eddie_dane
01-06-2005, 02:00 PM
Hey guys, I have been reading an exceeding amount of reviews trying to select the right camera. First a little background. I'm not an expert photographer or anything. I do a lot of photography for online articles and my wife uses our camera for shooting scenes to be used for her artwork. I had a Canon A40 which got wet and died. I liked it so I replaced it with a Canon A70 which I loved but the CCD is starting to crap out on me. I have to tap it repeatedly to get anything other than a purple static image to show up.
I have decided to get a nicer camera and really like the FZ10K but after reading about dubious online etailers, I'm afraid the only ones available may be a ripoff refurbs/gray market items/etc. I like the FZ15 but I read it doesn't do sound on videos which wouldn't effect 95% of my usage but could come into play. Plus, I like the option of having a hotshoe for flash use in my crude garage studio for shooting stuff I write about. So I have decided on the FZ20 which is really kindof out of my budget but I'm really dependent on my digi cam now and i figure it's more of an investment for the future, I take about 1500 pics a year at least. But I'm worried about spending so much for the FZ20 and if it died right after the year warranty from Panasonic like my Canons died, I would be really screwed and right back where I am now thanks to my Canon A70 but this time after spending even more money.
I notice that most online retailers offer mack extended warranties, are they worth it or more of a hassle than they are worth.
Also, any feedback on my thoughts of the FZ10 vs 15 vs 20 would be appreciated. Keep in mind, $400 is the median of what I would really like to spend but I'm convinced that if the FZ20 is really worth the extra, I will pay for it. Circuit City has them for less than $500 right now and that brings it within reach and I see on the forums the deals like cord camera has on ebay could also be a deal of a lifetime. Sorry for the long post. And I love dcresource reviews and the group here in the forums, I have learned a lot in a short period of time.
edit - I have also looked hard at the FZ3 but I feel like it is close enough in price to the FZ20 that, a few months later, I would be wanting more but it's certainly an option.
this is the main type of photography I do, fairly close up macro stuff where detail is pretty important. but as you can see, reducing the quality down for bandwidth considerations takes a good bit of detail away which is why I need quaility originals to start from.
http://www.bit-tech.net/images/eddie_dane/cs2/css_064.jpg
I have decided to get a nicer camera and really like the FZ10K but after reading about dubious online etailers, I'm afraid the only ones available may be a ripoff refurbs/gray market items/etc. I like the FZ15 but I read it doesn't do sound on videos which wouldn't effect 95% of my usage but could come into play. Plus, I like the option of having a hotshoe for flash use in my crude garage studio for shooting stuff I write about. So I have decided on the FZ20 which is really kindof out of my budget but I'm really dependent on my digi cam now and i figure it's more of an investment for the future, I take about 1500 pics a year at least. But I'm worried about spending so much for the FZ20 and if it died right after the year warranty from Panasonic like my Canons died, I would be really screwed and right back where I am now thanks to my Canon A70 but this time after spending even more money.
I notice that most online retailers offer mack extended warranties, are they worth it or more of a hassle than they are worth.
Also, any feedback on my thoughts of the FZ10 vs 15 vs 20 would be appreciated. Keep in mind, $400 is the median of what I would really like to spend but I'm convinced that if the FZ20 is really worth the extra, I will pay for it. Circuit City has them for less than $500 right now and that brings it within reach and I see on the forums the deals like cord camera has on ebay could also be a deal of a lifetime. Sorry for the long post. And I love dcresource reviews and the group here in the forums, I have learned a lot in a short period of time.
edit - I have also looked hard at the FZ3 but I feel like it is close enough in price to the FZ20 that, a few months later, I would be wanting more but it's certainly an option.
this is the main type of photography I do, fairly close up macro stuff where detail is pretty important. but as you can see, reducing the quality down for bandwidth considerations takes a good bit of detail away which is why I need quaility originals to start from.
http://www.bit-tech.net/images/eddie_dane/cs2/css_064.jpg