror is never flipped up, you still use the super fast phase detection autofocus, and you get live view.

Whether Sony is good or not is another matter, but no one can deny that Sony made the best live view system.

Answer by rollakid on 02 Jan 2010 06:33:06

i like nikons better! they are friendlier to use. but they are BOTH good cameras. I own a nikon d5000. Its about $800 but it has live view, 16 preset functions, and shoots HD video! :) it has a good ISO thing also :) i would recommend it. i absolutely love it.

check out my flickr! im still an amateur photographer tho. lol I have pictures that I took with my nikon d5000

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Answer by evanpacleb on 02 Jan 2010 06:33:17

I really like nikon for DSLR and i would suggest nikon D5000
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor, Outfit includes the 3x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens with image stabilization, D-Movie Mode with sound; record 720p HD movie clips
Vari-angle color 2.7-inch LCD monitor; one-button Live View
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Answer by niks on 02 Jan 2010 06:59:49

nikon is the best

Answer by Star on 05 Jan 2010 12:21:22

What are some good focusing cameras?

I'm looking for a camera that focuses in on details while filming video. I make makeup videos on youtube and beauty and a lot of the time I'm showing products that have small brand names on it. I'm looking for it to be a Canon camera. I'm not sure if they make any that focus but I sure hope they do because I have a lot of Canon Brand chargers and accesories. I also need it to be 10 megapixels or higher, preferably 12. And maybe an HD one? Thanks so much. (: Oh, and my price range is under $250. (:
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Thats the kind of focusing I want but in video.

You want a high end video camera for UNDER 250? Good luck.

Answer by m173627 on 02 Jan 2010 06:50:07

Best Answer

Not sure what do you mean by focusing. Do you mean autofocus? Or do you mean by shallow depth of field that lets you show a portion of the things in focus while the rest is blur?

If it's just autofocus, any will do. Canon PowerShot SD780 is around $200 or more, will take 720p HD. But don't expect much since its just a cheap camera.

If you want depth of field control and autofocus in video, prepare to cough out $1500 or more. There's no other way. Gears capable of professional results will come with a pricetag that matches.

Your canon accessories will not matter. I'd only imagine Canon would change their accessories from time to time to make it incompatible so you have to keep on buying new ones so they can earn more, plus, many will come with the package already.

Answer by rollakid on 02 Jan 2010 07:05:05

you can consider this one
Canon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD - HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
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Canon PowerShot SD940IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD
12.1-megapixel resolution; 28mm wide-angle lens with 4x optical zoom and Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer, Capture 720p HD movies; HDMI output connector for easy playback on your HDTV, Crisp 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD with wide viewing angle
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Answer by niks on 02 Jan 2010 07:16:23

If you don't mind Canon brand I would recommend Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD. Great zoom, great image quality and also take HD video in "AVCHD Lite" format allows longer recordings with breathtaking HD visual and audio quality
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but if you really want Canon brand, Canon SD960IS 12.1 MP with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCD is a good choice.HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
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Answer by PS on 02 Jan 2010 10:14:25

Can a Canon Speedlite 430EX II External Flash be used on a canon rebel xti?

Best Answer

Yes the flash can be use without problems

Answer by Dd D on 02 Jan 2010 07:16:14

Sure, you can use Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash with Canon Rebel XTi

Answer by PS on 02 Jan 2010 10:16:13

I need a suggestion for a good Digital SLR, any knowledgeable photography enthusiasts with suggestions?

I am a photography minor and am finally ready to buy myself an slr, I have $600 to spend, but could go to $700 (I'm a waitress and a student, ugh). I would like something versatile with good focal length. I like to take portraits as well as landscapes. I'm used to working with a Canon Rebel XT eos but have heard there are similarly priced cameras out there with more to offer. Please let me know if you have any advice, my head is swimming with all the information :)

If you like it in red, this is hard to beat.

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But it comes in blue, white, and black too. The best part is you can use any cheap old lens made by or for Pentax.

Answer by keerok on 02 Jan 2010 07:40:26

Well I dont want to make your head swim some more, but here are three buyers guides that will show you what is available in your price range for Nikon, Canon and Sony. You can compare features and specs with these too.

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Answer by Jonathan W on 02 Jan 2010 08:02:44

I would suggest Canon Rebel XSi with 18-55mm lens kit which good enough for landscape
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and get additional lens, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 one of best lens for portrait.
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or if you want cheaper then Canon Rebel XS is a good choice with around $100 cheaper.
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Answer by PS on 02 Jan 2010 10:27:33

Best Answer

If you already have a canon, that means you can just get a Canon body and save some cash or get a bigger upgrade for less! For $600 you could get a pretty significant upgrade by going to the T1i (body running $620), XSi or the XS.
All of these will be a bit nicer than the XT (larger screen, newer sensor, better ISO, live view...)
The XSi and the T1i both have canons newest sensor. If you've just got $600 to spend I'd say go with the T1i, the latest and greatest, and have a great camera for years to come.

Answer by auwes on 03 Jan 2010 12:01:46

There are a number of good brands so don't be sold on the idea one brand is better than another. I would keep your costs down. I would get a DSLR with a short zoom (like a 18-55mm) to start for around $425 to $550. Either a 10MP or 12MP will do just fine. The first link below provides a side by side listing of the cameras that I am recommending below, it will let you compare features and specs and there is links to reviews for 3 of the 4 cameras. Also, a link to photo.net, a good resource for photographers to know about.

