Stolen from our scrap collection: Nikon Coolpix L3
Let's see if I can write an article about a camera that really doesn't interest anyone. Turns out I can: I can.
Old digicams are something like youngtimers. Not really old, not a real rarity, and therefore cheap to buy. Often even for free. The practical value of these things is close to zero, but that's precisely what makes them likeable collector's items in my eyes.
Our product managers have dozens of old cameras lying around uselessly. A wild, random mix of film cameras and digital cameras in all levels of quality, age and wear. There is also some real junk among them.
I steal a Nikon Coolpix L3 from there. Built in 2006 or 2007, 5.1 megapixels, 3x zoom. About the size of a credit card. Cute. Beautiful. Nostalgic. And completely useless today - every smartphone takes better pictures.
The Nikon Coolpix L3 was launched on the market as a simple budget model. It is by no means the most spectacular camera in the collection. But it is the one that I find easiest to get up and running. The chargers are missing from all the collector's items. This camera, however, works with two ordinary AA batteries.
The old batteries have of course leaked, white flakes are crumbling out of the compartment. The contacts still work, the camera works.
A unique feature
First I have to set the date and time. Then I want to insert a memory card. Fortunately, the L3 uses SD cards - not a matter of course in 2006. Even less obvious is the fact that the card slot is on the side. This means that the card can be replaced while the camera is screwed to a tripod. However, as most compact cameras still have the card compartment at the bottom, I automatically open the battery compartment. This interrupts the power supply and the next time I switch on the camera I have to set the date and time again. Incidentally, the card would not have been necessary. The camera has an internal memory that is sufficient for around 18 shots.
Like any serious photographer, the first thing I do is take a photo of my keyboard. The camera has a macro mode. I can't get very close with it either. Until the autofocus finally focuses, it rattles and squeaks for what feels like an eternity. When the photo is finally in the frame, the camera says: "Shot out of focus. Save image?"
I'm impressed. On the one hand, this booger camera is barely capable of taking a sharp picture, but on the other hand it even recognises when the picture has become blurred. A feature I've never seen before.
The serious practical test
The camera always flashes when it's not extremely bright. It looks ugly, but without the flash, the shots would be blurred. This is because the camera somehow doesn't seem to be able to increase the ISO sensitivity to reduce the shutter speed. You can't set such things manually anyway.
Like any serious photographer, I not only take photos of my keyboard, but also selfies. It's immediately noticeable that the white balance is completely useless. The actual white wall always appears turquoise - depending on the white balance, there are different shades of turquoise.
With the raw format, this could easily be corrected on the computer, but the camera only offers JPEG. With the pre-white balance, I still managed to get the colours right. Hold the camera up to a white wall, measure, then take photos in the same light. It works after all!
By the way, I can't help the background. Or not much. My colleague Martin Jud unkindly deposited the box behind me in my absence and very kindly apologised for it. The strange metal rod is the tweeter of the Philips Fidelio loudspeaker. Dominik Bärlocher kindly placed it on my desk while I was away because otherwise it would have been thrown away and I thought I could use it. But I didn't know what they looked like then. Does anyone happen to need huge, heavy as a tonne and incredibly ugly Philips Fidelio speakers?
I could of course take another photo without this stupid background. But if I put too much effort into this completely pointless article, I'm sure one of you will ask if I have nothing better to do. Since you just asked: Yes, I have better things to do. But like any serious photographer, I spare no expense or effort to take a particularly great picture. A picture that is not just okay (like the pictures by Anselm Adams, Vivian Maier or Thomas Kunz), but a picture that makes history.
54 people like this article
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
