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[AC6000CW]

what kind of camera and model would be good for railroad action ?

[alstom]

Definately not a PV-L779 like I have!!! The darn thing takes only 30 photos or less (however many it "feels" like taking) But hey, at least it films video!!!! Which I like doing better!

The thing about the PV-L779 doesn't have red-eye or night shot, so kiss good quality photos goodbye!!!!

........................

[tpatrick]

Railroad action is about the same as anything else. It doesn't require anything special. So any camera will do the job, but you will find some cameras are better than others regardless of what you shoot. The real question is, what can you afford? Also do you prefer film or digital? You can get a better quality camera for your money if you stick with film, but digital is often easier to use and much easier if you want to post pictures. While a film camera may be cheaper to buy, it becomes more expensive to use because of costs for film and processing. The best thing about film is you don't lose your images when your computer crashes. I can still make prints with 50 year old film. I can't imagine saving a digital file that long.

The best camera brands are Nikon and Canon, with Pentax a close runner-up. The best choice would be an SLR (single lens reflex) by one of those brands. The real key to good pictures is a good lens, so look for the best glass you can afford. If your budget is limited there are loads of point-and-shoot cameras available that will do very well for you. They can be found in both digital and film. Look for one with a built-in zoom lens because a p&s won't allow you to interchange lenses.

Do you have a camera now? Or are you just getting into it? Get yourself a copy of Popular Photography magazine and study the ads to learn what is available and prices. Also go to their website www.popphoto.com and spend some time there. Check out their forums. They are very good.

I hope this helps some.

Tim

[AC6000CW]

the model i just found was a kodak dx6490 and it takes pictures 1/1700 of a sec. is that a good camera.

[tpatrick]

It gives you 4 megapixels and a 10x zoom and probably a decent lens. 1/1700th shutter speed is fast enough to stop anything if you have enough light on it. So it's an OK camera if you get a good price. The lowest price I found was $250 and the highest $499. It would be wise to shop and compare because there are a lot of similar cameras out there, and some of them may be better buys. I guess a lot depends on your ability shop around.

See www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/dx6490.html

Tim

[Anonymous]

It depends on how serious you want to get. I use a Canon 20D, which is a digital SLR, a SLR gives you the most control over your photos, and by design is very flexible and adaptable to different kinds of photography. Digital SLR's are very easy to use, and while expensive, their price is dropping. A good starter camera is the Canon Digital Rebel or the Nikon D50. A good digital point and shoot is also well suited for rail action. You want a camera that can shoot fairly quickly so get a hands on test before you purchase. I recommend digital. Good Luck

-Art

[CMSTPP]

Yoiu want the Nykon D50. your going to pay about 600$ for one but the pictures that come out of it are incredible. The memory card folds at least 400 pictures. It can even capture night shots which is nice for railroading.
James

[wctransfer]

If you want a cheap 5 MP camera, get a Olympus FE 110 . 200 bucks , but it has 2.8 optical, 4 Digital zoom, and it does a fair job. The only thing is that the shutter spead isnt too good, which means if you want fast moving trains, dont get this one. Here is a sample pic. It got scrunched also.

Alec

[nssr9169]

I own a Cannon rebel verry nice comes in 35 m.m. or digital!

[Anonymous]

I have a fujifilm 3800 with a 256 mb memory card. It takes great pictures, and you can print them out on full size paper (8.5 x11) without any distortion. It is a 3.2 megapixel camera.

I do not think you need an SLR to take 'good' pictures. One, they cost an arm and a leg, so unless you are making money off the pictures you take (if so there are copy right laws, but that is another story) then there is no way to recuperate your costs. I usually use a tripod when I take pictures, especially at night. And then I turn the flash off and have the shutter stay open for a long time to give the effect of a really fast train. I wouldn't really worry about the quallity of fla***o much, even on the SLRs you are only looking at a range of 2o feet at most, so it will not light up a train that is farther away than that.

All that said go DIGITAL. It is a lot easier to post on the forums, and send to friends. Also you don't have to pay for the pictures you don't like, just delete them!!

hope that helped

brian

[kevikens]

I would like to reiterate the recommendatio of the Nikon D50. I have used Niokn and Canon SLR film cameras for decades and recently made the switch to digital, first an Olympus something point and shoot which was inadequate for fast moving trains-too much lag time and now have two d50's which take my older AF lenses. Its capability and performance are stellar. It is easy to master. I shoot in the shutter priority mode at ASA 400 setting with the fine image mode. With a one giga byte sd card I get about 260 photos. Well worth the investment.