Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 65210	2006-01-11 01:38:00	really cheap cameras	Thomas01 (317)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
419992	2006-01-11 01:38:00	Some time ago there was discussion about those very cheap cameras. Well I bought one. It was actually an exercise for me to find out what it was like using Trade Me Auctions. So I wanted something cheap. Starting at $1 - I thought “Great - get a bargain” Of course the price went up - I got hooked and ended up paying $24 I was amazed to get the thing the next day - a Friday - I had completely expected to have to wait until the next week. And what is it like. Well small. Lousy view finder which has enormous parallax error. No view screen of course. Takes about 60 photos in jpg. My first idea was to compare it with my old Kodak box camera used about 1950. A typical photo of me in Vienna was chosen. This had been scanned and filed on the computer - despite this I could zoom in and even read the time on my wrist watch. A direct magnification of the actual print would be even better. My new camera fails badly. Zooming in produces a very poor quality result - blocky and unpleasant. But hey hang on. My box camera cost 30 shillings. That was a weeks wages. It only took black and white. Cost money for printing etc. My new camera produces quite remarkably and good full colour photographs if I resist the temptation to show them full screen . Keep them the size of my original prints for the box camera and the results are very acceptable. Scenes with clouds beat the box camera hands down. It will never replace my Olympus (a brilliant but heavy camera) for good work - but I do carry it everywhere. The first battery lasted only about an hour but the sellers had drawn attention to this. Replacement batteries (AAA) last ages. The software supplied is good. OK its a bit grotty but I have had loads of fun with it - certainly its been one of the best $24 I have spent from that aspect. I would hate to be without it now. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
1