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Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/7/2009 10:34:10 AM

BeadedHeron

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Gosh and I've taken such good care of this camera too...

My Nikon Coolpix 4500 has a problem. The toggle is going bad. This will turn into a major problem if it goes all the way bad, I use the toggle a LOT!

see it here to the right.

I will be sad to have to replace it because i use the twist feature every single jewelry shot I take!

Anyway, they're still going for almost 400.00 for a used one and they quit making them in 2003.

I have two options:

Buy a new camera (meaning go into debt)

I have my first 4500 in a drawer. That's the one that got condensation from shooting in 20 below. Maybe the toggle part of that camera is still good and maybe I could find a place to have it fixed?

is that a dumb idea? or should I just move on.

Other than a D90 which is what I REALLY want...

To replace it I would need no less than 2cm macro capability.

what to do what to do!

I even entertained getting yet ANOTHER one of these cameras because of the twist feature but...it's pretty outdated and maybe since I have to fork out I should just move on...

If advise is to move on...to what? Keeping in mind the 2cm macro feature requirement.

Post #: 1

RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/7/2009 9:02:05 PM

wkevinmurray

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    Steph, sorry to hear your Nikon is dying, I know how much you love that camera. I did a little research and the toggle problem is a common problem for them. Being that it is 7 years old it might be time to start looking for a replacement.

     A couple thoughts I had:

      Check around for a friendly camera shop that does repairs, I said "friendly" because most places will tell you it's 7 years old and want to sell you a new one, but there is a slim chance you might find a store that will be able to take your two nikons and make a good one.
       BUT the cost of repairs could quickly add up to the point of fixing the camera would be ridiculous.


       Consider this... you have some of the worst weather on the planet and asking a camera under the cost of $3000.00 to operate flawlessly for any kind of time... ain't going to happen. Those high priced cameras have fantastic weather sealed bodies, you have to totally submerge them for them to even hic-up. The Nikon D90 does NOT have a sealed body, either does the Canon 50D. Both cost around $1000.00 to $1300.00.

        Consider this... your nikon 4500 is only 4MP... my camera phone is 3.5MP. Technology is a beautiful thing, but it outdates our stuff the week after we just bought the "hottest and latest" thing! ALSO in turn, this causes better equipment to become less expensive every week.

         Consider this... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9267045&type=product&id=1218071905128

                              For $250.00 your getting almost 3 times the pixels, a MUCH better image sensor, MACRO and 10X ZOOM. Sony's are very reliable, I still have my first Sony 9 years old and it has seen some ruff use!


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RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/7/2009 10:01:36 PM

lamillerphotography

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I have to agree with Kevin. I'm sorry you are having problems again Steph.

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Post #: 3

RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/8/2009 8:01:59 AM

BeadedHeron

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Thanks Kevin and Lisa! I kinda knew you would say that.

It's still working but I know it is just a matter of time...

OK, so how can I find out if the Sony camera has a bulb feature? I was looking at the camera late last night and couldn't tell. At the very least I need to have about 20 to 30 seconds of time exposure. I noticed the apeture range is not as wide as what I'm used to. Not that I use manual a whole lot but I do for things liek northern lights. And northern lights shows are supposed to peak next winter so if I can't shoot them I'd be sad.

I don't want much I just want everything!

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Post #: 4

RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/8/2009 10:09:46 AM

wkevinmurray

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      Steph,

                2cm Macro and up to 30 second bulb shutter.   You can check this review here, then click the "In-depth review" link in green at the top of the page and see sample images and all their test shots.

                 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dsch10.asp

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Post #: 5

RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/8/2009 3:59:46 PM

AnnieM

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Steph:

I sympathize with ya.
I love my old Nikon CoolPix 995 and dread the day that the toggle goes, which I can tell won't be too much longer. I've dropped it face down on ice, on concrete, in dirt, taken photos in zero weather, gotten it wet, and it's always come through. Alas, though, technology marches forward, not backward.
(Let us know what you decide to do.)

