Check the stores for the Canon PowerShot A80. They are going for around $250 USD now. It is a 4 mega-pixel camera that uses 4 AA batteries, either the regular ol' kind or the rechargeable NiMH kind. The LCD viewfinder can be flipped out and rotated 180° which is useful for taking self portraits.

Buying the cheap kind of cameras are OK for a quick fix. Something to think about, though, is the money you spend in buying a series of cheap cameras that are unsatisfactory instead of waiting and buying more expensive one.

On a side note, my typing and spelling is especially bad this morning. One day I'll post something without editing it. You'd need some kind of special Babelfish to translate it.

I don't know the model, but I recently purchased a Kodak 3.2MP from OfficeMax for only about $100, and it's been working great for us.

Yes...I gave up hunting for my old one. And I will be taking some pictures to submit soon, when things calm and settle around the house.

That's a screaming price on that Kodak. Got some questions for you about it, if you don't mind; I'm in the market for a better camera myself.

Does it have a "macro" mode, and if so, what is the focal distance?

Does it have adjustable exposure settings?

Does it have a tripod mount hole? (Most likely, but never hurts to ask.)

Which exact model is it? I have a ton of other questions/requirements for any camera I might purchase, since it's main use will be in photographing miniatures (and WWG models, of course!), but it might be easier if I could just pull it up and read the specs online.

Thanks in advance!

Problem is that I can think of way too many uses I would rather put $200. $20-$50 maybe, but that would really be my limit. I just would not use it enough to justify spending more. (As is, it would likely come to $1 a picture over the life of the camera at $50. I just don't take pictures all that often, even when I have a camera.)

The Auld (cheap) Grump

That's what I thought once too, TheAuldGrump...then I realized that my pictures now are "guilt free". Discard them if I don't want 'em...shoot several when I would normally one. My wife loves it as a scrapbooking tool, and as I have more time I'm going to be doing some "digital scrapbooking" of my own.

I'm not sure what a "macro" mode is...but if you're asking if it has a specific "closeup" setting...I'm not sure. I am still figuring the thing out.

The actual price was $130, but that included a 64MB card, which works out to about 72 images. It'll eat a standard set of batteries per 3-4 cards full...so my use cost is 2 AA batteries per 300 pictures or so.

The deal seems to be over, but if you want to look at camera and specs, here it is:

http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/ ... =537332492

Almost picked up a $20 digital camera, but the clerk at Wal Mart talked me out of it by asking intelligent questions about my needs. Dang it! I hate getting good customer service at Wally World! And this is the second time on the same type of item.

He asked if I had a strong light source or was planning to work outside (unlike the last time I was tempted this one did not pretend to have a flash), and he cautioned me that flourescent lights are hit or miss with a digital camera. He was helpful and well informed, and did not try to pressure me into purchasing a more expensive camera, but did say that you pretty much get what you pay for. He even pointed out that a low end conventional camera is superior to a low end digital. I guess he would rather lose a sale than get a returned item.

His department didn't lose money, I ended up picking up The Incredibles, but getting good customer service at Wally World just seems to miss the point.

The Auld Grump

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