We felt that discount digital cameras demanded more recognition than it is presently getting. So we had decided on writing on discount digital cameras. Enjoy it.
The Best discount digital cameras Articles on WineWhere to Hide Your Hidden Camera?
People like to observe and watch what's going on when they're away. For security purposes or just to satisfy their desire to spy. Many want to discover what their spouse is doing at home alone or how a babysitter is taking care of the baby when both parents are working.
These people sometimes get confused and don't even know where to hide their cameras in the house. Which area is safest (meaning that the camera won't be spotted)? Which place people wouldn't want to look at and so on.
Below, we'll try to look at some of the best places in the house where one would want to hide his or her spy camera in order to observe and record various activities in the area.
Hiding Spy Camera in a Bedroom
If a person is concerned whether the spouse is cheating or not, the most obvious place to install a hidden camera would be in a bedroom.
But which place in a bedroom would be best to put the hidden cam?
Nightstand - Ok, most bedroom have nightstands, right. So one of the best places to put a hidden camera into would be a nightstand, behind some regular object, like a clock or radio. You could get a hidden camera already built into a clock and put it right on the nightstand.
Curtain-Rod - Another place could be a curtain-rod. If you can get a tiny spy camera, which is barely seen from a 10 feet distance, you could mount it on the top of the curtain or curtain-rod. You could get much better viewing angle and record everything without much trouble.
TV Set - Many people have TV's in bedrooms. So putting a tiny camera near the TV or on top of TV would be a good idea. Of course, the spy camera should be hidden and not look like a spy camera.
PC - Some people have PC's in their bedrooms. One could simply replace the regular speakers with new ones, which already have a spy camera installed and perform secret surveillance this way.
Book Shelf - Placing a hidden camera in a book shelf might be a good idea. Especially when the hidden camera is in a shape of the book.
Placing a Hidden Camera in a Living Room
Teddy Bear - Many people have all kinds of plush toys. It's possible to simply take one and put a camera inside.
Toy Cars - If there are any toy cars in the living room or any other room, you could put a small micro camera into that toy and spy on the others.
Mirrors - You could buy a two-sided mirror and put a spy camera there. Otherwise, it's possible to buy a mirror with a hidden camera built inside already.
Lamps - You could take one light bulb or lamp out and put a spy camera inside. Then put the light back and start surveillance. Just make sure than someone doesn't try to repair it.
Flowers - You could put a small camera inside a flower pot and put it on a windowsill for instance. If you have some flowers in the living room or plants, this won't look odd.
Switches - Tiny cameras could be placed into light switches. Some light switches have covers, which help mask the spy camera's lenses.
Placing a Hidden Camera in a Kitchen
Lastly, you might want to put a spy camera in the kitchen. This wouldn't look suspicious if you put a clock in the kitchen somewhere.
There are already designed spy cameras that look like coffee mugs. Could you find a better place for such item other than kitchen?
Lastly, you could get one of those wearable spy cameras and put it wherever you want. Bedroom, living room, kitchen or office room. Nowhere such item will look suspicious. They can be pens, glasses, lighters, cell phones etc.
About the Author
Would You like to learn more about those hidden cameras that you've just read about? Or maybe a listening device to record conversations is what you want? Go to Vedosoft website now.
Featured discount digital cameras Items
Green Clean Vacuum Power Canister Replacement Can - 10 oz.
Green Clean Vacuum Power Canister Replacement Can - 10 oz.
This high powered canister allows multiple cleanings. For use with the Green Clean cleaning system. Please note this is an aerosol item, and can only be shipped by UPS Ground.
Case for Canon SD750 Ixus 75 Canon Powershot SD750 Case in Molded Suede-Textured 'Celery Green'. Digital Camera Case for Canon sd750 & Ixus 75 Only. Superior Drop Protection. Search for OTHER COLORS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE: "SD750 FOARM" Made in the USA By Foarm, Inc.
Case for Canon SD750 Ixus 75 Canon Powershot SD750 Case in Molded Suede-Textured 'Celery Green'. Digital Camera Case for Canon sd750 & Ixus 75 Only. Superior Drop Protection. Search for OTHER COLORS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE: "SD750 FOARM" Made in the USA By Foarm, Inc.
This case allows your Canon SD750 or IXUS 75 camera to be used without removing it's high-tech composite protection.
Case opens or closes in just 2 seconds for battery or card changes.
The case outer layer is a luxurious soft suede texture, but underneath it has a high-tech composite of HDPE that
dissipates impact energy over a larger area to add significant drop protection to your SD750 or IXUS 75
A soft 1/4" Flat Webbing Neck Lanyard w/ Barrel Lock allows you to Convert it to Wrist Strap and back again in a second.
Backed by Foarm's Lifetime-Warranty against defects and workmanship.
Customer Review: Sleek Protection
This is the second Foarm case I've purchased. (the first was for my Garmin MAP 76). I'm as pleased with this case as I was my first. Awesome design. Quality manufacturing. Well worth the money!
Nikon COOLPIX P4 8.1MP Digital Camera
Nikon COOLPIX P4 8.1MP Digital Camera
CTA DIGITAL 9V NiMH Rechargeable Battery
CTA DIGITAL 9V NiMH Rechargeable Battery
The CTA high-capacity 9V rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride battery works for every item that uses 9V batteries such as Paintball Equipment, Remote Controls, Clocks, Portable Radios and all other electronic equipment using 9V batteries. It last a lot longer than 9V batteries made of alkaline cells, which were ineffective for high-drainage and power-hungry devices.
Customer Review: fine, fair capacity
Using this in a wireless microphone transmitter. Gives about 4 hours of service between charges.
Current discount digital cameras NewsKODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera / RefurbishedWed, 09 Jul 2008 12:13:45 -0700
KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera / Refurbished “Take control of your shots with the KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera. Adjust the aperture and shutter speed yourself. Or let the camera do it for you. The high zoom and optical image stabilization eliminates blurry pictures and enables fast-action shooting. With the Z812 IS, you’ll be able to get in touch with your inner photographer, and impress your family and friends with your works of art. This product is recondition
Canon PowerShot SD870IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:37:00 -0700
Canon PowerShot SD870IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) Price : see price here & free shipping Product Description From the very first glance, the smooth shape and bold lines of the stylish PowerShot SD870IS Digital ELPH signal that this is no ordinary camera. With 8.0 megapixels of resolution, an Optical Image Stabilizer, and 3.8x optical zooming, the SD870IS Digital ELPH boasts impressive specs as well as a host of convenience features. Fa
The Advantage of Buying Digital Cameras OnlineThu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT
The question at hand is whether there is an advantage of buying digital cameras online.
The Best discount digital cameras Articles on WineWhere to Hide Your Hidden Camera?
People like to observe and watch what's going on when they're away. For security purposes or just to satisfy their desire to spy. Many want to discover what their spouse is doing at home alone or how a babysitter is taking care of the baby when both parents are working.
These people sometimes get confused and don't even know where to hide their cameras in the house. Which area is safest (meaning that the camera won't be spotted)? Which place people wouldn't want to look at and so on.
Below, we'll try to look at some of the best places in the house where one would want to hide his or her spy camera in order to observe and record various activities in the area.
Hiding Spy Camera in a Bedroom
If a person is concerned whether the spouse is cheating or not, the most obvious place to install a hidden camera would be in a bedroom.
But which place in a bedroom would be best to put the hidden cam?
Nightstand - Ok, most bedroom have nightstands, right. So one of the best places to put a hidden camera into would be a nightstand, behind some regular object, like a clock or radio. You could get a hidden camera already built into a clock and put it right on the nightstand.
Curtain-Rod - Another place could be a curtain-rod. If you can get a tiny spy camera, which is barely seen from a 10 feet distance, you could mount it on the top of the curtain or curtain-rod. You could get much better viewing angle and record everything without much trouble.
TV Set - Many people have TV's in bedrooms. So putting a tiny camera near the TV or on top of TV would be a good idea. Of course, the spy camera should be hidden and not look like a spy camera.
PC - Some people have PC's in their bedrooms. One could simply replace the regular speakers with new ones, which already have a spy camera installed and perform secret surveillance this way.
Book Shelf - Placing a hidden camera in a book shelf might be a good idea. Especially when the hidden camera is in a shape of the book.
Placing a Hidden Camera in a Living Room
Teddy Bear - Many people have all kinds of plush toys. It's possible to simply take one and put a camera inside.
Toy Cars - If there are any toy cars in the living room or any other room, you could put a small micro camera into that toy and spy on the others.
Mirrors - You could buy a two-sided mirror and put a spy camera there. Otherwise, it's possible to buy a mirror with a hidden camera built inside already.
Lamps - You could take one light bulb or lamp out and put a spy camera inside. Then put the light back and start surveillance. Just make sure than someone doesn't try to repair it.
Flowers - You could put a small camera inside a flower pot and put it on a windowsill for instance. If you have some flowers in the living room or plants, this won't look odd.
Switches - Tiny cameras could be placed into light switches. Some light switches have covers, which help mask the spy camera's lenses.
Placing a Hidden Camera in a Kitchen
Lastly, you might want to put a spy camera in the kitchen. This wouldn't look suspicious if you put a clock in the kitchen somewhere.
There are already designed spy cameras that look like coffee mugs. Could you find a better place for such item other than kitchen?
Lastly, you could get one of those wearable spy cameras and put it wherever you want. Bedroom, living room, kitchen or office room. Nowhere such item will look suspicious. They can be pens, glasses, lighters, cell phones etc.
About the Author
Would You like to learn more about those hidden cameras that you've just read about? Or maybe a listening device to record conversations is what you want? Go to Vedosoft website now.
Featured discount digital cameras Items
Green Clean Vacuum Power Canister Replacement Can - 10 oz.
Green Clean Vacuum Power Canister Replacement Can - 10 oz.
This high powered canister allows multiple cleanings. For use with the Green Clean cleaning system. Please note this is an aerosol item, and can only be shipped by UPS Ground.
Case for Canon SD750 Ixus 75 Canon Powershot SD750 Case in Molded Suede-Textured 'Celery Green'. Digital Camera Case for Canon sd750 & Ixus 75 Only. Superior Drop Protection. Search for OTHER COLORS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE: "SD750 FOARM" Made in the USA By Foarm, Inc.