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Post #: 6

RE: Fix my Nikon or no? - 10/8/2009 7:54:06 PM

BeadedHeron

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Oh Annie isn't it sad? Is that the original twist coolpix?

Well, I'm reading reviews at dpreview. Some are not enamoured about the aperture non-range. It has me worried. The same person is complaining about low light and pics in the dark. I am going to keep reading and also look at Nikon and Cannon. I am ready to move on if I have to!

OpinionPositive Aspects:

It's a pretty good camera in optimal light conditions. Images come out pretty sharp. It has a pretty good close-up mode, flash beeing useless there because the lens casts its shadow over (probably) the subject. Flash is good, especially the customizable Flash Levels and the option of iluminating background too. I'm starting to use flash because of these two features.
Problems*Noise: It gets really bad as soon as you cut some light. One of the biggest problems it has.

*Aperture Settings: Only two. Really, really annoying.

*Wide Angle: What? Sorry, not in the H10.

*Focus: In low light, it's really bad. With night photographs, it's simply horrible.

* Battery Life: Since you can't turn off the screen, battery doesn't last long. In addition, due to the type of battery, you can't easily buy more batteries to have as a backup.

*White balace: Simply awful with incandescent light. No manual.

*Color fringing: Not the best camera with this issue.

*Filming: Zoom is deactivated. The rest of the movie mode is quite good.

Um, Kevin, a couple of years ago you bought a Cannon point and shoot. do you still like it?

Thanks for the help sweetheart!!! It is more than appreciated. I have had this model so long I'm worried about my switch!

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Post #: 7

RE: 0cm macro? - 10/8/2009 8:08:13 PM

BeadedHeron

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If the specs say 0cm for macro does that mean the camera does not take macro shots?

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Post #: 8

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/28/2009 10:52:15 PM

BeadedHeron

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Well, I THINK I have!

I cannot stand the thought of going another day without being able to photograph beads and jewelry. It's to the point now that it will take me days now to get it all shot and edited and listed!

The point and shoots...nope. There is not one out there with the features I want. I want to shoot jewelry and northern lights. I need aperture range and the point and shoots ain't got what I need. Well, my Nikon does but....it's years old and 4 megapixels and I have actually been selling prints so now I want more megapixels!!!!

So....I will be ever so careful in the cold weather with my new Nikon. It will be the Nikon D3000, more than likely. Gawd, the D5000 has a few features I would like though. Such as the pull out swivel LCD. That would go a long ways to replacing the swivel feature I am so enamored with on my coolpix.

I hate going into debt over a camera but at this point after spending some time at not just one but two local camera shops I know I will never be happy with what is offered in point and shoot.

I was seriously considering a Cannon Rebel for close to the same price as the Nikon. The store owner said he shoots with Nikon and both are a horse a piece but the Nikon he thinks is more user friendly. I have not totally removed the Rebel from the running!

Stay tuned...I hope to pounce by the weekend. Just gotta get my ducks in a row first.

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Post #: 9

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 7:09:04 AM

lamillerphotography

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Oh yay...I can't wait to see the results

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Post #: 10

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 7:58:44 AM

BeadedHeron

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me either Lisa! I can't afford 500 bucks for a macro lens but I'll get one of those filter sets. I've been sitting at dpreview for so long I don't know how to do anything else. The D3000 looks like the most bang for the buck and then on Tuesday Nikon dropped the price 50 bucks.

Oh God, then I have to learn to use it.

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Post #: 11

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 9:26:28 AM

bromley2

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Oh, this is exciting, Steph!!! When I saw this thread I wondered what you had decided. This is very wonderful news for you. I think you will be happy with it and find it worth the money. Keep us posted.........I know what you mean about the learning curve on a new camera. That can be frustrating....but fun!

