Photography is another hobby much closer to my heart than even my trains. First of all brand name will get you nothing more than a name. Don’t buy the premises that digital is cheaper than film, for the life on me I have never figured that one out. At last count my update to digital has run a little over $5,000 dollars over the past two years. Through in a few DSLR cameras, new computer, addition hard drive, new printer, Photoshop CS2 and the list goes on.
In any event if your not going to get into photography full time I would suggest a good point and shoot digital camera. Any camera that has over 5mps will produce photographs with great detail up to size 8x10. Actually spending more money for those newer camera’s with 10 mp is like buying a $1,500 locomotive. If you have the resources and you like that locomotive buy it but then again in will run the same as the $350 locomotive.
Name brands wars are fun but to tell the truth they don’t mean much. However with that said I would consider a Nikon or a Canon point and shoot first. There are others out there and they will take great photographs but service and selection is better form these tow long time camera manufactures.
Just about any modern camera will offer you the ability to take close up photographs of your trains. I suggest you try looking at
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ for your next camera purchase. They are on of the best places for both selection and price; their service is very good.
Now some cameras for you to consider.
Nikon Coolpix L5
Nikon Coolpix L6
Canon Powershot A530
Canon Powershot A540
Canon Powershot A630
Of course a film camera will do just as good of a job as a digital camera but then again you will need a good quality scanner to get your photographs on your PC. I am a proud owner of a fleet of fine Nikon SLR film bodies.
My personal favorite cameras are as follows, Nikon D200 DSLR, Nikon D70s DSLR, Nikon F 100 SLR and the Nikon FM 2n SLR.
I find the other brands such as Canon and Pentax to be just as good unfortunately when you pick a camera system the investment in quality lens doesn’t permit the affordability to switch brands that often.
[FONT="]If there is something in greater detail you would like to know just ask and I will do my best to help you out.[/FONT]