Absolutely, though I can't guarantee exactly where the hair will grow. The Cary hairpiece idea sounds great except that if they were in a hurry, your friends may forget to unplug all the cords before donning the piece. I've heard that strapping any of the ARC Reference series components to your ankles helps you loose weight too. Tube replacement can be required more frequently if you do not remove them before those morning jogs. Same deal with the cord removal too, although some folks use the cords to secure the amps to their ankles (make sure to get long enough wires though). Also, I've heard that the Thor gear can enhance your sex life. Something about the shape of the things, I dunno, just make sure to power them down before trying that one.
Marco |
Marco,
Does the warm glow of the tubes promote hair growth on the Cary hairy suicide amp? If it does I have a few friends who want to strap it to the heads.
Laghed my ___ of when I read the post. Good one. |
Me too, I'm as old as Mr. Marco the Mad Massage Monger, heheh. |
Marco,
Ya so good! ...Damn! look at my stomach. Uhhh. Yes, yes, excecise is the key. Can I just shout the word: "E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E" 5 times a day and be done with? LOL
Hey Gunbei,
You're talking about the Americanized kids? I'm an old fart, bro. LOL |
Hey Vinamese,
I love massages! And I hear that you can get good ones in Little Vietnam in Westminster, CA just south of where I live. At least that's what my non-Vietnamese friends tell me.
Then again, my Vietnamese friends never seem to get massages either. They just like shooting guns, driving fast cars and going out with little White spinner rave chicks.
The gal that is in those Honda Pilot commercials gives me my massages. You know the commercials, the ones where the guy was raised by wolves. |
Vinamese -
That's Pokeydammit who's the good horse. Gumby is just a green slant-headed boy with big eyes and no genitalia to speak of (no wonder he's pissed off!). Gunbei (Dean) is a good egg.....no wait, that's Humpty Dumpty!! FerChrissake Dean, what the heck are you anyway?!
As fer' massage; if you really could not get up the next morning, (and I'm assuming you had not downed a pint of tequilla on the previous evening), then you either had a piss poor massage therapist, or you need to get your ass in better shape dude! Quit listening to that devil-music and get your butt out the door and get some excercise! At least that's what my wife tells me when I ask for a massage! :-D
Marco |
Cdc,
Gunbei is being a good horse. :-)
Marco,
I'd tried it a couple times (massage), but I couldn't get up the next day... PPPlease!!!
Computers and digital cameras are tools! (I add this line just to make it conform to the thread) |
Check out Velocity Micro for your computer (www.velocitymicro.com). Their stuff is very nice, cutting edge, and high quality. I have one of their notebooks and it's best made notebook I've ever seen.
I've also heard/read that Voodoo computers are topnotch.
As for the camera, I'd suggest you checkout the Pentax Optio 555. 5 meg digital with good quality.
Good luck |
I think you're taking a good approach. If you get a cheap system now that accomplishes what you need and that's all you need, that's great. And, if after dabbling a bit with photo manipulation you decide this image editing thing is something you might want to explore, look into other options if and when that time arrives.
Gunbeidammit? Actually, I think that's what Marco [Jax2] was calling me some months ago, hahah. That, or he calls me the greenman.
Good luck and have fun, and let us know when you post the photos! |
Gunbei, I'm glad you and vinamese got things worked out. I don't want to be the cause of another internet "situation". Heck, I'm in those too often myself.
I don't think the Mac will work because I am tied to software/ printer which only runs on Windows/DOS. So I will look into abspc as midficollege suggested or maybe used like bigkidz mentioned. It seems the big three of Dell, Gateway, and HP all have quality / service issues so I might as well buy used cheap and trash it if it dies. That's my thought for now.
