posted on January 2, 2001 02:39:49 PM new
Yesterday, I bought a Sony Mavica FD73 at Office Max for $399.00. I know there are better models, but for my purposes, I think this will suffice.
So far, all I've done is gingerly open the box and read the owner's manual with great apprehension! What are some things you wish you would've known when you started using your first digital camera?
posted on January 2, 2001 02:49:12 PM new
Don't drop it.
Now that sounds flippant, but the first week I had my FD73, I knocked it off a counter onto the floor.
Because I had bought it "used" (it had been previously owned for less than a month) the warranty was no longer in effect. I had to send it back to Sony for repairs; they ended up replacing the floppy disk unit. The good news is, Sony charges a flat rate of $125.00 for any repair to a Mavica, so I came out ahead. (This was almost a $300 repair.) And customer service was fast, efficient, and very responsive.
--------
not SilkMoth anywhere but here
posted on January 2, 2001 03:03:14 PM new
I wish I'd have known how to work from the floppy to uploading pics to wherever I was going to list. I finally thought, how about the photo discussion board on eBay? That's where I finally found somebody to help me with all my questions and could begin listing my auctions.
Have you had the nerve to do anything else with your camera yet? I had to laugh about your reading the manual!!! I did the same thing!
I don't consider myself an expert on using the Mavica because even though I found out how to do some things, I'm not 100% sure I'm doing them right.
I'll tell you as much as I "think" I know and I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm not doing it right.
1. Flash washes out pics - know how to turn it off? I didn't but I do now. I use halogen lights to light my subject.
2. Under "File", I set my record mode on email, "Quality" on Standard, "Image Size" on 640x480. I think these are the right settings for Internet use which works fine on a lower grade setting.
3. I downloaded a free image "fix" program (even though I purchased one) called IrfanView (www.irfanview.com) and like it better than the one I purchased.
4. I found out you have to rename your pictures on your floppy before you upload them to any image hosting sites. It took me awhile to figure out how and I still don't know if I am doing it right.
I'm done. Somebody elses turn! I'll be glad to help all I can - if I can!
posted on January 2, 2001 03:18:32 PM new
Reformat your floppy disks on a regular basis. Don't just delete the image files, actually reformat the disks. You'll eliminate 90% of your image errors by doing this.
posted on January 2, 2001 04:38:21 PM new
My images from my Sony Mavica seem fuzzy to me. Could it be because it has been dropped? can the picture be adjusted?
posted on January 2, 2001 05:39:24 PM new
I love my FD73. I bought mine when it was $499 -can't believe they have come down that much in a year!!! Anyway I have great luck with the pictures. I use the Arc Soft program CD that is supplied with the camera. I rename and "fix" my pictures with it. I agree the flash washes the pictures out. I use a halogen worklight that I bought at Home Depot. Really works well. The Arcsoft does a good job of lightening the pics also. If you are going to do any changing(lightening, contrasting rotating, etc) on the pics you can only take 16 on a disc to leave room to do the changes. You can reformat the discs with the camera. I find it a lot easier to do it on the camera rather than the computer although some people think it runs down the battery. The customer service is really good. I have called them a couple times. Once in a while I have gotten a fuzzy picture and I don't know why - maybe I didn't give it time to focus or, as some people have suggested, the discs get old and the pictures aren't as clear. I don't know - it doesn't happen often. I would like to get another battery - I take a lot of pictures at one sitting although it takes such a short time for the battery to recharge. The batteries ar expensive unless they too have come down in price.
posted on January 2, 2001 06:49:50 PM new
Usually, when I get fuzzy pics it means I need to recharge my battery. I used to take pics until that little battery thingy was flashing, and they would usually come out grainy, so I started recharging the battery when it got down to 20 minutes.
posted on January 2, 2001 07:56:09 PM new
Sometimes there is a problem getting a good auto focus if the light is a bit low.
I have had better luck with the focus in close ups by deliberatly moving the camera toward the object and then backing off a little it seems to refocus for me better moving away than toward.
Once I had bumped the autofocus switch to manual and did not know it.
You can get more of an object in focus from a distance than up close. What I mean is in real close you may have the face of an object sharp but the rear is fuzzy. Say on a piece of pottery the pattern will get fuzzy toward the rear. But if you move a foot or two away and zoom in to the same frame the whole will be sharp but camera motion shows easier. Depth of field for you camera buffs.
posted on January 2, 2001 08:38:04 PM new
It's kinda like bein a teenager again...."just play with it"!
