Wenonas Blog

Axis 0272001 247S Camera Description:

1 channel, high quality video up to 30/25 fps in all resolutions. Simultaneous Motion JPEG and MPEG-4. One-way audio, motion detection and security package including HTTPS encryption. Powered over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) with power out for the analog came

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108969 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Axis
• Model: 0272-001
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 4.20″ h x 7.50″ w x 9.90″ l, 3.15 pounds

Features

• Made By: AXIS COMMUNICATIONS INC
• Model Number: 0272-001
• See Description
• See Description

Customer Reviews:

POLAROID DVC-00725F 720P HD Camcorder with 2.7-inch LCD Description:

POLAROID DVC-00725F 720P HD Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33651 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Polaroid
• Model: DVC-00725F
• Dimensions: 4.61″ h x 2.20″ w x 2.56″ l, .75 pounds

Features

• Captures 720P Of High-Definition Video & Stores It On A Secure Digital Card(Tm)
• Capable Of 5.0 Megapixel Digital Still Photos
• 2.7-Inch Bright Color Widescreen Lcd For Previewing Video & Images Before Shooting
• 4X Digital Zoom
• 5X Optical Zoom

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Camera for Windows Users
Initial Impression:

I just received this item and am happy to report that it works flawlessly. I made a few test recordings of my wife and dogs to a Class 6 8GB SDHC card (over 3 hours recording time), transferred to my computer, and compiled a video in windows movie maker with transitions, audio mixing, and credits in a matter of minutes. It seemed as though the video was not quite as crisp as true 720p HDTV, but the shots were made at night and indoors. Maybe better lighting or outdoor shots could be crisper, but what i got is still adequate and leaps and bounds better than any camcorder i owned in the past. I used a $20 tripod that i got specifically for this. Works just fine.

Pros:

+ Captures in AVI format. Most other SD camcorders at this price range capture in .MOV, which is essentially incompatible with windows. The AVI recordings can be transferred to your computer and used with the free windows movie maker (vista home premium) to make quality HD projects.

+Camera is very small and light. It’s smaller than a Coke can. It looks very tiny on top of the tripod i got. Also allows you to get a cheap tripod because there’s not much weight to be supported. Size and price also make the camera very portable. You’re likely to take it with you where you’d be inclined to leave your more expensive or heavier camera at home.

+Quality glass lens: with a focal length of 34mm, it has much better optical quality than other cameras with essentially a pinhole and a plastic cover over it.

+Price: The camera is very cheap, peripherals are cheap too. I picked up a $20 tripod and a couple of batteries for a little over $2 each, and an equally cheap charger (bargaincell). Also, 8GB SDHC Class 6 cards can be had for about $20.

+No time limits: You can essentially keep recording as long as you want by swapping batteries and memory cards on the fly. Other cameras (like the sony) have a built-in battery which make this impossible. The low price of batteries and memory cards for this camera make this a very affordable option.

Cons:

-Sound is weak: Other reviewers noted this, and it’s true. The sound is kind of bad, people need to speak up, and background noise is picked up. It’s not terribly bad, but it certainly could be better. I’d consider this a non-issue, since I plan on doing considerable audio mixing, narrating, subtitling, etc on post-production. If there’s dialog you plan to capture, you should use a separate high-quality sound recorder anyhow and mix the audio track during editing phase.

-Video Quality: It’s not 1080p, but good 1080p cameras are typically thousands of dollars. I also have a hard time calling this 720p, since that’s supposed to be 60fps. I’d call 1280×720@30 720i, but since the image is not interlaced, technically it’s progressive scan, or “p” — it could still be confusing for some people, though. Also, the video quality is not quite as crisp as true 720p HDTV content, but it comes pretty close. It looks like a home video, rather than an NFL production, but you have to remind yourself that in the end, it IS a home video. The quality is still better than standard DVDs, though, and MUCH better than old-style tape-based camcorders.

Final Thoughts:

The quality of your entire experience will depend on many factors. If you have a slow or low-capacity memory card you may have slow frame rates, pixelation, blurriness, etc, since it may not be able to keep up with the required bitrate during recording. Also, recording is only the first step. You have to transfer the video to a computer to do the final editing. Just plug in the camera to the computer’s USB port, and the memory card shows up as a removable drive. All you have to do is copy the video files from the camera to your chosen raw video repository folder on your local machine (happens in a matter of seconds). If you are running a windows-based system, this camera makes editing very easy. If you have a mac this may not be the case, but who cares? There are a plethora of camcorders that record MOV. Get one of those instead.

Once on the computer, what hardware/software/OS you have will certainly play a role in the quality of your final product and how long it takes to render. On my X2 4400 Athlon with 2GB DDR, it took about a minute to render a 45 second project. In the future, I’ll probably do the final rendering on my Phenom X4 9550 4GB DDR2 GTX 260 HTPC machine (my main [living room] entertainment PC). Either way, assembling and rendering a project with windows vista movie maker was very easy and very free. You’re ready to go as soon as you get the video files on your hard drive. You don’t need anything else. In fact, i didn’t even bother to install the software that came with the camera.

