ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210006
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: 18 EDITION: METRO
Holidays are the perfect time to take photos - candid shots, portraits and pet photos. From point-and-shoot cameras and advanced technology cameras to accessories, there are lots of gifts to choose from for your favorite photographer.
If the person on your Christmas list has a 35 mm camera, the good news is that film has drastically improved. Also there are lots of accessories available: tripods, gadget bags, lenses, filters and batteries. If your photographer wants a 35 mm, the fully automatic Canon EOS Rebel G is popular.
If the photographer on your list wants some new technology, Advanced Photo System and Digital Imaging Photography are options to consider.
Gordon Ewald of Ewald-Clark said that APS was introduced to the world on April 22. Its system includes cameras, film and photo finishing options. The APS camera is compact and has a fool-proof loading system that uses a film cartridge. With the flip of a switch there are multiple photo sizes from which to choose: 4 x 6, 4 x 7 and panoramic.
"You don't have to hold negatives up to the light to see the numbers anymore," Ewald said. "Now you look at index prints - a sheet of thumbnails photos and choose the photo number and size of the print."
APS cameras start at under $100.
Five companies co-developed the APS camera: Kodak, Fuji, Nikon, Minolta and Canon. One model, the Canon Elph is made of stainless steel and fits in the palm of your hand like a deck of playing cards.
Digital technology allows photographers to record either in memory or to a digital card the images taken so they can be directly downloaded to a computer. With the variety of software available, one can manipulate images in many ways.
Like the 35 mm and APS, the DC is simple to use. It has automatic exposure, built-in automatic flash, and some have a monitor to view images recorded. They're affordable and user-friendly.
Kerri Ogden-Tolley, manager of Ritz Camera at Tanglewood, sells Olympus point-and-shoot cameras and larger SLR Nikon cameras . Sharp video cameras have a built-in screen for viewing images and the camers will play back sound.
Tolley said mouse pads for photographers are popular items this year even though they've only been available a few months. Choose the pad with the 4 x 6 photo slit and place your photo in it or have a photo imprinted on the mouse pad. It takes two weeks to get the imprinted pad made.
Other gifts and stocking stuffers include multi-packs of film with rebate offers and film in commemorative holiday tins.
Photo albums and picture frames always make useful, thoughtful gifts - especially if photos are in them.
Ewald advises photographers to have their cameras checked before Christmas morning. Ewald-Clark will check batteries and lenses and tell you about the new film choices so you'll be ready for the holidays.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:by CNBThe Canon Elph is made of stainless steel and fits in the palm of
your hand.