Sometimes I just feel like shooting.
As you may recall, I obtained my pistol permit a couple of years ago – mostly because my neighborhood had become unsafe. Over the past couple of years, I considered buying myself a new gun so that I could have my own rather than rely on my husband’s pistol.
But then we moved. Now, I have no issues with neighbors and do not feel unsafe in my own home. Yay! And we do still have hubby’s gun should the need ever arise (heaven forbid).
At the same time, over the past few years, I’ve developed a taste for amateur photography, and many of you have encouraged that (silly readers!). My little point-and-click camera, which I gratefully received as a gift from my girls, has been showing its age – especially after having been dropped once or twice (or more). No matter what angle I try or feature I use or light I find, the focus just never seems crisp enough. and the 5X zoom has become limiting.
So, the question became – with the limited cash I have left from the sale of my prior house, do I buy a new gun or a new camera? They’re both in the same price range. I can do “shooting” with either.
What would make me happiest?
I can’t really see myself paying for range time and then packing up the gun and actually going to the range often enough to make it worthwhile, nor can I see myself actually shooting someone (other than myself, accidentally). If I’m going to shoot my foot, probably better I do it with a camera. With the warmer weather [eventually] on its way, and my 4-day work week, a new camera would be the perfect excuse to get out and DO something. Lord knows, I need the exercise.
Decision made.
Just as I began researching what camera might be right for me (and be within my price range), I came across Candelo Blooms’ post. Camera Woes. The post starts off talking about her little point-and-click developing “lens refraction error.” (Is THAT what my camera was doing? Who knows, I just know it wasn’t working right.) She went on to talk about replacement cameras. I won’t give you the full replay – go over to her site and read the original – but she ultimately purchased the Nikon Coolpix B700, a “bridge” camera.
Since I’m not ready for an SLR, nor willing to pay for one, the bridge camera sounded perfect. Candelo seems happy with her B700, so I went to Delaware Camera and bought my own. It seems to have all the features I want – and a 60X zoom!
Turned out, the camera was on sale, and the store threw in a 64 GB memory card, so the price was right within my range.
Now I just need to learn how to use the darn thing. Teddy Rosalie is eager to get on the road again – she does love her photo shoots (click here and here)!
Let the fun begin!
If the photos turn out bad, blame Candelo for giving out poor advice, or blame the camera for not anticipating my every need – but certainly don’t blame the photographer, ’cause we all know I’m wonderful.
My old friend – it’s been with me since the beginning.
PS: The photo at the head of this post was taken with the old Olympus point-and-click. I’ll still use that camera because it’s smaller and fits in my purse, so I’ll be able to keep it with me at all times for those spur-of-the-moment, once-in-a-lifetime shots.
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
I would say the camera was a fine choice of shooting material…
Have fun with it..!
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Thanks! Hopefully someday I can get up to your area to do some shooting. Now that I no longer live across from the loony customs officer, I can maybe cross the bridges without hassle.
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You are always more than welcome to come shoot in our area anytime!
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I bought this same model camera about 6 months ago. I’m happy with it. It can take great zoom shots, although it does lack a bit on the close-ups. But they still come out okay, in my view.
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Thanks, Tippy. Have you had any luck using any of the software? I figured out how to import the photos to my PC, but the other software is different than what I’m used to.
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I haven’t tried any of the software. I just import photos to the PC, like you. And the computer supplies the software for doing that.
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After our last comment exchange, I discovered that I can use my existing Olympus software for the new Nikon camera. I’m glad not to have to learn something new if I don’t have to.
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Hooray! for not having to learn ‘yet another new thing’ just to use your camera! 🙂
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Yeah, it was a relief. The software I downloaded from Nikon is definitely not user-friendly.
