We will be going back to Vegas next week and, as usual, I will have my camera in tow. This time it includes a new Olympus 340r digital camera that I have purchased. I have a few questions for those of you with a little experience with the digital camera's.

First, how should I post some of these pics to add to the photo pages of the board. Last time I created a web page using my web tv account and the webmaster here modified it to fit the rules. These came from my camcorder instead of a camera.

Second, is there anywhere in Vegas to download my pic's for printing? I have checked here at home and have found local developers who have the machine which will download the info for printing.

Would it be better to buy another couple of smartcards for my camara and just bring them home?

This camera also gives me a choice of quality for my pics. One is a standard quality with approx. 300,000 pixels of resolution. The 8 MB card will hold 122 of these pics. The other is a high quality resolution with 1,300,000 pixels. The card only holds 36 of these pics. It is my understanding that the 300,000 pixels is good for internet usage but not printed photo's. If I want prints I should use the higher quality 1,300,000 pixel setting. There is also a super high quality setting that only allows for 18 pics. Same resolution (1,300,000) but less compression.

My thought was to have two seperate cards. One for posting pics into my computer, the other for developing pics. Since we will have our standard 35mm telephoto Minolta along I'm going to experiment with the printing capabilties of the digital camera this time. I have a HP 695C deskjat color printer that I plan to play around with and see what kind of quality I can get. I also plan to take the pictures in for developing to see what comes out. Olympus also has a direct printer for pictures that I may look into as well (in the future).

O.K. folks, let me have it. What should I expect and what should I look our for. All help is appreciated and I look forward to adding the the picture colleciton for the site.

If anyone wants me to post a picture of something special let me know and I'll see if I can get it.

Thanks.

Okay Doug, You asked for it...

The number of pixels is the layout of the size of the picture. Compression is what converts to image quality.

Example, 300,000 pixels is just about 640 x 480. If you were to print it, you're talking just about the the average size of a what you know as a standard photograph. And yes, it is the right size for internet. The 1.3 megapixel is the 1280 x 1024 resolution. In print, this would be roughly a 5x7 picture. Each manufacturer is different, but the point is that they can only space the pixels so far apart. I'm 99.9% sure that the 640x480 pic will not be the same physical size as the 1.3 mega pic, and the file size will be larger for the 1.3 mega.

Compression is where storage space, versus picture quality really makes a difference in the final product. Most people can relate to a copy machine, so I will use that for an example. If you put the picture of postcard in a copy machine and copy it, you will get a reasonable copy out of it. But if you shrink it 50%, it will be a little harder to see, but it's still there. Suppose you shrink that copy 50%, and again and again, until the picture is the size of postage stamp. You just don't have much to see. Now take that postage stamp image and start enlarging it. Again, and again, until it is the size of a postcard. You will have a big blurry mess. Same thing in video compression. The more you compress it, the more pixels that will be out of position when you decompress it back to viewing size. Also, the more you compress it, the more pictures that you can store on your media card.

Therefore, a lightly compressed 640x480 will produce a very good looking standard looking picture, whereas a heavily compressed megapixel shot will produce a bigger, but blurrier picture. Another huge factor in compression is the method of compression. The industry standard is JPEG. If your pictures come out in a ????.jpg file name, that is a JPEG file. Some cameras use TIFF compression. Some have their own propriatory compression method, that can only be viewed by software from that company. If you have this, you will need to convert them to .jpg format before sending them to be put on the internet.

You didn't mention if you had a 640x480 setting in light compression. If you did, that would be ideal for printing. Doing the math, you can easily see why you can get 4 times as many 640x480 pics as you can 1024x768. Then you have to factor in compression for file size when storing the picture on the disk.

You really need to experiment at home first. This will help you determine whether you will want to bring more media with you. And it really is important to know your camera well before you take it out on a trip. It will have features that work well, and it will have some limitations you might not be expecting.

Remembering that compression converts to file size, your pictures for the internet should normally be around 30k. They may get as low as 20 or as high as 60 if there is a lot of detail. Anything higher takes entirely too long to download, and makes for pictures that are too big. Most pictures on TalkVegas seem to be less than 20K. You might want to take the 640x480 pictures and resize them to about the size used on the other pictures on TalkVegas. Most photo editing software will do that, and you can find the info on the pictures already posted by right clicking them and selecting properties.

