Cameras - Digital Still and Analog Video
Updated August 10, 2004
Created December 1, 2002
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Polaroid 2300Z Digital Camera with 2.3x optical zoom - CF
positives:
low price
2.3x optical zoom
2.3 Megapixel
self timer
CF card slot
macro mode (2 inch close ups)
negatives:
long delay for camera to focus. will not instantly take a photo
Flash is often too strong for photos within 6 feet or so (photo wash out)
4 batteries
Configuration options are lost while changing the batteries (no matter how fast you are)
Date and Time is lost if you have the batteries out - I'll have to double check if it can hold the date and time for less than a minute to swap batteries
The bundled download software bites. I was prompted to re-save each picture giving them a filename and converting their image file type (quality loss). Also the software would loose the date and time stamp. (I overcame all the software isues by using a CF disk reader)
So this camera is great for distant shots where you need the optical zoom to help you out. This camera is also good for making portraits.
This camera is not great for candid photos or photos of kids (kids don't have time to keep smiling while your camera focuses). A lot of moments have been missed that a point and click would have got (see the dx3500 below for a good point and click).
Download software for this camera:
I didn't like the download software that pulls the images from the camera to the computer -- you have to bring the images in one at a time and name them -- *AND* you must choose what format to save them in (duh, isn't it already saved with an appropriate filename, just bring the darn photos over and don't ask any questions) -- I didn't like this because for one, I don't like converting the "most original" photo and then destroying the original, way too timeconsuming, what nonsense, and not to mention quality loss due to the conversion. So I got the sandisk CF reader and have been happy ever since. Also by using the card reader I can keep the DATE and TIME stamp that exist on each photo. If you keep up with setting/checking the date and time on the camera, this comes in really handy to remember when events took place.
Kodac DX3500 w/ 8M internal memory and CF slot
I picked this one up for $100.00 US as an open box special -- I got nothing more than just the camera -- no batteries, cables, books, CF, case, nothing, just the camera itself. This has been a very good investment. I'm glad I didn't pay for any of the other missing items -- just the camera please if you don't mind.
This camera has an internal 8MB of memory for those "just in case" moments where you actually fill up your CF card. The camera itself has the ability to copy the images between internal memory and CF card as needed (using the camera itself - no software needed). The only issue I see here is that if you really care about date and time then you'll have to review the internal pictures so you can manually apply the date and time to the copied images. (I don't recall a "move" command, but I'll double check one day -- copy is good enough for now and just fix date and time stamps by hand).
macro mode avail (2 inch close ups)
For me, the Kodac 3500 was a great investment -- even without any of the other items I missed out on in the box -- didn't need them to enjoy the camera fully. I can snap pictures quickly (no need to wait for focus), there's no optical zoom, so I just have to get closer or rely on zooming in on the computer. IMHO digital zoom just might as well be done at the computer rather than on the camera -- I feel the quality of the image will be equal and nothing will be gained at the camera -- you may miss out on something else whily playing with the silly digital zoom -- digital zoom makes the picture look like blocks just like zooming on the computer -- I wouldn't waste any time turning on digital zoom on the camera.
Pros
- Takes pictures when I press the "take picture" button - no time wasted on "OK I'm focusing here... I'll take the picture when I'm done focusing!"
- Can take several pictures in a row -- camera will buffer a few pictures in memory while writing to CF -- nice
- 2.3 Megapixel
- 1.8 in. LCD Panel
- Date and Time
- CF
- Able to move images to/from CF/internal 8MB memory using only the camera (no software needed)
Cons
- No optical zoom -- but optical zoom may be what brings in much delay when pressing the "take picture" button... So if that's the case then this isn't necessarily a negative
Sandisk CF Reader / USB - Linux (RH73/RH80)
I'll post some scripts I use later. Currently I have 3 scripts that allow me to rotate an image 90, 180, or 270 degrees, it moves the original to a "convert" directory, and keeps the same date and time stamp as the original. If the same file exists in the "convert" directory already, then it doesn't overwrite the original. I will soon write another script that will do something like the following:
cd /pictures
mount /mnt/flash
mv -i `find /mnt/flash | grep jpg$` .
find /mnt/flash | grep jpg$ && echo "Hey you still have pictures left on the CF, please check"
umount /mnt/flash && echo "You may now remove the CF card" || echo Error unmounting CF card
echo Please wait moving images.
for X in *.jpg; do
# The following will result in 20021121 (Assuming the file was created on Nov 21, 2002)
DIR=`find . -name $X -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -printf "%TY%Tm%Td"`
mkdir -p $DIR
mv -i $X $DIR
done
mount | grep '/mnt/flash' && echo CF card didn't unmount || echo OK to remove CF card
Warning, don't use the above script without thorough testing, I have only written it up here and have not tested it out myself. After I test the above script I will update this document (www.cpqlinux.com/camera.html)
CF = Compact Flash
Macro mode allows one to take pictures (i.e. properly focus) closer than 4ft - Macro mode is often used without flash with the range from 2 inches to 18 inches.
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