Whatever happened to gunbeidammit? Any relation? I always got a kick out of that moniker. |
There's way to much laughing going on here! For god's sake, this is a serious forum. Straighten up and fly right! Keep'yer ginsu knives for those tin cans that need cuttin' up. All you folks needing a good massage, getting old and tired, and considering Hairy Cary (Cary's new Suicidal Amplifier with lifelike hair) ought to come out to Seattle and have my wife work on you.....she's a massage therapist specializing in deep tissue and injury rehab. She doesn't care what computer platform you use, and sure as heck doesn't give a rat's ass about your high-end gear. Even Vinamese may become a convert, though not without shedding a few tears and crying out for mercy once or twice! As for me getting a massage, it's like the old saying about "..the shoemakers children never getting new shoes...." I'll just hop on my motorcycle and take a long ride in the mountains.
Marco |
Wait a minute Prpixel,
I remember that saying too. And I also remember when I thought color TV was a big deal!
When you've finished, I'll need to pry the Ginsu from your hand and use it too.
Out... |
I just think everybody is intitled to his/her opinion. I'm too old and too tired to argue. If people want to take my advice; fine. If they don't; I really don't care. It's your decision. My pop used to say " you made your bed....". Now, I know I'm really old. I'm starting to sound like my parents. Time to go buy a harri carri knife....
Later, |
Arghhh! You got me!
I could use a good massage as well. All these LOLs are giving me a backache, heheh. |
Gunbei,
Dude, my posts was for fun... LOL
"BTW, I still don't understand what point you're trying to articulate, but you're emotions are coming in loud and clear."
You see! When you "LOL", I "LOL". When you're not, I'm not. Tell me if I'm not a good sport (I'm goofing around here). LOL.
BTW, I hate massage; it's like hiring somebody to torture my body. LOL.
Damn, my SUN WKS is so slow ... ;-) |
Vioguy,
I'm a prime example of the point you and Marco make. That's the main reason I've put a damper on the audio gear I'm buying this year.
I need to finish so much of what I started! LOL
Cdc,
Any thoughts on what your game plan might be? Mac or PC, I think you'll have fun! |
I'm honored Vinamese that you chose me as your one and only thread response. I'm sorry you don't seem to understand that the posts here are in fun.
My advice to Cdc was that he could attain his goal no matter the platform or machine used. The rest of it was plain ol' Audiogon goofing around.
Your emotional [and incoherent] responses are giving credence to my Mac=Fun, PC=Boring joke. It's pretty obvious you don't fall in the fun category.
Lighten up dude. I think even your fellow PC user/expert Prpixel is wondering what's up with your rant. Prpixel's friendly and helpful nature has proved my humoristic stereotype wrong, but you're just reinforcing it.
BTW, I still don't understand what point you're trying to articulate, but you're emotions are coming in loud and clear.
Go get a massage or something, it'll make you happier. ;-) |
Gunbei,
"Huh? I don't understand."
You’re right. You don't understand!!! Up there you said:
""Not to judge PC users in genenral", but if one were new to computers and read this thread, he or she might conclude..."
"PC people = snobby, superior, grumpy, jealous, stiff and repressed."
"Mac people = fun, creative and helpful"
You’re not “new” to computers (it’s not likely that you understand others thinking mind, are you?)!!! So who the hell is JUDGING here???!!! It's like eating back what’s one just spitting out…
“I don't speak Vinamese. Maybe I need one of them Wintel Googlator Translators, LOL.”
No, you don't need to speak Vietnamese, cause I write in English. You need more …to translate LOL.
"That's cool and all, but what does this have to with taking, editing and posting pictures on the web? "
You've said it yourself!!! What’s all the “snobby”, “superior”, “fun”, “creative”, etc… has anything to do with “good computer” and “digital camera”? |
Jax2, your point is well taken. I should have said something like "Using a manual camera can teach a person a lot about lighting, etc..."
I am in absolute agreement with your statement regarding people who buy cameras, computers, audio equipment, bikes, cars, etc. loaded with features that are often mistakenly equated with better results (or that he/she, simply by association, will somehow be 'better'). The potential certainly may be there, but key is how the thing is used.
