Re: Fisher-Price

[Stephen Davee <davees@ucs.orst.edu>]

Howdy all-



> And then there's the problem of media. The Creative Effects Fun

> PhotoMaker uses $14.99 disposable cartridges, called Picture Packs.

> After 36 pictures, it's time to hit up Mom & Dad for another Picture

> Pack - at those prices, it's not long before the Fun PhotoMaker becomes

> a high-priced ViewMaster, without the reels.

>

I'm super happy with my FP FPM- want to clear up the cost of the

replacable cartridges, though. If you order direct from FP, they are only

$3.30 a piece, postage paid. My last batch came two days after ordering-

and they have lasted 40-50 pictures. My batteries have survived about 60 

pictures a set. So, while special effects carts do run around $12-15 

(anybody up for a hack to create custom effects?), the carts are 

relatively cheap for now. 



Also- my FP FPM is in the process of gaining a switch to turn off the 

tune- 



> What Fisher-Price has done, somehow, is to ignore the lessons of the

> past, and create a PixelVision for the '90s.



Let's hope they continue to ignore such lesons, eh?

 I have used mine to Photograph 

people I met on a recent climbing road trip to Utah, so I could paste the 

pictures in my journal, next to names, etc. Also- people who are normally 

reluctant to be photographed seem to have little objection to having a 

"toy" take their picture, especially when you can print out multiple 

copies and give them one. I am going Guatamala this summer, and 

plan to take two along to be able to give something to the people- especially

kids- for tolerating an gringo photographer.Many Photographers 

take polaroids for this purpose, breaks the ice and gives something to 

the beautiful people being photographed. This is cheaper, but so is my 

budget.

In the right light the picture quality is fine, much like the 

pixelvision. A photo-tip: I leave the contrast switch on dark.   



Whoa, but I do ramble....

Pixel on-

SMD