May 23, 2009

Testing

My older little point and shoot digital camera has been flagging, becoming balky about such things as focusing. Then I dropped my DSLR on the floor (!) on its zoom lens today and heard it crunch. Sure enough, the lens is bent and will never work again. Fortunately, the camera body seems ok. Because I've wanted a macro lens for it for some time, I went off to Richmond Camera to see what I could get. Wow, are macro/zoom lenses expensive! Since it falls into the category of "the same year I buy the Porsche/win the lottery," I poked around and found a new point and shoot camera instead (one-third of the price of that lens) and have taken a few pictures to see what I think. It has more zoom, more megapixels and more adjustments than my other point and shoot.

You have seen these projects before, although I haven't had Americana out since last Fourth of July, when I realized I wasn't going to finish in time to have it framed for the holiday. Maybe this year? Otherwise, it's Tulips and Janet Gibson--I want to see if they look better/worse than the others I shot. I learned an incredible amount from the sales woman at the camera store, and I found some nifty gadgets that I'd like in the future--like a light ring that fits around your lens. It gives a soft white light that eliminates the shadow on your close-up stuff. And they have something that fits over your lens that you can place a slide in. Hold it up to the window, take the "picture," and you've converted your old slide to digital, without the expensive processing fee. Scanners do the same thing, but they're more expensive (this little gadget is $99) and the clarity isn't as good. My parents have box after box of Kodachrome slides. What a great gift it would be for me to turn those slides into photos and put them in an album.

Note to self: the camera's only as good as the dummy pressing the button....
New camera:

Old camera. Of course, the light is different, and probably the degree of my handshake is different too--depends on how many diet cokes I've had.




11 comments:

d. moll, l.ac. said...

These look pretty good! The light ring gadget sounds very cool. How does the camera work with the rabbits?

Daffycat said...

Wonderful WIPs! I need an easy camera or I'd never get it out!

Margaret said...

Looks good! I hope you like your new camera -- it seems to take good pictures! Light ring, huh? I wonder if that's what that thing is in the camera bag..... lol!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Enjoy the new camera! FWIW, just about everything is designed for fairly rapid obsolescence and malfunction these days anyway, so your mishap only sped up the inevitable.

Tanya said...

The pictures look good. I always enjoy seeing your WIPs.
I have been wanting a new camera myself and you have shared a lot of information.

Melissa said...

The new photos look good! I really need someone to help me with my camera. It's a point an shoot type but I think I'm under-utilizing it. Maybe I should read the manual!!!

Lovely stitching!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

I'm no expert and I use a point and shoot myself, but your pics look great to me! The slide converter thingy sounds great - my parents have tons of old slides too - great idea!!!

Love to Stitch said...

Wow, I love the new picture of the Washington Monument, looks like wonderful weather there. Great progress pics you have on your projects, its amazing! Have a wonderful Memorial day weekend!!

mainely stitching said...

I'll also have to buy a new P&S before the end of year. Mine's really on its last legs. Enjoy yours, and keep the great pictures coming!

Kellie said...

Your new camera seems to take really great pictures. Love the photos of your WIPs. That is very interesting about the slide converter and the light ring.

quiltcat said...

You don't sound as distraught as i would have been about cracking a lens! But it's great that you got a new point and shoot...seems to be taking great pictures of your WIPs!