[poulh]

So my grandma wants to get my grandpa wants a digital camera.

He has a 350 mhz iMac running os9. His computer came with a free hp printer. Not great, but it does the job.


Since he got his first computer when he was 80 his knowledge of the thing is pretty limited.

I do not want to upgrade him to osX because buying a camera would then involve buying him a ton of new software and we would quickly go over budget.

Since there is no iPhoto on os9 here is my plan.

Buy him Photoshop Elements. This has a file browser program that shows thumbnails. It also can ratio-crop pictures (granted, not as simply as iPhoto, but it can do it.

Buy him a card reader (this way he sees a disk on his desktop and it seems easy enough).


Is this a good plan??? Do any cameras save pictures in 4x6 format (instead of 4x3 like my Olympus)? This would save a step. Is any of the camera manufacturer's software good enough that I can skip PS Elements? I had an Epson camera wayyyyyy back and importing photos was a pain. We eventually bought a card reader.

What else can I do to make this easier for him?

[Superchicken]

Fuji's fine pix series is really good. The finepix 3 megapixel has a dock that charges it and has the USB in it so it's easy to transfer and charge, and the icon shows up on the desktop so you don't need a card reader. IT works just like connecting a disk drive.
But their software they suply is no PS Elements... elements = way better.

[poulh]

Do you know if the fugi camera can take 4x6 shots w/out having to do any cropping?

[MoontaMacman]

I have an iMac 333 and I assume yours also has USB - darn it I know it does <s> - most modern cameras with USB connection should not need a card reader - I just plug my Oly E10 straight into the USB for downloading- I know Sony also work.

I guess what I am saying is "Why do you need a card reader?" - use the cash to buy a second memory card for the camera of choice.
I have not used PE other than a brief test run- I use Photoshop 7 - but I think Elements sounds like a wise choice.
As for the camera itself- how much cash is the primary question- the media type is worth thinking about- at present CF has an advantage but really all of them are OK if used from the camera
Oh yes -personally I have never liked iPhoto - it duplicates images and renames thhem - or used to when I tried it last - and other than for playing around it holds no appeal for me. I use iView Pro and Photoshop but as I said for grandpa the Elements should be great.

Canon cameras come with some great software including Photostitch for making panoramas

my two pence worth

Ron

[Chazzmandu]

This is the easiest camera to shoot with and to download pictures (and video clips): the Kodak EasyShare LS420.
http://www.kodak.com/go/ls420

Very simple controls and interface.

Comes with the camera dock, which:
. transfers pictures and
. recharges the Li-Ion battery.

Also comes with EasyShare software, which makes viewing, editing, emailing, and printing pictures easy.

8 MB of internal memory.
2 Picture quality settings.
Accepts an optional MMC or SD card.

Maybe the most beautiful thing is the size of the camera - it's truly pocket-sized.

Pricegrabber.com lists the cheapest locations. Enjoy!