Help! My baby brother is going to "Iraq....

[salamalala]

I am so sad!!! Anyway, I have two weeks to buy him a camera and film to take along. He said he is happy with disposables but YECH! my family wants to get him a decent camera so he can have some decent photos as keepsakes. He could care less, so I want it to be super simple for him. I am planning to get a camera from the Olympus Stylus line. Most likely the Epic since I have heard nothing but good things. It will all come down to what I can find, at what price and how much my family decides to spend. Anyway what about film? I have been using Portra NC for my own personal photos and he commented on how great they look. I have an Olympus SLR. I thought about getting him some Portra, but at $5 a roll for a guy who is happy with disposables?? I figure there has to be something in the middle. I want to give him all one speed, so he doesnt have to think about anything just pop it in and shoot. I also want him to end up with decent photos in the end. Should I just go get a bunch of Fuji at walmart???? There is always the possibility stuff could get lost or stolen, and I have no idea what kind of processing he will have access too. Any comments would be great. Thank you!!!

[Speed]

I am so sad!!! Anyway, I have two weeks to buy him a camera and film to take along. He said he is happy with disposables but YECH! my family wants to get him a decent camera so he can have some decent photos as keepsakes. He could care less, so I want it to be super simple for him. I am planning to get a camera from the Olympus Stylus line. Most likely the Epic since I have heard nothing but good things. It will all come down to what I can find, at what price and how much my family decides to spend. Anyway what about film? I have been using Portra NC for my own personal photos and he commented on how great they look. I have an Olympus SLR. I thought about getting him some Portra, but at $5 a roll for a guy who is happy with disposables?? I figure there has to be something in the middle. I want to give him all one speed, so he doesnt have to think about anything just pop it in and shoot. I also want him to end up with decent photos in the end. Should I just go get a bunch of Fuji at walmart???? There is always the possibility stuff could get lost or stolen, and I have no idea what kind of processing he will have access too. Any comments would be great. Thank you!!!

The Olympus Stylus is a great little P&S camera. And they are not expensive, so it won't break you.

As for film, I highly recommend Fuji's Superia Xtra 400. Four roll packs are about $7.00. Great detail, great colors, and it's fast. It's what I use as my everyday film and for weddings. It's also great for sports (indoors and outdoors). It should fill the bill quite nicely.

Hope this helps.

[Tuna]

My suggestion - Olympus Stylus DIGITAL. A couple of large storage cards (takes xd cards, I believe) and he'll have no worries trying to keep track of film, processing, etc.

Here's hoping that his trip is a safe one and that he returns with some great pics...

Tuna

[salamalala]

I dont know how much computer access he will have over there. Digitial is great if you have a computer and accessories but I dont think it is practical for him at this time. Anyway thanks for your help.

[Todd Patten]

I dont know how much computer access he will have over there. Digitial is great if you have a computer and accessories but I dont think it is practical for him at this time. Anyway thanks for your help.

Depending on the unit, many have computer access that rivals those of us here. A friend of ours is over there and his wife sends pictures all the time. I think it's harder for him to get photos out -- given the prison abuse images -- but there is decent communication.

salamalala -- I wish the best for your brother. It kills me to see those young men and women going over there for so long. They are making an incredible sacrifice. Out friend has missed out on his oldests sons first t-ball games, his 5th birthday, and his graduation from pre-school. He's missed watching his youngest boy go from being a baby to becoming a little man. It's hard for everyone involved.