Cameras

Okay, most of the technical jargon here is well beyond me, but I'd love a couple of hints if anyone can help me out... I know practically nothing about photography other than which end to point where and push a button, but I'd love to be able to take mostly decent pictures of the coasters I ride -- I'm looking for a point-and-shoot camera that has good focus, speed, and a moderate zoom. No fancy lenses that have to be switched around please! *Grin* Any suggestions in the medium price range (whatever that would be?) Please let me know any estimates / ideas if you have them!

Thanx!

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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
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Am I the only one who uses a disposable from Giant Eagle :) LOL

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Visit Cedar Point The Amazement Park!
www.TheAmazementPark.com

Wow. Electric Arc lights?

Cool.

Bright enough to blind you if you look at the arc itself for any period of time.

Toshiba PDR-M5 Digi..will use it here real soon

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!

Kat: Most of the Canon point-and-shoots in the $150-200 range have decent optics, are small and generally durable.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 50

Actually, any of the name-brand point-n-shoot cameras will prolly serve you well. Olympus, Canon, Minolta, etc. They all have about the same features. The zoom will range from about 38mm which is a wider angle than a 50mm "normal" lens, to about 75 to 90mm, which is on the light side of telephoto, but enough to frame a face in a crowd, or bring a large object a bit closer for a better picture.

Most have auto-focus, which works pretty well, and most have a flash which is effective to about 15 feet. Look for a model that has protective "doors" that snap over the lens, or a lens barrel that retracts to protect the lens element and the delicate gear which allows the barrel to "zoom". A soft case is also a nice feature.

This sounds dumb, but avoid cameras with plastic lens elements. They're out there, believe it or not. Also avoid a camera which says "fixed focus" or "focus-free". These cameras will not produce results you will be happy with. They are the cheapies, usually well under $100.00.

Expect to spend about $150.00 for a really decent small camera which has the features you want.

Timothy A. Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"

Wow. Electric Arc lights? ...Bright enough to blind you if you look at the arc itself for any period of time.

Actually, just a brief glimpse can be enough to damage your eyes severely. The UV rays from the arc can actually blister the surface of your eyes. You should NEVER look at an arc, whether it is in a projector lamp, a spotlight, or a welder's arc.

Distance can ameliorate the effect to an extent, however, watching a welder from several hundred feet can still damage your eyes, given long enough exposure. It's not the visible part of the light that does the damage, it's the invisible part!

Timothy A. Bretz
Welder (times past) & Projectionist (26 years and counting)

(I'm just impressed to see someone use the word "ameliorate" on this message board...)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.