On Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:24:54 -0600, nick hull wrote:



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.

Yes. It can be set to never shut down, and you can supply 5 to 5.2 VDC
to the battery contacts within. There is no external power connector.

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

Yes

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

Yes. It uses either SmartMemory (now obsolete) or CF (still
available). USB readers are readily available for about $25. SanDisk
is one, available at BestBuy. The camera itself has an RS-232 serial
port that is abysmally slow. This is probably the last digicam that
didn't have USB. I always use the card reader.

* 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.

Shootin' out the back door, about half a second or a bit less from
full press to click -- no half-press to focus and meter exposure.
Might be quicker if set to manual (preset) exposure and focus, this
was in full auto mode. The camera has contacts in the "hot shoe" for
external flash, and the built-in flash is actually pretty good. 20 or
30 feet, no problem. It can be supressed, just don't deploy it! The
available (on EBay) FL-40 external flash is excellent and quite
powerful.

"Film speed" to ISO400 is an available setting. The images get a bit
noisier but it works well in low-light situations. I've taken photos
with a flashlight and by moonlight with this camera.