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Bob,
I also use them for "Retirement Measurement".........When I burn through all three cameras, it will be time for me to retire!!!!!!!!

LOL.....

Best,
Joe

We are also using the older Mavica cameras, one is about worn out, my old one Janice is now using was their high dollar camera and is still works great. I am testing with the Sony DSLR. It's a pain to have to re-size them, but I found a free program called VSO image size that changes them to 640x480 in multiple batches, so that is working well.

Les, as far as I can see, Integraclaim says the file to too big to load. What estimating program are you speaking of?

He's likely referring to Simsol which has a photograph resizer that is selected by default before the photos are printed.  Simsol uploads large photos without discretion- unlike MSB.  Go to Microsoft and you can get a photo resizer built into your 'Right mouse button' menu:  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...spx.  Scroll down the right side of the page until you get to the "ImageResizer" download.  It's quick and free. 

It also gives you the option of creating copies of the photos or just changing the existing ones.  I personally have no use for copies of the hundreds of photos I have in storage.

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If you're trying to upload .pdf documents into IntegriClaim, then you can go to http://www.zamzar.com/ which will convert the files to a .png format.  The free service takes sends you the conversion through email.  You can pay monthly to get it faster.  If anyone knows of an easier way, please let me know. 

Why MSB doesn't allow you to upload a .pdf document into their software after so many years is beyond me.  Simsol allows you to attach .pdf into the claim, but does not allow you to scan them, so there must be a good reason somewhere.

Hey Bob,

When it comes to cameras, you and I are on the exact same page as far as what features are ideal for this trade.  Yet, after skimming the pages again, you've supplied a TON of options on cameras for different reasons.  It seems the Canon Elph SD800 is the preferred choice for the adjuster since it still has a manual viewfinder, a wide angle lens, and is compact.  The newer SD870 doesn't have the viewfinder anymore, which stinks to me because it drains the battery too quick. 

Also, a good flash would be nice for those fire losses and dark basements.  Perhaps cameras have flashes that can be switched from low to high power without having to switch it to the night mode (sometimes its too hard to keep the dern thing still)?

Is there an equivalent to the SD800 that does not have a proprietary battery, yet?  Nikon Coolpix P50?

I think the Nikon Coolpix P50 would be a good choice for an adjuster who wanted to spend the least amount of money. It has a wide-angle lens (rare for a cheap camera) which I consider so vital for interior photos. (take a wide view of room, then close-up of damage). I have seen adjusters buy low cost cameras that don't have a wide-angle lens, and it's frustration city. Personally, I would spend a bit more money and get something higher up the food chain than the Nikon Coolpix P50.

Posted By Jud Gardner on 06/27/2008 9:07 AM
Is there an equivalent to the SD800 that does not have a proprietary battery, yet?

Nope. I have had several digital cameras that use AA batteries - those are sort of mid-size compact cameras.  The Canon Elph is considered "Ultra Compact - Pocketable".  The battery Canon puts in that camera is amazing.  It's flattened out very thin, but wide, and powerful.

My 80 year-old dad has one of those Canon Elphs that sat in a drawer for months, we went on a vacation together, took 100's of photos, and I learned he had never recharged the battery since it's initial charge.  My brother has an older Canon Elph, has taken tons of photos and raves about the battery life.  Of course you have to have a spare and rotate them, with any digital camera.  Even with AA's I would do that.

Posted By Jud Gardner on 06/27/2008 9:07 AM
Canon Elph SD800 is the preferred choice for the adjuster since it still has a manual viewfinder, a wide angle lens, and is compact.  The newer SD870 doesn't have the viewfinder anymore...

Yeah, and that used to bother me - but I was at a camera store last week trying to decide if I really want a bulky DSLR, or what... and I think I am going to go with the SD870 even though it doesn't have a viewfinder.  The spare battery handles that for me.

- I realized I don't use the viewfinder very often on my existing camera, as I always have a 2nd battery (and a spare camera that will run on AA alkalines if needed).

- It is heavily discounted right now because Canon came out with this years new models  The SD870 listed for 399, I have seen it at Circuit City for 280 and Amazon for 250 (price varies depending when you check).

- I can borrow the wife's DSLR when needed, the one I really want is too new and hasn't been discounted yet.

Here's a site that talks about adding an external flash to the little Canon Elph (middle of page). Amazon sells this flash for $85.

I have never used this flash - but it sounds really interesting because it doesn't need to be connected to the camera at all, you can aim it with your other hand. It "senses" the camera's flash going off, and adds to it. I think I am going to get one of those too, and glad you brought it up. I don't mind that the flash has a non-rechargeable battery, you almost want one of those "lasts for years" type batteries for the occasional flash use, so it isn't dead when you need it.

