MAVICA

Sony's Mavica FD-7 Digital Camera

I have a Sony Mavica FD-7 digital camera.  I chose this camera because it saves jpeg (640x480) images directly to a floppy disk that you can then take and read directly from any computer and an image editing package.  I have the luxury of having Adobe PhotoShop, which came with my scanner a few years back, but the Mavica also ships with an editor for those not so lucky.  For the most part I use my web browser to take a quick look at a photo I have just shot.  I wanted a digital camera, but I did not want one that I could have to connect cables between the camera and my computer and then download the images.  I want to keep it simple.

For the most part I have been very pleased with the Mavica with one exception.   The flash is too darn hot and tends to wash out any picture shot closer than 7 feet.  It is also hard for the camera to auto-focus in low light conditions.   While in Florida last year I was trying to shoot a photo of a baby alligator in the river and most of the photos ended up being out of focus.

The quick fix for the flash problem is moving back at leat 7-8 feet and then zooming in to your subject.  This solved the "washing out" problem, but is not always possible as you might imagine.  In searching the web I have found the scientific answer to solving this problem is the cover about half of the flash with a piece of black electrician's tape. I've also seen suggestions of covering the entire flash with the Scotch Magic (cloudy not clear) tape.  The Mavica also produces "red eye" when you shoot your subject straight on.  Since I haven't experiemented with the tape work around to the flash I do not know if this also solves the red eye problem.

Here are some Mavica links I found while scouring the web.  I have tried to post only informational links and avoid links for online commerce.

The Mavica Information Exchange Board, run by Matt Wiggins is were all mavicans ask and answer questions, exchange ideas and are generally friendly to each other.

The Mavica Information Exchange FAQ is put together over on AOL. It has answers on most questions, and if not, you find a lot of links that help you along the mavica path.