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Good for you, CM!! Oh goodie sounds like you are in for a lot of fun! I have my eyes on a camera as well BUT the price is UP there …. SO in the meantime I’m using my fantastic Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 and LOVING it!!! Go and have a blast! Stay warm … do ya believe this weather???? Grrrrrrr …… 🌷🌷🌷🌷
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PS Someone has been hassling me which I reported to Support. I don’t know how but this someone blocked a TON of who I follow in MY reader. Guess what? You were one. I just unblocked you. I have upped security in several different ways. I’ve been on WP for over 5 years and never have had problems like this. And I “suspect” who did it too.
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Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been blocked before! Or at least if I was, no one told me. Glad you discovered that.
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It’s a huge bummer. How someone even got into my administration page is beyond me. I’ve must have unblocked at least 100 blogs so far!! I’ve really gotten serious with security! Oh believe you me!
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The blocked blogs were in MY reader, CM.
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Yeah, I got that. But if I was blocked from someone else’s reader, I wouldn’t know it unless they realized it and told me. That’s a little unnerving.
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This whole situation has been unnerving.
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Amy, with your skills, you can make any camera sing! The Samsung Galaxy 2 is a very good camera, but I think it would have been out of my price range.
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Aw, shucks! I really don’t like my cellphone camera …. no matter what I do. So even I do have my limits. LOL
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Try using it set on “P” which is pretty much semi automatic, effectively automatic from your point of view. IF you get into setting the light meter, set it on “center-weighted.” That’s kind of the middle road for light sensing.
Also, invest in an extra battery. There is no such thing as “too many batteries. And if you didn’t get one with the camera, get a regular plug in charger so you don’t have to plug the camera into your computer to charge.
Then, go forth and shoot! If you need a little help, ask me. I have a lot of very simple advice. MOST important, remember that you aren’t going to get great pictures in low light. Bright (not necessarily sunny, but bright clouds are just fine and often better than full sunlight) will give you good pictures. I’m not a big fan of the Sony cameras. Actually, they are my least favorite cameras. I have bought two of them and given both away because I just hated them.
But other people like them very well and there’s nothing wrong with them. I just don’t like using them. If we all liked the same stuff, it would be a dull world.
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I’m not a huge fan of SONY, either. That’s why I bought a Nikon. I’ve found over the last couple of years that while bright light is usually best, there are times when a lower light is better for whatever effect I’m trying to get. From what I’ve seen so far, this camera works a lot like my little point-and-shoot. Very simple and with settings I can understand. We’ll see how it goes.
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Glad that I was able to help with your camera dilemma, though please don’t blame me, as I’m still learning too!!! Glad to read the favourable responses from some of your other readers too! Enjoy the new camera!
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Ha! Of course, no one would blame you. My readers all know I’m fairly incompetent as a photographer!
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that’s an excellent choice of camera and is highly touted for taking on a vacation. I’ve been looking at one myself so I don’t have to take my big Canon on travels. so that’s a good buy on your end. you may want to consider a spare battery once you start using it.
keep your old friend. they come in handy some times.
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A couple of people have recommended a spare battery. I will definitely get one.
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I’ve been using a Nikon Coolpix (S9900) for a couple of years. I love it. Good luck learning the features.
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Actually, Dan, it seems to be quite similar to the Olympus as far as features. I even discovered I can use my existing Olympus software for editing. Which is good, because the Nikon software isn’t particularly user friendly, and I really didn’t want to invest in extra editing software.
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Very VERY happy you chose the camera over the gun, CM! Creating, (no matter how mediocre it feels at the time) is infinitely better for us and the Universe than destroying things – targets or animals or even heaven forbid, people!
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Cameras as much more fun, at least for me. Thanks, Karen.
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When I came in to some money a few years ago, the first thing I bought was a SLR Cannon Camera. I love it. But what amazes me is the quality of the cameras in phones now. I hate to admit I use that more now than the SLR because it is convenient and easier to carry. Good choice to get the camera over a gun.
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I don’t have a smart phone, but my daughter does and she always takes much better photos than I do. Maybe with this upgrade camera, I can compete with her. I did tell her if she goes on a photo shoot with me, I might let her play with the camera.
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