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Need help spending $800 on digi-cam for preschool :)

My daughter's preschool is a co-op... all the parents volunteer in the classroom and with any projects. I recently did some mild maintenance of thier website and they asked if I had any suggestions for a digital camera. The email I received is posted below. I've looked around but didn't come up with anything (I just got this yesterday) So if anybody has suggestions I'd be extremely grateful and my daughter would be helped.

Thanks for reading 😀

Here's the email from the director:

I would definitly appreciate some help with the camera. I keep getting
different info from everyone I talk to.
I will need two cameras. One for each class room. We have found over the
years it is too difficult to share a camera between rooms. I would think I
could find a good one for around $400.00. (that's for each)
We are looking to use them for an assestment program, to produce books to
enhance language development and finally we would like to do a power point
presentation at the end of the year instead of a slide show.
The school has four computers: The main desktop model that I use is the Mac G4
with a HP printer. This would most likely be the one that all equipment and
software would have to work with.
We also have 3 laptops- 1 old IBM . a new IBM and a Compaq.
The Mac has an internal zip drive- no diskette or CD burner. I was told that I
should be able to print pictures right from the printer. But I also think I
would want to work with them on the desktop.
Most of the time I will just be printing off on to papaer for use in the
classroom and only occassionally printing on photography paper.
It was recommended to me that we should not consider less than 3.1 Pixels. I
would also like a zoom and to be able to shoot pictures in rapid succession.
The two recommedations that I receive previouly were for a Olympus and Epson.


Again thanks for any advice or suggestions... I'm particularly interested in what our resident Ferengi have to say.. I know Ross owns like 34 cameras already....
 
First of all for the record I only own 5 digicams:

Kodak DX3700 which sucks but the wife loves it.
Fuji Finepix 1400 which I'm selling.
Canon PowerShot S200 which I'm selling.
Argus DC3200 which I'm selling.
Canon PowerShot A40 which I am keeping, love it but dunno how to use it!

Please e-mail the director these reviews, I think they'll be sold on the Canon PowerShot A40:
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
imaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)
dcresource.com (with sample pictures)
steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)
dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)

CONSUMER REVIEWS
ePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)
Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)
CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews)

I'm sure that this would be the perfect digicam for them because:
1) You want something easy to grip, not to big or small.
2) It's easy to use if you read the manual which I haven't yet.
3) It uses CF media rather than SM which Fuji's and Olympus digicams do.
4) It is USB equipped so transferring pics between the Canon A40 digicam to a PC (or Mac - yes Canon's are Mac friendly) is as easy as plugging in the USB cable (assuming they're using Win XP on the PC's).
5) It accepts regular AA's which is great because you can use rechargeable AA's which save hundreds of dollars and is better for the environment.
6) Overall it's the best bang for your buck 2 megapixel digicam you can buy.
7) It's cheap, $299 - $50 coupon = $249 x 2 = $500 total use the $300 savings to buy another digicam or some accessories.
8) 2 megapixel should be more than sufficient unless they plan on PRINTING pics which are larger than 8x10. I'm guessing that 80% or more of digicam users only post stuff online and a 2 megapixel is more than sufficient for that.

$299 Canon A40 @ OfficeMax.com - $50 off $250 coupon = $249 each with free shipping

Buy them separately so you can use the $50 off coupon more than once.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
First of all for the record I only own 5 digicams:

Kodak DX3700 which sucks but the wife loves it.
Fuji Finepix 1400 which I'm selling.
Canon PowerShot S200 which I'm selling.
Argus DC3200 which I'm selling.
Canon PowerShot A40 which I am keeping, love it but dunno how to use it!

Please e-mail the director these reviews, I think they'll be sold on the Canon PowerShot A40:
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
imaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)
dcresource.com (with sample pictures)
steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)
dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)

CONSUMER REVIEWS
ePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)
Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)
CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews)

I'm sure that this would be the perfect digicam for them because:
1) You want something easy to grip, not to big or small.
2) It's easy to use if you read the manual which I haven't yet.
3) It uses CF media rather than SM which Fuji's and Olympus digicams do.
4) It is USB equipped so transferring pics between the Canon A40 digicam to a PC (or Mac - yes Canon's are Mac friendly) is as easy as plugging in the USB cable (assuming they're using Win XP on the PC's).
5) It accepts regular AA's which is great because you can use rechargeable AA's which save hundreds of dollars and is better for the environment.
6) Overall it's the best bang for your buck 2 megapixel digicam you can buy.
7) It's cheap, $299 - $50 coupon = $249 x 2 = $500 total use the $300 savings to buy another digicam or some accessories.
8) 2 megapixel should be more than sufficient unless they plan on PRINTING pics which are larger than 8x10. I'm guessing that 80% or more of digicam users only post stuff online and a 2 megapixel is more than sufficient for that.

