Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

On Sun, 30 May 2004 09:30:16 +0000 (UTC), "cassandra.flowers" wrote:

>I'm posting to the group for some advice on a digital camera for a friend of
>mine. He is a plane spotter (I know, it's sad!) and he want's a camera to
>take pictures of planes, whilst moving and when stationary. He wants a
>Single reflex lense and a camera, which you can buy a zoom lense for.
>Therefore he wants a camera that is good for taking pictures of fast moving
>objects.
>
>A guy at a camera shop told him the Nikkon D70, which is £999, and £1500
>after you've brought the cards, spare battery and zoom lense. That would
>obviously take brilliant pictures, he's not a pro and not selling them so he
>doesn't need amazing quality, just good.
>
>Could anyone recommend me a cheaper alternative please?

Not being a plane spotter myself, I am not sure of the needs
(megapixels/zoom/lens speed) for such photos, but as you mention zoom
lens, not being pro, and moving you should probably look into the
Canon PowerShot S1 IS - the IS part is for reducing camera shake
(Image Stabilizer) so that more pictures turn out ok - even at at
full zoom and below 1/60s shutter speed!

It uses AA batteries so a charger and a spare set can be bought for
a very low price and I recommend a 3-4 hour "smart" charger instead
of the over-night 10-12 hour I bought for my A60 - it's just too easy
to charger it too long when it doesn't turn off when the batteries
are fully charged...

The video mode is also "high end" for a digital camera! And if he
likes to shoot a series of picture, he'd better get a fast CF card
and not the more power-hungry slower ones.

Canon PowerShot S1 IS :

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/pss1is/index-e.html
http://powershot.com/powershot2/s1is/index.html

Reviews: http://www.dcviews.com/_canon/s1.htm