I must get with the digital age. My point and shoot just doesnt cut it at concerts and my Cannon EOS is not digital. So... I know i have asked a few of you but I would love to know what your using and how you like it. Alot of you have breath taking pics. I have been looking at the Cannon S2 that Captain Steve used for his awesome shots. Would love anyones input before I shell out big bucks on a camera, I want it to be the best!!! THANKS!

I used to have the Canon S2 IS awhile ago and really loved it....then I upgraded to the Canon S5 IS which was also awesome. Then that one got stolen and I went in a different direction and went with the Sony DSC H9....and its also a very good camera. So I would recommend any of those.

How user friendly are they? I'm looking to get a new camera too.

I currently use the Kodak Easyshare Z700 which I love & have had since 2005. It's the one that has taken most of my concert pics.

I was looking at the Kodak Easyshare Z1015 IS & every review I've read was good. A photographer friend of mine prefers the Nikon & Canon cameras. I used to have a Canon 35mm film camera until I got the digital one.

Nikon and Canon are the best brands....so go for one of those for sure.

They are very user friendly...it didnt take me more than 2 days messing with it to have it all figured out.

I've got the Nikon Coolpix P80 which I really like. It's pretty simple to use and I think it takes good pics...better than any others I've had. I really love the 18x optical zoom for concerts!!!(my avatar pic was from my first concert with this camera...great close-up!)

I agree with Alicia that the Canon 5S IS is really great for taking pics. I have this camera too. The only thing I don't like about it is that lense cap doesn't stay on very well. But that is what camera cases are for. The plus is the foldable LCD window. No worries about getting it scratched.

If you are looking for a serious camera, the Nikon P80 and Canons are worth checking out.

You can also check out www.dpreview.com. It has good reviews and great examples of pictures for a vast number of cameras. Another site is www.cnet.com

FYI.... I just picked up the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. It's a much smaller point and click camera. Easy to put in a purse or pocket and has 10X optical zoom. I still like my Canon better though

Good luck in your search!!!

if you are already used to using the CANON EOS then you could look into the REBEL... i really love this camera - it has all the features of SLR and it looks, feels and works just like my SLR but it has the bonus of being digital

other than that, if you are looking for point & shoot digital (with some SLR features) the CANNON 5S and the SONY DSC H9 are both great cameras

i have my eye on the new NIKON they are advertising (D300?)

lol I thought that was just mine! My lens wouldnt stay on very well either but that wasnt a big deal.

I liked the adjustable lcd screen a lot....I missed it very much after it got stolen. I like it bc you can take a picture over everyones heads and hands without having to just point and shoot and HOPE you get the shot....you can tilt the screen and actually see what you are shooting with your face no where near the camera. I loved that about it.

Alicia
Do you like your Sony better than you like your Cannon S5 ? What is the biggest difference betweent the S2 and the S5?

I took a photography class a long time ago and my teacher said that Nikons are just over priced Cannons. I have owned both and have had very good luck with both of them. Im just hard on them.
Thank so much for all of your imput. I will check out those website and will be buying my new camera as a belated Christmas present to myself in Jan!!!

Honestly....I liked my Canon better but that could be bc I got my Sony right before I got my new Nikon D60 SLR so I really havent given the Sony a big test run. I have used it at 2 concerts and it worked just fine but I still havent used it enough to figure everything out whereas I had my Canon's for awhile and knew how to use them.

The Canon S2 and S5 really dont have any big differences....just Megapixels, zoom length, and the size of the LCD screen I think are the only differences. There is also a Canon S3 which is between those 2....so I would go for the S3 or S5 if you choose to go with one of those.

I was really leaning twords the Canon S5 and I looked at it online and they said there is a newer version of this camera. It's the SX10. It has 10 mega pixels and a 20x optical zoom. AND it's less exspensive than the S5. I just may have found my camera!!!
Has anyone owned this camera?

I had never heard of that camera....but I just did a search on it, and it really does seem like a good choice. If you get it.....tell me how you like it bc now that I read about it, Im interested too! lol

I will probley purchase it in Jan. I wanna make sure I have plenty of money for Vegas and for Christmas. But I will let you know as soon as I get it. I would LOVE to have it for Vegas but I have spent enough on myself already.LOL.

