New digital camera

[Linda]

As some of you already know, my sister gave me a digital camera for my birthday a month and a half ago. Needless to say, I don't have a clue about it. I did pick it up a couple of days ago and pressed some of the buttons and discovered how to erase pictures, so I'm getting braver! LOL! If anyone knows how would be the best way to "wet my feet" with this new venture - please let me know. Can you tell . . . I'm scared! :eek:

[Eve]

http://www.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera2.htm
Linda there is a good list of topics at the bottom of this page.
Just have fun with it - trial and error the best way! :)

[Linda]

Eve, could you come over to my house and just show me? :eek: I took a peek inside the user's manual and then I quickly closed it! :hammer: HeeHee! I'll take a look at the site you posted. Then maybe I will find some more nerve to give it a try. Thanks! :hi:

[Eve]

I'm on my way, with a carrot for Possum.(does he eat carrots?) Thats why my camera does nothing but point and shoot. Throw the manual aside and just click! I am sure someone with lots of experience will come to your aid. :)

[AussieRon]

Linda,
Here is a little bit about your camera which may or may not help with your first time plays with it:-

Olympus Unveils Low-Priced 2-Megapixel Digital Camera, the D-380
- The D-380 is a user-friendly digital camera that delivers photo quality 8 x 10 prints
Melville, NY, March 18, 2002 - Olympus America Inc. today announced the Olympus D-380, the lowest priced Olympus point-and-shoot 2 Megapixel camera for only $199. With simple controls, the D-380 is easy to use and provides the high image quality that consumers expect from Olympus. A simplified menu system; USB Auto-Connect for fast/easy downloads without additional software; and a built-in long-life battery circuitry for extended battery life are keys to the value and quality of the D-380. The self-portrait and image resizing mode; as well as the ability to merge two shots into one image delivers consumers new exciting features never before offered in an Olympus digital camera at this low price.

Designed for consumers demanding a high quality, easy-to-use digital camera at an affordable price, the D-380 comes with the Olympus high-quality all-glass 4.5mm f4 lens (35mm equivalent in 35mm format) for superior images that are sharp, colorful and vibrant.

Ease-of-Use
The D-380 is easy for anyone to use. It's fully automatic features allow everyone to be a pro the first time they photograph with the camera. Multi-mode flash, auto white balance and digital ESP metering ensure beautiful pictures at the touch of a button. Very fast shutter release times with virtually no shutter lag time also compliment the product. Close up Macro photography is possible at distances as close as 9.8 inches.

No additional software or docking station is needed to quickly download and view photos on your computer. The Olympus USB Auto-Connect feature allows users to plug the camera directly into almost any USB-equipped computer for easy access to their images. Compatible operating systems include: Windows® XP, 2000, Me and 98 and Mac® OS 8.6 - OSX (OS 9.2). Bundled with the D-380 is the new Olympus Camedia Master 4.0 software for image editing, saving photos in albums, creating postcards, and printing photos.

Stylish Design
The D-380 looks great in your hand and fits comfortably in your pocket so there's never a reason not to bring it along. The D-380 is lightweight at 6.7 ounces and compact with dimensions of 4.9 W" x 2.6 H" x 1.6 D". The functional protective lens barrier protects the precision lens when the camera is not in use, and also functions as the power on/off switch. Simply slide it open and the camera is ready to shoot in about 1 second.

Built-in and Removable Memory
The D-380 comes with an 8MB SmartMedia card. In addition, 1MB of internal memory is also built into the camera for processing and saving images in case you run out of space on your SmartMedia card while shooting. The memory backup feature allows images captured on the internal memory to be copied to the SmartMedia card. For more photo storage, extra SmartMedia cards from 8MB to 128MB can also be used. Optional Olympus SmartMedia cards can be reused thousands of times, as images can be erased and the cards re-used.

Uses Common AA Batteries
The D-380 doesn't require any proprietary or other expensive batteries to operate. Almost any AA batteries will do, including rechargeable type batteries. And because of the built-in long-life battery circuitry, consumers can expect to get hundreds of shots with even the lowest-cost alkaline batteries. When Olympus' long-life LB01 (CR3V) batteries are used, battery-life is extended even more (by about 3 times) for more of your favorite photos.

