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”.
