Picture It First

Paul N

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Posts
17,354
Loc
CT, not far from the LI Sound
Greetings all:

I am seriously considering buying Picture It First (PIF) from LifeSaver. I looked at the demo and it seems to be really good.

Can anyone shed some light on how useful it is, ease of use, user friendliness, etc.

Also, what camera is best suited for this system?

PS: I am new to this forum and couldn't find a way to search earlier posts regarding this subject, so please excuse me if this subject is repetitive.

Thanks in advance.
 
Paul, go to the IM chat at the top of the opening page............use your same ID........and ask us all about it......3 people have it and love it.
 
PaulN
The PIF works great. Easy to use. We have been using it for the last few months. We have taken hundreds of shots. It has saved many sales.
We are using the Canon Powershot S1 Is but you can use most any digital camera that has remote shooting. Lifesaver will advise you about this.
 
We're also using the Canon S1 IS with ours, but any camera will do. Ideally you'll want one, such as a Canon, that has the remote operation feature. (the PC can control the zoom, shutter, flash, settings, etc).

If on a budget, the Canon A80 is also excellent (I own one and have used it with PIF) and on sale today at this web site. ($199, msrp is $349) https://www.onecall.com/PID_20969.htm The picture quality is comparable to the S1 IS, for about $100 less.

We have ours mounted to the ceiling, above the design counter.

As far as PIF itself, it paid for itself the first few days in a couple large sales it saved. You just can't beat being able to show them what it will look like framed. We featured it in our newsletter and ads, and people are coming to see the system - including competitors. I think it's only a matter of time before the big boxes adapt such a system, and it becomes a standard like the CMC or POS.

There are at least 4 PIF shops that frequent the chat system most days and you're welcome to stop by if you have any questions. I'm always there and fairly familiar with the product.

We don't use it for EVERY client, but most are intrigued and impressed that we can line up their various choices and present a slideshow or side by side comparison. It's also good if you wish to prepare a design proposal and EMAIL it to a client or out of state relative of a client.

[ 06-10-2005, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: Mike-L@GTP ]
 
PaulN,
I am just about to install PIF. I have done a fair amount of study as to what cameras will work. most canon cameras have remote shooting software. Canon calls it ez-browser. I will be using a Canon A70 bought on ebay for under a $100.
PIF recomends the Canon S1is this camera is going for $250 on ebay and over $300 a internet retailers. There is a deal at slickdeals.netfor a Canon S2is for 354.15 from Dell with the coupon code listed here. ( I haven't checked today to see if the offer has expired, it was limeted to the first 3000 users)
 
Hi Judy:

Thanks for your reply. I just bought a Canon A95 (which I was going to use privately) which I heard somewhere that is also suitable for PIF.

Does the picture size in pixels matter at all for PIF? In other words would a 3 Megapixel camera be as suitable as 5 Megapixel??

Also, how does the camera/mount connect to the PC? Are there any unsightly cables hanging around or can those be hidden?

Thanks again
 
A 3 Megapixel camera is more than sufficient. The a95 will be perfect for the job.

Our ceiling mounted camera has 2 connections. One for the optional power supply, to eliminate the need for batteries. The second is a USB cable that runs from the PC to the camera. The camera only comes with a 3-4' cable, so you'll want a USB extension cable. (from Staples, Officemax, CompUSA, etc) The USB spec allows a maximum distance of about 16 feet. If you need more than 16', there are USB repeaters available that will extend this 16' at a tme. Todd from Special Effects in Canada recently bought some of these, and can comment on their functionality with PIF.

Mike
 
Thank you all for your reply, I really appreciate the kind help.

I will be back in a few days after I get the PIF system and post some feedback.

PS: I have an older Nikon Coolpix 3100 which works great. Does anybody use a Nikon at all with this system??
 
Hi Paul,

The Coolpix 3100 will work fine to take pictures, but the reason most people go with the Canons is because they have the ability to be remotely controlled. (shutter, zoom, settings, picture xfer, viewfinder displays on PC monitor, etc)

It's likely the Nikons have this feature too, but I'm not positive. I see a program referenced on their website called "Nikon Capture". If you get a chance, check the cd's (or operating manual) that came with your camera to see if that's what it does. If so, please share your findings.

