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sistersarah
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Location: hiding out
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 Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for everyone's excellent advice. i'm looking for image quality, of course and i occassionally like to mess around with and crop the images, and i also like to have them developed. so i'm definitely not going to go under 3.0 megapixels. i don't think i'm going to worry too much about the memory card thing now.
but i have another question. i'm thinking the software that comes with the camera is going to be in korean, right? do you think it's possible to get software in english? where can i find this out?
thanks in advance. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| sistersarah wrote: |
thanks for everyone's excellent advice. i'm looking for image quality, of course and i occassionally like to mess around with and crop the images, and i also like to have them developed. so i'm definitely not going to go under 3.0 megapixels. i don't think i'm going to worry too much about the memory card thing now.
but i have another question. i'm thinking the software that comes with the camera is going to be in korean, right? do you think it's possible to get software in english? where can i find this out?
thanks in advance. |
No. Usually the software is multilingual. It has been with every camera I've ever bought.
The manual may be Korean-only. If that's the case, you can usually download an English PDF of the manual from the manufacturers website. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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[EDIT: I see Lemon has already addressed most of the points I make below, but dammit I already typed the post out...]
| Korea Newfie wrote: |
| Why this preference? Do you recommend the SD card because of price, ubiquity, or is it better? |
Ubiquity, which should also affect price soon if not already.
Don't know if it's 'better' as I'm not sure why manufacturers seem to be favouring that format [I guess I could Google it but I'm kind of tired right now].
It's nice to have storage that you could swap between your MP3, pocket PC, digital camera etc. as the need arises.
Of course that doesn't mean everyone that buys a digital camera is also going to have one of the other devices, but when I was in the market for my first MP player I was also looking into digital and dv cams. I was originally going to go with a Sony cam and MP3 player partially because of the Memory Stick- my thoughts at the time were I could buy a 64MB one (they didn't have 128 at the time) and swap it between the player and camera as needed. But then I learned about the ridiculous copy-protection software on their mp players- anyone ever see a Sony MP3 player? They're not common because anyone with an ounce of sense avoided them like the plague. So even though Sony was putting out some great cameras at the time (was looking at the Sony FV-505'something-something'), I passed at least partially due to the memory storage format.
Anyway, back to SD cards- all I know is they're coming out on top of the battle for portable flash memory format. They're the easiest to find in all the stores I've seen, which means they are or will be cheaper. As I mentioned, most electronics manufacturers of devices using flash memory seem to be favoring SD (with the exception of Sony), so it also comes down to future availability. I've already noticed it getting harder to find Smart Media cards, which my old mpman uses. Compact flash also seems to be less common. Remember Beta-format VCRs? Buying SD is at the present time the safest way of ensuring you don't end up with a 'beta' digital camera in a few years.
But as I said this is a pretty minor point when it comes to buying a camera, and who knows, in two years it could be a totally different ballgame.
On the other hand:
At work we have these bulky old Sonys that you can slide a floppy into! I remember seeing them in 97 and thinking 'sweet!'. 
But guess what- you can still slap a 64MB Memory Stick into them, and they still take decent enough pictures (they can do uncompressed tiff), and they got them dirt-cheap. So even though they're ugly and weigh a ton, they still do everything we need them to around the office so I guess we're stuck with them until they break [that reminds me- I think I'm going to 'accidentally' drop one next week.  ] |
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the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| eamo wrote: |
Sure, if you're doing a lot of zoom shots and a lot of cropping and re-framing later then a bigger image is useful but how often do casual users do this? |
Often I would suggest. Part of the joy of having a DIGITAL camera is that you can manipulate the image. The better the resolution, the more options you have. Many people like to use their images for their computer desktop - you need a good resolution to be taking pictures that size.
I have mine set to take shots that fill a 17" monitor screen. If I reduce this, it only looks better and better - especially if I have the picture out of focus in the first place which sometimes happens or I want to print stuff at postcard size.
As was said - storage is so cheap and plentiful so why not store high quality images at higher resolutions?
Basically, the higher resolution camera you have, the more options you have to choose the image you want for the purpose you want. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:41 am Post subject: |
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| Gollum wrote: |
Nandemun under the Daehyun building (I think that's the name). Located right across from the Nandemun gate.
You will find great prices there.
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To veer slightly off the thread (t'other one's locked)- are you sure about this place? I went to Namdaemun today, looked around to try and find it- no dice. Called my girlfriend she said she thought she knew a place in Gangnam, but not in Namdaemun, called the KNTO, they said there was a Daehyun in Gangnam but not...etc. |
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sistersarah
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Location: hiding out
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| yes, the place is in namdaemun, i was there last weekend. i'm not good at explaining directions, but i was walking across the road from namdaemun gate, near a big fountain. there were tonnes of camera stores. very busy. |
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bigfoot
Joined: 30 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:25 am Post subject: Cheaper back home in N.America |
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I noticed that digital cameras are better priced back home (Canada, USA). I'm not sure about the EU. Given that most of us will return home, it is better to have someone mail the item to Korea.
