Digital Cameras
Should I bring a digital camera to Europe?
Originally, Alex and I thought it would be cool to take pictures on disposable cameras. We'd fill up the camera, find a post office and mail it home. We wouldn't have to worry about an expensive camera breaking or being stolen. We wouldn't have to worry about charging the camera, either. But the more I think about it, the more buying a real camera seems like a good idea.
As far as I can figure, the average low-budget Kodak disposable can cost anywhere from $4-$10. Developing said disposable will cost anywhere from $7-$12. Let's meet in the middle - that's something like $16 per camera. Each camera contains enough film for 27 shots. Touring Europe could be a little bit camera-intensive, but I'll be modest - 27 shots might last two days at best. We'll be there for thirty. That's fifteen cameras at $16 a piece. Do the math: that's $240! Not counting the cost of airmailing disposables from France to Ohio!
As far as I can tell, I'd probably be better served taking that $240 and actually investing in a digital camera. Almost any digital camera I buy will take better shots than a disposable camera would. So now I have a new dilemma. Do I actually invest in a snazzy, feature-rich, top-of-the-line ultracompact - the kind I would buy for myself post-trip - or do I just cut costs, buy a cheapie and be spared the worry?
I have my eye on a few cameras, but I'm mainly considering the Sony CyberShot DSC-T9 or DSC-T30. They're super tiny and have that stabilization pseudo-gimmick that I'm really interested in. I don't know, though... I just don't know.
Originally, Alex and I thought it would be cool to take pictures on disposable cameras. We'd fill up the camera, find a post office and mail it home. We wouldn't have to worry about an expensive camera breaking or being stolen. We wouldn't have to worry about charging the camera, either. But the more I think about it, the more buying a real camera seems like a good idea.
As far as I can figure, the average low-budget Kodak disposable can cost anywhere from $4-$10. Developing said disposable will cost anywhere from $7-$12. Let's meet in the middle - that's something like $16 per camera. Each camera contains enough film for 27 shots. Touring Europe could be a little bit camera-intensive, but I'll be modest - 27 shots might last two days at best. We'll be there for thirty. That's fifteen cameras at $16 a piece. Do the math: that's $240! Not counting the cost of airmailing disposables from France to Ohio!
As far as I can tell, I'd probably be better served taking that $240 and actually investing in a digital camera. Almost any digital camera I buy will take better shots than a disposable camera would. So now I have a new dilemma. Do I actually invest in a snazzy, feature-rich, top-of-the-line ultracompact - the kind I would buy for myself post-trip - or do I just cut costs, buy a cheapie and be spared the worry?
I have my eye on a few cameras, but I'm mainly considering the Sony CyberShot DSC-T9 or DSC-T30. They're super tiny and have that stabilization pseudo-gimmick that I'm really interested in. I don't know, though... I just don't know.
posted by Andrew at 3:34 PM
3 Comments:
hey, i'll be honest with you, aside from my beach trip in the next two weeks, i probably am not going to use my camera. its small, and its pretty nice. you can borrow it, if you are certain you wont lose it or break it. let me know, via the phone.
ps- am i the only one who reads this thing ;-)
i'm a horrible friend :( and no way andrew needs a new super ultra snazzy ridculously cool camera for europe that cooks buffalo wings while it's charging. i'm not sure who makes that one, but someone does.
in actuallity i think the digi camera is a good idea, it'd be cheaper to invest in batteries than film devlopment and you'll have much better pics.
Looks like I'm actually going to borrow my dad's Casio Exilim Z55 for this trip. It's a few years old, but he bought some sort of crazy warranty so I don't have to worry so much about damaging it.
Post a Comment
<< Home