I decided to buy the Canon PowerShot A40 and did so. The closest camera I have to that is my Minolta XD11, circa 1980. The M4-2 & the Bessa R2 aren't even close, so I have to learn something new now. It was also my last day at work. Retirement! I suppose a scanner is next. I have not been with this forum very long, but you are all pretty decent. John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 31, 2002

Answers

Any lenses you want to sell? Looking for a mint 35 pre asph cron. Thanks.

-- John Abela (jamriman@yahoo.com), May 31, 2002.

Hi John; welcome to the digital world!

The digital cameras tend to EAT batteries..I have 2 sets of the new type rechargeable AA for my Olympus..When shooting alot of photos I have one set in the charger and one set in the camera.....These new batteries have a very high capacity; but they self discharge alot faster than older types..

If you charge up a set tonight; and then use the camera 3 weeks from now you may run out of gas when using the camera..It is wise to charge up the set the day before usage....

My no name 2 year old barbie pink batteries that came with my Olympus hold their charge well....My NEWER name brand AA rechargeables are great if just charged up within a FEW days; but they always let me down if they have not been charged in 10 days....Kelly

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 31, 2002.

Hey, Kelly. I bought a charger and two sets of the NiMH batteries. Learning how to use the camera looks to be a daunting task. Bear in mind, I am accustomed to an MR4 meter! With the XD11, I used the aperature priority function. This Canon is really something. I also bought an extra 64mb card. Thanks, John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 31, 2002.

I found that rechargable AA batteries are a pain in the ass to keep track of. If you don't deplete them before recharging most STILL develop a memory. The only chargers worth anything are the type that allow you to "refresh" the batteries to wipe out any accumulated memory. Now, I just use Duracell "Ultras" and replace them when depleted. Plus, they don't run down if you don't use the camera, even for months.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), June 01, 2002.

Marc; good point about having some NON rechargeables on hand...My good friend uses a Olympus 3030 3.3? Megapixel camera...He uses 2 sets of new type rechargeables; PLUS always carries either a set of duracells or lithiums.....These will work in an emergency.....they cost more, but are alot more predictable as to their life...They tend not to wimp out at the wrong moment

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), June 01, 2002.

Yes, rechargeables have their good points: economy, good cold- weather performance, and high current delivery (an issue for flash guns). But for sheer energy storage, you can't beat an alkaline.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), June 04, 2002.