Today I ordered the Fujifilm FinePix S9200. I chose a Refurb. It was impossible to find a new one in stock for less than $280. Plenty of places claim they have them for less, but when you actually place the order you suddenly get a message saying they are out of stock. I just couldn't stretch to $280 plus shell out for a case/bag, memory cards, rechargeable batteries & whatnot. Since at least 10/1/15 no refubs have been available but I checked this morning & woo hoo, 12 were available from Amazon.
If anyone else is interested in the same camera here is a link. At present time there are 10 remaining so someone besides myself snatched 1 up already this morning.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R50RJ8O/

Reading the reviews it seems the lens covers aren't sent with these so plan on getting one of those. I got one from Amazon for $27.

@evermorelawnless

Congratulations Ann, that looks like a good buy, you will be so happy with that zoom, sure makes it easier to photograph birds and butterflies from a distance.

I think so Margaret. I did my research & this really did look like the best camera for my purposes. I found others that came close but they were either missing the continuous shooting (stopped at 10 frames) or something else. I think this will be good for close up shots of blooms as well.

Ann, most of the newer camera have a built in macro lens so yes you should get some great photos of blooms and bugs.

This one you can get 1 cm. from the subject.

Awesome!

Good for you Ann!

Thank you Margaret & J. I couldn't have found it if not for Asa's post on that other thread. Asa. I would have been so confused I wouldn't have known my head from a hole in the ground. At least I knew what to compare everything else to. I learned a lot along the way. I will have MUCH to learn when I start working with the camera. I will play with it enough to check everything out & make sure it all works properly & then it gets put away until Christmas as it *is* my Christmas present.

Oh, EXCELLENT!

I am really looking forward to seeing pics from that one. And I have to admit to being a little jealous of your new rig. It looks like it has ALL the right stuff for us planty-buggers...er, buggy-planters...er, something like that.

I just have to learn how to do the camera justice. :o

well my sister in law has very generously offered to give me this camera below, as she's no longer using it. Those of you who know about cameras, what do you think?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KKZ0GK/

Ann, that's wonderful! can hardly wait to see your first photos from it!!

congratulations Ann
omg--it's way too early for all the stores to be full of Christmas crap as far as I'm concerned, but if 'they' can sell us Christmas this early, can't you play with your present a little more too I am just dying to see some pics from your new camera!

dirtdorphins said:
congratulations Ann
omg--it's way too early for all the stores to be full of Christmas crap as far as I'm concerned, but if 'they' can sell us Christmas this early, can't you play with your present a little more too I am just dying to see some pics from your new camera!

Welllllllllll, yes, we will all see *some* photos from it when it arrives. I have to check it out to make sure everything works as it should so I can get any problems taken care of under warranty because as a refurb it only carries a 90 day warranty. I bought it with Discover Card though which will double that warranty time. And then I will put it back in the box until Christmas so I will have something to open that day.
Oh, oh, oh, & another goodie was that Discover has a 5% cashback bonus for any Amazon purchases right now so you can figure that as a discount on the cost.

dirtdorphins said:
congratulations Ann
omg--it's way too early for all the stores to be full of Christmas crap as far as I'm concerned, but if 'they' can sell us Christmas this early, can't you play with your present a little more too I am just dying to see some pics from your new camera!

Congrats Ann, glad you found one! Can't wait to see some pics

Thanks Ronnie!

Catmint20906 said:well my sister in law has very generously offered to give me this camera below, as she's no longer using it. Those of you who know about cameras, what do you think?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KKZ0GK/

You've been using your cell camera right Robin? This will certainly be a step up from that & I think you will really like it. How nice of your sil to offer to give it to you. You sure can't beat the price!

She said she's going to put it in the mail for me right away! The only thing I need to get is a sim card. So nice of her!
Uh, where do I find a sim card??

She means a memory card Robin. Ask her to tell you what kind she used. I don't know if that camera takes a mini or a regular size.