Camera in your toolbox!

[TheGrooveking]

I realized yesterday that I need to get a decent camera in my toolbox so 1 that is always ready and 2 available when I need it. Using my phone when my hands are dirty, oily or greasy is a bad combination so what are you guys using? Any recommendations?

TheGrooveking

 

[joedodge]

That exact thing. I work for a ambulance fleet so a lot of mechanical repairs along with the one off up fitter stuff having a digital camera in my box has been a huge help and time saver. More headache saver really my phone works good but like you said gets greedy and dirty I just use an old digital camera I got on sale at target for $60

 

[scouting]

Check pawnshops, you really only need a cheap POS since it'll get destroyed by grease anyway. Anything made in the last 5-6 years should suffice.

 

[Coolerman]

I use a Canon A640. It has saved more hours of frustration than any other tool I own by allowing me to put things back together correctly instead of guessing.
Also handy for web site pictures for your friends.
Has a macro setting for close ups and a flip out screen so you can frame the shot easily. It can also record video though at only 640 x 480...

 

[DanCo]

When I worked at the truck dealership I use an old Sony mavica, pics stored on a floppy disk. All the shop computers had a disk drive making it easier to transfer pics. I usually wear gloves so I'm not worried about grease/oil. Besides I got the camera @ garage sale for $5.

Dan

 

[930dreamer]

I take a camera everywhere I go, especially at the shop so I can record my progress. Any name brand camera will produce quality pics. I wouldn't buy a used digital camera because, if I get two years use out of it I'm happy.

 

[xj31]

That's a great idea and I can't believe it never occured to me. I guess I liked having a greasy iPhone

 

[lowbucktruck]

I use an old Canon PowerShot A520 4 megapixel camera for progress pics to document my truck project. I only worry about getting the lense grimy. I leave the Canon in the toolbox or truck, but swap out the memory card with a new one to get the pics. The Canon's old enough that it only takes 4GB SD cards, and those are cheap.

 

[bczygan]

Just picked up a 16MP Canon A2300 for $59 on closeout at Walmart for $59.

It's all you need and fits in a shirt pocket. There are covers you can buy to protect them.
Also have a couple old Sony Coolpix 5MP I picked up for 25 cents apeice, complete with batteries and memory cards at a school rummage sale. Had to get a cable to charge them up.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I just use my iPhone.

 

[Subyroo651]

My LifeProof'd Iphone, it just rinses clean.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Sure, you could buy a cover for your camera... or just slide it into a nitrile glove to keep the grime off, and cut a hole for the lens to poke out.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

I'd check out one of those waterproof/freezeproof/dropproof cameras. Would hopefully last a lot longer and handle a bit more abuse from oil and whatnot getting on it. Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc all make at least one...PowerShot D20, Coolpix S31, FinePix XP60 to name a few.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I'd check out one of those waterproof/freezeproof/dropproof cameras. Would hopefully last a lot longer and handle a bit more abuse from oil and whatnot getting on it. Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc all make at least one...PowerShot D20, Coolpix S31, FinePix XP60 to name a few.

An environmentally-hardened camera? Good idea. Someone should do a review of tough cameras for potential shop use!

 

[signcrafter]

I use a cannon powershot, not sure what model. It's about 3 years old or so. Wifey wanted a nice camera to take pictures so we got it from best buy for around 350. She used it once or twice and couldn't figure out any of the advance features and she doesn't take the time to read the owner's manual so it sat on a shelf until I took it to the garage. About two months ago she wanted a video camera we ended up at best buy and spent about 1100 out the door on the best one they had. Don't think she even turned it one yet. I have been playing with it and it will be taken out to the garage at some point, already has made a few trips out there to tape some repairs. When she says she wants something new I just shake my head and go along for the ride. Not worth it arguing about it and in the end I get some nice toys out of the deal. She makes nice money so in the end it's really just a gift for me!

 

[theaton]

I take a camera everywhere with me. Only suggestion I have is if you are traveling, get a camera that takes standard batteries. ***** to be out of the office, need to photo something, and the battery be dead and have to charge it. You can always have extra batteries or find them at a gas station.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

I take a camera everywhere with me. Only suggestion I have is if you are traveling, get a camera that takes standard batteries. ***** to be out of the office, need to photo something, and the battery be dead and have to charge it. You can always have extra batteries or find them at a gas station.

I disagree with that, the standard AA batteries in cameras **** and you're endlessly changing and/or charging them, plus they're usually more bulky. The latest cameras with lithium packs last for hundreds of photos even with flash and charge up in no time. Charge nightly if you're a heavy photo taker or get two battery packs.