Most big chains of photo supplies have the option to print pictures from your media card or camera. Also for a surprisingly low fee, they can put them on a CD-ROM. You could ask Gail if she has a CD-ROM, and if she does, you might could just shoot in the 122 picture mode, and when you fill it up, go to Wolf Camera or wherever, and have 2 copies put on CD. One for yourself and one for TalkVegas. Later, after you get home, you can print out the ones that you want printed copies of. It never hurts to have a seperate "spare" media card, but I'm not sure that you absolutely NEED it. Also note that your digital camera is not ready to compete with a good 35mm Minolta. Anything that you want an excellent print of should be taken with a film camera.

I don't know everything about digital cameras, but I do have a lot of experience with them. If you have any questions, let me know. I do know that I enjoyed your pictures of your last trip, and I look forward to the next set.

There was a cocktail waitress at The Rio named Ruth that I would love to have a picture of, but I would hate to send you checking out all the girls looking for her. Other than that, all I can think of is to keep the camera handy, because you never know when you will get that magical photo opportunity. The flower garden in the Bellagio might make for some good photos.

That's all I can think of at this time of day. Maybe other people can give you more details or fill in the blanks that I left out.

JMT,
Thanks for the responce. I have a couple of days of to play around with this thing to see if I can get it right. It generally takes me a trip or two with new technololgy before I get what I want out of it. This one might take a few more.
I'm going out today to locate the rechargable type batteries and the ac adaptor as I will be spending a LOT of time learning. The wife will have the Minolta and for once, I'll have my own camera. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] She'll still get the shots she wants without worrying about me messing up the vacation pictures. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Doug and JMT, Yes, I have a CD-Rom in this antique computer. And I'll do whatever I can to help put Doug's pictures on TalkVegas. I really enjoyed the last set and look forward to the next.

Doug, Hope you have a great trip!!

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Doug,

Know nothing about digital cameras except I have some real pretty home address labels of my garden made from pictures taken by a digital.


Would love to see pictures of The Conservatory at Bellagio. That's one of my favorite things to check out in LV.

Have a great trip! Bring home more money than you take.

Beth

You've got a deal gail. Now I just have to find someplace that will transfer the info on the media card to disk.
So far I'm having a tough time finding the things I want. The ac adapter was a challenge as everyone seemed to be out of them. I stopped by Ritz camera at the mall figuring they could transfer the media card to disk and got mostly funny looks from the guy. Everywhere I go here people seem confused about how to use a digital camera and it's accessories.
At any rate I've picked up the NiMH rechargeable batteries, the as adapter, and a 32MB media card to allow easier experimntation with the different settings and because I take a LOT of pictures. I may not need the extra media card for this Vegas trip but we have a week in Reno and Orlando coming up later this year. In the last two trips to vegas I think Shelley took close to 15 rolls of 36 exposure prints. The pictures are getting to cost about as much as the airfare (lol).

Beth,
The conservatory at Bellagio is where all the flowers are right? My wife likes that area as well. One + roll of film was taken in there if I remember correctly. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Doug,
Might I suggest you carry one of the disposable cameras as well. It appears that technology may have passed both of us by.

Tell you what I will bring the disposable to the meet Friday just in case.:-)LOL

[This message has been edited by Marc (edited January 13, 2000).]

Doug,

That's the place! The Conservatory at the Bellagio with the flower display.

Doug, good move with the NiMH batteries. I couldn't imagine using a digital camera without them.
Joe gave you a lot of good info. I'm still getting used to figuring out the best setting for my pictures. It depends on a lot of things and it is hard to find the time to experiment and learn all these new "toys" we get.
I received some very favorable comments from
a friend of mine concerning your photos that you posted. They asked me to tell you to take lots of pictures and post them here because they really enjoyed them.
Good luck on your trip and have fun and win some money!

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

I always take lot's of pictures. They keep me going until my next trip. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
There's always something new to photograph in Vegas.
If I can just get used to all the functions this thing has. Tried the standard quality or 640X480 setting and was very please with the quality I got on the computer. I've figured out how to transfer them to my computer but am still learning what to do with them. I have the software that came with the camera, adobe photo deluxe home addition, and photosuite as software. So far I've only been able to get the pictures onto the Olypus software and into a file that I can E-mail.
They don't send the little instruction books so I have to read the help files on the computer. I hate that. It's much easier for me to read an instruction book rather than the computer screen. I also prefer the instruction book to printing out the help files. Oh well, I guess I just need to move into the 21st century and get over it.

