The camera I use for photographing my still life setups, my art for posting on my blog and sometimes to develop prints from is the only camera I have. It's the Canon XTi with the EF-S 17-55mm /1:2.8 IS lens...this is a huge set-up to carry around. I have a couple of smaller lenses (in size and quality) but they don't have image stabilization and once you're used to this its hard to go back to being so careful to hold the camera still.
For a long time I've wanted something "just to snap" pictures with...small enough to fit into my purse without killing my shoulder. I go through phases...of researching until I am totally confused...I've even gone to 
look at these "little" things...(like the one to the left) only to be more confused!! There are many times I would like to be able to get a picture...but my camera is at home.
The last couple of weeks I went through the whole process again...research, go to the store and look and hold, talk to the sales people (who know less than I do)...and came home with nothing.
This time, I went back the next day and bought one...am I happy with it? NO!! It's going back the first of the week. After listening to me talk about what I have and what I wanted to do the salesman recommended a "mid range camera" (Powershot 100SX IS) . It just doesn't feel right, DON'T LIKE THE PHOTOS and it's bigger than I wanted...or at least bigger than WHAT I THOUGHT I WANTED.
But then history has proven that despite all the research I still don't know what I want. Canon now makes a smaller "starter lens" 18-55 with image stabilization...it's only about 2.5 " long (quite small) and would downsize my camera package considerably. It still costs as much as some of these little cameras I've been looking at. I JUST DON'T KNOW!! Why are some things so hard?
So one more time I've done nothing...OOPS! sorry, wrong here, I did make a purchase, which because I'm not going to keep it...I now have to make another trip out of town (using expensive gas) and (precious time) to return it.
You know the thing is I LOVE MY CAMERA (Canon XTi)...it's just too big to always have with me...so here I am again lugging this huge camera an lens set-up to another art fair.
So I ask: What camera do you use as your main camera for photographing your art and your reference materials? Do you have a second camera? Is there a camera you recommend as a "carry around" ?
The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say.
Have a great weekend...I'll be showing at the Naperville, Illinois woman's club art fair this weekend...will report back the first of the week...WITH PHOTOS!
Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
7 comments:
Hey Marsha I bought Nikon D40 that has an 18-55 and a 55-200 lens. I love the camera - VR - the whole bit. I wished I had gotten the 300 lens but. . .I also found like you that it is a lot of stuff to carry around or worry about when it wasn't on your shoulder. So I bought a Nikon CoolPix S550. It is10.0 megapixels has VR and ISO 2000 with a 2.5" LCD screen 5x zoom. It is purple ;-) (I love purple) and it is lightweight and compact that it goes everywhere with me. It takes short movie pictures with sound. The quality of the pictures are great - I love it. I'm glad I have my other Nikon and truly think it was a great purchase but this little camera is perfect to carry anywhere.
Karen,
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I'm on my way out the door but will certainly look into this when I get back.
Sounds like you have about the same set-up with Nikon as I have with Canon. A great camera and lens combination can really spoil you for anything else...and I think that's my main issue. I've just got to stop comparing and use each for what they were purchased to do.
The one I bought is still going back...Thanks so much for your input.
Hi Marsha -
My husband has the Canon that you do - what a chore! I ended up with 2 cameras: a tiny Canon powershot that I could carry in purse or pocket - but NEVER use because it just doesn't capture what I want. The camera I LOVE is my SONY Cybershot DSC-H5. Its a bit bulky, but I can fit it into my medium sized purse when I have to. It takes great pics for posting on the internet (everything in my blog is done with this camera) and it has a 12X zoom that allows me to get great shots from a distance when I'm out and about. Good for public settings, or wildlife... last week I used it at an art demo where I was about 6 people back from the easel - just held it overhead and zoomed right in. Mine is about 18 months old - I think there are 2 more recent versions, with 15x zoom, the H-6 and H-8? One difference between the versions is the type of battery required - my H-5 uses 2 AAs. Nice for traveling, I can always get some if needed. Normally I just keep a spare set of rechargables ready to go.
Good luck on your hunt for the "perfect" camera - let us know what you choose and how its working for you!
Thanks Terry, I will certainly be getting back with input on what I decide to do.
I think my biggest issue is as I've already said...nothing competes with what I have in image quality and I'm just going to have to get over this.
I know I still want a viewfinder...but then it comes down to size. I want 8-10 MP and at least a 6X or above zoom.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!
Good luck - if you get a chance, do check out SONYs DSC-H line of cybershots....
My son has a panasonic lumix, with 7.2 mp and 10x zoom. It is a great little camera! Fits into his pocket. I own a Minolta Dimage that I shoot all of my florals with, but it's too big for my purse. If I could afford it, I buy a camera like his in a heartbeat!
At work I use a Canon EOS 5D. Great camera, but huge. (recently went digital from 2 1/4)
All that to say this, the quality of his lumix is amazing, and I'm used to using a Hassleblad!
Marsha,
You sound just like me. I had a Konica Minolta Z5 and I just hated to carry it with me and I wanted a small camera to go in my purse that way I would always have a camera when I needed it.
I did a lot of research and bought the Panasonic Lumix TZ4 and I absolutely love it. It was more expensive than the other cameras, but it also had more features. It has more optical zoom, which is what I was looking for. It doesn't allow manual adjustments, but you can go up to the TZ5 and that has the manual settings.
I highly recommend it. Good luck with your search.
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