08/11/2026
Along came 2004 and with it my first digital camera, the Coolpix 8700. At the time this camera was feature packed and had full manual controls to navigate through the new-to-me digital photography. Even though I worked at Ritz Camera at the time when purchasing this camera, I decided to go and experience my first scam on eBay.
I found the camera on eBay from a new seller at a discount of $200! MSRP of this camera at the time was $799 USD. Too good to be true!? My young, naive, and inexperienced self did not know better. I was required to provide paper work proving the scam; eBay seller info and other testimonies from patrons who were scammed by the same seller. Took a month but after all was settled and I had my money back, I purchased the camera from Ritz with a mail in rebate (remember those?).
As for the camera itself: I recall the macro mode was quite good. The camera is fidgety and has somewhat sluggish controls (by today’s standards) with many buttons that have many functions. Not very intuitive. In the right light it can produce images of decent quality for small prints or website. I did enjoyed the compactness of it all. These coolpix cameras were often used as “slide copiers”, much like the Canon G series digital compacts (to which I also owned).
I recently picked up a Coolpix 8700 to explore why I was all hyped about it in 2004. Conclusion; it was a fun gadget to help me through the learning curve of digital photography.
