chris

For my upcoming trip to Germany, I am thinking about buying a new digital camera. I am not by any means a camera expert so please bear with me and these questions. <BR> <BR>I have a regular camera that I will take with me. Over concern that the magical pictures fail to turn out when I have the film developed back at home, I was thinking of taking a digital camera as a backup. This way, merely by looking at the camera's monitor, I could be assured I had the photo I wanted. <BR> <BR>I was recently given an older digital camera and I know that they go through batteries quickly and do not hold that many high quality pictures without additional memory cards. <BR> <BR>First Question: Does anyone know, are digital camera memory cards affected by the x-ray machines at the airports? <BR> <BR>Second, do places in Germany and Austria, have one hour photo places, and if so are they very expensive? This way I could get my non digital pictures developed and make sure I have captured the pics I wanted. <BR> <BR>

tom

Xrays on the carryon baggage machines will not harm memory cards or pics. <BR> <BR>The checked-in baggage Xray machines are vastly more powerful, and could cause problems. Of course, no electronics should go in checked baggage anyway, due to risk of theft or damage. <BR> <BR>Newer electronics almost always use rechargeable Lithium batteries, which are long lasting, light weight, and can be "topped off" without memory effects. It's worth the premium over Nimh or Nicad batteries. <BR> <BR>Make sure the charger does both 120 & 240 volts...then all you need is a cheap plug adapter, not a voltage converter. <BR> <BR>If what you select does not use rechargeables, then at least use Lithium AA batteries...their long life justifes the high price. <BR> <BR>Unless you choose a more expensive "megapixel" camera, and operate it on "high quality" picture setting, your results will not match film in their sharpness & resolution. <BR> <BR>High quality Ink jet Printers optimized for photo printing can be had in the $300 range now. The high quality glossy print paper can get expensive, something like $1 per print. <BR> <BR>when you consider the higher cost of a camera, printer, extra memory cards, and special paper...it gets significantly more expensive than a good P&S camera (about $200-250) plus film costs. <BR> <BR>You didn't say what exactly "fails to turn out" on your film pictures. The newer film P&S cameras are very good at correctly auto-focussing & setting auto-exposure. Many times trying to cut corners on the developing & printing is the culprit. Avoid discount stores & most 1hr places, best results are from local custom labs (not much more expensive than the drugstore) or the nationally run labs (like Fuji & Kodak). <BR> <BR>Additonally, sometimes local camera stores run inexpensive photo seminars & classes. These can be of great value. I took a "travel photography" class a few years ago, and the shop owner had so much fabulous information & knowledge he taught us.

Debi

I just returned from Europe, and as with every vacation, I obsess over whether my film will somehow get damaged and all the pictures I take will be ruined. I am a pretty avid photographer - and on my last trip we used 33 rolls of film (yes, that would be the definition of obsessive - so noone needs to point that out) and as long as you follow the points the poster above mentioned (DO NOT CHECK YOUR FILM), you shouldn't have any problems. Tom is also right about the quality of the older digital cameras. It's just not as good. PLUS - since you'd have 2 cameras, you never would really be comfortable with either of them if you have to switch. If you take good pictures now, your Germany pictures will be great. If you aren't happy with your current pictures, a different camera won't help. I'd stick with the camera you have, take some classes (there's also alot of classes online that are quite helpful - do a search on photography and also check the New York Institute of Photography website).

chris

Thank you Tom and Debi. <BR> <BR>My regular, non digital camera, works fine but it is about nine years old. I will take many pics as well, and I am just a bit nervous that after I return home, I discover that the pics did not turn out for this reason or that reason. <BR> <BR>Since much of what I will be taking pictures of are panaramonic views, maybe I could one of the non digital camera that uses the film which allows the wider pics. <BR> <BR>My camcorder is the older bulky type that I have no intention of carrying to Europe. Perhaps I should invest in a smaller one of those instead. <BR> <BR>Thank you for your assistance.

