Digital Cameras (Testing)

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Sorting and Preparation

Sort cameras and accessories into bins by brand. While sorting, do the following:

• Inspect for obvious physical damage. A small scuff or scratch on the casing should be fine, but discard any cameras with denting or cracks/gaps in the housing.
• Check labels for supported resolution and discard any cameras at or below 4 megapixels.
• Discard all Casio brand cameras.

Select a single brand once they are sorted and separate the cameras from accessories. While doing this check the cameras for batteries and memory cards and do the following with them:

• Check to see if there is an available charger for any proprietary battery you remove and plug in the battery to charge for use during testing. Proprietary batteries without a charger should be placed with other accessories.
• Test standard batteries; keep the ones with a good charge for use in testing and place the dead ones aside to be recycled.
• Give all memory cards to a Free Geek staff member immediately.

Functionality Testing

If any of the following steps cannot be completed then discard the camera, being sure to remove any installed batteries and memory before placing it in the discard pile.

1. Find the necessary battery or batteries and insert them, then turn the camera on. If the camera does not power on try swapping out the batteries.
2. Turn the camera off again, insert the appropriate memory card/stick, then turn it back on.
3. Check the camera's screen. Are there any error messages or other warnings?
   1. If "Lens Error", "Restart Camera", or anything similar appears then discard the camera.
   2. If "No Storage", "Insert Card", or anything similar appears then try replacing the installed memory card/stick. If the second card is still not detected then discard the camera. Note: Some cameras have internal memory and will not immediately report if removable storage is not detected; in this case check through the menu system and look for an indicator that the installed memory is accessible.
   3. If the display is blank then check any buttons or knobs on the camera to make sure it's in the correct operation mode to be acting as a viewfinder or displaying pictures. Discard if it's still blank after confirming these settings.
   4. If the display is distorted, scrambled, or otherwise unusable as a viewfinder or to display pictures then discard the camera.
4. Switch the camera to the appropriate mode to take pictures and snap a few photos of the nifty hardware and decorations all around!
   1. While taking pictures make sure the camera successfully zooms all the way in and all the way out; this can sometimes trigger lens errors if there's a problem.
   2. Check settings to force the flash on if possible, or move to a darker area and take a picture to make sure the flash works.
5. Switch to the appropriate mode to view the pictures you've taken and make sure they're displaying properly.
6. If there are any buttons or switches on the camera that you have not already had to use to complete the previous steps then play with them now and make sure the camera responds appropriately.

Processing Discarded Cameras

1. Check all hatches, flaps, etc. for any installed batteries or memory cards and remove them; give any found memory cards to staff.
2. Break off the battery hatch cover cautiously; a good pair of pliers should do the trick, just be sure to break any plastic pieces away from your face or anyone else.
3. Proprietary batteries can be retained for use in another camera; place them in the bin with the match brand cameras/accessories.
4. Standard batteries should be tested and kept for reuse if they're viable or sorted into the appropriate battery recycling bins by the warehouse check-in station.
5. Cameras and hatch covers should be placed in a bin in front of CBM in the warehouse to be re-checked by recycling staff.

Instructor Notes

Familiarize yourself with the commonly received models of cameras that have internal storage and try to intercept them during the sorting process; a list of such cameras will be compiled as they are identified. Cameras with internal memory should be checked by staff and the memory erased (usually via a "Memory Format" option in the camera's menus) before any testing is conducted by volunteers.