ernokaikkonen 0 #1 October 18, 2002 I did a search on this and the main answer seems to be 'None, unless you're really rich'. Oh well. I'm thinking of buying an 'entry-level' digital still-camera for non-skydiving purposes. However, knowing myself, sooner or later I'm going to bolt it on my helmet and go jump with it. So, while I know I wont get optimal results with anything cheap and digital, I don't want to buy anything that's completely unsuitable for skydiving. So the things I should look at include(but are probably not limited to): -Cycle times between shots. How bad can this get? I have little experience with digital cameras, how slow are the slowest ones? -Connector for a remote. I guess this is something that wont be found in most inexpensive cameras? -Manual focus? Since autofocus should be turned off when shooting video, is this the case with stills also? The camera should have a possibility to use manual focus? -Shutter speed? Not all digital cameras are suitable for hi-speed action photography? Is there something else I should take into consideration? Does anyone have an actual suggestion for a camera? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #2 October 18, 2002 If you are going to jump it, your list is a good starting point... the only problem is that when you satisfy the requirements you end up with a $800-1500+ camera... If you are not going to jump it, you can do with a lot less. A true "entry level" digital is not going to give you any of the below... Cycle times - This is a factor of how the images are processed and the size of the buffer - I have seen 30+sec. for a full res. shot on the E-20... that is SLOW... you have to be very selective about what pictures you take... it gets better if you back off the res. or size. The D60 has an excellent cycle time. Connector for a remote - This is important, and hard to find on the lower end point and shot type cameras. Unless you want to crack it open, you are looking at an ~$800 minimum. MF - This again is hard to find in the entry level cameras. Some cameras will work OK on AF, others won't (the E20 worked great on AF). Shutter speed - You want something that lets you have a fast shutter speed (200+)... if it has a sports mode it should do ok. Other things you should think about... File size - how many shots can you get on your memory media. This ties in with the cycle times... if your card can't hold as many shots as your cycle time will allow you to take... memory cards are getting cheaper, but are still pricey Media type - There are Smart Media, Compact Flash, and Memory Stick models out there... IMO Compact Flash is the way to go (for compatibility, durability, capacity) Resolution - 3MP+ will allow you to print 8x10 that look like regular pictures Some lower end (and I use that term loosely - they can still cost over $800) models that I have seen people experimenting with are the Nikon Coolpix 5000 and Olympus E10. In the over $1000 category you have the Olympus E20 and Canon D30 (you'll need to buy a lens)... there are some others, but I don't know anything about them... It seems the D60 is the hot choice right now (retail $2200, street $2500) for those that are fairly serious about going digital. Hope this helps.... JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #3 October 18, 2002 Thanks a lot! Looks like I wont be finding what I'm looking for in my price range... Bummer. I think I'll just buy some cheap and crappy digital to satisfy my craving for high-tech toys... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #4 October 18, 2002 you might try e-bay, half.com, or ubud.com... may be able to find a used one. JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
