[Don Schaeffer]

I was thinking of buying a new camera, one of those with 10 or 12x zooms perhaps the Canon S2 (I think that's what it is). I think it will put me in a new category and I really can't afford a dslr on my retirement income. Anybody have any opinions? Where can I get a good buy in Canada?

--Don

[slejhamer]

That zoom range with IS would be incredible - I would definitely consider one of these if I felt the need. I did hear that the S1 before it had some ISO noise issues, so you might check into whether it has been improved in the S2.

Find out if B&H Photo ships to Canada (I think they do, but I'm not sure.) They are tough to beat on both price and service (if you can get past the New York attitude.) I've bought most of my gear there, with no problems making returns. www.bhphoto.com

[guitarman]

I was thinking of buying a new camera, one of those with 10 or 12x zooms perhaps the Canon S2 (I think that's what it is). I think it will put me in a new category and I really can't afford a dslr on my retirement income. Anybody have any opinions? Where can I get a good buy in Canada?

--Don

You might want to think about the Sony DSC R1. Not a long zoom but its got a sensor the same size as the 20D so it will most likely take as clean a picture at high ISOs as the DSLRs.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/sonydscr1/

[EnglishBob]

One of my co-workers just returned a canon S2 due to a very soft image and the fact that the image stabilization wasn't very effective at anything other than very short zoom ranges..... that said this guy doesn't seem an overly steady handed fellow.

[Toad]

How much do you want to spend, Don? You might be able to snag a super deal on a 1 or 2 year old prosumer or SLR. The prices go through the floor on digital cameras after they have been out a year, but the cameras are still just as good. I bet you could also pick up a used digital Rebel or equivalent quite reasonably if you check your local buy and sell.

There are a couple of good camera stores in Vancouver that have competitive pricing and will ship to you. I would also check out Calgary as you can beat the PST. B&H and Adorama also will ship to Canada, but sometimes you can get stung on brokerage fees. My own experience is that lenses are cheaper when ordered from the US - but camera bodies cost roughly the same. It's a real "the price is right" deal. If you know your local prices, you can snag some good deals online, but its not always so.

Aside: I will probably be selling my Konica Minolta A2 in a month or so. It is a super camera 28-200 equivalent with macro and anti-shake stabilization. 8 Mpx. I have babied it of course.

[Wedding Shooter]

A friend of mine has just bought the Panasonic FZ30 and he swears by it. Might be worth checking it out.

[Don Schaeffer]

Wow thanks a lot guys.

I was looking at the Kodak cameras. The computer mag chose Kodak for the camera of the year. The prices are very good for a camera in the 6 meg range. Anybody have strong opinions about Kodak?

--Don

[EnglishBob]

I've had 2 kodaks... the first one was great... the second one has washy colors and is very soft... not happy with it at all.

[Don Schaeffer]

Thanks Bob. I appreciate that. When did you buy those?

--Don

[Irma]

I know of a girl who takes beautiful pictures with a kodak. It is the Easyshare DX6490. Other one has a Kodak DX7590 Zoom.

Don, I am very happy you are thinking about having another camera... I am looking forward to seeing your pictures

[Don Schaeffer]

Thanks Irma. The Kodak is at a good price and has all the obvious features I need.

[EnglishBob]

I bought the one I liked in 1998, very sharp and great color.

The one I don't like I bought around 18 months ago as a pocket camera. I think it is a CX 6200 or some such. I bought it mainly for quick pictures of the cars on tech Lot at work for web and email use. I rarely use it, the images are way too soft and the colors are very poor, looks washed out most of the time. This was the cheaper end of the scale but similarly priced Fuji and Olympus products really kick it's ass.

The newer Kodaks may be better than this.

[Toad]

Which model of Kodak are you looking at, Don?

[Don Schaeffer]

The Z740. Thanks Bob. and Toad.