OT: Group Buy - Kyocera Digi Cam FineCam S3 - Cleared with Wayne First

[umnitza]

My father-in-law owns a camera store.
Last night he talked to the rep regarding the availability of the FineCam S3. He can secure 10 cameras for $325. This is the SMALLEST 3.3 MP camera on the market. They will come with FULL factory warranty. 16MB mini-card, USB adapter, Portable USB adapter, strap, documentation and software.

This is the camera that I use as well.

Check out CNet:

http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/resellers/1,10231,0-8920578-311-6872228,00.html

Info regarding it on DPreview:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?cameras=kyocera_s3&method=sidebyside

Here are some pics of it:

[Dignan]

just wondering how payment would go through, Paypal? or just check?

I'll bite. PM details for payment.

[island911]

In my opinion, any digi-cam with only one LCD is a battery eater.
Most digi-cam's have a small monochrome LCD to display mode, pictures remaining, battery charge, ect. Without this feature the info is displayed on the main (battery eating) color, backlit LCD when ever you turn it on.
. . . but at least this camera doesn't use any of those inexpensive standard batteries.

[umnitza]

Excellent feedback.

The payment would be via Paypal.
The camera's battery needs to be conditioned.

Here's the bottom line. I USE THIS CAMERA. I love this camera.
It's the SMALLEST camera on the market and takes getting used to, but I can take GREAT pictures with it now.

Let me tell you my experience with this camera then I'll post a pic that I took with it.

The battery required about 10 full charge to discharge cycles, then it lasts for about 4 16MB cards with the LCD in full mode on. If you turn off the LCD, you can of course get more out of it.

It recharges in the camera, so all you need is an outlet and the power cord, no messy external items (I had that before with a Canon).

You need surgically steady hands for great STILLS, but in general it takes great shots with little effort. Flash is adequate, it's got 2X optical zoom so it takes great shots within 10 feet of it.

Here's the BEST part of the camera, it's QUICK! From the time you press the on/off button to the time you shoot your shot, it's 8 seconds (nothing else starts that quickly). Also, when you scan through images, you have NO delay.

You upload images via USB connector and they're QUICK. This camera offers aperture and various other settings which I've barely begun to use.

One more thing - it can shoot AVI files

I've taken over 1500 pictures with it in 8 months of ownership - that tells you something

Here's a picture I took with it:
Here's a "NORMAL" quality image:


http://home.pacbell.net/umnitza/DDE/closeupofring.jpg - fine resolution which is 700-1.2 MB per picture

Another is Super Fine quality, which is about 1.5MB per picture kinda big to post

Finally, TIFF images are also possible, but they are too big to post.

[Nader]

I have this camera, too. Great pictures and a small size, but you may want to consider buying an extra battery. It runs out of juice pretty quick.

[umnitza]

Originally posted by Nader
I have this camera, too. Great pictures and a small size, but you may want to consider buying an extra battery. It runs out of juice pretty quick.

It's an "option" I'm sure.
But after I've conditioned the batter properly, I was able to do lots of pictures and even use the video out feature on about 300 pics total before the battery ran out.

The cool thing is that it recharges in 10 minutes to shoot another 20 pics before it dies, so you're really never in a situation where you'll miss the shots.

Can I get people to email me and let me know that they are definitely IN?

[Dignan]

I'd really like to get this, but as of right now i am not monetarily in the market for a new digicam.