Comments:

lynne - 2004-11-07 05:03:21
Hmm. I don't know much about macs but I do know that you can get low resolution cameras for very cheap. I even think Meijers sells some for under fifty bucks. I think that most of these cameras can be connected to a pc with a usb port. I assume your mac has those? Downloading usually isnt too hard.
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addiann - 2004-11-07 18:14:11
Consumers Union likes the Olympus Camedia C740 ultra zoom @ $280 as their first choice in the 2-3 megapizel category; but also thinks "Best Buys" are: Nikon Coolpix 2200 @ $125, Canon Powershot A60 @ $135, and Fujifilm FinePix A330 @ $130 in the same category. A good article on the whole digital thing is in their November issue.
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Laura - 2004-11-07 21:17:03
Two extremely useful responses; thank you both. Thanks, Lynne, for letting me know I can find them at Meijer's; I had no idea. The USB setup would be ideal. Thank you, Addiann, for letting me know about the November issue. I'll pick up a copy. I'm dying to show people some of the cemetery vistas and abandoned farms and what have you.
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Brian Filipiak - 2004-11-08 14:54:13

Hey Laura,

Mac support is something I know!

Note: I don't work for, or receive compensation from, any of the manufacturers, publishers, or retailers I'm about to mention... these are just my opinions, based upon years of using digital cameras, including the first "affordable" consumer product, the Apple QuickTake 100.

I would recommend sticking with one of the major brand cameras. Sony, Olympus, Canon, etc. Olympus continues to be my favorite, but there are lots of other good cameras out there. My favorite site for reading reviews, and for comparing different models, is <http://www.dcresource.com>. Check out his Buyers Guide link, and look at the Links section as well. When you know more about the features you're after, go to the Reviews & Info link, and you can start narrowing down the choices, based upon what's important.

I might also suggest a copy of Photoshop Elements 2. Yes, version 3 just started shipping, but version 2 still runs on OS 9 (at least, I'm 99% sure it does... will check and let you know). BTW, your machine *could* be upgraded to OS X - add RAM and update your OS, and you'd be good to go -- but it may be more money than you want to put into your machine. In any case, Elements will do the things most of us want Photoshop for, but at a fraction of the price. (You should be able to pick up a copy of 2.0 for well under $30, used, if someone has purchased a new copy of 3.0.)

If you want to talk with someone who's well-versed, and can show you a slew of different cameras (and is not just a counter-jockey for one of the electronics outlets) go see Mike, in the Big George's camera section.

Happy to help as I can.

Brian


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Laura - 2004-11-08 15:01:02
Oh, my gosh, Brian, that is so helpful and detailed. I am so grateful for your taking the time to type out all of that information, including links and a good contact person. *Thank you!*

I wonder if I may prevail upon your good nature to ask: is it essential that I obtain a copy of Photoshop? Or just a nice bonus? The only thing I'd want to do after taking a picture is maybe resize/reduce it--would software accompanying the camera let me do that? Just wondering because I'm fairly low on extra memory, although your advice about upgrading is something I'll consider, and I appreciate your mentioning it.

Thanks again.
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Brian Filipiak - 2004-11-09 11:04:51

Laura,

No, it's not absolutely necessary. In fact, Photoshop Elements is included with some digital cameras, so you may not need to buy anything. As far as memory for your iMac goes, let me know which model you have, and I can get you current pricing on memory. It's cheap, and adding memory is the single best thing you can do for your computer.

Go up to the Apple menu, and choose "About This Computer..." or "About This Mac..." (whichever way it reads), and it will report on the installed RAM, as well as the exact version of the OS you use. Let me know...

Brian


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Laura - 2004-11-09 11:16:43
Brian, you are too kind to very helpfully and generously offer to help with computer questions. Your kindness in doing so says a lot about you and makes me glad you won the election---I've been remiss in not congratulating Mr. F. on his winning the council race. Best wishes on council; I'll doubtless see you there one of these days at a council meeting.

I'll check that computer stuff when at home. Thank you, Brian, for your kindness.
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