Could you tell that I like to take pictures? I’m not sure why, but I always have. This little hobby started wayyyy back in the seventies, when my high school newspaper needed a photographer. “Pick me! Pick me!” They did. I even majored in photography in college. I bought my first real camera in 1972, the year I became a freshman at the Rochester Institute of Technology - this Nikon F2.
I love this camera, and I will keep it forever (watch for us on Antiques Roadshow in another couple of years). It has been in the shop exactly once, for a $75 tune-up in 2002, and has never failed to deliver the images I was picturing in my mind.
Dropping off film to be processed isn’t too practical when you live in the middle of nowhere, so just before I moved to the 7MSN, I abandoned my Amish ways and went digital. This Canon S60 point-and-shoot has helped me capture my adventures for the past three years and is responsible for all the pictures on this blog.
I’ve never loved my point-and-shoot the way I loved my Nikon SLR. I can’t see through the viewfinder, so I never really know what I’m taking pictures of, and the dust and wind out here wreak havoc on the moving parts. I’m always arguing with it and miss half the shots I want to take because the lens door thingamajig closes at the most inopportune moments. Still, I’ve taken some good pictures with it. Because good photographs are not about the camera.
So why did I just buy a new one?? Because I want to enjoy taking pictures again and I'm sick of arguing with that silly lens door. Yikes. I’m reeling from buyer’s remorse and it’s only been 10 minutes since I hit the “continue with purchase” button.
I’m not looking forward to figuring out how to use it. I yearn for simpler days when all you had to worry about was f:stops and shutter speeds. But I hope I will learn to love it just as much as old faithful up there.
I'm guessing the new Nikon has a special place in your heart being as you've posted some fantastic pictures to us over the years since you got it. Mmmmm, where is your Amish ways Nikon? Sitting on a shelf being admired, you thinking, 'I remember when ....'. We have 2 such cameras and I believe only one place in the US actually does the processing anymore. Although it's a digital world now, we still miss using the old SLR + various lenses.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a Canon 50D about a month ago. Like your Nikon, it is not a cheap camera either. It took me months just to build up enough confidence to hit the "purchase" button and then for the next few days until it arrived I was wracked with guilt and thought of a million other ways I could have spent the money. Then, when the camera was in my hands, all was right with the world.
ReplyDeleteYou'll figure out the camera pretty quick. They look intimidating, but trust me... they aren't.
my photography professor in college told us not to wear gloves while developing because "real photographers have bad nails" ewwwwwwww!
ReplyDeleteSo, was the D80 hard to figure out? It seems to me that the majority of the really good photographers (like yourself) use Nikon.
ReplyDeleteDon't you dare have buyers remorse ! You deserve this camera, though I don't know HOW you could take better photos than you already are..........it will be fun to see !!
ReplyDeleteI find that the real wonder of Digital is not only do you not have to take film in to be proessed but you can see RIGHT AWAY whether you've got the shot you wanted or not ... No more blinking eyes, untimely tail swishes, or people caught talking.
ReplyDeleteEven better you can take as many pix of the same subject as you like without worrying about running out of film, or the cost of developing and printing it. That really frees you up to be creative. With Digital I've been known to take 100 or more shots in a short hike and just cull them later on my PC. That includes some subjects that I might not have "wasted" film on, but was very pleased with the results when Digital freed me up to take a chance.
I remember this post well. I've been having a few issues with my 6 year old Canon. I need to take it in but until then I just keep shooting. I'm hoping to take an actual class one of these days as I'd love to know how to get the wonderfully clear shots that you get. I end up with blur and just plain old dullness. Still, once in awhile there's a really great photo that makes me forget about all the really bad ones. I just wish I knew what I did differently that made it turn out good...
ReplyDeleteAlthough our Nikon F8s are in the closet and we have been using a couple of different Cannon point and shoot, our kids got the big Nikon digital (and currently have some of our lenses,) they mastered the camera pretty easily with no previous photographic experience so I can only imagine what you will do with yours Carson. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteMy first camera was an Olympus OM10 http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/45019585/in/pool-camerapedia/ I took out my first loan to buy it- $270.00 back in 1979-80? I loved it but I must admit, I love the digital age even more. Now I can take hundreds of photos and with a little cropping I can get a MUCH higher average of "keeper" photos. I may not have as much talent as real photographers but I enjoy trying.
ReplyDeleteFound your link over at Whosyergirl's place and had to drop by. I'm so glad I did. I went digital with a Nikon 40DX. I haven't figured out all the manual settings yet. I love my old Yashika, not an SLR, but I took some of my best photos with that. I'd love to use my old Nikon SLR but have no clue where to get film developed.
ReplyDeleteA favor please? Since you're a photographer, if you have time, could you please bop over to my place to give me an opinion? I want to enter a photo into a contest and am really having a hard time deciding which one to go with.
Bee-dazzled, Bee-witched, and Bee-wildered
Thanks.
Maybe "good photographers are not about the camera" but it sure does help to have one that will take the picture when you want, and not a split second later!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this side series about photography! Looking forward to more. How about hints about settings, like shutter speed, light, and daring to push the button off "Auto?"
Thanks!
Didn't the Canon P&S have a screen on the back so you can see what you're shooting? How odd...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, congratulations on the DSLR! Whilst I agree that it's the person who makes the photo, not the camera I think it's psyche plays a big part in it. I started taking better photos when I got my EOS350D DSLR simply because it changed my mindset to thinking I'd bought this really lovely expensive camera so I better do it justice! :). I have no experience of Nikon lenses but I do like my Sigma ones for the 350D.
Although our first foray into digital was with a cheapie little Canon point-and-shoot, my other half is a confirmed Nikon man.
ReplyDeleteHe started with a F2 and then added a FE slr, mostly because Paul Simon advocated for Nikon in the song "Kodachrome!"
We stayed with the Nikons when we were ready for dslr, so we could use the older lenses, a least for a while. But the lenses designed specifically for digital keep wandering into the house!
Good luck with the new camera. We've got a couple of F2's sitting around here too :o)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that you used a point and shooot..... Thanks for confirming that it's all in learning how to use your camera that makes all the difference (although you must have the "eye" as well). I always enjoy stopping by for a visit. Thanks for all the fun and laughter and for the tears too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll bet you've learned to love this new camera too! Technology is amazing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI still have all of my old Nikons and I will never part with them. I still don't have a DSLR yet. Which Nikon model did you buy? I can't tell from the photo. Thanks for the tips on editing. I love your photos.
ReplyDelete