RANT: Kodak Digital Cameras

[Bulldozer]

This rant is long overdue. The camera in question: DC280. Purchased the Christmas before last, the camera had a mind of its own. Sometimes it would turn on, sometimes it wouldn't. Sent it back and had it replaced. New camera was powered up and snapped pics just fine. After this the camera wasn't used for a while and was assumed to function properly.

Well, on rare ocassions the camera works fine. It takes good pictures, when it will turn on. I've tried several different sets of batteries with no positive results. There's not telling what will happen when you hit the power switch. Often times it turns itself off just as I'm about to snap a pic and will not come back on. Then it will suddenly turn itself back on. Typically in a group of 10 pictures one or two will be bad, with the screen displaying "invalid file type."

Two Kodak DC280s = Two pieces of junk.

 

[BCYL]

I guess it's just specific to that model...

all the kodak digital cameras I have dealt with are top quality... I personally own the DC5000 and my friend has the DX3900... both take great pictures...

 

[Bulldozer]

I agree, the pictures that it takes are great. It's geting to the point of taking those pictures that's the problem.

 

[OS]

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[OS]

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[notfred]

the 280 was discontinued cause of problems and replaced with the DC3400. I have the 3400, and it works great.

 

[Renob]

that sucks to be you, with your kodak problems

I have had 3 kodak cameras and loved them all, a dc200 dc210 and a dc5000 they have not given me any problems

 

[BCYL]

Renob:

u have the DC5000 too? How do u like it?

It's a little too big for me... but otherwise it's great... great pictures, and great battery life...

Only problem I had was it doesnt accept some CF cards... I had this no-name brand (THL brand) 128MB CF card and DC5000 didnt like it...

 

[RossMAN]

I have a Kodak DX3700 only because it's 1) A 3.1 megpixel digicam for $169 and 2) did I mention the price?

It sucks in some respects but it takes care of my simple needs.

 

[Renob]

BCYL the DC 5000 is big, but I like it I go camping alot so its great that its weather proof and it can sure take a beating.

 

[BCYL]

<< BCYL the DC 5000 is big, but I like it I go camping alot so its great that its weather proof and it can sure take a beating. >>



Yeah that's also the reason I got it... dont have to treat it like a baby and always be cautious about it... This is the only camera i let my gf borrow and use (always afraid she will drop and break my other cameras)

Pretty much all pictures I took with this camera turned out great, no matter what conditions I was in....

 

[dcdomain]

I have a DC265, great camera, but it's getting a little old and big for it's time... think it's time to start shopping for a new camera. I want it to be as small as possible. Any recommendations?

 

[RossMAN]

<< I have a DC265, great camera, but it's getting a little old and big for it's time... think it's time to start shopping for a new camera. I want it to be as small as possible. Any recommendations? >>



Go to Imaging-Resource.com's camera finder which lets you choose the camera format (physical size of the digicam) and other criteria. Off the top of my head look at the Fuji's and Canon S110 (very sweet camera).

 

[PullMyFinger]

OuterSquare,
Does your 4800 take decent indoor pictures? I've had mine for about a year now and it absolutely sucks indoors. At first I thought it was my wife's picture taking technique but I also have had terrible luck with ghosting, exposure, and generally poor focus, and I've made sure to be rock stable when I shoot. Outdoors, even on cloudy days, it takes great crystal clear photos, even of moving objects. Any ideas?

 

[Xenon14]

i have the Kodak DX3600, great camera. I just want the docking station - so badly!

 

[RossMAN]

<< i have the Kodak DX3600, great camera. I just want the docking station - so badly! >>



If the OfficeMax.com $20 off $75 coupon is still floating around you can buy the Kodak EasyShare docking station for around $59 shipped, even less after eBates.com

 

[NicColt]

>Two Kodak DC280s = Two pieces of junk.

wow, I've had a DC280 since day 1 they were out and never had any problems whatsoever with them and I use two different sets of batteries. Pic quality is awsome. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

 

[Bulldozer]

I agree about the quality, just wish I could use it when I'm ready, not when it's good and ready.

For those of you with properly functioning DC280 cams, how quickly can you snap pics? Can you just keep snapping them in 3-5s intervals or do you have to wait a few moments sometimes? I was at my brother's graduation and after taking two pics I wanted to sneak a pic of the hottie behind him but the friggin' thing wouldn't let me.

 

[hx009]

I agree about the quality, just wish I could use it when I'm ready, not when it's good and ready.

For those of you with properly functioning DC280 cams, how quickly can you snap pics? Can you just keep snapping them in 3-5s intervals or do you have to wait a few moments sometimes? I was at my brother's graduation and after taking two pics I wanted to sneak a pic of the hottie behind him but the friggin' thing wouldn't let me.

Bulldozer, I'm in the same boat as you. I have a DC265, and it does whatever it wants, whenever it wants. I can usually snap a pic or two just fine. However, once in awhile I'll take a shot, and the light by the viewfinder will just sit there flashing red or yellow and REFUSE to let me take another pic, or even turn the camera off. I've also experienced the thing shutting itself off for NO REASON in the middle of use, on a fresh set of batteries (and no, it's not the contacts, they're as springy and clean as the day it came out of the box). The batteries are low use Kodak batteries so this nonsense holds no weight. I pretty much gave up on it, and use other cameras if I need a picture of something.

 

[LikeLinus]

I purchased one of those DX3700's and man was it a POS. It did take "high res" photos, but sometimes they came out blurry. Also the contrast on the images was lacking. It didn't produce colors nearly as well as the olympus i purchased in place of it. Overall i just didn't like the camera.

I took it back to CC as quick as possible and picked up a Olympus 3020 for an extra $150. WELL Worth the extra money spent. You get what you pay for = true with digital cameras. Plus i had them throw in a 64mb Smartcard!

Oh yeah, if anyone is looking for a 3.2mp camera, the Olympus just flat out rocks. I was looking at a Coolpix 995, but the Olympus was actually cheaper and has a much better lens on it. The optical zoom is very nice and it takes great pictures.

 

[Bulldozer]

<< Bulldozer, I'm in the same boat as you. I have a DC265, and it does whatever it wants, whenever it wants. I can usually snap a pic or two just fine. However, once in awhile I'll take a shot, and the light by the viewfinder will just sit there flashing red or yellow and REFUSE to let me take another pic, or even turn the camera off. I've also experienced the thing shutting itself off for NO REASON in the middle of use, on a fresh set of batteries (and no, it's not the contacts, they're as springy and clean as the day it came out of the box). The batteries are low use Kodak batteries so this nonsense holds no weight. I pretty much gave up on it, and use other cameras if I need a picture of something. >>



I'm not alone! Usually I'm just snapping a picture of something I'm trying to sell so it's no big deal if I have to mess around with it but if people were striking a pose or something and waiting for the camera to start working they could be there a while.

 

[Xenon14]

<I purchased one of those DX3700's and man was it a POS>

That's because the DX3700 only has digital zoom (as does the DX3500). If you're purchasing a digital camera make sure it has optical zoom or else the pictures will suck

 

[Pardus]

Had a chance to test out the DX3900, crappy camera for $300 bux. Most of my pictures were not sharp, outdoor pictures seemed hazy, took over 100 pics with it too. Maybe I suck at photography, who knows, but i am sticking to canon or olympus here on.