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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> My only camera is ruined. This might be goodbye...
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06/15/2011 10:43:20 AM · #1
:( Terribly upset.

I have a small P&S camera which is all I've ever really needed. Recently, it had some issues with the lens movement when I'd turn it on. It would get "stuck" and beep at me, then shut itself off without bringing the lens back in. I mentioned it to my fiance, who was sympathetic. It was irritating, but not horrible.. Eventually, it would work properly if I kept turning it on and off.

While I was at work, my fiance took my camera apart and attempted to fix it. Not only did the lens problem get 10x worse, but he sprayed something (some sort of binocular cleaner) on every internal surface to clean it out. He said there was gobs of horsehair inside, which is likely.

I went out and took a picture of my white horse, after ten minutes of coaxing the lens out, and my horse was GLOWING. :( Purple. My pictures are fuzzy and blurry and awful. My white horse glows and my black horse casts an eery floating shadow. I'm sure it's residue from that old binocular cleaner. At this point, it isn't reasonable financially to take it in to get repaired. It's too far gone, and it wasn't worth a ton. Besides, I don't have the money. :(

I never told my fiance exactly how upset I was. I thanked him for trying, and even managed to choke out the words: "That glow makes the horses look like angels!" :( Then I went inside and cried. I don't want him to feel bad. :( He was trying to help.

It will be several years before I can afford a new camera, but when I do get one, I'm getting a big Canon DSLR. I might as well go all the way and buy Photoshop too. Until then, I'm only going to come on sporadicly. I am pretty depressed. :( I'll still come back and vote every now and then, but I doubt you guys want to see any challenge entries taken with an old cellphone, lol. I wasn't very good anyways. ;)
06/15/2011 11:09:27 AM · #2
Sorry to hear about your bad news, that really does 'suck' :-(
06/15/2011 11:12:24 AM · #3
Stick around. You can still do decent photography with an inexpensive P&S. Just look at some of the images turned in for the recent cameraphone challenge. Yes, it limits you, but IMO those limitations of the gear just help you learn how to shoot better photos.

I may have a well used 5 Mp Kodak I could send you if you want it. It's not much, but works. I think.
06/15/2011 11:12:46 AM · #4
oh, I'm so sorry!!
06/15/2011 11:52:27 AM · #5
I have had good luck finding excellent P&S cams on eBay. The ads that don't offer a lot of detail sometimes do not get many bids, and the price can be dirt cheap for a like new camera or one with some cosmetic damage. Some of the older models that still can take good pix can be bought very cheap, like $30-40.
On the bright side, you now have a "magic cam".
Best of luck.
06/15/2011 12:00:34 PM · #6
You say 'crappy", DPCers call it "artistic". Although it certainly is painful, this may be the Universe's way of telling you to step it up a notch :-)
06/15/2011 12:19:41 PM · #7
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

I have had good luck finding excellent P&S cams on eBay.

Pawn shops are another good source of decent P&S cameras. They tend to undervalue them quite frequently, while seriously overpricing older DSLR's. I'd suggest the Canon A series cameras as good bargains. I bought a 5Mp A530 once for only $30. Great little camera, which I loaned to my granddaughter and she then lost at the museum. I then bought a 10Mp Lumix at a pawn shop, paying about half what the model actually sells for on the used market.
06/15/2011 12:32:58 PM · #8
Well Miss...this may be your lucky day.

I have an "old" Pink Panasonic 5mp camera that we rarely use. We are going on vacation next week and will bring it along as a spare.

I remember reading your post when you first signed up. That was on 4/19/2011. That is the 43rd birthday of my dear cheerleader friend from high school (1985) - Melissa. She was permantly injured in a car accident 2 days before leaving to go to LSU. She was an "A" student.

Her dad retired from his job and took care of her for 20 years...never leaving her side. He never thought of himself in any way. His life was her life. He passed away in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Her mother is too small and frail to take care of her. She now lives in an assisted living center and will likely be there until....

Well anyway...we should all have a dad like that !

In memory of James P., I will donate my old cam to you upon my return in about two weeks. This is with the understanding that you will dedicate your first 5.0 score challenge entry to James P. of Metairie....Deal?

KS

Message edited by author 2011-06-15 12:34:25.
06/15/2011 01:24:18 PM · #9
Keep on using it and enter those goofy pics.
06/15/2011 01:36:15 PM · #10
Wow kenskid that's so kind! I love this website :-)
06/15/2011 01:36:51 PM · #11
Everyone is being so kind and generous... And I really don't know what to say. Another member gifted me my membership not long after I signed up, and I'd feel AWFUL accepting a camera from another DPCer. I am touched beyond words, particularily with Kenskid's kind offer (and touching story)... But I just don't feel right accepting a camera from someone with the economy the way it is, not to mention the many kindnesses I've yet to repay.

But thankyou so much... Everyone. It won't kill me to wait a couple years, even if I can never afford a fabulous camera.

LOL David Ey.. The only way I could make use of my camera as it is would be to purposely go for the brown. It's that bad, lol.
06/15/2011 01:42:40 PM · #12
Originally posted by Tolt:

and I'd feel AWFUL accepting a camera from another DPCer.

