Under 50

[UtahnBirder]

I have no idea about cameras so I might sound kind of ridiculous. If nothing like this exists just tell me.

All I would need is something light that can zoom really far and get moderatly clear pictures, for under 50 dollars, since all I would use it for is ID purposes.
Also, I don't want it to use film, just download directly to my computer.

[The Falcon]

To get a Point-and-shoot camera with a focal length near 300mm, you are talking atleast 200-350 bucks or more.

This Fujifilm FinePix is the cheapest you are probably going to find a point-and-shoot with a somewhat long focal length.
http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-Digital-Stabilized-Optical/dp/B001QENO7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253052512&sr=8-1

Hope this helps.

[UtahnBirder]

Alright, I'll just have to keep putting my cell phone into my bins lol.

[njlarsen]

your only hope is something second hand like this one from Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ18-Digital-Camera-Black_W0QQitemZ330359160208QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C amerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash= item4ceaf0bd90&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14

It is the same camera I currently use

Niels

[JeffMoh]

You'll do much better to go for a camcorder. They have much longer zoom lenses and the quality of even the cheap ones is good enough for ID purposes.

They have another great advantage over still cameras: they show you birds in motion and record their calls or songs. All of this makes IDing birds much easier!

Jeff