The D-380 will be available April 2002. It includes the Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0 for photo manipulation and management, an 8MB SmartMedia Card, USB cable, strap, 4 AA Alkaline batteries, manual, and warranty card.
________________________

From the above, you have a very simple camera to use.
So all you need to do is put your disk in and load the necessary program to receive your photos.
Then it should be just a matter of plugging in your lead from the camera to a USB port and then transfer the photos to your PC by using the program you setup.
You should then learn how to recharge the batteries if you have rechargeable ones and if so, learn how to just plug in the lead which should have been with your camera into a power point.
As you only have an internal memory of 1 megabyte and a card of 8 megabyte, as you move along in your picture taking, I think a purchase of a bigger memory card would be a good idea. It will take up to 128mb.
I think the rest is just trial and error remembering that you can not hurt the camera in any way by taking shots and then transferring them and then after you have transferred the shots, remember to delete the photos from your memory in the camera so you can go on and take further shots.
I hope the above helps and if you have any problems I'm sure there are many here will go out of their way to help you.
The main thing is to have fun with it and by the way I'm sure it will not take photo's of those speedy cars you follow. :cjlol: Just joking.
Ron D

[Linda]

Eve, Possum will eat carrots - but he really loves persimmons! :wink: You come on and we'll have a persimmon pie waiting for you!! :jig:

Ron, I started to ask how you knew about those speedy cars . . . and then I remembered! I'll try to catch them on the starting line or better yet - when they're parked. :wink: Thanks for the information - it is a big help!

So far, I have one question. I'm sure I'll be having a lot more!! :hammer: It appears that you can put in this "thing" and take pictures and then have them developed. Is that correct? But, if you don't put in that thing, then the pictures are only in the memory of your camera and can be put onto your computer? My question is, what if you take a lot of pictures and don't use that "thing" and then there is a picture that you would love to have developed . . . is it a lost cause? :eek:

[Jane]

Persimmons http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Tasty.gif my very favorite fruit , yum ! http://mpc-testing.com/rb/Emoticons/monkeydance.gif

[Linda]

Jane, you can come too! HeeHee - since the persimmons aren't ripe yet . . . will you settle for blueberries? I have a cobbler in the oven as we speak!! :wink:

[Jane]

I have blueberries coming out of my ears http://driolarena.ca/vudreni/vu10.gif (about 15 bushes ) but not a persimmon in site http://driolarena.ca/vudreni/vu5.gif :cjlol:

[AussieRon]

"So far, I have one question. I'm sure I'll be having a lot more!! It appears that you can put in this "thing" and take pictures and then have them developed. Is that correct? But, if you don't put in that thing, then the pictures are only in the memory of your camera and can be put onto your computer? My question is, what if you take a lot of pictures and don't use that "thing" and then there is a picture that you would love to have developed . . . is it a lost cause? "

I would leave the card (Thing) in the camera and transfer all the pictures to your PC and then if you wan't them professionally printed, you could put the pictures on a Floppy (If they will fit) or a CD if you have a burner, and take the floppy to the print shop for them to print it.
That way you also have a record on your computer if you wan't to share your photos by email or if you wan't to make up a power point or infanview program with them as I know you like to do.
You can as you suggest also take the Card (thing) into the print shop to have them process and print the photos.
Ron D

[webfish]

What is the Brand name of your Camera? How many megapixels?

first of all do not be intimidated by the Camera :wink:
Read the manual closely while holding the camera and using it, walk through the different choices and instructions. On the top of your Camera should be a setting for night or day shots or to view the pics. Take some pics inside and outside, learn to set the size of your pics, landscape or portrait etc. through the menu option


I didn't get a cord with my 3.2 meg Camera to download images to my PC so it was cheaper & quicker to buy the card reader at the local electronics store.
If you do not have a cord for your PC (If you have A USB port) a cheaper way to go is a Card Reader, that supports many different types of Memory cards and is easy to use to download pictures or music to your PC. Just plug it into your USB port and put a card in and open the folder & files and copy the folder to your desktop. Some stores here have automated photo machines where you can just plug in your card and get glossy pictures back or if you have a photo quality printer.

The ImageMate 8 in 1 Card Reader/Writer is a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Multi-card Reader/Writer that connects to your computers USB 2.0 port. USB 2.0 provides superior performance to transfer pictures, music, video and data to and from your computer. Because USB 2.0 devices are backwards compatible with USB 1.1 ports, the ImageMate 8 in 1 Card Reader/Writer will work with all existing USB ports. The ImageMate 8 in 1 provides the ability to write data to and read data from flash memory without connecting your digital device (digital camera, handheld computer, digital music player, etc.) directly to a computer.

http://www.esend.com/sandisk/product.asp?sku=SDDR%2D88%2DA15&mscssid=49PX4XSFGW518L62A1GHX3X6P56LC5H3

[Linda]

Webfish, it's the one that Ron described above. An Olympus D-380 Camedia Master 4.0 with 2.0 megapixels.