In the field of music, I've witnessed the following phenomenon more than once: A professional string player will buy an expensive instrument (even a good quality bow can easily cost five or six thousand dollars) which is clearly superior to the one they played previously. For a while, perhaps a few months, that player will sound 'better', but after a while they slowly slip back into old habits--the challenge and novelty of the new instrument has waned--and they end up sounding very much the same as they did before. Their only growth is in their debt.
Like computers and cameras, musical instruments are inanimate tools. Their real value is in their use.
Sorry Cdc (didn't you have a question a while back?) but some interesting issues have arisen. Then again, isn't that what can happen in forums...
Nick
|
Jax2,
You hit it right on the head. |
Nick Said:
"One final comment: any camera with manual options (which the 770 has, by the way) will teach a person a lot about lighting, exposure control, composition, etc. I don't think anyone would argue with this."
Simply having the options available on a camera will not teach a person anything at all. Learning how to use the options and actually making a habit of using them on a regular basis may teach a person a whole lot. It may be semantics, but it is very true. I've met lots of folks who buy THE ULTIMATE (fill in the blank) and never use the thing to anything near to its potential. Like folks who buy sport bikes with gobs of torque and horsepower, and then ride them three times a year, eventually selling them at great loss to buy the next BEST FASTEST blah, blah, blah. A tool is just a tool. It's the person who wields it who will creates the results with it.
Marco |
Maybe think about doing this:
Look for a used iMac with a lots of RAM. Check out eBay for a complete used digital camera outfit with lots of memory storage devices, extra batteries, etc. Add-ons can cost an arm and a leg if you buy them new.
My Sony 770 cost me $425 and came with 5 memory sticks, 3 batteries, USB memory stick reader, 2 battery chargers (including a rapid charger), etc. These . Most of my electronics purchases these days are used items: if they're from buyers with good feedback, I really don't consider this a liability.
Buy a used full version of Photoshop (eBay again). I have 5.0 and it cost me $28.
The 770 is a 2.1 megapixel (nowadays considered practically antique), and I've used it to take pictures of friends' audio equipment; some have been shown on eBay and Audiogon. The resolution is more than adequate for this purpose, and is fine for printing up snapshots. I am not a photographer--I'm a symphony musician. But I've had numerous images published, including a portrait shot with the Sony.
For really fine resolution, however, I feel that film cameras are still preferable. It also seems to me that the differences in price/performance between digital and film cameras is similar to that between a better CD player and, say, a Rega TT. You get better results (but certainly not the convenience) with the older technology. This is, of course, my opinion--others may strongly disagree.
One final comment: any camera with manual options (which the 770 has, by the way) will teach a person a lot about lighting, exposure control, composition, etc. I don't think anyone would argue with this.
Good luck!
Nick |
For your computer, check out www.abspc.com . Great reliability, great choice re: configuration and great service. Also, at a great price. With your computer, you can probably get a good deal on a digicam to go with it. Maybe check out something along the lines of the Canon A70 or A80, for your 400. Very reliable, the great lens makes the difference in resolution a more-than-welcome tradeoff, and while they have various features for you to mess around with (ie. shutter priority, aperture priority, fully manual, autofocus modes, manual focus distance), here is also an automatic mode that can take more than passable photos at the click of a button. |
Huh? I don't understand. I don't speak Vinamese. Maybe I need one of them Wintel Googlator Translators, LOL. |
Gunbei,
"Not to judge PC users in genenral, but if one were new to computers and read this thread, he or she might conclude..."
"Mac people = fun, creative and helpful"
"PC people = snobby, superior, grumpy, jealous, stiff and repressed."
- You'd "JUDGED" us (Mac and PC people)!!!
"That's cool and all, but what does this have to with taking, editing and posting pictures on the web? "
- ...You'd said it yourself!!! |
Gunbei is absolutely correct. Megapixels do not tell the whole story and are certainly NOT an indication of image quality necessarily. There are cameras that produce a with 4 megapixel ccds that will produce consistently better images than cameras producing double that. The biggest jump in image quality you are likely to invest in in the prosumer camera is jumping up to the (physically) larger CCD of most of the (prosumer and professional) SLR cameras, and taking advantage of the RAW file capabilities of those cameras (much larger files which require conversion to use as jpegs or tiffs). Again, even there, numbers don't tell the whole story...use your eyes, consult the reviews. The numbers game, especially megapixels, means about as much in the consumer/prosumer camera market as it does in high-end audio It is used in the consumer market as a marketting gimmick. Definitely consult the review sites and magazines that have already been recommendded by Gunbei, Prpixel and others. If you are limiting your blow-up size to the typical 8X10 inches or so, as Gunbei suggests a good 3-4 megapixel camera can do that quite well.
