Do I ever need some advice!? 35 mm SLR vs. Digital compact.

[@dam]

Hi guys. I really need some help choosing a new camera. But first, some background info.

I got a Canon S400 the day it came out about 2.5 years ago, and have happily taken about 6000 pictures with it ever since. I REALLY like this camera, but it has recently been giving me the message "memory card error", even when I swap memory cards with my friend's S410. It usually does this when it is cold out, but not always- pretty random. I've missed/lost some good photos due to this problem.

I also have a fully manual Minolta SRT-101 that is older than I am (my baby pictures were taken with this camera!). I've learned a lot using this camera, but it has some problems. You can't get mercury batteries for the light meter any more, and the alkaline alternative isn't quite right. Also, my primary lens has an aperature that sticks when it closes, despite having it rebuilt twice. Often, when taking a picture, the aperature will be closing WHILE the shutter is open, and I often forget to use the depth of field preview to preclose it. Still, when I go somewhere particularly special, or know in advance that I want to take a really good photo, out comes ye olde Minolta. However, this camera is all brass and weighs about 6 or 7 pounds. I like to travel light, so I often leave it at home.

OK...now why I need a new camera. In January, I'm taking a two week trip to Thailand, and I want to take a lot of pictures- I like to remember all of the details. I can't depend on my now unreliable S400 alone. I'm going to be on the move a lot, so my old Minolta is just too damn heavy, plus it has it's own reliability problems. Here is what I'm considereing for a 2nd camera to take on the trip.

Point and Shoots: The primary advantage of taking a compact camera is that you just look a little less touristy without an enormous camera around your neck.

-35 mm point and shoot. Cheap, reliable, and effective. I doubt I'd ever use it again after the trip though.

-Digital Point and Shoot- Another Canon S400 or S500. Great camera, and one aught to be working at any given time. Plus, I can use my existing cards and batteries in either camera. But, I already have an S400. Do I really want to buy such an old design? I keep my gear for a while, so I'd be locked into that model for another few years probably. Note- I'm not interested in the new SD series because of some reliability and image quality problems they've been having. I'm also looking at the Pentax Optio WP, because it is waterproof. It would be great for Thailand and snorkeling and going in the rain, plus it would be nice for my mountain biking and skiing when I get back home. I can't seem to find any reviews on it yet though. I really doubt it takes as good of pictures or has as many options as my S400 though. I've never found an ultra compact that has yet.
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SLR. While I probably wouldn't have an SLR 'ready to shoot' as much as with a point and shoot like my S400, the advantages in image quality are obvious.

-Modern entry level 35mm SLR. In particular, I'm considering the Canon Rebel T2. This can be used manually like my old Minolta, or I could go full auto to get those quick snap shots I can't get with my old camera. This would also be much lighter than my old Minolta. I do like digital, but I'd have to spend a LOT more money on a digital SLR to equal the image quality of this $200 35mm. Also, I'd be more likely to get a $200 out to take pictures in harsh environments like a beach or on a boat than I would a $1000 camera! While the body is pretty basic, I'm of the mind that good glass makes a good photo, so I'd like to get a good all-around lens for this camera. I'd like a zoom lens that will go from at least 28mm to 80mm. This will be the only lens I take on this trip, and I don't want it to be too heavy. Something relatively fast would be good too, as I usually don't like the results from standard pop-up flashes. I'm sure I'll eventually upgrade to a DSLR, so I'd like this lens to be something I'd like to keep using when that happens. Since the body I'm looking at is cheap, I want a very 'nice' lens, but don't want to spend a ton of money like on a pro-level "L" lens. Any suggestions?

-Digital SLR. When I last researched cameras almost three years ago, only the most absurdly expensive digital cameras were approaching film quality. After a prelimnary look around today, that no longer seems to be the case. DSLR's are still changing so quickly I'm not sure I want to put out the money to jump on yet, but if anybody has a convincing argument I'll listen. I mean, with digital not only is the body several times more, but I'd have to buy batteries, more memory cards, upgrade my 600 Mhz. computer, etc. Still...it would be nice if somebody knows of a killer deal somewhere.



So...yeah...I'm confused. Any suggestions or comments?

