In article ,
"DoN. Nichols" wrote:

On 2008-01-01, Don Foreman wrote:
On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:45:58 -0600, nick hull wrote:

In article ,
"DoN. Nichols" wrote:

[ ... ]

Look at a used Digital SLR. Anything which does not try to use
its display as a viewfinder should be pretty quick to turn on. And
maybe you can find one inexpensive enough. Do you want to put it in a
weatherproof housing -- or just bring it in when the weather threatens?

It will stay in the weather 24/365, I'll make a housing to protect it.

Free men own guns - www(dot)geocities(dot)com/CapitolHill/5357/

This camera
http://tinyurl.com/287m7f
is a digital SLR, and it does have a setting where it stays on. The
LCD display is not active except possibly after a shot -- and that can
also be turned off.

Actually it is *not* a digital SLR. Note the wording from the
auction:


================================================== ====================
You're viewing an Olympus C-2500L

I used this camera Until I could afford the Expensive Lenses and Body of
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
more expensive DSLR.

It is an excellent reliable camera that gives you some of the control of
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
an SLR Camera without all the associated costs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
================================================== ====================

So -- it may do what is needed here -- but it is not (and does
not claim to be) a DSLR. Two physical differences:

1) A SLR (digital or non) has a moving mirror which redirects
the image to the viewfinder. From the location of the
viewfinder eyepiece, I don't think that this is the case here.

I *think* that what it has is an internal display in the
viewfinder, which could slow it down as much as using the
external display.

2) A SLR has interchangeable lenses. This one has only a fixed
zoom lens.

It can be triggered by IR remote. There is no direct connection to
the camera, but an electrically-triggered (and silent) IR remote
would be simple enough to make -- or modify the one that comes with
the camera or an available replacement. (They're available for about
$29)

I have one of these cameras. It's dated, but still an excellent
camera. I don't lust for a newer one.

O.K. Just don't call it a DSLR. :-)

There is no provision for external power supply, but one could easily
contrive something to go in the battery compartment. It uses 5 to 5.2
volts DC, normally supplied by four NiMH AA cells.

Another possibility might be a cheap laptop 'puter and a webcam. House
the laptop in a suitably secure container. A cheap laptop would cost
considerably less than a current-model digital SLR. Thousands of .jpg
images can be stored on the harddrive of even an old laptop.

It is not really clear what he wants this for -- though it
sounds like he needs an anti theft camera.

Yes, I need an anti-theft, anti-trespasser driveway gate camera and the
Olympus C-2500L seems to be real close to what I need. I want to fix
the focus, I know what the distance will be (about 30'). I do not need
interchangeable lenses, the camera will be set up outdoors 24/365 and it
looks like I can power it externally and trigger it by IR and set the
aperture manually and let it set the speed to light conditions. I will
not use a flash on the camera (too far) but might want a remote flash
closer to the subject. Floodlights might be available.

Since I will principally aim the tripod mounted camera by trial & error
I don't even have to have a viewfinder

I would appreciate feedback from readers who have this or similar
cameras as to the suitability. My requirements are;

* Can be powered from an external AC source and set to never shut down.
OK if I have to modify the battery compartment for AC connection.

* Can be remotely triggered and sets the speed for correct exposure

* Digital, uses a chip I can remove and read with a card reader on my
computer

* I would LIKE a fast response between triggering and picture taking,
i,e, no 5 second warm-up. If I use a remote flash it will be powered up
either 24 hrs or during darkness. I do not want a viewfinder or moving
lenses to slow the response time, I need to snap the pix within 1 sec of
trigger.

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. I would rather do this
with a camera rather than a video link if possible - I don't need real
time but do need a compact easy to review output; I'd normally review
the output every week or 2.

nick

Free men own guns - www(dot)geocities(dot)com/CapitolHill/5357/