It has been a while since I have been on the conversation side of the FN. So, I totally was missing this thread. Congrats Sharon and Susan on getting Canon cameras like mine. You both will love them!!! Good choices you made! I bought two sets of 4 AA rechargeable batteries in 2005 when I got my camera and kept recharging them over and over again. I just threw out one of the sets about a month ago. They sure lasted a long time! The other set is still going. The third set I used at the start were batteries I found at home but I misplaced one or two of the batteries and so, never used that set much. Now, everytime I go somewhere with my camera, I throw the recharger in my purse with the 4 freshly recharged batteries in it. It is amazing how often I will be in the middle of the Westman Gardeners meeting taking pictures and the batteries will die then or in the midst of another function and they die. Just taking the few extra seconds to throw in the freshly recharged batteries in the purse sure has been a lifesaver. I have now taken about 25,000 pictures with my camera...it rolls over at the 9999 number to 0 again....of course, I haven't kept all of them but have a lot in the computer though! Thanks Susan for the fun sites to explore this winter. I have all the pictures I took this summer to label, crop, adjust lighting on, etc etc. this winter when I can't work outside anymore. It will be fun to work with some of the pictures with the fun techniques. I was given a Manfrotto tripod with a joystick head (pistol grip) for my birthday in June to use along with my camera and haven't taken the time to experiment with it and my camera. I am hoping for time this winter. Just wait...that will be the next thing on your wish list, Sharon and Susan. Brenda

When swapping the settings on your camera I assume you have tried the very highest settings? This will give you as good a photo as possible from the camera. Regarding the software and viewing the photo. Are the 'swirls' emanating from a central point and moving out like ripples? Is so this may very well be to do with your flash. Most digital cameras have the flash activated by default and so many users never turn them off. A camera flash is only any good for a few short feet, after that they are basically useless I find. Try taking some shots without the flash, you will need to support the camera or practise standing very still because the shutter will stay open longer in lower light. If you are trying to save a few important photos already taken you might try to resample a shot and set the pixel density to 150 or even 300 to see if that helps eliminate the ripples and wavy lines. JASC may use a different term for resampling, Corel uses Resample, Paint uses Attributes. Same soup just different gravy :-)

Some things to think about: - There really are no cr@ppy DSLRs being sold anymore. Even the new low-end cameras offer the latest in image-processing software and lens technologies. - Even the low-end cameras also offer more than enough resolution (megapixels) for anything short of poster-sized prints. Don't get caught up in the megapixel race. It's like deciding between a car with 300 hp and one with 400 hp. Either will get the job done; your camera choice should be based on more than just raw power. - You really should handle the camera you plan to buy. Some people find some cameras too large to handle comfortably. - The camera you buy should allow you to output pictures in RAW format. This format contains more picture information so you can manipulate it digitally later without losing picture quality. - It's a fact that most people buying SLRs these days never use more than the lenses that come in the box with the camera. Unfortunately, these "kit lenses" typically are not the best the camera manufacturer offers. Check out what other lenses the manufacturer offers and consider lenses sold by third-party manufacturers as well. You may find your pictures are noticeably better with a lens other than a kit lens -- especially one designed for the kinds of images you want to take (macro, telephoto, etc.) - Some manufacturers offer image stabilization. This can be useful in getting pictures in low-light or fast-moving situations. The two types of IS are in-lens and in-camera. In-lens is better, but it means you're paying for IS with every lens you buy. Hard to say if one choice is better than the other. :-P - Keep in mind that DSLR technology is still evolving some. Back when film SLRs were popular, it made sense to spend a good chunk of money on a camera you'd be growing into for 10-15 years. Given how quickly improvements still are being made, it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend well into four figures for a DSLR while you learn to take better pictures. Most DSLRs just aren't going to have that long a practical life. Good luck!

I'll echo some of the advice above by saying you should see the cameras in person before choosing one. But I'll add that it's probably best not to ask the advice of sales clerks at these places. DPreview.com and Steve's Digicams websites have excellent sections with camera recommendations for every level. I would never be without a viewfinderÂthe kind that shows exactly what the LCD screen shows (not just a blank hole to look through. Not only do they make it far easier to see the subject outside in the sun, but bracing the camera against your face greatly reduces shake. Also, determine what you want the camera to do. If you want to take closeups, make sure the camera has a macro setting, focusing down to an inch or two. Conversely, if you want to catch nature shots (or sports, or anything else) far away, look for a long optical zoom. Digital zoom isn't very useful. One of the websites I mentioned above has Super Zoom recommendations. I have two super zoom cameras and use them all the time.