Digicam Advice
 

I need a digital camera. I have access to an older one, or I can buy a new one. Either way, I need information about how they work.

The one I have used is a dinosaur (Fujifilm S3000 3.2mp 6X zoom, is bulky like a small SLR), and I have no cabling for it. The only way I know to get pics onto a computer is to take the card out of the camera, feed it into the processing maching at COSTCO and have a disk made. Inconvenient.

I imagine that digital cameras can load pics directly onto a computer. But I imagine that I need the proper cabling for that camera.....and perhaps some software on the computer.

Perhaps I could source the proper cabling, etc., to plug this dinosaur into a computer. Otherwise, I'll just get a new camera. But in either case, I need to understand how to transfer pics from camera to computer, and a list of the stuff (software and cabling, for example) I will need.

How do these darned things work, anyway?

Your new camera will come with a USB cable.

Plug it into the computer, and other end into the camera.

Turn the camera on.

Vista/XP will ask if you want to transfer the pictures to your computer.

Pick the folder where you want them to go, and click 'OK'.

That it.

If your computer has a car reader, you can also take the memory card out of the camera, and stick in the computer, and the computer treats it just like another hard drive. Very handy if you just want to quickly get one photo off the camera.

oh, and one more thing.....BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS. Burn them to CD/DVD, get and external drive..whatever.

We have a Canon powershot, and it is a fantastic little camera. I would highly recommed it.

Looks like this 'dinosaur' is just a USB connection. You should be able to pick the cable up an any Best Buy type store. The Software and manual can be found here: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/ServiceSupportProduct.jsp?prodcat=628338

Thanks, guys. This is helpful.

what do you want to take pictures of? And how big of a camera are you willing to carry? My Canon SD400 digital elph has been wonderful and is small and easy to use. Any of the current iterations of that would cover most needs. If you need a really big zoom lens (to shoot things far away), there are cameras optimized for that (Panasonic FZ-18 comes to mind). Just depends what you need. For transfer either a USB cable or a card reader (that connects to the computer via USB).

nikon d40. nuff said

that doesn't fit so well in your pocket :p

sure it does...wear cargo pants. Supe, check out www.woot.com . they get great deals on pocket cameras all the time...

Your camera uses XD memory cards. Just buy a USB based reader that will read this and most other formats. You'll find utility in a reader for future cameras and gadgets as well.

Best prices will be online via Amazon or Ebay. Here's two examples: http://cgi.ebay.com/19-IN-1-USB-2-0-MEMORY-CARD-READER-FOR-SM-CF-xD-SD-MS_W0QQitemZ110220654749

http://www.amazon.com/Lexar-Single-Slot-Multi-Card-Reader-RW023-001/dp/B00032Q1IK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=12021581 00&sr=8-1

Thanks, guys. This is helpful.