HP PHotosmart M305

[RogueAngel]

I received this camera as a Christmas gift.
NEVER having owned a digital camera this is my first.
Honestly I have not even had the chance to open the box yet.
What I would like to know is any info on this camera.
Is it worth it to keep, should I trade it in and upgrade NOW?
Or basically, being a virgin, novice to the digital photo world, should i just keep it and play.
I also received a 512mb sd card along with it, so storage wise i guess i have alot.
My concern was battery life, as it came only with AA batteries. I found an Energizer 15min battery charger that came with 4 2200 mAh, NiMH, AA rechargeable batteries.
I guess I should be good to go then?
Any insight is much appreciated.
Thanks
Have a Great New Years ;)

[RogueAngel]

NO help? Anyone, anyone, Bueller, Bueller?

[CindySueStevens]

Hi there,

I've been surfin' the web looking for specs for my sister, she just got a hp m305 for Christmas too :)

I didn't find anything at the hp.com, but I did find this hp data sheet at another site?!?

Anyways, looks like rechargeables are out of the question for this camera...

Hope this helps!! :o

Cindy

http://hpshopping.speedera.net/www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/data_sheet/l1854a.html

[RogueAngel]

Hi there,

I've been surfin' the web looking for specs for my sister, she just got a hp m305 for Christmas too :)

I didn't find anything at the hp.com, but I did find this hp data sheet at another site?!?

Anyways, looks like rechargeables are out of the question for this camera...

Hope this helps!! :o

Cindy

http://hpshopping.speedera.net/www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/data_sheet/l1854a.html

Cindy, in reference to the site listed, I found nothing about NOT using rechargeable batteries.
Please note the hilighted areas I selected.[/SIZE]

Power sources include the following:

Either two non-rechargeable AA Lithium batteries (included) or B][SIZE=3]two rechargeable AA NiMH batteries (purchased separately ).Rechargeable batteries can be recharged in the camera using the optional HP AC power adapter or optional HP Photosmart M-series dock.
Optional HP AC power adapter (3.3 Vdc, 2500 mA, 8.25 W).
Optional HP Photosmart M-series dock.

Recharging in camera with the optional HP AC power adapter or optional HP Photosmart M-series dock: 100% in 15 hours.

I didn't read anything that relates to not being able to use rechargeable batteries. Matter of fact, (though I have not tried them yet) I found an Energizer, rechargeable battery kit.
Comes with 4 AA 2200 mAh NiMh batteries, and a fast recharger. Batteries recharge to full in 15 minutes. This also recharges AAA batteries as well.
You do need to use ONLY the specified Energizer cells to get the 15 min recharge. According to the specs on the rechargeable batteries, the higher the mAh rating (2200), the better the cell.
I still have not opened the package of the camera in case I may upgrade after finding out more info. But from the little I found it is supposed to be a good, intro camera to digital photography.
If you find out anything else let me know, as I will also.

[yopyop]

The best batteries you can use with this camera are NiMH rechargeables. The higher the mAh value, the longer they will last before recharging or kaputting. HP support recommend a minimum of 1800mAh.

M305/307 Manual (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?lc=en&cc=us&product=410648)

How to use pages on HP.com (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/useCategory?lc=en&product=410648&cc=us&dlc=en&)

Hope this helps :)

yOp

[Kelly Wood]

I purchased this camera and had problems with only being able to get 10 to 12 pictures with a set of batteries. It dropped from there down to 1 or 2 and then none. I was told by tec. support to get rechargeable NIMH batteries. I did and guess what it worked for about one month and began dropping again. Now it can’t even take one picture with newly recharged batteries or any other batteries. I called back in and they told me that I had passed the warranty period and they would not repair it. I explained about the other call /complaint 3 months ago and they said it still was out of warranty. I could purchase a replacement for $90.00 plus S&H and that was as good as it was going to get. I will be throwing it in the trash because that is what it is.

[Kelly Wood]

Today I got a call from HP and they are replacing the defective camera. This is the HP I have always known. They are standing behind their product. It did take an email (a little angry) but they responded with a call and said they didn’t want a unhappy customer. I will let you know how the new one turns out.. :)

[andrea r.]

i have the same camera and the same issue.
when i contacted HP while the camera was still under warranty...they said that there was something that needed to be upgraded and to go to a website and download some firmware thing..so we did.
it still didn't work and i just gave up...i went back to using my 35mm camera.
months later..i thought to try it with regular batteries...USELESS..they get eaten up after about 10 pictures.
called HP again and they said now its out of warranty...
the camera has never worked properly. the flash has always been unpredictable and sporadic. its just a piece of junk. HP won't do anything about it.
so now i have to deal with my credit card company.
i am one unhappy HP user.
andrea r.

[TaylorB]

I got an HP photosmart m22. It was my first digi camera and pretty simple and inexpensive. It worked for about a month and then just broke. It just wouldn't turn on. I called and they sent a replacement. Same thing happened. I called again, got another replacement, the third broke. I threw a hissy fit and was told that the m22 had been discontinued. They told me I could upgrade for an additional fee of about $100, which was ridiculous since the camera they wanted to upgrade me to retails for just $165. I asked to speak to a manager, threw another hissy fit, and got him to send me an R707 free of charge. Today in the mail, instead of my R707, I found ANOTHER m22. I called back and was promised a R817 in two days. I guess we'll haffta see what happens.

Bottom line... HP sucks
and a lil hissy fit can get you a long way.

[AshReds]

Hi all

I notice lots and lots of HP M305 cameras have the same battery problems. In fact that seems to be the universal problem with this model of camera.

The problem only appears after a few months of usage. I had excellent performance for a few months, and thereafter even new batteries do not seem to work, they just drain out after a few shots. I believe HP pushed out these caremas on the cheap when they observed this problem.

Ideas anyone ?

AshReds

[alyel]

I got my HP Photosmart M305 back around July of last year. I was going on a cruise and wanted a nice camera. Plus, I just needed one ANYWAYS. So I paid like 140 bucks for this thing. (Wish I didn't!) It worked WONDERFUL. Then in the fall the screen cracked or something so I called them up and they replaced it for free. Then these past few months, I have been using rechargeable Energizer NiMh batteries (never had to before! I just used normal ones) and I'll charge them up and everything and put them in, and I get like 2 pictures out of the friggin camera before it says "Batteries Low" or whatever garbage comes up. I am so friggin mad! I keep changing them and changing them and NOTHING works! I get a few pics here and there but it is so frustrating. I took it to my little sister's birthday party, all charged up. And BAM it stops working. I was SO MAD! So if for some reason I complain and get another one, is that one eventually going to start doing the same thing after a while? Should I just not even bother and get a new camera!?? Not HP apparently...

[gran1952]

My son bought one of these camera's a couple of years ago when his son was born. He was really dissappointed with it. He couldn't get it to stay charged long enough to take more than 2 or 3 pictures. He tried calling the company and got nothing. He tried every kind of battery there is and nothing so he bought a different kind of camera. We were going to put it in a rummage sale so he brought it up and I couldn't stand it. I had to try and find out what was wrong with it. I read the book and was about to go crazy. Finally I took the adapter off of the dock and just sit the camera on the connector and guess what :confused: ......The camera took a full charge and I took 23 pictures with it on one charge!! So now I have a new camera! :) Hope this helps.

[ZekeMan2000]

I found the M305 firmware upgrade here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ps-25045-3&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=410648&os=228&lang=en

I installed it on my son's camera today, but am not sure yet if it worked to solve the problem.