would you buy a used coolpix 4500 / 995 for digiscoping

[loranfrfr]

Assuming that quality, not money, is a factor. If I want to buy a point and shoot camera to start digiscoping, would you consider byuing a used coolpix4500, versus a new point and shoot camera?

[Derry]

if the price is low then they could be a good starter to test the hobby out,, will take additional equipment and $$ though to get everything set up,, I still have my 990 from my fist go at digiscoping, was a good camera,,

always a question to make the initial investment to test the water,, sure been there and done that on a few hobbies over the years,,

do you have a scope yet,,??

Derry

[dantheman]

Or look out for a secondhand fuji f30/f31.

One of the problems/annoyances with the Nikon(s) is the age it takes to save between pictures. It's also a lot heavier/bulkier and batterylife not as good.

[mmdnje]

I have the 4500 and still works well, but I'm using a sony w120 most of the time: better screen, larger files, VERY accurate focus, good colors, decent battery life and can take several shots (5) when the 2sec self timer is used. and is cheap ~$120. the image quality is good (at lest for my needs).

[Barred Wobbler]

My old Nikon 4500 is still going well after over 6 years of use. It's a waste of time trying to take photos in TIFF with it because of the processing time, but on the fine jpeg setting it fires in bursts of up to 5 without needing the use of self timer.

The shutter delay can be a nuisance at times, I've taken countless photos of sitting birds (or so I thought) only to have them take off in the period between pressing the cable release and the shutter firing (about half a second), but that's a problem I can live with. Miles better than a 2 second delay on self-timer.

[RJM]

I would not buy any used digicams older than about 6mos. Not when a new Canon A590 sells for $100. The batteries in these old cameras are on their last legs and a replacement will cost far more than the camera is worth.

Rick

[Barred Wobbler]

Good point. I had to buy a new battery for mine last year.

I use it because I've got it. If I was setting up now, I'd go for something more modern.

[bluedubius]

Of course the Nikon Coolpix 990 uses AA batteries, just like the Canon A590is, but the Coolpix 995 does not. I'm still on my original coolpix 995 battery, but it doesn't hold much of a charge now. The 990's still regularly sell for $100 or slightly more on ebay.

Rick Phillips

[petemorris]

Assuming that quality, not money, is a factor. If I want to buy a point and shoot camera to start digiscoping, would you consider byuing a used coolpix4500, versus a new point and shoot camera?

Definitely not - the image quality is way inferior to something like the P5100 or P6000, the screen is terrible, the focus is incredibly slow, etc etc. Technology moves on!

Pete