Eclipse-buy a camera before or onboard

[Pobman]

Many newer cams also do excellent 1080p video, and unlike in the past you can zoom in and out too! Can be very useful having something to take decent video on without having to lug about a whole camcorder too.

 

If anybody cares the rules on a camera I mentioned in my previous post are "camera must be less than 140mm in height, and lens no more than 70mm in diameter" to be not classed as pro... daft I know as a modern ultrazoom would easily fit within those specs. Thats Russia for you :)

[JustAnOrdinaryGirl]

Thank you all very much for responding - before I go definately got the most votes! :)

 

Also thanks for pointing out the obvious about trying it and learning all about it beforehand - I cant believe I forgot that part!! hehe I do have my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 which Im sure will suffice in more 'restricted' areas. I was going to treat myself to a DSLR (but has to be basic as I dont know anything about photography but just love playing) but good point about carrying it around - especially as my mobility is limited.

 

Thank you for posting the photos for me... wow I so cant wait!!! :D

 

Amazon seems to be a popular place so I think I will pop to Jessops to play and then research the internet for the better price and the the fun can begin!

 

again thank you everybody!

[Fixit2010]

Jessops are handy but Amazon have the best prices. When I bought mine and my DWs camera, Jessops couldn't price match Amazon, not even John Lewis would.

 

BTW http://www.dpreview.com is the best site for unbiased reviews with some very good illustrations to what their tests mean and how the results compare.

[Sekhmet]

Amazon seems to be a popular place so I think I will pop to Jessops to play and then research the internet for the better price and the the fun can begin!

 

again thank you everybody!

 

You might try Curry's as well - I got my Fujifilm S1600 there (may be a newer model by now) for its combination of point-and-shoot where appropriate, together with a lot of optional manual controls as well. Cost was around £150, and I'm pleased with it so far.

[gelo7]

Before.....

[TLCOhio]

There are only 2 companies in the mid to lower price range that make their own lenses - Cannon and Nikon. That does affect the aperature. Cameras now are all about multiple functions and range. Find a model that you are comfortable adjusting. Also, look for a lens opening and/or pop up flash that you will not cover with your fingers. You do want the low light feature. The Vasa is certainly not the only place you will need it. Also add rubles or other currency to your budget for the privilege of taking pictures in many sites aka Russian palaces. Have a wonderful cruise with cherished memories captured with your new camera.

 

pobman: Be aware that pro level cameras are normally not permitted to be used around many Russian tourist attractions' date=' the OP mentioned St P. While I am sure many get away with it I lived there long enough, 8 years, to come across plenty of people who did not. [/quote']

 

Not sure pobman is correct on the prohibition for using pro-level cameras in Russia. I had my Nikon D50 with a 10-20mm, 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses in BOTH St. Petersburg and Moscow during our 2008 cruise. No problems. Took lots and lots of pictures in both great cities. Lots in and around the Kremlin, etc. Maybe it would be an issue with one of those two-foot-long BIG lens, but nothing was affecting me and most tourists there.

 

I now have a Nikon D3100 that shoots 12mp pictures, has great features, 3" view screen, does 1080HD video capability, etc. Camera works super well. Great video. Broadcast quality!! Now it costs around $600 or less for that camera with the 18-55mm lens. It can do lots of fancy things, but I mostly shoot in the automatic or program setting. That lets the camera do most of the work on light setting, focus, etc., so that I can be more concerned on the subject, framing, etc.

 

Good suggestion on the Vasa in Stockholm. Great place. Below are a couple of my pictures from there. It used my 10-20mm lens. Could not have shown this unique ship as well with just an 18-55 mm lens.