That way, there is a warranty attached to it for servicing.
Everything else (technical) seems to have been already said. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Cheaper back home in N.America |
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| bigfoot wrote: |
| I noticed that digital cameras are better priced back home (Canada, USA). |
This is no longer always true, though it was until a few months ago. Many models are now cheaper here, provided you buy on-line. Furthermore, you'll get warranties that are good here, which may not be the case with a North American-purchased camera. |
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Gollum
Joined: 04 Sep 2003
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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Lemon is right. Prices have dropped a ton on most cameras.
If you want a GREAT site to compare cameras, go to www.steves-digicams.com . I like that site becuase they take photos of the same objects in similar conditions, so you can make accurate comparisons. That's the most useful part of the site, although I feel he is too easy on reviewing the cameras he reviews (maybe he gets to test them for free if he writes nice things).
And yes.. there is a place across from Nandemun gate. Sorry to the guy who couldn't find it. PM me if you need help. I am thinking of going there after next week. It's underneath a building. It's in that Daehyun building (I think that's the name). Been there many times. Lots of stores there.
I like Canon, Kodak (you get what you pay for with Kodak), Casio, and Sony cameras. Most Canon cameras are among the best, but don't buy from the Powershot "S" series like the S30, S50, etc. They have a lens manufacturing system that sucks. The lenses on those models (others are fine, I hear) that allows dust to get INSIDE of the lens. Buy one of the Powershot "A" series -- like the A70 (was the best-selling camera last year).
I'm not a fan of the Nikon cameras. My girlfriend has one and the battery door latch broke after 5 months. She will send it in for service, but I noticed that the plastic hook for the latch is so cheap, I'm sure MANY have the same problem.
I'm also a fan of Sony, but now I noticed that they are playing this game where you get no memory stick with their new cameras (at least on the U30 model). Almost bought one until I found that out. |
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Korea Newfie
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Gollum wrote: |
| I'm also a fan of Sony, but now I noticed that they are playing this game where you get no memory stick with their new cameras (at least on the U30 model). Almost bought one until I found that out. |
Yeah, that really sucks. But, you should have no trouble talking a guy in Yongsan into throwing in a 64 or at least a 32 MB stick, depending on what model you're picking up. |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| the saint wrote: |
| eamo wrote: |
Sure, if you're doing a lot of zoom shots and a lot of cropping and re-framing later then a bigger image is useful but how often do casual users do this? |
Often I would suggest. Part of the joy of having a DIGITAL camera is that you can manipulate the image. The better the resolution, the more options you have. Many people like to use their images for their computer desktop - you need a good resolution to be taking pictures that size.
I have mine set to take shots that fill a 17" monitor screen. If I reduce this, it only looks better and better - especially if I have the picture out of focus in the first place which sometimes happens or I want to print stuff at postcard size.
As was said - storage is so cheap and plentiful so why not store high quality images at higher resolutions?
Basically, the higher resolution camera you have, the more options you have to choose the image you want for the purpose you want. |
Ok. You and Lemon have convinced me. Now I have Photoshop so I can re-size my pictures when needed. I'm now using full resolution all the time. Feels nice to use the camera at its best. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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| sistersarah wrote: |
| yes, the place is in namdaemun, i was there last weekend. i'm not good at explaining directions, but i was walking across the road from namdaemun gate, near a big fountain. there were tonnes of camera stores. very busy. |
I went to this place yesterday, it's right by Gate Number 1 of Namdaemun market, with a clear view of the the monument itself. The building's called "Suraemun Suipsamga", written in english and hangeul on the side with yellow smiley faces on the door.
I think I got a good deal on the camera, Canon A75 (slightly lighter/better featured than the A70) for 285,000. Couldn't budge him on the original price, but then my bargaining skills are terrible. |
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the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
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| Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 5:47 am Post subject: |
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I went to this place on Monday. It is below the KB bank building and has a small entrance with an awning (easy to miss) with Soong Rae Moon Arcade written on it in Roman script.
Down in the crypt there seems to be a lot of camera shop-ettes many with second hand goods.
As for finding stuff in Chungmuro I was unsuccessful. Where are the camera shops there? ANyone give any more specific directions.. I'm after a second hand 2x converter for a Nikon FM2 manual. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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actually I was expecting it to be difficult to find, but was pleasantly surprised. The taxi driver knew where it was, and if you approach from Gate 1 at Namdaemun it's pretty hard to miss.
I'm pretty sure there were loads of camera shops selling second hand stuff next to the chinese embassy, have you tried there? |
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stumptown
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Location: Paju: Wife beating capital of Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:35 am Post subject: |
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| What about the Canon Powershot A150? Has anyone had any experience with that one? |
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