Need Recs on a Professional Digital Camera: Please Advise

spoon805 · 05-07-2001, 03:52 PM

Essentially, I'm a freelance designer who needs a digital camera to capture images for use on the web and print. Currently, I use my friend's Nikon (no digital 35-mm) and scan the developed images, but I'm playing with the idea of going digital.

I really only have 2 requirements that maybe are deemed "special":

1) Able to take "professional" shots. I don't know the correct photography vocab, but I want to be able to focus and de-focus manually.
2) Able to capture images I can use for print. This generally means were I can print the actual size of the images in 300 dpi. I'm not sure how this translates into pixel x pixel resolution.

I'm very new to the world of digital camera's and doing my homework right now. Some have suggested the following models:

Nikon Coolpix 990
Fuji FinePix 4900

Anyways, for all those guru's out there, hopefully you can shed some insight on all this for me. And for all of you who use digital camera's the way I'm going use mine, please also share.

Thanks in advance.

btw, budget is sub $1000

cruelpupet · 05-07-2001, 04:22 PM

well i dont consider myself a guru when it comes to digital cameras..but there are a few things I'll point out...

For a sub $1000 price tag you can get a very respectable camera, but i wouldnt expect to do anything poster size.

Aslo I've heard that digital sucks when it comes to B&W photography.

Apex · 05-07-2001, 07:00 PM

If you're looking Sub $1000, I'd say go for the Canon G1 (you're going to need the extra storage) or the Nikon 995 (if you can't wait, go with 990 instead of 995).

Neither of these are professional level digicams, but they'll give you a reasonably good picture for your money.

Jeffbx · 05-08-2001, 05:54 AM

You probably want at least a 3 megapixel resolution to get up to 11x17 prints. The Canon G1 and Nikon 990 are nice choices. Also look at the Olympus C2500-L or the E-10 - these are true SLRs. The E-10 is probably your best choice, but slightly out of your price range. You might be able to pick one up on e-Bay for around a grand, though...

spoon805 · 05-11-2001, 12:09 AM

Thanks for everyone's input...

In the next month or so, I'm gonna be taking a good look at the following models (hopefully be able to test them out and compare image quality, features, etc.)

Nikon Coolpix 995
Sony DSC-F505V

Many have suggest the Canon G1, but the cons outweight the pros IMO.

If anyone has any examples of the true professional abilities of these models, please share any non-photoshoped images. I've seen some, but would really like some more eye candy.

Thanks again.

05-07-2001, 04:22 PM	#2
cruelpupet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 6,302	well i dont consider myself a guru when it comes to digital cameras..but there are a few things I'll point out... For a sub $1000 price tag you can get a very respectable camera, but i wouldnt expect to do anything poster size. Aslo I've heard that digital sucks when it comes to B&W photography. __________________ Am I alone here? Is that it? Am I the only one who sees. Maybe we can learn to be just like him. Wear a little uniform. Yes, sir. No, sir. Thank you, sir.

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05-07-2001, 03:52 PM	#1
spoon805 Ensign Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 41	Essentially, I'm a freelance designer who needs a digital camera to capture images for use on the web and print. Currently, I use my friend's Nikon (no digital 35-mm) and scan the developed images, but I'm playing with the idea of going digital. I really only have 2 requirements that maybe are deemed "special": 1) Able to take "professional" shots. I don't know the correct photography vocab, but I want to be able to focus and de-focus manually. 2) Able to capture images I can use for print. This generally means were I can print the actual size of the images in 300 dpi. I'm not sure how this translates into pixel x pixel resolution. I'm very new to the world of digital camera's and doing my homework right now. Some have suggested the following models: Nikon Coolpix 990 Fuji FinePix 4900 Anyways, for all those guru's out there, hopefully you can shed some insight on all this for me. And for all of you who use digital camera's the way I'm going use mine, please also share. Thanks in advance. btw, budget is sub $1000

05-07-2001, 07:00 PM	#3
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	If you're looking Sub $1000, I'd say go for the Canon G1 (you're going to need the extra storage) or the Nikon 995 (if you can't wait, go with 990 instead of 995). Neither of these are professional level digicams, but they'll give you a reasonably good picture for your money.

05-08-2001, 05:54 AM	#4
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	You probably want at least a 3 megapixel resolution to get up to 11x17 prints. The Canon G1 and Nikon 990 are nice choices. Also look at the Olympus C2500-L or the E-10 - these are true SLRs. The E-10 is probably your best choice, but slightly out of your price range. You might be able to pick one up on e-Bay for around a grand, though...

05-11-2001, 12:09 AM	#5
spoon805 Ensign Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 41	Thanks for everyone's input... In the next month or so, I'm gonna be taking a good look at the following models (hopefully be able to test them out and compare image quality, features, etc.) Nikon Coolpix 995 Sony DSC-F505V Many have suggest the Canon G1, but the cons outweight the pros IMO. If anyone has any examples of the true professional abilities of these models, please share any non-photoshoped images. I've seen some, but would really like some more eye candy. Thanks again.

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