PDA for field notes?

[jstraw]

Anyone using a PDA for field notes when shooting? What pda, what app? Database?

 

[Ole]

I always bring a notebook, but never remember to take notes. I'm sure that if I owned a PDA the batteries would always be flat...

 

[Nick Zentena]

I keep thinking of one for this and other uses. But are they even being made anymore? It seems the market is dead and the companies are just moving towards smart phones.

 

[jstraw]

I do take notes but what I'd really like is some sort of form on a PDA that has fields for shooting, development and printing. I'm thinking of experimenting with Office 2007's versions of Access and InfoPath to build something that can run on a PDA.

I'd write a form so that very little text input was required in the field, pull-downs or check boxes for shutter speed, aperture, filtration and development...

I'd sync the db with the desktop when I was home and even have a field for holding a stored scan of the neg and/or print. Again, very few keystrokes since I'd pre-populate default data for film, paper, development procedures and have menus for the most common deviations.

I'm very curious what other people are using. I'm not really about re-inventing the wheel if something already exists that works.

 

[bdial]

I use my Palm occasionally for this, when I do, I just use it's memo program, but there are some photography oriented programs available.
They are not particularly rapid devices for note taking, I know Palm's alphabet pretty well, but I can still work faster on paper. Also, in bright sunlight the screen is hard to read.
PDA's are more compact than many notepads, and if you want to store the notes on your computer, then it's easier than starting from paper.
You can use the device's search function to find notes you took a year ago which may or may not be easier than with a notebook.
There is a product called "Documents to Go" which will let you work with Word and Excel docs on the PDA, I'm not sure about Access. It works quite well though.

 

[shicks5319]

Field notes

I find taking adequate field notes time consuming and a distraction, particularly when light conditions are changing rapidly; fast moving clouds, sunset or sun rise.

Then when I get back to the darkroom, I always wish I had written more than I did or worse, I can't read what I have written in my field book as I was in such a hurry to get it down.

One thing I have tried with a little success is using one of those little digital recorders. I pin the mic to my collar and set the device to voice activated. Then as I take meter readings or put a filter on I just verbally describe what I'm doing.

Then back at the darkroom I just play it back.

It's not fool proof and I get funny looks from people that may be around at the time, but the process ends up with more field data than if I rely on note taking.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for voice recorders as notebooks. I was interested to see that many French doctors use them (a handwriting question, one wonders) and on the rare occasion I want to take notes, I use an old Olympus Pearlcorder.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I normally use a notebook, but sometimes Post-It notes are very handy, since they can follow a sheet of film from the holder to the filing sleeve or lab order if you send it out.

 

[rpsawin]

I do take notes but what I'd really like is some sort of form on a PDA that has fields for shooting, development and printing. I'm thinking of experimenting with Office 2007's versions of Access and InfoPath to build something that can run on a PDA.

I'd write a form so that very little text input was required in the field, pull-downs or check boxes for shutter speed, aperture, filtration and development...

I'd sync the db with the desktop when I was home and even have a field for holding a stored scan of the neg and/or print. Again, very few keystrokes since I'd pre-populate default data for film, paper, development procedures and have menus for the most common deviations.

I'm very curious what other people are using. I'm not really about re-inventing the wheel if something already exists that works.

I use a notepad for notes and then enter those into an excel spreadsheet once I'm at home. When I'm in the field doing landscapes I like to use a mini-recorder. I found that talking into a recorder in a public place gets me "noticed" so I use the notepad (although that has drawn attention as well).

I tried a pda and I found it to be cumbersome. Data entry in the field can be tedious at best and usually detracted from my photography. And that is just my experience. If you are comfortable entering data into a pda the solution you outlined above is excellent. I would, however, suggest getting a pda that supports "landscape" mode for the screen.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[roteague]

A lot depends upon what kind of notes you are planning on taking. I shoot almost all QuickLoads, so I just write on them anything I need about what I am shooting, othewise I use either a small notebook or a digital camera. I do have a PDA, but find it too slow to use in the field.

I don't take notes about exposure (I find them mostly a waste of time), but about my surroundings, or about the location I'm shooting at. Digital cameras are great for taking pictures of signs, a lot better than trying to write down the essence of what they say on paper.

 

[Logan Group]

I have a PDA but don't use it for the field much. I agree it's not very useful outdoors during the day (too much sunlight) but if I do take notes I use a waterproof notebook from a company called Rite in the Rain http://www.riteintherain.com/ For the record I have no affiliation with them. The note books aren't cheap but how much is it worth to you if you loose them by being caught in a rain storm or dropping it in water?

 

[LVaszar]

I have developed a Palm software, called LF Exp, that I am using in the field to adjust the exposure AND to record the data. I mentioned this in (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

 

[jstraw]

I have developed a Palm software, called LF Exp, that I am using in the field to adjust the exposure AND to record the data. I mentioned this in (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

That's most excellent!

