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Appraiser Cameras

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FWIW, I have updated the list of "New and Recent Pocket Cameras with 24mm, 25mm lenses and Rugged Pocket Cameras"

I have it in a MS Word doc format for anyone that wants it. If I can figure out how to post it for download, I will, but until then, if anyone wants it, just e-mail me at:

rgarrett [at] apexwin [dot] com

and I'll send it to you.

The formatting is kind of flaky - I tried editing one of our employee's documents vs. doing one from scratch because I thought it would be faster/easier. I was wrong, LOL.

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
Randal - Suggestion you can easily upload a PDF version of your word doc!

Would be interested in seeing what you have come up with...

1. Ruggedness/drop proofing being a key issue... :blush:
2. Price sensititivty
3. Like the 28 (headshot) capabilities also...

Hey has anyone gotten any newer cameras with Fisheye capability?

The further we go the less capable we have become from the old Brick Kodak 61's -- where you could screw on the fisheye and get nearly the WHOLE bathroom or the telephoto lens to shoot the rurals!

OK so modern cameras can do that trick faster easier... but still...
 
OK, I messed around with the document enough to finally find what was causing the extra blank page at the end, so I saved it as a PDF and have attached it here.

[Edit] Since I noticed some appraisers still use cameras with regular 35mm (equiv.) zooms, I added a few cameras to the PDF. One, the Fujifilm Finepix Z33, was found on-line for as low as $181. While most appraisers recognize the advantages of a 28mm (equiv) lens, this camera may be of interest to those who are satisfied with the relatively narrow FOV of this camera and/or need something that is listed as being waterproof only (i.e. not shock/dust rated.) It shows to be very light weight, and a low mass is a factor which reduces the likelihood of damage from drops. The single biggest element that sets these cameras apart, however, is that the zoom lens does not motor in and out while zooming, - the most common point of failure in this type of camera.

The PDF is now 4 pages with four cameras on each of the first three pages and three cameras on the 4th page. The pages are:

1. New & Recent Pocket cameras with 24mm wide-angle lenses
2. New & Recent Pocket cameras with 25mm wide-angle lenses
3. New & Recent Waterproof & Semi-rugged Pocket cameras
4. (continuation of Page 3)

I bolded and colored some items in the descriptions to highlight the Pro and Con aspects I thought most appraisers would be most interested in. The pricing and availability was checked this morning, but as always YMMV on this sort of thing as retailers run cart specials, etc., so just use this as a guide. I found only one camera that had changed from an April 2009 availability to "now" and the listed price had gone down by about $30. I expect we'll see similar reductions in the prices on the ones listed as not yet available. I'll be updating this document through May but won't post it until things have settled in for the summer. By that time, I'll probably have the information on our web site with updated items/info, better formatting, etc. and can just post a link.

Hope this helps!

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
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cool - thanks!:clapping:

Most of those are outside my personal price sensitivity... due to drop issues:blush: might look at that best bang one though...

If you can buy 2.5 cameras and NOT drop one of them you are half way to a new camera....:shrug:
 
Lee Ann said:
cool - thanks!:clapping:

Most of those are outside my personal price sensitivity... due to drop issues:blush: might look at that best bang one though...

If you can buy 2.5 cameras and NOT drop one of them you are half way to a new camera....:shrug:
Click to expand...

Its no problem all you have to do is switch writing hands. If you write with your left, you hold your clipboard with your right, and then you can just let the camera (which are usually right handed operations) can dangle from the thoughfully provided wrist leash.
 
Lee Ann,

I don't understand your post. For $181, the Fujifilm FinePix Z33 probably has a lot going for it except for the 35mm (equiv.) lens. The one I noted as "Best Bang for the Buck for most users (?)" is running about $330 and is not ruggedized. I put that note in there because it seems that a number of appraisers pine for a longer zoom than the typical 120mm avg. on the ruggedized units. For my money, I can do without the long zoom in favor of something not so prone to damage from typical appraisal environmentals... ;-)

If you can handle using an xD memory card, the Olympus Stylus 1030SW is a pretty good camera. I like it better than the Pentax Optio W60 for everyday use. It is pretty tough - several jurisdictions we service that sometimes work in inclement weather (snow/sleet/rain) use them as their standard issue. In fact, the Chief Appraiser for Bermuda keeps one on his dive boat - we used it while diving around some sunken planes just off shore... I never really had the nerve to purposely abuse mine, but after seeing that I'm pretty sure that it should be able to handle regular appraisal work... ;-)

I happen to like the new Panasonic DMC-TS1 a lot. This is the camera we are recommending going forward for the storm trooper types. Though a bit more expensive than the others listed, it has the most "rough and ready" profile - Panasonic is backing the unit and it looks to have the actual lowest TCO of the bunch. But for $120 less, the 1030SW fits the bill if you get a card reader with xD, use an xD>SD adapter or the USB cable. With the newer "Stylus Tough" generation just hitting the market, I expect that the 1030SW will drop a bit in price soon to clear out old inventory andd then disappear soon thereafter, so if you like it you might want to get one while you can...

Hope this helps!

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
I have a kodak that I bought on sale at Office Depot for $100. It takes pictures of houses and the rooms. It works fine.
 
Thanks for the input, Trebor! Price is always a factor. If you can give me the model number, I can look up the specs.

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
FWIW, I have updated the PDF I posted earlier to reflect more current availability, alternate names and some price reductions :-) for the models in the original document. I also reduced the size of the PDF for faster loading.

I'll leave the old one up for a few days before deleting it.

Hope this helps!

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
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Lee Ann said:
Would be interested in seeing what you have come up with...

1. Ruggedness/drop proofing being a key issue... :blush:
2. Price sensititivty
3. Like the 28 (headshot) capabilities also...
Click to expand...

LeAnn,

Not sure I can help with keeping you from dropping one, but some of them can survive if you do... ;-)

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
 
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