Second Opinons

We all know that obtaining a second opinion on health issues can make all the difference in the world. What about other problems of life? Your car has a hard starting problem and the mechanic tells you that it needs a new computer or your transmission won’t shift into reverse and you will need a complete rebuild. Do you take his word or do you talk to another mechanic?

I have had the car problems and found solutions that fixed the issue without major expense. My wife’s car would not shift into reverse. When I heard the price for a rebuilt transmission I went into shock. As a last resort I bought some transmission conditioner and followed the instructions on the can. After all it was a $5.00 can versus many thousands for the rebuilt transmission. The conditioner worked and we drove that car for another few years.

My latest experience was with my Canon digital camera. It’s about five years old. Suddenly the viewing screen would not focus. New batteries provided no results. The instruction manual provided no worthwhile help. I took the camera into a local camera specialty shop and they told me the cost to fix the camera would most likely exceed the price of a new point and shoot camera or about $200.00. I was about to throw the camera into the trash. As a last resort I found Canon on the internet. I was advised that there was a batch of cameras that had defective sensors and my camera was most likely one of them. The short story is that in less than two weeks my camera is home and functioning just fine. My cost was the purchase of a small carton. Canon even paid for the shipping charges.

High Surf In Southern California

Waves of warm water have entered Southern California from the South Pacific.  A surfer was killed in Newport Beach when a very high wave slammed him against the rocks.  That beach is south facing and is more inclined to experience the higher waves.  Western facing beaches have had waves that are somewhat smaller but are still quite significant.  This situation has brought many surf board riders to many beaches.  Malibu Beach is western facing but it is the closest to my home. The drive is about 17 miles.  The surfers were everywhere.   The colors were enhanced using Photoshop.  Some shading did not work out as I had expected. 

A Visit to Santa Monica Pier

Toronto Is a 21st Century City

We took a five day trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada this past June.   We had a wonderful time.  This was a fortieth anniversary celebration.  I had suggested a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea but she said “no.”  You never know when you might need that IRA money for something serious.  Well she is probably right as it hurts to pull even $3,000 out.

The only part of the trip that was distasteful was the air flight.  You are squeezed in to seat spaces that are too small and too close to the next passenger unless you are in love.

Toronto is truly a city of the 21^st century because it is so international.  They seem to have almost every race, religion, and nationality represented with equal respect for all.  That is a goal the entire world should attempt to achieve.

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown on Yonge Street.  Not the most expensive hotel but certainly one of the most comfortable I have known.  Despite four full days there we did not see many sights and only left the downtown area for one day at Niagara Falls.

After all it was a holiday trip and we did sleep late and took our time.  So here is what we saw: Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, China Town, Harbour area tour(a ride out to the islands that act as a breakwater), an evening at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, Eaton Centre, and two tour bus rides  around the entire downtown area.

I took over 100 photos and that wild woman took well over 200.   Of course mine were the better pictures.  These were taken with the new Panasonic DMC -FZ28.  http://picasaweb.google.com/coastcontact/TorontoNiagaraFallsJune2009 

We are already talking about another trip to Toronto.      

Buying A Camera – Consider Alternatives

I have found no report on market share of each digital camera manufacturer.  I am sure that data exists somewhere.  When I read camera advertising in the Los Angeles Times the clear winner is Canon in terms of amount of space used for that brand.  Most of the advertising is for Canon and Nikon.  I am enrolled in a digital photography class and of 15 people but only two do not own Canon cameras.  Clearly Canon has done a better marketing job.

That is sad because there are many other brands that produce excellent products.  Consumer Reports July 2009 issue lists four brands of point and shoot cameras that are “standouts: Canon, Casio, Panasonic, and Samsung.”

There may be perfectly reasonable reasons for Panasonic and Casio poor marketing through camera shops.  One might be that by direct sales they cut out distributors and retailers and can earn more on every sale.

Perhaps auto manufacturers could sell directly to consumers.  That would certainly be one way of increasing profits.  Maybe not.

My Panasonic Lumix FZ28 is referred to as a Superzoom.  It is a point and shoot camera that looks like an SLR.  The difference is that there are no interchangeable lenses and it weighs less than 15 ounces with the battery installed.

The results I have obtained from this camera have met all of my expectations.  The super zoom goes out 428mm.  That means an object 700 feet away looks like it was right in front of me when I shoot the picture.  The high ISO rating of 6400 (In [HIGH SENS.] in scene mode, the ISO sensitivity automatically switches to between [ISO1600] and [ISO6400] and the available flash range also differs.) enable me photograph without a flash in many instances.

Panasonic Lumix FZ28

I read a review of this camera by a new user who claimed to have taken 1,000 pictures in just a week.  Unless that writer is a professional photographer I doubt that she took so many pictures during that time period.  The problem with the reviews on cameras on web sites and in magazines is that those venues rely upon camera manufacturers for advertising dollars.  The consequence is that relying on the reviews is a gamble.  That is the reason I subscribe to Consumer Reports (CR).

The photography/camera shops seem to take the attitude that they have some superior knowledge and if they sell the product the customer should accept their judegement about quality.  The overwhelming product sold at local stores in my area seems to be Canon.  The neighborhood store salesman told me its “Canon, Canon, Nikon.”  No Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, or Kodak.  Return policy?  Forget it.  You buy it, it’s yours.

Then there is Costco.  Their prices aren’t too much lower than the camera shops.  Their variety is limited. BUT their return policy is heavenly at 90 days.

So I watched their display case and saw the Panasonic Lumix FZ28.  The reviews, real and phony were mostly outstanding.  Digital Camera HQ      seems like a reliable web site.  I posted my review there too.  At least not all cameras receive an A grade.  Digital Photography Review provides detailed specifications.

In the month I have had the camera I have taken more than 50 pictures.  I am delighted with the results.  It’s an easy to use and handle camera that provides a 428mm telephoto lens that zooms to a 28mm wide angle.  The camera offers manual controls, a large viewing screen, and weighs less than a pound.

I have a Canon A70 and bought my wife a Canon A560.  I am used to their controls and so I have a learning curve for the controls but they are easy to learn.

AA Batteries vs. Proprietary Batteries

I bought a Panasonic DMC-FZ28 camera from Costco. With a 90 day return policy and good reviews on the camera I believe the choice was wise. However, the camera has a proprietary lithium battery. A low battery warning light appeared about 3p.m. Sunday afternoon. Two hours later I was able to continue learning about the camera. The cost of an additional battery is $25.00. Now I am wondering if these batteries might not be available in the future and that would obsolete the camera. AA batteries are available almost everywhere (like a general store in Yosemite or in Paris?).

So is the light weight lithium battery really that good if the cost is high and the availability is in doubt? Send me your opinion!