Re: Digital Cameras and Scanners

[Rick Swanson <swansonr@EMAIL.SANDHILLS.CC.NC.US>]

Thanks for the information on the Kodak line.

I am in the market and looking.

I have seen and heard a lot of good reviews, both private and professional for
the Olympus 490 digital camera for $300 to $400.  2.1 megapixel and it can
capture short video segments.

Cheers,

Rick Swanson

--
Richard E. Swanson, Ph.D.                            (910) 695-3715
Professor of Physics                           FAX:  (910) 695-1823
Dean of Instruction
swansonr@email.sandhills.cc.nc.us
Sandhills Community College
Pinehurst, North Carolina  28374          "He who laughs, lasts."

Larry Cartwright wrote:

> You don't say how much money you have to work with, which can make a lot
> of difference when you are looking at digital cameras.
>
> My philosophy was to buy a cheap scanner so I could afford a slightly
> better camera.  Even then, I could only go for a low-midrange priced
> camera ($300 range plus another $100 for some accessories).
>
> My Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 3300C cost less than $100 and does quite a
> nice job, but it's slow.  You probably ought to check out the ZDNET
> ratings, part of the ZD publishing empire, at
> <http://www.zdnet.com/special/filters/sc/scanner/>.  They are
> recommending the Microtek Lab ScanMaker V6UPL at about $125 as a "best
> buy".
>
> Important:  Invest in really good graphics software to go with your
> scanner and camera.  Paint Shop Pro is available for less than $100.
>
> I spent a lot of hours reviewing digital cams, and I believe the KODAK
> line of digital cameras gives the most bang for your buck.  I have a
> DC215 which is a 1 Megapixel cam with 2X optical zoom, 20cm close-up and
> CompactFlash memory chip.  Built like a rock, 299 bucks.  I think the
> optical zoom and close-up capability are both *essential* for scientific
> and technical work.  You definitely want an AC power supply for your
> camera, as even the best batteries lose their charge quickly.
>
> If I had the resources I would get a DC4800.  Right now Kodak will sell
> you a reconditioned DC4800 with an "expansion bundle" of accessories for
> $499.  3 Mexapixels, 3X optical zoom, 20 cm close-up, sophisticated
> controls.  The DC3600 is a 2 Megapixel, 2X zoom, 28 cm close-up cam that
> also does .MOV movies with audio; that's a lot of goodies for $450.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Larry
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Larry Cartwright,  Retired Physics Teacher
> Charlotte MI 48813 USA   <exit60@ia4u.net>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> George Goth wrote:
> > Our physics department has received a small grant to fund the production
> > of  Internet accessible lab manuals. Parts of this grant are for the
> > purchases of a digital camera and a scanner. I would like to ask the
> > members of this list if there are any particular models that they would
> > recommend for purchase (or, alternatively, to avoid). The camera would
> > be used largely to photograph equipment; the scanner to scan graphs,
> > circuit diagrams and so forth. Both would be interfaced with a Macintosh
> > computer.