In the end, if you have an up-to-date system and some basic computer knowledge, you can make some exceptional video products, and this camera plays very nice with the existing tools. There’s absolutely no need to make any changes to the video format coming from the camera and loose time and quality along the way.

This is without a doubt the best camera available for the price, and in my opinion it’s even better than many other cameras that are several hundreds of dollars more.

Just because it says HD doesn’t make it high quality
I’ve only had this camera for two days but I have already found several things wrong with it, and the only redeeming feature is it’s really cheap so what the heck. Oh, and it comes with lots of cables–that’s good. Now that we have that out of the way, here are the drawbacks.

1. The first thing I noticed as soon as I took it out of the box is that there is no cover for the lens. And since it doesn’t come with any kind of a case, unless you go to more expense and get one, as you toss this around in your backpack while traveling or whatever, the glass is going to get scratched, smeared and possibly broken. I guess then you buy a new one. Kind of like ink cartridges. Maybe Amazon can add this to the subscribe-and-save program.

2. The video quality is pretty disappointing. I don’t know much about these things, but since the bit rate is fairly high (5.5Mbps) it seems like the codec is not up to snuff. Fairly static shots look good but when there’s movement then there’s lots of pixilation and other atrifacts.

3. The camera turns on any time you open the viewfinder, which some might find useful but it’s not a setting that can be changed. I had it in my backpack and it kept coming on and going off for some unknown reason (I could hear it chime on and off).

4. You have to open the viewfinder and then open a sliding cover to plug in the power cord, which goes in the mini-USB jack. So there’s a cover for the input connectors, but not for the lens.

5. The sound is only mono. How much would it have cost to add a second mic and provide stereo?

6. The software is not compatible with Mac. The video files can be viewed in Mac Quicktime, but to import it into iLife ‘09 you have to convert them.

7. You *have* to buy a memory card. The built-in memory is good for about 30 seconds of video. Polaroid could easily have built in 1GB memory for a few cents more, so not doing it is another way of trying to get your money (Polaroid recommends you only use Polaroid SD memory–yeah, right!).

The bottom line is that the camera comes off as being cheap. That’s the nice thing about it!

Great Little Camcorder Bargain
I got mine online for one nineteen. You can’t touch the quality of this camera for anywhere near that price. It’s a great bargain. Gives very good quality video. I find the best stable picture is obtained by holding the camcorder in right hand while supporting the flipped out LCD screen with your left. Sunny outdoor video seemed a little “warm” when set to Auto White Balance. Changing the setting to Outdoors created accurate full sharp color video. Indoors also benefited from setting it to the appropriate setting such as tungsten or flourescent. Indoor video suffered somewhat with increased graininess in low light. I use 2gb standard speed SD cards as well as 8gb SDHC hispeed Class 6. 48mins of highest quality recording (HD) with 2gb. Over 3hrs with the 8gb. No reason to choose any lower quality setting. 2gb cards are so cheap nowadays, you can afford to fill it with video and save the card for posterity. That used to be the main factor when selecting mini-dv tape over flash drives or hard disk camcorders. You could archive your precious recordings very cheaply with tape. Now you can do it with the convenience of SD memory cards.

I did not like the Polaroid ArcSoft software used for making DVDs from your captured video. It compressed the video into 720X576 (highest defition available) and 4:3 aspect ratio from 728mb avi to 230mb for a 19min video. But it did come with the camera. I prefer to use the raw avi files straight from the camera, played thru my Western Digital HD Media Player (ninety-nine dollars). Or just hook up the camera via the supplied HDMI cable to your HDTV and watch the uncompressed high quality video.

Pro: Bargain price for a quality camera. Comes with HDMI cable.
Takes very good video. Battery lasts a long time; can easily record 48mins on 2gb card on a charge.

Con: On-Off is by opening the LCD screen. Sometimes the camera will start to come on (it only sounds the opeing tune, then shuts down) in camera bag when the various function buttons are jostled. AVI clips are made at every record-pause cycle, not a continuous avi clip for each power on-off cycle. Not a big problem but you end up with many many small avi clips that need to be joined if you want one avi movie.

I have the latest Canon Mini-DV HD camcorder that cost over six hundred. The HD video on the Canon is only slightly better than the Polaroid. Actually very tough to see in the sharpness or color of the video. Maybe video from panning motion is the biggest difference. But most flash camcorders suffer from this phenomenon. Of course, Canon offers more zoom, better manual control, etc but nothing I’d call a show stopper. The Polaroid will be with me when I go to the beach or other high “risk” areas when I want video, leaving the “precious” Canon home.

Bottomline: Even at one fortynine, this is a bargain for a quality camcorder.