 

YES, some places in St. Petersburg will have extra photo fees. Kind of a pain, but not anything too bad.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 55,869 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

At the Vasa Museum with this large salvaged ship from the 1600’s. This is their website: http://vasamuseet.se/en/ Taking almost two years (1626-1627) to build Vasa, carpenters, sawyers, smiths, ropelayers, sailmakers, painters, carvers, gun carriage makers and other specialists struggled to complete the navy’s great, new ship. The king, Gustav II Adolf, visited the shipyard to inspect the work. With a hull built of more than a thousand oak trees with 64 cannon, masts over 50 meters high and hundreds of painted and gilded sculptures, this was a spectacular ship. BUT, it was too heavy and sunk sailing out from the harbor.:

 

 

 

 

 

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow:

 

[CaroleLee]

Hello

 

Ive just booked my first cruise on Celebrity and I dont know much about their shops. I have promised myself a new camera for years and possibly this (Scandinavia/Russia) is the cruise/excuse to now buy it :)

 

By chance when looking at them in Costco yesterday a guy mentioned he'd recently bought one on a cruise (RCI) and what good value it was...mmmm now he had no idea I have a cruise in the pipeline so that got me thinking...do I buy onboard or do I buy before.

 

I guess I need an idea of what they sell/prices onboard (in case there is any kind person reading this who is on/about to go on).... or maybe someone has previous experience? I am looking at a DSLR and Im more your budget cruiser than the all out Royal Suite type so money is an important consideration for me :)

 

Appreciate any comments/feedback I receive to this ;)

 

Definity buy prior to your cruise. Buy @ at a local retailer where you can hold & heft the camera. Does it fit in your handbag? DH's pocket? Can you see the controls ? Is the screen too small too large etc. Then get it home & practice with it. My other suggestions are buy and additional battery & large memory card(s)

Have a great cruise

carole

[megtyler]

i recommend nikon d90. it's light and just right for non pro but still take good photos

[ehnotsomuch]

I think everybody above has the right idea. Also, if you buy your camera aboard the ship, what happens if you need to return it?

 

Try them out in a store to see if you like how it "handles", then shop online for the best price.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Thank you all very much for responding - before I go definately got the most votes! :)

 

Also thanks for pointing out the obvious about trying it and learning all about it beforehand - I cant believe I forgot that part!! hehe I do have my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 which Im sure will suffice in more 'restricted' areas. I was going to treat myself to a DSLR (but has to be basic as I dont know anything about photography but just love playing) but good point about carrying it around - especially as my mobility is limited.

 

Thank you for posting the photos for me... wow I so cant wait!!! :D

 

Amazon seems to be a popular place so I think I will pop to Jessops to play and then research the internet for the better price and the the fun can begin!

 

again thank you everybody!

 

I understand your lusting after a DSLR. The question is: will you be willing to lug that big camera around day after day? I have a large Olympus which takes excellent pictures but bought a Panasonic Lumix on impulse at Costco one day. It also takes excellent pictures and fits in my pocket. I take both on cruises, but the Panasonic Lumix usually wins the draw to go ashore with me. By the way, I purchased them both at Costco, which has excellent return policies and great pricing.

 

Good luck on your decision and enjoy your Baltic cruise!

[JustAnOrdinaryGirl]

I understand your lusting after a DSLR. The question is: will you be willing to lug that big camera around day after day? I have a large Olympus which takes excellent pictures but bought a Panasonic Lumix on impulse at Costco one day. It also takes excellent pictures and fits in my pocket. I take both on cruises, but the Panasonic Lumix usually wins the draw to go ashore with me. By the way, I purchased them both at Costco, which has excellent return policies and great pricing.

 

Good luck on your decision and enjoy your Baltic cruise!

 

 

Hi Linda

 

I have a point and shoot and just fancied treating myself to a new camera... on researching I may opt for Canon SF40 - a bridge camera...so still got getting that DLSR:). I am disabled so lugging it around is going to be a bit of a bind but guess my old faithful will do till then. I actually think Im using the holiday as the excuse to buy it really hehe. I looked at Costco and they were actually more expensive than the high street on the models they stocked so Im getting John Lewis to price match and as with Costco they give a good guarantee.

 

Thanks for your reply :)

[JustAnOrdinaryGirl]

Jessops are handy but Amazon have the best prices. When I bought mine and my DWs camera, Jessops couldn't price match Amazon, not even John Lewis would.

 

BTW www.dpreview.com is the best site for unbiased reviews with some very good illustrations to what their tests mean and how the results compare.

 

 

Hi - actually found that Amazon was the same price as Jessops on the one Im keen on and JL dearer so have won a price match with them against Jessops. :) happy girl there!

 

Yes like that site too - thank you!