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[OM] Compact Camera conundrum

Subject: [OM] Compact Camera conundrum
From: usher99@xxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:11:50 -0500


Well, much shorter Zuiko trip this year largely on horseback. Will be 
in Mexico somewhere near Valle de Bravo and will ride to  a winter 
Monarch butterfly sanctuary. Usually have another week just to hike, 
see new areas and exercise the Zuikos which will not happen this year. 
Often a Jeep will be able to meet us for lunch and I can pack an OM kit 
in the Jeep and have my cake and eat it too.
That is not the case this year.

The XA purchased at list recommendation last year will go and does 
fine but will require a compact Digicam with broader FL range  for  
this trip as well as for other functions later. I have never tried 
taking 
an OM on horseback due to the concussion, dirt, water etc but am 
tempted at least for the Monarch sanctuary day. Everthing is typically  
filthy after a days ride. I have only been 
dumped once when the horse stepped in a hole crossing a rain swollen 
stream and was swimming. I had unwisely attempted to keep my boots dry 
on his neck. The XA was fine in its zip lock. The warm Spanish sun 
corrected the other insults.
 
Anyway had considered the Fuji F50 , F31d (Now very expensive on yabe) 
hacked A710, A720, A650 or a shockproof Oly. 
 
A710/720/650 can take a WA adapter and I think a close up diopter.  
Only the 710 can be hacked thus far.  Afraid I am spoiled after seeing 
the increased capability of Moose's 710 with the CHDK software. Looking 
at the hackers forum it appears it will be quite some time before the 
software can be ported to the Digic 111 with the new OS.  Can still 
find a few 710's new it appears.
 
My neice has a F50 and it is OK. The IS is not terribly effective 
though the lower ISO IQ is  very good. Downsides are that the 
 higher ISO (per a Moose Mon. discussion) is quite inferior to the F31 
and the battery life is 1/2 the F31. To its credit there is now more 
ability to manually override it w/o being too fiddly. One may have to 
pay a  very hefty procrastination premium for the F31.
 
Good macro ability in the digicam is a definite plus. The panny TZ3 IQ 
isn't up to snuff as per Moose with smeary NR. I thought the Ricoh R7 
might be a sleeper with a 28-200 IS lens (approx 300 photos per 
charge--not AA :-( ) and built in flashing blown highlight indicator 
as well as fair macro. Found some good sized examples though no full 
review: 
 
http://www.photographyblogm/reviews_ricoh_caplio_r7_3.php ;
 
Perhaps still look over-processed like the previous Ricohs and the 
purple fringing looked quite apparent. It has a quite NOISY zoom though 
doubt that will spook the horse. 
I've probably missed a bunch of ones to consider.
 
So it 1) has to be fairly small 
 
2)IQ trumps other features
3) AA plus, though if I must purchase 2 or more  dedicated batteries 
for a much better solution, so be it.
Mexico is 110V anyway, I think.

Any comments or shoves to a reasonable choice appreciated.

Mike
 
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