My name is TheWindyCity, and I'm a camera addict...

[TheWindyCity]

Hello, my name is TheWindyCity, and I'm a camera addict, (but I have no desire to quit or get help).

Pentax finally released their upgraded DSLR, the Pentax K20D :) , so I ordered one to upgrade from my K10D. I hope to have it in hand before our trip! I have also been looking for a smaller pocket camera to take to the beach, ball games, or restaurants. I liked Panasonic's offerings and they had a small camera with great low light capabilty, the DMC TZ3. I was at Costco today and bought it as well!

The camera has many scene modes, but the one that GOT me was this one...how PERFECT...a FOOD MODE!!!! :eat-drink:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP5607Large.jpg

[kcaraco]

Sooo...Windy, how many cameras do you have now?:)

[Toni]

I have a Canon Powershot A50, (youngest daughter now the keeper of that camera. ) A Panasonic FZ10 (older daughter now the keeper of that camera) A Panasonic FZ7 (younger daughter just bagged that one, she will keep the Canon as well). Now I have a new Panasonic FZ18, love it, love it, love it. My family all say I am crazy, especially hubby! What can I say?? I admit it, I am hooked!!
I am a Panasonic addict! Maybe someday I will sell one or two! But I doubt it. hahahahaha

[Toni]

I also bought the Pentax Optio W30 for snorkeling, just got it too. Afraid to get it wet in case it leaks! hahahaha
I will take it along with the FZ18 to Costa Rica in May and use it near waterfalls etc. Or if it is raining., although the photo quality is no where near the Panasonics.

I'm with ya Windy...addicted !

I guess that makes 5. One Canon, One Pentax and 3 Panasonics! EEK!!

[TheWindyCity]

Sooo...Windy, how many cameras do you have now?:)

I have the Pentax K10D, which is my current DSLR, and I will eBay that one soon. The K20D is being shipped (the K20D has some really great enhancements!). The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 for side trips where a big camera is not practical. My original 35mm film Pentax ME Super. A Kodak P850 used on my first trip to Tulum. That's it. I had a Nikon 8800, but I sold that one. I always have that need for the latest and greatest when it comes to technology..

[beachreader]

A food mode!?!?!! No fair! You already take the best food pics on the board.

Can't wait to see the end results, though, drooling in anticipation!

Hey, maybe you can take some food pics at the Chicago meet-up next week, eh?

[TheWindyCity]

Hey, maybe you can take some food pics at the Chicago meet-up next week, eh?

I wouldn't be me if I didn't! I'm hoping to have my Pentax in hand to test by then.

[luvthesun]

hahahahahaha!!!! Food mode?
Do you think the camera's designer is secretly a tulum.info member?:)

[mariposa]

actually mine has food mode ..and if it's low light it still doesn't do very well..which it always seems to be. I do love my new Leica though...I think my not so good food photos are more operator error..that and eating half the plate before they get the shot:o:o

[minniemex]

Too funny!! Food mode!! hahahhaha!!!!!!!heeheeheehee!!!!!!
You have Franny drooling!! LOL

[beachreader]

I was actually a bit disappointed in my new camera's food shooting. I thought the higher ISO would make more of a difference, but I still had to hold my reading light over the food or use the flash (ick). The "no-shake" option seemed appealing to me until I used it and it turned out to just use the flash.

My biggest request to camera designers is to incorporate more flash options than just "blue eye", on and off. You know, since they all read our thread and all.

I wonder if I should have used my Tulip mode, though? I should have experimented more with that.

[mayaflya]

Windy, Windy, Windy....you realize that YOU got me hooked two years ago! It was the trip photos of your first Azulik trip (taken with your original Kodak, my friend) that motivated me to upgrade my point and shoot for my Canon DSLR..and then you upgraded to the Pentax...I upgraded to the new Canon (my excuse is that my old Canon was stolen!) and now you are raising the stakes again.....no mas!

[NWCreoleLady]

[QUOTE =Hello, my name is TheWindyCity, and I'm a camera addict, (but I have no desire to quit or get help).
[/QUOTE]


I'm glad I came across this thread, as I too, am a camera addict. Only I've had bad luck and lost 3 point and shoot digital in the past couple of years.