C

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RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 9:33:12 AM

BeadedHeron

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Thanks Carolyn! It's still less than I originally paid for the nikon I have now but twice the camera. The learning curve will be helped along by the local store where I'm buying it, they will help me. Plus, they offer classes in January and I'll take one and that will be a lot of help too I'm sure!

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Post #: 13

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 3:28:10 PM

bromley2

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You are so lucky to have a camera store like that near you. The closest camera store to me is about 2 hrs away in Pitt. sigh.

C

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Post #: 14

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 10:16:13 PM

BeadedHeron

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I cannot say enough wonderful things about First Photo in Duluth! OMG, the owner has been so very helpful. I ended up with the D3000. The D5000 was looking nice but...it is 450.00 more. Ok I didn't have the 450 but I did ask if I would miss anything that's on the D5000 and not on the D3000....

There was ONE thing that I know I would like and that is a swivel LCD screen. It is what I am going to miss the most about my current Coolpix 4500. I used my swivel a LOT for jewelry pics but I will make do. The owner asked if I would miss having a video and my answer is NO...I have never once used the video on my old Nikon! He says he tells people that want video to buy a video camera, lol..the D5000 has a 4 minute video. He also said I'd be hard pressed to find any difference in a poster size print, that I'd pretty much have to use a magnifying glass.

So...now I have to learn to use it!

The WONDERFUL service at the store:

They set it all up for me so it is ready to use right now. Well, as soon as I figure out how. The card is formatted, it's set in high res and 400 ISO. Anytime I want I'm welcome to go in there and ask what I'm doing and bring pics in to show and he said he'd tell me. (ha, he is gonna get sick of me sure as I'm sittin here!!!) And he explained shooting in RAW, which will probably work out real well for jewelry!

OK, I am sitting here typing away and it's in it's new case. Time to go hold it for awhile...and gaze upon it's book and PRAY I can figure it out!

I put myself on a list for January classes! Oh, and I spied a ad for a camera club group that meets once a month but I'll have to give that some thought. I really do need a push to try to learn this camera and not just be sitting here in MANUAL anymore...

I mentioned to the owner that it's so funny...the coolpix 4500 when it came out was hundreds of dollars more and now this camera is twice the camera for much less. he said "oh it's many times more than twice as much"!!!

Ok, I am going to go hold it now.

Talk to it...

Pray a little. Ok pray a LOT!

it'll probably be awhile before I take a worthy pic to post!

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Post #: 15

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 10:21:31 PM

bromley2

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Oh, Congratulations, Steph!!!!!!!! WhooHooooo!! I am so happy for you. Nothing like a new camera! Doin' the happy dance for you!........and your camera shop sounds awesome...makes me jealous! Really jealous!..

C

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RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/29/2009 10:53:55 PM

BeadedHeron

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Thanks Carolyn! Now wouldn't you know...the battery didn't have much life in it so I have to wait a bit.

But oh...the playing I did do? I am so lost, lol...really really lost. I'm going to try to pretend there is no auto setting. hahahah yeah funny huh...

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Post #: 17

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/30/2009 7:18:21 AM

lamillerphotography

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Congrats Steph...photography will never be the same for you. Play with it in auto, learn one setting at a time. It will save you alot of frustration. Don't try to learn everything at once, it will come to you.

I'm so excited for you....I can't wait to see the results.

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Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind-Dr. Suess

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Post #: 18

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/30/2009 7:49:49 AM

BeadedHeron

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Well just as I was starting to play last night the battery went dead. Thanks for the suggestion Lisa, I may just have to do that! It sure is purrrty. I have wanted a camera like this for years and years. Oh but now I will want lenses and all kinds of fun stuff. What did I get myself into! I was glad to hear a remote shutter was only 24 bucks. I'll need that for northern lights! I did get the set of macro filters and another lens filter that protects the lens. Oh and a nice case.

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Post #: 19

RE: I have come to a decision... - 10/30/2009 1:00:04 PM

wkevinmurray

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Congratulations Steph !! I can't wait to see the wonderful images you'll be capturing !!!

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