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Product: Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Review. List Price: $950.00 Amazon Price: $649.00 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM. This super-wide angle lens has a maximum aperture of F3.5 throughout the entire zoom range. With its wide angle view from 102.4 degrees it can produce striking images with exaggerated perspective. The maximum aperture of F3.5 is ideal for indoor shooting and it enables photographers to emphasize the subject. Two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements and a SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element provide excellent correction of color aberration. Four aspherical lenses provide correction for distortion and allow compact and lightweight construction. The Super Multi-Layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The incorporation of HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet and high-speed auto focus as well as full-time manual focusing capability. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4 inches (24cm) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:6.6. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing system which eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the Petal-type hood and polarizing filter. The Petal-type hood blocks extraneous light and reduces internal reflection.

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: 10-20mm f/2.5 EX Canon
• Dimensions: 3.50″ h x 3.40″ w x 3.40″ l, 1.14 pounds

Features

• Super-Wide: 10-20 with maximum aperture of F3.5 throughout entire zoom range
• Includes: Petal-type Hood supplied
• Filter Size: 82mm

Outstanding lens
When I bought the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 14 months ago, I didn’t know what to expect. I never used a 3rd party lens or an ultra wide-angle, but I quickly learned to love the lens and the opportunities it created. Having said goodbye to the lens a week ago (still kicking), I decided to give this new slightly faster model for a spin.

Currently reviews or even sample photos are sparse, and even some details seem elusive, so lets start in the beginning:

* Like the predecessor, this model features HSM, so all Nikon DSLR users can benefit from this lens (D700, D3, and D3x users will only get a cropped view)
* Also like its predecessor, its a hefty well-built lens that’s made in Japan
* It’s comparable in size and weight to the original, but the 82mm front threads take some getting used to
* While the older model did not extend at 10mm and extended barely at the “long” end, the new one is flush from 16-13mm, and extends slightly at both the wide and the long end.
* the EX finish is a tad more refined, and it now features an AF/MF switch (full time override is available in AF). The focus ring is somewhat stiff, but has a nice movement to it. AF is blazing!
* Sigma seems to have revised the rear element a bit with an added piece of plastic to minimize reflections
* You also get an extra aperture blade for better bokeh and much better sunstars
* Just in case you are wondering, this lens works just like a Nikon lens with full functionality

I’ll post photos, but in general its the equal or better to the earlier lens. At the wide end the extra 1/3 stop is barely worth mentioning, but at the wide end, you get 1 1/3 stop more light. The changes do go beyond that, as there now is ELD glass as well as SLD (in the previous version), and there is more aspheric glass. If this doesn’t mean anything to you, just know this all helps it be a great lens!

This is a very challenging focal length to design for, especially if cost and size are a concern, so there is no perfect lens in this range. That being said, Sigma seemed to have used their experience with a previous 10-20mm to create a highly refined and very capable lens. If shooting at f/3.5 you will see some softness in the corners, but frankly it’s not that limiting. Stopping down to f/5.6 helps a lot with gains in between, and it peeks at f/8-11 (maybe f/13 on a 6mp sensor).

Coming from an 18-## zoom? You’ll get a whole new perspective, an opportunity to explore a new world of photography, and get to work with a lens of much better construction than a kit lens.

Coming from another ultra-wide angle? It may not be worth the switch (I sold my other one for a variety of reasons), but you almost get the speed of the Tokina AT-X116PRDXN AT-X PRO DX 11-16mm Ultra-wide Angle Lens for Nikon and you get a faster aperture and more useful zoom range than first gen ultra-wides such as the Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens or Tokina AT-XAF124DXN 12-24mm Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon.

Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 vs Nikon 16-85 3.5-5.6 VR II
I compared performance and test images taken with the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 against my Nikon 16-85 VRII, which I consider to be my sharpest lens. The photos were taken with a Nikon D5000, tripod mounted, no digital sharpening, of fixed targets on my living room wall at about six feet. The targets consisted of newspaper at the corners and a large US map in the center, with a variety of detail and some color. Illumination was provided by house lamps and a photo flood light. The photos were compared side by side at 200% enlargement.

The Sigma 10-20 was not as sharp as the Nikon 16-85 in the very center of the image at comparable focal lengths (16mm and 20mm) and apertures, although was very close by f/5 and nearly the same at f/8. At the edges of the image however, the Sigma 10-20 was as sharp or sharper and had better contrast at all f-stops tested (3.5-8). I have no lens to compare the Sigma 10-20 to at shorter focal lengths but Imaging Resource tests indicate good to very good sharpness, similar to the older Sigma 10-20.

Focus speed with the Sigma 10-20 is very fast and quiet, similar to the Nikon 16-85. There is some variation in auto focus reproducibility but seems to be within a reasonable margin of error and will likely not be noticable in most photographs. The zoom action of the Sigma is smoother than the Nikon. The lens is somewhat larger and heavier than the Nikon.

Chromatic aberration/color fringing has been reported as being an issue with many wide angle lenses, including this lens. I will comment on this after shooting some high contrast scenes outdoors if I feel it is significant.

This is my second copy of the lens. The first copy appeared to have a slight back focus problem at 10mm at short focal distances as indicated by variations in auto focus performance vs manual focus to achieve optimal sharpness. Optically, the first copy appeared as sharp as this one and likely would have been acceptable to most users.

