bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The only new one at Amazon is about $100 more than the MSRP and the rest are used.

B&H says "Discontinued".

Could it be that the HX9V is out of production and perhaps replaced by later models like the HX20, HX30, HX50 and WX300?

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I want to thank everyone for their time and suggestions, after playing with probably 10 P&S's yesterday... I went for the Panasonic Lumix LX7, for the price...I felt nothing could touch it, as I mentioned, others lacked what I needed or was looking for in a P&S, even though the one I purchased doesn't have a viewfinder (available as an accessory) the zoom is fine for what I expect from a P&S...Macro is fine and it has a hot shot...some of the better ones didn't. So I got all but one feature for $399.00 If I op for the view finder at some point, it'll set me back another $139.00, not to bad. It will still be cheaper than most with all these features. There was a couple suggested but were not available to try. Otherwise, thanks again for everyone's time & responses. I'll post a few results when I learn this thing...
Doug

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Surly OnDSnap, we all enjoyed the forum you started. Great to see the decision process from start to finish.

Regarding the screens vs view finder, well we could all do well with a view finder instead of a screen that is useless in the sun... or ... us poor guys with bifocals. Until you shake lose for that view finder that costs a chunk of change take a look at Delkin Devices sun shield.**

Some time this summer I will make a DIY article in which the shield is modified to reflect the screen image as you hold the camera at waist level. Holding at waist level allows photographing 1. at "film plane" parallel to the person, 2. Less obvious street photography, 3. Bracing camera steadier with elbows tight to side, 4. Photography at very low levels as in bird at pavement level. ( The decision to make this mod came from a shot of a young sea gull in a parking lot. To lay down in a parking lot is suicidal. )

The best of shooting with you new camera,,, congratulations.

** You may have to cut out the plastic on the mount if you have touch screen. Measure the diagonal of your screen to chose proper size.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Thanks, already I miss the view finder, I may call today for it to be shipped....great, another camera to buy goodies for. LOL. Just what my wife needs to hear.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Good choice. My wife loves hers and usually ends up with more interesting pictures than I get! She shopped hard for the perfect travel purse just for it. She had a hard time finding a well fitting neoprene case.

The LX7 can do extraordinary video, if that interests you.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

What now I have to get a travel purse too? :oops:
Kidding of coarse...glad to hear I made a good choice, quite a bit to learn with it, I'm amazed at the strides forward P&S's have made since I bought the Nikon Coolpix some bunch of years ago.
Not all that much video other than that of my grad kids, that which is great in itself.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

No, get a belt back and make it a 24/7 camera, set on auto and auto flash just in case you have to shoot quickly. If you have time, after that first Auto shot, then take time to get readings and think out the setup. At times drawing that 6 shooter quick gets the prize... at times it is not of-the-moment photography, rather split second.. then the happening is gone.

Certainly, you can not say, gotta go home and get my back pack loaded with lenses and meters and tri/mono-pods.. quick, quick, quick is what the world is about!!

Fixer

I am in 100% agreement with you about have the camera ready, I usually cary mine in the LH shirt pocket anytime that we are traveling, I can tell you from experience in Yellowstone that some opertunities only last a few seconds, The next car down the road will never see what you just shot. You talked about a shade for your screen, can it be removed when not needed? How much thickness does it add to the camera, will it still fit in a shirt pocket???
Any thoughts about using it would be appreciated, :thumbup:

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, there is a light meter forum going were these guys are all hung up in light metering.... lightening (an event)is micro seconds and gone,,,
The unit is 6mm.. 4 shade and 2 mount. yes, the mount has an adhesive that fits the outer rim of the screen. If you have a touch screen then the Drummel will remove the clear plastic. I am working on a invertible "look down" conversion so you can put the camera low and see the screen... the sun shade fits up or down, symmetrical unit.

Took sky cloud photos today at Walmar parking lot and could only slightly see the clouds it was so bright out... did not have the screen. Need a ball cap also to shade your eyes... to day was glare city...
BE SURE TO MEASURE DIAGONAL OF YOUR SCREEN FOR ORDERING.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I just put myself on notice for the External view finder when it becomes available...bit prices but after that, that's it, one reason I stayed away from the Nikon 1 S1...I don't need to be temped for another set of lenses.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=details&Q=&sku=829503&is=REG