I’ve touted the advantages of the Kodak pocket video cameras before (specifically, it’s the only one with a mic jack), and now Amazon.com has them for under $100. Yeah, You have to get it in red for the $99 price right now … but you know you’ll just wrap it in gaffer’s tape to give it that custom look.
Deals on Macs
Sep 23, ’11
8:48 AM
I tend not to get involved with these things, but this may be useful for some students … CowBoom.com (proving, again, that all the good domain names are taken) is running a MacAttack Deal of the Day – all day long, they’re featuring refurbed Macs of various vintages at pretty good prices.
A few things to note … some of the machines that have come up so far have been three or more model years back. Small hard drives and slow-ish processors, though those that I’ve seen have been mostly upgradeable. Also read the what’s included and what’s not included carefully – all of them that I have seen so far have NOT included the operating system, so you’ll need to shell out $100 or so to get that (and some more cash if you want the iLife suite).
You can grab the model number and look it up on Apple’s web site to get a better sense of when the machine was out there.
If you have a powerfully desktop and want a decent laptop, this may be a good route to go. Or if you want to buy your young kids or older parents a machine. Or if you just want to up the Apple count in your house …
(Thanks to Mir over at WantNot.net for the lead on this.) (Yes, that’s my wife and, yes, the link above is an affiliate link for her – you’ve been warned in full compliance with the Federal Trade Commission rules and regulations.)
Just in Time for the Holidays …
Oct 6, ’10
10:02 AM
Okay, even I think this is excessive … a Leica M9 and 35 mm Summicron lens have been inclided in the Nieman Marcus Christmas Book. At $7,000 for the body and $3,000 for the lens, I think it’s overpriced. But at $17,500 for the body and lens … well, that’s just insane.
Even if it does come with brown ostrich leather coverings and matching strap …
Of course, if you’re truly a last minute shopper and are looking for a holiday gift for me, I would smile politely and thank you eloquently for this. Then probably sell it and buy the non-ostrich leather version of the body (in black), a 35 mm Summilux (in black) and probably a 50 mm Summilux …
One For the Kids
Jul 13, ’10
8:22 AM
I know there’s a fairly large number of college students reading this (meaning, all of mine), so here’s a deal for you … Amazon.com, which has everything you really need to be happy, has a free shipping service called Prime. (You want a three pack of Spiderman toothbrushes? They have it. How about an external battery for your 2001-era Handspring Visor PDA? They have that, too.)
The deal is that with your .edu email address and the ability to prove you’re registered for classes, you can get Prime for free right now. It means you get regular shipping at no cost, with no minimum purchase, and expedited shipping for really cheap. (Prime is normally an $80 subscription item.)
Start planning to get your text books for fall now, along with all your school supplies, and save a bundle. (For those looking ahead, the Advanced Photojournalism text book by Ken Kobré is on there as well as the book we use for the Introduction to Photojournalism course.)
(Thanks to WantNot.net for the lede – a great place to find online deals.)
Gear Guides
Mar 14, ’09
9:17 AM
We’re getting close to that time of the year, the time when many of my students will start fretting about graduating. And it’s not so much the Becoming a Real Person Dilemma as it is what do I need to buy?
I say it often – we do a great thing here at UGA in providing gear to our students. It completely eliminates an economic barrier to taking the classes and finding your passion. But it also means the students don’t have to buy anything or start building their kits. So when their last class ends and they have to hand back the kit, they go into a bit of withdrawal. Or, more accurately, they go into shock over what it costs to build their own.
David McIntyre over at Black Star Rising has a short post on the basic gear a freelancer needs and it’s a great starting point for a discussion that will go on for a few weeks here.
Southern Short Course in News Photography – March 26-30
Mar 1, ’08
11:04 PM
Any students interested in going to the Southern Short Course in News Photography need to see me ASAP – we have some funding to help you go. Meaning, it won’t cost you much to learn and schmooze in Charlotte for a few days.
Really, why wouldn’t you go?
You Can Fool Some of the People All of the Time …
Oct 20, ’07
10:45 AM
So, Leica is well known for special edition cameras that commemorate all kinds of things (such as the M6J, the MP Hermés or the Royal Wedding M6), but this is just silly … for $180, you can get a White Stripes Special Edition Holga or Diana camera (turn down your volume before clicking).
Current price of a Holga online: about $20.
Act Now! Only 3,000 examples have been made!
Blogging For Bucks
Sep 28, ’07
10:23 AM
Sort of … Dr. Kaye Sweetser points out that here is now a scholarship for bloggers … and, at $10,000, it’s, like, real money. (I’m SO going after my undergrad degree again with this.)
More details details are on the CollegeScholarshop.org site.
In the mail today …
Sep 4, ’07
10:45 AM
Yes, in the POSTAL mail, not the electronic kind, came a flier (who sends fliers) from Penn Camera advertising … film and paper supplies for students. And a Promaster 2500PK camera and lens package for $169.95.
Granted, there are inkjet supplies on here, too. And if you’re still shooting film some of these deals look good. But … mailing a flier for film? The irony is itchy.
Penn Camera is a great shop – I’ve done a lot of business with them over the last 15 years (including a stint working for them), so I’ll let this pass now. If you’re in the market for film, chemistry or darkroom supplies, I’ll post the flier in the lab.
Apple Insomnia Photofest
May 5, ’07
1:45 PM
So far, I’ve heard from one student who entered the Apple Insomnia Photo Festival competition – so, go vote for Danielle Hutlas’ image.
(And if there are more of you, let me know and I’ll plug your work, too.)