Case for Canon SD750 Ixus 75 Canon Powershot SD750 Case in Molded Suede-Textured 'Celery Green'. Digital Camera Case for Canon sd750 & Ixus 75 Only. Superior Drop Protection. Search for OTHER COLORS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE: "SD750 FOARM" Made in the USA By Foarm, Inc.
This case allows your Canon SD750 or IXUS 75 camera to be used without removing it's high-tech composite protection.
Case opens or closes in just 2 seconds for battery or card changes.
The case outer layer is a luxurious soft suede texture, but underneath it has a high-tech composite of HDPE that
dissipates impact energy over a larger area to add significant drop protection to your SD750 or IXUS 75
A soft 1/4" Flat Webbing Neck Lanyard w/ Barrel Lock allows you to Convert it to Wrist Strap and back again in a second.
Backed by Foarm's Lifetime-Warranty against defects and workmanship.
Customer Review: Sleek Protection
This is the second Foarm case I've purchased. (the first was for my Garmin MAP 76). I'm as pleased with this case as I was my first. Awesome design. Quality manufacturing. Well worth the money!
Nikon COOLPIX P4 8.1MP Digital Camera
Nikon COOLPIX P4 8.1MP Digital Camera
CTA DIGITAL 9V NiMH Rechargeable Battery
CTA DIGITAL 9V NiMH Rechargeable Battery
The CTA high-capacity 9V rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride battery works for every item that uses 9V batteries such as Paintball Equipment, Remote Controls, Clocks, Portable Radios and all other electronic equipment using 9V batteries. It last a lot longer than 9V batteries made of alkaline cells, which were ineffective for high-drainage and power-hungry devices.
Customer Review: fine, fair capacity
Using this in a wireless microphone transmitter. Gives about 4 hours of service between charges.
Current discount digital cameras NewsKODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera / RefurbishedWed, 09 Jul 2008 12:13:45 -0700
KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera / Refurbished “Take control of your shots with the KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera. Adjust the aperture and shutter speed yourself. Or let the camera do it for you. The high zoom and optical image stabilization eliminates blurry pictures and enables fast-action shooting. With the Z812 IS, you’ll be able to get in touch with your inner photographer, and impress your family and friends with your works of art. This product is recondition
Canon PowerShot SD870IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:37:00 -0700
Canon PowerShot SD870IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) Price : see price here & free shipping Product Description From the very first glance, the smooth shape and bold lines of the stylish PowerShot SD870IS Digital ELPH signal that this is no ordinary camera. With 8.0 megapixels of resolution, an Optical Image Stabilizer, and 3.8x optical zooming, the SD870IS Digital ELPH boasts impressive specs as well as a host of convenience features. Fa
The Advantage of Buying Digital Cameras OnlineThu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT
The question at hand is whether there is an advantage of buying digital cameras online.
All's well, that ends well. We have now come to the ending of wedding cameras. Until we meet again, adios.
wedding cameras For Your Reading PleasureUsing the Camera for Learning and Creativity With Children
Photography is easily recognizable as an art form and a creative outlet for many whether professional or amateur. With a digital camera, the ability to allow inexperienced children to begin their experimentation with photography without the cost concern associated with film and developing is an even greater opportunity. Childhood experience with photography can promote creativity and provide a wonderful tool for learning in general.
Certainly, working with a child to understand the operation of a simple digital camera is necessary before beginning but the possibilities to stimulate imagination, story telling, interest in topics such as history, geography, nature, and sciences among others are endless.
The following are just a few examples of some of the activities with a camera that can get children started on a life time of study, a hobby of interest, or simply an enthusiasm to explore and learn.
A Project for Younger Siblings
Many children enjoy creating projects for younger children, perhaps it is the desire in all of us to mentor. Identifying items that have the various letters of the alphabet in them, photographing them, and producing an alphabet book for a younger sibling just beginning to read is an example of such a project.
To further stimulate imagination, the development of a story book is another possibility. As an example, using the family dog, the child photographer could take various pictures of the pet and devise a short story around "The Life and Times of Fido", "Fido's Big Adventure", or whatever title is appropriate.
A Travel Diary
Like adults, children can use a camera to keep their own photo journal of any travels; whether to grandma's house or to the beach a record of memories is certainly a treasure.
To expand on the travel diary concept and broaden the interest in travel and geography, the child might fabricate a cardboard character to travel even further. By giving the cardboard character to friends and relatives who may be traveling, the character can tag along and be photographed in additional locations. Each travel escort should return any pictures taken with a written paragraph about the journey and location. Over time a rather extensive travel diary, far beyond what the child will personally experience, will form.
The Nature Experience
Developing an interest in science and nature is easy when a camera can provide the focus. Rather than collecting live insects, leaves, rocks, or flowers; photographs can do the job while providing a more permanent archive. The camera also allows collecting of items that would otherwise be impossible; animals, sunsets, waterfalls, footprints, or whatever captures the observant eye of a child.
Beyond collection, photography allows the study of some of the processes of nature. One example is to capture the progression of growth of a plant or animal with a camera. Whether planting a seed in a glass bowl and capturing its germination, rooting, sprouting, and growth or simply photographing a new kitten each week, the catalog of development helps to focus attention as well as potentially develop an interest in science.
Biographies, Family Trees, News Stories, and Documentaries
Challenging school age children to develop a family album complete with a short biography of each family member can stimulate creativity and allow an outlet for their sense of humor as well. Using a camera, some children even willingly accept the role as the family recorder of all special events with others making contributions as needed. A sense of responsibility can foster the desire to excel in their photographic efforts!
Another option for school age children which is a great summer project is to develop a monthly newspaper complete with pictures. The creative options are unlimited; from reporting on recent events in the neighborhood, the family vacation, the latest crime by the family dog, or updates on current or upcoming extracurricular activities can be among the articles accompanied by an appropriate photograph.
Stimulating Creative Writing or Story Telling
Stories can be formed by words, pictures, or both. Armed with a simple camera, a child can put together a sequence of pictures to tell a story; can a family member or younger sibling tell the story without the story being told in words? This type of activity is great for children who have an interest in doing projects for younger siblings.
Another activity to stimulate reading comprehension is to provide the child with a short story and ask them to illustrate the story with a few photographs using props.
Certainly, these activities represent only a very small number of the possibilities to use a camera in developing and expanding interests, fostering learning, and providing a sense of achievement for youngsters. With a little imagination, the camera can open up a whole world to the curious mind and eye of a child.
Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Take advantage of the wealth of simple to understand, useful information and shopping available on her website at http://www.homemedias.info | |
Celestron Ultima Barlow Lens
Barlow lenses offer an easy, economical way to increase the magnification range of your eyepieces, and Celestron carries an assortment of these highly useful lenses. A Barlow lens doubles the magnifying power of your eyepiece by doubling its effective focal length. For example, an 18mm eyepiece used with a 2x Barlow lens would have the magnifying power of a 9mm eyepiece. It's like having two eyepieces in one!If you're looking for an affordable way to achieve high-power viewing of the moon and planets, double stars and even close-up views of terrestrial subjects, a Barlow lens is the answer.Barlow lenses mount into either your telescope's focuser or visual back.The .96" Economy model is a good choice when you want to expand your power ranges at a very economical price. Celestron's premium quality 1¼" achromatic Barlow lenses (#93507) are compact and lightweight. It is under three inches long, weighing in at 4 ounces.The Ultima Series Barlow (2x - 1¼") is an air-spaced, three element apochromatic design with a 27mm clear aperture. This lens features a very high quality, fully multicoated design. Amazingly compact and lightweight, it's just 5 ounces and 2.75" in length.
Customer Review: celestron ultima 2X barlow
The application for this barlow on my 8i/GPS SCT/XLT was to gain higher magnification options from longer focal length and eye relief eyepieces (ELux and Xcel 25-18-15mm)and stay in modest price ranges for everything. COMMON TESTS with the barlow vs. short focal length eyepieces to 8mm was most favorable: a) using both common and wide angle FOV eyepieces and b)testing with and without eye glasses while c) viewing Polaris double, Jupiter & moons and the Moon. Seeing conditions were poor (Dallas, summer, early evening sky with a lot of Moonlight.) Never the less I am pleased with both the Celestron Ultima 2X barlow and the strategy and therefore I "recommended". Shipping was prompt - much better than prior experiences with amazon.com - improvement so noted.
Customer Review: Inexpensive but great addition for your viewing pleasure
This particular Barlow, along with the Orion Shorty, is highly recommended on several of the astronomy forums on the internet. I got this one instead of the Orion simply because Amazon was offering it at about $52 at the time.
I've found that I enjoy using the Barlow when viewing planets and a few DSO's. It provides an economical way to virtually increase the number of eyepieces in your collection. It does introduce a little light loss with my eyepieces (maybe this is normal with all eyepieces), but it is not troublesome.
I certainly recommend this Barlow for those of you who want to cheaply expand your eyepiece collection.
Virtual Reality Sound Labs Mod Pod Wireless 4 in 1 Power Inverter and FM Transmitter
Virtual Reality Sound Labs Mod Pod Wireless 4 in 1 Power Inverter and FM Transmitter
Slim, lightweight 12V DC power inverter 110V AC power for devices up to 100 wattsUSB port for charging iPod½s, digital cameras, cell phones, etc.FM transmitter with audio input and digital LCD display
Customer Review: not reliable
I bought it and once used during the trip to Grand Canyon.
The power inverter is OK but noise, however the transmitter function is really bad. The signal by the transmitter was so weak, it was only functional when we was Grand Canyon without any interference by public radio. After trip, the transmitter function stoped to working any more.
Customer Review: Loud fan and buzz in FM transmitter
Purchased the item September 7th 2007.
Put it in my 2007 Chevy Silverado for an FM transmitter for my Dell Axim X30.
Had a $15 cheap no-name fm transmitter from CompUSA that worked OK, but fell apart.
First thing I noticed was the loud fan. Sounds like an old noisy CPU fan. Doesn't seem to have any temperature sensing since it fires up right away and stays at full power. Rotated it to redirect the sound, but ended up getting an extension and sticking it in my console. I can still hear it over the HVAC fan and road noise (stereo off).
