[Villages Kahuna]

No, none in or near The Villages. Closest good store is Colonial Camera in Orlando.

The best way to get some good advice is to attend a meeting or two of The Villages Photography Club. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, noon, at Rohan Rec Center. Just ask at the check-in desk at the back of the room and I’m quite sure you’ll be directed to an experienced member who will be glad to help you.

Be sure to have a pretty good idea of your budget, your computer literacy, and the types of pictures you want to take. There are dozens of good cameras at every price point, all available at the big box stores or Amazon. You may already own the most popular camera in the world—your cell phone. The more recent cell phones, either iPhones or Android, have terrific built-in cameras, every bit as capable and full-featured as almost all the entry-level cameras you might consider.

You said you have an iPhone 13. It has a great built-in camera, better than most you might pay $200 for. Call Apple Support and they’ll help you out with getting your phone and computer to communicate. They won’t be of help if you don’t have an Apple computer though. But if yours is of an age that it needs to be replaced, I’d suggest that you upgrade to a new MacBook with their new M1 chip. They are quite attractively priced right now (Black Friday coming up) and will pair and synch with your new phone beautifully.

If you’re ready to upgrade your computer, Best Buy is a perfectly good place to both get advice and buy.

[Cliff Fr]

Your best bet is Colonial photo and Hobby in Orlando. They were in business in the 60's when I lived in Orlando and there still there. Have fun!

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

No, none in or near The Villages. Closest good store is Colonial Camera in Orlando.

The best way to get some good advice is to attend a meeting or two of The Villages Photography Club. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, noon, at Rohan Rec Center. Just ask at the check-in desk at the back of the room and I’m quite sure you’ll be directed to an experienced member who will be glad to help you.

Be sure to have a pretty good idea of your budget, your computer literacy, and the types of pictures you want to take. There are dozens of good cameras at every price point, all available at the big box stores or Amazon. You may already own the most popular camera in the world—your cell phone. The more recent cell phones, either iPhones or Android, have terrific built-in cameras, every bit as capable and full-featured as almost all the entry-level cameras you might consider.

You said you have an iPhone 13. It has a great built-in camera, better than most you might pay $200 for. Call Apple Support and they’ll help you out with getting your phone and computer to communicate. They won’t be of help if you don’t have an Apple computer though. But if yours is of an age that it needs to be replaced, I’d suggest that you upgrade to a new MacBook with their new M1 chip. They are quite attractively priced right now (Black Friday coming up) and will pair and synch with your new phone beautifully.

If you’re ready to upgrade your computer, Best Buy is a perfectly good place to both get advice and buy.

Thank you. When I received my 13 the first thing I tried was to transfer some photos and it did not work. I called Apple support and spent 2 hours on the phone with them trying various things that they kept suggesting, at the end they asked for the operating system and it's a OSX 10.9.5, they looked it up and said that the phone is not compatible with it and they can no longer download updates to the computer, that's right from the horses mouth. I work right across the street from a long time computer store and he can upgrade it for under $200.00 but needs the computer for one week explaining that he cannot spend one entire day on it so he breaks it down into a little a day. As of today I contacted 4 companies and they are all out as far as 4 weeks. Since my desktop has no other problems I'm not going to replace it, I'll get in touch with one of the camera stores mentioned here and order whatever they feel will work best for me. Thanks for all of the advice.

[BlackhawksFan]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Is there a camera store in TV? Not Best Buy or any of the big box stores, I'm a beginner and I need to buy one from someone that can truly tell me exactly what I need for the photos I'll be taking.

No.

If you want a true camera shop Orlando has a few. As a professional photographer I use a couple of places online and you can always call and talk to someone knowledgeable.

Samy's Camera, they're based in CA mostly in LA area. I've spent probably close to $100,000 there and they're my go to. Samy's Camera (800)321-4726.

I also use B&H Photo Video out of NYC. Also great helpful stuff and I've spent some serious money there as well. There is one quirk with them, they are Orthodox Jews and the store is closed on Saturday's and Jewish Holidays and some days their hours may be limited. B&H Photo Sales: (800)606-6969 or (212) 444-6615. Customer Service: (800)221-5743 or (212)239-7765.

Both will treat you well, answer your questions and get you your order ASAP.

Good luck

[GregP]

Here are two excellent websites. The first being the best for equipment reviews and updates. The second more technical.

Dpreview

Luminous Landscape.

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

... they asked for the operating system and it's a OSX 10.9.5 ... he can upgrade it for under $200.00 but needs the computer for one week ...

No offense but your computer is an antique. You are going to find more and more apps that won't run on it. You won't be able to get security updates for it. It is also probably dog slow compared to modern devices. Personally, I would NEVER spend $$$ to upgrade such an old computer. I would buy a new entry-level laptop before I would buy a new camera and then spend time trying to learn how to use it, especially if I already had an iPhone 13 which takes such wonderful pictures.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

k.

///

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Is there a camera store in TV? Not Best Buy or any of the big box stores, I'm a beginner and I need to buy one from someone that can truly tell me exactly what I need for the photos I'll be taking.

B&H in NYC is a good place to buy online. Their experts will help you zero in a camera. The have recently added a video chat service you can use to talk to their experts.

Their experts a quite knowledge. No one at B&H gets a commission on a sale.

Over the last 20 years I've had good service, help in selection, and making returns... even for things that were way beyond the return period.., from B&H


Access to this page has been denied.

[Homer49]

Originally Posted by kathyspear

No offense but your computer is an antique. You are going to find more and more apps that won't run on it. You won't be able to get security updates for it. It is also probably dog slow compared to modern devices. Personally, I would NEVER spend $$$ to upgrade such an old computer. I would buy a new entry-level laptop before I would buy a new camera and then spend time trying to learn how to use it, especially if I already had an iPhone 13 which takes such wonderful pictures.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

k.

As said, no offense intended, but this is the right answer. Your iPhone 13 is a fantastic camera and the least expensive MacBook or Mac mini that you should be able to pick up at Best Buy will solve your problem and position you well for many years.

[AnonAmos]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Is there a camera store in TV? Not Best Buy or any of the big box stores, I'm a beginner and I need to buy one from someone that can truly tell me exactly what I need for the photos I'll be taking.

If you are using an Apple computer, I agree with the other responses that suggest getting a new Mac instead of a camera. Your iPhone 13 is capable of taking great photos, and should work seamlessly with more recent Macs. I am typing this on a 2013 model MacBook Pro, and it works fine, however it won't support the latest OSX Monterrey. There are several Mac models available, starting with the Mac Mini at $699. I have no association with Apple, other than being a satisfied user for many years. I think your money would be better spent on a new computer than a camera. I don't know if this site allows private messages, but if you want to contact me, I think I could offer some valuable advice. Good luck.

[vintageogauge]

No offense taken however I need a large screen and large keyboard, we have a decent sized laptop at home and it's just to hard for me to type and see what's on the screen. I am concerned about what one of the replies said about not being able to upgrade security on this. i I don't care about not being able to get apps, etc., as I really don't use them. I think I'm going to get a geek in here and see if he can eliminate any financial or personal information that might be on here and I'll no longer use it for those things. I'm still on the fence as a new desk top is quite expensive.