Photography
During a recent happy-hour discussion of vacations and camping, one of my co-workers immediately started raving about the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW. During his trip last week to the Cayman Islands, he was forced to purchase a camera after his wife left his at home. According to him, this camera “is freaking unbelievable,” so I had to check it out for myself.
He was right. This point-and-shoot is likely the most amazing digital camera ever designed for outdoor use. First, it’s shockproof, so if you stumble and fall into the drink (not that this happens to me), the camera can withstand the fall — up to 6.6 feet. When you catch and release that elusive brookie during your fishing adventure, you can stick this camera into the water and photograph the fish swimming away, in depths of up to 33 feet. By the pictures my coworker showed from the Cayman’s, you will not be disappointed.
Although winter has finally departed Maine (1…2…3…HURRAY!), this camera can withstand temperatures of 14˚, making it perfect for hikes up Tuckerman’s to ski the headwall. When you tumble down the mountain on that death-defying trip, you can rest assured that your camera will survive the fall, since this camera can deal with up to 220 pounds of pressure.
Be prepared to dish out a little change for this purchase ($399 at most retailers).
Film
For filming all those crazy fish and insane camping trips, leave wherever you are now and go buy The Flip. This gadget has been on the marketplace a while, but still is amazingly simple to use and should be purchased by everyone, everywhere, immediately. The New York Times said it’s “one of the most significant electronics products of the year” (March 2008), and they’re right.
My closest friends purchased one last year before our epic trip to Aziscohos Lake, and it was well worth the investment. The Flip is about the size of a deck of cards, and can fit in your pocket or backback. The controls are simple, with a record button, playback buttons and a flip out screen. The memory is internal flash up to 2 GB and can store up to 60 minutes of video, so no messing with memory sticks, video tapes, DVDs or anything else that takes up space or can be lost. When you return from your trip, flip out the USB portion attached to the camcorder, hook it to your computer, and presto — you and your trip are world famous on YouTube. What I like most about this gadget is the entire time my friends have owned it, they have never asked me for help with using it. It really is that simple.
The Flip is very cost effective at $•.99 for the highest space (2 GB, 60 mins of record time) and $99 for the lowest (512 MB, 30 minutes of record time). It’s available at all major retailers and online at theflip.com.
Melissa Harris is currently employed as a technical quality assurance manager in South Portland. In her spare time she plays for Maine Roller Derby, does web and print design and basically never sleeps.