Cameras

["Disbrow Consulting" <diz@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

It sounds as if you understand your needs fairly well.  That's actually the
hard part.  Some of what we do here is develop websites, and I have had all
manner and sorts of experience with cameras and systems.  Your next step
will be to look at your computer system.  If it's say a PIII or below, we
can make adjustments, but the choice in cameras will be different.  With an
advanced computer or network I would say to hit a couple of  Best Buy,
Circuit City, Staples or similar stores and see what they have.  I am sorry
Clive I'm not sure what you have in OZ for stores.  I can ask my buddy in
Perth to make equivalents if needed?  I tend to stick with cameras that are
made by computer component companies ( I am looking at an old HP 120 that
happens to be on my desk.) I keep that for family photos and the like.  My 4
year old nephew can play with it, be the kewl photographer dude, and if he
breaks it... it's fine.  the other route would be to look at cameras made by
camera companies.  Some of the pricy ones will take 35mm attachments that
you may already have.  I stick with what I have because that is what I have
for 35mm gear.  The big advantage there is that you would already have the
optics that you want, and you would already be proficient in their use.

The ones that are made by the camera companies generally have all the bells
an whistles, and come with user manuals that read like the Manhattan Phone
Directory.  They come with software that will allow for download and some
level of image editing.  These are not good choices if you have an older
computer system.  They can also get very pricy.  The ones made by the
computer peripherals companies tend to be more simple and more inexpensive,
but this is not always the case.

The next step is to fix a budget in your head.  A fool and his/her money are
soon parted when buying electronics.  Maybe I'm just cheap, but here is how
I do it...
Go to your version of best buy and any others that are around your area.,
and look at what you want and the relative prices of them.  Do this yourself
and don't trust an employee to do it.  That almost always goes astray.  Look
specifically at the cameras that are going "out of stock" or being
"Phased-out".  These are the cameras that the big stores are phasing out,
not because they are bad product or are out dated, but because another
manufacturer made them a better deal "This Week".  Example... The computer
and monitor on this side of my desk normally would retail for about $1,800
US, but by using this technique I was able to get it for $350 US.  Radio
Shack was phasing out of Compaq and Staples was phasing out of Envision
Bigscreens. Be polite but, firm.  The sales help will want to sell you what
makes them the most in commissions.  They may be helpful too, but their
goals are not the same as yours.  I have done enough sales consulting to
tell you that this is almost always the case... and yes the IRS does this in
audits as well.  After you have looked at what they have on the floor, ask
them what they have in the back room.  Nothing in the store will be very old
because they don't have the storage space, and most have moved to using
versions of  the JIT inventory system.  So it's not like they will stick you
with something "old".  Old in cyberspace and Best Buy means "last week".
Best Buy doesn't have a lot of back room space, but Staples does... yada
yada.  If you use that technique you will satisfy your goals without having
to analyze their inventory system.  What kind of fool would want to do that?
If you save some on the deal, buy yourself a nice lunch.  You will have
earned it.

Last note here is actually about scanners.  I'm not using brand names
because your voltage is different, and the actual products offered will be
different from what we have here.  I have found that the Photo Suite
Softwares are better for me than the software that comes with the cameras,
but that's just me.  I also find that I get not only better jpeg resolution
for these tired old eyes, but a lower storage size that makes them load
faster for websites and email.  btw if you have a picture of your work that
needs to be "tweaked", I'd be happy to do that for you in exchange for a
sneak peek at your work.  Yes Yes.. after all at the root of all things I am
nosey.

Cheers,

Craig Disbrow, MBA, JD.
Disbrow Consulting
603 523 4259 (Voice)
603 523 4574 (Facsimile)