Since you have no film costs, developing costs, etc., it is easy to take the same picture numerous times while trying out different settings...take a look at em all and see which setting works best for that particular instance.
Flash really DOES wash stuff out, but for those times when you really need it, try putting a few layers of transparent tape over the flash, and set the exposure at -1.5.
Some other tips can be found at [url]http://www.mavican.nu/[\url]
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on January 2, 2001 09:04:48 PM new
Can someone tell me what in meant when you say "set the sv at 1.5 or set the exposure at 1.5" How do you do this & where on the camera do you find it. Also when it's said to format the floppy does that also erase it ? Does the FD 73 have a macro lens & where is that. Desparate for help. Thank's
Edit for one more question. Where do you find image size ? On my menu I see nothing that says image size.
[ edited by topdog12 on Jan 2, 2001 09:07 PM ]
posted on January 2, 2001 09:08:38 PM new
Use e-mail mode for smaller pics to put up for auctions.The quality is not as good but they load very quick.I find that if a page has pics that load slow I click away.Just my 2 cents.........and definately set the eV at 1.5 like the other poster said.Each time you charge the battery yu will have to reset this feature also.
--------------------------------- If I had money I'd be rich!
--------------------------------- My Bit
posted on January 2, 2001 10:07:20 PM new
You don't need to lower the quality of your pics to get them to load quicly....just use a GOOD picture utility program (irfran is a good one as stated above, I use Compu-Pic, but it'll cost ya)...We take ALL our pics on "Fine" setting, then resize to 200x240, and set compression at 50%...after a good job of cropping, this will give your pics PLENTY of detail, but an auction viewer will only have to load about 18K to get the pic...here is an example......size and all...this one is about 11K
posted on January 3, 2001 03:42:35 AM new
"If you are going to do any changing(lightening, contrasting rotating, etc) on the pics you can only take 16 on a disc to leave room to do the changes."
That's what hard drives are for! Copy the shots to your hard drive and you should have LOTS of room for them.
MORE TIPS:
Digitals need lots of light so bring in extras.
I use the 640x480 Fine resolution for most pictures.
Do NOT edit JPGs and expect them to retain quality. Use an image conversion program to turn them into TIF and edit the TIF. When you are happy with the TIF, save it as a JPG.
Superb and FREE photoediting program: GIMP, available from www.gimp.org
FREE from www.nonags.com
image conversion program: XnView
this does batch conversions from one format to another, but it's documentation is sparse.
image management program: Image Navigator
you can view an entire directory as thumbnails (I've done directories with over 400 images and it didn't choke), rename pictures, delete, and move (cut and paste), or copy them, to other directories.
posted on January 3, 2001 03:48:11 AM new
topdog12 - Reformat ... stick the floppy in the COMPUTER'S floppy drive and do a FULL format (find the drive icon, right click on it and select FORMAT, on the dialog box that appears, make sure the FULL option is selected).
The Sony "format" just erases the files and after a few use the residual magnetism interferes with recording new ones. You will start getting disk errors in the Sony. Reformat the disk with your computer and the disk errors go away.
posted on January 3, 2001 06:28:24 AM new
I can tell be reading these last few posts I am a real amateur at this picture taking. I know I'm not very experienced with the computer but what I do seems to work for me.
abacaxi - could you explain further about how you reformat on the computer - in as simple as possible language please. I do notice that the pics on my old dics are not as good. I would like to try using the computer. Thanks.
posted on January 3, 2001 07:23:33 AM new
mommoo - Assuming WINDOWS 95/98/NT operating system. (I don't have any experience with Windows2000, and this willl absolutely NOT work on a MAC)
1. Stick the diskette in the floppy drive.
2. Click the START button at the lower left of the screen.
3. Click on the RUN option and in the dialog box that opens up, type this EXACTLY, with ONE space between the t and the a, and no spaces after the :
format a:
4. Click OK.
5. A black window will appear with text instructions ... press ENTER to format the diskette. Diskette noises will happen, and a progress report will be shown. You can give it a name if you want, or just press ENTER to skip the name.
To format more diskettes, just follow directions in the black box. When you are done, click on the upper right corner of the blacl window to close it.
(What you have just done is made a shell call to MS-DOS, bypassing the Window operating system, and entered the DOS command for the format. It's easier than trying to explain the various options in the format window that the file manager gives.)
NEVER TYPE FORMAT C:
It will wipe out your hard drive if you say Y after that.
posted on January 3, 2001 07:40:55 AM new
Fuzzy pictures--- The mavica has auto focus and if you take the picture to quickly it has not had time to focus. Be sure to wait a few seconds after pointing the camera before clicking.