If worse comes to worse I can just place everything on the webtv page builder program and let the webmaster work his magic. I'll try to find some place to put things on a disk and mail it to gail to save the webmaster a little work if I can.

4 days and counting. I can hardly wait. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

When you download the pictures, you need to note where they are going, and if you have an option, you can put them in C:\my documents\

Once you know where they are, you should be able to open them from most any software. Again the key is to tell the new software where the files that you want to open are located, AND what kind of files they are.

They are JPEGs when they come out of the camera, aren't they? If not, that might be the problem.

I am a big fan of USB, and have a camera that will download through the USB port. however, my favorite downloads are through a card reader. Using a card reader, you just treat it like another disk drive. You can look at all your files, view pictures, drag and drop them into the directory of your choice on your hard drive, delete them, etc. And it's real fast, like a hard drive.

Yes they are JPEG. I learned the hard way about noting what file they went into. Finally found them after a short search.

I've broken down and printed the manual from the help files. I think it will go smoother if I can read up on the software a little. I hate staring at a computer screen to read tech. stuff and don't retain it as well.

the 640 X 480 works very well on the computer so I will use it this time out. I am still haveing trouble finding a place to transfer from the media card to a disk. Everyone here looks at me like I'm from outer space. Even the guy at Ritz camera said they couldn't do it. One guy at a 1 hr photo place didn't even know what a media card was. When I told him he said, so that's what that guy wanted yesterday. Seems someone had shown him a media card and asked if they could process it.
I'm starting to think I'm living in the town that technology forgot. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Doug,
You are doing fine. Just take deep breaths and relax. Breathing into a paper bag may help as well.

I guess we will have to go light on the cocktails next Friday or the pictures may be a little fuzzy huh? By then you should have a pretty good grasp of that "Camera" I would think though.

Doug, I see your photo trip reports are up for your latest trip.

The pictures look good. I'm curious how it went with the new camera in regards to your pre-trip questions. I see the pictures got posted okay. Did you get another smartcard, how many of what quality setting p[ictures did you take? Did you even investigate downloading or printing at a camera shop (in Vegas or local)? How did you do on batteries, and I'm curious about any other digital camera pointer you might have learned.

All the pictures taken were in the standard mode or HQ setting. With an 8mb card this gave me 122 pictures possible. I took a total of 96. Used the next higher setting or SHQ setting on a coopule of pics but didn't notice a disernable difference in quality so I erased them. I did some brief experimentation with the panoramic function but haven't learned the stiching tech. with the software for this to be of much use yet. I just tried to take pictures in that mode to get a feel for it. I met Gary from the LasVegas Talk BB and he uses the same camera to take his pictures. I was using the same settings.
Transfering media cards seems to be a mystery to the photo shops I've visited. Here in Wichita KS, no one can do it. Not even the major chains or the one high quality shop we have. I was told they are still debating the cost of the equipment vs the return. I have a friend who has decided to purchase her own CD writer and do it herself. She may have the best option here as many CD writers are now well under $200. The one shop had the ability to transfer our film prints but wanted $15.95 for the first roll and then $12.95 for each roll after that, plus the cost of standard developing. For what he was going to charge me, I could have bought the CD writer and a scanner and done it myself. It would have cost a little more but I would then own the equipment. One store I stopped in had to ask me what a media card was. When I explained it to him, he said, "Oh, that's what that guy was talking about." Seems someone brought one in the day before and wanted it transfered. He'd never seen one before.
All of this has given me concern for the people handling my film. Seems the limit of their expertise is put the film in and hope the machine doesn't eat it.

The one thing I love about this camara is seeing the picture instantly. This allows me to make changes in the flash. For instance, in the area of the Race for Atlantis ride, when the flash was used, I got a black picutre. Without the flash the colors came out. This let's us know how to use the standard 35mm camera without wasting film. It also worked well in situations where lighting was odd. There is a lot of subtle lighting in Vegas that's hard to catch on film. By experimenting with the flash, I could adjust things until I captured the natural look of my object. Many times the removal of the flash gave me the best results.