$299 Canon A40 @ OfficeMax.com - $50 off $250 coupon = $249 each with free shipping

Buy them separately so you can use the $50 off coupon more than once.

ONLY 5? My father was a professional photographer for several years and HE HAS LESS CAMERAS THAN YOU DO! He still has less than 5.

Sorry Ross, but its true.

-PAB
 
I just bought a Fuji s602 camera the other day for about $575 shipped. It's a 3.1 MP camera with a CCD that can interpolate the results to 6 MP. It's apparently on a fedex truck now from NJ, but I have no idea how long it'll take to get here to indiana. I'll be taking some sample shots with it for one of my buddies, if you'd like I can pm you the web address where I'll host them.

It's probably WAY more of a camera then they'll want being a prosumer camera. I'm guessing they're going to be better off with a couple point and shoot models without too many settings to confuse them.


Still, if you're interested I'd be glad to post my sample shots when I get the camera
 
Canon PowerShot A40 which I am keeping, love it but dunno how to use it!

that makes two of us :-/

personally... 2 mp is enough if they are just going to be using the images on a computer and putting them on the web. and since office max is having their little deal again... you can't be it 🙂
 
Originally posted by: stev0
Canon PowerShot A40 which I am keeping, love it but dunno how to use it!

that makes two of us :-/

personally... 2 mp is enough if they are just going to be using the images on a computer and putting them on the web. and since office max is having their little deal again... you can't be it 🙂

Is OfficeMax offering the FREE 64MB CF again? I thought it ended last Saturday?
 
Well they do plan on printing them... as the email states...

so everybody agreed the A40?

The fuji is out of the price range... unfortunately.
 
I still think the Canon PowerShot A40 is the best bang for your buck but you should always keep your options open. So here are 30 digicams (with reviews) which should meet your exceed your criteria.

If you determine that 2 megapixel is enough for you then definitely get the Canon A40 because $249 is a FLAMING HOT PRICE!
 
Oh and make sure the digicams you're looking at are Mac friendly. I know of a few stunning great digicams which have had to pass up because they don't come with Mac drivers, hardware issues, etc.

My Canon A40 works flawlessly with my iMac, a PowerMac G3, G4 and my Intel P4 Windows XP machine.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: stev0
Canon PowerShot A40 which I am keeping, love it but dunno how to use it!

that makes two of us :-/

personally... 2 mp is enough if they are just going to be using the images on a computer and putting them on the web. and since office max is having their little deal again... you can't be it 🙂

Is OfficeMax offering the FREE 64MB CF again? I thought it ended last Saturday?

oops... :-/ your right it did 😱

i would still go with a couple of the a40's 🙂
 
I know of a few stunning great digicams which have had to pass up because they don't come with Mac drivers, hardware issues, etc.
But RossMan, according to the latest switch commercial, digital cameras work better with the mac! How can you save christmas if they don't?!? 😀

I actually came pretty close to buying one of those a40's, but I figured I've already got a point and shoot camera so my next digicam would be a prosumer model.
 
Originally posted by: MrBond
I know of a few stunning great digicams which have had to pass up because they don't come with Mac drivers, hardware issues, etc.
But RossMan, according to the latest switch commercial, digital cameras work better with the mac! How can you save christmas if they don't?!? 😀

I actually came pretty close to buying one of those a40's, but I figured I've already got a point and shoot camera so my next digicam would be a prosumer model.

So true, so I should dump $1,799 on an iMac which uses super fast SDRAM (not even DDR SDRAM) and the lightning fast NVIDIA GeForce4 MX video card when I could buy 3 Dell Dimension 4500's with P4 2.23 533's (without LCD of course unless PAB can hook me up on some Apple displays) instead.

😛
 
OK... Two A40's for $249 = $498
leaves me (after tax) a little under $300 to spend on CF upgrades, batteries and chargers. Know any deals? 😉
 
Originally posted by: djheater
OK... Two A40's for $249 = $498
leaves me (after tax) a little under $300 to spend on CF upgrades, batteries and chargers. Know any deals? 😉

Newegg.com always has good prices on CF and Thomasdistributing.com has a great selection on chargers and batteries with pretty good prices.