Problem with these small cameras is losing them. The last camera was actually "taken". It was one of my favorites and I had it for such a short time. It was an Olympus 770SW and on the last day of our time at Half Moon Bay, I'd uploaded all of our shots from the two weeks previously, and decided to take the plunge with my camera! It worked quite well. I think the quality of the UW shots were affected not only by the novice user but the clarity of the water that day. It was a bit windy and hard swimming but very fun and easy to use. I would like to get another one and you all have encouraged me to go ahead and feed my addiction with another new camera. Now, which one to buy next is the big question? :confused: I'll have to follow this thread a bit more. I would love a DSLR, but I'd also like another small camera that is easy to pack for different activities.

[Toni]

Check out the Panasonic FZ18, very DSLR like without all of the lenses etc. This forum is great for info: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/

[Lynnette]

Windy, Windy, Windy....you realize that YOU got me hooked two years ago! It was the trip photos of your first Azulik trip (taken with your original Kodak, my friend) that motivated me to upgrade my point and shoot for my Canon DSLR..and then you upgraded to the Pentax...I upgraded to the new Canon (my excuse is that my old Canon was stolen!) and now you are raising the stakes again.....no mas!

Windy...can't wait to see your food photos with the new camera!

I love my Canon 20D, but I'm ready to upgrade. I'm also looking for a fast shutter on a point & shoot...is there such a creature?? I'm not only a camera addict, but becoming a lensaholic too.

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif

[TheWindyCity]

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif
http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gifHey!!! I want one of these!!! Must.....have.....more....cameras!!

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif

[minniemex]

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif
http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gifHey!!! I want one of these!!! Must.....have.....more....cameras!!

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/media003.gif

Settle down Windy or we will have to commit you!!:D

[TheWindyCity]

http://www.freefever.com/animations/animatedgifs/electronics/cameras/gif-cameras12.gif
OK....I'll be fine! Honest!


http://www.freefever.com/animations/animatedgifs/electronics/cameras/gif-cameras12.gif

[minniemex]

Houston, I think we have a problem!!http://www.33smiley.com/smiley5/hobbies/7.gif

[NWCreoleLady]

Check out the Panasonic FZ18, very DSLR like without all of the lenses etc. This forum is great for info: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/


Thanks Toni, I'll check it out. Sounds interesting!

[Lynnette]

I'm down to three choices: The Canon G9, the Nikon P5100 and the Panasonic TZ5.

What I want: lithium battery, lens shift image stabilization, decent zoom, fast as possible (on a p&s) shutter lag, auto & manual focus...those are top.

I'm leaning towards the G9, but I think I'm paying for the RAW file format which I have on my Canon 20D DSLR.

Windy...I'm VERY interested in the Panasonic. Lots of GREAT features, although fewer mega pixels than the Nikon or Canon. I can't wait to hear how you like it on Sunday and check out your food photos.

[TheWindyCity]

Actually, I just got my Pentax K20D DSLR a few days ago, and I'm learning to use the new features, so I'll be using it. I may bring the Panasonic for you to check out.

[Lynnette]

Actually, I just got my Pentax K20D DSLR a few days ago, and I'm learning to use the new features, so I'll be using it. I may bring the Panasonic for you to check out.


Yes, please bring it along, if you can. This camera might be the best choice for when I don't want to lug around my DSLR.....I really don't need a manual option, either. It's going to be fun talking cameras while eating yummy Yucatan food, and viewing all of our photos......oh, you & Bob can discuss antique radios, too. :)

[Lynnette]

I'm still checking out P&S. These are now the top three, and I can find them all for about the same price online. Any opinions pro or con?

