Appraiser Cameras

[Randall Garrett]

PDF Updated 10-03-2009

Have updated the PDF again:

• Added document date to the title section
• Updated availability on some models that were not yet available last month
• Updated pricing to reflect best price found (YMMV.) In some cases, the accompanying link goes to a NewEgg page which shows all colors available and different prices accordingly, when appropriate. These pages also show various accessories for each camera.

As usual, when I update the PDF I will leave the previous PDF uploaded for a few days before removing it.
** (If no PDF document is found attached to this post, check for a later post with and updated file.)**

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

 

[OSU Beavers]

Thank you for the update Randall.

 

[Randall Garrett]

No problem OSUB, glad to help!
Sorry for the typos above - I am still away from my desk so I don't have normal tools available to me... :-\

Still using your G1? Have you applied any of the firmware updates? I am primarily using my GH1, though in the BB4TB category, I still think the G1 is tops. While there is a lot to like about the E-P1 and GF1 format overall, outside of the "snapshot" manner of appraisal/inspection work, for nicer photo work I just prefer the ergonomics of the "traditional DSLR" as found in your G1 and the GH1. Sure, they are larger than the E-P1 and GF1, but I like the feel of the G1/GH1 - i.e. a DSLR with smaller dimensions, lower weight, etc. My wish would be to see a 24mm - (say) 120mm (equiv) "pancake" style lens with something like f1.7 of something... ;-) I'd pay a hefty premium for that sort of lens... OK, so I would not bark too much if it were "only" f2.0... LOL.

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

 

[Randall Garrett]

Updated PDF - as of 15 October, 2009

I have uploaded an update to the PDF again, to reflect new pricing (mainly lower by a small amount) and to include a link to a full review of the Panasonic DMC-GF1.

As usual, when I update the PDF I will leave the previous PDF uploaded for a few days before removing it.
** (If no PDF document is found attached to this post, check for a later post with an updated file.)**

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

 

[Randall Garrett]

Updated PDF - as of 01 December, 2009

I have uploaded an update to the PDF again, to reflect new pricing (mainly lower by a small amount) and to include:

• Panasonic DMC-FX48
• Panasonic DMC-FX580
• Nikon Coolpix S70

As usual, when I update the PDF I will leave the previous PDF uploaded for a few days before removing it.
** (If no PDF document is found attached to this post, check for a later post with an updated file.)**

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

 

[Carl Pylant]

I purchased the Lumix with the 25mm wide lens a few months ago. I like it alot, but I had to send it for repair when black spots appeared on the lens. Prior to that I had the dual lens Kodak, and it broke. Maybe it's me, but I'd like to see a very durable 25mm minimum type camera that can take some bumps.

TC

I am using a Nikon P50 with great results and it seems pretty durable.

 

[incognito]

Nice info, Randall! I wish I had seen this before I bought another camera last month. I got yet another Kodak V570, which IMHO is the best wide angle appraisers camera out there, EVER, though long out of production... I literally wear out one about every 2 years. I bought mine new in a sealed box on Ebay for $170. They come up pretty frequently. Other than only(?) being 5.1 MP (I never use any higher than the lowest setting of 1.8 MP), it beats all of the new ones as an appraisers camera, and is 23 mm (and there IS a noticeable difference between 23mm and 24-25mm!) Additionally, it is smaller and lighter than any competitor, past or present, it has great battery life, is easy to charge, fantastic programmability yet easy to use, etc.

I was reviewing the specs on the 2 DSLR cameras on your list, and noted one potentially misleading spec. They indicate that both are 14mm lenses, but it should be noted that in 35mm equivalent they are really only 28mm, which would be marginal for a wide angle appraisers camera.

Keep us informed as new ones come out!

 

[Wm. Hattaway]

it beats all of the new ones as an appraisers camera, and is 23 mm

Does the Kodak V570 "bend" the picture when it is taken at 23mm? Also, is there any shutter delay. When I "take" a picture with my current camera there is a delay of 1-2 sometimes 3 seconds as the camera thinks about it. When I drive by the comps, I need the picture to take NOW.

 

[incognito]

Good questions. The Kodak V570 has virtually no fisheye effect at 23mm. If you try REALLY hard, and shoot say a skyscraper, you may notice a very small amount. However, in day to day residential shooting, I have never noticed any.

The V570 has virtually instantaneous shutter reaction. No noticeable delay at all. No need to slow down on those comp photo's! And for interior shots, it recharges the flash in about 2 seconds, so you can shoot multiple interiors almost without pause.

Another great feature (which others may have too) is the ability to program shooting modes. My favorite is my custom back lit subject mode. Say it is morning with a bright sun shining over the roof. A nightmare situation. The camera is capable of being pre set to take a light setting on what is called the "center spot" mode. You aim the camera at the house, it takes a light reading off of the rear wall (which is dark), and NOT off of the sun (which is bright), and delivers a perfectly exposed HOUSE, and not a perfectly exposed sky and an underexposed dark house, like most do.

You also can set up focus zones, lighting zones, etc, to cover any conceivable situation.

Hope that helps!

 

[Wm. Hattaway]

Say it is morning with a bright sun shining over the roof.

That right there is worth the price. Currently I have to block the sun with my hand then crop the picture to remove my hand. Thanks for the info, it definitely helps. Bill.