Several days ago I was at an in-home jam session with my camera. Even though I put my camera bag out of the way, a guest managed to drop a can of beer in it. Fortunately no cameras or lenses were in it. However there were at least 8 batteries, lens cleaning items and much more. I brought it home and left everything out in the garage to air out after wiping all down. But I immediately came down with bronchitis, so the items stayed there.

Yesterday we had a cleaning service come in. YOU GUESSED IT! Bag and all contents went in the garbage which was taken out and picked up before I caught it.

Hate that Murphy!

Well, narrow vision is a thing we suffer all our lives by not having enough experience or good sense to change the perspective when confronted with something...

What the heck this has to do with photography and smartphone?

Simple: I am tired of seeing folks using their phone vertically regardless of subject. I know the camera lenses are on top but come on, open the field, use horizontal for god's sake, you will see your (err...) subjects better.

Ease of use, availability, does not justify sloppiness. A small twist of a wrist and that's it! There! A brand new worldwide is in front of your... camera.

Anyway, another rant...

I have been asked by a friend for a recommendation for a camera “better than a cell phone.” I have not bern involved in that segment of the market for quite some time, and some of the criteria are hard to quantify, so I am turning to the UHH brain trust for input.

My friend is an opportunistic photographer, who likes to take long walks in gardens and parks, and take landscape or nature photos when something catches his eye. He does not go out for the purpose of taking pictures.

Please read the following criteria. I would appreciate it if responders could refrain from suggestions that my friend “really should” have a camera that does not meet these criteria.

Requirements:

1) EASY TO USE. My friend feels that, when confronted with a picture opportunity, cell phones take too long too initialize. Wants something that can “point and shoot.”

2) Viewfinder and DSLR shape. NO POCKET CAMERAS, PLEASE, He doesn’t want a full-size camera, but likes the familiar format of the DSLR.

3) Single zoom lens, not interchangeable. Not crazy long.

4) Good picture quality (i.e., better than a cell phone).

5) Easy to download, post to social media, etc. He will NOT be processing RAW images.

6) No price limitations, but clearly advanced cameras with many features are not part of the criteria.

From my research, a camera like the Lumix DC-FZ80 would seem to meet the criteria, but I can not speak to the EASY TO USE qualities. I would appreciate hearing from Hoggers who have these same general criteria for their impressions and recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

Logitech makes great products,and I especially like their cordless mice and keyboards.

I wanted to use one with this Chromebook, but I can't get one to work. I have a small, old Kensington wireless mouse, and that worked immediately. The wheel action isn't smooth though, so I tried a Logitech. Then another, and another...

I've used these on many computers, but sometimes, they will just not connect. I have them on my Macs, and they work fine. I have both the Unified and the older kind, 310, 705, and 510, and not one will connect. I' open to suggestions.

A number of years ago, I went to China and had the experience of going from an a/c room to hot and humid outside and my lens fogged up. So my question for Antarctica, should I be concerned by going from a cold outside to a warm room? I had one person tell me to put my camera in an insulated lunch bag.

Also, I have been looking at silica gel packs to help absorb moisture and I wanted to know if the Ruggard Desiccant Silica Gel Pack (or Pelican or any other brand) is any better or same as the standard gel packs (reuseable)?

Thanks for your input/help.