PanasonicTZ5 http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012917panasonictz4tz5.asp (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2 Fnews%2F0801%2F08012917panasonictz4tz5.asp)

Cannon G-7 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG7/ (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2 Freviews%2FCanonG7%2F)

Canon A650 http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_a650.html (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.steves-digicams.com%2F2007_reviews%2Fcanon_a650.html)

http://www.cs80.freeserve.co.uk/D60/Scrat-Sig.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

I've been playing with the Panasonic DMC-TZ3 to use in areas of the upcoming trip where I may not want to take my DSLR...like the beach, or maybe for an evening out. For evening shots, I find the best setting to be the 'Intelligent ISO' setting. I maxed the ISO to 1275 in the camera setup. The camera chooses the correct ISO for the scene. I think my only complaint is that the pics are a little grainy. It happens because the sensor on these cameras is small, and they only turn up the gain on the chip to allow a low light photo. They sacrifice quality for the sake of getting the photo. It's OK, as long as you don't plan on making an 8X10. You still have a memorable photo. I used the 'Food' setting on the camera, without flash, and it did not turn out well. Then I took one food pic in flash, in 'Food' mode, for comparison, and it came out pretty good.

I think the camera will do best for daytime shots. Here is a sample of the photos I took with I.ISO setting.

On the bridge over the Chicago River:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000018.jpg

The Chicago Theatre:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000022.jpg

The Water Tower:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000053.jpg

900 N.Michigan Shoppes:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000051.jpg

Rigatoni w/Sausage (flash, 'Food' mode):
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000047.jpg

No Flash, I. ISO setting:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000048.jpg

Chocolate Ammaretto Cake:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000049.jpg

Overall, you can't beat the DSLR for quality of photos. I think the small pocket cameras do their best work in daylight, and flash. This gets the best photo that satifies the sensor's requirement.

[DougSR]

So which do you prefer on the food. Flash or no flash?

[TheWindyCity]

So which do you prefer on the food. Flash or no flash?

When you look at the camera screen to see what you've captured, you think it's OK, until you put it on the computer, then you can see the flaws a little more clearly. I reall prefer not to use flash, but in the case with this camera, the flash looks a little better because the grain isn't there.

I still prefer natural light with a DSLR:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP3578.jpg

[Lynnette]

I think the Chicago River & Theater photos look really good for a P&S. There is a lot of sky noise in the Water Tower pic, but it's very artsy and I like it a lot!! I also prefer the flash food photo. You're right on about the dslr, but I think the Pany does an excellent job for what it is. You have a very good eye, Steve..........and you eat well!!!! :):D

[PhyllisB]

Yeah, I LOVE that River shot!!!!!!

[minniemex]

Love the photos Windy!! Now I am hungry again.

[TheWindyCity]

I think the Chicago River & Theater photos look really good for a P&S. There is a lot of sky noise in the Water Tower pic, but it's very artsy and I like it a lot!! I also prefer the flash food photo. You're right on about the dslr, but I think the Pany does an excellent job for what it is. You have a very good eye, Steve..........and you eat well!!!! :):D

Thanks everyone!

Yeah Lynnette, I know...I want a silk purse from a sow's ear!:p I keep forgetting why I bought it! It does serve it's puprose, no doubt. It's better than any point and shoot I've bought so far. It has a Leica lense, so I really want to see what it will do in daylight.

The restaurant was a new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, 'Frankie's Scaloppine', replacing Tucci Bennuch, in the 900 N Michigan building. Prices were reasonable for the location, $9.95 to $14.95 entrees. Great food at a bargain price! The service is always tops at a L.E.Y. place.

We took a walk over to Rush Street on our way to the car, and passed an exotic car showroom, when the Bugatti caught my eye...er, Alice's eye:
Dreamin':
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000055.jpg

Sorry honey...lets go find our jalopy:p.

What do these go for...350K?? Very unique design and fast:checkeredflag:. The scoops on the roof smack of 'Batmobile'.
Here's a little movie for your amusement....gotta say it is beau-tee-full, though:
http://www.bugatti.com/en/veyron-16.4.html (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bugatti.com%2F en%2Fveyron-16.4.html)

[TheWindyCity]

On a lark, I submitted the river shot to NBC-5 Weather Photos. I guess they ran it Saturday night and published it in the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday. Usually they send an email if they are going to use it. Next thing you know , I'm getting a few phone calls saying they saw my name in the paper with the photo. So...thanks Lynnette and PhyllisB for your comments, which inspired me to submit it!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/P1000018.jpg

[PhyllisB]

Wow, Windy, that's so neat! Now I wish I had seen the news!!!! :)

[Toni]

Tucchi Bennuch is closed????? For years every Dec when we are in your fair city we have a great meal there . We were there again this past December.