Thanks in advance
-@dam

[ken1953]

I don't know if my advice will help since I've kind of been in the dilemma myself...p/s vs dslr. A recent post on here was about a pro who used nothing but p/s's. You might want to check it out. As most on here have learned, I am pro digital...film is great, don't get me wrong...it's just my preference. One major consideration...based on your trip to Thailand...the humidity and how that will affect the camera you take. I was never in Thailand, but if it's anything like Viet Nam or the Philippines....this is something you'll want to pay close attention to. IMHO, if you want tons of photos, with as little baggage as possible...digital...many of the new 6+ digitals are excellent and there are many out there now that offer excellent lenses and zoom. Just take lots of batteries and several storage devices...hehe...I have been considering the Nikon Coolpix 8800...I've checked it out, read the reviews, and I like what it has to offer...but I'm still seriously considering the DSLR's also...now that I've probably added more doubt to your query...I hope I've at least helped you make a more informed decision.
Ken

[@dam]

Do you think the humidity would be easier on the digital since it has fewer moving parts, or on the film since they've been perfecting them for many decades?

I'll look for that thread you mentioned.

[Lionheart]

If you're travelling overseas, a digital p/s is much easier. It is a royal hassle packing a gazillion rolls of film, not to mention a heavy slr body, 2 or 3 lenses, plus accessories. Of course in the days before digital, we all did it, so its not all that bad, but if one has a choice...the other consideration is children. If you have small children, you need to pack light. I left my DSLR and 40 pounds of lenses behind when I went to Maui for my vacation this summer and packed a p/s digital and a small digicamcorder, all in one bag the size of a loaf of bread mostly because I was travelling with my family. When my kids get big enough to handle their own luggage, maybe then I'll start packing my heavy gear again for trips, but probably not (slipped disk in my lower back). Good luck in your decision.

[Asylum Steve]

I, too have the S400, and it has served my well for quite some time. Recently, I too, started getting that memory card error, message, but I figured it was a glitch of some sort, and when I needed to shoot something in a hurry, simply switched to one of my DSLRs.

Now, I'm getting that error message all the time, meaning I can't even use the S400. I tried to recharge the battery (hadn't used the camera in a while, thought that mght be it), and now the camera is stuck with the lens extended, and won't turn on.

Well, I'm kinda bummed over this, and am ready to go to Canon Tech support. In the meantime, I ordered a PowerShot Sd20 ELPH, which I actually think is a much cooler camera (oh yeah, p&s cameras HAVE to be cool).

Anyway, that fact that you have the same problem (and yeah, I can only IMAGINE what it would be like while traveling if this was my only camera, arghh!) makes me want to try to get it fixed.

Either that or finally break down and get a camera/phone. For me it would serve the same purpose...

[another view]

Couple of thoughts...

1. Mercury batteries were outlawed years ago due to environmental concerns (it's nasty stuff). If you google the camera model and the word "battery" you'll probably come up with some options. I have an old Canon that can use a Wein Zinc-Air battery - it's fairly expensive, hard to find and doesn't last long but the meter is accurate with it. I recently got an adapter that some guy made that lets you use a standard battery, but haven't used it yet. It was $30 but if it works will be a great fix.
2. I bought a Nikon Coolpix 5000 when it was discontinued three years ago at a great price. I'm still using it and still impressed with it. The current version of it is now the Coolpix 8400 which has a zoom that goes out to the equivalent of 24mm which is very unusual (and cool). Olympus has some similar cameras too, but not that wide. I have four batteries for it, and it would be a good idea to get spares.
3. I've never used the Pentax Optio WP but I don't think it's designed for use underwater (snorkeling). Splashproof is different than waterproof! I have one of their 35mm equivalents (IQ Zoom90 WR) which says the same thing about not using it underwater, but have shot with it 2' below the surface. YMMV...!
4. SLR's and especially DSLR's will have you carrying more "stuff" than what I talked about in #2. If you bring an SLR, a 28-80 should do fine most of the time but you might want to add a 50mm f1.8 as well. They're tiny, inexpensive and also much faster (2-3 stops) so better for low light.

Let us know what you end up with, sounds like a fun trip!

[Michael Fanelli]

]I've never used the Pentax Optio WP but I don't think it's designed for use underwater (snorkeling). Splashproof is different than waterproof! I have one of their 35mm equivalents (IQ Zoom90 WR) which says the same thing about not using it underwater, but have shot with it 2' below the surface.

The Pentax Optio WP is JIS Class 8 and can be used to a depth of 5 feet.