Is there a "sandbox 101" forum?

[texaseyes]

I looked for one on this forum but couldn't find one so I decided to jump in here for a couple of really ignorant questions.
Now I have already bought this camera but it has not been delivered yet so anyone advising me against it,,,,well,,,,,:o ,,,,,,(kinda like hearing "Coulda got it for you wholesale, if you get my meaning)!
I got a Pentax Optio 330GS. There is also a strap, software, USB & video cables, 3D viewer, the manual and the original box. It is suppose to have a swing out LCD, 3Xoptical zoom and capture video. The seller is including a carrying case & Viking 256MB Compact Flash
The CR-V3 lithium battery was already used up so it's not included.
The seller says it takes CRV3 batteries but the one that came with it is dead so he suggested that I buy AA Lithium or AA NiMH which he said will last longer, etc. I paid around $50.00 off Ebay. To get closer to the questions I just want to say that I have no idea what 2/3 of the stuff I just listed means or does for that matter.
I have been shooting film, ie: Older Canon AE1 and A1 with a ton of lenses and stuff but know absolutely nothing about Digital. I bought an All In One Computer printer that has a lot of photo functions and I am told that I can just plug in the USB cable and either see the pictures, saving them in my documents or print them on photo paper. That will save me a ton of money compared to my wife shooting tons of pet, kid party and various other mostly useless stuff but paying for the film and the developing.
The Questions: What is the Viking Flash card about? What kind of batteries do you suggest I buy? Am I going to have to take a Digital Camera Course to take pictures, etc?
I took way too much of your time in here, and I apologize, but I don't know
anything and just want to get started. I have read this forum and ya'll seem to know what's up.
Thanks!

[AlexMonro]

The compact flash memory card is where the camera stores the pictures, as .jpg files, like most of the pictures you see on the web. This does the job of the film in a film camera, with the important difference that it can be reused. After you've uploaded your pictures to the computer, you can reformat the card to erase all the pictures, and start again. You can also get more cards to store more pictures if you're away from the computer for a long time, e.g. on a long holiday.

I'd strongly suggest you get some NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger - you can get 4 batteries and a charger in one bundled package at many hardware or electrical shops. Since the 330GS takes 2 AA cells, make sure you get a charger that can charge only 2 at a time (most can). You'll then have a spare set you can carry with you, in case you run low unexpectedly - make sure you carry them in a plastic case or bag so that they don't short out in your pocket! There are chargers with charging times from 15 mins to overnight - the very fast ones tend to cook the batteries so they don't last for as many charge cycles. AA rechargeables are available in capacities up to 2800 mAh, but those are a bit special, 2300 - 2500 is fine.

Actually taking pictures is very like using slide film in a film camera - watch for blown highlights in overexposure. The advantage of digital is that you can look at the picture straight after taking it, and reshoot with adjustments if necessary. The 330GS has the very useful exposure assesment tool of a live histogram, which graphically represents the range of light intensities. To avoid blown highlights, use exposure compensation to keep the histogram away from the right hand end, or use the exposure bracketting - remember, wasted shots don't cost anything except time!

[Clyde]

Sounds like you made a brilliant decision. The advice about batteries is right on. You may want a USB card reader eventually, but those run cheap at around $15.

All that stuff about histograms and exposure bracketing is really answers to questions you haven't asked yet. (Good answers, but...)

Your camera is designed to be easy to use, and it was a good camera in 2002. Check out Jeff's review (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/pentax/optio_330gs-review/index.html) for more info. The neat thing about digital cameras is that after the initial investment, pictures are free. That means that on your first day you can go out and shoot 300 pictures. Do that one day, then try to take 300 better pictures, and you will have more precise questions to ask. Since playing with your camera is free, and you can see the images right away, you will quickly become as comfortable with digital as you were with film.

Congrats,

Clyde

[texaseyes]

I think I actually understood a lot of both of your posts.:eek:
I really appreciate the info. As some guy once said: "I'll be back!"

[texaseyes]

I'd strongly suggest you get some NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger - AA rechargeables are available in capacities up to 2800 mAh, but those are a bit special, 2300 - 2500 is fine.

This is what I just bought. Hope it is what you are talking about:
4 NiMH Rechargeable 2500mAh Battery+AA/AAA/9V Charger
Got it on Ebay. Should be here a day after I get the camera. Thanks again.:confused:

[AlexMonro]

This is what I just bought. Hope it is what you are talking about:
4 NiMH Rechargeable 2500mAh Battery+AA/AAA/9V Charger
Got it on Ebay. Should be here a day after I get the camera. Thanks again.:confused:

Well, the details you've posted are a bit limited, but as long as it'll charge the AAs two at a time, if should be fine - it's important to keep the batteries in pairs as used in the camera, to equalise load. It could be useful if you've got other equipment (not neccessarily photographic) that uses AAA or 9V batteries, then you can use rechargeables for that as well. Also, you can use the camera batteries in other equipment when you're not using the camera, as long as you keep them in pairs.

Remember that new batteries will need a full overnight charge before you use them, and it'll help if you can let them run down until the camera switches off, and then give them a full overnight charge, the first few times. This will help you get the best life, in charge cycles, from them. Some chargers, and even some cameras, have a discharge mode, which will run the batteries down far enough to get the full conditioning charge, but not too far that might kill them. Also, try to avoid leaving batteries in a charger for more than 24hrs - most will switch to trickle charge mode after reaching full charge, but it's best not to leave it too long.