First edit 9-30-09: Outdoor shots posted in the gallery. The lens performed well in the field yielding good color and contrast. Flaring is visible as the lens is tilted towards the sun. I used my baseball cap to shade the lens and would also recommend the lens hood in most situations. At 10mm, sharpness is acceptable at f3.5 in the center and quite soft at the edges. Sharpness at the edges seems fairly good by f4.5. Color fringing is quite evident in high contrast areas near the edges of the image however it was not so bright as to apppear in uncorrected 8×10 prints. Also it was quite easy to reduce the fringing to a non-issue with CA correction using Adobe CS4. Auto focus was accurate. Overall I’m quite pleased with this lens and I’d say it outperforms my expectations for sharpness and vignetting but I wish the CA was better controlled. I will keep this lens, however the older version (f4-5.6) is reported to be as good or perhaps better in some respects so I’d recommend the f3.5 lens only if the constant aperature is of interest to you.

Didn’t Believe It Til I Saw IT
Bought this lens with the idea that if it didn’t perform to a professional standard, I’d return it. I LOVE the security I get from Amazon with the 30 day return policy.

Long story short, I’ve shot about 200 floral shots close up and macro equivalent. Virtually all are keepers–and I’ve already committed a number to gallery wrap canvas in 16×24 prints from Mpix. Got them today and they are, in short, phenomenal.

I am still debating the Nikon 12-24 2.8 as I use both a D90 and D700 to maximize my focal lengths given I have 20 or so Nikon lenses ranging in age from 2009 vintage to 1975 glass.

All are great and I have three other Sigma lenses as well–none is as fun and accurate as this one. When time permits and budget allows, I’ll do a comparison of the Nikon 12-24 but let’s face it–it cost three times as much and is generally considered Nikon’s tour de force.

If you buy this f3.5 Sigma, I cannot imagine you will be anything but happy.

Good luck–I will be looking for additional feedback.

Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras Product: Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras Sale-$389.00! List Price: $599.95 Amazon Price: $389.00 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras

The Pentax interchangeable lens system provides a complete line of high-quality lenses to satisfy your every creative need. Offering a wide range of focal lengths, functions and effects for different formats, Pentax lenses are designed to maximize each camera’s capabilities.

• Brand: Pentax
• Model: B0001DBZKK
• Dimensions: 3.90″ h x 4.50″ w x 7.20″ l, .75 pounds

Features

• Designed for proprietary PENTAX Kaf Mount
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens for superior sharpness and color correction
• Responsive Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant shift from AF to MF
• Image circle is designed to match the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs
• Convert focal length to 24.5mm-69mm with *ist D (optional)

Old prime fanatic finally slips into the Zoom world
I was one of those holdouts that carried lots of prime lenses, disdaining zooms as “a compromise”. No doubt, I missed some fine lenses because of this.

The lens that sold me on zooms is this lens, the 16-45 f/4 Pentax. The lack of distortion, the contrast, the fine color control, all finally convinced me that a zoom can perform some of the functions of a prime.

I’ve been using this lens for a while. In my studio, the 50mm primes have become the main portrait lenses with the digital cameras. But now, I’m not afraid to use a zoom lens on a job. A big step for me!

It extends quite far when zooming, a fact I don’t like, and for those who care, the on-camera flash is blocked by the lens hood (I use studio strobe, so it’s of no import to me). As a modern lens, it has a polycarbonate barrel (they don’t seem to be inclined to make zooms in the Lmited series. Too bad).

If I could use it on the film cameras, I probably would. No aperture ring means it’s definitely meant for the current cameras.

Despite all that, I highly recommend this lens. It’s a great “walk around” lens, going from very wide to moderate telephoto (remember, it’s for the APS-C sensors). Image quality is astounding to an old grouch who loves primes, and even for a lens in general it’s right up there.

If you’re faced with the choice of the kit lens or this lens, take the 16-45. If you are serious about your craft, or you make a living at it, it’s well worth the price!

The Pentax 16-45mm f4 is a Keeper.
Ditto Dana G’s review. I migrated from a pretty extensive Nikon film system, and have used all kinds of other brands of film camera equipment, either on assignment or as a community college photo instructor during the 70’s and 80’s. I tried a variety of zooms, including varifocals with ELD glass. They were visibly softer than their equivalent single-focal-length counterparts. I noticed this after I had spent a long time using one particular varifocal. One day I switched back to a prime and when the prints came in, WOW! You could even tell with a casual glance at a 3X5 proof, that there was a huge difference. And the wide angle range in those 1970′5 and 80’s zooms alway seemed extra soft and distorted. So I just gave up on zooms until I experienced digital.

I’m not one of those people who photographs charts. But I’ve a LOT of experience looking at real world images. In fact, as long as the lens seems to be working I don’t really pay attention to it. However, in this case, I was shooting some photos of rocks along the Maine coast, from a tripod, and I decided to try to use a few Pentax prime lenses–a 40mm SMCP DA 2.8 and the Pentax FA 50mm 1.4–just to see if zooms had improved. All shots were in the 35-60 mm range, around f5.6-f8. When I uploaded these images into Photoshop, I was flabbergasted. The 16-45 mm gave nicer color and was at least as sharp as the two primes. Since then, I’ve had occasion to compare it against my Pentax DA 14mm 2.8, and I haven’t noticed any real-world difference at the wide range either. But it’s the fact that, if there were a difference, I would have to look really, really hard to see it that impresses me!