To clarify a few points in Prpixels post; Pro SLR cameras are available in 35mm SLR body-style from around 4 megapixels to 14. As an example; The 4 Megapixel Nikon D2H is a remarkable camera, as is the 11 Megapixel Canon 1DS. Each tool has it's advantages, and each one produces amazing images for the state of the art today. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. The digital backs used on Hasselblad and other medium format cameras have been around a long while, and just like the consumer market are getting better and better. They are still quite expensive $10-20K on average, and up until recently most had to be tied to a laptop in order to shoot. There are also digital backs available to shoot with large format 4x5 inch cameras. If you shoot a lot of pictures, digital is certainly the cheapest way to go. Keep in mind on digital cards you dump the files onto your computer, wipe the card clean again and shoot over and over. Film still has an edge in overall quality, but the average person will not take advantage and may not even notice or care about those diffferences.
Marco |
Gunbei,
I go to megapixel.net every month to read the new reviews. They know their stuff. Agree with you about the lense and CCD.
CDC,
Sounds like your running an old win95 or win98 machine. WinXP is a lot better. |
Cdc,
Ahh, so you already own a PC? If that's what you're familiar and comfortable with I see no reason you can't accomplish what you want with a similar Windows machine and operating system.
If you're curious about Macs and want to try them out in person, drop by an Apple Store if you have one close by. The eMac, iMac and iBook prices I mentioned all included a monitor. These were close out models all with ample amount of processor power to do what you want.
As people have mentioned before, megapixels don't insure a better picture. The lense and the CCD or charge coupled device which captures the image are probably more important. A 3 or 4 megapixel camera is probably all you need.
Check out these sites:
www.dpreview.com
www.digital-photography.org
Also if you pin down a few models that interest you, check out the user reviews for these cameras at Amazon.com. You'll find out what people think of them after they've been battle tested.
Prpixel, that Megapixel.net website is pretty cool. I see you share the same surname, LOL! Thanks! |
Camera review:
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en
Digicams have come a long way in the last few years. The top consumer cameras are around 8 megapixel and can be had for $800-$1000. Pro cameras are around 14 megapixel and sell for $4000-6000. I saw a prototype 24 megapixel back strapped to a Hasselblanc (hope I spelled that right) last week while in NYC visiting a friend.
Digital film for digicams is inexpensive; I've seen 256MB SD cards selling for under $40.00. That would let you take over 200 pics with a 5 megapixel camera in high-res or over 800 in low res. |
Thanks for all the responses. Yea, I've got to give the audio stuff a break for a while. Besides, my computer goes through 3) error messages before I get to windows. And the "return" key on my keyboard broke off two years ago. I just stuck a tootpick in the hole which works great. Most people can't figure out the toothpick so my computer is "hackproof".
The Mac idea sounds good as I really don't like HP either. I can spend 1K on computer with no monitor.I have used them in the past for desktop publishing but I am concerned about compatibilty with my brand new Oki-data LED printer and other software. How is the learning curve for a Microsoft user? I am familiar with Windows (ugh) and have bought Norton firewall/antivirus, word etc., wordstar and DOS programs for CAD drawings etc. Do I have to get a MAC version and toss my existing software?
Otherwise maybe IBM or Sony?
For the digital camera sounds like Canon and Olympus are good for the cheaper $400 range. As someone mentioned, I am worried about the lag before I can take a picture. Also wasn't it only 2-3 years ago that a .5 megapixel camera cost $400? So what happened to them now, Trashcan? Has the development/ price curve leveled off yet?
