First off....congratulations on the new arrival, Bret! What with a new baby, I'm sure you have to order your priorities quite carefully. For what you want I would strongly recommend the Minolta Freedom Explorer at about half the price of the Pentax 928. It is a true shirt pocket camera. I have carried it as my only camera on several trips to Mexico (No, I don't take Nikon gear to Mexico!) and have been delighted with the results. Try to get a little table-top tripod with FLEXIBLE legs. ROW1 is onesuch for about $5.00. For other than action pictures, you mount the camera on the tripod and either set the tripod on a flat surface or clamp it around the back of a chair, railing, church pew, etc. Use the self timer to trigger the shot. All this to insure a still camera for the shoot. The results will amaze you! Don't save money of film! .....patrick At 12:45 PM 4/13/1999 -0700, you wrote: >Pat, > > I am hoping you are willing and kind enough to aid a true novice to >photography. One with a limited budget at this time, unfortunately. > > To make a long story short, my wife is about to have a baby (our first) >and we have no camera to take pictures, etc., to show off our new addition. >We went to a local store to look at equipment, but with little knowledge on >the field, it was a bit overwhelming. > > If you have the time, can you give a quick opinion or directive on what >to look for in the "up to $200" range. We saw a couple of cameras that >caught her eye as follows: > > Pentax Erina APS Zoom $190 > Samsung Maxima Zoom $90 (on sale) > >However, in the post I found your reply in, you mention the Pentax 928 >(along with Steve), and I put great weight into the recommendation of those >who are experienced in a field. > >Guess I didn't make the long story too short after all -chuckle- At any >rate, any aid you are willing to offer in this endeavor, I greatly >appreciate. > >Sincerely, >Bret > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Pat Warnshuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm >Date: Tuesday, April 13, 1999 8:03 AM >Subject: Re: Best 35mm SLR AND Pocket P&S??? > > >>Steve's points are right on, especially about the P&S. >>(The slr problem is too generally stated to be very >>specific in recommendations.) >> >>One MOST emphatic caveat in purchasing a P&S is >>to avoid the longer focal lengths. To me they are >>simply a market driven feature that ruins a lot of film >>for a lot of unsuspecting novices. (email me for more >>on this if you are tempted. The topic has been discussed >>to exhaustion here.) >> >>I have the Minolta Explorer which goes from 28-70. I >>wish I had purchased Steve's Pentax 928. (I had a >>Pentax 38-90 that was a knockout!) The Minolta is >>nice and small, however. Truly shirt-pocket size. >> >>One more thought: Get a polarizer filter with the P&S. >>You can adjust it by viewing the scene through it and >>then simply hold it in front of the lens (avoiding the auto >>focus detector but covering the exposure detector). >> >>Good luck and listen to Steve. His comments are always >>great! >> >>....patrick >> >>Aerobat77 wrote in message ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>... >>>Sean, >>> >>>First, you do not want a "power" zoom for an SLR. I hope you mean auto >>focus, >>>which you do want these days. >>> >>>My recomendations: >>> >>>a Nikon N70 or N90s ( whichever you budget allows) with a Nikkor or Sigma >>>28-105 lens. >>>a Canon ElanII with a Canon or Sigma, or Tamron, or Tokina lens in the >same >>>range, 28-105 >>> >>>lenses with greater zoom ranges tend to perform poorly compaired to the >>28-105 >>>range. >>>the new Nikkor 24-120 is especially good if you have to have a bit more, >>but it >>>is not inexpensive. >>> >>>For point and shoot cameras I am a Pentax fan >>> >>>I have a Pentax 928 which has a zoom from 28 to 90. few point and shoot >>>cameras have the 28 lens setting, which you will find very handy for >senics >>and >>>interiour shots. the 90 end of the zoom range is just long enough for >good >>>portraits. I feel this is a better choice than many of the larger lenses >>>models. Minolta has a couple of 28-70 models I think, and the Rolle Prego >>is >>>nice as well. I use the pentax for stereo slides, it is a very nice >>camera! >>>And you should be able to get one for under 180.00 >>> >>> >>>Steve Gardner >> >> > > >