I find that I use the !6-45 more than any other lens that I own. I purchased it as an “upgrade” from the kit lens. And, as an aside, the Pentax K10D seems as if it were custom designed for migration from film or prosumer digital. The value for the money in this system is unmatched by any other maker. Amazon’s latest body price=$530 after rebate. Not bad for a camera with shake control, self cleaning ccd’s and the build-quality of a $1,500 Nikon.

Awesome lens
I bought this lens for my 35mm pentax camera, since I’ll be buying one of the dslr bodies sometime. It is fantastic: very very sharp and with great saturated color. On par, sharpness-wise with my Zuiko (50mm f1.4 & f1.8, 85mm f/2) and Nikon primes, but with better color! The contrast is good as well, there are rumors that the lens underexposes a bit - perhaps it does, but that works well with film.

On a film camera, there’s vignetting when you zoom wider than 21mm - but that’s a nice special effect, a sort of semi-fisheye at 16mm. Also, using the supplied lens shade isn’t a great idea when shooting with 35mm film cameras, as the vignetting starts early.

Overall, this is a super lens, the best zoom I’ve owned.

11/2007: I’ve been using this lens with a K100D with great results. The tone is if anything more concentrated on a digital body - though for some reason the slight underexposure trend does exist with digital but not film. The lens has decent close focus ability - your shots of kittens and flowers come out awesome!

I recently bought the 43mm Limited, and while it has greater resolution and tonality, and does better in low light, on a photographic (rather than pixel peeping) level the 16-45 is in the same league. I still highly recommend this lens as the best medium zoom value that Pentax offers.

Weaver Classic 1.5-4X20 Pistol Scope Gloss Description:

Weaver Classic handgun scopes maintain accuracy, clarity and reliability under the jarring recoil of today’s most powerful handguns. Solid, one-piece tubes keep lenses locked in perfect alignment, shot after shot. Fully multi-coated lenses cut glare and increase brightness dramatically for a clear, crisp image all the way to the edges of the scope. Weaver Classic handgun scopes also provide an impressive 4 to 12 inches of eye relief.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #291414 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Weaver
• Model: 849427
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 3.00″ h x 3.00″ w x 12.00″ l, 1.00 pounds

Customer Reviews:

Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope Description:

Our most affordable NexStar telescope turns starry nights into space odysseys. The 60mm refractor comes with a fully computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects. With its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod, the NexStar 60 SLT can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes.

Our new SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze. Unlike previous entry level computerized telescopes, our SLT series features flash upgradeable hand controls and GPS compatibility.

With the NexStar 60 SLT you can see breathtaking views of the lunar landscape, Venus and its phases, Mars resolved as an orange disc, Jupiter and its 4 moons, Saturn resolved as a disc, with its rings plainly visible at medium and high magnification.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7944 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Celestron
• Model: 22076
• Dimensions: 8.00″ h x 20.00″ w x 24.00″ l, 27.30 pounds

Features

• Telescopes 60-millimeter refractors feature a fully computerized hand control
• Includes database of over 4,000 celestial objects
• Pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod makes set up quick and easy
• StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze
• Weighs only 9.5 pounds

Customer Reviews:

Think before buying this scope
The NexStar 60 is better than the numerous trashy scopes on the market in that the manufacturer has chosen the eyepieces reasonably and omitted the ridiculously high power ones along with the exaggerated claims. The scope also has the convenience of computerization. But the fact remains that a telescope is only as good as its optics, and this is a low-end model. What, then, should you expect with this scope and what should you not expect?

What you should not expect is an easy ticket to stunning views like those in picture books. Those pictures were taken with time exposures. In an amateur telescope, most celestial objects are dim smudges whose vague glow is barely visible against the sky background. This is especially so for a scope as small as this one. In it, some star clusters will show up dimly but decently; most galaxies and nebulae will be barely visible, if at all.

What you can expect is a partial bypass of the often frustrating process of finding objects in the sky. Given how miserable that task is with the inferior eyepieces and finders so prevalent on mass-market telescopes, there is something to be said for go-to scopes like this one.

But finding is only one of the challenges you face in stargazing. Looking through an astronomical telescope is a learned skill, less like playing an MP3 file and more like playing a guitar. The more time you spend training your eyes to see detail just barely at the edge of visibility, the more you will get out of observing. You will also see a lot more if you take the time to get to a relatively dark observing spot and dark-adapt your eyes for a half hour or more. If all this disappoints and deters you, do not even consider this scope.

If, instead, you are fascinated by this prospect, this scope may possibly be for you. But before buying it, think about what you really want from astronomy and consider the alternatives.