Thats cool...Im not in a hurry to buy a new camera I just bought the Sony in late July....and I bought my Nikon D60 in October. So I think I will wait till next year sometime to get a new camera.

By then there might even be another newer version out.

I take back almost everything I said about upgrading....I want to go pro and to do that I need to upgrade my DSLR before I upgrade my regular camera....so Im going to start saving money and cutting back on my spending on the "stupid stuff" and Im going to invest in a Nikon D700 sometime next year (bc it will take me that long to get that much money saved). Maybe I will be able to buy it for myself for my 24th B-day in Sept. 2009.

Being bored is bad for my pocket bc I always search ebay when Im bored....and thats what made me decide to get the D700.

Now I just need to google photography schools to actually learn how to be a pro before buying a pro camera.

i just got a panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ18, b/c footmom had one and i relaly liked it so i asked what it was and it it awesome!!! you really should check it out!!!

Ok, now at the risk of sounding negative. Skip the camera and save the $$$ for more Gary shows, LOL. Bought our camera about a year ago and love it. Canon Rebel, it's great! Would be great for concert pics except that more often than not, you can't bring the large lens in. Then, if that's not bad enough some venues say no flash. Go figure. 3 of the 4 shows I've taken it to, they've threatened to take it away or that I have to go out to the car and leave it there. So, love the camera but if I had to do it over again I'd find one without the detachable lens that's got great zoom so I could bring it to all shows without any trouble if there is such a thing.

I got one and it is a Cybershot. I love it. I bought it just for Gary's concert in October! Great for shows! And other stuff!

I have a Kodak, but about ready to buy a new one. Just don't know where to start.

I took a class along time ago and it really went back to all the basics. It was really kinda boring. Everything HAD to be done manually. We had a darkroom and everything. Had to load the film on reel by hand to develope it. But that was like 10 years ago.

I AGREE WITH YOU CHERYL!!!

I help a friend of mine shoot weddings, and we use Canon 10D and Canon Rebel XTI. These camera are great, and are well worth the money.

That being said, I have been disappointed twice in Atlanta b/c I couldn't use my 10D to take pictures. Cameras with a detachable lens are a big no-no at most venues, unless you have a media pass...

I am looking into purchasing a new camera myself. I actually found some digital cameras without detachable lens that zoomed in even closer than my 10D. That was a nice surprise!


I hope your search for a new camera goes well. Most people will tell you that Canon and Nikon are the best, but other brands are just as comparable, like Minolta, Sony, Kodak. You just have to shop around and find one that fits your needs.

How is your screen on the Sony as far as reviewing the pictures on the LCD screen? I know the H9 screen is supposed to be a little bigger. You sure can't view them very well on the H7.

The H9 screen is 3x3 I think....its pretty big.

i just got a new camera but thinking im going to have to take it back and get another one... i was using a kodak at concerts which took pretty good pics at concerts just had trouble with alot being blurry and dark.... also wanted somethin smaller, got a new poloroid dig cameral last nite, which is small and cute but im scared that its not gonna be great at concerts... gotta go to one soon and try it out so i can take it back before my 30 days are up if doesnt work good...
actually thinkin about going back and getting a newer kodak..

I thought I'd throw my suggestion in since Fuji hasn't been mentioned. For concerts, I use a Fuji FinePix S8000fd. I LOVE it. My favorite feature is the 15 pictures per second -- that's the only setting I use for concerts. The camera is small and not at all bulky and has 8.0 mega pixels and 18x zoom. For concerts, I use the party setting and no flash. I also have a Nikon D80 which I love but of course, cannot take it into most venues due to the detachable lens.

I've posted my pics before but here's a link to some of my concert pics:
http://concertsihaveattended.shutterfly.com/

Good luck.

Karin

Great pictures Karin.

I was going to mention FujiFilm bc I have heard a lot of good things about those too...but have not owned one since the world went digital so I really couldnt speak from first hand experience.

That looks like a great camera. Do you know how much they cost? Also, where to buy them? Thanks! Great pics too!

