Digital cameras can be a great  method of documentation! They are easy to
use, very cost effective, and provide a stable document.

I use a Kodak DC260 for most work. You can learn more about this model from
the web site
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/cameras/dc260/specs.sht
ml

Kodak has upgraded to a new version, the DC265. Mine is a DC260.  The
benefits of the upgrade are that you do not have to separately purchase the
Mac interface package ($24.95) if you are running a mac system, it has more
memory, is faster, and produces "photorealistic images" up to 8x10.  This
new puppy, purchased directly from Kodak, cost $999.   You can no longer
purchase the DC 260 from Kodak.

However, I just looked on eBay (which is where we purchased ours) and found
9 DC260s for sale, ranging from $500 to $650. Many "in the box" which means
it has not been previously used.

If that is outside the project price range, then you should look at other
brands, or lower image quality.  The features you need to watch for are
pixel/resolution
memory
speed of picture processing (the elapsed time between taking one picture
before you can take the next)
battery life
image manipulation software. Kodak ships the camera with an Adobe product,
others you may have to purchase software separately.

Digital cameras do not "use up" media to take the pictures. They use
special  floppies, then you download the picture to some other standard
storage media, such as a server, CD ROM, or zip cartridge. I recommend CD
ROM.  Note that once the image has been downloaded, most image/graphics
manipulation software packages can work with it. (Adobe PhotoShop and
illustrator, Corel draw, etc etc)
Previous discussion in the list indicated that the files sizes are large.
True, the file downloaded from the camera is large, but converting the image
to an optimized jpeg file brings them down from 210-500 KB to 10-50 KB,
roughly the same size file as a memo.  The conversion is a very simple
process of "save as", taking moments.

In terms of Return on Investment/ cost effectiveness , figure out how many
photos you will probably take, over the life of the project.
If the film, for 36 pics, costs....  6.59
and developing costs         9.99
total per 36 pictures is 16.58

Lets assume you need to purchase a camera - but choose standard rather than
digital, so it cost about $300. The difference is roughly another $300.
Purchasing Digital versus standard has paid for itself in materials costs
after 18 rolls of film - 648 pictures.

Hope this helps.

Beth Macdonald
Big Head Interactive
415/752.6511
www.bigheadinteractive.com

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