First, Christmas has gone smooth, and it has been great to see all the family again. I think that this should happen more often, but some how we only make an effort at this time of the year. It really gets me how fast life goes by when you are just doing day to day things. Crazy.
New Years was spent in London where I finally met Laura's good friend Kim and we had a blast. That's where we tried out the home made bailey's mix. Mmmm... We did the actual New Years party at the London Convention Center, which was pretty good. I have lots more respect for my friend Gillian now too. We were all dancing in a group (me and 6 girls) when 3 gino's came up. I wasn't paying too much attention (read: drunk and only looking at one girl) when they sort of started to dance around the group. Well, I guess the sober people took offence by being ground from behind (duh) and it pissed them off. One of the guys came right in the circle and was dancing and Gillian grabed him and threw him out. He almost fell down she pushed him so hard. They there was words with another one... Gillian held her own and kicked ass. I didn't really have any idea that girls had to put up with that sort of thing. I guess I am just ignorant on that. I actually clued in when Gillian threw the guy out and started to watch very closely because I thought there there was going to be a fight.
Other than that, it has been a pretty uneventful holiday. But excellent none the less.
On another note, I think that I am going to start looking into a digital camera. I was trying to figure out if I wanted to get an mp3 player, but I think that I will have more fun with a camera. If anyone has any info about cameras, please pass them on.
Listening to: Bif Naked - Tango shoes
Hey Jim, if you want to borrow my camera for a week or something just to check it out, let me know. It's a Canon A70 (http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/a70-60/index.html). The A80 looks alot better though (4MP vs 3.2MP and has the flip-back viewer (Good!!)). Both are reasonably affordable. I paid $550 for mine, but I think they're down to around $400 now.
ReplyDeleteSome other links you might want to check out..
Review & Tutorial Sites
http://www.steves-digicams.com/ (go here if nowhere else..)
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/
Macro Photography Tutorial - http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm
Things I would worry when you're looking for a camera are (in order of significance):
1) Camera Size / Comfort grip - If you can't easily carry it around with you (read pocket or small pouch) you'll be less likely to use it. Also look at how you're holding the camera taking when taking pictures (ie long periods of use etc).
2) Batteries / Battery Packs. - One of the main reasons I went with the A70 is because it takes 'AA' batteries as opposed to an $80 Proprietary battery that I won't be able to buy in three years.
3) Lenses. When you buy a camera, buy a Telephoto lens AT THE SAME TIME! You'll have alot more fun with it. (I wish I had, even if it's just a cheap lens)
Other things to know.
**Digital Zoom is Shit** so don't even bother looking at the figures (if you need to zoom, take the pic at full optical zoom and then just magnify on the computer later. You get the exact same clarity (if not better).
**Budget at least $250 extra** for batteries, camera memory, carrying-case/tripod etc..
**Get the extended Warranty** This is a camera. You'll be carrying it around in your hands. Odds are it'll get bumped or dropped eventually. Factor the extended warranty cost out over the time and it's not really that much. (My extended warranty was $120 for 4 years.. I can afford $30/yr for the piece of mind..)
Mega-Pixel rates are fine and everything, but unless you're going to be doing ALOT of photo printing don't worry about anything more than 3MP.
Thanks Pete. I'll be doing more research in the next couple of weeks, and that's helped a lot! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy dad has a camera that I can try out, so I think that I am okay for now. I'm going to wait at least 3 months till I go out and get one though, mostly because I want to get my bank account going up before I start buying toys. ;-)