Great pics!!!! I love how well the camera does with concert lighting!!!!

I think my hubby got it at a Ritz Camera for about $400.

Thanks so much!

Hmmmm - after viewing your pics Karin, I think I may have just jumped into the market for a camera. Does it take video too?? Mine takes good vids and not good pics at concerts so....... Plus it sounds affordable so that makes me think I'll check it out too! I've got lots of trips coming up so I'd like to be able to take some good pics of my own!

GIRL!!! - didn't you just buy it yesterday?? Want me to go the Opry next Sat. and take it just to see how it works??

Whoa!!! I think that's the camera I want!!! It does a great job with the concert lighting!!! Wow!! How is it if you are not down front and want to zoom in?

Yes, it does video. You have to zoom in before starting the video ability -- you can't zoom in and out during the video -- and that's probably something I would like to have changed.

I think the video quality is pretty good. I just tried to post a link to you tube but the boards won't let me. If you go to you tube and search kpariselli you'll come to some videos I've uploaded.

Karin

Well, here's the first time I used the camera in Holmdel, NJ seeing Kenny Chesney. I was pretty far back. Keep in mind though that I just got the camera and was learning how to use it so the quality of these pics aren't that good -- guess I just didn't figure out the settings yet.

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr167/n...CHolmdel018.jpg

Then I zoomed in:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr167/n...CHolmdel017.jpg

Man, that's a zoom!

So Brandy......have you decided on a camera yet?

Why is it that you can't use a detachable lens camera at concerts?? I don't get it.

A lot of artists or venues wont allow them bc they are "professional" cameras and usually take better pictures than regular digitals so the pictures can be sold. They dont like that. They like to be the only ones that can make profit off of their own image.

hey penny i wish i knew that too i go and buy a good lens that cant even use the damn thing!!! i was soooo pissed!! there are camera phones that got closer up shots them that zoom lens i noticed!!!

I have a Canon Rebel XTi. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am a photographer on the side and it is the absolute best camera I have ever had. It has paid for itself ten times over with all the business I have gotten:) Took it to a gary concert too.
Check out the pics I took with the camera.
www.phantasyphotoonline.com
click on my album
go to page 9
listed under concerts

Great pics. I used to do wedding photography on the side about 20 years ago. I had a great Pentax camera back then. Also did some concert pics with it but never got to use it for a Gary show. Now I just use my little Sanyo digital. Takes some good pics most of the time but still want to upgrade to one with more megapixils and a bigger zoom.

Thanks so much I will check it out! xoxo

I am a photographer. I always take the big guns when I go to Gary concerts, and never have been asked to put it away.

I have a Canon Rebel XTI and a Canon 40D. I usually have my external flash, 18-135mm Lens, and 70-300mm lens. You can check out the photo's I have taken at Gary concerts via my website www.smalltownphotographer.com
under the gallery, and Highway Junkies. The Photo's from Kentland Indiana(lower left hand of the photo states the concert) is with my Rebel, Then the Wabash on is with my 40D.

The Rebel is very easy to use and understand for a beginner. I would reccommend that, its a small investment, but over the years you can get more lens and accesories to take the best photo!

Good luck finding that perfect camera!!

I just got the cannon rebel for christmas!! I ABSOLUTELY love it!!! If you're looking for zoom, buy an extra lense! Lol

[quote name='izzyrox' date='Dec 6 2008, 09:09 PM' post='150304']
[color="#9932CC"]if you are already used to using the CANON EOS then you could look into the REBEL... i really love this camera - it has all the features of SLR and it looks, feels and works just like my SLR but it has the bonus of being digital

I have a digital Rebel and really like it...I've got the "original" model so its about 8 years old. The one thing I will say is more than once I have been told I can't use it at concerts...even ones that allow pics because they consider it to be "professional".

My "purse camera" (or bar camera as my daughters call it!) is a Samsung L100 - around 100 bucks. Takes good enough pictures for stuff like this. Some learning curve for me just the switching from one to another. I know which settings do what on the Rebel - no so much yet on this one. It has an on camera info menu that you can look up how to do something. Its small enough to slide in your pocket or in a little purse.

Marie