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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Cordelia's Mom, Still 