Next I tried the FM transmitter and found that it was clipping badly. I am running the Replay Gain Handler (No clipping) Plugin for Pocket Player (which fixed my clipping problems in the past) and fiddled with the gain to minimize the clipping. In the end, minimizing the gain and lowering the volume seemed to fix the clipping issue which lead to the next problem.
With or without content being sent the transmitter adds a low hum to the sound. This is not present on standard radio stations and wasn't as loud on my old cheap-o transmitter. Between the low volume/gain on my Axim and keeping the stereo volume low to avoid the hum, it can be frustrating.
Last issue... The USB plug was installed crooked. I had to twist the white wedge to get the plug in. It moved with a snap... so I don't have a lot of confidence in its longevity. It does work though.
Haven't tried the inverter.
Hope this helps other purchasers.
Synergy Digital Mini Battery Charger Kit for Casio NP-20 Battery (110/220v with Car Adapter) with European Adapter
Synergy Digital Mini Battery Charger Kit for Casio NP-20 Battery (110/220v with Car Adapter) with European Adapter
This mini battery charger is specially designed to charge the Casio NP20 battery. Its small size will make it easy to travel with. Just plug it right into the wall, no wires to carry or trip over. Included is an adapter for European outlets, as well as an AC/DC adapter to enable using the battery charger while in the car.
Battery charger is 100% OEM Compatible
Guaranteed to meet or exceed OEM specifications
Hitech - Car DC Adapter wth USB Outlet for MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, PDAs.
Hitech - Car DC Adapter wth USB Outlet for MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, PDAs.
Input Voltage: 12-13.8V DC, Output Voltage: 5V DC, Output Current: 1000mA.
Headlines on wedding camerasWedding Day Flower Favor SaverThu, 10 Jul 2008 14:31:58 -0700
Wedding Day Flower Favor Saver If you’ve been looking for information about Wedding Day Flower Favor Saver,then you can stop your search you’ve found it! At Only Wedding Stuff We have done all the research for you.Now all you have do is START SHOPPING And Find All The Discounts For Your Big WEDDING Day Here’s a spin on party favors — one you can chew on, literally! Personalized candy wrappers…how neat! Lots of love wrapped in a package of sugar free breath mints…what better way to say th
Former Coronation Street star Suranne Jones on her latest role as ... - Glasgow Daily RecordSat, 12 Jul 2008 08:43:08 GMT
Like it or not, Prince William and Prince Harry are coming of age - Telegraph.co.ukFri, 11 Jul 2008 22:52:25 GMT
Labels: sony security camera | nikon d70 digital camera | disposable cameras wedding
wedding cameras For Your Reading PleasureUsing the Camera for Learning and Creativity With Children
Photography is easily recognizable as an art form and a creative outlet for many whether professional or amateur. With a digital camera, the ability to allow inexperienced children to begin their experimentation with photography without the cost concern associated with film and developing is an even greater opportunity. Childhood experience with photography can promote creativity and provide a wonderful tool for learning in general.
Certainly, working with a child to understand the operation of a simple digital camera is necessary before beginning but the possibilities to stimulate imagination, story telling, interest in topics such as history, geography, nature, and sciences among others are endless.
The following are just a few examples of some of the activities with a camera that can get children started on a life time of study, a hobby of interest, or simply an enthusiasm to explore and learn.
A Project for Younger Siblings
Many children enjoy creating projects for younger children, perhaps it is the desire in all of us to mentor. Identifying items that have the various letters of the alphabet in them, photographing them, and producing an alphabet book for a younger sibling just beginning to read is an example of such a project.
To further stimulate imagination, the development of a story book is another possibility. As an example, using the family dog, the child photographer could take various pictures of the pet and devise a short story around "The Life and Times of Fido", "Fido's Big Adventure", or whatever title is appropriate.
A Travel Diary
Like adults, children can use a camera to keep their own photo journal of any travels; whether to grandma's house or to the beach a record of memories is certainly a treasure.
To expand on the travel diary concept and broaden the interest in travel and geography, the child might fabricate a cardboard character to travel even further. By giving the cardboard character to friends and relatives who may be traveling, the character can tag along and be photographed in additional locations. Each travel escort should return any pictures taken with a written paragraph about the journey and location. Over time a rather extensive travel diary, far beyond what the child will personally experience, will form.
The Nature Experience
Developing an interest in science and nature is easy when a camera can provide the focus. Rather than collecting live insects, leaves, rocks, or flowers; photographs can do the job while providing a more permanent archive. The camera also allows collecting of items that would otherwise be impossible; animals, sunsets, waterfalls, footprints, or whatever captures the observant eye of a child.
Beyond collection, photography allows the study of some of the processes of nature. One example is to capture the progression of growth of a plant or animal with a camera. Whether planting a seed in a glass bowl and capturing its germination, rooting, sprouting, and growth or simply photographing a new kitten each week, the catalog of development helps to focus attention as well as potentially develop an interest in science.
Biographies, Family Trees, News Stories, and Documentaries
Challenging school age children to develop a family album complete with a short biography of each family member can stimulate creativity and allow an outlet for their sense of humor as well. Using a camera, some children even willingly accept the role as the family recorder of all special events with others making contributions as needed. A sense of responsibility can foster the desire to excel in their photographic efforts!
Another option for school age children which is a great summer project is to develop a monthly newspaper complete with pictures. The creative options are unlimited; from reporting on recent events in the neighborhood, the family vacation, the latest crime by the family dog, or updates on current or upcoming extracurricular activities can be among the articles accompanied by an appropriate photograph.
Stimulating Creative Writing or Story Telling
Stories can be formed by words, pictures, or both. Armed with a simple camera, a child can put together a sequence of pictures to tell a story; can a family member or younger sibling tell the story without the story being told in words? This type of activity is great for children who have an interest in doing projects for younger siblings.
Another activity to stimulate reading comprehension is to provide the child with a short story and ask them to illustrate the story with a few photographs using props.
Certainly, these activities represent only a very small number of the possibilities to use a camera in developing and expanding interests, fostering learning, and providing a sense of achievement for youngsters. With a little imagination, the camera can open up a whole world to the curious mind and eye of a child.
Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Take advantage of the wealth of simple to understand, useful information and shopping available on her website at http://www.homemedias.info | |
Celestron Ultima Barlow Lens
Barlow lenses offer an easy, economical way to increase the magnification range of your eyepieces, and Celestron carries an assortment of these highly useful lenses. A Barlow lens doubles the magnifying power of your eyepiece by doubling its effective focal length. For example, an 18mm eyepiece used with a 2x Barlow lens would have the magnifying power of a 9mm eyepiece. It's like having two eyepieces in one!If you're looking for an affordable way to achieve high-power viewing of the moon and planets, double stars and even close-up views of terrestrial subjects, a Barlow lens is the answer.Barlow lenses mount into either your telescope's focuser or visual back.The .96" Economy model is a good choice when you want to expand your power ranges at a very economical price. Celestron's premium quality 1¼" achromatic Barlow lenses (#93507) are compact and lightweight. It is under three inches long, weighing in at 4 ounces.The Ultima Series Barlow (2x - 1¼") is an air-spaced, three element apochromatic design with a 27mm clear aperture. This lens features a very high quality, fully multicoated design. Amazingly compact and lightweight, it's just 5 ounces and 2.75" in length.
Customer Review: celestron ultima 2X barlow
The application for this barlow on my 8i/GPS SCT/XLT was to gain higher magnification options from longer focal length and eye relief eyepieces (ELux and Xcel 25-18-15mm)and stay in modest price ranges for everything. COMMON TESTS with the barlow vs. short focal length eyepieces to 8mm was most favorable: a) using both common and wide angle FOV eyepieces and b)testing with and without eye glasses while c) viewing Polaris double, Jupiter & moons and the Moon. Seeing conditions were poor (Dallas, summer, early evening sky with a lot of Moonlight.) Never the less I am pleased with both the Celestron Ultima 2X barlow and the strategy and therefore I "recommended". Shipping was prompt - much better than prior experiences with amazon.com - improvement so noted.
Customer Review: Inexpensive but great addition for your viewing pleasure
This particular Barlow, along with the Orion Shorty, is highly recommended on several of the astronomy forums on the internet. I got this one instead of the Orion simply because Amazon was offering it at about $52 at the time.
I've found that I enjoy using the Barlow when viewing planets and a few DSO's. It provides an economical way to virtually increase the number of eyepieces in your collection. It does introduce a little light loss with my eyepieces (maybe this is normal with all eyepieces), but it is not troublesome.
I certainly recommend this Barlow for those of you who want to cheaply expand your eyepiece collection.
Virtual Reality Sound Labs Mod Pod Wireless 4 in 1 Power Inverter and FM Transmitter
Virtual Reality Sound Labs Mod Pod Wireless 4 in 1 Power Inverter and FM Transmitter
Slim, lightweight 12V DC power inverter 110V AC power for devices up to 100 wattsUSB port for charging iPod½s, digital cameras, cell phones, etc.FM transmitter with audio input and digital LCD display
Customer Review: not reliable
I bought it and once used during the trip to Grand Canyon.
The power inverter is OK but noise, however the transmitter function is really bad. The signal by the transmitter was so weak, it was only functional when we was Grand Canyon without any interference by public radio. After trip, the transmitter function stoped to working any more.
Customer Review: Loud fan and buzz in FM transmitter
Purchased the item September 7th 2007.
Put it in my 2007 Chevy Silverado for an FM transmitter for my Dell Axim X30.
Had a $15 cheap no-name fm transmitter from CompUSA that worked OK, but fell apart.
First thing I noticed was the loud fan. Sounds like an old noisy CPU fan. Doesn't seem to have any temperature sensing since it fires up right away and stays at full power. Rotated it to redirect the sound, but ended up getting an extension and sticking it in my console. I can still hear it over the HVAC fan and road noise (stereo off).
Next I tried the FM transmitter and found that it was clipping badly. I am running the Replay Gain Handler (No clipping) Plugin for Pocket Player (which fixed my clipping problems in the past) and fiddled with the gain to minimize the clipping. In the end, minimizing the gain and lowering the volume seemed to fix the clipping issue which lead to the next problem.
