New digital camera gear

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_f828-review/ Sony DSC-F828 8 megapixels (4-color sensor). 28mm - 200mm lens (7X zoom, 11.3 pixel angle). Takes CF cards as well as Sony's memory sticks. The usual (for Sony) InfoLithium battery. Available in November, list price $1199.

The article goes on to say. "With a list price of $1199, the F828 looks like the camera to beat in 2003. We won't know for sure until a production model arrives, but in the meantime, enjoy this hands-on preview!" DCRP First Look: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 by Jeff Keller, DCRP Founder/Editor Originally posted: August 14, 2003 Last Updated: August 15, 2003 Printer Friendly Version This is a preview of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828. The camera described here is a pre-production model, and features and look and feel are subject to change. There will be no photo test or conclusion in the preview. In addition, Sony has requested that photos from this camera not be posted. The review will be completed when a production model is available. The F828 is scheduled to ship in November. Just when everyone was getting comfortable with 5 Megapixel cameras, Sony has made a huge jump -- releasing the first consumer-level camera with an 8 Megapixel CCD, known as the Cyber-shot DSC-F828 ($1199). This CCD isn't special just for the resolution, though. It's also the first camera to use a new 4-color filter. This new filter adds an "emerald" filter to the RGB filters normally found in a CCD. Sony says this will produce photos with much more accurate color. R G R G R E R E G B G B G B G B R G R G R E R E G B G B G B G B Traditional 3-color filter New 4-color filter To transform the 4-color data into the 3-color data that your software expects, Sony has created a new "Real Imaging Processor", which has the convenient side effect of increasing both performance and battery life. Another big feature of the F828 is its F2.0-2.8, 7X Carl Zeiss T* lens -- a nice upgrade from the 5X lens on the DSC-F717. One more unique feature: the F828 is the first Sony camera with a CompactFlash slot! With a list price of $1199, the F828 looks like the camera to beat in 2003. We won't know for sure until a production model arrives, but in the meantime, enjoy this hands-on preview! What's in the Box? The DSC-F828 has a very good bundle. Inside the box, you'll find: The 8.0 (effective) Mpixel Cyber-shot DSC-F828 camera NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery AC adapter / battery charger Neck strap Lens cap Lens hood USB cable A/V cable CD-ROM featuring Pixela ImageMixer software and USB drivers Camera manual The F828 is the first Sony camera that does not include a memory card. So you'll need to factor this into the purchase price. The F828 can use Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro cards, as well as CompactFlash. Yes, you read that correctly -- the F828 has a CompactFlash Type II slot. This is great news for people who are switching from a CF-based camera. The largest Memory Stick Pro card is 1GB, while there's a 4GB CompactFlash card now available. CompactFlash cards are substantially cheaper than their Memory Stick equivalents. The camera uses the same NP-FM50 battery as the F717, which is great news, as the battery life on that camera was outstanding. Sony estimates that you'll get about 225 minutes per charge, or 450 photos. When it's time to charge the battery,

Just picked up a 5 megapixel camera that also is a video camera that uses a 4 gb hard drive for recording. I had to get a portable drive so I could pop the little hard drive in to it to transfer data, it also takes and sd card. \ It's called the JVC Everio and it's actually a 3 chip camera that fits in the palm of your hand. I got the 3 year Fry's replacement warranty to insure 3 years of 3 chip shooting. http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027384&pathId=119&page=1 The specs: * Three 1/4.5-inch 1.33 Megapixel CCDs for High-Quality Image Capture * 5 Megapixel-Class Digital Still recording up to 2560 x 1920 pixels (JPEG) * High-Quality MPEG-2 Video Recording (up to 720 x 480/60i in ULTRA mode) with Dolby Digital Audio (MOD file) * 10x (8x for stills) Optical Zoom/200x Digital Zoom * 4GB Microdrive� Removable Media Provided * Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program AE mode (Twilight, Sports,Snow, Portrait and Manual) * 130,000-pixel 1.8" polycrystalline silicon color LCD monitor * Manual Focus Ring with Push Auto-Focus button for precision and creativity * Shutter Speeds (Video: 1/2 to 1/4000th sec.; Still: 1/2 to 1/500th sec.) * Thumbnail Picture for Easy & Quick Viewing * JVC Compact rotating grip design * Digital Image Stabilizer (using "gyro-sensor") * Built-in Pop-up Flash * Easy Printing with PictBridge and DPOF Support * Digital wide angle CCD mode for extended shooting range * Microdrive�/CompactFlash card and SD Dual Card Slots for Extra Data Storage and Transfer * Tele-macro mode * Microdrive� and CompactFlash memory slot * USB 2.0 Interface * F1.8 Super Hi-Rez Lens * Supplied software to save, manage and distribute your videos/stills and create DVD's * BN-VM200U 800mAh Li-ion battery pack * Manual focus and Exposure modes * AP-V14U Multi-voltage AC Power Adapter/battery charger with built-in battery refresher * S-Video A/V multi connector * 4GB Microdrive�, AP-V14 AC power adapter, BN-VM200 rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack, AV/S-Video output cable, USB cable, Hand strap, Lens cap, software * 1 year parts, 90 days labor warranty * Weight 0.89 lbs (400 grams)* with Lens Hood, volume under 30 cubic inches (480 cubic centimeters) * *including battery, Microdrive�, lens cap and hand strap * Power 7.2V 4.9W Still trying to figure out the file formats, you have to use the "supplied software" and I haven't checked to see if Vegas Video, Premiere etc. handle the video format this little unit stores files in.

