Digital Camera

ASK THE EXPERTS COMPUTER,TRANSPORT SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM
1

I bought a cheapie digital camera, 5.5 megapixel and video too. (if it helps, it’s one of these
besta.com.sg/products/digi-eye_589.html )
I’m happy with it, the only problem I have found is that it eats batteries at an astonishing rate.

My TomTom One is powered from the truck 12v socket through the usb cable, and I’m wondering if the camera could be powered by this too. I know it won’t charge the batteries, but I’m thinking of shooting some on-the-road video footage.

Any ideas?

2

Harry Monk:
My TomTom One is powered from the truck 12v socket through the usb cable, and I’m wondering if the camera could be powered by this too. I know it won’t charge the batteries, but I’m thinking of shooting some on-the-road video footage.

I doubt it, but I suppose if it’s new and therefore under warranty then I might be tempted to try it :wink:

Better option might be a battery charger than plugs into the 12V socket and a few sets of batteries.

Paul

3

repton:
Better option might be a battery charger than plugs into the 12V socket and a few sets of batteries.

Cheers, I never knew 12v NiMh chargers existed. Maplins, PoadPro?

4

If your running it on normal batteries you’ll be lucky to get a couple of shots out of it… best to buy rechargeable ones, these will last alot longer…

5

Harry Monk:
Cheers, I never knew 12v NiMh chargers existed. Maplins, PoadPro?

Loads of places, incliding Argos (see here), Maplins (see here) and Machine Mart amongst others.

Paul

6

Cheers Rep, just ordered a charger and batteries from Maplin.

7

Mine eats batteries too.

With mine, if I plug in the USB lead, it powers up the camera so, logically, if you’ve got a USB port in your vehicle, use that as the power supply and conserve the batteries.

However, I wouldn’t advise powering it direct from a 12 volt supply. What it would need would be is a USB cable supply from a separate source such as a laptop or a radio.

8

I have just dragged this thread up for advice.

I want to buy a camera. I suppose I need a digital camera. I may even need a digital SLR. But, the only thing I know about cameras is that mobile phones dont seem to take the best pictures and polaroids that you warm up under your armpit seem obsolete.

I suppose I could spend about 300 quid. Where do I start?

I daren’t walk into a camera shop cos the spotty oik will see me coming 3 streets away :smiley:

9

Wheel Nut:
I suppose I could spend about 300 quid. Where do I start?

What do you want to use it for? If it’s just for general use and you’re not especially into photography then I would probably save a load of money and spend half that as even 100quid cameras these days are very good. We bought LT’s son a 50quid one as a Christmas pressie last year and even at that price the photos that come out are really good.

Paul

10

repton:

Wheel Nut:
I suppose I could spend about 300 quid. Where do I start?

What do you want to use it for? If it’s just for general use and you’re not especially into photography then I would probably save a load of money and spend half that as even 100quid cameras these days are very good. We bought LT’s son a 50quid one as a Christmas pressie last year and even at that price the photos that come out are really good.

Paul

Mainly for Trucknet type pictures but I also go sailing and watching Motorcycle racing so was after a jack of all trades type of camera. Close up, distant and speed shots etc

I have a simpleton Nikon 135mm but thought a digital would be cheaper to run

11

for posting on internet you need one that has small file sizes, don’t waste your money on anything bigger than 5 megapixels unless you want very fine detail, lots of mobile phones come with good camera’s built in nowerdays, are you due an upgrade?
this siteshould help you decide

12

jimti:
for posting on internet you need one that has small file sizes, don’t waste your money on anything bigger than 5 megapixels

Indeed - my digital camera (which is over 5 years old now) is only 2 megapixels and I still reduce the photos in size before putting them online.

Paul

13

I’ve learnt a bit since I started this thread and am about to go on to my second digital camera. I’m thinking Kodak or Samsung.

As others have said, 5 megapixels is enough. This was taken with a 5 megapixel camera

and I’m sure you’ll agree that the quality of the photograph is good enough for most uses.

The biggest mistake I made was in choosing a camera which used disposable batteries, and I will choose something mains and 12v chargeable this time.

14

Wheel Nut:
I suppose I could spend about 300 quid. Where do I start?

Spending £200 of that on beer would be a good start!

15

Wheel Nut:
I suppose I could spend about 300 quid. Where do I start?

£300 will get you a lot of camera.

A few years ago I bought a Fuji S7000 which is sort of a cross between a Compact and a digital SLR.

For the £270 I paid, I got a camera that produces crystal clear pictures, even when producing 30inch by 20 inch posters.

Get a Camera magazine and read the reviews - there will also be plenty of adverts in there to compare the prices.

16

Harry Monk:
The biggest mistake I made was in choosing a camera which used disposable batteries, and I will choose something mains and 12v chargeable this time.

I disagree. If your camera takes AAs or other similar “normal” batteries you can very easily and cheaply buy lots of them, or even buy duracells from a service station in an emergency. If your camera takes some kind of special battery pack or even worse only has a fixed built in battery and you leave it on or forget to charge it then you’re knackered and stuck without a camera.

Paul