Natter, and a query.

[jennlk]

I was thwarted in my plans for the workroom yesterday. Anna-kitteh decided that what I really needed to do was pay attention to her. She will not be ignored, and shoves her head under my hand. So I paid attention to her. I did eventually get some sorting done, put fabric away and pulled other fabrics out. I have need of a new twill jacket, and a Halloween costume for the FCB concert.

Trimmed back the spent larkspur, and discovered a third flush. There's another wave of poppies, too. I trimmed back some of the sea holly, but got tired of being poked -- I may go out there this morning with long sleeves and gloves. I realised that the NE garden isn't really 'full-sun' -- it gets quite a bit of shade in the early-mid afternoon, which may explain why the volunteer milkweed is a little bit wobbly. I need to cut back the blackberry lilies before the seeds drop. There are quite enough of them in that garden already.... One of the stonecrops I planted last year is getting ready to bloom, while the other seems content with just growing, and may bloom next year.

DB had his first before-school rehearsal yesterday. And I think we need to adjust the schedule on those days a bit so we can leave a bit earlier than we did. Or maybe we just need to do it a few more times.

I have decided that I really need to get myself a camera. Doesn't need to have bells-n-whistles, just a decent camera that I can use indoors and out (birds, cats, projects). The last camera I used on a regular basis was a Pentax K-1000 :), so I'm a little out of the loop on cameras. Any suggestions?

That's the third bird into the sliding door this morning. Guess I'll be stopping by the bird store this weekend. Meanwhile, I'll roll the awning out a little to keep the reflection down --I like the light, but I don't like stunned birds.

Comments

[kevinnickerson.livejournal.com]

I'll give an anti-suggestion. Nikon is on my shit list right now. I picked up a new pocket camera a while back. The battery is removable, but they don't supply a charger, it can only be charged via USB. That's fine, but it's a non-standard USB cable. Bzzt.

I picked up a Canon 60D yesterday, but that's probably a lot more camera than you want.

[norfacoflandra.livejournal.com]

I'm recommending the Canon G15 lately. It's a large size pocket camera with decent controls and takes a very good picture!

On the used side, my Canon 40D is a perfectly good camera, and a used 40D body probably won't set you back too much. (I just upgraded to a 6D, the wife has the 40D so it's not on the market! :-)

Another possibility would be the Canon S50X. It's not a pocket camera, it handles more like a traditional SLR but is smaller and without interchangable lenses. A couple of the best photos I've ever taken were with a predecessor, the S5. The flip-out LCD is neat for those lean-over-at-stupid-angle shots that I can no longer hold myself still for....

Another option (Kevin will call me a heathen for this) is to get a high end smart phone. The camera in my new Moto Droid is pretty decent for snapshoting, it's 10 M pixel and it's quick.

Birds would tend to drive me to the S50X. It's got a very long optical zoom.

[lonotter.livejournal.com]

We've got a Canon G9, an earlier entry in the G-series. I heartily second the recommendation for the G-series. Check for a good used one from somewhere like Calumet Photographic or B&H Photo if the current model is too pricey for your taste (no clue what they're running).

[kevinnickerson.livejournal.com]

The best camera is the one you have and will use. If that's a phone, go for it.

Mind, the lag drives me insane when I use someone's phone, but see item one above.

[norfacoflandra.livejournal.com]

I've taken to telling people the only relevant advice is "f8 and Be There". And then I have to explain what f8 is..... **sigh**

Yes. I agree completely. My new phone has a bit of lag, but it focusses where you touch the image, and overall from "activate wonder photographer powers" to getting the image it's no worse than fumbling a lens cap off, zooming, acquiring pre-focus, and getting the image. And it's always in my pocket! It's the metering and focus details that annoy me sometimes.

[jennlk]

I'm a bit undecided about whether I want a good pocket camera or a couple of steps up -- I probably don't want a full DSLR, but I want a little more control than I'd get with a point-n-shoot.

I'll have to go poke at cameras somewhere.

Most of the birds will be in the backyard, at the feeder or the pond, so not that far from the house.

[jennlk]

yeah, I think the 60D is a bit much. Nice camera, and I can certainly see why you'd like it.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Use my cameras to get a feel for what you want. The DSLR I barely use anymore; I've used it a bit this month just to scare the cobwebs out of it, but it sat for 4 months unused. The point and shoot sits on my desk all the time anyway since I decided my bike bag was too heavy and decided to live with the phone camera at work or on the road most days.

If you like either of them, it's yours, or you can figure out what you want and we cand find something else that fits your needs.

If the DSLR is good but too heavy, it does have a huge lens on it, but that can be replaced.

The Canon G series (currently the G15) is a good spot halfway between point and shoot and DSLR. Above that is mirrorless, which I'm not particularly fond of because it's about as expensive as DSLR but slightly less good, just smaller and lighter. Depends on priorities.

If I had to pick one camera to do everything I'd probably get a G15, assuming that it was a good size (it's a bit larger than a normal point and shoot). It's got a full set of controls nearly equal to a basic DSLR, it can take a hot shoe smart flash.

Alternatively, if you want pocketable, look at the Canon Elph series.

I wound up with the Panasonic Lumix because I have the DSLR and wanted something capable but relatively small, smaller than the G series. I quite like it, the real downside that bothers meis that it is miserably slow at focusing, particularly in low light or at longer focal lengths. 20X zoom is pretty addictive though.