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Post by Perpetua on Feb 13, 2020 7:30:34 GMT
I'm lost in the world of technical gadetry so I thought I'd ask you lovely, knowledgeable people for some advice/assistance before plunging in and making expensive errors!
My overwhelming criteria for anything that has a USB port or needs plugging in to the mains, is that it has to be simple . . . super simple infact! I'm not terribly good with instruction manuals either, boredom sets in after the first paragraph of bumphage. 
Ideally, but not essential - if I can buy from John Lewis, that would be great as I'd get a little bit of Partner discount and a free guarantee, generally going by past purchases a couple of years. Plus with Click and Collect I can collect anything from work.
Although I'm not adverse to shopping at Argos as I've bought a fair number of electrical items from them in the past and have been happy . . . . we've also got a mega branch near to my hairdresser's and I've a hair appointment Saturday, so I could reserve online and collect then. Again I can't be doing with spending hours meandering round shops like a lost cause, so combining excursions always appeals! 
I'd like not to spend an arm and a leg either as these items would just be used occasionally . . . . first up on the Wish List:
Compact Digital Camera
My current Fuji FinePix has been brilliant for my needs, taking a few doggy photos and on the rare occasions I have a purge on my vaping related clobber! It's showing signs of age now, the USB port on the camera is worn and I have to hold the lead in to get it to upload to my laptop - which can be a bit random whether it does or not. Automatic flash/focus and I can cope with switching to the Macro thing and I'd probably need an SD card, or whatever they're called.
Second up:
Printer and Cartridges
I've not had a working printer for a while now, don't know what's the matter with the one I've got - I've tried to get ( not very hard admittedly - life's too short ) it going and given up. The ones I've looked at are all Wi-Fi now, hopefully I could manage the challenge as I imagine you've just got to input your router's password into it. ( Aren't replacement ink cartridges expensive in comparison to the cost of the printer!  )
Here's what I've selected from John Lewis:
Haven't studied printers at Argos:
Sooooooooooooo . . . . these are your missions today, should you accept them! 
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Post by snow on Feb 13, 2020 9:55:48 GMT
Cameras depend on how much you want to spend Perpetua ... this is what I have www.johnlewis.com/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-hx90-camera-hd-1080p-18-2-mp-30x-optical-zoom-wi-fi-nfc-oled-evf-3-inch-tilting-screen/p2029329 the John Lewis price is pretty good its £329 in Argos - you miiight be able to beat the price from an independent camera shop but not by much. I took a very long time deciding on what camera to get and I looked at loads, I wanted, compact, not too heavy and most of all I wanted a viewfinder rather than just using an LED screen as I really struggle to see screens in bright light and often am taking pics without really seeing what I'm pointing the camera at and that annoys me. I have LOVED this camera from day 1 I couldn't be happier with it, it's simple to use, takes fabulous pictures, has an impressive zoom, and a viewfinder I can set to MY focus, I also love the fact that it also has a control ring around the lens which is much more responsive for zooming in than the press button type (although it does that too). Along with the camera I bought the case and an extra rechargeable battery and a charger that allows me to charge both batteries at the same time out of the camera (which is faster). You probably will need at least 1 extra battery as depending on how many pics you take and whether you leave it on and the viewfinder up whilst its around your neck (as I do when I'm out and about) then you will drain the battery in a few hours (on average I get at least 4-5 hours with it on all the time). Yes it also does all kinds of fabulous things with the pictures but I'm pretty much a point and shoot kinda gal so some of the more technical stuff is wasted on me. My previous cameras had all been Fuji FinePix and I would have happily had another if they made a compact with a viewfinder (which they don't). The other thing this has is an on screen spirit level in the view finder so no more sloping pictures! I realise this isn't a budget camera but it is very very good. I have that printer (or maybe an earlier version) - it's fine, ink tends to be pricey - but they are all pretty much the same these days - I get mine from ebay or amazon which is about £23 for the dual pack. I use more black ink than colour so I get through maybe 2 dual packs and 1 or 2 single black cartridges a year. |
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Post by Perpetua on Feb 13, 2020 17:59:48 GMT
Fab . . . . thank you very much Tracy snow for your advice.
I'm not sure what discount I'll get on the printer cartridges as techno/white goods we get a lower rate as the mark ups are so much lower, I'll have to check up on that . . . otherwise I can get them from Ebay. As you say all these printer cartridges in relation to the actual printer are much of a muchness price wise.
That camera looks lovely, I'll have to have a cogitate on it as it's rather more than I'd anticipated paying. 