Finally the ads say I can get 8 good photos or 200 bad ones. I take maybe 50-80 photos on a vacation. Since there probably won't be a Walmart nearby, I will need to buy more memory sticks. I haven't seen prices on these. Maybe a point and shoot Canon which uses film is more pratical if I'm going to take a lot of photos. |
It's not just about speed, but more importantly; stability. The Macs are like the Toyota of computers. |
|
"Being a Mac user is like being a Navy SEAL:
a small, elite group of people with access to
the most sophisticated technology in the world,
who everyone calls on to get the really tough
jobs done quickly and efficiently." |
|
Gunbei,
I listed my certification to to let the CDC know that I wasn't just another end user with limited experience offering up his personal opinion.
As far as digital photography goes, I have a friend in NYC, who is a professional photographer. He gets prototype digicams that will blow most peoples minds. Yes, he does most of his work on Macs.
What we have here is a guy that just wants to post a few pics online, not do fashion spreads in a major magazine. So, I imagine that he is interested in a camera that is as easy to use as a "throwaway" kodak point and shot. And, a modestly priced PC/MAC. Like one person added, photoshop elements, which runs on both MAC/PC, is about all he will need.
As for PC's being infected with viruses, I have been online for over 20 years and in the computer business for over 25 years and have never seen one. What I have seen is spyware, Adware, hardware incompatibilities, poorly designed hardware and software, bloatware and ignorance. In my opinion, the term "you have a virus" is the biggest cop-out/excuse for not knowing what the problem is, not wanting to troubleshoot the problem or just blowing the customer off.
I now you MAC fans are really adamant about how much you love your machines and how much better they are than PC's. That's you opinion and you are intitled to it. I won't take that away from you. I'm sure that argument will continue long after this thread has run it's course. But, lets get back to the issue of the thread and offer CDC some good advice on digicams and computers.
IMHO,
PS-I read an interesting article this morning on how the Ipod has boistered Apples bottom line even though MAC sales have slipped. In fact, the success of Itunes has prompted Apple to consider shifting its business model towards music downloads. The Ipod is a great device! Now, if they would come out with a mini with about 20gigs....... |
Once I've placed on 'gon to find any descent camcorder and received no responces but Cdc realy found the best clue "to photograph his or someone else's rig".
I admire such creativity(Oh, yes with no irony indeed), but still spit on the TV screen when seing movies pictured with my Sony TRV270 camera and missing my brocken and trashed optical JVC a couple of years ago. No contest the events pictured by that JVC look like from a pro camera while that comfortable LCD digital Sony has a bunch of snow if the light is a-bit lower than 12-noon daylight. |
RW - I'm not quite clear on why you'd find it surprising that a question about photography would result in responses from those who knew about photography. People who do it to make a living and actually depend on their gear to put food on their table and pay their mortgage had damn well better know the tools they work with, just as you'd better know your development apps! As had been said on more then one post, the drawback to a Mac will be available software for diverse applications. If the question is addressing Photography (as it was) and Graphic Design then I'd always recommend a Mac as making those processes relatively simple, fast and stable, as well as being very intuitive in the case of their integral applications like iPhoto. I didn't read about anyone telling this guy to go out and drop 3 large on a brand new G5. Used G4's are abundant in virtually every city and town across the US as well as on the Internet, at very reasonable prices and are plenty of Mac for what the poster require. Heck, even a G3 is a dead-stable platform to run any version of OSX on and still not be lacking for basic applications. Those can be had for only a few hundred dollars. As far as surfing the Internet goes, money invested there should go into a DSL or Cable conection as most of the browsers do a fine job, and virtually all are available at no cost. Prpixel - Glad to hear the PC is finally catching up with Mac where stability is concerned. All I can say is that it's about time. PC viruses are still a problem, especially on boxes that send and recieve email and surf that net. Mac's remain relatively impervious to that and I can say that I've absolutely never had a virus or worm on my Macs over the years. Mac has such a stronghold on the photography/design community at large. BUT recent