OT Cameras

First -- with a throw away -- shoot the pics you want and then take it to a local 1 hour photo place. Many places do it now -- and you only pay for the number of prints developed.

As for a digital camera -- you are looking at a couple of hundred dollars. For the basic point & shooter -- a "low end" model should work fine. But you will need some basic computer skills to get the photos off the camera... and possibly to manipulate them to the size required by the show rules.

I have seen the equivalent of "throw away digital" cameras... so you might want to look into one of those... much less of an investment than a "for real" digital camera.

Another thought -- invite one of your "quilty" friends for lunch... and ask if she would bring her digital camera. For no more pictures than you need... for someone comfortable with their camera -- this would take only a few minutes to do for you. Or offer to buy then a few FQ's.

Check with your Walgreen's Drugs or Long's Drug or Walmart phot sections. Some of them will develop those throw-away cameras onto a CD rather than hard-copy photos. Then you could send the photos from the CD.

But then again, this may not work. Let me know. I don't have a camera, have no real need for one, and hate being in front of them!

G> First -- with a throw away -- shoot the pics you want and then take it to = a

Thankfully, even though waiting several days is still the cheapest option, almost everywhere has shorter options, usually 1hr and 24hrs. The price for putting the prints onto CD is coming down in price too. I'm pretty sure you could do the whole thing with a disposable for under $20, which is an awful lot cheaper than even a cheap digital camera and the pictures would probably be better.

But, you're going to need help, unless it's a small quilt you're going to pin to a design wall and take yourself (in which case the above probably will be fine), so why not ask around and see if you can find a willing volunteer who also happens to own a digital camera!

If you are keen on getting a digital camera, then it's not as difficult as you might think, the main thing is that if you want to take close ups it's better to stand further away and use an optical zoom than to attempt to take it close up and not all cameras have optical zoom, I think these days they all have digitial zoom, but that is no different to downloading the picture onto your computer and zooming in on there, you can get some ok results, but probably not good enough for a quilt show, particularly if you have detailed quilting or embellishing you want to show off. I just had a very quick look at one of the price websites and it looked like there were plenty of cameras between 50 and 100 dollars that would be reasonable, I'd be aiming for 5.1 mega pixels, but 3.0 is probably sufficient and 3x optical zoom. There are so many brands and all have different things in their favour, I like Kodak, because they remain a top printer of photographs and they do do a range of photo printers which you can dock your camera on top off and work independently of a computer if you wish, I also like that the printer dock charges the batteries! The consumables aren't cheap, but they are shop quality, so whilst I try and get most prints elsewhere, if I want anything at short notice, I can do it. I got my camera and printer as a bundle as an end of line and even though it was basically an impulse purchase I have been very happy with it (I think I was with my dad, so I had someone to do a reality check that it really was a good deal to be snapped up and I called my husband to check it was ok too - actually, my mum was cross with my dad for not buying one for them as well).

Cheers Anne

i'm having the same dilemma. i want to buy a digital, but i dont know which one. i've been doing the disposable ones, getting pics on disc, loading...what a lot of work. it's exhausing. i'm not the greatest at computer stuff anyway. but i really want to learn/do this, too. let us know what you decide, Kate. i'd really be interested.

amy in CNY

Hey Anne:

I took you advice and looked at several Kodak and Canon digital cameras.

I did some research on a feature called MACRO. Apparently this will get pics of stitches or embellishments if you want to get that type of closeup and clear not blurry one.

Now to find the one I like and that's easy to use.

Kate T. South Mississippi

Hey Amy:

I've narrowed my search down to two in the Kodak line.

The Kodak A7121S has a lot of bells and whistles and costs almost 300 with taxes and an additional memory card.

I've also considered the Kodak C713 which is considerably less in costs but operates on AA batteries. I understand that the Alkaline batteries would be best to use but you can't take as many pics at once. And batteries dying right in the middle of a photo session is a bummer.

Both cameras have the macro feature.

When I was using the throw away cameras I would go through 3 or 4 at a quilt show.

I don't know if the less expensive Kodak would stand up to a beating like that. I might have to carry an ample supply of batteries.

The other brand of camera I am researching is the Canon.

When I get my new toy I will let you know.

Kate T. South Mississippi

You can use rechargeable AA batteries, too. I have a Fujifilm camera that uses AA batteries -- have had it for about 6 years. I have rechargable batteries, but I think they are about worn out, as they don't hold a charge very long. Most of the time I use the alkaline batteries. The nice thing about using regular AA batteries is that they are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace and you can get them most anywhere. I make a point of always having a spare pair along when I take the camera. I've found that batteries last longer if I use the view finder instead of the screen; that's okay for outdoors, as the screen is hard to see in bright light. I'm thinking it's about time for a new camera, as it's low resolution and has only a digital zoom.

I definitely have been satisfied with the Fujifilm, though. I did some research before I went shopping and had decided that Fujifilm sounded like what I was looking for. Then I had two different dealers ask how I intended to use the camera and both recommended the Fujifilm.

Julia > Hey Amy:

Kate, I have a Canon A570 and really like it. It does use the AA batteries, but I just make sure I have spares at all times -- especially in Houston. I'd rather have had a camera that used a longer-lasting battery, but I also wanted a regular viewfinder, and that narrowed my choices. The regular viewfinder is nice, because you can get extra life from batteries if you turn off the big display. This camera is easy to use and has produced some very nice photos for me. HTH.

Thanks, Kate!! looking forward to it! i really need one and want one, but, i need some "people" feedback, not just salesmen PR. thanks again!

amy in CNY

A good place to look for reviews of cameras, as well as examples of photos taken with those cameras is Steve's Digicams: .

I'm on my 2nd Canon - and LOVE "EM too death.

Easy to use. Great pics. I have the elph -- which is really nice and small -- which if you plan to carry around is something to think about!

Both Canon and Kodak are good brands, we have 2 Canons and DH has a Kodak. The Kodak has it's own special batteries the Canons both use AA cells - both use good quality rechargables with no problems.

We now have 2 digital cameras. the first is the HP which is okay. Not anything fancy, easy to use and such. The one we most recently bought is a Canon. It has more somethings and can take more detailed pictures. The zoom is easy to use and wonderful.

As for batteries, we do have the rechargeables for the new camera. But there are also some batteries made specifically for digital gadgets that are supposed to last longer, etc. They are AA size (at least the ones I picked up are) and do seem to last longer than regular batteries.

Pati, > i'm having the same dilemma. i want to buy a digital, but i dont know