I am getting braver! LOL! I'm going to install the disk now. Wish me luck!! :wink:

[webfish]

Good luck and have fun! It was nice to no longer have to buy film and have it processed

you can go up to 1600 x 1200 pixels and still have nice clear pics

[Linda]

Okay, I'm back! I have installed the disk, learned how to turn on the camera and put the carrying strap on. Then I tried to set the time and got nowhere. :eek:

I think that a card must have come with the camera as I see something stuck in there, but she also bought me a Fujifilm picture card that has 64 MB. Is that to use when the other is used up? And how will I know that I'm going to need to buy another picture card? :hammer:

BTW, how can you change pixels? :eek:

[webfish]

Okay, I'm back! I have installed the disk, learned how to turn on the camera and put the carrying strap on. Then I tried to set the time and got nowhere. :eek:

I think that a card must have come with the camera as I see something stuck in there, but she also bought me a Fujifilm picture card that has 64 MB. Is that to use when the other is used up? And how will I know that I'm going to need to buy another picture card? :hammer:

BTW, how can you change pixels? :eek:

most of the Video cards will not allow any more pics to be taken when full and your camera may warn you, you can delete some pics to free up space.

The D-380 comes with only an 8MB Smart Media card.(and around 2 MB of storage) Which is fine, I would use that 8 MB for special circumstances. Use the 64 meg card most of the time. I fill it up and then copy the folder onto my PC (then burn it onto a disk, and then clear the card for more pics. I have a 128 MB card for trips on top of a few 64MB cards, these cards are notched and go in only one way usually

I am not sure of how you access your options on that Camera (to set the time) but you should have a menu option. Consult your instructions and you can also go to the maufacturers site for help.

[webfish]

2-megapixel sensor captures 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches(clear prints)
Fixed-focus lens with 5x digital zoom (no optical zoom)

8 MB Smartmedia card stores approximately 16 images at default resolution

Uses 2 CR-V3 lithium batteries or 4 AA batteries

Remember that the smaller the pic setting the more pics you can get on each video card and you do not have to reformat them to post them on the web if they are samll enough.


this site has a manual for your PC that is probably better than the one you have


http://www.imanualsnow.com/servlet/catalog.CatalogControllerServlet/template~Item.serv/itemsID~937

here is a site that carries a charger for that camera

http://www.dsmiller.com/html/Digital-Camera-Olympus-D-380-CH-9700.htm

[webfish]

here is a breakdown of how many pics you can get out of each sized card :wink:

Use: E-mail or the Web
Resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA)
Min. Max. Avg.
4MB 4 91 48
8MB 9 182 96
16MB 18 364 191
32MB 36 728 382
48MB 54 1092 573
64MB 72 1456 764
80MB 91 1820 956
128MB 145 2912 1529
160MB 182 3640 1911
256MB 290 5824 3058
512MB 580 11648 6116


Use: Up to 3" x 5" photo-quality prints
Resolution: 1024 x 768
Min. Max. Avg.
4MB 1 35 18
8MB 3 71 37
16MB 7 142 75
32MB 14 284 149
48MB 21 426 224
64MB 28 568 298
80MB 35 711 373
128MB 56 1137 597
160MB 71 1422 747
256MB 112 2274 1194
512MB 224 4548 2388


Use: Up to 5" x 7" photo-quality prints
Resolution: 1280 x 960 (1 megapixel)
Min. Max. Avg.
4MB 1 22 12
8MB 2 45 24
16MB 4 91 48
32MB 9 182 96
48MB 13 273 143
64MB 18 364 191
80MB 22 455 239
128MB 36 728 382
160MB 45 910 478
256MB 72 1456 764
512MB 144 2912 1528


Use: Up to 8" x 10" photo-quality prints
Resolution: 1600 x 1200 (2 megapixels)
Min. Max. Avg.
4MB 0 14 7
8MB 1 29 15
16MB 2 58 30
32MB 5 116 61
48MB 8 174 91
64MB 11 233 122
80MB 14 291 153
128MB 23 466 245
160MB 29 582 306
256MB 46 932 490
512MB 92 1864 980