With or without content being sent the transmitter adds a low hum to the sound. This is not present on standard radio stations and wasn't as loud on my old cheap-o transmitter. Between the low volume/gain on my Axim and keeping the stereo volume low to avoid the hum, it can be frustrating.
Last issue... The USB plug was installed crooked. I had to twist the white wedge to get the plug in. It moved with a snap... so I don't have a lot of confidence in its longevity. It does work though.
Haven't tried the inverter.
Hope this helps other purchasers.
Synergy Digital Mini Battery Charger Kit for Casio NP-20 Battery (110/220v with Car Adapter) with European Adapter
Synergy Digital Mini Battery Charger Kit for Casio NP-20 Battery (110/220v with Car Adapter) with European Adapter
This mini battery charger is specially designed to charge the Casio NP20 battery. Its small size will make it easy to travel with. Just plug it right into the wall, no wires to carry or trip over. Included is an adapter for European outlets, as well as an AC/DC adapter to enable using the battery charger while in the car.
Battery charger is 100% OEM Compatible
Guaranteed to meet or exceed OEM specifications
Hitech - Car DC Adapter wth USB Outlet for MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, PDAs.
Hitech - Car DC Adapter wth USB Outlet for MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, PDAs.
Input Voltage: 12-13.8V DC, Output Voltage: 5V DC, Output Current: 1000mA.
Headlines on wedding camerasWedding Day Flower Favor SaverThu, 10 Jul 2008 14:31:58 -0700
Wedding Day Flower Favor Saver If you’ve been looking for information about Wedding Day Flower Favor Saver,then you can stop your search you’ve found it! At Only Wedding Stuff We have done all the research for you.Now all you have do is START SHOPPING And Find All The Discounts For Your Big WEDDING Day Here’s a spin on party favors — one you can chew on, literally! Personalized candy wrappers…how neat! Lots of love wrapped in a package of sugar free breath mints…what better way to say th
Former Coronation Street star Suranne Jones on her latest role as ... - Glasgow Daily RecordSat, 12 Jul 2008 08:43:08 GMT
Like it or not, Prince William and Prince Harry are coming of age - Telegraph.co.ukFri, 11 Jul 2008 22:52:25 GMT
Labels: sony security camera | nikon d70 digital camera | disposable cameras wedding
Writing all this on digital cameras olympus can be considered an obligation to us. This is because we felt obligated on imparting all this knowledge we knew about digital cameras olympus.
Today's digital cameras olympus ArticleChoosing The Right Digital Camera For You
Let's get something straight right out of the box. If you're looking to buy a new digital camera, you don't really have to be an expert in pixels and mega pixels and all that kind of stuff. If you expect to find that kind of deep technical discussion here, you're in the wrong place.
Actually, there's a whole lot of stuff you don't really need to know before tackling the daunting task of choosing the right digital camera for you.
First of all, forget all the high-tech jargon. It's mostly a lot of sales hype anyway. Choosing a good unit is pretty simple really...pretty much all you have to remember is that the higher the mega pixel rating on the front of the camera, the bigger picture you can make without it breaking up into little chunks (called pixels) and most likely the more cash it's likely going to pry out of your pocket. Each model has an array of techno-widgets that go by different names but they all have the same basic focus, to help you take a better picture.
I have a quick (and admittedly simplistic) overview of the pixel story. The shot on the left on my web page
http://www.great-nature-photography.com/digital-cameras.html
is one I took with a high pixel rating and the one on the right was with a much lower rating. They've been enlarged way beyond what you would normally do, but I do have a point to make here.
If you look carefully you can see there's a terrific difference in the way they look or, in the 'resolution'. The image on the right has already broken up into small pieces (pixels) (I hope) you can readily see. The picture on the left was magnified several times more than the one on the right which should give you an idea of how big you can enlarge it and still retain a fairly decent result. By the way, these shots are of a very, very small piece of a picture I took of snapdragons in our front yard.
A camera with a 5.0 mega pixel rating or higher can produce a decent 16X20 print but one with a 2.0 mega pixel rating or lower should be restricted to a maximum of 4X6 prints. For the most part, you won't be happy with pictures any larger than 4X6 from the lower rated camera.
Okay, Let's Pick A Camera...
Well, I have my favorites and my not-so favorites.
When I looked at all the digital cameras available, I was more than a little astounded at the vast selection of available equipment. It seems that every company thats ever heard the word computer has jumped on the bandwagon. It seems they lay their hands on some lenses, wrap a computerized box around them, added a few techno-widgets and bingo, instant digital camera!
Where did I start? Well, I went back to my tried and true method of buying a film camera that I talk about later. Its always worked for me and didnt let me down this time either.
My personal digital camera finally wound up to be an Olympus C-5050. By the way, Olympus did not do themselves or their customers any favors in my opinion by dumping the f1.8 lens on the C-5060.
I chose this camera for the fast f1.8 lens and ease of use. I'm lazy at best and wanted a unit that's going to do most of the work for me while leaving me with the option of doing what I want to do when I want to do it.
This unit has all the automatic features I'll ever need but I also have the ability to set up the camera completely manually. I can still do minimum depth-of-field work among other things. I never want to completely lose control to a mindless computer although they do have their uses at times.
The first thing I did after I opened the box was print off the user manual - all 265 pages of it! I figured I had done my duty by it and promptly ignored it.
After very quickly killing my first two sets of high-capacity alkaline batteries, I sprung for a couple sets of Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeables. Not only did they last longer but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the alkalines every darn time I picked up the camera.
It boils me to have to admit this but I actually had to go back to the user manual. I wasn't getting the results I wanted and there was also some 'stuff' on the camera I had no clue about using. The moral of this story is that you're gonna have to at least have a nodding acquaintance with your user manual. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Back to choosing a camera...
Throughout the years I've learned that if a camera 'fit' my hand it worked well for me. It may sound a little strange at first but just think about it. If you're handling something that feels awkward, your results are going to look like it. I had a Mamiya RB-67 for a lot of years. It was a big, ungainly unit but it was a good 'fit' for me and produced a great image. I also used a Hasselblad for quite a while but I much preferred the Mamiya and it gave me better results than the Hasselblad. (Don't tell Hasselblad lovers I said this, they'll kill me!)
So, rule of thumb...if it fits your hand nicely, if the main controls are handy to your fingers, if it has the mega pixel number you want and falls within your budget, you can be pretty confident this will do the job you want it to do. Oh yes, if it's a brand you've never heard of before, be very, very wary. It may work well and it may not. If it doesn't, there may not be any tech backup for you to be able to access.
The major camera companies spend lots of money developing new photo technologies. Although the latest techno-widgets go by different names, they all have the same goal, to make your pictures look as good as possible.
Pretty well every company in the world that has even come close to producing a good digital camera has gotten into the "SLR Wars".
Single lens reflex cameras dominated the photo market for years until digital technology hit the market. Because of design and price limitations, SLR technology has not been widely available in digital cameras until the last year or so.
The furious pace of technological developments has completely overtaken the market and even professional photographers are being boggled trying to keep up.
Remember the old Nikon F2? It was the major link in the Nikon chain of professional cameras for over 10 years! This was pretty much the norm until the computer hit the photographic industry big time.
Changes used to come slowly and deliberately and it wasn't hard to keep up with the latest and greatest when major new developments came along only two or three times in a decade.
The battle now is to produce digital cameras that operate faster, can be sold cheaper and will produce a better picture. Severe competition even exists within the same corporate structure where teams of developers do their utmost to 'outgun' other camera designers who work in the same building as they do.
Nikon has a distinct advantage over many of the other manufacturers in that owners of some of the older series of Nikon lenses can use them with the new digital bodies, a tremendous dollar saving to the photographer.
Most of this is aimed at the professional photographer. But, with technology changing as rapidly as it is, a camera technology that sells for several thousands of dollars today will undoubtedly become available to people like you and me in the next couple of years for a whole lot less money.
One of the hardest jobs a new camera buyer will have is determine which of the new techno-widgets does the best job and is the best value.
One thing to keep in mind about camera featuresthey all have the same job and thats to help you take a better photo.
Picture this if you will. If you lined up 10 cameras from different manufacturers, each with similar basic features, took the same picture with each, I think even the camera manufacturers would have a tough time picking out which of the resulting photos came from their units.
Getting feedback from all kinds of users is one very excellent use of newsgroups. Serious photographers, amateur and professional both, love to talk about their latest 'toys'. This is a good way to spend time and a good place to ask questions and get (sometimes) intelligent answers.
Don't wait until you've made the investment to start doing your homework.
Another rule of thumb, if you're happy with a particular brand name already, my suggestion is to stick with it. You'll probably be more satisfied in the long run.
Now, having said all that, there are currently five search engine 'favorite' companies among the people looking for information on the Internet, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon in this order of popularity.
Understanding how to set your camera's resolution is absolutely vital. There's no shortcut and there's no way around it. This is the core of taking a good reproducible photograph. If, for instance, your camera is set for 240X360, you can forget making any kind of decent print above a 'thumbnail' size.
The low-end cameras are not a bargain if you're looking for good photo reproduction. Labs are constantly arguing with customers who submit low resolution digital images from a cheap camera for printing and then aren't happy with the results. They simply don't understand why their pictures are so lousy. Lenses and the type of digital image recording technology are also critical factors.
I won't get into the technical details of why but I will suggest you consider spending in the $250 to $400 range if you want something that will satisfy you.
Lets spend a few minutes on lenses. Pretty well all of the digital cameras these days have a form of zoom lens. Most of the higher-end cameras have the capability for the user to add either an external telephoto or wide-angle lens. Depending on the type of photography you want to do will determine whether or not this is of value to you.
One thing to watch out for. The higher end cameras have very good glass lenses. Its part of what you're paying for. The lower-end units have progressively less expensive lenses and consequently, a lower image definition.
There are both optical and digital zoom capabilities on digital cameras. The term "optical zoom" simply means you're using the glass lenses to do the magnification. "Digital zoom" on the other hand simply increases the size of the pixels to make the image larger. For reasons of image clarity, the optical zoom is a far better way to go.
