Shelly wrote in
:

I think actually getting your hands on the camera before buying
it is going to be pretty important in ensuring you get the *right*
camera.


So true. I'm a big online shopper, and I always do all this research
before going into the stores, list in hand -- only to inevitably emerge
with something not on the list at all. Camera feel is really important,
the size of the camera, and whether your brain will work with your
fingers in the way the camera buttons are arranged.

I too have a Kodak -- mine is kind of the next closest thing to an SLR --
it has a 12x zoom and has all the manual features but it will also do
everything automatically, very, very well. It has lots of "scene"
features too. I am still pretty clunky with the manual features but I am
working on it because I too would like to eventually move to an SLR --
but it's nice to not miss shots while I'm being slow with the manual
settings.

Forget slipping the thing into your bag and join me in the search for the
perfect bag. So far this is what I've come up with:

http://www.helixcamera.com/CameraBag...chel/f802.html

I carry it everywhere. It's my third bag in 6 months and seems to be
working pretty well. It holds everything and has organizer pockets in
front, which are critical for the likes of myself. Still, it's huge and
rather informal and people look at me funny when I carry it to the
theater, not that I care.

--
Catherine
& Zoe the cockerchow
& Queenie the black gold retriever
& Rosalie the calico