Starbright:
Have you got any info on the Kodak RFS3600 film scanner? I was just about to purchase a Polaroid Sprintscan 4000 when I read about the new Kodak scanner which offers nearly the same resolution and is a couple of hundred dollars less in cost.
Rick Sammon:
I just tried that scanner scanning my E200 slides from China, and the detail and color is fantastic. No matter what scanner you get, be sure to calibrate your scanner to your monitor. Naturally, calibrate your monitor to the room lights first. One of the keys to scanning (which is an art form in itself) is to take the time to calibrate your entire system. Oh, yeah - don't forget to clean your slides or negatives before you scan them. That will save you lots of time re-touching your pictures.
Artie:
My son is in his first year of college in Michigan. We're in Pittsburgh. I've heard about using computers for video conferencing. Is it easy? I was thinking about a camera as a Christmas present.
Rick Sammon:
Video conferencing is very easy. You just have to learn the software and away you go!
Neo:
I have just purchased a DC280 and am interested in acquiring some accessories. Like another flash memory card, a camera bag, a macro lens, and a tripod. Can you suggest some stores online where I can find some bargains on these items?
Rick Sammon:
Shop at Kodak on the Kodak website.
Macromedia:
What benefits are there by using a digital camera over film?
Rick Sammon:
Good question. Benefits include instant confirmation of your picture on the camera's LCD screen, although the new Kodak Advantix Preview model, which is an APS film camera, has that feature now. There is an almost instant hookup to your computer for emailing pictures across the neighborhood or across the planet. Re-using the memory cards. And it's a great way to learn photography because you can see your mistakes right away on the screen.
Deb:
What if you want a camera for computer use, email, and prints developed by a photo shop. My printer is not good enough to print the quality I'd want.
Rick Sammon:
That's a good question because all of the elements in the digital darkroom are important. The computer for speed, the monitor for viewing your picture, the printer for print quality and, of course, the digital camera. You could have a 3-mega pixel digital camera that could make a great 11 X 14" print on one printer or just an okay print on another printer. If you have not read about it, check out the Kodak Personal Picture Maker 200 printer. I think you'd be happy with the results. Oh, yeah - I almost forgot! Another very important part of the digital darkroom is the paper you use. So all these elements work together in the image making process.
Gail38:
I have a 15-year-old son I would like to buy a digital camera for. What camera would be a good start for him?
Rick Sammon:
I would recommend for a 15-year old - perhaps a very basic camera, which is the Kodak 215 zoom camera, which sells for around $300. A step or two up from that is a Kodak DC240 camera, which sells for about $400. It's nice that you want to buy a digital camera for your son, but you will find that it is so much fun the entire family will want to use it. So, by investing a bit more in a camera, you will be able to capture more family photo situations.
Sternchen:
I'm considering buying my first digital camera. There are so many brands and models out there to choose from and reading different reviews only caused me to be confused. Anyway, I narrowed my choices down to the Kodak DC480, Kodak DC280, and Olympus 3030. I'm just an amateur photographer who wants to take nice pictures and printouts. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Rick Sammon:
I have not tried the Olympus camera, but I took the Kodak DC280 on an assignment to South Beach, Miami (the pictures are on my website at www.ricksammon.com). I got great results during the day and at night, when South Beach comes alive with the beautiful neon colors of the art deco hotels. The DC280 has a 2x optical zoom, which is a nice range for someone like you. That camera also lets you adjust the flash for creative pictures.
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