I loved the pics, they are great. Chicago is truly a wonderful city. Congrats on the picture! Beautiful shots!

[TheWindyCity]

Yep, sorry Toni, it's true. It is still owned by the same restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You, ( http://www.leye.com/restaurants/restaurants_index.htm ) they just changed the name and redid the inside. It's still Italian, still reasonable, and I even think they carried over a few of the dishes. I doubt that you'll be disappointed. Our favorite restaurant to go to in December is another restaurant in the same chain, Maggiano's Little Italy. Really a great place close by old Tucci's.

[PhyllisB]

Hey Steve, why is it your favorite place in December? Is it not as good in the other 11 months of the year? ;)

Where are these places? They sound yummmmmmy. I love Italian.

[TheWindyCity]

I know, that sounded weird. I should elaborate and say that we started a tradition about 6 years ago when I decided to treat the family to dinner during the Christmas season, and Maggiano's decks the place out really nice. It really gets you in the Christmas mood. Not only that, but they have great food. And you know I'm all about the food! Maggiano's is on LaSalle and Grand. Frankie's Scaloppine (nee Tucci Bennuch) is at the 900 N Michigan Shops (aka Nordstrum). We get serious Italian on Taylor Street...but don't get me started!

[Margoinmexico]

When I first came down here to check out the job, I bought the Pentax 770 for underwater, first time I had it in the ocean at Casa Cenote, I lost it. :dollarsign:So when I went back to the states, I bought another one just like it so I wouldn't have to tell anyone I lost it!! :dollarsign:I was never really happy with it, it took lousy evening and night shots and then did start to leak after just a few months of use. I just chalked it up to new technology, then had a guest who had had the same camera for 2 years and took great night shots and she used it all the time in the water....I just got a lemon I guess. Anyway, I've also bought 2 :dollarsign::dollarsign:canons this year...lost one........I drug out my old Sony Mavica while I waited for the new canon.......Wow, great shots, but man was it slow! and Huge! We are so spoiled with these great new cameras!

That's 4 cameras in a year and a half....no wonder I'm always broke! I also had to buy an external hard drive for my lap top as it was full of pictures:dollarsign:

But, I've got some great shots, and wouldn't stop if you made me! :o

[TheWindyCity]

Hi Margo...you are right about the Sony Mavica....great shots for a camera introduced at the dawn of digital camera technology. These cameras had a slot for a 3 1/2 inch floppy!! But the photos were beautiful, even in low light.

My wife and I will be in Tulum May 10 -17, and we are planning a drive to your place one day for a look around (for a future vacation?) and maybe lunch? About how far are you from the Boca Pailla bridge?
Steve

[Margoinmexico]

Hi Margo...you are right about the Sony Mavica....great shots for a camera introduced at the dawn of digital camera technology. These cameras had a slot for a 3 1/2 inch floppy!! But the photos were beautiful, even in low light.

My Mavica is actually the kind that has the CD in it instead of the floppy........I studied and studied at the time and waited for the CD version to go digital even though I had over 2000 digital photos on my computer before buying my first digital camera!

My wife and I will be in Tulum May 10 -17, and we are planning a drive to your place one day for a look around (for a future vacation?) and maybe lunch? About how far are you from the Boca Pailla bridge?
Steve
\
We are about 8 1/2 km's past the bridge........better earlier that week as I'm actually going to the states for a couple of weeks and leave the 14th...weird having round trip tickets FROM Cancun! Anyway, love to meet you and "we'll do lunch" It is better to know ahead what day so I can make sure we have enough....but ok if you show up unannounced too, we can usually come up with something wonderful! :eat-drink:

[TheWindyCity]

