Impossible Task

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  • 06-07-2004, 04:18 PM
    Ultra Magnus
    Impossible Task
    I've been challenged with the nearly impossible task of teaching my technology challenged mother-in-law how to use my Sony F828. My father-in-law is going to a vietnam veterans reunion this July and my dear wife suggested that she take our camera and learn how to use it to take some good pictures for printing in a photo book done by many of the popular web based digital photo printing services. To put this into perspective, she has great difficulty using the television remote control. Ya know, with multi-function remotes, how you can press the tv, satelite, vcr, aux buttons to control different devices, she can't manage to figgure out what to press to change the chanel or the volume. Not very confidence inspiring. So, wish me luck!
  • 06-07-2004, 05:02 PM
    kkraczek
    Good luck... I sense many meditation/therapy sessions in your future! ;)
  • 06-08-2004, 07:26 AM
    Ultra Magnus
    Thanks....
  • 06-08-2004, 08:17 AM
    Lemming51
    I think she'd be much, much better served by sending her with a very simple point & shoot, or a couple single-use film cameras. With the F828 there are simply too many buttons, too much confusing information in the viewfinder and LCD display, too much risk of batteries going south, etc. Have the negatives or prints scanned, or even use Kodak's single-use "Plus Digital" camera that returns the photos on CD as well as the prints and negatives.
  • 06-08-2004, 08:23 AM
    Sebastian
    Why not just put it on auto and show her what button to push?
  • 06-08-2004, 08:30 AM
    ACArmstrong
    That's exactly what I was thinking, Sebastian. It can be a fairly advanced camera, or it can be an expensive "point and shoot"

    If it's like the F717 - the auto button is even GREEN, so it's not hard to mistake.

    Either way - good luck.
  • 06-08-2004, 08:36 AM
    Sebastian
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ACArmstrong
    That's exactly what I was thinking, Sebastian. It can be a fairly advanced camera, or it can be an expensive "point and shoot"

    If it's like the F717 - the auto button is even GREEN, so it's not hard to mistake.

    Either way - good luck.

    Man I miss my 717... :(
  • 06-08-2004, 10:58 AM
    ACArmstrong
    I love my F717 - but thanks to YOU PEOPLE ;p I'm now on track to buy a D70 and three lenses to add to the freakin' collection. [insert rolling eyes icon here]
  • 06-08-2004, 11:10 AM
    Sebastian
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ACArmstrong
    I love my F717 - but thanks to YOU PEOPLE ;p I'm now on track to buy a D70 and three lenses to add to the freakin' collection. [insert rolling eyes icon here]

    Hey, don't get on our case, we're just as sick as you. I say it's the marketing department's fault, for whatever companies you own equipment from. Luckily, I have somehow been able to bring this afliction under control. I haven't bought anything in months. Well, except for the G5, but I just sold that so...dammit. Back to step one...
  • 06-08-2004, 11:40 AM
    Ultra Magnus
    That's what I plan to do... But, I feel I need to cover enough bases in case she accidentally puts it in a wrong mode or turns the flash off or to replay pictures & stuff... I think I'll go though some real withdrawls being w/o a camera for a week. I'll bet that tons of photo opportunities will present themselves out of spite.
  • 06-08-2004, 12:00 PM
    Sebastian
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bmadau
    That's what I plan to do... But, I feel I need to cover enough bases in case she accidentally puts it in a wrong mode or turns the flash off or to replay pictures & stuff... I think I'll go though some real withdrawls being w/o a camera for a week. I'll bet that tons of photo opportunities will present themselves out of spite.

    GAFFERS TAPE, cover up ANYTHING that may be counter-productive. Leave her with only the bare necessities, power and shutter. :D
  • 06-08-2004, 12:06 PM
    Ultra Magnus
    lol :) Pretty funny..