My niece in Arizona got a new computer (a PC), and her old editing program won’t run on it. I have a Mac, so I am not much help. She does casual editing, so she’s not needing a heavy-duty program. What she needs is a good program that is not too complicated and not too expensive. Family shots, get-togethers, and vacation photos are what she mostly shoots. She has a Canon SL2 and a decent zoom lens that she uses. Any suggestions that I can give her?

Before it is suggested by someone, she does not want a LR subscription.

I've been looking online for a compact pocketable camera - new or used. There are lots of nice little cameras available, but I just didn't want to part with $300+. Then I remembered my wife's camera. Perfect.

I bought her a little Kodak Easy Share One in about 2006. It's an amazing little camera - all metal, heavy, tough. It has a flip-out LCD, internal memory that will hold 1,500 pictures, plus a slot for an SD and another for a Kodak Wi-Fi card that can send pictures to the Kodak printer. The printer uses transfer film to print nice color pictures. It has a flash, 3X zoom, and 4MP. Yes, a whopping 4MP.

Reading the review done by dpreview in 2005, it cost $599, but I doubt I paid that much. The Wi-Fi card alone cost $99. I'm charging the battery now.

You can find more info if you look for the dpreview.

My daughter wants to get a camera system and has been looking at Sony FF and the OM System. She wants a camera that's light, portable, travel ready with the ability to do a myriad of options to include wildlife, she doesn't want a bridge camera. She's a novice but her husband is extremely good however he has the Canon mk5, whatever version, and the lenses to go with it and is adamant about his DSLR....doesn't talk mirrorless since he won't be changing systems.

That camera and lenses are far too large for her liking, and she has been doing her own research and basically narrowed it down to the aforementioned choices on her own. She has now asked me for recommendations, probably the last person to ask. She likes the size and convenience of the OM System but likes some of the features of the new Sony A7IV. The only thing I could explain to her was the cost of Sony and lenses can get quite expensive, but it is an excellent system. Since she is a novice, the learning curve would be steep but does have help via the husband. I also mentioned she look at Nikon and Canon mirrorless entry options.

OTOH, understanding the OM system is a totally different system (MFT), its smaller, much lighter and most likely cheaper and probably not as good for wildlife as the Sony but does have a good selection of lenses.

That being said, I was concerned about the future of OM and its camera systems and could advise her only on that. I've researched this site, found a little info but I would be interested in hearing comments about some of the members thoughts on these systems for a newbie in photography. All comments, good or bad, are greatly appreciated....Cheers.

PS, cost is somewhat a consideration but not the driving force.

The petroleum industry does use the world wide crude market to justify increasing prices when crude prices are raising, almost instant increase in retail pump prices to increases in cost per barrel of crude. NOT SO MUCH when crude oil prices are falling. They have built in a lag factor to make sure the retail inventory get sold out first.

My other question: Why can I buy good gas at Costco for .35 -.50 per gallon cheaper than the local Chevron or Shell or Texaco stations? I am pretty sure that Costco is not losing money on their gas prices.

Two problems:

1. You are thinking like a junior high economics student or a consumer, not a businessman.

2. Prices at the pump are NOT linked to the price of crude. The price of crude is but one factor in the pump price.


Imagine you are a franchise owner of a convenience store. (Have you noticed fuel-only stores are few and far between?)

You make your main profit on what you sell in the convenience store.

Fuel is, mostly, just an incentive to shop in the store.

Your profit margin on fuel is between 1% and 3%.

Your profit margin on store items is over 15%.

You have to keep your pump prices in line with your competition or no one will stop and buy store products.


Now, you can’t price your fuel based on what its wholesale price is, NOW, you have to base it on what you think it will be then next three times you buy bulk.

Look at the market, today.

Is it stable? (No.)

Is the wholesale price liable to increase before your next refill? (Durn tootin’.)

WILL THE PIDDLING PROFIT YOU MAKE ON FUEL, TODAY, PAY FOR THE REFILL NEXT MONTH???


Did you say “no”?


Here’s your sign…. <~~~In case you aren’t familiar with the phrase, this is a joke.

He guys I'm in the market for a solid macro for my D7200. I am trying to decide between the Tokina 100mm and Tamron 90mm for flowers,plant photos and dog portrats. Anyone have experiece with both or one of the other? I found a like new Tokina for a great price and an excellent Tamron 90mm for about the same price. I see the Tokina does not have vr but that is not a deal breaker for me as I will use a tripod. Mainly looking for sharpness and crisp colors. Any response would be greatly appreciated.Thanks