 

[Drew B.]

pocket size tape recorder....basic info entered....

 

[copake_ham]

Small recorder is probably the way to go.

As to "funny looks"; I guess folks haven't been to NYC lately?

We have finally achieved the "mainstreaming" of street lunatics who talk to themselves. They are now overwhelming outnumbered by hands-free cell phone users who walk around town talking on the phone. No one can any longer tell the difference!

In NYC, when you see/hear someone gesticulating and seemingly talking to him/herself or to "voices" you are most likely in the presence of some investment banker, lawyer or hedge fund trader talking on the phone!

You have to love technology. Because of this "development" either we no longer have any "street crazies" in NYC - or, we have a hell of a lot more!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The big plus of having so many cell phone users in NYC is that now the pay phones work.

 

[jstraw]

Small recorder is probably the way to go.

As to "funny looks"; I guess folks haven't been to NYC lately?

We have finally achieved the "mainstreaming" of street lunatics who talk to themselves. They are now overwhelming outnumbered by hands-free cell phone users who walk around town talking on the phone. No one can any longer tell the difference!

In NYC, when you see/hear someone gesticulating and seemingly talking to him/herself or to "voices" you are most likely in the presence of some investment banker, lawyer or hedge fund trader talking on the phone!

You have to love technology. Because of this "development" either we no longer have any "street crazies" in NYC - or, we have a hell of a lot more!

I was recently promoting a philanthropic concept whereby broken bluetooth headsets could be donated and issued to street crazies in order to help them fit in.

 

[rootberry]

I use a palm TX that my girlfriend bought and used twice. After a year or so, it has become mine. I find it pretty invaluable actually, now that I have a "system" set in place and actually find it faster than writing. It's a snap to sync to my macbook w/bluetooth, but I mostly just keep the notes on the PDA. All the exposures are sorted by date, it's nifty.

 

[LVaszar]

I use a palm TX that my girlfriend bought and used twice. After a year or so, it has become mine. I find it pretty invaluable actually, now that I have a "system" set in place and actually find it faster than writing. It's a snap to sync to my macbook w/bluetooth, but I mostly just keep the notes on the PDA. All the exposures are sorted by date, it's nifty.

Give Dead Link Removed, I also have a TX and it works well on it.

 

[Dan Henderson]

I am a compulsive note taker, and have from time to time thought about using a palm for this task that could be downloaded to my Mac, printed out, and filed with the negatives.

My sense of irony (using a personal DIGITAL assistant instead of an analog pencil and paper for analog photography) has always prevented me from going beyond the thinking stage. LVaszar's program looks pretty interesting though. I'm assuming it could be used for medium format work also.

 

[gordrob]

I always have a notebook with but seldom seem to use it. Had a PDA before I retired but refused to let my reitred life be ruled by one of those things - a cell phone with text messaging is bad enough. I normally rely on the post-it notes attached to the film holder for any info I want to retain and match to the negative and the small Rodenstock Depth of Field Calculator/Scheimflug Calculator instead of the PDA.

Regards
Gord

 

[reellis67]

The only electronic gadget in my bag is the light meter. I simply write very basic info in the white bar on the holders.

- Randy

 

[rootberry]

I have no problem using my Palm TX. I'm still learning the ropes and it is a very useful tool for keeping records of every little thing, from exposure to post development results all in one little place. There are a few really good free/shareware programs out there. Expodev is the best I've heard, but I just don't have funds for 100+$ palm software..

 

[LVaszar]

I have no problem using my Palm TX. I'm still learning the ropes and it is a very useful tool for keeping records of every little thing, from exposure to post development results all in one little place. There are a few really good free/shareware programs out there. Expodev is the best I've heard, but I just don't have funds for 100+$ palm software..

My program is donationware and its suggested price is that of 5 sheets of LF film which in practice is somewhere between $5-20 fofr most folks -- in fact I toyed with the idea of calling it "5 sheets" at first.

It does most of everything you'll need in the field. It doesn't aim to incorporate zone system data into the process -- which is not to say you cannot use ZS with it. You simply spot meter as needed and transfer that info into the Palm.

 

[Kapono]

PDA wares

Aloha:
I just checked out LVaszar's PDAware, and it looks interesting. Will give it a try. It will be tough to get away from notebooks. Moleskine can now be found again, and they look classy. Years of RiteInRains from field research and staging notes for the long decompressions (Tic-tac-toe in the decompression line). I have been using Foto-Timer for a while now and find it a great tool (www.jan-exner.de/software). User can even swap display over to tactical, no more rubylith screenprotectors.
A hui hou!--Mark