tests are showing the the Pentium 4 processor is actually faster (compared to a dual-processor G4 which is NOT the current state of the art) in many Photoshop proceses and especially in converting raw files (crucial to a pro, or anyone wanting the utmost in quality from their digital images). Anyone interested in those recent tests, which have come under much scrutiny and criticism since Macs have always been considered the faster route, can read the original test on Rob Galbraith's Website. Incidently, the PC's used in this test were all over $3K as was the Mac (as configured). I don't know how the G5 and OS10.3 have changed the balance. Apple has a strong reliance of the graphics/photography community on their choice to use Macs above PC's because they've always been superior. If PC's continue to improve as they have been in these realms, then Apple may be in big trouble since the graphics community has always been one of their most staunch supporters Obviously you don't need to spend large coin to just do snapshots and surf the web. If the original poster just wants to buy something brand new and as cheap as possible, and wants to play games on their computer, and perhaps eventually become a Prototyper for Microsoft.... well then, go get yer'self a chop-shop PC and have at it. I, myself, prefer the stability and reliability of Macs when using them in grahics applications. They have a long history based on these strengths and continue to do these things very very well. Marco |
Who said he should spend $3000? I think I offered some options that were 1/2 to a 1/3 that price. You can get an iBook starting at $700, an iMac from around $1000, and an eMac for $800. Just check out www.MacMall.com.
From Cdc's question I gathered that he might not have computer yet, so I offered up the Mac and its great, included software as an easy way to get the pictures from camera to website.
Cdc, as Albert Porter suggested, iPhoto which comes preinstalled on new Macs and is a great way to view and organize all your photos. You needn't buy the full professional version of Photoshop to manipulate, crop, color correct and resize your pictures. Adobe Photoshop Elements runs about 90 buckeroos and will probably do all that you want.
If you ever decide you want to make albums of your photos to share with friends or burn to DVD, Apple's new iLife is a $49 suite of mini apps that includes iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie and Garage Band. It's a great little package.
Boy, all you angry PC guys, what gives? If you read Cdc's original post he asked for nice people only. Notice how the PC guys like to brag about their Microsoft certification and de-bugging a C-whatever app. That's cool and all, but what does this have to with taking, editing and posting pictures on the web? At least a pro photog will have some helpful advice in this area.
Not to judge PC users in genenral, but if one were new to computers and read this thread, he or she might conclude...
Mac people = fun, creative and helpful
PC people = snobby, superior, grumpy, jealous, stiff and repressed.
Have fun Cdc researching computers and cameras like you would a new piece of audio gear for your system. As I said earlier, no matter the machine or that OS you end up with I'm sure you'll have lot's of fun.
Good luck! |
He can easily get an Emac or iMac for around $1000, that will kick a pc's ass, hands down, from every standpoint that matters.
initial cost is but one (small) part of total cost of ownership. Factor in downtime, hassles, virii, crashes, repairs, software, upgrades, frustration, etc. - all of which are much higher with a PC - and the Mac looks like an even bigger bargain than it already is!
Anything written for unix will be viable for a Mac (OS X), certainly more dev software out there for Unix than anything Wintel could ever dream about, IMHO.
-Ed
"Fighting Back For the Mac - let's kick Intel's ass!" (anyone remember that slogan? ;-) |
>> Didn't anybody read the original post?
Indeed, seems like every professional photographer on the 'Gon chimed in with his Mac recommendation despite what the original poster asked for.
Well, I've got some news for all the Macolytes out there: your box is over-priced for what this guy wants to do. For under $1,000 he can have a nice Wintel-based PC and a very decent digital camera that will do *everything* he needs and then some. Why the hell should he spend upwards of $3,000 for a Mac and such?
Now you'll have to excuse me, I'm in the midst of de-bugging a C# app running on a Dell - I'd *love* to use a Mac [smirk], but darn it, ya just can't get any good development software for that box, can ya?
-RW- |
Jax2,
The Mac is a great machine for digital photography and video editing. I'll give you that. But, it's a lot more money than a PC. I was just trying to give him a low cost alternative from a computer professional.
