Digi or Disposable?

missziggy · Post by **missziggy** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:28 am

2010 will be my first burn and I can't wait!

Thank you to everyone that's replied to so many helpfull posts on here. It sure has helped with a lot of the little things I never considered

So here's my question:

Should I bring my digital camera or ditch it so it doesn't get ruined and use a disposable?

I know you can't compare the quality used between the two, but I don't really want to get my camera messed up from dust and who knows else what. It's not a big fancy camera by any means, but it serves my daily purposes and it was a present.

Or does anyone have any other suggestions for something else to use that isn't going to cost too much?

Thanks for the help and see you on the Playa!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:37 am

Hi missziggy,

Glad you're finding the forum to be helpful.

I've brought the same digital for five years and it is still doing just fine. I keep it in a bag or under cover unless in use and have only used it in dust storms momentarily and then back to safe storage. So far, no problems. This is not to say another camera would do the same thing, just my experience. If I left it laying around camp, it'd probably be a different story. Cheaper digitals are almost the price of disposable these days, too.

On a related note, I also bring a Polaroid, since it can provide a sort of instant fun that others just cannot.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:03 am

Not sure what you consider to be costing "too much" but fujifilm makes a couple nice little water/dust proof models for around 200 bucks. That's about the same as buying and developing ten disposables.

ConnieH · Post by **ConnieH** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:18 am

For the past two burns I've hoped my digital camera would die when I got home (after I retrieved the pics of course!), so I could buy a new one...but no such luck, the thing keeps on going. I was sure the zoom lens would get stuck or gummed up with playa, but nope. I don't abuse it, but I don't baby it either - just keep it in it's case when not in use. Unless you are doing professional photography, film sucks...is expensive...and you throw half of them away. All this said, if you have a super-expensive digital SLR or something of the sort, then I might hesitate - but most point-and-shoot digitals are easily replaced for under $200.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:59 am

How much does a disposable cost? Insurance.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:43 pm

ConnieH wrote:For the past two burns I've hoped my digital camera would die when I got home (after I retrieved the pics of course!), so I could buy a new one...but no such luck, the thing keeps on going. I was sure the zoom lens would get stuck or gummed up with playa, but nope. I don't abuse it, but I don't baby it either - just keep it in it's case when not in use. Unless you are doing professional photography, film sucks...is expensive...and you throw half of them away. All this said, if you have a super-expensive digital SLR or something of the sort, then I might hesitate - but most point-and-shoot digitals are easily replaced for under $200.

Expensive?
Not unless you use boutique film and developers.
Get a cheap film camera and order the digital disc when you get it developed.
(You can pay $25 and get a good one. Even a pro camera can be cheap.)

If you're throwing half away, get some instructions.
I only have an advantage with digital when night shooting, because the Fuji is so good at it.
Film dramatically outperforms anything that can't shoot raw or tiff.
But those are usually expensive.
I hope to get an older pro digital, around 3 mp.
Don't know if I'll bring it to the playa though.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:00 pm

Bring both and make your decision based on what's going on at the time you'll be bringing out the camera. If you're comfortable shooting with the good camera, go for it. If not, use the cheaper one.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:11 pm

I kinda want to bring a Holga.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:33 pm

Holgas are very cool.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:08 pm

My point and shoot Nikon had a lens that went in and out. It lasted till Sat night at the burn during the dust storm and finally failed. Got a Panasonic Lumix armored camera this year, waterproof, dustproof, shock proof, 12 mp, HD movie w/sound. The size of a small p&s.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:53 pm

Mine that I've taken to so many Burns is a Panasonic Lumix but an older DMC with a large lens. I love it. It's six years old and still takes great photos.

Post by **Sham** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:03 pm

Why not bring this vehicle and just pick the camera you want as the mood suits you? An interesting foot note is that this van was only on the playa once and the dust was so intense and difficult to clean out of all the crevices, that it nearly ruined this classic art car.

missziggy · Post by **missziggy** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 4:23 am

[quote="phil"]Bring both and make your decision based on what's going on at the time you'll be bringing out the camera. If you're comfortable shooting with the good camera, go for it. If not, use the cheaper one.[/quote]

That's a pretty good idea actually. I might just take your suggestion :)
I see that you're filled with all sorts of good advice on here. Keep up the good work Phil.

Thanks to everyone else for your suggestions too. That van is hilarious!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:31 am

teardropper wrote:My point and shoot Nikon had a lens that went in and out. It lasted till Sat night at the burn during the dust storm and finally failed. Got a Panasonic Lumix armored camera this year, waterproof, dustproof, shock proof, 12 mp, HD movie w/sound. The size of a small p&s.

Which model did you get? I've been looking for a water proof/dust proof video camera. I found this little guy and think it will work well. But I'd like to see the specs on the Panasonic before I buy.
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .169976100

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:03 am

Pyramid Lake at night, shot 8 x 10.
Of course, this is a low resolution digital version.
Click for larger size.

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:10 am

That Pyramid Lake photo is beautiful!

What kind of camera was that shot on? You mentioned 8x10. Was it a large format camera with 8x10 film?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:13 am

Yes, 8 x 10 film.

By Richard Misrach
Long exposure.
I can't find any other details.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Misrach
http://www.edelmangallery.com/misrach.htm

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:42 am

illy dilly wrote:
teardropper wrote:My point and shoot Nikon had a lens that went in and out. It lasted till Sat night at the burn during the dust storm and finally failed. Got a Panasonic Lumix armored camera this year, waterproof, dustproof, shock proof, 12 mp, HD movie w/sound. The size of a small p&s.
Which model did you get? I've been looking for a water proof/dust proof video camera. I found this little guy and think it will work well. But I'd like to see the specs on the Panasonic before I buy.
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .169976100

Okay, Kodak cameras blow, especially those lensless ones like that one. HD video doesn't mean jack if your processor has to compress the crap out of the video to be able to handle it, your sensor is microscopic, and your lens is made of plastic.

