New Toy

So I received my new toy at the end of last week. Two years ago, I bought my first digital camera. At the time, I spent a little more than I thought I probably should have, and I didn’t think it warranted a big investment for the following reasons:

1) I liked shooting with my SLR (Nikon FG 20)
2) I didn’t really take a lot of photos

But I did decide to buy a digital camera because I knew that a part of the reason I didn’t take very many photos was the trouble and expense of having the film developed and printed (something I have never done myself), and because I haven’t found a place that I trust near me to develop the pictures well. Also, I was keen on trying a new toy and the ability to see immediately how the pictures turned out. So I bought a Kodak P850 as it seemed to be the best camera for my needs short of a DSLR, which I knew I didn’t really need.

Fast forward a year. I loved the Kodak P850. I took more pictures than I have in years and rediscovered how much fun photography can be. Essentially, I primed the pump with the little camera and got frustrated with the lens limitations astoundingly quickly.

Don’t get me wrong – for all the purposes that I thought I needed in a camera when I bought it, it did beautifully. It just left me hungry for more.

So for about a year, I stewed on the idea of buying another camera – a DSLR – and flirted with review sites, photography magazines, and camera stores. Always circling ever closer to taking the plunge.

Finally I did – and then was frustrated almost beyond bearing when one of the lenses I had ordered was on backorder – and they wouldn’t ship the order incomplete. (Note: when the lens did come in 3 weeks later, they DID send the orders separately … ARRRRGGGGHGGHHGHGHGGHGGHH!)

And here it is:

Without at doubt, it is too much camera for my skills and know-how.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

This must be what some people (mostly guys) feel when they buy a sports car.

I went overboard for two reasons:
1) The past two times I’ve made a big purchase, I’ve been sensible … only to revisit the issue within a couple of years and buy again. Figured I’d skip the middle step this time
2) I really wanted it.

Wheeeee!!!!

I took it with me to the Collingswood Farmer's Market on Saturday.