Finally, I have a digital camera that doesn't suck!

[seeberg]

I just got a refurbished Minolta DiMAGEZ1 from Amazon after searching for a nice camera with features and quality that would lay the beat down on my not so old Polaroid PDC 5070(still under warranty; I'm getting rid of it after I send it it for repairs). Funny thing is, it was only $156 shipped, $56 more than the POS I used to use. I can't wait to take pics with this beast, it actually does far more than I thought it could when I paid for it, but I still have one small problem- I'm still running win98SE, and I can't get the DiMAGE USB driver that comes with the software to install

(this isn't the first time this has happened, and I know it's my PC, but I need some help!).

What it does that's notable, and quite amazing, all things above considered:
-10x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom (this is disengaged by default)
-A/V output (video+mono sound)
-Freaking nice strap with lanyard for lens cap
-accessory boot for Maxxum flashes
-"SLR Hybrid" viefinder/LCD display- it has a high res, high FPS (looks close to 60!) display that if switched, will realign and reposition itself for use as the eyepiece/ viewfinder
-rapid succession shots (10 per second @ 1280x960)
-more manual modes than I know what to do with (I'm still a bit of a digicam n00b after all)
-2 versions of macro modes, Macro and Super Macro

There's more to that, but I'll leave it at that for now. I'm really jazzed up at the moment, and need to get some sleep. But damnit, wooohooo! I've got a nice camera! ...And I plan on getting a lens filter, tripod, and case for my Z1 if I can, and if I can get my PC to recognize the Z1, I'll post some killer pics(IMO, of course).

,
Abe

 

[XxATOLxX]

Nice choice on the camera, now wheres the pics?!

 

[seeberg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxATOLxX Nice choice on the camera, now wheres the pics?!

Read my OP!

I can't provide any pics until I can get my PC to install the USB drivers that come with the camera- It's a Win98 thing I can't stand.

In the meantime, go here for some nice pics from the Z1(but the whole site is interesting, especially the Camera Database, IMO it's a nice tool for HeadFi'ers looking for nice cameras)

,
Abe

 

[Edwood]

Doesn't it use removeable media? Would be better, not to mention easier, to get a card reader, and pull the card out, and read it directly from the card, rather than reading it from the camera and possibly corrupting data if the camera loses power during a transfer.

It also keeps from wasting camera batteries, or the hassle of plugging it in to charge while transferring files.

-Ed

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

Would be better, not to mention easier, to get a card reader, and pull the card out, and read it directly from the card, rather than reading it from the camera and possibly corrupting data if the camera loses power during a transfer.

I agree. Cardreaders aren't that expensive and using one is much simpler and faster.

 

[Snake]

Congrats on a nice camera and a great deal!!

 

[seeberg]

Alright. Sorry guys, I was half an idiot here. I found out the reason why the camera wouldn't sync with my PC: The damn camera wasn't on- it didn't have an auto-connect+on feature like my POS polaroid. And the manual said nothing about turning it on before connecting to my PC. So, everything works, the potential of the camera will soon be realized, and soon I'll be getting some filters, a case, and a tripod for it- whatever I need to really unleash it. Here's what I've done so far, just crapping around and experimenting with crap in my house-note that everything is shrunk to 800x600 to help bandwidth a little:

Here's a shot from the PDC5070, aka the POS Polaroid:

5 megapixels resolution. Yeah, if the 5 megapixels were compressed to hell and back. Jeez...

Here's an image with the new camera, it's of my living room. This is using standard autofocus, no flash. I think it might have been on landscape mode.

This is another pic from the living room, of a plant in the window. No flash, just auto focus, but with standard Macro.

This one is done without flash or AF. It uses Super Macro mode, and I'm still waiting to make use of this bead with something

My buttonless SR60's close up(still getting the hang of things with the flash on, as you can see):

And here's the SR60's a little ways back:

There's a lot that this camera can do, and presently a lot more than my skills with it can utilize, but who cares? It's gonna kick some major butt for a while, at least until I get rich and get myself a whole DSLR setup, and by setup I mean the works

,
Abe

(Sorry, but I haven't got any pics of cute ladies to upload, altough there are quite a few of 'em here in Salem OR, but they don't like me for some reason

)

 

[kenchi1983]

try some outdoor pics. the lighting doesnt look too good. and yeah..definitely look into some photo guide books, it will greatly change how anyone take pictures, like it did for me when I had a huge interest in photography.

 

[Lisa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeberg Here's an image with the new camera, it's of my living room. This is using standard autofocus, no flash. I think it might have been on landscape mode. http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3987/upload20nb.jpg

Can you blame it? With all those plants in the room

 

[seeberg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchi1983 try some outdoor pics. the lighting doesnt look too good. and yeah..definitely look into some photo guide books, it will greatly change how anyone take pictures, like it did for me when I had a huge interest in photography.

I have some outdoor pics that I'll upload later. And yes, you're not the first person that suggested that I get some photoghraphy guidebooks- I plan on picking up some of those when I can, probably when I get my hands on a filter kit with a 52mm converter and som other things like a lens cleaner. I just picked up a decent tripod for my needs for $7- it's got two levels on it and it extends to 4 or 4.5 feet or something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa Can you blame it? With all those plants in the room

They're taking over the place

I'll keep learning to use this new toy of mine, and eventually I'll feel up to the task of going full manual- but for my present needs, I'm sure I'll get by.

,
Abe

 

[kenchi1983]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeberg And yes, you're not the first person that suggested that I get some photoghraphy guidebooks- I plan on picking up some of those when I can, Abe

the library is the best place. just grab a few.

 

[enzoferrari650]

Tom Ang's "Digital Photography Handbook"

The book I started with when I got into photography. Nice introductory book. It even has some easy photoshop guides.

 

[ken36]

Excellent choice. Need to study the book for low and back lighted situations. Now you will be able to successfully sell on head-fi and eBay.

 

[seeberg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 Excellent choice. Need to study the book for low and back lighted situations. Now you will be able to successfully sell on head-fi and eBay.

I know, I know

And yeah, I could already sell stuff on eBay and HeadFi, but setting up a seller's account on eBay is the only hassle I have at the moment. When I can get that worked out, I can rid myself of the "Curse Of The Once Loved Bose System" once and for all

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzoferrari650 Tom Ang's "Digital Photography Handbook" The book I started with when I got into photography. Nice introductory book. It even has some easy photoshop guides.

Ah, Photoshop. Everyone has a copy but me, and my PC is too much of a POS to handle its most basic uses

If I can get good photography guides for not much green, I'll pick up some quite soon, although I do have my priorities(like sending out my Karma for replacement... and stuff)

Anyway, here's a pic I took on Salem's busiest street(and arguably one of Oregon's busies), Lancaster. Of course, this was during a not so busy time, but when rush hour comes, yikes

The picture has not been processed besides being shrunk from 2048x1536 -> 1600x1200.

Now I know what you guys are going to say, but remember- I'm a bit rusty at this, and I'll be better with my Z1 as time goes on.

,
Abe