Kodak v550

Why is charging the battery in the camera such a crime?

Kodak have done this since year dot. And I'm no Kodak fan...

T.
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

The movie mode is pretty good. In bright light, the pictures are great. In
dim light, the pictures are ok. Camera is fast and easy to use. There is
not much user control but plenty of picture modes that resolve alot of the
problems created by lack of manual mode. The LCD is gorgeous and much
better than most of the compitition. Easily fits in a shirt pocket.

Over all, works like an instamatic that takes very nice pictures most of the
time.

Biggest downfall. A really pitiful little battery that can only be charged
in the camera. Kodak should be ashamed. On the upside a second battery is
reletively cheap. I do wonder If I will need a third.


"Ron Baird" wrote in message

> wrote:
>
> >I've been looking around for a replacement for my really old HP 120
> >(it's 1 MP). I was thinking of getting a kodak v550 or v530. I was
> >wondering if anyone knows much about them. Are they very tough and
> >strong enough to survive being knocked around a bit? Would you
> >recommend them? Out of those two which would you choose, or would you
> >stay away from them altogether?
> >Any advise would be very much appreciateed.
> >Thanks
> >
> >
> >
> Greetings Ben,
>
> I have been experimenting with this model as it has some very attractive
> features, i.e. you can take movies and capture stills from the movie.
> Pretty nice feature. Of course, it is not as good as taking a still
> picture normally, but then you do get a movie. Personally, I like it a
> lot. It not only does the movie feature but it is quite compact, easily
> fits in your shirt pocket, has a very big viewscreen, and the controls
> are done well. I suggest you review the camera online for additional
> options and make a trip to a local store so you can get a hands on
> review. For me, how you it feels in your hands is 50% of the choice.
>
> For a 5 megapixel camera the camera is really nice.
>
> Talk to you soon, Ben, let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Ron Baird
> Eastman Kodak Company
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

Well you got me there...

When I was using my Kodak I always charged it the night before to make
sure it was fine for a days shooting.

I use an SLR now that takes ordinary AA nimhs...

Still... if you use your brains and plan a bit.

T.
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

On 17 Nov 2005 20:09:13 -0800, tlai909.RemoveThis@visto.com wrote:

> Why is charging the battery in the camera such a crime?
>
> Kodak have done this since year dot. And I'm no Kodak fan...

Kinda hard to charge batteries if you want to continue taking
pictures. A sad solution would be to buy a second backup camera and
use it as a battery charger.
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

On 17 Nov 2005 22:24:36 -0800, tlai909.RemoveThis@visto.com wrote:

> When I was using my Kodak I always charged it the night before to make
> sure it was fine for a days shooting.

That's usually what I do, and it's the rare day that I'll need
more than a single set of batteries. But it does happen.


> I use an SLR now that takes ordinary AA nimhs...

Just a lowly Fuji P&S here, but it also uses AAs. I tested it
earlier this year and found that the batteries lasted slightly
longer than specified in the manual (couple hundred with alkalines,
double that with NiMH, and this with heavy use of the flash). I
just checked the manual for the latest version of the camera and see
that battery life has increased to 500 shots per charge for NiMH.
If lithium batteries were as inexpensive (and available in standard
sizes) I wouldn't mind using them, but cameras have improved to the
point that they're not really needed any more in many cases. If
flash isn't used, btw, I estimate that the NiMH batteries should be
good for about 2000 shots per charge. Not too many years ago there
were much simpler cameras that couldn't reach 20 shots.


> Still... if you use your brains and plan a bit.

I had to keep the neurons firing with my old camera. With the
exceptional battery life of my current one that's hardly needed any
more. It's virtually idiot-proof.
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

The battery will not work for a days shooting, THAT is the problem. A
pitiful little battery and no easy way to keep extra charged batteries. You
have to charge the battery in the camera the night before, take out the
charged battery and put it somewhere safe, put in the second flat battery
charge it the remember to bring the first battery when you leave. A bigger
battery would have been great, a seperate optional battery charger would
have been awsome.

If Kodak would have planned a little bit, I would have to use my brains as
much.

Shame on you Kodak.

Other than that, I do really like the camera.

My old camera used AA's, life was easy. I had three sets. One in the
camera, one in the pocket and one in the charger. Each set lasted several
days of heavy shooting (for me) and I never had a problem. The kodak
battery only lasts a few hours of heavy shooting and then they are done. I
don't take many pictures (kids getting older) so not a huge problem but it
would have driven us crazy a few years ago.

Now having a camera that is convenient is the most important feature and the
v550 fits the bill.


wrote in message

> Well you got me there...
>
> When I was using my Kodak I always charged it the night before to make
> sure it was fine for a days shooting.
>
> I use an SLR now that takes ordinary AA nimhs...
>
> Still... if you use your brains and plan a bit.
>
> T.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

Also I'd imagine Kodak charge a king's ransom for their batteries???

T.
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

tlai909.TakeThisOut@visto.com wrote:
> Why is charging the battery in the camera such a crime?
>
> Kodak have done this since year dot. And I'm no Kodak fan...
>
> T.
>
Given an option, I would rather charge the batteries OUT of the camera
so I can take pictures while a battery is charging..


--
Ron Hunter rphunter.TakeThisOut@charter.net
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

tlai909.TakeThisOut@visto.com wrote:
> Well you got me there...
>
> When I was using my Kodak I always charged it the night before to make
> sure it was fine for a days shooting.
>
> I use an SLR now that takes ordinary AA nimhs...
>
> Still... if you use your brains and plan a bit.
>
> T.
>
Hummm. Scenario:
I was on an Alaskan Cruise, heading for Sawyer Glacier. The scenery on
both sides was breathtaking. After taking a couple of hundred shots, my
camera battery warning came on. So, I just popped in another set of AA
NIMH batteries, and kept shooting. Had I needed to charge the batteries
IN the camera, I would have missed the glacier, and the return trip. NO
WAY would I deal with a camera that was out of action for hours any time
the battery was discharged!


--
Ron Hunter rphunter.TakeThisOut@charter.net
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550 

tlai909 RemoveThis @visto.com wrote:
> Also I'd imagine Kodak charge a king's ransom for their batteries???
>
> T.
>
Not really. Prices for that battery range from $13 to $30. Not too bad
for a Li-ion battery.
Still, an optional external charger would be a nice accessory.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter RemoveThis @charter.net
 >> Stay informed about: Kodak v550