My family had a yard sale over the weekend and it made me smile to come across the first camera I used in my career as a real estate appraiser. Yes, this camera actually had the capability for photos to be taken directly on a floppy disk so they could in turn be easily installed on a computer. This was cutting edge at the time, but now it’s completely irrelevant since new computers don’t even come with a floppy disk drive. It amazes me how quickly things change. Did you ever have something like this?
If you have any real estate appraisal, consulting, or property tax appeal needs in the Greater Sacramento Region, contact me at 916.595.3735, by email, on our appraiser website or via Facebook.
Hey Ryan,
It’s so funny that you did this blog; I was just explaining to someone this past weekend about the conversion from film camera’s to digital. Our office spent $2500-$3000 per month on film developing, and virtually overnight it went to zero. I still have one of my original digital Kodak camera’s, but you have me beat with that floppy disc. Michael
Well, you have me beat since I never had to develop film thankfully. I am so grateful for digital cameras for so many reasons. It’s funny that my kids each have a camera despite 5 and 7. They’ll never know what it’s like to take film to a store to have it developed (only to see that half the pictures were blurry of course and the other half didn’t turn out well either).
Michael, That is really interesting. I had one appraiser tell me that he use to get his film developed and glue the photos into the appraisal before mailing it to the client. How many extra days did the film development add to the time to complete appraisals. Did you always get them developed in 1 day? It is amazing how technology changes.
Brian, If you met the developer’s deadline about 12 hours, so probably 1-2 extra days compared to now. What really sucked is when you got the pictures back and you forgot to take a picture, or one didn’t turn out. You had to run and retake the photo and have that roll developed. We used double sided tape to paste the photos to the report, and virtually all reports were sent courier express.
I remember the double sided tape Michael. I would have the report all finished except for the photos. I would go get the photos, tape them on in the parking lot, and then drop it off in the mail. I don’t miss that.
Ryan, this was the camera I was dying to get, because it was cutting edge with the floppy and all. I never ended up getting one though. Thanks for taking us down memory lane.
That’s great, Tom. Trust me, you didn’t miss out on much. But at the time I felt like it was such a convenience. Now that I’m “exposed” to even my cell camera, it’s just so much better. It’s fun to hear your experiences from back in the day.
That was my first camera too ! and my second ( fondly nicknamed the Hammer ) which still serves a useful purpose in its new reincarnation as a door stopper 🙂
That’s funny, Albert. The camera is heavy. It could easily serve as a doorstop. Effective use.
highest and best use 🙂
Yes indeed. 🙂
Well, I remember my first “real” hard drive – a 20MB Jasmine I paid $400 for. And, yes, I remember when the transition from film to digital started. My first digital was 1.2MB (?) and it was at least $400, too!!
That floppy drive, though, that is pretty vintage. I recently tossed my crappy cheap film cameras and my waste-not-want-not Mom had a cow.
Kids these days won’t even know what camera film is (or floppy disks for that matter). It’s truly amazing how quickly technology changes – and then how that makes other industries adapt too.
I went directly to digital. My first trainer wanted me to buy the same camera. I only actually went out with him once. He was the one that told me I should not be an appraiser and painted a very dismal picture of the profession. But he was a crotchety old dude and I did not take his words to heart, thank you very much. In spite of everything that has happened to our profession, this is still the best thing I have ever done and I love being an appraiser. My future is so bright, that I am wearing shades.
You were smart to avoid the camera and smart to stay in the profession. I can see why you only went out with that trainer one time (maybe you got a new trainer?). I’m glad to know you, Bill. You’re definitely one of the good guys.