[Wanted] Info wanted on buying a camera

Forums › Digital Imaging › [Wanted] Info wanted on buying a camera

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1489

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#148888 4-Jul-2014 10:43

Hey guys there are a million camera makes and models out there and I was wondering if anybody could help me with getting a camera for the missus. She does a lot of trading on trade me in pandora style beads and chains so I am looking at something for her that has image stability and takes a good close up shot, currently she has been using my Galaxy S4 but I want to get her her own camera specifically for taking pictures for the auctions. Price up to $250 I am guessing for what I am after.
I know its not much to go on but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

PeterReader

6028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1080786 4-Jul-2014 10:43

Hey, have you listed a price, location and how much shipping would be to other parts of New Zealand? Also if you are asking for a PM make sure your Privacy settings allow your account to receive PM otherwise people can't contact you. Also note if you are selling something we ask you to offer to other members first. Links to private sales (including Trade Me posts) aren't accepted anymore and will be removed.

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

lurker

838 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 223

Lifetime subscriber

#1080806 4-Jul-2014 11:03

I have no recommendations but dpreview.com has a lot of info/reviews etc

Dynamic

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1850

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1080813 4-Jul-2014 11:27

I've had very good information from dpreview.com in the past as well.

I've also just asked around and played with friends/associates cameras. Things like not being able to zoom when recording video on a Sony model (5 years ago) was something that caught us out when we first purchased a Prosumer-level camera (the DSC-H1) that had I asked around I would have heard about. (Note that is not the case with newer Sony cameras.)

We currently have a 3 year old Canon SX30IS and could not be happier with it.

Something I *love* is the eye-fi card we got to put in it. In our case I set it to upload all images to the home computer, but keep the last few images (25% of the storage) so we can show the most recent images on the camera to rellies.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#1080818 4-Jul-2014 11:31

Surely for the purposes, the S4 or any equivalent top-end phone will do just as good a job as a low end compact? Just need a tripod/stand for stability. Most internet sales sites wont allow high-rez images anyway.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

shk292

2915 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#1080850 4-Jul-2014 11:47

I would have thought it's easier to continue using a smartphone, for the reason that set up correctly, all photos are immediately uploaded to a service such as dropbox and can then be posted to auction site without fiddling around with SD cards, USB cables etc. You can get a Moto-G for your budget and although its camera isn't fantastic, I'd say it's perfectly up to trademe standards

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41025

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1080860 4-Jul-2014 12:06

Moved to correct forum as this is not an OFFER/WANTED discussion.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1489

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1080914 4-Jul-2014 12:53

scuwp: Surely for the purposes, the S4 or any equivalent top-end phone will do just as good a job as a low end compact? Just need a tripod/stand for stability. Most internet sales sites wont allow high-rez images anyway.

I understand what you are saying but she has only an iPhone 3gs which she loves and does not want to upgrade (she does not want android). She has to wait until I am home to use my phone or uses it during the weekend to take all her pictures. I just thought a dedicated camera would be the way to go for her.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

Dynamic

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1850

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1080921 4-Jul-2014 13:02

Smartphones don't have optical zoom.

I've just reviewed your original post more carefully. I would have thought a $100-$150 budget would be plenty for a basic point and shoot with a 3x zoom and a rechargeable lithium battery. In reality a good secondhand $50 jobbie off TradeMe would do the job.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

StarBlazer

961 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 218

Trusted

#1080985 4-Jul-2014 14:16

As mentioned, for the resolution need for trading sites just about any compact camera that does macro will be enough. Spend a couple of extra $$ on a mini tripod to hold the camera in the right place, removing the need for image stabilisation and so keeping the cost of the camera down. It will also make it easier for her to frame the shots more accurately. If you want new (and I hate saying it) go down to Noel Leeming - they had the best choice that I could find in the Lower Hutt area and were very keen to demonstrate.

I suspect that beyond this, the biggest problem is showing how to load photos onto the computer - lost track of how many times I've shown the wife. Now she use the iPad and the TradeMe app and can load sales in minutes without my help :) We're all happy :D

Procrastination eventually pays off.