BTW - I have used and owned Macs in the past. Yes, they are easier to use. But, in order to acheive this, you give of options and software choices.
As far as the PC goes, it was come a long way with the NT Kernal. I've been running XP since beta and have yet to see a "blue screen of death". No crashes, no lockups, just as stable as can be. Granted, I don't have a lot of software installed on my machine; just the essentials - Coreldraw, photoshop, office and the occasional RPG. |
I like my Canon A70 ... 3Mpixel (quite enough unless you want to print posters ... and remember that 5Mpixel cameras need a much bigger compact flash card). Inexpensive, simple to use and pictures that look better than my old olympus 35mm on 7x5s.
As for PCs I've always had good luck with Toshiba laptops. Not the most advanced, but quite durable. No experience with Macs. |
I'll add another vote for MAC, I was always a PC guy since the original XT machines, but when XP came out, I needed a new computer and all my friends had compatability issues. I wanted something for digital music, video and photography. Well, two years later, I will never switch back. My MAC is just so efficient at everything.
As they say... "It just works!"
As for cameras, I have a Canon Powershot S40, though I'd get the S45 now, not the S50 as the CCD isn't that great. One REALLY cool thing about this camera is the underwater case Canon makes for it. This camera goes to the beach, and diving with me and does quite well in both environments! |
04-26-04: Prpixel Asked:
Didn't anybody read the original post? All he wanted to do with his new computer and camera is surf the net and post some pictures on Ebay and Agon when selling items.
Nope, just came up with a random answer like everyone else. Dunno' about the others, but I do one of those Johnny Carson things by holding my laptop up to my forehead and just intuit the answers. Wow, seems like all these answers seem to address the very same subject. Imagine that? By gosh, yet all of them are slightly different opinoins, and some not so slightly different.....go figure. Some folks even took the time to expand reflect upon the original questions and provide insight that goes beyond them basing their answers on there very own experience. What in heavens name could they have been thinking?! Perhaps they may have thought that other folks, aside from the person who asked the questions in the first place, may look at the same thread seeking out useful opinions and information on the same subject. Oh wait, I forgot, no one bothers to search the archives! They just ask the same old questions over and over again. So I guess you are the only one who did read the original question Prixel. GoodOnYa' for that!
Marco |
Didn't anybody read the original post? All he wanted to do with his new computer and camera is surf the net and post some pictures on Ebay and Agon when selling items.
Hewlett-Pachard and Compaq are the same company. What I would do is go to Best Buy and pickup the following computer:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077624680714&skuId=6374167&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01172
Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Desktop with AMD™ Athlon XP Processor 3000+ Model: a510n
It comes with a DVD/CD_RW, a decent sized harddrive and a memory card reader that will work with any digital camera. And for under $600.00 I couldn't build it that cheap. It also has the room for future expansion - better video, audio etc.
As far as digital camera go, for what you want to do something in the 3.2-5.0 Megapixel range will do fine. This will allow you to use low-res for auctions and high-res for vacations. Get one that's easy to use. Canon, nikon and hP make easy to use good cameras.
