What camera to buy mother ?

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Jon Mitchell - 03 Jan 2006 20:09 GMT

I shoot on a Canon Dslr and now my mother is screaming for a digital camera.

It should be small, easy to use, not too many buttons.

She doesn't have a computer yet, but may buy a laptop in the future.

What camera would you suggest she buy and why.

Many Thanks in advance for your help

Jon Mitchell

Elstree, UK Based Focus Puller

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Q - 03 Jan 2006 20:17 GMT

I'd recommend a Canon A610 or A620. My daughter has had excellent
results using the automatic mode, but there are lots of other options if
she wants to use them.

Q

> I shoot on a Canon Dslr and now my mother is screaming for a digital camera.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Elstree, UK Based Focus Puller

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Peter Chant - 14 Jan 2006 14:19 GMT

> I shoot on a Canon Dslr and now my mother is screaming for a digital
> camera.
>
> It should be small, easy to use, not too many buttons.
>
> She doesn't have a computer yet, but may buy a laptop in the future.

Not intended to be a troll. How adept is she with a PC and with electronic
gadgets in general? Is she used to navigating menus?

I mistakenly got a digital camera for my parents and my brother and myself,
neither of us living at home, have to download the pictures to the computer
for them. If they need printing I have to print them for them.

She may be better of with a film compact if she is not that computer savvy
as I never had this sort of issue when my parents simply took the film to
the local shop for processing.

Also note that film plus processing is not dearer than having to throw out
almost unused ink cartridges that have dried up.

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MartinS - 15 Jan 2006 06:07 GMT

>> I shoot on a Canon Dslr and now my mother is screaming for a digital
>> camera.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Also note that film plus processing is not dearer than having to throw
> out almost unused ink cartridges that have dried up.

After I've edited my digital photos on the computer, I copy them back to
a memory card (or I could use a CD-RW) and take it over to Wal-Mart. You
have to stick the card in one of their computers and select your photos
for printing - rudimentary cropping and editing is also available. I get
long-lasting 4x6 prints on Kodak paper in 1 hour for CAD 0.24 + tax, or
about 13p each; same price for prints from negatives.

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Martin S.

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Peter Chant - 15 Jan 2006 11:01 GMT

> After I've edited my digital photos on the computer, I copy them back to
> a memory card (or I could use a CD-RW) and take it over to Wal-Mart. You
> have to stick the card in one of their computers and select your photos
> for printing - rudimentary cropping and editing is also available. I get
> long-lasting 4x6 prints on Kodak paper in 1 hour for CAD 0.24 + tax, or
> about 13p each; same price for prints from negatives.

Yes, you can get good deals here by doing that. However, if Jon's mother
is not that familiar with computer technmology is he happy doing that for
her?

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MartinS - 16 Jan 2006 05:27 GMT

>> After I've edited my digital photos on the computer, I copy them back
>> to a memory card (or I could use a CD-RW) and take it over to
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> mother is not that familiar with computer technmology is he happy
> doing that for her?

It is intimidating for some. I'm sure there are specialist photofinishers
who will help you select the prints you want, at a little higher price.

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Martin S.

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Peter Chant - 16 Jan 2006 08:26 GMT

ng that for her?

> It is intimidating for some. I'm sure there are specialist photofinishers
> who will help you select the prints you want, at a little higher price.

Yes, but will they take the photos as well!

It must be something to do with having children, my mums slides taken on an
AGFA from the 60's are great, and she had to estimate the correct exposures!

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MartinS - 16 Jan 2006 18:48 GMT

>> It is intimidating for some. I'm sure there are specialist
>> photofinishers who will help you select the prints you want, at a
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> on an AGFA from the 60's are great, and she had to estimate the
> correct exposures!

Slide film has a lot of latitude and is (relatively) expensive.

Digital photos can be enhanced afterwards but, yes, it takes technical
ability. Digital cameras can take photos in quick succession (e.g. of
kids); you can pick out the good ones and junk the rest for no cost.

Still, they're not for everybody.

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Martin S.

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Peter Chant - 17 Jan 2006 00:00 GMT

> Slide film has a lot of latitude and is (relatively) expensive.

Not a lot of latitude but I agree on the expesive.

> Digital photos can be enhanced afterwards but, yes, it takes technical
> ability. Digital cameras can take photos in quick succession (e.g. of
> kids); you can pick out the good ones and junk the rest for no cost.
>
> Still, they're not for everybody.

Yes, unfortunately. Ideally they need one that works like my old P&S
Minolta film camera. To turn it on you slide the protective shutter away
from the lens. You press the red button. There are no other controls.

But still someone would put the strap or thumb over something important.

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william kossack - 21 Mar 2006 15:40 GMT

Get her a point and shoot but sign her up for photo and computer classes.

One consideration is the size of the memory cards and connectors to
attach the camera to the computer.

Some people get it and some don't age is not the issue.

Depending on her living situation a laptop may be a good idea or a bad
idea. A laptop is real easy to steal and break.

> I shoot on a Canon Dslr and now my mother is screaming for a digital camera.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Elstree, UK Based Focus Puller

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