On the OlympusD-450 manual makes a big deal about getting a Olympus AC Adapter, do you think it really makes a difference if I get theirs or just some other 6V adapter? Can I harm my camera by using another AC Adapter? THanks, Mistie

-- Mistie Dymond (mdymond28@uswest.net), March 14, 2000

Answers

it is a big deal to them since they will make more money if you buy from them....i just got one a week ago from thomas- distributing.com...they shipped it right away..it is for olympus and i am using it right now....cost 27 bucks or so....i think oly wants 60 or so...and i got it in 2 days...also got nimh batteries and charger which i would recommend you do as well

-- andy lundberg (alunderful@aol.com), March 14, 2000.

Got an even better deal. The same digipower AC adapter as Thomas from OUTPOST.com at $19 which also includes free overnight shipping

-- jim (greenlevel@aol.com), March 15, 2000.

Unless, of course, the camera is only powered by Olympus Volts...

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), March 15, 2000.

After reading the previous anwers, I have to put my 2 cents in.

The correct answer is YES and NO!

It IS possible to harm ANY delicate electronic instrument by applying even the correct voltage INCORRECTLY! By this I mean the POLARITY of the plug HAS to be correct. Some are center pin positive, some negative, if you get my drift. It doesn't really matter which brand of adapter you use, as long as the voltage AND the polarity match up. I've almost always used "3rd party" adapters on my various electronic devices but only after making sure the output/input polarities, AND "pin sizes" match up. I've never had a problem.

Hope this helps.

-- Aubrey King (AubreyKIng@juno.com), March 17, 2000.

I generally agree that a third party adapter will work, but not all adapters are equal in quality. Always best to have the original adapter just in case you have a warranty repair issue. You can save a few dollars on third party adapters, even one from Radio Shack. Just think about the warranty issue and make sure that not only do you have the correct voltage and +- plug but that the adapter has the required Ma for the camera specification and quality line filtering. A mismatched adapter can damage a camera. Most cameras with a zoom and display will need around 1000 Ma current at the required voltage (say 6 volts at 1000 Ma). We should have laws that all digital camera must be sold with AC Adapters.

-- Dave (daveboyett@aol.com), April 04, 2000.