The important thing is to experiment ,use the camera ,see what works for you unlike traditinal camers you seee the results immediatly and there is no cost for film or developing.
I have been verry pleased with the results and I don't do any editing.
posted on January 3, 2001 08:11:09 AM new
skip555 -
"easier way to format in windows right click on the a drive scroll down to format disk"
OK ... how do I find the A: drive? Please be specific as to menus, selections and program names.
And BTW, "scrolling down" does NOT format the disk ... what actions do I need to take? And which of the three options shuold the user select? (HINT: it's not the default)
posted on January 3, 2001 08:25:14 AM new
Wow....I have to admit, some of this stuff has my mind spinning! I have no idea what some of this means to the point that the only thing I can comment on presently is how to erase/format a disc :
Double click "My Computer" (on your desktop where all your icons are).
Right click on "A" Drive
Click on Format
Put a bullet in Quick Erase - this erases and reformats the diskette
posted on January 3, 2001 08:40:12 AM new
SilkMoth...thanx for the info on the $125 flat repair fee...I clutch my camera for dear life when movin' it around & constantly sweat droppin' it!...I could live with $125 for repair, of course, how I could be without the camera for any length of time, well, that's a whole 'nuther story!
ANYONE know how to set compression using Adobe PhotoDeluxe?????????
This is how I reformat my floppies (a fun sport that I've been doin' frequently over the holidays, as my 100 pack of floppies finally ran out!)
win98
1) goto START
2) Start Programs
3) click on Windows Explorer
4) left window, goto "my computer" (note may have to use arrow to go UP)
5) select (click ONCE) on "3 1/2" floppy a"
6) Pull down "FILE" menu
7) Select FORMAT
8) Select "Quick / erase"
9) Click on START
10) Wait
11) Results will be displayed in the window when complete
Repeat process as necessary for additional floppy disks......
posted on January 3, 2001 08:54:13 AM new
I had the FD73 and sold it & upgraded to the FD90 which I LOVE! Much better resolution & macro capability.
My best helpful hint is to get a floppy disk adapter & use Sony Memory Sticks. You can take zillions of shots on one mem stick. several sizes available. I also, at that time, got a Sony Mem Stick Reader for super fast instant downloads. One thing I like about the Mavicas over the Cybers is the versatility of being able to either shoot with floppy disks OR mem sticks.
posted on January 3, 2001 09:31:23 AM new
I get 40 (sometimes more) pics to a floppy. I don't understand only getting 16 on so you have room to do any changes.... I then do all my image manipulation and renaming and am ready to upload.
Probably the biggest reason I chose the Mavica was to store my pics on a floppy and not use up my much needed hard drive space with graphics (they take up a lot of room!).
The floppy is just another form of hard drive so I don't understand why you would find the need to save to your hard drive to work on the pictures. Just another option type of thing?
Like I said in a previous post, go to eBay's discussion boards on "Photos/HTML" - there is a gentleman there who can answer ANY question about the Mavica technology - it's what he does - is what he told me. After literally weeks of searching for answers to my basic use questions (including phone calls to Sony to no avail), this guy had me up and running almost immediately.
Am I allowed to post his UserID here, does anybody know?
posted on January 3, 2001 09:36:23 AM new
Hi, Molly...No you cannot post an ID, but you can go back there, find one of his threads/post and type the url here, but NOT clickable. Gosh Shosh!
posted on January 3, 2001 09:48:01 AM new
Thanks for the input, Shosh. I was afraid of that. Well, I must sheepishly admit, I looked and if the URL is that long mess that shows up at the top of the screen....well....
Let's try this - Go to the Community Help and Discussion Boards > Photo/HTML > Put Sony Mavica in search > Bullet "search only in Photos/HTML" > Resulting Sony discussions will have this guy in just about all of them. Just look for the Bull (p.s. that's not his user name!).
Gosh, I hope I can't get in trouble for this but if I do, will you come rescue me from jail (not said in a disrespectful manner)?
posted on January 3, 2001 09:53:05 AM new
re fuzzy pictures- I had this problem when using the "email" size setting. It seems to compress the graphic and makes it fuzzy. I just use the regular setting and crop the picture with my graphic application.
Lighting- I don't even worry about it being too dark and never use the flash. My graphic application [ Ulead ] has a brightness adjustment that brightens any picture I take better than any lighting I may use. I have taken pictures that almost look blank they are so dark, and then use the brightness tool and they come right out as great pics.
The lens zoom is pretty good for the money, but as always one would like better zoom ability.