If computerized finding attracts you, is it because you simply want to see the wonders of the sky without investing too much effort? Maybe a better alternative would be to contact your local astronomy club and attend a star party. The members love sharing their hobby, and their scopes will show you far more than you will see in a 60mm model like the NexStar 60.

Or are you attracted by the price and see this scope as a way to get started in a fascinating hobby without spending too much? Consider instead dropping the computerization and concentrating your limited resources on better optics. Manual finding must be learned, but it is fairly easy with good quality finders and eyepieces. For about the same money, you could get a new noncomputerized 150mm (6″) Dobsonian–available here on Amazon from Celestron and other manufacturers–that would offer nearly 3 times the useful magnification, (more importantly) gather 6 times the light, and keep you busy for years. You could even get a used one on the Astromart website for less than you would pay for the NexStar 60.

Another affordable alternative is 10×50 binoculars with a tripod and mounting bracket. For most objects, they will show every bit as much as a 60mm scope like this one. In fact, binoculars are the best way to get started in astronomy. The Amazon website offers some good choices in binoculars.

Maybe you want computerization and money is not an object. Then I suggest you skip the low-end stuff and get a computerized 125-200mm (5-8″) scope. Amazon also sells these.

Have I flooded you with too many things to think about? Well, this is precisely the point. You need to do your homework before you buy. Buying a telescope without prior experience is like buying a car without knowing anything about cars or driving. I suggest you start by learning the sky with your unaided eye, a chart, and a night-vision-saving red flashlight. Your local astronomy club is a valuable source of experience and advice. Learn how to view with binoculars. Before you buy a scope, try out different ones.

For more information on buying telescopes, see my encyclopedic guide on Amazon: “So you want to buy a telescope.”

Missing parts. Merry Christmas!!
So I ordered this for my husband for Christmas and in the process of putting it together we find it is missing parts. Important parts. Like the scope and the scope mount. Merry Christmas. It’s a great looking sciope. Too bad I can’t review it any further!! If you buy one don’t put it together until you lay out the parts and make sure they are all there because the set up and take down took hours.

Amazon.com Product Description
The Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope is a highly affordable yet advanced telescope that can turn starry nights into space odysseys for aspiring astronomers. The telescope’s 60-millimeter refractors come with a fully computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects. With its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod, the NexStar 60 can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes. Celestron’s SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze. With the NexStar 60, you can see breathtaking views of the lunar landscape, Venus and its phases, Jupiter and its four moons, and much more. Weighing only 9.5 pounds, this telescope can be easily moved to your favorite observations point.

Olympus Stylus 7040 14 MP Digital Camera with 7x Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD Pink Description:

OLYMPUS 227595 14.0 Megapixel STYLUS-7040 Digital Camera (Pink)

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43097 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Pink
• Brand: Olympus
• Model: STYLUS-7040 Pink
• Dimensions: 2.20″ h x 1.00″ w x 3.70″ l, .32 pounds

Features

• 14-megapixel resolution for high-quality, poster-size prints
• 7x wide-angle dual image stabilized zoom
• Shadow Adjustment Technology; AF tracking
• Creative Art Filters
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Customer Reviews:

From the Manufacturer

Fully loaded for extreme performance. With its powerful 7x optical zoom, crystal-clear three-inch screen, and HD movie capabilities, the Stylus-7040 has everything you need to turn moments into memories. Take fun photos of your friends. Capture every family first on HD video. Whatever the occasion, invite the Stylus-7040.

Olympus Stylus 7040 Highlights

7x Wide-Angle Zoom (28-196mm equivalent)
A big zoom that fits right in your pocket. The 7x zoom lets you get incredibly close to your subject while the 28mm wide-angle lens lets you zoom back out for panoramas and group shots.

HD Movie 720p
A simple, one-touch button allows you to record movies with amazing clarity in high-definition, right from your camera.

Dual Image Stabilization
The 2-in-1 anti-blur solution. Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization, which keeps your shot steady by compensating for camera shake, combines with Digital Image Stabilization to capture crisp, clear images in any situation.

AF Tracking
Automatically tracks unpredictable, fast-moving subjects like kids and pets. Continuously adjusts the focus and brightness so you can easily capture a great shot of your subject in motion.

Creative Art Filters
Transform your pictures into works of art with filters that are built right into your camera–no additional software or computer time required. Effects include Pop Art, Pinhole, Fisheye, and Drawing.

Olympus Stylus 840 8.0 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom Pink Description:

The Stylus 840 is a perfect camera for users looking for a compact digital camera with advanced features. An attractive package of features including a 5x Optical Zoom and Digital Image Stabilization helps users capture clear, crisp memories.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17364 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Pink
• Brand: Olympus
• Model: 226265
• Released on: 2008-02-11
• Dimensions: 2.22″ h x .94″ w x 3.80″ l, .29 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 5x image-stabilized optical zoom; Face Detection
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD
• Perfect Fix in-camera editing; includes Olympus Master 2 software
• Stores images on xD Picture Cards (not included)

Customer Reviews:

Olympus Stylus 840
I too, paid full blown retail at BB. I knew the price would drop soon, but I wanted the camera at the time. No regrets.

