Being a home inspector I go through digital cameras. I have lost count of just how many have died on the job, although their bodies are in my drawer. Every once in awhile I "harvest" an organ from an old one to keep another camera operating for a few more days. I am not going to pay $200.00 a pop for cameras that I then take into crawl spaces and submerge in water or that I drop off ladders from roofs. Yes, I have lanyards but I would actually have to have my wrist through the strap for it to work. My solution is that I have found a couple Olympus model cameras that I like. One is good for general shots and exterior, the other has better detail for closeup work. These cameras I have chosen, at this point, are getting older so they keep showing up on Ebay for under a hundred bucks each. Often the cameras on Ebay are, actually, in great shape because normal people -- not a home inspector -- used them instead of abused them. Now we get to the point of my post. In this age when everyone is so concerned about privacy, it is amazing the number of cameras that are sent to me that come with one, or several, memory cards that are full of private images. Now, being an honorable sort, I am not going to post these anonymous people's photos online, other than I do think the two authentic examples below are safe to post. Probably the people in the photos would not recognize themselves. The photo at the right gives an example of the "party" type photos that people send to me. Least you think I am a pervert, I only discovered this fact the other day. I do not froth at the mouth waiting for UPS to deliver my used camera to see what kind of special bonus I might have received. I discovered this by accident when I desperately popped a memory card from my ever growing stash into a new used camera. Gee, it has stuff on it. What might that be? I have since erased the card, but it had several naked photos of an individual, with the primary focus being on the rear-end. The downside, quite a steep downside actually, was that the naked photos were more in line with, or similar to, this photo, than photos of anyone with a resemblance to Catherine Zeta Jones or Angelina Jolie. Heck, even Angie's dad, Jon Voight, would have been a huge step up. Everyone thinks about privacy issues, it is big talk right now. Therefore, I think it strange that people do not think to erase their private photos, instead they send them on to a total stranger that they encounter on Ebay. It is a strange world out there. And, if you do not believe me, take another gander at this. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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What a stud muffin must be mighty hot where he is inspectin:)
Charlie,
Rumor is that the guy was willing to pose nude, but the photographer felt that the photo would be hotter if much more was left to the imagination.
Steve you carry 2 cameras? I bought a new camera a few months back. I was getting worried ol' reliable was going to die unexpectedly. My budget for a camera is $200. I found one for slightly more, but it had the features I was seeking. The one it replaced I have had for years. It's a Sony cyber shot. The battery in that camera is second to none.
Btw that picture you posted looks like some geezer who escaped from an asylum. The guy acts like he's a home inspector. Boy it takes all kinds.
I don't know... do you think someone was out there looking all over for that memory card? There is a very useful button on digital cameras, unlike the old film ones: just press delete :}
James,
I am a redundant sort. I carry two of almost everything, except ladders and cameras. I have four ladders. I have three cameras with me. One lives in the truck. I once got to an inspection way out in the county and had both cameras at home next to their charging batteries. I was late to the inspection. So I carry one as backup. I carry a bag of seven batteries that all fit the olympus product. I have two pinless moisture meters, two tick testers, all except the really expensive stuff. Oh, and I have to more cameras...close to new, that sit in boxes at home so if a camera dies I bury the body and it gives me time to get a "deal" on Ebay. I have gotten this camera for as little as 40 bucks, but typically more like 75 for one and 100 for the other. When I bought the cheaper one retail, five years ago, it was 200 bucks. The fact we have so many wet crawl spaces takes a real toll on all of our stuff out here.
As the the weirdo, I think he is just about as weird and edgy as a person can get without ending up behind vertical bars.
Mr James,
I am so pleased to see that, yet once again, you and me is on exactly the same paige. That naked Seattle inspector is quite the rage around here but he is all skin and no spuds.
Nutsy
Mrs Shoshana,
If I had naked photos of me, at least there would be fur. Ha, Ha, Ha
Your soulmate,
Nutsy
Great post Steven. I have always had just one camera. I guess I need to be in the market for several others.
Steven, Steven, Steven, why'd you bring up that old photo and trick me into going to it twice!!!! It you didn't befriend and employ Nutsy, I'd have to part ways with you!! My eyes are singed again!!
Andy,
I would, for sure, have two. I know too many inspectors who for one reason or another, including plain old camera failure, ended up not being able to take photos of many items. If you do a report with many photos it is very frustrating to suddenly find that you end up having to leave out everything crawl space or whatever.
Barbara,
That is really bad all right. I put it up there with seeing Psycho the first time.
Steven - LOL OK I looked twice too! Couldn't help it! I thought it would be Nutsy with some hot suit one! ~Rita
"I thought it would be Nutsy with some hot suit on"
Rita, and after you looked, I bet that you wished that it had been the Nutsy one.
Howdy there Steven
I sure did want to get by to pay you a visit, to say wisken you, your family, Nutsy, and the boys, A fine and very Happy New Year!!!
Great point Steven. I do have a small point-and-shoot that slips into my pocket that I use for inspections. I can't remember what kind it is but I have had it over a year. I have dropped it in a whirlpool tub and it still works. (It is water proof up to 5 feet...)
Happy FOO YEAR!!!
nothing like spiked coffee at 0300 eh???
I, too, carry two cameras along in case of problems . . . and I have had problems. I also carry two cards for each camera. If I am doing more than one inspection in a day it helps me keep them separate. I have a maximum price of $100 that I'll pay for a camera. As the technology improves $100 gets better cameras. Regarding the "other" picture, just what were you and Charlie doing>!!!!!!!
David,
Afraid Charlie was solo on that one. He did a blog awhile back called home inspector gone wild....it was an autobiography.
Instead of yelling take it off, they screamed "leave it on".
Jack,
That was certainly the case regarding Charlie, that much is true.