Also I included some links to some dealers so that you can try and get the best price. Some of these dealers have some of these cameras with some nice extras, free shipping is very common, and sometimes they are offering a free memory card and/or camera bag. Sometimes you have to click in the "add to cart" button to see the actual price.

Here are some models that I think are well worth researching:

Sony Alpha A230 Digital SLR 10 MP with 18-55mm Lens - $429
Nikon D3000 10MP DSLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens - $449
EOS Rebel XS 10MP DSLR Digital Camera Kit (Black) with 18-55mm IS Lens - $449
Pentax K-x 12MP DSLR with 18-55mm Zoom (has HD Video also) - $550

Hope this helps. Pick a price range, some features you know you want, and even consider which camera feels good in your hand as a factor. Plenty of great cameras, get one you like and start learning the principles of photography and you will be on your way to making some great images.

Take a really good look at the Pentax K-x, I am thinking about it for a 2nd camera, I have been impressed with some things that I have read and seen. I added a link below to a forum web page that has some black & white photos by a photograher that were shot as some high ISOs (6400, 1250 and 10000) and they looked good. Feel free to contact me if you think I can be of help.

I am a photo professor so I know how tough the money can be with college. Hang in there on the waitress job and good luck with college.

Hope this helps.

Mark

marksablow.com

Answer by Mark on 03 Jan 2010 04:11:11

MY CANON REBEL WONT TURN ON!!?

i just got a Canon Rebel XTi for x-mas, my parents bought it off of creigslist.com.
about an hour ago, i was testing out my new lens and went to take a photo then it shut off on me.
i tryed changing the lenses, changing the batterys, changing the CF card, checked to see if any things were bent in the CF card reader.
nothing will work and i don't know what to do,
im not even sure if my parents have it insured or if the warranty is still good.
H E L P !
this camera is my life and i'd be so sad if it never turns on again.

It was probably a malfunction in the camera itself if you tried a different set of batteries. Try returning it or take it to a camera shop so they can diagnose the problem.

Answer by Brandon on 02 Jan 2010 10:32:55

Best Answer

1) warranties are not transferable.
2) make sure that the doors for the battery and the CF card are closed. If the camera registers those as open it won't power up at all.
3) try connecting the camera to a computer. Sometimes that can help.
4) make sure that your battery is charged, it may be dying but to charge it and put it directly in the camera may work for a few minutes.

Your camera should power on without a card in it, try that as well.
Neither is the lens required to power the camera, take it off too.

If all that fails, the mode dial on the camera has given me issues with my XTi. The short story on that one is my CPU board broke because I had a heavy lens on the camera and the mode dial is somewhat poorly placed. See if there's any play or movement in the dial that isn't normal. Wiggle it, turn to a different mode, press it down gently (don't cause more damage if that's what is wrong).

Good luck

Answer by cabbiinc on 02 Jan 2010 10:42:56

Where can I find a really good camera?

I'm looking for a good camera that takes really good, professional pictures and that I can also record with. You see on youtube, when people record there videos it comes out clear and bright; I want a camera that can do that. Not a camcorder or a video camera but a Digital Camera that records really well and takes really nice, professional looking pictures.

Cameras that take good, pro pictures are called DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera ). Some do have a video mode, but they cannot record as long as you could on a camcorder. A camera I have seen that has an excellent video mode is the new Canon 7D. Quality is excellent, but you cannot record one clip as long as you could with a camcorder. Some camcorders with excellent quality are the Sony VX 2100 or any VX model, and Canon makes some pretty good ones too.

So, where to find one? Internet, Costco, local photography shops, or electronic stores like Circuit City or something.

Answer by jj c on 02 Jan 2010 11:24:49

Hey ..
Just check out this cool collection of cameras.
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Also search for Canon ISUX 200 IS it's an cool camera.
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Answer by Chetan on 02 Jan 2010 11:47:26

If you want camera that can take professional picture and also take good video I would suggest Canon Rebel T1i or Nikon D5000 Digital SLR camera. Canon T1i can take 1080 video while Nikon D5000 take 720p video.
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Answer by PS on 03 Jan 2010 12:14:01

Best Answer

I would suggest you Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K really good camera 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints 18x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture Full SLR-like manual operations including aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes with Advanced Scene modes
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If want to go with DSLR
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor,Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output, Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video
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Answer by niks on 03 Jan 2010 05:25:33

I want to toss this option out there for you too consider: the Pentax K-x.

I am finding the Pentax K-x intriguing with its very high quality ability when shooting in high ISO and that it has the HD video feature. In fact, I am a Nikon user who is thinking about getting a
Pentax K-x as an extra camera. Below are some link that have some information, reviews and sample images. Do some searching on the web, sites like vimeo and youtube you can find amny video samples by searching on those sites "Pentax K-x video sample" or even general web searches.

Plenty of great cameras, get one you like and start learning the principles of photography and you will be on your way to making some great images. If you have any questions and if you think I can be of help then please do contact me.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Mark

Answer by Mark on 03 Jan 2010 02:29:17

Friday, 15 January 2010

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