Saturday, June 09, 2007

My sick camera

I am falling behind on blog reading and one reason is because our part of Japan has been deluged with rain and thunder storms. Years ago we lost an air conditioner when lightening traveled through the wires (I guess) so whenever there is a thunderstorm we all run to our selected corners. Choco cowers in the dog house til I rescue her, Cleo hides under the cushions in the living room and I dash to the computer and pull out the plug! I don't want to blow the computer!

Actually, I'm having a gadget problem without the lightning's help. My digital camera is acting up! This is serious! I no longer can live without my digital camera! I didn't drop it or anything. It just started making strange noises and flashing ERROR at me. Of course I changed the batteries, but no difference. I took it to the camera shop and they nonchalantly told me that it was broken (I know that) and I could send it in to be fixed and it would cost me a $150 for them to look at it. No guarantees that it could be fixed for that amount though. On top of that, it would need to be in the repair shop for a month or more! NO WAY! These days my digital is like my life-blood! For heaven's sake! If I didn't post pictures no one would wade through my long posts! (My kids have told me that before. "Too long, Mom. But we like the pictures.") Leiya is coming in this week and she hasn't been back in Japan for almost two years! I need this camera! Or some camera. I suggested that the camera shop might want to loan me a camera while they kept mine for a month but they thought this was a very humorous suggestion. In essence they are telling me to give up on the camera and buy a new one. What ever happened to the mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"? Aren't we trying to cut down our outpouring of garbage? I've brought my clicking, flashing camera home with me and it is still taking pictures so it isn't on its death bed yet. I may end up shopping for a camera while Leiya is here because it is one of the things like a refrigerator, washing machine, car and computer that I can no longer live without! I'm sure you don't want to see many pictures like the one here that I've taken on my cell phone camera!

10 comments:

Connie said...

Tanya, Here in the states you can buy a brand new digital camera for that price. Ask Leiya to bring one with her! She can get one at WalMart or Sam's Club, any place like that. I have no idea what the value of yours is, of course, but I'm just letting you know what's available here.

atet said...

Oh no -- hope you find a new camera soon! I know I can't live without mine anymore either.

anne bebbington said...

We surely have become a throwaway society!

May Britt said...

A day without my camera. Horrible!!!

Quilt Pixie said...

my camera got smashed in luggage shortly after buying it and the lense is cracked. That was 2 years ago. I'm still taking pics OK with it! I wont repair it, but buy a new one when the glass finally shifts too far to be usable... Check out online prices and shipping -- point and shoot cameras are quite cheap here in North America.

rumi said...

It costs too much to get electrical appliances fixed in Japan. Buying new one might be cheaper. I hope you get new one soon. While Leiya-chan is here, I do think you should have a camera!

computerpeach said...

My camera broke while still under warranty; but then they lost it when they were shipping it back. I was without my camera for a month (I was lucky and still had my husband's camera) it was still a long month!!

KDS said...

Precaution is better than repair. What you need is a surge protector for you computer. Not only it will protect your appliances (computer and others connected to it) from lightening surges, it will also protect from other surges which might possible occur in the electrical system. Oh, and a surge protector with a Fuse is better than one without it.

For the camera I'm afraid there isn't much advice from me. I would say use it while it works and get a new one for backup. In the US they are cheap. Good options can be Fuji F31FD, SD800 IS (expensive though), or the RICHO GRD (no zoom, expensive, but good). For camera reviews check out dpreview.com. Good Luck.

Chookyblue said...

Get a new camera........they usually aren't the same when they come back........
...and for the cats..they have to go........outside.......

Beth said...

I have become pretty attached to my digital camera too! Have a wonderful time with your daughter home. Mine lives far from us also. Thank goodness for phones,e-mail and digital pictures!