One last note - if you run across the "best deal in town" on a very low-priced name brand camera, check to make sure it isn't badly out-dated. Buying well-priced clearance stock is okay if it isn't too old. In this computer age, pretty well anything over a year old is considered 'old technology'. As new technologies are developed the price keeps going down so you could actually be money ahead by investing in the 'latest and greatest'.
Always keep in mind the old adage that 'you usually get what you pay for.
If you go to a 'box' store looking for the best price, don't expect service. The folks there simply don't know what they're selling. Their job is to move as much merchandise as they can as quickly as possible. It's not to give you advice.
Go to the Internet to get the latest data directly from the manufacturers. It changes very, very quickly. When you do this, try to climb through all the sales hype to get to the 'meat' of what the cameras are all about. Newsgroups can also a very excellent source of advice for 'newbies'.
Most people will be very happy to give you their personal opinion of what you should buy. Just remember, they won't usually tell you what the downside to their purchase is. They don't want to look less than 'expert' in your eyes. Do your own homework. This is an investment you probably won't repeat for several years.
A specialty camera store on the other hand gives the buyer both service and product and usually very well. Keep in mind that the specialty store personnel are quite often very highly trained and will probably be well prepared to help you find the best equipment for you and will also give you a 'leg-up' in getting started using it.
We need to spend a couple of moments on storage media. Whatever size media card you stick in your camera will determine the number of pictures you can take and store. It's like a roll of film, the bigger the roll the more pictures you can take.
Digital images are no different. The greater the number of available megabytes (Mb), the higher the number of pictures you can take.
A word of caution - never, never, never leave your media card in a photo lab. The incidence of loss is high and most labs won't replace lost cards. Quite frankly, I don't blame them. Far, far too many false claims have been made and labs now refuse to take any responsibility for your memory cards.
Thats it for this one.
Keep your film dry your lenses clean!
You can see more at:
http://www.great-nature-photography.com
Actually, there's a whole lot of stuff you don't really need to know before tackling the daunting task of choosing the right digital camera for you.
First of all, forget all the high-tech jargon. It's mostly a lot of sales hype anyway. Choosing a good unit is pretty simple really...pretty much all you have to remember is that the higher the mega pixel rating on the front of the camera, the bigger picture you can make without it breaking up into little chunks (called pixels) and most likely the more cash it's likely going to pry out of your pocket. Each model has an array of techno-widgets that go by different names but they all have the same basic focus, to help you take a better picture.
I have a quick (and admittedly simplistic) overview of the pixel story. The shot on the left on my web page
http://www.great-nature-photography.com/digital-cameras.html
is one I took with a high pixel rating and the one on the right was with a much lower rating. They've been enlarged way beyond what you would normally do, but I do have a point to make here.
If you look carefully you can see there's a terrific difference in the way they look or, in the 'resolution'. The image on the right has already broken up into small pieces (pixels) (I hope) you can readily see. The picture on the left was magnified several times more than the one on the right which should give you an idea of how big you can enlarge it and still retain a fairly decent result. By the way, these shots are of a very, very small piece of a picture I took of snapdragons in our front yard.
A camera with a 5.0 mega pixel rating or higher can produce a decent 16X20 print but one with a 2.0 mega pixel rating or lower should be restricted to a maximum of 4X6 prints. For the most part, you won't be happy with pictures any larger than 4X6 from the lower rated camera.
Okay, Let's Pick A Camera...
Well, I have my favorites and my not-so favorites.
When I looked at all the digital cameras available, I was more than a little astounded at the vast selection of available equipment. It seems that every company thats ever heard the word computer has jumped on the bandwagon. It seems they lay their hands on some lenses, wrap a computerized box around them, added a few techno-widgets and bingo, instant digital camera!
Where did I start? Well, I went back to my tried and true method of buying a film camera that I talk about later. Its always worked for me and didnt let me down this time either.
My personal digital camera finally wound up to be an Olympus C-5050. By the way, Olympus did not do themselves or their customers any favors in my opinion by dumping the f1.8 lens on the C-5060.
I chose this camera for the fast f1.8 lens and ease of use. I'm lazy at best and wanted a unit that's going to do most of the work for me while leaving me with the option of doing what I want to do when I want to do it.
This unit has all the automatic features I'll ever need but I also have the ability to set up the camera completely manually. I can still do minimum depth-of-field work among other things. I never want to completely lose control to a mindless computer although they do have their uses at times.
The first thing I did after I opened the box was print off the user manual - all 265 pages of it! I figured I had done my duty by it and promptly ignored it.
After very quickly killing my first two sets of high-capacity alkaline batteries, I sprung for a couple sets of Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeables. Not only did they last longer but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the alkalines every darn time I picked up the camera.
It boils me to have to admit this but I actually had to go back to the user manual. I wasn't getting the results I wanted and there was also some 'stuff' on the camera I had no clue about using. The moral of this story is that you're gonna have to at least have a nodding acquaintance with your user manual. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Back to choosing a camera...
Throughout the years I've learned that if a camera 'fit' my hand it worked well for me. It may sound a little strange at first but just think about it. If you're handling something that feels awkward, your results are going to look like it. I had a Mamiya RB-67 for a lot of years. It was a big, ungainly unit but it was a good 'fit' for me and produced a great image. I also used a Hasselblad for quite a while but I much preferred the Mamiya and it gave me better results than the Hasselblad. (Don't tell Hasselblad lovers I said this, they'll kill me!)
So, rule of thumb...if it fits your hand nicely, if the main controls are handy to your fingers, if it has the mega pixel number you want and falls within your budget, you can be pretty confident this will do the job you want it to do. Oh yes, if it's a brand you've never heard of before, be very, very wary. It may work well and it may not. If it doesn't, there may not be any tech backup for you to be able to access.
The major camera companies spend lots of money developing new photo technologies. Although the latest techno-widgets go by different names, they all have the same goal, to make your pictures look as good as possible.
Pretty well every company in the world that has even come close to producing a good digital camera has gotten into the "SLR Wars".
Single lens reflex cameras dominated the photo market for years until digital technology hit the market. Because of design and price limitations, SLR technology has not been widely available in digital cameras until the last year or so.
The furious pace of technological developments has completely overtaken the market and even professional photographers are being boggled trying to keep up.
Remember the old Nikon F2? It was the major link in the Nikon chain of professional cameras for over 10 years! This was pretty much the norm until the computer hit the photographic industry big time.
Changes used to come slowly and deliberately and it wasn't hard to keep up with the latest and greatest when major new developments came along only two or three times in a decade.
The battle now is to produce digital cameras that operate faster, can be sold cheaper and will produce a better picture. Severe competition even exists within the same corporate structure where teams of developers do their utmost to 'outgun' other camera designers who work in the same building as they do.
Nikon has a distinct advantage over many of the other manufacturers in that owners of some of the older series of Nikon lenses can use them with the new digital bodies, a tremendous dollar saving to the photographer.
Most of this is aimed at the professional photographer. But, with technology changing as rapidly as it is, a camera technology that sells for several thousands of dollars today will undoubtedly become available to people like you and me in the next couple of years for a whole lot less money.
One of the hardest jobs a new camera buyer will have is determine which of the new techno-widgets does the best job and is the best value.
One thing to keep in mind about camera featuresthey all have the same job and thats to help you take a better photo.
Picture this if you will. If you lined up 10 cameras from different manufacturers, each with similar basic features, took the same picture with each, I think even the camera manufacturers would have a tough time picking out which of the resulting photos came from their units.
Getting feedback from all kinds of users is one very excellent use of newsgroups. Serious photographers, amateur and professional both, love to talk about their latest 'toys'. This is a good way to spend time and a good place to ask questions and get (sometimes) intelligent answers.
Don't wait until you've made the investment to start doing your homework.
Another rule of thumb, if you're happy with a particular brand name already, my suggestion is to stick with it. You'll probably be more satisfied in the long run.
Now, having said all that, there are currently five search engine 'favorite' companies among the people looking for information on the Internet, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon in this order of popularity.
Understanding how to set your camera's resolution is absolutely vital. There's no shortcut and there's no way around it. This is the core of taking a good reproducible photograph. If, for instance, your camera is set for 240X360, you can forget making any kind of decent print above a 'thumbnail' size.
The low-end cameras are not a bargain if you're looking for good photo reproduction. Labs are constantly arguing with customers who submit low resolution digital images from a cheap camera for printing and then aren't happy with the results. They simply don't understand why their pictures are so lousy. Lenses and the type of digital image recording technology are also critical factors.
I won't get into the technical details of why but I will suggest you consider spending in the $250 to $400 range if you want something that will satisfy you.
Lets spend a few minutes on lenses. Pretty well all of the digital cameras these days have a form of zoom lens. Most of the higher-end cameras have the capability for the user to add either an external telephoto or wide-angle lens. Depending on the type of photography you want to do will determine whether or not this is of value to you.
One thing to watch out for. The higher end cameras have very good glass lenses. Its part of what you're paying for. The lower-end units have progressively less expensive lenses and consequently, a lower image definition.
There are both optical and digital zoom capabilities on digital cameras. The term "optical zoom" simply means you're using the glass lenses to do the magnification. "Digital zoom" on the other hand simply increases the size of the pixels to make the image larger. For reasons of image clarity, the optical zoom is a far better way to go.
One last note - if you run across the "best deal in town" on a very low-priced name brand camera, check to make sure it isn't badly out-dated. Buying well-priced clearance stock is okay if it isn't too old. In this computer age, pretty well anything over a year old is considered 'old technology'. As new technologies are developed the price keeps going down so you could actually be money ahead by investing in the 'latest and greatest'.
Always keep in mind the old adage that 'you usually get what you pay for.
If you go to a 'box' store looking for the best price, don't expect service. The folks there simply don't know what they're selling. Their job is to move as much merchandise as they can as quickly as possible. It's not to give you advice.
Go to the Internet to get the latest data directly from the manufacturers. It changes very, very quickly. When you do this, try to climb through all the sales hype to get to the 'meat' of what the cameras are all about. Newsgroups can also a very excellent source of advice for 'newbies'.
Most people will be very happy to give you their personal opinion of what you should buy. Just remember, they won't usually tell you what the downside to their purchase is. They don't want to look less than 'expert' in your eyes. Do your own homework. This is an investment you probably won't repeat for several years.