I have two digital cameras- a Canon Powershot Pro1 (8 megapixel) and an HP935 5.3 megapixel. I use the HP a lot more than the canon because it a great point and shot camera and easy to use. BTW I have taken a few photgraphy courses over at the local college. THe HP can be purchased here for around $300.00.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=1815901
Hope this helps,
BTW - I am a microsoft certified system administrator (MCSA), microsoft certified system engineer (MCSE), and a microsoft cerified A+ technician and have over 25 years of experience in the computer industry. |
I would go with a Mac. One you switch to the Mac OS X operating system you will never go back. In particular if you are interested in image processing applications. You don't need to play games anyway, better to listen to you music collection. Otherwise I hate to say it, but I have heard a lot of good thing about ibm machines: long warranty and extremely reliable. Stay away from Compaq, HP, Dell. I have heard about to many problems. |
I'll give you yet one more professional recommendation for the Mac if you have not figured it out by now. In the world of photography and graphic design and image manipulation Mac rules. Period. End of story. I've been taking pictures since I was five and been a pro for over 20 years. The vast majority of profesionals in the fields of photography and graphic arts have relied upon Macs for as long as I can remember (just as has been demonstrated here on this thread). The only reason not to go that way is if you anticipate the need for proprietary software (such as gaming software as someone already suggested) which is not available for Mac. One other great perk about Macs is they are far more stable than PC's and far less vulnerable to viruses, worms, rashes and constipation. As far as digital cameras, there is so much out there that would do a great job for the needs you mentioned, and that technology is changing so fast that by the time I typed a recommendation for a point-and-shoot solution it might be obsolete. The Nikon prosumer solutions that Albert reccommends as well as others (D70 & D100) would be a great tool to have if you don't mind the size. If you are just looking for a snapshot solution to put stuff on the Internet and do the occasional picture of the family you may not want the bulk of a prosumer camera, even though the features and quality of the images are significantly better if you get serious about your digital shooting. I'd heartily second recommendations for Nikon's lineup of prosumer and professional digital cameras and a used one may be a great option if you can verify it's provenance. For point and shoot; as I said, there's a new model out every week it seems. I've seen stuff from Nikon, Sony and Canon that all have offered up some great features in the past as well as offering very satisfying results. The main drawbacks I see in going with a point and shoot is shutter lag (newer cameras are getting better and better about this), rangefinder and or tiny lcd viewing screens, and slow cycling time to shoot a burst of images one after the other. There are other drawbacks as well, but those are the ones that bug me the most. Biggest plus? Portability and economy, though some of the prosumer cameras are offering a whole lot of bang for not a lot of buck these days. Good luck! Marco Photography Website |
Sorry, for the typo. It 'rlwainwright', not 'rh..." Must have misread it because the resolution on my iMac's screen is so poor.
Nick (only jesting) |
Surely, Rhwainwright is jesting. If we to subscribe to his notion that market share/sales is an indication of a company's or product's superiority, then we should be buying most of our sound equipment from Radio Shack or giant discounters. Viable (perhaps just different, but sometimes clearly superior) alternatives to popular PCs, solid-state devices, Cds, VHS, digital cameras are Macs, tubes, vinyl, Beta (yes, Beta) and 35mm cameras.
By the way, what works for me is a Mac and a Sony D770. The Sony's resolution is not as high as that of current models, but I like its flexibility--it operates much like a good SLR. I also use Adobe PhotoShop 5.0 (purchased inexpensively on eBay) to crop, adjust color balance, etc. I have two iMacs, purchased used for about a quarter of what they cost new; the Sony was a demo. I also use, however, film cameras because I have my own darkroom.
The only time I would definitely not recommend a Mac is if you're planning to play a lot of different games on your computer. Then a PC is probably a better choice.
Depending on how you ultimately use a digital camera will influence your model choice. Close-up abilities, focusing and exposure options, ease of operation, pixels, etc. should all be considered. And, of course, your budget.
A note re pixels: Unless you have a high resolution printer, and are planning to make a lot of enlargements (8X10) and higher, paying a lot for a camera because of pixel figures doesn't make much sense to me. It's a bit like owning a Leica or Nikon with high resolution lenses and taking your film to WalMart. Of course, some people might argue that Walmart must have high quality film processing because they do such a good business.
Good luck!
Nick (PS: sometimes I buy stuff at Radio Shack, too) |
Mac? Surely, you jest? Isn't that the computer that started out with almost 10% of the PC market and has managed to go to approx. 3% of the market in a few short years? Don't get stuck with one of those boat anchors.
Get a reasonably-priced Dell or IBM PC and buy the digital camera with the money you saved from not buying the over-priced Mac. As for camera choices, Canon and Nikon have some very nice 3-4 megapixel models available for resonable bucks, and I am quite satisifed with my Toshiba PDR-M70 that I bought over two years ago.
Mac....don't make me laugh, geez.
-RW- |