My wife and I will be in Tulum May 10 -17, and we are planning a drive to your place one day for a look around (for a future vacation?) and maybe lunch? About how far are you from the Boca Pailla bridge?
Steve
\
We are about 8 1/2 km's past the bridge........better earlier that week as I'm actually going to the states for a couple of weeks and leave the 14th...weird having round trip tickets FROM Cancun! Anyway, love to meet you and "we'll do lunch" It is better to know ahead what day so I can make sure we have enough....but ok if you show up unannounced too, we can usually come up with something wonderful! :eat-drink:

Great! We'll drive out Monday the 12th then. I saved Dan's email address, and I'll confirm that on May 9th before we leave the States. So Xamach Dos is about 45 min from the arch, I'd guess?

[Margoinmexico]

That sounds great, can't wait to meet you! 45 minutes from the arch is about right, the road is great right now......!

I'll have lunch and ice cold beer waiting!We usually eat around 1:00 ....any requests? :beerchug:

[TheWindyCity]

No...we like anything and everything..whatever your guests rave to you about!

[Margoinmexico]

For lunch that would be fish tacos with Guacamole! I'll see what I can do! See ya then!:eat-drink:

[Margoinmexico]

Any other Mayites wanna join us, you are welcome....if you don't like to plan, that's ok, but it would be nice to know ahead how many to expect....:sun: Sound like a party?!?

Our restaurant is usually open for beer, soda and homemade juice to the road and we can usually rustle up some food if you like, but it's not like we have a menu or anything....:eat-drink:

Our guests are fed 3 wonderful meals a day, and I always make too much! :o Our neighbors have the best fed pig in Mexico!

[TheWindyCity]

Took this with the Pentax K20D and a 10-20mm Sigma lens Sunday. These are a Spring-only blooming ground cover. By wife got a cutting of these 20 years ago. She was passing an older lady's house on another block and admired the flowers. The lady told her to come back the next day and she'd share a cutting with her. She did and we still have them! Have no idea what they are...maybe a variety of phlox...Anyone have a clue?
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP0399Large.jpg

[DougSR]

Steve what's a good camera to be able to shoot macros? I've always loved the close up shots of things (flowers, whatever). I would guess my point and shoot won't do the job.

By the way, do you ever use a light meter? My friend shoots for a magazine. He said his love for cameras began when he got a light meter.

[TheWindyCity]

On the point and shoot cameras, the universal 'macro' symbol is is the tulip icon, that sets the camera focal length to close-ups.

Never used a light meter. My first SLR had a built in lightmeter in the viewfinder. I never used an external one.

Man Doug...your time to leave is close:eat-drink:.....excited?

[Lynnette]

Hey Steve....Just returned from the vaca in Colorado & Phoenix, so a belated congrats on your winning photo!!!! :) It's really NICE to see some color here, and your flower shot (I don't know what they are either) is beautiful! My new little Panasonic took some very nice pics and I shot some cacti in bloom with my new macro lens on the DSLR...can't wait to download them today.

[TheWindyCity]

No wonder it's been quiet around here!:p Hope you had a nice trip! I love Arizona! Took a business trip into Phoenix, and drove to Globe via the Tonto National forest (a forest of Saguero cacti) Visited the Indian ruins in the hills. Awesome! I'd like to visit Sedona next.

Can't wait to see your pics.....I think we'd all let you slide on a trip report on this forum, as long as you post pics of food, flora, sand, sun. It's all the same planet, right?

[PhyllisB]

Ooooh, definitely.... I'd love to see the pix!!!!!

Glad you're back!

[TheWindyCity]

If anyone is interested in a great DSLR with accessories, I have my Pentax K10D camera for sale on eBay at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180251900616

It's a great start up kit for under the cost of the body alone.

[irishgirl]

Windy...wish I'd have known!!! I just spent $340 on a Canon today. I love it but i'd have bought yours. I've read all of your camera advice and would have taken that off of your hands!!!! We'll see how I do with this one. It's bit sophisticated for me.....I'm a rookie with a camera. Wanted something good to take to Tulum next month. You can be the judge when I post my TR. Not promising anything....I'll be lucky to figure out how to use it before I go!!! Good luck with selling yours.