New Camera….

During the Black Friday shopping trip we took to Stuff Mart…I was permitted to upgrade my digital camera.  It isn’t the one I am saving for…but that will be a long time coming.

We bought the Kodak SD710, 7.2 MP with a 10x optical zoom.  It has over 20 features for taking pictures.  My favorite feature so far are the manual settings.  They allow me the feel of a 35mm SLR but with the instant gratification of the digital technology.

The manual that came with the camera was sadly lacking in instruction.  After finally doing several searches at the Kodak site I tracked down the information I needed to properly use this camera. It has such nice features but if I can’t figure them out it does me no good to have the camera.

I have been doing some experimenting with both digitals that I have.  I do like the newer one better.  What really tipped the scales for me was the fact that I could actually purchase two other lenses for this little compact camera.

Kodak offers a wide angle and telephoto lense for the Kodak SD710.  I believe the lenses are compatible with all the Kodak S series cameras.  However they cost more than what I actually paid for the camera.  It will be awhile before I sink $150/lense for this camera.

The camera I am saving for is the Pentax K10D.  It is a beauty!!  It is considered a serious player in the advanced amateur DSLR camera’s on the market today.  I like that I am able to use the Pentax lenses all ready in my possession.  I have an older 35mm SLR Pentax K1000.  I will never give up using that camera. Having the ability to use the lenses on both is a big draw for me.  Alas I am greedy.  I also want the battery powered pack and a  few of the other items that are offered.

My dream camera however is a Mamiya Medium Format version 365.  Maybe after all the kids have finished with their braces.  We get all of the colleges and weddings out of the way….It would make a nice retirement gift for my husband…..;-).

I will start adding some of the experimental shots I have taken……this has actually given me the desire to pick my cameras back up and start doing some more photography.  I had shoved all of that to the background for awhile even contemplating selling all of my darkroom equipment.  My husband nixed that one.  I know that digital gives one the ability to do black and white in camera……But I can’t begin to tell you the fun it is going into the darkroom and manipulating the negatives.  Those who take their computers and do the same with the various photoshop programs and are good at it understand.  It just isn’t the same.  I use Gimp but I miss the darkroom.

The biggest draw for digital for me is the instant gratification of plugging my camera into the computer and viewing my pictures.  Not to mention the cost.  It is alot cheaper this way.  I have been known to shoot several (5-10) rolls of film experimenting with a variety of techniques.  That gets costly after awhile.

I am being dragged into the digital arena…..whether I like or not…..but hey….a new camera helps…:-)