A specialty camera store on the other hand gives the buyer both service and product and usually very well. Keep in mind that the specialty store personnel are quite often very highly trained and will probably be well prepared to help you find the best equipment for you and will also give you a 'leg-up' in getting started using it.
We need to spend a couple of moments on storage media. Whatever size media card you stick in your camera will determine the number of pictures you can take and store. It's like a roll of film, the bigger the roll the more pictures you can take.
Digital images are no different. The greater the number of available megabytes (Mb), the higher the number of pictures you can take.
A word of caution - never, never, never leave your media card in a photo lab. The incidence of loss is high and most labs won't replace lost cards. Quite frankly, I don't blame them. Far, far too many false claims have been made and labs now refuse to take any responsibility for your memory cards.
Thats it for this one.
Keep your film dry your lenses clean!
You can see more at:
http://www.great-nature-photography.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gordon has spent well over 30 years in the photo industry. In addition to ownng his own photo lab and professional studio for many years, he has also taught.
Recommended digital cameras olympus ItemsOlympus 2 GB xD Picture Card Type M 202170
Olympus 2 GB xD Picture Card Type M 202170
stores digital photos and other files when used with compatible devices *
Customer Review: Es
Great price, I checked everywhere before purchasing. Shipped out quickly. Definately would use this company again.
Customer Review: Works as it should
I used this card with my new Olympus camera and no problems, although only two weeks later the new M+ card came out (sigh!) so now I have one card of each with room for tons of fine pics.
Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)
Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)
Complete Digital Photography has become a classic book for helping traditional photographers move to digital! It's also the book of choice for many new digital photographers who want to learn how to take great digital photos. Now in its 4th edition, this bestseller has been fine-tuned and updated to provide the most current information available. Covering everything from the inner workings of the camera to the subtle intricacies of image editing software, the book is divided into four sections. The first section provides the basic technical foundation needed throughout the rest of the book. It details the basics of how digital cameras work and provides a quick photography primer. The second part explores everything needed to make an informed decision about which camera, computer, and software to choose. Section three has been thoroughly updated and expanded to cover the nitty gritty of shooting, including metering, choosing the right exposure, using histograms, flash photography, and much more. And the final section, teaches the latest digital editing and correction techniques, including new coverage of workflow and raw conversion.
Customer Review: very good book on basics of digital photography
Complete Digital Photography (4th Ed) is a good basic explanation of how digital photography differs from film. Having browsed the 3rd edition before buying the 4th, I found much of the 4th Ed to be repetitive and there was not substantive new material. That does not diminish the value of this book if you are getting started in digital photography. This book should be of value to the novice photographer as well as the accomplished amateur who is switching from film to digital. Warning: if you are looking for a book to guide you through the artistic side of photography -- the 'how-to-take-a-great-picture' instructions, this is not the book for you. This book explains how things work, why they work the way they do, and can serve as an excellent reference for the novice digital photographer as he or she gets more into the craft and wants to try new things. As a relatively accomplished amateur film photographer, it has eased my transition to SLR-digital.
Customer Review: Knows little about cameras
While Ben may have some good ideas, he clearly lacks in the knowledge of the cameras. This shows through time and again. For example, the fact that he will choose a camera of a specific brand over a better camera from another brand only because of the name printed on the body is simply laughable. Very biased towards certain products without regard for what works best. Sometimes when he gives advise that is completely wrong simply because he doesn't know enough on how to use a particular device or technique.
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
- An 816-page All-in-One guide designed for both beginning and experienced digital photographers, offering seven minibooks on everything from buying a camera and choosing the right equipment to editing with high-end tools and restoring photos digitally
- Includes chapters on basics such as point-and-shoot photography, with later chapters exploring editing, printing, and shooting portraits or high-speed action
- This new edition covers the latest technology changes in digital photography, including Photoshop 7, new low-priced SLR cameras, updated storage and output options with DVD technology, and how each of these changes affects photography techniques
- David Busch is the author of more than fifty technology books, most covering digital photography, image editing, and digital restoration
Customer Review: "Aim" is off
The book is filled with info, but it "focuses" on the digital SLR, rather than the point and shoot. There should have been a warning in the description. It's still useful.
Customer Review: Digital Photography for Dummies
This book is huge and covers most anything one can think of on this topic. I bought it for my husband who has recently acquired a digital camera. He hasn't begun to even scratch the surface but has already found it helpful and knows it will as he tries new things.
Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide
Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide
Photography is all about light. Canon Speedlites give you the next best thing to cumbersome studio lighting - wireless flash units that you can actually pack in your camera bag and take along. Tuck this full-color book in there, too. It will help you maximize the effectiveness of your Speedlites and help you create professional lighting effects in more than a dozen unique settings. With this Digital Field Guide you'll:
- Learn all your Speedlite's settings and how to use E-TTL metering.
- Experiment with bounce flash, fill flash, and using multiple flash units.
- Set up a portable wireless studio with backgrounds, umbrellas, and soft boxes.
- Use Speedlites to light professional-quality shots ranging from studio portraits to concerts to product photography.
- Explore exposure, lens choices, and lighting for outdoor portraits, still lifes, and much more.
Order your copy today!
Customer Review: Amateurish waste of money
This was a big waste of money. The writing was amateurish, the examples poorly described, and I learned almost nothing from reading this book. I had to Google to learn about my 430EX because the book failed to explain key concepts.
Customer Review: Helpful Book
It's good to find a book that can help you to understand the functionality of the speedlite, and this book is what I was searching for.
Headlines on digital cameras olympusDigital beasts: six great D-SLRs and superzooms (Independent)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:23:54 GMT
Nature doesn't always behave itself. Where a human subject may be amenable to waiting and smiling for the camera, animals have their own agendas. So, while many cameras have advanced features, not all of them are helpful for nature photography. Face detection systems – where the camera recognises faces and focuses on them automatically – are mostly redundant, as with very few exceptions they ...
Olympus announces 360-degree CCD sensor prototype, surveillance firms drool (Engadget)Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:35:16 GMT
Filed under: Digital Cameras Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious "axial symmetrical free curved surface lens." Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on ...
Olympus developing 360-degree lensWed, 02 Jul 2008 23:45:11 GMT
Camera giant Olympus has been recently playing with the idea of a 360-degree camera lens.
Labels: outdoor surveillance camera | home security video camera | hidden surveillance camera
Today's digital cameras olympus ArticleChoosing The Right Digital Camera For You
Let's get something straight right out of the box. If you're looking to buy a new digital camera, you don't really have to be an expert in pixels and mega pixels and all that kind of stuff. If you expect to find that kind of deep technical discussion here, you're in the wrong place.
Actually, there's a whole lot of stuff you don't really need to know before tackling the daunting task of choosing the right digital camera for you.
First of all, forget all the high-tech jargon. It's mostly a lot of sales hype anyway. Choosing a good unit is pretty simple really...pretty much all you have to remember is that the higher the mega pixel rating on the front of the camera, the bigger picture you can make without it breaking up into little chunks (called pixels) and most likely the more cash it's likely going to pry out of your pocket. Each model has an array of techno-widgets that go by different names but they all have the same basic focus, to help you take a better picture.
I have a quick (and admittedly simplistic) overview of the pixel story. The shot on the left on my web page
http://www.great-nature-photography.com/digital-cameras.html
is one I took with a high pixel rating and the one on the right was with a much lower rating. They've been enlarged way beyond what you would normally do, but I do have a point to make here.
If you look carefully you can see there's a terrific difference in the way they look or, in the 'resolution'. The image on the right has already broken up into small pieces (pixels) (I hope) you can readily see. The picture on the left was magnified several times more than the one on the right which should give you an idea of how big you can enlarge it and still retain a fairly decent result. By the way, these shots are of a very, very small piece of a picture I took of snapdragons in our front yard.
A camera with a 5.0 mega pixel rating or higher can produce a decent 16X20 print but one with a 2.0 mega pixel rating or lower should be restricted to a maximum of 4X6 prints. For the most part, you won't be happy with pictures any larger than 4X6 from the lower rated camera.
Okay, Let's Pick A Camera...
Well, I have my favorites and my not-so favorites.
When I looked at all the digital cameras available, I was more than a little astounded at the vast selection of available equipment. It seems that every company thats ever heard the word computer has jumped on the bandwagon. It seems they lay their hands on some lenses, wrap a computerized box around them, added a few techno-widgets and bingo, instant digital camera!
Where did I start? Well, I went back to my tried and true method of buying a film camera that I talk about later. Its always worked for me and didnt let me down this time either.
My personal digital camera finally wound up to be an Olympus C-5050. By the way, Olympus did not do themselves or their customers any favors in my opinion by dumping the f1.8 lens on the C-5060.
I chose this camera for the fast f1.8 lens and ease of use. I'm lazy at best and wanted a unit that's going to do most of the work for me while leaving me with the option of doing what I want to do when I want to do it.
This unit has all the automatic features I'll ever need but I also have the ability to set up the camera completely manually. I can still do minimum depth-of-field work among other things. I never want to completely lose control to a mindless computer although they do have their uses at times.
The first thing I did after I opened the box was print off the user manual - all 265 pages of it! I figured I had done my duty by it and promptly ignored it.
After very quickly killing my first two sets of high-capacity alkaline batteries, I sprung for a couple sets of Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeables. Not only did they last longer but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the alkalines every darn time I picked up the camera.
It boils me to have to admit this but I actually had to go back to the user manual. I wasn't getting the results I wanted and there was also some 'stuff' on the camera I had no clue about using. The moral of this story is that you're gonna have to at least have a nodding acquaintance with your user manual. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Back to choosing a camera...
Throughout the years I've learned that if a camera 'fit' my hand it worked well for me. It may sound a little strange at first but just think about it. If you're handling something that feels awkward, your results are going to look like it. I had a Mamiya RB-67 for a lot of years. It was a big, ungainly unit but it was a good 'fit' for me and produced a great image. I also used a Hasselblad for quite a while but I much preferred the Mamiya and it gave me better results than the Hasselblad. (Don't tell Hasselblad lovers I said this, they'll kill me!)