 
Originally posted by: Lars
Originally posted by: djheater
OK... Two A40's for $249 = $498
leaves me (after tax) a little under $300 to spend on CF upgrades, batteries and chargers. Know any deals? 😉

Newegg.com always has good prices on CF and Thomasdistributing.com has a great selection on chargers and batteries with pretty good prices.

I agree, there are two important accessories you should buy:
1) At least 128MB CompactFlash media, check prices at Amazon.com (free shipping over $25, some have rebates, and there's a $5 or $10 coupon available which lowers the price even more). Fry's has great deals on 128MB CF and 256MB CF. Also check out Staples, OfficeMax or OfficeDepot they all have coupons, also check Dell.com which has coupons and of course NewEgg.com I bought 256MB CF Viking from Amazon.com for $70 shipped after $10 MIR and coupon, it works great in my Canon A40.
2) Rechargeable batteries, buy at least 1600 mAH the 4 best deals are:
Deal 1 - Panasonic 6 1600 mAH AA's, 2 AAA and 3 hour quick charger for $20 after $5 MIR @ CostCo B&M. Sam's Club B&M has a similiar deal. Pick up an additional 4 Panasonic 1600 mAH AA's for $4.99 @ Big Lots B&M.
Deal 2 - SunnBattery.com sells high quality NiMH batteries on eBay as ptron1 their best deal which I can't seem to find right now is 8 1800 mAH AA's (Gold Peak or Nexcell) with the world famous MAHA quick charger and car adapter for $39.95 plus around $7 shipping ... If you don't mind paying a little more they do have this same kit with 12, 16 and 24 NiMH batteries. I recommend at least 8 so you always have a fresh set of 4 batteries ready to go after you drain the current set of 4. This is what I would buy.
Deal 3 - Thomas-Distributing.com has been in the rechargeable battery business for a while and has earned a stellar reputation. Their selection is awesome with reasonable prices.
Deal 4 - NewEgg.com need I say more?

Hope this helps.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: MrBond
I know of a few stunning great digicams which have had to pass up because they don't come with Mac drivers, hardware issues, etc.
But RossMan, according to the latest switch commercial, digital cameras work better with the mac! How can you save christmas if they don't?!? 😀

I actually came pretty close to buying one of those a40's, but I figured I've already got a point and shoot camera so my next digicam would be a prosumer model.

So true, so I should dump $1,799 on an iMac which uses super fast SDRAM (not even DDR SDRAM) and the lightning fast NVIDIA GeForce4 MX video card when I could buy 3 Dell Dimension 4500's with P4 2.23 533's (without LCD of course unless PAB can hook me up on some Apple displays) instead.

😛

ROSSMAN? SAVE CHRISTMAS?

ROFLOL!

But seriously, as for the LCD's: I have 6 in front of me. Anyone interested? 😀

And if you want the hookup, its still gonna cost you even with...TFD. aka:

The Ferengi Discount: What I normally charge people - $50 or 10% (whichever is smaller).

-PAB

EDIT: BTW, I am insulted that you would think that I sell Apple equipment.

-Nog
 
RossMan you rock! Thanks so much...

Here's something you and Andy will enjoy.
I discovered that SchoolPop.com will give 3% (much like ebates) back to the school if purchased through thier link 😉

Your Ferengi is spreading 😀
 
Originally posted by: djheater
RossMan you rock! Thanks so much...

Here's something you and Andy will enjoy.
I discovered that SchoolPop.com will give 3% (much like ebates) back to the school if purchased through thier link 😉

Your Ferengi is spreading 😀

*sigh*

-PAB
 
how about a hint on the $50 off $250... F@twallet and techb@rgains didn't show it....

I was just looking in the wrong place 😱 ::gotta search the forums yo::
 
Originally posted by: djheater
how about a hint on the $50 off $250... F@twallet and techb@rgains didn't show it....

Go to FW's Hot Deals forum search for Omax it should be one of the top threads.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: djheater
how about a hint on the $50 off $250... F@twallet and techb@rgains didn't show it....

Go to FW's Hot Deals forum search for Omax it should be one of the top threads.

[egregious comment retracted, per request.] 😉

PS - I'm happy you're using your powers for good instead of evil 🙂
 
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