On Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:24:54 -0600, with neither quill nor qualm, nick
hull quickly quoth:

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;

Couldn't you use a good video camera with telephoto lens mounted on
the hill between you so you could use wired video for the gate. I was
thinking that it might not work well during rainy or foggy nights, but
a closer camera might not, either. Light the area.

Alternatively, use RF vidcam and set up a repeater on the hill.


* 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.

Vidcams are always on and software for the recorder can work with
motion sensors.


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.

If it's that far between reviews, perhaps a wildlife cam is in order.
Build a secure metal enclosure for it.

Just remember that if things are happening at your gate, a single
flash picture won't tell you the whole story where a short run video
would. Only you can weigh the advantages. G'luck.

---
Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.
This is the ultimate.
--Chuang-tzu (369 BC - 286 BC)