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>I agree - do not bother with the older digicam. They just do not have the resolution which is out there today. You could get a decent new one for 300-400 which will be WAY better than that one, or you could splurge and spend well over a grand and get state of the art as it exists today. (or 5000 and get the Nikon digicam which uses regular lenses, etc etc.) <BR> <BR>DO NOT CHECK CAMERAS OR FILM, PERIOD. EVER. <BR> <BR>I would not bother with one hour places where you are - unless you are on a long trip and cannot wait to see your pics - actually it is more junk to lug around. WAIT and go home - go to a PROFESSIONAL photo shop to get them developed - you will be amazed at the results. This may be a reason you are not happy with some of your present pics (if that is the case) - Ritz and its ilk just do not do a good job, period. Take the film somewhere professional just once, you will never go back. Who cares if it is twice as much - you are spending a bunch on the vacation, why skimp on the photos? saving 100 bucks (or 200 or whatever) to go somewhere cheap makes no sense to me. My guess is also that a one hour place in Germany/Austria will be more than a quality pro shop in the states. <BR> <BR>Take at least one roll of film per day, per person. <BR> <BR>I usually take 3 cameras. One SLR for most of my pictures (for enlarging when I return, etc.) One digicam for emailing shots to friends (and the eventual website I hope to set up). One smaller point and shoot to take out in the evenings for those pub shots - although I have to admit - I use the digicam more and more for that even - especially since it is so teeny tiny - I have a Leica and it is not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes. very lightweight too. <BR> <BR>good luck! <BR> <BR>Beth

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>what sort of "regular" camera do you have? <BR> <BR>age does not matter. I actually prefer the older ones (as long as they are structurally sound) for the control you have over them. <BR> <BR>maybe you just need new lenses. <BR> <BR>Beth

dan woodlief

I am an avid photographer and can sympathize with you. I always worry about it, but for no reason. The only time I have ever had a problem, it was due to the lab (6 rolls of slides). If your camera is working well and takes good enough photos to satisfy you, then I wouldn't buy another just in case. Most problems will be due to the lab or technique (for example, you get a lot of glare and underexposure of the subject - well, you probably shot into the sun with no hood and exposed with the bright light in the shot). Maybe you already know a lot about photography, but if not, check out a couple of books on exposure from the library. When you return, take your film to the best lab you can afford. If you want another camera in case you lose or damage your other camera, that is a different story. I travel with two SLRs. Generally, I shoot slides in one and print in one, but I originally got the second as a backup when I had a shutter jam right before the birth of my daughter. It is great to have the second one around in case...

linda

I think it's important to determine what you want to do with your pictures. I agree with one of the other posters, if you want to make conventional hard-copy snapshots, digital may not be worth the bother and expense. However, I took a digital camera (Olympus 340, I think) to Europe and was extremely pleased with the results and the experience. I had 2 16MB cards for the camera and took pictures with abandon, knowing that bad shots and do-overs cost nothing. When I got home, I was able to email selected pictures to friends and build a website with all the best photos. Since I was planning on electronic display, I used the low- or medium-resolution setting and had storage for hundreds of pictures. The quality was reasonable, and some of the shots really are exceptionally nice. Another benefit is that when an important picture doesn't turn out, you have the option of trying to "save" it by adjusting brightness, color, etc. on your computer.

Art

I agree with most of the comments above. a good 35mm camera gives much better pictures than the digitals. I also carry 3 lens with me, the standatd 35mm, a 28mm wide angle and a telephoto zoom lens. There are many times that you simply can not get close enough or far away enough with limited lenses. I used to take slides to be able to blow them up for larger pictures but last year I had them developed on to CD's. There are at least 3 grades that you can develope to. I then printed them out on my color printer with the photo quality paper and I couldn't be happier with them. This makes them also very easy to show to friends or even e-mail them to friends far away. This year I'm taking my sister to Portugal and Spain. She is a homebody and has hardly left the state of Maine, but after I sent my photo albin from last year, she decided to go on the trip. I've also had a lot of people really gush over the photos. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Art <BR>

chris

Thank you for all the comments. <BR> <BR>I have simple point and shoot camera. Which has taken decent pictures, but not much detail. To show you what a novice I am, yesterday, I had to go to a camera tutorial website to learn what SLR meant. <BR> <BR>I never thought much about the CD idea, but I like that option. I presume, I can develop to CD and regulars photos from the same roll. <BR> <BR>I guess I may have to explore the world of the SLR, but it may be pricey to purchase the necessary lenses at one time. I have no idea what to look for, so I guess it will be back to the camera tutorial web site for me. <BR> <BR>Has anyone used good high zoom, compact video camcorders, that I can quickly drop into the vcr adapter? <BR> <BR>Thank you for your assistance....Chris

Debi

Chris, while I have a wonderful SLR with more lenses than I care to think about, it doesn't sound like you are that much into photography to spend the money - or invest the time in learning all the nuances of the SLR. I would really recommend you look at some of the really excellent point and shoots that are available - in one of the other questions on this forum, alot of people recommended the Olympus. I personally have a Rollei P&S and an older Samsung. My fiance uses that the Rollei while I use my Canon SLR (which I love - because photography is important to me). At the end of the day, when we develop the film (and yes, Kodak can give you a CD and prints), his pictures are really good - many of them as good as the expensive SLR - and to my chagrin, some of them are better. From your initial question, it sounded like you really wanted nice pictures to remember your Germany trip. I used a P&S for years for that purpose - and it fulfilled my need. Don't put any more pressure on yourself by switching a technology that obviously worked for you in the past. Just my opinion.....