I think that external flash would work great for "sub area" inspections (fallen insulation from water damage above) and it sounds like this would work with my old camera, or any camera for that matter. No wires, no contacts with the camera.  Several of the Amazon reviews say it works with any camera, doesn't have to be Canon.  Here's some of the reviews:

• Very nice add-on for any digital camera. You have to understand how it was intended to be used and use it properly, a SLAVE FLASH. If you do, it works great within its range. Basically, your own camera's flash is good for between 5' to say 12', 15'. So from my own little bit of experience, I'd say the 3 settings on this slave flash extend it between (min. = 15' to 25'), (med. = 25' to 35') and (max. = 35' to about 45') and actually a little beyond. You actually can provide too much flash if you don't watch out!!!
• I take many photographs in a high school gym. My Power Shot A620 takes great pictures but the built in flash just doesn't have enough umpff for those longer shots. The Canon HF-DC1 High Power Flash gives me the option of three settings of flash level that are more than enough to give me the shots I was previously missing. I highly recommend this slave flash

Jud, thank you for the suggestion, however, I am on Vista and Power Toys is not vista compatible. But thanks for the thought.

Tom, sorry that suggestion doesn't work.  With you being on Vista, I'm sure you're many steps beyond me on the trial and error process.  The nightmares I've heard about that system are making me want to run to the Mac OS.

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Wow, thanks Bob for the reply.  As always, your posts have a generous supply of substance and detail.

Once I get out of the fog with these claims, I'm going to make an Elph and a Flash purchase.

Jud, I have been on Vista for over a year now and have had no problems whatsoever. Janice just got a new HP laptop with XP3 on it and is having constant problems. My opinion, Microsoft is deliberately causing problems with XP so all will convert to Vista. I use Trend Micro PC Cillin Firewall, Netcom3 for regeistry cleaning, and PC Pitstop optimizer and my PC runs flawlessly,  in fact, once I got used to it, I prefer it over XP. I have had no problems installing programs, no problems with Integraclaim, (other than it being a substandard product) and no problems installing any other programs.

I am using a free program called VSO image re-sizer and it is working well. Being an old camera nut, I like to produce high quality photos of losses. It may not be necessary, but I am already getting comments about the quality of the photos and the companies like the 28mm wide angle shots. The Sony DSLR 300alpha is a large camera, but I am used to them and they do not bother me. I know some adjusters like to stick their camera in their pockets so they will be out of the way, but their quality is questionable, as is their flash ability. I have a wide angle remote flash that will light up a burned room with perfect photos, not just a black image.n The flash can be detached and placed anywhere and will flash remotely. I guess I just am a stickler for professionalism, just me. Hard to change an old codger.

Just purchased this one and i am very impressed so for. Hopefully i will enjoy it better once i really get a chnce to learn its functions fully.

Is that this one, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 8.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom?

I would love the 3" LCD and sort of smaller size than a Digital SLR, but the lack of wide angle lens would drive me nuts (as I mentioned earlier in this thread). According to this review, that camera has a 38-380mm equivalent lens, which will not put a kitchen or bath wide view on one photo, or the whole roof. It's a very strong telephoto - but you won't find you need to zoom in that much for adjuster photos. A 28-105 or so is ideal for most adjuster work.

If you really like the camera, keep it. If you want a wider angle lens, there are lots of choices mentioned on this thread.

Hi Bob, it is a sony cybershot 8.1 10x view, but my model is DSC-H10. I was a little concerned about the overall view, but i broke it in this morning on a reinspect for rec. depr, and the overall view is very good. The camera comes with an attachment that fastens to the fixed 10 x lens frame so that you could add a larger lens if you want. I did not realize until late last night that sony does not use a regular SD memory card , and was a little worried that the internal memory would not hold but 10-15 photos, however set on the lowest setting of pixels (640x 480) or vga the internal will hold 202 photos. I  was really concerned that the purchase of the sony memory stick duo and adapter for it to insert into my pc would cost me another $100 or so, but i am not going to make that purchase. The internal houses more than plenty when set low.

Gotcha, so per this review here it does have the same zoom lens I posted above 38 - 380mm (35mm equiv.) That is a strong telephoto that enables you to read the license plate on a car down the street. But as an adjuster you rarely need more than a 3x zoom and that camera is missing the WIDE part of the zoom. The last page of that review says:

I have started using the Sony Alpha 300 on claims and am getting comfortable with it. The quality of the photos are phenominal and as good as any 35mm camera. The 28mm lens really lets you take wide angle photos, which we all take. I am working on a large total loss of a huge restaurant and my frontal shot took in the entire perimeter of the building, which the Mavica will not do. I am still learning all the functions, but getting there. I know a DSLR is out of the ordinary for this work, but I am a quality photograph nut. The clarity and definition on this camera is amazing. The battery lasts a long time, particularly when I shoot through the eyepiece.  I don't like the screen that much on any of them, it just uses up battery. I want to know exactly what I am taking a photo of, so I use the eyepiece. The camera is expensive, but will last a long time and gives me what I want in a pic. The VSO image resizer works well and does multiple photos, which is a plus. I still get the menu that the KB is too big for Intergraclaim, but it still processes them and sends them with no problem, via pdf. I have not, however, sent anything via comcentral yet, so that might be a problem. Overall, it is a wonderful piece of equipment. I plan to do some photography work when I retire, LOL.

