Well, here is some bittersweet news - first off - the good part, the Kodak Playtouch pocket video camera is again on sale for $99 ($180-200 value).

When I first saw this - I figured they really want to move some of these... And I was right - in a round about way - and that leads us to the bad news:

Kodak, the company we grew up with, the film I have loaded in more cameras than I can count, the cornerstone of american invention on film, is prepping for a Chapter 11 - that is the rumor in the tech community anyway.

Is the sale price on this camera related? I can't tell you for sure, what I can tell you, is that you better go pick on up. Why the Kodak camera?

Compact
Cheap (For now)
And above all - the ONLY pocket camcorder with a mic jack... A must for your Lavalier mic.

These reasons alone should make you run out to get one - the sale is on at Best Buy this week!

We talked about the basics of using a tripod for your photos for real estate. 

I told you I was going to show you how to stabilize your video, so it looks a little less seasickness inducing... I think you know what I am talking about. 

To see what is up with the tripod, check this post out: What's up with the tripod?

Now, there are a couple of solutions to this - if you have a few grand laying around, a steadycam and a broadcast quality camcorder is probably in order - but then you would have to give up your day job and become a vidographer... Nah...

The other version is to get a Smoothee - especially if you have an iPhone 4, since it will record HD video. The Smoothee is a stabilizer on the same principle as a stadycam (Go figure - same company too) and runs you about $200. 
You can also opt for a Merlin version - it's a bit more nigh end, and so is the price of $800...

Now, if you are anything like me, you are wondering how to do this cheaper...

So - back to that TRIPOD you just bought?!?! Right?!?! 

Instructions:

• Find the center balance point.
• Hold the tripod with 2 fingers if possible and move as you wish...
• Note that camera does not bob as much as wehn you just carry it.  

There you have it - see the video for a visual. 

Here it is - the TRIPOD - Yes, you know, that thing that makes your images actually look sharp - even on a slightly overcast day...

So what is all the fuss about - pretty simple really - give your camera a staply platform, and you will not have as much blur in your images. Oh, use it for video too, that would just make you even more happy. 

The ingredients here is

• A set of legs - figure around $100 See a nice one here - and yes, you can spend WAYYY more than that if you like, but I don't. 
• A ball head to mount the camera to (this is the one I am showing in the video), A fluid head for video will work just fine too - I prefer to go lightweight. More Ball Heads.

Note that I am showing you some Benro legs, they are modeled on the Gitzo brand, which as you can see, has a nice high price point. Benro is a cheaper version of almost the same thing.  

Once adjusted, this will set your camera up so you can shoot nice solid images - and for little money too. 

Enjoy, and please feel free to hit me up with any questions you may have. 

On a long lazy afternoon - you sometimes get a call - here is the deal, house, car you have been looking for - and off you go. 

Yesterday was such a day for me, check this house out, location, price, it all seems good... Oh, could you get me a picture, there is only one. Hmm, maybe that should be a bit of a heads up there. So, wihtout further sdo, for those who like to fix, I salute you!!!

Get out a sloppy half million, bring your contractor friends and have a party - this is your dream... I think. 

This is another 

East Murrieta home for sale - Los Alamos and Whitewood

And as you may be aware, the prices are silly out here. 

In this case, we are looking at some 2600 square feet, and a price around teh $250,000 mark, that is about $93/ square foot!!! 
Details? How about 5 bedrooms, a large master, clean and comfortable - some would use the term turnkey. And it has a nice backyard.

The kicker... I sold the same model a few streets over, for $230,000 a while back - someone got a great deal!

Take a look at the walk through and call me with questions.