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>If you do not want to spend a ton of money, try to find a nice used SLR, like a Canon AE-1 or AE-1 Program, or other Nikon/Olympus of that era. The extra lens I would buy to go with it would be a 28-80 zoom. Preferably with macro - you will get the most mileage out of this lens. <BR> <BR>You should not spend more than 150-200 for the camera, maybe 100 for the lens, maybe 75. You'll get the standard lens with the camera, but I would get the zoom and just take that one with you (swap 'em out). <BR> <BR>Just because it is an old camera without the bells and whistles - it will still take great photos. They tend to be auto shutter and/or aperture, but with easy to use manual overrides. The focusing you do yourself (easy, trust me). <BR> <BR>Practice your composition, learn how the shutter/aperture settings affect the shots, get a good wide angle zoom, and take it to a pro shop for developing. You'll get good pics. <BR> <BR>and to be completely safe, take your photos with the personal touch (yourself, friends in the shots) and have a backup for the beauty shots - postcards, or get a nice coffee table/photo book of the area you are visiting. a nice souvenir too... <BR> <BR <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>ps. for composition tips, basic photo tips - I have top say there must be good websites to peruse - even print out pages - if you don't want to/have time to take a class. But I would say, get the camera a few weeks ahead of time, practice with it, and develop a number of rolls to make sure you are getting the shots you think you are striving for...

Sheila

I have a bulky Canon with extra zoom lens up to 300. It takes great pictures but I am worried about taking it on my trip to Spain. I have looked at the Olympus Stylus 140 zoom. It is very lightweight and would not be as noticeable to thiefs. However, my question is, will I be an happy with the photos? Photos are a very important part of my trip but I would love to have the lightweight camera as it would be less trouble and less noticeable. I would appreciate your ideas. Thanks

chrisw

I am also now looking at the Olympus Stylus 140 zoom, but in the deluxe package. One of the features is panaroma. All I know is that it let's you flip a switch mid-roll for this purpose; however, I am not sure why I am flipping this switch. <BR> <BR>Does this mean that it allows multiple formatted pics, such as wide prints for wide shots? The Olympus web site provides no information on that feature. <BR> <BR>Thank you.

tom

the "panorama" feature on P&S cameras is just a gimmick, you do NOT get a wider angle of view. It simply masks off (blacks out) the top & bottom part of the picture. <BR> <BR>It is no different than getting a print enlargement made, and then cutting off the top & bottom with a scissors. <BR> <BR>IMO, presence or absence of a "panorama" feature is not a meaningful selection criteria. <BR> <BR>to get a truly wide angle view, to take in an effect similar to slowly turning your head across a scene, requires a special purpose, extremely expensive camera. Even a National Geographic might use one of these only a few times a year. <BR> <BR>Alternately you need a true wide angle lens (24mm or below focal length), available only for SLRs. A couple of the P&S cameras have zooms down to 28mm, which is pretty good in the majority of cases.

xxxx

Anyone have info about insuring Expensive camera equipment (Hasselblad), for duration and beyond month long Europe trip? Help me quick.

xxx

call your insurance company?

Art

Chris, as answered above, you can get both prints and CD's, in fact most places insist on it. I have to tell you that I've never gone back to look at my prints since I opened them. For my trip this year I've found a couple of places that just develope to CD's so that I don't have to pay for the prints.

chris

Thank you to everyone for your help.

Mike

Hi Chris, <BR> <BR>Returned from Italy several months ago, and it was our first experience bringing a digital camera on vacation. I have a Toshiba M5. I bought a 32 meg smartcard. I shot at the low end of resolution and was able to accomodate about 325 pictures. Unless you have a need for high resolution, the low end settings will thrill you. The biggest problem I had was shooting in low light. It was a hit and miss situation, but you can view the photo on the spot. The charger was the other problem. When I plugged it into my 240 volt converter that I purchased in the U.S.,after about 15 minutes, it began to smoke. I purchased one in a hardware store in Florence that performed better. We did take rolls of film, but to be honest, we do look at the digital photos more often. It is so much fun to do slide shows. You can also adjust your digital photos with the software to enhance them. The ones we printed out on photo paper were great. I enjoy the digital camera's versatility and instant gratification! <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip, <BR>Mike