 

[Strouty]

I disagree with that, the standard AA batteries in cameras **** and you're endlessly changing and/or charging them, plus they're usually more bulky. The latest cameras with lithium packs last for hundreds of photos even with flash and charge up in no time. Charge nightly if you're a heavy photo taker or get two battery packs.

+1

 

[TerryH]

I'm an insurance appraiser so I live and die by the camera. I take 100 to 300 photos daily in all kinds of tow yards, body shops, salvage pools etc... I've used the Cannon PwerShot's for years. Currently have a few A2200 HD's. Around $100 at Best Buy. Get the relacement plan. I kill a camera about every 6 months. Got many of them relaced on the plan. Takes great pictures to boot.

 

[Outlawmws]

Keep a box of Baggies with the phone/camera and use it as a quick "Glove" for your hands when you are dirty. Quick and painless. You don't even need it to be zip lock - the cheap fold over bags work fine.

 

[bimmerZ5]

i use my phone camera; and i understand about the grease/dirt thing too. but, i will continue to use the phone camera because it makes it really easy to upload those pictures to an online photo website. this way, i won't lose any pictures if i lose my phone and i don't have to transfer the photos to a computer and then upload them online (in case the computer crashes).

that said, you can get some very sturdy cases for your phone that provide all around protection, even the touch screen portion. when you're done, just spray it down with degreaser and wipe down.

 

[cburnscrx]

Keep a box of Baggies with the phone/camera and use it as a quick "Glove" for your hands when you are dirty. Quick and painless. You don't even need it to be zip lock - the cheap fold over bags work fine.

iPhone -l agree with this, to an extent...I think the zip locks are well worth the price of admission. While I wouldn't go drop my phone in a bucket of water, I certainly have had times where a fold over bag would have been problematic.

 

[GTA Matt]

My Verdict has a built in camera. With the push of a button from anywhere in the shop I can wirelessly print, email or send a picture to my photobucket

 

[ckadams00]

When I worked at the truck dealership I use an old Sony mavica, pics stored on a floppy disk. All the shop computers had a disk drive making it easier to transfer pics. I usually wear gloves so I'm not worried about grease/oil. Besides I got the camera @ garage sale for $5.

Dan

Dan I had one of those in like 2000? But most computers don't have 3" floppies anymore so . . . .?!?!

 

[ckadams00]

I take a camera everywhere I go, especially at the shop so I can record my progress. Any name brand camera will produce quality pics. I wouldn't buy a used digital camera because, if I get two years use out of it I'm happy.

Uh . . .expense, hassle and time to get film developed doesn't encourage you to move to a cheap digital? They're like $100 . . . .

 

[ckadams00]

Grooveking: I went to Best Buy and bought a Sony "demo" digital camera for about $100. Who cares if you get one or two years out of it? If possible, get something that has a reasonable macro for close ups, and I am a HUGE fan of the cameras that take AAs. You have to pay a bit more for the expensive digital batteries, but if you ever get in a jam you can pop ANY AA batteries in it and pop off 5-8 photos. I hate hate hate the "special" digital batteries, especially if you are away from a power outlet to recharge.

 

[nahuebsch82]

http://compare.ebay.com/like/281070645992?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

 

[wise]

I work in a heavy equipment shop (John Deere Dealer) and our yard is concrete and is constantly being traveled by tracked machines such as dozers and excavators. We're a dealer so we take a lot of pictures for warranty issues and to send to higher profile customers. I don't think brand matters as much as some basic features such as water resistance (oil and grease wont get in if water can't), one with a macro for taking really close detailed shots, and make sure it has a completely internal lens rather than a lens that comes out when you power it on. Goes without saying that a rechargable lithium ion rather than replacable batteries is a huge plus. Our yard manager got a new one and I forget the brand... but it seems pretty solid except that it is missing a really important feature of date stamping the photos. Buyer beware with that type of thing!

 

[930dreamer]

Uh . . .expense, hassle and time to get film developed doesn't encourage you to move to a cheap digital? They're like $100 . . . .

Not sure what you mean here;

I do have a digital camera.

 

[CAOS]

I just use my phone, but if you dont want to use yours. Just use an old phone or find one of your friends that will let one of theres go on the cheap. I'd rather use my phone and put the money spent on a separate camera to a quality case.

 

[Outlawmws]

I take a camera everywhere I go, especially at the shop so I can record my progress. Any name brand camera will produce quality pics. I wouldn't buy a used digital camera because, if I get two years use out of it I'm happy.

Uh . . .expense, hassle and time to get film developed doesn't encourage you to move to a cheap digital? They're like $100 . . . .

Not sure what you mean here;

I do have a digital camera.

It's just a NEW one (When purchased)