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:51 am

gyre wrote:Yes, 8 x 10 film.

By Richard Misrach
Long exposure.
I can't find any other details.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Misrach
http://www.edelmangallery.com/misrach.htm

This photo or one very like it by the same photographer is being used as the wallpaper for the new Apple iPad.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:00 am

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:08 am

Ranger Genius wrote:
illy dilly wrote:
teardropper wrote:My point and shoot Nikon had a lens that went in and out. It lasted till Sat night at the burn during the dust storm and finally failed. Got a Panasonic Lumix armored camera this year, waterproof, dustproof, shock proof, 12 mp, HD movie w/sound. The size of a small p&s.
Which model did you get? I've been looking for a water proof/dust proof video camera. I found this little guy and think it will work well. But I'd like to see the specs on the Panasonic before I buy.
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .169976100
Okay, Kodak cameras blow, especially those lensless ones like that one. HD video doesn't mean jack if your processor has to compress the crap out of the video to be able to handle it, your sensor is microscopic, and your lens is made of plastic.

Then what camera would you suggest?

Bling · Post by **Bling** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:36 pm

It's not the camera, it's the BAG. On eBay for under $15, you can buy protective, waterproof (thus dustproof) clear plastic & silicone bags that are made to fit a variety of models. For $5, they have 'em for iPhones. Just do a search for "waterproof camera bag". LOTS-O-STUFF will come up. The ones I liked are from a vendor called irexpert. From Hong Kong, I think, but the quality was good, and the shipping was fast.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:58 pm

Bling wrote:It's not the camera, it's the BAG. On eBay for under $15, you can buy protective, waterproof (thus dustproof) clear plastic & silicone bags that are made to fit a variety of models. For $5, they have 'em for iPhones. Just do a search for "waterproof camera bag". LOTS-O-STUFF will come up. The ones I liked are from a vendor called irexpert. From Hong Kong, I think, but the quality was good, and the shipping was fast.

Awesome, thank you very much!

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:09 pm

Illy is $150 the top end of your price bracket? And is HD critical?

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:52 am

No not really. I figure HD would be nice. I'm not planning on using the 1080 setting, probably only the 720 at 60fps.
I like it cause its small, easy to use and water proof... the cheap part is nice too.
If you know of any other cameras that are similar or better I'd be happy to check them out.

greenthumb85 · Post by **greenthumb85** » Mon May 03, 2010 7:16 pm

LeChatNoir wrote: I keep it in a bag or under cover unless in use and have only used it in dust storms momentarily and then back to safe storage.

This is the best advice you can get! No one told me my first year, and after 2 burns with no bag to protect the camera, it's crapped out on me! the lens won't open, and the camera won't read the memory card! I don't take many pics on the playa any ways, but I'm going disposable this year.

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Mon May 03, 2010 7:57 pm

I got my son a 7mp camera for $40 at the local box store. A 4 GB card for $15. Now he can shoot away and I don't worry about him breaking a pricey camera. It takes pretty good pix too. Sure its not the greatest but it beats developing film from a disposable camera, which takes medocre pix too.

akmojo · Post by **akmojo** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:38 am

I have a Lumix TS1 camera... it has been 100% reliable and takes awesome pics !!
who needs a bag when ones camera is waterproof (thus dust proof) and always ready to use... you can take a lot more pics and those instant moment ones when it is hanging from your wrist instead of deep in a bag..
to me, the important considerations....
a FAST memory card so you can take multiple pics/video and have the card write quickly so you can just keep shooting instead of waiting for the card to write... I shot 24 GB's of 10MP pics and 720P video with it...
then a WIDE angel lens.. this has a 28-128.. perfect for group pics while being in close and an adequate zoom, it also uses Leica glass in it's lens... typical P&S's use 35-37 as their wide angle
I also have an extra battery, that is VERY important to have if you plan on using your camera much on a daily basis... (bring your charger, can always find power for that)
I am upgrading to the TS2 this year.. don't really care about 12MP but it has a supposedly bit shaper pic and even better low light performance... my night pics and vid look pretty darn good as it is !!
I bet one can find new TS1's for fairly cheap.. the TS2 will be close to 350 but you'll have to go to a DSLR for any real pic quality improvements and then it's back to using a bag, dust, ease of access issues, etc...
BTW, I watch the vid on a 60" Pioneer Kuro plasma and it is an amazing picture for such a small camera !!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:49 am

Do you really think the faster chips matter?
Any way to verify that?
I thought the processors were usually slower than the chips?

My Fuji is 10 times faster than my Canon.
It's supposed to have the pro processor in it.
But I doubt you can get a bad chip in XD.

I don't know why anyone would buy anything running on batteries without having multiple batteries.

akmojo · Post by **akmojo** » Wed May 12, 2010 2:30 am

I use scandisk extreme III 30MB/s SD cards and they never slow down.. they write as fast as the buffer can... the TS1 has 50MBs of internal memory
I have used slower cards and noticed that I would have to stop and wait for the card to write from the buffer before I could take more pics/vid at times..
the xIII card downloads much faster too..
is the Fuij the twin sensor design ?
nothing amazes me in regards to people, things and the Playa...
well, maybe EVERYTHING does.... !!