Someone else reading this may chime in with the answer.

Have a great weekend
Mike
 
Hi Mike:

Nikon has a new version (4.0) of their Nikon Capture software that they claim works with all their digital SLR (which I assume doesn't include the CoolPix series as they are really point and shoot and not true SLR). This software does support remote camera control though.

Here is a link with more data on the subject:
http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonCapture4.shtml

Edit: As I thought, Nikon Capture is really meant for their high-end SLRs (D1, D70, etc) and costs accordingly: $500!

Another review of Nikon Capture:
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/tools/20010304NikonCapture.html
 
Hi Paul,

I just set up the PIF software. So far I am really pleased. I would strongly recommend using the USB repeater. They aren't expensive and will ensure that you have a strong signal.
Here is a link for them.
http://www.usbgear.com/USB_Repeater_Cable/

The one thing I would ensure is that once you order the software make sure that you order all the other parts you need at the same time to avoid any delays.

Some of things you will require are:
1) ceiling mount.
I bought mine at http://www.panaviseonline.com/products.php
2) Power source for camera. Save batteries (I use the Canon S1 IS purchased from http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/home.asp)
3) USB cable or USB Repeater .
4) Make sure you know the requirments of the software. I tried installing the software on an old P1 and it was a dog. I then put it on a p3 and it worked perfectly. Canon's software is very demanding on an O/S. Nikon's may not be so bad.

As I have just recently set it up I haven't had an opportuntity to see the full benefit. Saying that I have talked about it with many customers and they are very excited to see it it in action.
I have no doubt it will pay for itself quickly.

I already had a designer ask if she could use the software for customers. $$$$ We decided that she could us it for a small fee, which would be changed to a deposit if the setups resulted in work. She thought that was more than fair. She also thought my price was very reasonable. FYI $50.00 for 1st picture and $10.00 for everyone after that. That included setup. I thought it was to much but what do I know. Maybe it should be more????


If I can answer any other question please let me know. I am also on the chat most days.


Todd
 
Hi Todd:

Thank you very much for all the helpful info, greatly appreciated.

I believe working with designers is a great idea.

One question though: I was under the impression that LifeSaver has their own mounts that they provide as a part of the package (included for free, as part of a promotion I believe). What made you decide on a different mount?
 
When Todd bought his, that promotion didn't exist. The coupon I received said 6/2-6/17. It can also redeemed by phone by using the coupon code "bracket".

Those links Todd posted are excellent. If you need to go beyond the 16' limit, the repeater (another 16') is $24.99

Mike
 
Greetings all again:

Does anybody know what are the size limits for Picture It First? I have a customer who wants a large Papyrus framed, size 70 x 35. Will it work with something that big??

Also, can the Canon cameras suggested by some, be connected to a power source, instead of using batteries??

Thanks in advance.
 
The size should be limited only by the space and the camera - not the software. One advantage of the suggested Canon is that it has, I believe, a 10X OPTICAL zoom, which would give you considerable size flexibility from a fixed camera position.

Nearly any camera can be fitted with an AC power supply so you're not ripping through batteries.
 
Our camera is less than 4 feet above the art(we have a very low ceiling), but gets about 36x47. (I just measured it zoomed all the way out)

Like Ron said, the further away it is, the larger the photo can be.

Granted, if a piece of art is larger than our setup's limits, we just take a picture of what fits and the software automatically leaves out the bottom and/or right side. You'd get a representation of the art with the primary colors included, with the selected (full) frame(s), fillet(s), and mat(s) wrapped around the partial image.

We use an a/c power adapter with ours. We tried the battery route for a couple weeks and this is much better


Mike
 
Hey Paul,

If you go with the canon talk with Mike after you install it with the power adapter. He has a good idea to avoid climbing up and turning it on everymorning. I have found that if there is a way around something technical he is the man the will be able to figure it out. He won't brag about himself so I am doing it for him.

Good luck Paul.
 
Ah, the little things that one never thinks of but can be a pain in the butt!

I will definitely go with a Canon (most likely an A80 and keep my A95 for private use / other purposes).

Thanks! I will check with Mike.
 
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