I finally got a digital camera. I wanted one 3+ pixel, but when the sales guy asked if we were planning a lot of enlargements and I said no, he told us that 2.1 is all we need. Once my wife heard that ....

So, got a 2.1 pixel Nikon Coolpix 775, with lots of good features. Since I've never had one, and have a disdain for reading instructions, what tips do you digital cam users have - including ones not found in the instruction booklet? I got a 64 MB memory card and an ImageMate 'reader', so I have my work cut out for me to learn this stuff. Appreciate any good tips you have to offer. Thanks much.

Edit: Oh ya, it's still in the box, so if anyone knows of problems for this model I can exchange it if need be.

RT

[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: RT i ]

RT- one thing about our digital that I have learned is you have to hold them very still or the pics will turn out blurry...another thing is that we always use the flash during the day except for in the sun..seems like the pics come out more defined..We have had ours for a few years now so I imagine there is alot better ones out there now...TM

RT, get yourself some protective gear for your camera. Digitals seem to be very fragile. My wife demonstrated that when she dropped mine on the counter. The drop sure seemed like it wouldn't have been fatal but it was. Luckily for me I sent it back to the Manufacture and they replaced it.
I now keep it in a padded, water resistant carrying case.

I found that my camera is a battery eater so I would suggest getting 2 sets of rechargeables so you can always have a fresh set ready to go.

FJ...out.

There are several good websites about digital photography.

Here is one: Imaging resource

Read good reviews about the Coolpix you got. Have fun.

RT - A 2.1MP camera is fine. Actually, the CCD's on the 2.1's are much better then the 3's.

I'd suggest the following upgrades:

A Pelican case. It will keep the camera dry, and protected.

2-3 set's of 1700 mAH NiMH batteries. Trust me on this one. Just remember that a slow recharger will supposedly give you longer bettery life. Fast chargers supposedly shorten that life. How much so, I wouldn't know. Here's a good site for batteries:

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/

AT *LEAST* a 100MB Compact Flash Card. Personally, I'd get a 256MB card, if you camera can support it. $100 will easily get a 256MB card. Go to pricewatch.com and search out a card or two.

Thanks for the feedback.

Parker, I bought a 64 MB memory card on sale for $39. And they threw in a nice Ambico camera case for free. In the Imaging Resourse website Peeps put up at http://www.imaging-resource.com/ I found myself reading 70+ reviews on the 775. A couple of them said they were able to take 100 pictures on a single battery charge with the 64MB. So I won't buy the extra battery and memory card until we go on a vacation trip with it.

It seems for lots shoppers in that price range it came down to a choice between the Nikon CP 775 or the Cannon A20. The features of ease of versatile use with the 775 for non camera experts, like me, was a strong selling point and why we chose the Nikon - that and lense reputation. Mostly good picture quality ratings too, with some disenters.

Now I have to read all this stuff - and I dislike reading instruction booklets. You don't suppose I could figure it out by trail and error .

Steve

Now that I am on camera #3, here are some RULES I always obey or remember:

#1 - Cameras don't like water. Pelican case, Pelican case, Pelican case. Absolute 100% waterproof. Granted, that does nothing for you if you just drop your camera in the water.

#2. You can never have too many high-quality batteries.

3# Always leave your camera in the highest image, lowest compression setting. You can always downsize the images. You're almost always hosed if you want to make a small image larger. It will turn out grainy and crappy.

4# There is no such thing as a "sufficient" RAM card. More is always better!

#5 This one is just for RT - make sure you ALWAYS format those RAM cards before loaning your camera out, or showing off your photos to friends and family! I could only imagine how embarssing it would be for somoene to find those Emu photos still on your camera! Might be a tough one to explain!

[ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: parker ]

Parker,

I have heard some stories ranging from funny to semi horrifying for the naive that have left their cameras in the trusted watch of 'friends'. I wish I could tell you here some of the ones I've heard about. Later for that.

I agreee with you completely about the water/moisture thing and cameras! That's why I went against my grain and purchased the special extended warranty from Best Buy, where I got this cam. These are usually over-priced insurance policies. But in this case, for $59.95 I got a 4 year plan the includes free cam cleaning, and so importantly for a fisherman, also total new camera replacement for any unrepairable damage regardless of fault. I thought that this package was a bargain, unlike most other ones of it's type.

But I will consider the additional battery and memory card issues. But if I transfer pics out of the card and into another storage area, isn't close to a 100 picture capacity with what I have enough for 1 or 2 day fishing trips? Ooooooh, that's where you are coming from! You know I usually catch more than 50 fish a day; so need the extra capacity.

Actually, this does have a 40 second movie feature that takes 15 pics per second. That's 600 hundred pics. So I would assume it a necessity for the big memory cards to be able to use that function?

Steve

RT,

The storage capacity or your 64 MB depends on the resolution of your images. You might want to double check if 64 MB can store 100 images at 2.1 Meapixel or is that 100 images at a lower resolution. Other than that, nice camera!!!!

I chose between yours and the CANNON A20 and chose the A20. So far I like it, Takes awsome photos up to 8x10. And its tuff as nails. dropped it on the concrete garage floor and it bounced twice. Figured for shure it was toast but alas it worked just fine. I do need to get one of those waterproff cases though.

Stevie...why do you suppose this is such a good idea?????
:p

[ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: STEWY ]

Hey Stewy, I've never dropped a camera in the water once. Nor twice, or more either. I did however slip crossing the Wilson last spring and splashed a bunch of water into my Hitashi camcorder cheap case and put it out of commission. I posted about it and the guys on the board told me to open it up and keep in a ventilated place in the house for several days or longer and it would dry and work again. Thought it was toast, and out $900. But they were right - it came back to life after a lengthy dry out period. Whew! No such extended ins. on that one. The film of the fish we caught came out alright too. This time I'm covered. I recommend such cam insurance to fishermen!

RT