Thursday, December 29, 2011

Out with the old, in with the new

Anybody remember this picture of Smooch? I posted it way back in early July 2008.

It has always held a special significance for me because it was the first picture I took with my Nikon D80. 



Now take a good look at this next picture so when I ask you
a couple of years from now if you remember it, you'll know why.
It is the first picture I took with my new camera 
(a Nikon D7000 for anyone who cares about such things)

The D80 started getting cantankerous a few weeks ago. I think I might have worn it out. If cameras had odometers, this one may have rolled over to 200,000 miles. Anyway, rather than stop taking pictures breathing for a month while the camera went in for a major tune-up, I broke down and bought a new one. Once the old one is out of the shop, I'll have it as a back-up. I can even be one of those real camera geeks and wear both around my neck for important events like...like...donkey play dates and snake sightings, when rapid access to different lenses is critical.



It's going to take me awhile to figure out all the new controls and features.
Good thing Smooch doesn't charge me for modeling services.

24 comments:

  1. We'll be patient and bear with you as your pictures are always outstanding. Smooch is such a good girl!

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  2. I like your hobby....makes me smile as I consume my morning caffine eh!
    sending smoochie a cyber pat on the head

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  3. Wow you really went all out! Good for you, Linda! Enjoy your new toy in the new year : )

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  4. I red about your camera thoughts in the twitter box an of course I agreed... and awaited this news.
    Happy photographing!

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  5. Aaah ... the important package, I suspect! Enjoy playing with your new toy, oops, tool and we'll love seeing the results. P.S. It looks as though Smooch has barely aged at all!

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  6. Smooch is such a great model! If she charged, you'd need to hand over the deed to the ranch.

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  7. And a gorgeous model she makes. Congratulations on your new camera, and thanks for another year of enhancing the lives of all your readers.

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  8. I'm sure Smooch's rates are reasonable. That's a seriously nice camera you picked up there, Carson. VERY nice.

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  9. The colors just seem more intense with the new camera. It picked up the sky nicely whereas the other one washed is out. We know the sky in NM is awesome so every time you can get a little snippet as background it's a plus. Smooch's coat is so beautiful. She really is a fabulous companion.
    Best always, Sandra

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  10. I recently got the D7000 and I'm still learning. I also bought the 28-300mm lens and the combination is so much heavier than I was used to. But when I get it right, it takes beautiful photos. Good choice, have fun with it.

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  11. Tell Smooch I don't think she's aged a bit. Her winter coat looks lovely.

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  12. She is such a gorgeous, regal-looking dog ... give her a cookie and she'll do anything for you!

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  13. ooooo....lucky you...new camera...jealous...have fun!!! (But really, I don't know how you photos could get any better ;~)

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  14. I'm itching for a new camera myself...love seeing Smooch, no matter how many lenses you need :)

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  15. Carson, I have a Canon EOS 7D, but my backup is my refurbished Nikon D40x. That's the camera that went SPLAT! on the kitchen floor up at Mammoth when I walked inside with ice on the bottom of my boots and fell flat on my face! The camera also went flying and crash-landed on the floor. It shattered the viewfinder and hubby sent it to the shop to be repaired. I have it back now and already have a dust spot on the lens...sigh...While I really like the Canon, it has to many settings I just put it on shutter priority and off I go! It has a 300 mm lens and that really makes a difference, but for color, I like the Nikon better.

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  16. Congrats on the new camera! Your photos always bring a smile to my face. I can't think of a more deserving person. :)

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  17. Smooch is beautiful and you take great photographs!

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  18. Smooch hasn't aged a bit in three years! Have fun with the new camera.

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  19. My hubby gave me his D40 to use with the horses when he upgraded to the D200--then he missed the D40 so much he got a D40x for his backup! He's been a Nikon man since before digital-- goes back to purchasing his first one based on Paul Simon's song "Kodachrome."
    btw, cameras DO have an odometer of sorts--I couldn't tell you how to access it (hubby can) but there's a way to see the number of "shutter releases" somewhere in there...

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  20. I'm sure you'll like the 'new baby' :)

    I have a D90, and I haven't used it as much as I should. That's gonna change though because I found a beginner DSLR class to teach me how to use it lol

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  21. I'm jealous! My two year old camera has started dying, with the autofocus no longer operational. time to shop around for a new one, but ouch - let's see, vet bills or new camera, vet bills or new camera?

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  22. Oh Wow! I just did a quick search on that new toy of yours. My knees are weak. I wish I were a better photographer to be able to justify having a little number like that. I just love new toys like that.
    I can't imagine your photo's being any more stunning than they already are, but I do look forward to it! Fun!

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  23. Yowza!! Congratulations on a most BEAUTIFUL new donkey-horse-chicken-pig-dog-cat-Mr. P-visiting sweet pigeon-photographing device! I am sooooo envious....
    And Smooch - you just get prettier and prettier...

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  24. Love the photos with your camera! I got a D7000 for Christmas also. Would you consider doing a post on the settings you are finding useful on it? (there are soooooo many to chose from!) Is there any way to look at the EXIF info on your photos to see what settings you used? What do you think about the autofocus? I thought having so many focus sensors would make it easier to autofocus, but it seems like I am having trouble getting what I want keyed on. Any tips you've found about the D7000 would really be appreciated!

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