big_h
09-13-2007, 02:11 AM
So I've got a problem. I'm on a big cross-country trip right now, and my camera just broke. So I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable people out there had any suggestions on either camera repair/troubleshooting or on a good camera to buy.
I spent a good week researching and such the last time I bought a camera, and now all I have is tonight. On top of that, I'm in the middle of South Dakota, so my shopping options are severally limited. Also, if any of you South Dakota-er's out there have a recommendation on a place to buy a camera (B+M only, no online), or have one fixed, then let me know, because from the little info I've gathered so far, it looks like I'm going to have to drive almost 200 miles out of my way to find the nearest Best Buy. :(
Also, any of you Mid-Western people, if you could list off some common Best Buy-type stores out here, that would be great also, because other than BB and CC and a few others, I have no idea about regional stores (I'm from the East coast).
My current camera and problem:
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W1, 3-4 years old
Like most point and shoot cameras I have a dial with pre-set modes. When I turn the camera on the Ready light flashes and the lens extends and does it's auto-adjust thing, both of which are normal. Then the screen comes on ever so briefly, then the whole camera shuts off. But it doesn't shut off like when I turn it off with the power button, the screen doesn't clear totally, I can still see the "Accessing Memory Card" screen dimly, then that slowly fades. And the camera is off.
At first I just figured it was a dead battery, so I got new ones (it uses AA) and the same thing happens. The weird thing is when the camera is in the Review or Set Up modes, the two modes which don't require the use of the lens, everything works normally. So I'm assuming there's something wrong with the lens.
So if anyone has any suggestions on what's wrong and how to fix it, that would be great.
If not, then any new camera suggestions would make my choice much easier.
Some things I'm looking for in a new camera...
-My current one uses Memory Stick Pro, so it would be great if the new one did too, so I don't have to buy another memory medium (because the starter chip which comes with the camera isn't going to be big enough)
-While I'd love an SLR, I don't have the money for it, or the time to figure out how to use it. So another Point and Shoot camera for me (unless you can point me to a cheap SLR with lens).
-I have no preference on brand, though the Memory Stick thing probably limits me quite a bit.
-Inexpensive, like I said, I'm on a big cross-country trip, so I have very little extra money to spend on cameras. ...I guess there's always the credit card though :(
-5MP+ (?) it's hard to find one under this now, so it's not really an issue
-And the big one, something which I can find in a store in South Dakota... around I-90 from the center of the state (Kimball, etc) to the Western side (Rapid City, where the nearest BB is... without backtracking at least).
Those are just thinking points, and everything is flexible really, so any thoughts or recommendations will be really helpful!
I spent a good week researching and such the last time I bought a camera, and now all I have is tonight. On top of that, I'm in the middle of South Dakota, so my shopping options are severally limited. Also, if any of you South Dakota-er's out there have a recommendation on a place to buy a camera (B+M only, no online), or have one fixed, then let me know, because from the little info I've gathered so far, it looks like I'm going to have to drive almost 200 miles out of my way to find the nearest Best Buy. :(
Also, any of you Mid-Western people, if you could list off some common Best Buy-type stores out here, that would be great also, because other than BB and CC and a few others, I have no idea about regional stores (I'm from the East coast).
My current camera and problem:
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W1, 3-4 years old
Like most point and shoot cameras I have a dial with pre-set modes. When I turn the camera on the Ready light flashes and the lens extends and does it's auto-adjust thing, both of which are normal. Then the screen comes on ever so briefly, then the whole camera shuts off. But it doesn't shut off like when I turn it off with the power button, the screen doesn't clear totally, I can still see the "Accessing Memory Card" screen dimly, then that slowly fades. And the camera is off.
At first I just figured it was a dead battery, so I got new ones (it uses AA) and the same thing happens. The weird thing is when the camera is in the Review or Set Up modes, the two modes which don't require the use of the lens, everything works normally. So I'm assuming there's something wrong with the lens.
So if anyone has any suggestions on what's wrong and how to fix it, that would be great.
If not, then any new camera suggestions would make my choice much easier.
Some things I'm looking for in a new camera...
-My current one uses Memory Stick Pro, so it would be great if the new one did too, so I don't have to buy another memory medium (because the starter chip which comes with the camera isn't going to be big enough)
-While I'd love an SLR, I don't have the money for it, or the time to figure out how to use it. So another Point and Shoot camera for me (unless you can point me to a cheap SLR with lens).
-I have no preference on brand, though the Memory Stick thing probably limits me quite a bit.
-Inexpensive, like I said, I'm on a big cross-country trip, so I have very little extra money to spend on cameras. ...I guess there's always the credit card though :(
-5MP+ (?) it's hard to find one under this now, so it's not really an issue
-And the big one, something which I can find in a store in South Dakota... around I-90 from the center of the state (Kimball, etc) to the Western side (Rapid City, where the nearest BB is... without backtracking at least).
Those are just thinking points, and everything is flexible really, so any thoughts or recommendations will be really helpful!