08 August 2007
Phew, real life can sure take it out of a person, no? I thought time went by quickly even when I wasn't up to much, but it's a whole new level of warp when I've actually got things to do. To help document it all (in theory), I've got a new camera. It takes pictures like so:
No, not to replace my Nikon SLR -- not even close. It's a little Olympus (FE-230) point-and-shoot, exactly as big as my cell phone, but with more megapixels than the D70. How do they fit them all in? It's been so long since I've used a point-and-shoot that I find it exceedingly frustrating. I mean, it's my belief that you can coax out a good photo from any camera, but there are definitely levels of difficulty. Being able to tell the D70 exactly what you want goes a long way to making photography easy; the Olympus seems to have a mind of its own, and there's no telling it what you want it to do. Now I know what it's like to live with myself! Har.
I've accepted the fact that I have to let the cameras do what they're best at. I got this point-and-shoot in order to have a portable camera that I can carry with me at all times. And I think it'll do just fine with that sort of thing -- outdoor shots, etc, etc. The D70 is best at home, where I expect a bit more, and where lugging around an SLR doesn't pose a problem.
But for the moment, I'm most excited about the Olympus' super-macro setting:
It'll focus up to about an inch and a half in front of its nose, and provided all the other stars align (since you can't set its shutter speed or aperture or manually focus), it takes a nice picture. Of fuzzy cat paws and slices of tomato. (I'll have to get back to you with the variety of tomato I've got in my garden. It's an heirloom, and it's amazing. Almost no seeds -- just perfect tomato flesh through and through.)
Just look at that darling little cat paw!
posted by Sarah at August 8, 2007 07:34 PM
You have a D70?! I did not know that. I have a D40. I love it about as much as a person can love an inanimate object.
posted by jessie at August 8, 2007 09:48 PM
Jessie -- Yup, I've had the D70 for almost three years now! I love it. Rob's got a D40, I think, and it seems pretty nice. Mostly I covet his macro lens, though.
posted by Anna at August 9, 2007 01:50 AM
oooh, the close up kitty paw is fabulous...I can feel the fur!
posted by Zoe at August 9, 2007 10:12 AM
Jessie, *I* bought Anna her D70. You'd think that fact would have appeared on this blog somewhere. But mainly I only get a mention when I do something bad.
posted by Rob at August 9, 2007 02:31 PM
Rob, that's such a lie! I represent you accurately and fairly. I'm sure I did mention it when you gave it to me; the archives just don't go back that far.
posted by Anna at August 9, 2007 06:41 PM
I'm so frustrated with my camera, it alwyas only does what it likes...but never good pictures -_-°
I would love to have a Olympus, your kitten paw pictures is simply gorgeous!!!
posted by Elisa at August 10, 2007 08:51 AM
Your new camera looks OK but not I think as good as me. Remember when I was your favourite?
lomo
posted by lomo at August 10, 2007 02:17 PM
Oh boy, Anna, I wish I could take a paw print photo like that. It's amazing. Now I want a camera that will focus up close like that. Oh no.
posted by Jenny at August 10, 2007 10:00 PM
What gorgeous photos. Love the paw. That's the best!
posted by Rosa at August 25, 2007 04:52 AM