This camera is actually a darker shade of (cobalt)blue than the photo shows. IMHO it is a much nicer shade. I get a lot of comments on it’s good looks.

BTW, this camera DOES take SD memory, the Micro kind. I returned the weird Olympus memory once I found out the camera takes a MicroSD chip. I bought a 2GIG for 15 dollars. The nice thing about the MicroSD is that you do not need to tote your camera to an internet cafe to DL pictures when you are on vacation.

Just slap the chip (with the supplied adapter)into a Kingston Data Traveler Reader (20 dollars, and it is a stand alone 2GIG thumb as well!). No need for any software. Just use Windows. Microsoft has a cool free (and small)utility called Power Toys Image Resizer that installs on any PC with XP. Just right click on any image (or hold shift key and click for a series) and “Bob’s Your Uncle”, all your pix are resized to email to friends or blogs.

I love the camera and the extra optical zoom available. The Super Macro mode is incredible for a compact camera. Extremely close and sharp images that can be made even much closer digitally on a computer. You can zoom in a shot after it is taken on the camera to see just how well the image holds up. Amazing. Note:Beware of camera shake for macro work. The image stabilizer does not help much here.

The camera is advertised a “splash proof”. This may be so for the controls, but the battery compartment has no rubber seals. Still, it was a consideration for me purchasing this camera. I vacation in Thailand where it can be wet at times. Olympus does makes a water proof/shock proof (resistant, really) camera for much more money with out all the 840’s features.

The controls are intuitive for anyone in the digital age. I have not even cracked the manual open yet. I expect to read it sometime to explore all the features. But so far I have been able to access so much just on my own with the easy to navigate menu. I have not yet bothered to load the software on my PC yet. So far all my needs are being met by Windows. I’ll get around to it eventually. The point I am trying to make is that you can pretty much charge the battery, take some pictures, DL them to your PC,and email them with out having to read the manual or mess with Olympus software. I like that. The camera syncs right up with windows using the supplied USB cord.

The Olympus charger takes 5 hours which is dismal. But not to worry,do a search here on Amazon and you can find DIRT cheap spare batteries and 1 hour quick chargers (even with a cigarette lighter adapter).
EDIT: They lied. The charger takes the same amount of time, but it is more compact, so not a total loss. Spare battery seems fine.

I highly recommend the type of soft case I bought. A Lowepro Rezo 20 soft case with a pocket for spare battery. It has a snap and Velcro belt loop that can be attached to any back pack strap or fanny pack as well as your belt. Very handy and inexpensive. Make sure you get the newer, improved model with the extra security of a snap as well as Velcro on the belt loop.

For the money I believe you may find a better camera image wise, but only if you intend to make huge prints. And the other cameras don’t come in cool blue either! Nor do they have the combination of the Super Macro mode, 5X optical zoom, and splash resistance.

Coming out right about now, is Olympus’s other Stylus cameras with 7X optical zoom. More money, slightly bigger and heavier. But worth a look.

Even though I paid about 30 dollars too much I am very happy with this camera and expect to be for some time.

This is my first review on Amazon. i hope you found it helpful.

Great Camera
I have been looking for a camera like this for a good while and have done research on top of research before I settled on the Olympus Stylus 840. I read all sorts of reviews and this camera had a 100% satisfaction in all aspects. And well it should. It takes great pictures, is so very easy to use and is just a great compact little camera. I have had 2 good Kodak cameras during my search for the perfect camera and this camera far out performs both of the Kodaks I have had, and one of them was 12 megapixels, but this Olympus with 8 megapixels takes better photos. The Kodak AA battery life is not good but the Olympus LI-42B battery lasts a long time and are rechargeable on the charger that comes with the camera. I bought an extra battery to change out when one runs down but you will find they last a good long time. I also like the Olympus XD picture cards and it will hold all the photos you will need on a long outing. I bought the 1GB card which is more than sufficient. This camera has a lot of nice features that you will like and enjoy and you will be amazed at the photos you will be taking. You can set this camera to take photos in different sizes and I like to use the 640×480 size as they are great for emailing. Also you get an instruction manual which is rare today, but truly I have scarcely used it as the camera is user friendly. The 5X optical zoom is quite sufficient as much higher than that and you can’t hold a camera still to take a sharp photo without a tri-pod. This camera is small and has all the features you will want. The only thing I would like to see on it is a view finder you can hold up to your eye and look through as well as the monitor screen. But in all honesty I have had no trouble using the screen even in bright sunlight. Oh yea, wait till you take a Super Macro picture of something close up. They turn out great. Trust me, this is a great little camera. I have tried to describe this camera accurately and hope you found this review helpful.

Very pleased, sleek design
PROS: 8.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, neat editing features on the camera, good flash recovery
CONS: sleek (can slip out of big fingers), battery has to be charged OUTSIDE of unit

My girlfriend saw this at Best Buy and fell in love with it, which is good because she spent full blow retail on it ($250).
It takes XD memory, so we had to buy a new chip because all my other devices use SD.
So far the pictures I have been taking are excellent. It has a browse feature that lets you scan through “typical” shots (portrait, landscape, night, through glass, fireworks, and a couple others and combonations).
The action shots are good with no blurring and the colors are very vibrant, the image stabilization helps.
You can get a camera with similar qualitites for a couple bucks less, but the name and style is why you are paying a little more for this one.

