Do you have an older digital camera or lenses that you no longer use? Why not consider selling them at a reasonable price to the newspaper to enable journalists in predominantly rural areas to use them?
The Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger make use of several correspondents living in remote areas who supply the news for every week's editions. The news company also accommodates journalism students who need to learn skills such as photography.
Journalists and even students are expected to have their own cameras, but this is not always possible. Modern cameras are very expensive and well out of reach of a local reporter. An expensive camera hanging around a reporter's neck is also a risk to that reporter. In the past three years, three incidents were reported where staff and correspondents of the two local newspapers were accosted by armed robbers. In two cases, their cameras were stolen, and in one case, a cellphone was taken.
To try and minimize the risk, Zoutnet (the owner of the two newspaper titles) started a programme two years ago to acquire second-hand cameras. These cameras are then offered to the reporters to buy (so they take ownership of the cameras) but over a payback period they can afford. (The company will not make a profit on such resales and in many cases will try to subsidise part of the costs.)
The type of cameras that we are looking for are older-generation DSLR cameras, preferably Canon or Nikon. The ideal camera would be an amateur/mid-range series camera that is not more than 10-15 years old, such as Canon's 40D or even entry-level cameras such as Canon's 1100D. In the Nikon range, entry-level models such as a Nikon D3100 would work or even the earlier D90 models.
What is important is that the cameras need to be in good working condition, with a functioning battery and charger and with a decent lens. We would also need proof of purchase or some indication that the seller is the real owner of the camera.
The reality is that we cannot pay excessive prices for cameras. Do some research and check what a specific camera sells for at camera stores. Remember also that an asking price is often not realistic, and vendors negotiate to what the market is prepared to pay. If, for instance, you see a camera offered for R5,000 at an online store, be aware that the original seller was offered around half that price because the vendor needs to take the risk.
This is mostly a philanthropic plea to owners of cameras who have recently upgraded to consider making their old cameras available to help boost local journalism.
Anyone interested in parting with their old cameras can phone Anton van Zyl at (015) 516 4996/7 or send him an email at anton@zoutnet.co.za.