So, rule of thumb...if it fits your hand nicely, if the main controls are handy to your fingers, if it has the mega pixel number you want and falls within your budget, you can be pretty confident this will do the job you want it to do. Oh yes, if it's a brand you've never heard of before, be very, very wary. It may work well and it may not. If it doesn't, there may not be any tech backup for you to be able to access.
The major camera companies spend lots of money developing new photo technologies. Although the latest techno-widgets go by different names, they all have the same goal, to make your pictures look as good as possible.
Pretty well every company in the world that has even come close to producing a good digital camera has gotten into the "SLR Wars".
Single lens reflex cameras dominated the photo market for years until digital technology hit the market. Because of design and price limitations, SLR technology has not been widely available in digital cameras until the last year or so.
The furious pace of technological developments has completely overtaken the market and even professional photographers are being boggled trying to keep up.
Remember the old Nikon F2? It was the major link in the Nikon chain of professional cameras for over 10 years! This was pretty much the norm until the computer hit the photographic industry big time.
Changes used to come slowly and deliberately and it wasn't hard to keep up with the latest and greatest when major new developments came along only two or three times in a decade.
The battle now is to produce digital cameras that operate faster, can be sold cheaper and will produce a better picture. Severe competition even exists within the same corporate structure where teams of developers do their utmost to 'outgun' other camera designers who work in the same building as they do.
Nikon has a distinct advantage over many of the other manufacturers in that owners of some of the older series of Nikon lenses can use them with the new digital bodies, a tremendous dollar saving to the photographer.
Most of this is aimed at the professional photographer. But, with technology changing as rapidly as it is, a camera technology that sells for several thousands of dollars today will undoubtedly become available to people like you and me in the next couple of years for a whole lot less money.
One of the hardest jobs a new camera buyer will have is determine which of the new techno-widgets does the best job and is the best value.
One thing to keep in mind about camera featuresthey all have the same job and thats to help you take a better photo.
Picture this if you will. If you lined up 10 cameras from different manufacturers, each with similar basic features, took the same picture with each, I think even the camera manufacturers would have a tough time picking out which of the resulting photos came from their units.
Getting feedback from all kinds of users is one very excellent use of newsgroups. Serious photographers, amateur and professional both, love to talk about their latest 'toys'. This is a good way to spend time and a good place to ask questions and get (sometimes) intelligent answers.
Don't wait until you've made the investment to start doing your homework.
Another rule of thumb, if you're happy with a particular brand name already, my suggestion is to stick with it. You'll probably be more satisfied in the long run.
Now, having said all that, there are currently five search engine 'favorite' companies among the people looking for information on the Internet, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon in this order of popularity.
Understanding how to set your camera's resolution is absolutely vital. There's no shortcut and there's no way around it. This is the core of taking a good reproducible photograph. If, for instance, your camera is set for 240X360, you can forget making any kind of decent print above a 'thumbnail' size.
The low-end cameras are not a bargain if you're looking for good photo reproduction. Labs are constantly arguing with customers who submit low resolution digital images from a cheap camera for printing and then aren't happy with the results. They simply don't understand why their pictures are so lousy. Lenses and the type of digital image recording technology are also critical factors.
I won't get into the technical details of why but I will suggest you consider spending in the $250 to $400 range if you want something that will satisfy you.
Lets spend a few minutes on lenses. Pretty well all of the digital cameras these days have a form of zoom lens. Most of the higher-end cameras have the capability for the user to add either an external telephoto or wide-angle lens. Depending on the type of photography you want to do will determine whether or not this is of value to you.
One thing to watch out for. The higher end cameras have very good glass lenses. Its part of what you're paying for. The lower-end units have progressively less expensive lenses and consequently, a lower image definition.
There are both optical and digital zoom capabilities on digital cameras. The term "optical zoom" simply means you're using the glass lenses to do the magnification. "Digital zoom" on the other hand simply increases the size of the pixels to make the image larger. For reasons of image clarity, the optical zoom is a far better way to go.
One last note - if you run across the "best deal in town" on a very low-priced name brand camera, check to make sure it isn't badly out-dated. Buying well-priced clearance stock is okay if it isn't too old. In this computer age, pretty well anything over a year old is considered 'old technology'. As new technologies are developed the price keeps going down so you could actually be money ahead by investing in the 'latest and greatest'.
Always keep in mind the old adage that 'you usually get what you pay for.
If you go to a 'box' store looking for the best price, don't expect service. The folks there simply don't know what they're selling. Their job is to move as much merchandise as they can as quickly as possible. It's not to give you advice.
Go to the Internet to get the latest data directly from the manufacturers. It changes very, very quickly. When you do this, try to climb through all the sales hype to get to the 'meat' of what the cameras are all about. Newsgroups can also a very excellent source of advice for 'newbies'.
Most people will be very happy to give you their personal opinion of what you should buy. Just remember, they won't usually tell you what the downside to their purchase is. They don't want to look less than 'expert' in your eyes. Do your own homework. This is an investment you probably won't repeat for several years.
A specialty camera store on the other hand gives the buyer both service and product and usually very well. Keep in mind that the specialty store personnel are quite often very highly trained and will probably be well prepared to help you find the best equipment for you and will also give you a 'leg-up' in getting started using it.
We need to spend a couple of moments on storage media. Whatever size media card you stick in your camera will determine the number of pictures you can take and store. It's like a roll of film, the bigger the roll the more pictures you can take.
Digital images are no different. The greater the number of available megabytes (Mb), the higher the number of pictures you can take.
A word of caution - never, never, never leave your media card in a photo lab. The incidence of loss is high and most labs won't replace lost cards. Quite frankly, I don't blame them. Far, far too many false claims have been made and labs now refuse to take any responsibility for your memory cards.
Thats it for this one.
Keep your film dry your lenses clean!
You can see more at:
http://www.great-nature-photography.com
Actually, there's a whole lot of stuff you don't really need to know before tackling the daunting task of choosing the right digital camera for you.
First of all, forget all the high-tech jargon. It's mostly a lot of sales hype anyway. Choosing a good unit is pretty simple really...pretty much all you have to remember is that the higher the mega pixel rating on the front of the camera, the bigger picture you can make without it breaking up into little chunks (called pixels) and most likely the more cash it's likely going to pry out of your pocket. Each model has an array of techno-widgets that go by different names but they all have the same basic focus, to help you take a better picture.
I have a quick (and admittedly simplistic) overview of the pixel story. The shot on the left on my web page
http://www.great-nature-photography.com/digital-cameras.html
is one I took with a high pixel rating and the one on the right was with a much lower rating. They've been enlarged way beyond what you would normally do, but I do have a point to make here.
If you look carefully you can see there's a terrific difference in the way they look or, in the 'resolution'. The image on the right has already broken up into small pieces (pixels) (I hope) you can readily see. The picture on the left was magnified several times more than the one on the right which should give you an idea of how big you can enlarge it and still retain a fairly decent result. By the way, these shots are of a very, very small piece of a picture I took of snapdragons in our front yard.
A camera with a 5.0 mega pixel rating or higher can produce a decent 16X20 print but one with a 2.0 mega pixel rating or lower should be restricted to a maximum of 4X6 prints. For the most part, you won't be happy with pictures any larger than 4X6 from the lower rated camera.
Okay, Let's Pick A Camera...
Well, I have my favorites and my not-so favorites.
When I looked at all the digital cameras available, I was more than a little astounded at the vast selection of available equipment. It seems that every company thats ever heard the word computer has jumped on the bandwagon. It seems they lay their hands on some lenses, wrap a computerized box around them, added a few techno-widgets and bingo, instant digital camera!
Where did I start? Well, I went back to my tried and true method of buying a film camera that I talk about later. Its always worked for me and didnt let me down this time either.
My personal digital camera finally wound up to be an Olympus C-5050. By the way, Olympus did not do themselves or their customers any favors in my opinion by dumping the f1.8 lens on the C-5060.
I chose this camera for the fast f1.8 lens and ease of use. I'm lazy at best and wanted a unit that's going to do most of the work for me while leaving me with the option of doing what I want to do when I want to do it.
This unit has all the automatic features I'll ever need but I also have the ability to set up the camera completely manually. I can still do minimum depth-of-field work among other things. I never want to completely lose control to a mindless computer although they do have their uses at times.
The first thing I did after I opened the box was print off the user manual - all 265 pages of it! I figured I had done my duty by it and promptly ignored it.
After very quickly killing my first two sets of high-capacity alkaline batteries, I sprung for a couple sets of Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeables. Not only did they last longer but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the alkalines every darn time I picked up the camera.
It boils me to have to admit this but I actually had to go back to the user manual. I wasn't getting the results I wanted and there was also some 'stuff' on the camera I had no clue about using. The moral of this story is that you're gonna have to at least have a nodding acquaintance with your user manual. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Back to choosing a camera...
Throughout the years I've learned that if a camera 'fit' my hand it worked well for me. It may sound a little strange at first but just think about it. If you're handling something that feels awkward, your results are going to look like it. I had a Mamiya RB-67 for a lot of years. It was a big, ungainly unit but it was a good 'fit' for me and produced a great image. I also used a Hasselblad for quite a while but I much preferred the Mamiya and it gave me better results than the Hasselblad. (Don't tell Hasselblad lovers I said this, they'll kill me!)
So, rule of thumb...if it fits your hand nicely, if the main controls are handy to your fingers, if it has the mega pixel number you want and falls within your budget, you can be pretty confident this will do the job you want it to do. Oh yes, if it's a brand you've never heard of before, be very, very wary. It may work well and it may not. If it doesn't, there may not be any tech backup for you to be able to access.
The major camera companies spend lots of money developing new photo technologies. Although the latest techno-widgets go by different names, they all have the same goal, to make your pictures look as good as possible.
Pretty well every company in the world that has even come close to producing a good digital camera has gotten into the "SLR Wars".
Single lens reflex cameras dominated the photo market for years until digital technology hit the market. Because of design and price limitations, SLR technology has not been widely available in digital cameras until the last year or so.
The furious pace of technological developments has completely overtaken the market and even professional photographers are being boggled trying to keep up.
Remember the old Nikon F2? It was the major link in the Nikon chain of professional cameras for over 10 years! This was pretty much the norm until the computer hit the photographic industry big time.
