On Thu, Sep 11, 2003 at 07:35:29PM +0300, Oleg Goldshmidt wrote: > > Hi, > > I am considering getting a digital camera (for amateur, not > professional, use), with the obvious requirement that it will interact > flawlessly with my Linux computers (desktops and laptop). > > I've searched TFW, found some general info etc, not much about > specific models. Could not try anything, obviously. I would like > additional input based on knowledge and personal experience. > > * How satisfied are you with your digital camera? Feature set, > interface, Linux support, ease of setup (recompiling a current > stable RH or vanilla kernel with the right modules is considered > acceptable), reliability, etc. > > * What is your impression on Linux supporting software? What works? > What works best? Gphoto2? Do any cameras come with Linux software > now? Is it simple enough to mount the camera over USB (say) and copy > the files? Does it even work that way (I got the impression it > does). > > * USB or serial? ;-) > > * What non-obvious questions to ask? What features are > essential/useful for Linux interoperability? > > * What to avoid? > > * Any HOWTOs or tips? [I found some, > e.g. http://home.gagme.com/greg/linux/usbcamera.php, but the list > of models "known to work" is pathetic, even though it's current] > > Info relevant to makes and models available in Israel and/or BG > Duty-free is especially welcome. > > Thanks, > > -- > Oleg Goldshmidt | [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ================================================================= > To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with > the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command > echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
The cameras that Geoff was talking about are of the SLR or Single
Reflex Lens type. In SLRs the camera body is a completely separate
entity to the lenses. You sound like you are looking for a
point-and-shoot type camera with a single integrated
lens. Point-and-shoots are significantly less expensive than SLRs. It
makes sense for you to by a digital SLR only if you are doing two
things:
1: You already have a significant investment in a shelf or two of
Nikon/Cannon/Minolta etc. SLR lenses (we are talking 20,000 NIS worth
or so) and would like to keep your investment and keep shooting with
them only with a digital body instead of a film one. Indeed
professionals who have been shooting for 20 years and have a hugely
expensive collection of superb lenses would not consider moving to
digital if the big manufacturers were not to produce identical
digital bodies for their existing lenses.
2: You are a person who is going to go into photography seriously and
will in future start purchasing the above mentioned SLR lenses.
You simply need a small, sturdy and reliable digital point-and-shoot
according to your description.
I have a collection of SLR cameras and lenses from Nikon which I use
for serious hobbying (oxymoron?) but I also have a 300 NIS HP
Photosmart C30 1MP digital. I use it to produce quick and dirty Web
sized photos and as a Polaroid of sorts for composition when shooting
with my film cameras. I really cannot recommend it though, it's a very
low quality camera. I've been using it through gtkam without any
issues for some time now.
BTW If you study the digital photography techniques used by the pros
under photoshop you will realize that they are almost all completely
doable in the GIMP. Used correctly, the GIMP is overkill for a
hobbyist photographer.
-- "Cut your own wood and it will warm you twice"
Regards, Yoni Rabkin
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