Personally I found that still photos are better in places like Italy because there are a lot of sculptures/paintings to see.

In places like switzerland & austria its better to have a video camera because a still camera cannot always capture the scenery.

If you have a digital camera
- use the voice memo facility ...record the name of building etc because its very hard to remember these things after the tour
- most of them can record video clips: less editing than a video recording.
-make sure you have extra batteries
- Invest in a storage devices...there are a lot available on the market - BB might be a bit outdated for that advice when you buy yours.

I did miss having a video cam in places like stanzerhorn (switzerland), Innsbruck - tyrolean show, local guide @ louvre, local guide @ colosseum.

if you can have both its obviously the best!

thanks for that...some are now suggested that I purchase a still camera with 'movie mode' do you know anything about these? I really am a novice and the sales guys can see me coming!

Gunjan, just read and understood your message properly...digitals stills do have movie mode but are these okay for reply on normal home equipment? ie I don't want to be limited to watching clips on the computer? And for the amatuer who can sometimes be "arsey" and get a good shot, how much or what level of camera should I be looking at? You were right about the BB being out of date, 2001!

quote:

Originally posted by gunjan:
Personally I found that still photos are better in places like Italy because there are a lot of sculptures/paintings to see.

In places like switzerland & austria its better to have a video camera because a still camera cannot always capture the scenery.

If you have a digital camera
- use the voice memo facility ...record the name of building etc because its very hard to remember these things after the tour
- most of them can record video clips: less editing than a video recording.
-make sure you have extra batteries
- Invest in a storage devices...there are a lot available on the market - BB might be a bit outdated for that advice when you buy yours.

I did miss having a video cam in places like stanzerhorn (switzerland), Innsbruck - tyrolean show, local guide @ louvre, local guide @ colosseum.

if you can have both its obviously the best!

I personally believe a video camera is not the way to go. This includes scenery. After doing two tours with combo video /camera several years ago, I have found that I wished I had went more for the pictures. Fortunately, I can take low resolution snapshops from my video photography and now have the capability to enhance the quality of them slightly.I have found that I have time to reminisce with the picures, but not the video. Also, the quality of the still pictures is not up to par.

Okay so if I foego the video, what could you recommend...for example would a Canon 4MP with 4 x optical zoom and movie recording and playback with sound be okay? Everyone is saying if I use the movie mode on a still camera it will take up too much memory, meaning I would have to take heaps of memory cars...however I can't really see this as a problem.

Thanks for your easy to understand advice.

camera: cannon 4 megapix + 4x optical zoom should be a very good camera.

i'm pretty sure u'll be able to take video clips (dont take the videos vertically its hard to change that later) they do take more memory but if you invest in a storage device ..i think they are worth it.

storage devices
-cd burners
-with screen
-with mp3 player etc available
we bought the one from archos. at the time it was best. Just depends if you want to use it for other things after the tour.

memory card comes with the camera but is usually low memory so buy a bigger one + storage device.

Just one last question...or a few, then you'll be done wtih me (until I buy the camera!)!

The camera I think I will buy (tomorrow in Canberra) will either be that, or the Canon ISUS 4MP, 3 x optical lens, 60 fps moview recording and playback with sound, super fast imaging processor.

What is Fps and supr fast imaging (fast shutter speed?)

Regarding storage devices, do I need to take one of these on tour...I thought I could just store them on cards until I returned?

quote:

Originally posted by gunjan:
camera: cannon 4 megapix + 4x optical zoom should be a very good camera.

i'm pretty sure u'll be able to take video clips (dont take the videos vertically its hard to change that later) they do take more memory but if you invest in a storage device ..i think they are worth it.

storage devices
-cd burners
-with screen
-with mp3 player etc available
we bought the one from archos. at the time it was best. Just depends if you want to use it for other things after the tour.

memory card comes with the camera but is usually low memory so buy a bigger one + storage device.

no problem, ask as much as you want.

I don't want to be limited to watching clips on the computer?
you can watch the clips on tv just like u'll see the digital photos

i'm not sure about FPS:

storage devices are helpful because you wont have time to burn cds @ photo shops, nor can you upload them while you're touring.
if you take a lot of photos(probable), going for about 10 days, visiting lots of places then its best that you buy one.
memory cards dont hold as many photos esp. if you take video clips.
& always hav a backup normal camera.

ask about the storage when you go for the camera....you can always research and buy it later on.

when is your tour starting??

Gunjan

I am on the European Explorer leaving 15 May, depart from Sydney. Green eyed Aussie girl (40?yuk!) and a little green on the camera side unfortunately.

I have extended my stay in London (beginning of tour) and Paris (I would have like to have to have done the "full circle" but flying all the way from Australia (might I add I smoke - 18 hours without one and I should be reformed)...SO I will be away for 4 weeks.

I am going to Canberra in 6 hours (it's 1am here) so please anyone TELL me what I need!

Alright I'll tell you what I would like:
something that is easy to edit' i.e. separate phtos from video (which you guys have, thankfully

something that I can just take heaps of storage cards (another question if storage cards are like floppy disks I'll just forget them' they are far too temperamental.

I am becoming excited and nervous about the whole 'kit and kaboodle' now.

Dear FTA,

You're getting yourself into a tizzy!!

Begin by deciding what kind of camera you need. If you're not into all the manual stuff, buy one that's got bells & whistles, but not all the bells and whistles. Unless you're an avid photographer, a simpler camera will do.

Memory cards come in all sizes ... and the prices to go with them. I recently purchased my first digital camera and I opted for 2 large memory cards over 1 huge one. Call me paranoid, but if something goes wrong I'll only lose half of my pics and not all of them.

My camera is over 6 pixels and one card with 512 MB of memory provides over 300 of super quality pics.

Storage devices come in many shapes and forms. It may not even be necessary to purchase one if you're taking a few memory cards with you. In case of emergency, finding a shop to burn the pics to cd isn't impossible ... although, depending on where you are at the time, it may be inconvenient.

Go to a reputable store and find the most experienced salesperson they have to help you make your choices and inform you on all the options available.

Let us know what you end up with.

Good Luck!