Changes used to come slowly and deliberately and it wasn't hard to keep up with the latest and greatest when major new developments came along only two or three times in a decade.
The battle now is to produce digital cameras that operate faster, can be sold cheaper and will produce a better picture. Severe competition even exists within the same corporate structure where teams of developers do their utmost to 'outgun' other camera designers who work in the same building as they do.
Nikon has a distinct advantage over many of the other manufacturers in that owners of some of the older series of Nikon lenses can use them with the new digital bodies, a tremendous dollar saving to the photographer.
Most of this is aimed at the professional photographer. But, with technology changing as rapidly as it is, a camera technology that sells for several thousands of dollars today will undoubtedly become available to people like you and me in the next couple of years for a whole lot less money.
One of the hardest jobs a new camera buyer will have is determine which of the new techno-widgets does the best job and is the best value.
One thing to keep in mind about camera featuresthey all have the same job and thats to help you take a better photo.
Picture this if you will. If you lined up 10 cameras from different manufacturers, each with similar basic features, took the same picture with each, I think even the camera manufacturers would have a tough time picking out which of the resulting photos came from their units.
Getting feedback from all kinds of users is one very excellent use of newsgroups. Serious photographers, amateur and professional both, love to talk about their latest 'toys'. This is a good way to spend time and a good place to ask questions and get (sometimes) intelligent answers.
Don't wait until you've made the investment to start doing your homework.
Another rule of thumb, if you're happy with a particular brand name already, my suggestion is to stick with it. You'll probably be more satisfied in the long run.
Now, having said all that, there are currently five search engine 'favorite' companies among the people looking for information on the Internet, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon in this order of popularity.
Understanding how to set your camera's resolution is absolutely vital. There's no shortcut and there's no way around it. This is the core of taking a good reproducible photograph. If, for instance, your camera is set for 240X360, you can forget making any kind of decent print above a 'thumbnail' size.
The low-end cameras are not a bargain if you're looking for good photo reproduction. Labs are constantly arguing with customers who submit low resolution digital images from a cheap camera for printing and then aren't happy with the results. They simply don't understand why their pictures are so lousy. Lenses and the type of digital image recording technology are also critical factors.
I won't get into the technical details of why but I will suggest you consider spending in the $250 to $400 range if you want something that will satisfy you.
Lets spend a few minutes on lenses. Pretty well all of the digital cameras these days have a form of zoom lens. Most of the higher-end cameras have the capability for the user to add either an external telephoto or wide-angle lens. Depending on the type of photography you want to do will determine whether or not this is of value to you.
One thing to watch out for. The higher end cameras have very good glass lenses. Its part of what you're paying for. The lower-end units have progressively less expensive lenses and consequently, a lower image definition.
There are both optical and digital zoom capabilities on digital cameras. The term "optical zoom" simply means you're using the glass lenses to do the magnification. "Digital zoom" on the other hand simply increases the size of the pixels to make the image larger. For reasons of image clarity, the optical zoom is a far better way to go.
One last note - if you run across the "best deal in town" on a very low-priced name brand camera, check to make sure it isn't badly out-dated. Buying well-priced clearance stock is okay if it isn't too old. In this computer age, pretty well anything over a year old is considered 'old technology'. As new technologies are developed the price keeps going down so you could actually be money ahead by investing in the 'latest and greatest'.
Always keep in mind the old adage that 'you usually get what you pay for.
If you go to a 'box' store looking for the best price, don't expect service. The folks there simply don't know what they're selling. Their job is to move as much merchandise as they can as quickly as possible. It's not to give you advice.
Go to the Internet to get the latest data directly from the manufacturers. It changes very, very quickly. When you do this, try to climb through all the sales hype to get to the 'meat' of what the cameras are all about. Newsgroups can also a very excellent source of advice for 'newbies'.
Most people will be very happy to give you their personal opinion of what you should buy. Just remember, they won't usually tell you what the downside to their purchase is. They don't want to look less than 'expert' in your eyes. Do your own homework. This is an investment you probably won't repeat for several years.
A specialty camera store on the other hand gives the buyer both service and product and usually very well. Keep in mind that the specialty store personnel are quite often very highly trained and will probably be well prepared to help you find the best equipment for you and will also give you a 'leg-up' in getting started using it.
We need to spend a couple of moments on storage media. Whatever size media card you stick in your camera will determine the number of pictures you can take and store. It's like a roll of film, the bigger the roll the more pictures you can take.
Digital images are no different. The greater the number of available megabytes (Mb), the higher the number of pictures you can take.
A word of caution - never, never, never leave your media card in a photo lab. The incidence of loss is high and most labs won't replace lost cards. Quite frankly, I don't blame them. Far, far too many false claims have been made and labs now refuse to take any responsibility for your memory cards.
Thats it for this one.
Keep your film dry your lenses clean!
You can see more at:
http://www.great-nature-photography.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gordon has spent well over 30 years in the photo industry. In addition to ownng his own photo lab and professional studio for many years, he has also taught.
Recommended digital cameras olympus ItemsOlympus 2 GB xD Picture Card Type M 202170
Olympus 2 GB xD Picture Card Type M 202170
stores digital photos and other files when used with compatible devices *
Customer Review: Es
Great price, I checked everywhere before purchasing. Shipped out quickly. Definately would use this company again.
Customer Review: Works as it should
I used this card with my new Olympus camera and no problems, although only two weeks later the new M+ card came out (sigh!) so now I have one card of each with room for tons of fine pics.
Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)
Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)
Complete Digital Photography has become a classic book for helping traditional photographers move to digital! It's also the book of choice for many new digital photographers who want to learn how to take great digital photos. Now in its 4th edition, this bestseller has been fine-tuned and updated to provide the most current information available. Covering everything from the inner workings of the camera to the subtle intricacies of image editing software, the book is divided into four sections. The first section provides the basic technical foundation needed throughout the rest of the book. It details the basics of how digital cameras work and provides a quick photography primer. The second part explores everything needed to make an informed decision about which camera, computer, and software to choose. Section three has been thoroughly updated and expanded to cover the nitty gritty of shooting, including metering, choosing the right exposure, using histograms, flash photography, and much more. And the final section, teaches the latest digital editing and correction techniques, including new coverage of workflow and raw conversion.
Customer Review: very good book on basics of digital photography
Complete Digital Photography (4th Ed) is a good basic explanation of how digital photography differs from film. Having browsed the 3rd edition before buying the 4th, I found much of the 4th Ed to be repetitive and there was not substantive new material. That does not diminish the value of this book if you are getting started in digital photography. This book should be of value to the novice photographer as well as the accomplished amateur who is switching from film to digital. Warning: if you are looking for a book to guide you through the artistic side of photography -- the 'how-to-take-a-great-picture' instructions, this is not the book for you. This book explains how things work, why they work the way they do, and can serve as an excellent reference for the novice digital photographer as he or she gets more into the craft and wants to try new things. As a relatively accomplished amateur film photographer, it has eased my transition to SLR-digital.
Customer Review: Knows little about cameras
While Ben may have some good ideas, he clearly lacks in the knowledge of the cameras. This shows through time and again. For example, the fact that he will choose a camera of a specific brand over a better camera from another brand only because of the name printed on the body is simply laughable. Very biased towards certain products without regard for what works best. Sometimes when he gives advise that is completely wrong simply because he doesn't know enough on how to use a particular device or technique.
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
- An 816-page All-in-One guide designed for both beginning and experienced digital photographers, offering seven minibooks on everything from buying a camera and choosing the right equipment to editing with high-end tools and restoring photos digitally
- Includes chapters on basics such as point-and-shoot photography, with later chapters exploring editing, printing, and shooting portraits or high-speed action
- This new edition covers the latest technology changes in digital photography, including Photoshop 7, new low-priced SLR cameras, updated storage and output options with DVD technology, and how each of these changes affects photography techniques
- David Busch is the author of more than fifty technology books, most covering digital photography, image editing, and digital restoration
Customer Review: "Aim" is off
The book is filled with info, but it "focuses" on the digital SLR, rather than the point and shoot. There should have been a warning in the description. It's still useful.
Customer Review: Digital Photography for Dummies
This book is huge and covers most anything one can think of on this topic. I bought it for my husband who has recently acquired a digital camera. He hasn't begun to even scratch the surface but has already found it helpful and knows it will as he tries new things.
Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide
Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide
Photography is all about light. Canon Speedlites give you the next best thing to cumbersome studio lighting - wireless flash units that you can actually pack in your camera bag and take along. Tuck this full-color book in there, too. It will help you maximize the effectiveness of your Speedlites and help you create professional lighting effects in more than a dozen unique settings. With this Digital Field Guide you'll:
- Learn all your Speedlite's settings and how to use E-TTL metering.
- Experiment with bounce flash, fill flash, and using multiple flash units.
- Set up a portable wireless studio with backgrounds, umbrellas, and soft boxes.
- Use Speedlites to light professional-quality shots ranging from studio portraits to concerts to product photography.
- Explore exposure, lens choices, and lighting for outdoor portraits, still lifes, and much more.
Order your copy today!
Customer Review: Amateurish waste of money
This was a big waste of money. The writing was amateurish, the examples poorly described, and I learned almost nothing from reading this book. I had to Google to learn about my 430EX because the book failed to explain key concepts.
Customer Review: Helpful Book
It's good to find a book that can help you to understand the functionality of the speedlite, and this book is what I was searching for.
Headlines on digital cameras olympusDigital beasts: six great D-SLRs and superzooms (Independent)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:23:54 GMT
Nature doesn't always behave itself. Where a human subject may be amenable to waiting and smiling for the camera, animals have their own agendas. So, while many cameras have advanced features, not all of them are helpful for nature photography. Face detection systems – where the camera recognises faces and focuses on them automatically – are mostly redundant, as with very few exceptions they ...
Olympus announces 360-degree CCD sensor prototype, surveillance firms drool (Engadget)Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:35:16 GMT
Filed under: Digital Cameras Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious "axial symmetrical free curved surface lens." Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on ...
Olympus developing 360-degree lensWed, 02 Jul 2008 23:45:11 GMT
Camera giant Olympus has been recently playing with the idea of a 360-degree camera lens.
Labels: outdoor surveillance camera | home security video camera | hidden surveillance camera