Thanks again. xx
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colli
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Post by colli on Feb 13, 2020 19:49:58 GMT
try a brother printer and use compatable cartridges i have updated to a black and white laser printer but the old one worked fine for around 5 years, ink jet printers need to have a full print every now and then else the ink clogs the printer head and short of specialized deep cleaning they are knackered a quick search came up with this brother printer and compatable cartridges from a variety of places at around £20 for a full set. manufacturers always say dont use compatable ans they may be inferior and void warranty but i have yet to replace any printer i have owned with genuine ink cartridges and had no issues. Regarding camera if its point and shoot and budget is the issue pop along to your local john lewis the will allow you to have a play and explain everything. again for a general point and shoot sony do a rather good range however i bought this one camera for my wife so she can accompany me on occasions to our lovely new forest (we call it our back garden) just a stroll away. |
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Postmodern Smoking
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Post by Postmodern Smoking on Feb 13, 2020 20:18:21 GMT
... however i bought this one camera... Your camera link isn't right colli  |
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Post by colli on Feb 14, 2020 3:48:54 GMT
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Post by DaveJ on Feb 14, 2020 6:21:22 GMT
Donno much about the latest and greatest Perpetua, nor nothing about your shopping options. My very oldie Cannon digital camera (IXUS 60 - prolly 12 or more years old) suits me just fine. It's the one that took the lions share of all my travel pics over in my Roadtrip thread. Pic quality is pretty OK - even blown up on my big screen TV. However, the one point I did wanna make was the same as made by snow - having a separate view finder in the camera over and above the standard "led display" screen. That one single thing makes a LOT of difference to me when taking shots out in the sunlight. And is the one thing that seems to be missing on so many modern camera's. That said - so many folks do not bother with a camera nowdays, rather using their smartphones. AND the techie specs of the modern smartphone camera's do look impressive. *shrug* I'm not a smartphone person ...  |
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Post by Perpetua on Feb 14, 2020 6:32:15 GMT
Thank you colli . . . I'll investigate the camera link tonight after work. I'd really like just a point and shoot/auto flash job, that's about my level both technical and photography skill wise! The Fuji Finepix has served me well for years and doesn't owe me a penny considering the use I've had from it, so if I can find something similar that would suit me nicely.
I did buy the Canon printer last night, with my discount it was just a shade over £30 plus a 2 year free guarantee from JL, which I thought was quite reasonable. Also found some different cartridges on JL's website, again with my discount they were just over £17 - so I'll collect both of those today.
Thanks DaveJ, I do use my phone on occasions but have to confess I'm more comfortable using a proper camera - the number of times I've thought I was filming a wonderful doggy related moment with my phone, only to find I've been recording/taking pictures of the ground and my feet. |
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Post by DaveJ on Feb 14, 2020 7:09:11 GMT
.... the number of times I've thought I was filming a wonderful doggy related moment with my phone, only to find I've been recording/taking pictures of the ground and my feet.  hehehe - welcome to the club!
Blurry pics of fingers, camera straps, feet and such are ALSO very possible with a real, proper camera ! |
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Post by Perpetua on Feb 15, 2020 7:27:23 GMT
snow, colli . . . . I'm still in ditheration mode, unfamiliar territory for me!
I'd originally thought to spend about £150 all in with a memory card, but I've taken onboard all your comments about having a camera with a viewfinder and thought to myself I may as well push the budget that bit further, after all if the camera lasts 10 years then an investment of £20-£30 a year to take good photo's easily isn't that extreme and I will also get 15% discount from JL.
So! Went to buy the one Tracy linked to this morning, only to find because I've mucked about making a decision - it's out of stock, which is typical. I've signed up for a notification for when it comes back in, which may or may not be at the same price - but that's just bad luck, my own fault.
My next question is, for either of these camera's do I need a memory card? If so would you be kind enough to link me to what would be required. I really do struggle to understand technical stuff like this, my brain is just not wired that way!
Thank you so much. xx
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Post by colli on Feb 15, 2020 8:54:10 GMT
most if not all cameras have an auto setting for point and shoot making the camera do all the work for you to make things easier a quality brand sd card such as kingston or sandisc with a high class will allow a series of quick snaps in succesion (faster writing to the card) SD Cardif you are not bothered with a view finder and just a screen will suffice the are plenty of cheaper options on amazon alone I would suggest going with a good brand though |
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Post by snow on Feb 15, 2020 9:02:08 GMT
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Post by Perpetua on Feb 16, 2020 6:50:50 GMT
snow, colli . . . thank you both for your advice and patience.
I've got all the linked goodies sat in my Amazon cart ready - so now I just need the camera to come back in stock!
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