Manufacturer Description

The 8-megapixel Stylus 840 features Dual Image Stabilization to prevent blurry images caused by a shaky hand or moving subjects, a brilliant 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD to view everything in amazing clarity, and Perfect Shot Preview to see the effects of the specific settings before pressing the shutter.

Olympus Stylus 840 Highlights

Blur-free photos two ways Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies — mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization — to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD image sensor to compensate for camera movement, which often occurs in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. By combining the two technologies, users of the Stylus 840 can take crystal-clear images in any shooting situation.

Get close to the action with 5x optical zoom

Large zoom in a small package Great images begin with great optics, and the new Stylus line-up offers amazing optics with stunning design flourishes. The new Stylus 840 has a 5x optical zoom (36-180mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.0), which consists of an ultra-compact lens made from precision-crafted glass.

2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD The Stylus 840 is equipped with a large, high-resolution 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen with high contrast and anti-glare technology for clear visibility, even when pictures are composed in bright sunlight. The HyperCrystal LCDs also offer a wide-viewing angle, greater than 140 degrees in every direction, enabling photos to be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Millions of pixels for superior image quality The 8-megapixel Stylus 840 enables photographers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image.

Face Detection Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subject is moving, the camera continuously tracks your subject’s face without having to press the shutter button.

Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus cameras address this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.

Perfect Shot Preview The new Stylus cameras feature Perfect Shot Preview that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Perfect Fix in-camera editing The Stylus 840 offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera.

In-camera panorama In-Camera Panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image — resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master 2 software to stitch up to 10 images together.

TruePic III image processor The Stylus cameras feature Olympus’ exclusive TruePic III image processor developed for the demanding performance of digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

Olympus Master 2 software Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

What’s in the box

Stylus 840 digital camera, wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger (Stylus 840), manual, warranty card and a CD-ROM with Olympus Master 2 Software.

Night Optics USA Night Vision Day Scope Adaptor For D-300 Series Night Vision Scope. Description:

Night Optics USA Night Vision Day Scope Adaptor D-300 The Night Optics USA Inc. proprietary (patent pending) Day/Night Adaptor quickly transforms a daytime riflescope into a 24-hour system by allowing quick connection of a D-300 to the eyepiece of daytime optics. A unique adaptor mechanism ensures the Day/Night Adaptor can be attached to or detached from virtually any daytime scope in the field without tools. The Adaptor provides an easy and secure alignment of the two systems while allowing the night vision device to swing to an alternate locked position on the side of the weapon. Configuring a riflescope for either day or night firing without loss of weapon zero is now as simple as pressing a button. Click Here For Accessory Compatibility Guide WARRANTY Night Optics USA Inc. provides a limited warranty for all night vision products effective at the time of sale for the original purchaser. The manufacturer warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship during the warranty period. Subject to limitations described with each device the manufacturer will repair or replace any product found defective during the warranty period. In general Night Optics USA Inc. provides one-year warranties for Gen 1+ systems and two-year warranties for all Gen 2 and Gen 3 systems. Optional extended warranties are available upon request. Manufactured by: Night Optics USA Inc Model: ADN-D300 SKU: ADND300

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115950 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Night Optics USA

Features

• Configuring a riflescope for either day or night
• The Adaptor provides an easy and secure alignment of the two systems
• Fits Series D-300
• See Description

Customer Reviews:

Toshiba IK-7100A-8 Analog Bullet Camera, 480 TV Lines, 8mm Lens, 12V DC, IP66, Built in IR LEDs Product: Toshiba IK-7100A-8 Analog Bullet Camera, 480 TV Lines, 8mm Lens, 12V DC, IP66, Built in IR LEDs Discount. List Price: $272.50 Amazon Price: $122.15 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Toshiba IK-7100A-8 Analog Bullet Camera, 480 TV Lines, 8mm Lens, 12V DC, IP66, Built in IR LEDs

Introducing a cost-effective means to capture images in all lighting environments — whether it’s near complete darkness, uneven light, or even in bright direct sunshine. Equipped with 16 long-range IR LEDs, IK-7100A Sereis cameras generate outstanding, high-resolution video images where other cameras can’t. They deliver the enhanced capabilities, realiability and ease-of-installation that you have been searching for in an ultracompact bullet camera. Proven backlight compensation and auto white balance meet the high requirements of detail-intensive applications, while digital signal processing and day/night imaging complete the value package to assure excellent images around-theclock. Plus, they can be installed virtually anywhere, indoors or outdoors thanks to a IP66 housing that withstands demanding all types of weather conditions.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120282 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Toshiba
• Model: IK-7100A-8
• Dimensions: 4.00″ h x 8.50″ w x 4.50″ l, 1.45 pounds

Features

• Sold Individually

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