Seriously, this in an inexpensive used camera I picked up in a pawn shop a couple of years ago just as an extra that I could safely loan to a child. It's really not worth much and spends most of the time sitting in a drawer. Would be a much better expenditure to see it get used and appreciated. I've given away gear worth a lot more. I am sure Kenny feels similarly about his similar offer (and his is probably the better camera).
06/15/2011 01:48:24 PM · #13
my offer still stands...with the stipulations of course!....LOL.

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by Tolt:

and I'd feel AWFUL accepting a camera from another DPCer.

Seriously, this in an inexpensive used camera I picked up in a pawn shop a couple of years ago just as an extra that I could safely loan to a child. It's really not worth much and spends most of the time sitting in a drawer. Would be a much better expenditure to see it get used and appreciated. I've given away gear worth a lot more. I am sure Kenny feels similarly about his similar offer (and his is probably the better camera).
06/15/2011 02:23:12 PM · #14
Lindsey - I'm sorry to hear about your camera, but I would urge you to take one of these guys' offers. You should never feel bad about accepting unsolicited help and I know from experience it would make the giver feel good, thereby turning a bad situation for you into a happy situation for both of you and provide the rest of us with an inspirational story. :)
06/15/2011 02:49:11 PM · #15
Originally posted by Tolt:

Everyone is being so kind and generous... And I really don't know what to say. Another member gifted me my membership not long after I signed up, and I'd feel AWFUL accepting a camera from another DPCer. I am touched beyond words, particularily with Kenskid's kind offer (and touching story)... But I just don't feel right accepting a camera from someone with the economy the way it is, not to mention the many kindnesses I've yet to repay.

But thankyou so much... Everyone. It won't kill me to wait a couple years, even if I can never afford a fabulous camera.

LOL David Ey.. The only way I could make use of my camera as it is would be to purposely go for the brown. It's that bad, lol.


Sometimes, you need to accept what the universe is offering and not just for your own sake.

That's what makes the world still a good place...people who offer help even though they don't have to...let them help you...it will help everyone, not just you. Then, someday, you can be the one who helps.
06/15/2011 02:52:03 PM · #16
Dare I say it..

R. Rrrrrr. Rrrrrrrrooo. RRRRRrrrrrrrroooss....

Nope, can`t say it. :)
06/15/2011 03:01:01 PM · #17
Awwww... I'm sorry to hear about your camera! I agree with what has been said. I also urge you to take advantage of the kindness that is shown here. :) You dont get that every day!
06/15/2011 03:01:18 PM · #18
I can't wait to see what you can do for the next "Straight from the Camera" challenge!
LOL! AND you can get validated for an unbelievable photo.

Please do take one of the guys up on their offer. It's not only you who gets a blessing from a transaction like that. The guy gets to feel good about himself, too. Giving is most times more fun than receiving.

I look forward to your next entries!
06/15/2011 03:54:44 PM · #19
Sorry about your camera. I see someone has offered you an old camera already. If that doesn't pan out, then let me know. I have an older Nikon Coolpix 5400 that is no longer used. All I would ask is that you cover the shipping and it's yours. In the box with all the original accessories/manuals.
06/15/2011 03:56:46 PM · #20
Originally posted by Simms:

Dare I say it..

R. Rrrrrr. Rrrrrrrrooo. RRRRRrrrrrrrroooss....

Nope, can`t say it. :)


You'd better not.

Orbs.
06/15/2011 04:44:52 PM · #21
You guys are all so nice. It touches my heart that you care so much. I'll still feel guilty, but I am going to take Kenskid up on that offer, keeping the stipulations in mind... And adding that, someday when things start going right, I am going to repay every kindness everyone has ever done for me.. On DPC and in the 'real' world. That's a promise. :)

Thank you all... SO much.
06/15/2011 04:46:53 PM · #22
Right decision :-)
06/15/2011 05:19:47 PM · #23
Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by Simms:

Dare I say it..

R. Rrrrrr. Rrrrrrrrooo. RRRRRrrrrrrrroooss....

Nope, can`t say it. :)


You'd better not.

Orbs.

I miss she-who-must-not-be-named :-)
06/15/2011 05:41:01 PM · #24
GIMP is a free processing program that you can download so you can get right into processing of images.

If you put GIMP in the search here (and select title only for the sort) you will get some discussion on it.

I understand you can add an extra download for it that makes it more like Photoshop Elements.

Lots of free tutorials on the internet.

A new camera (nice one Kenskid) and some free editing software and you're set!!
06/15/2011 07:09:40 PM · #25
Originally posted by Tolt:

You guys are all so nice. It touches my heart that you care so much. I'll still feel guilty, but I am going to take Kenskid up on that offer, keeping the stipulations in mind... And adding that, someday when things start going right, I am going to repay every kindness everyone has ever done for me.. On DPC and in the 'real' world. That's a promise. :)

Thank you all... SO much.


That's the way to do it. Know when it's appropriate to accept a well intentioned gift -- and more importantly, pay it back many times over in the future by helping someone else who's having a rough time. When you get to that spot, you'll enjoy it more than you ever enjoyed the camera, because you understand just how much it's appreciated. :D
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