Digital Dilemma
I never bought a camera during my school years. My after school jobs and summer jobs helped my parents pay my tuition. Twelve years of Catholic school, remember. I was interested in photography, but music was my first love. I squirreled money for guitar purchases in those days.
My first camera was a rangefinder 35mm. No, not a Leica. Morgan Guaranty Trust didn’t pay that well. It was a Ricoh. Not long after that I purchased an Olympus OM-1 with my profit sharing check. I’ve been taking photographs with my meditation camera for close to thirty years. Mostly snapshots, and mostly for fun - but I have been gainfully employed at it on occasion. I have made a little money (very little) in the past. Never enough to quit my day jobs - whatever those happened to be at the time. About fifteen years ago I did get a Nikon. After a few months I got rid of it. It was too automatic for me. I prefer doing things the hard way.
Recently, my wonderful husband decided to purchase a digital camera for me. Yes, for me. The Sugar Beet Baron knows his way around farm equipment, but doesn’t know how to program the VCR/DVD. I’m the “go to girl” on anything with a manual. Unfortunately, at this stage of my life - this also requires reading glasses.
We were in Costco, looking at the digital camera display. Looking, but what were we looking at? Mega pixels, memory cards, rechargeable batteries, 2X zooms. I may be half Greek - but it was all Greek to me. The Baron bought the Nikon. The thing was as big as my Olympus, maybe bigger.
Two days after we brought it home, I opened the box. Yes, we’ve been busy. All I took out was the manual. Hmmm. . . I need a memory card before I can use the thing. I googled the model, searching for memory card information. I discovered that we had paid $200 more for the camera than it was selling for at most places. That’s not good. I did a bit more searching and decided that it was going back to Costco.
Then I ordered this.
Much better suited for the conditions that I’m usually in: mud, manure, dirt, dog hair and dust. The size is nice - digital is supposed to be convenient. This little thing goes right in my pocket. Okay, it might not be the best - but I think that it’s the best for what I plan on using it for. I already own this baby - now that’s the best - and another long story.
What is it they say about the best laid plans? The manual for this cute little thing is 182 pages and weighs almost as much as the camera. The manual for the software is only 75 pages. All in that tiny little print, too. Thirty years of 35mm photography has not prepared me for this. I played with the camera. I perused the manual. I played with the camera while perusing the manual. I put my reading glasses on. I took them off. I don’t have the time or the patience for this.
I believe that there is always more to learn. I guess that I’d better get with it. Get ready for some learning experience photos. That’s a promise - and a threat.
But I need more coffee.
Yesterday’s afternoon shower - from the comfort of the “front room”.
June 7th, 2005 at 10:00 am
Gosh, I wish I could help but the only camera I use is one of those dudes where you send the whole thing in to get the film developed! Usually I lose them before I get the pictures all taken anyway. I am willing to bet that when you have time to practice, you will be good with the digital camera, too. I do promise to look at all the pictures you post if that will help? bonnie
June 7th, 2005 at 11:31 am
Keep us posted! I’m itching to go digital, too. I’ve got an old slr produced in one of the soviet socialist republics in the 1970’s. It works fine, but is big to carry around.
My fave camera is a little Canon point and shoot that uses APS film — which I understand is being phased out.
June 7th, 2005 at 11:34 am
point and shoot and have some fun.
you’re such a techy now.
June 7th, 2005 at 11:58 am
I
June 7th, 2005 at 12:08 pm
It never ceases to amaze me at all your talents. You will never be a dull person, not with the constant “trying new things”. Good luck with your new camera. I am still learning the 35mm. Linn
June 7th, 2005 at 6:01 pm
A little over a year and a half ago, I bought a Vivitar digital camera from a mail-order house (one of those “clearance” outfits) for $149. I’m glad I did, because it take the best pictures I’ve ever taken. (Moos has a copy of one of the photos, of my Massive Mangy Mountain of Mutt on her platform, which also passes for my bed.)
Something I’ve learned (and pass along for those of you who are thinking of getting a digital camera) is that if you aren’t going to use the cameral for a while, you should take out the batteries, since the camera’s built in clock can drain them even when you’re not using the camera. (And nothing’s a greater bummer than picking up the camera for that once in a lifetime shot–and the batteries are deader than Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
)
Kirk
June 7th, 2005 at 6:07 pm
I bought my Digital Camerea by going to Amazon and picking the best selling model in my price range. It has no bells and whistles but it works for me! But I have yet to plow through the manual which is bigger than the camera!
June 7th, 2005 at 8:53 pm
Yay! I’m glad you got a digital! The only way I learned how to use my digital was by messing around with it and making tons of mistakes. I tried reading the manual but would usually forget what I read two seconds after I read it! There were so many buttons and options that I was lost (and still am) most of the time. But I know you will enjoy it. It is so much nicer to just download from the camera rather than scanning pictures. At least it is for me.
June 7th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
I keep meaning to get a digital camera too… maybe after I have money again– moving is expensive!
June 8th, 2005 at 12:24 am
We bought a Sony Cyber Shot S60 for $256 online from Best Buy and picked it up at a store the same day (this Sunday), it’s pretty damn good and easy to figure out.
June 8th, 2005 at 11:19 am
Uhm … thirty years of 35mm photography HAS prepared you for this. It’s just another tool, just like your SLR. Great photography is from YOUR EYE not from the camera. Take your time and learn one new thing about your new tool at a time … don’t try to ingest all the information at once. A few weeks from now, you won’t think about it at all. It’ll be another camera to use … not to confuse.
June 8th, 2005 at 6:22 pm
Ooh, sorry Karen. Cameras and I do not get along too well. They make me nervous (I don’t know why).
I have a really neat story about how I got this great 35mm Nikon - that I can’t operate.
I really appreciate this post. Hubby and I have talked about upgrading our digital; and there’s some good info here.
June 8th, 2005 at 8:39 pm
I like my Digi…it is a SOny Mavica CD250. Not the greatest, not the best but it does what I want it to. Next purchase is Nikon D70 (when i get my next teaching job)!
Have fun with it!
June 8th, 2005 at 11:16 pm
Thanks to everyone for the tips, comments, ideas and compliments.
Robert - what you said strikes a familiar chord. Nothing is more annoying than to have someone say, “Nice pictures - you must have a good camera”. The camera does not take the same photo for everyone. The eye is important, as is the subject - and often just luck.
It’s just the “old dog” complex and the constant lack of time.
I’ve played for a few days now - it would be a good way to start. No worrying about f-stops and shutter speeds, and paying for film & processing. I used to develop and print my b&w film when I first started. To be able to edit your photos is wonderful.
But I still like to take snapshots, too.
June 13th, 2005 at 8:45 pm
Amen Sister!
I used to do my own B&W prints a long time ago too. Don’t miss the smell or the yellow fingers!
Luckily, because of my occupation, I am a Photoshop user. I hardly ever use film (my poor old Canon AE-1 is jealous). Recently my wife inherited a Nikon N50, so I’ve been playing with film a bit more only to find there isn’t really anywhere local (NC) to get good quality development and prints. Just the local one hour hacks, so I’ll be doing most of my shooting digitally. You might try and pick up a copy of Photoshop and a book on using it because it is a rather intense program. Once you get accustom … you’ll really be able to make a snapshot look like a whole lot more!