Thanks for the update Tom.

For anyone who isn't crystal clear on that, he is referring to "focal length". I found a good explanation from this site, where I credit these examples:

For more info, check out that site http://www.panoramafactory.com/equiv35/equiv35.html

That example in the center, with 24mm focal length is a bit wider than 28mm and that is what a lot of pro photographers shoot with in doing Architectural Digest and advertisements that show interiors.  What we do isn't that much different.  When I was doing claims years ago my old film camera had a 24mm wide-angle lens, and a 28mm.   You will find that a dedicated lens that is not a zoom will provide the best possible image.  Zooms are a compromise - but very, very practical.  In my opinion a "short zoom" like 28-105 or so is the perfect compromise. 

When you get a very powerful telephoto zoom (like the camera GW just bought with a 10x lens) you may find that it doesn't do as well with interior photos, even the ones that do go wide angle, because a 10x lens is going to suffer in dimly lit interiors.  That also makes it harder to find a good focus - whereas a 3x or 4x zoom may not have trouble at all.  The "super-zoom" cameras that zoom out to 200mm or 300mm have more glass elements, more complicated, and more restrictive to light (unless you spend a ton of money for a professional sports photography lens).

Every tool has it's use, and those telephoto lenses are great for sports photography.  If you have to zoom in on your kid playing soccer, you get a camera that zooms in like that.

Thanks Les. They will be available this November.

Bob, I just got my new Canon Elph SD870 in the mail and tried it out on a few claims yesterday.  Works great and sure helped to cut down on my photo volume!  That wheel button is pretty neat and it's like it should have some kind a game built in it.  This purchase is a strong second on my list of best time saver tools to buy (nothing will ever beat a disto).

Thanks for all your input on this thread.  Terrific posts.

Awesome. I am pretty happy with mine too, and will keep it. It was kind of a "sideways" move for me, my 4 year old digital was taking good photos, these aren't any better, but the HUGE 3" LCD gives me more of a warm-fuzzy feeling that the image is properly exposed, if it really needed a flash, or out of focus.

My old camera had a tiny 1.8" LCD that was maddening. You know you got a photo, but can't really tell if it was sharp. People tend to be loyal to a camera brand (till they get screwed) and I remain partial to Canon's. My old one was kinda heavy and bulky.  In the small "ultra-compact" line they only had 2 with a real wide angle lens (28mm equivalent) and I bought both of them about 2 months ago so I could compare, and return one. 

The (discontinued) SD800 on top has an optical viewfinder (I almost never used mine on the old camera) but the real reason I was interested in it was because it "looked" like the whole camera was METAL.  But it turns out the front 1/2 is metal, the back 1/2 was silver plastic.  I did some claims with the one on top SD800 and did NOT like the controls.  Switching to "playback" mode was not as easy as the one you bought where you just push a button.  And although the 2 1/2 " display was huge compared to my old camera, it was small compared to the 3" one you bought.  I got rid of the silver SD800 after I took this photo of it (on top).

The thing I really like about the Canon SD870 on the bottom is the maximum size 3" LCD on a minimal size camera.  And the wide-angle lens will capture the entire room, not just part of it, or the entire roof.

Yeah, I was amused by that the first few days. I had read some negative comments about it, and really thought it wasn't a problem for me... until I lived with the camera for a longer time. I have taken over 1,000 photos with my Canon SD870 now, and followed the advice of DPreview.com and turned that feature off.

When you simply rub your finger across the outer metal ring, the camera responds with menu choices - and sometimes a selection was made that I didn't intend.  There isn't a hell of a lot of room on the back of this camera because the LCD screen takes up so much of it.  So you are grabbing the bit of Real-Estate that remains, and making accidental selections just cuz your touching this outer ring. 

It is a simple task to go into the menu and turn OFF that feature.  I prefer that, so I can physically PUSH one of the buttons if I want to go to Macro mode, turn off the flash, etc.

Speaking of Macro, I am still doing Day Claims right now and just did a small fire claim where I had to photo the make-model-serial number of a bunch of stereo-entertainment center components so I could document the claim and find Like-Kind-Quality replacements.  That is where my old camera would let me down, I couldn't tell if the macro photo was focused, and often it would NOT be.

This camera does a better job at close up macro (especially if you use the "digital macro" menu setting) but it isn't perfect.  When there isn't a lot of light behind an entertainment center, focusing on the model #'s, there were some bad shots.  This camera (and my old one) have a good "focus assist beam" but a flashlight to achieve focus helps when it is dim light.

You and I both have Digital SLR's and I know Tom has one too.  When I look in the viewfinder of a Digital SLR, I can really tell immediately if it is in focus when I push the button down 1/2 way, and it does better than anything else in terms of consistent good photos.