This gives a better idea of the scale. That's not the exact same camera but very similar, it's the Japanese version. But the scale is accurate and the pivot. Note placement of the zoom under the index finger and start stop by thumb.

we have a very simple digital camera. i still use my SLR and i can get the photo's put on a CD and then digitally send them everywhere. just have to update my printer to get photo quality prints (you can't just buy the glossy paper, guys).

I hear it may be cheaper to get your prints done at Walmart or Walgreens with the cost of cartridges and paper.

indeed...and using those DIY photo booths for reprints off of disk. i did this for my grandmom using a picture i took in our backyard. it came out great!

I haven't tried one of those diy things yet, I'll have to give one a spin. In which outlets do you use them?

target, wal-mart, drugstores--almost all of your discount stores have them....probably HEB too.

I'll give one a spin and repot back. I have some shots in my digital camera now I want to make in to prints.

repot sb (should be) report

Hi all I went out and dropped $29 on one of the 'disposable' video cameras from CVS pharmacy - the gimmick is to shoot 20min of video, then take the camera back for processing to a DVD - you do not get the camera back. Did some research on the web and MAKE Magazine (OReilly) has a blog about modifying the camera to be reusable - you have to hack together a usb cable to hook up the pc and run the downloadable software but the end result is you get a $29 REUSEABLE video camera - fun to goof around with. Mike

disposable video cameras? that's a first for me.....

Hi all Well, progress in the forward direction - while in Germany, picked up a used Leica CL which is a bit newer (1976) than my Nikon F2 boatanchor (1972). de Mike rci

Neat, how was the trip to *Germany*!

Howdy Terry The trip was fantastic - I'll have to compose a more detailed description but the nutshell version is we were in Frankfurt, Manheimm, and Munich with side trips to Speyer, the wine country, and Heidelburg. The people were friendly, the food was excellent, and I was able to not be too annoying with my remedial high school German during conversation. The weather was cold with some snow but despite that, the towns were bustling especially Munich - I can only wonder what that place is like during Oktoberfest! Kept in touch via email and internet call houses - calls to the US were in the nickle to 11 cents a minute range via VOIP. Every town had ancient sites (Cathedrals, beer houses, castles, etc) to visit so no shortage of things to do. I expected to find good prices on Leicas there but the cost was way more than what I would have paid in the US - kind of interesting but folks told us to look for the best deals on EBAY! They are very connected there - everyone has a mobile phone (much like the UK) and there were plenty of high tech gadget stores (similar to Best Buy) - the one thing I looked for but didnt find was a digital audio broadcast receiver. I know these are popular in the UK and there was mention of service in Germany but I could not find a portable - maybe only in car or home stereos. I wanted to find a set since this is starting to take hold in the US but then, I wasnt sure if it is the same service or format so its probably better I didnt get one. The one thing I wanted to buy but didnt get was a MINOX 'spy' camera - saw several and they were either very well used or very expensive. So, I bought one off of ebay when I got home! This is the MINOX B which was built in the 60's. 73 de Mike rci

Wow, I'll bet the food was like the kind you get in Fredericksburg. How was the beer? How did you get around? Train? Bus? Car? If you're in Austin, the Smithville swap is next week.

On the digital audio broadcast receiver, what have you seen that you like? Could you explain this for folks that may not have heard of this yet? Can you point us to a picture of the minox you got? 73

Hi Terry First the Minox link. Check out: http://www.subclub.org/shop/minoxa.htm These cameras were made in the 60's are the same size as some MP3 players! I'll have to look around for some more info on digital radio formats but will post what I find - one that does come to mind is digital radio mondiale which is the consortium web site www.drm.org I'll see if I can find some more general info and will post. 73 de Mike

OK. Sounds great. Minox is out of business right?

I've been using the JVC with mixed results.