I sent my old Canon Powershot S3IS to my son, Jon. It's served me well for about 3 years. However, I wanted a better camera for our trip to Yellowstone so I splurged and bought my present Canon Powershot SX30IS This one has a 35X optical zoom. The S3IS had a 12X optical zoom. The newer camera also has a bigger viewer which is great for my failing (ummm... injured) eyes.
When I looked at the photos I took with the newer camera I found that the photos weren't necessarily a WHOLE lot better. I had the worst time using the macro feature. It was just as weak as the older camera. However it did take a wider field of view and the video was HD and much better.
I guess what it boils down to is the photographer. My friend, Dave happens to be a professional photographer and he can use a disposable camera and get an amazing photo. When he uses his expensive cameras, WOW!
So maybe I should read the manual for the camera. Maybe I should learn how to use the proper functions. Maybe I should take a class. Maybe I should go back to Dave for more advice. Sigh...
My old camera is on its way to Jon. I sure hope it serves him well. I sent him the instruction booklet also. I wonder if he'll read it.
Well aren't u nice... I bet your friend will appreciate it... I've got a canon powershot SD 870 wide angle and I love it... Its user friendly and have had no problems w/it.. I even called Canon for info and they were great..
ReplyDeleteKay, here is the link to the miniskirt post: http://facing50withhumour.blogspot.com/2011/08/will-you-still-need-me-will-you-still.html
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Jon! I never read the owner's manual, but David usually does. I operate things intuitively, guessing correctly along the way just by fiddling with it. Jon, on the other hand, is a science major, so surely he will read the manual first. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I am amazed you kept the box for the camera all this time!
I always intend to read the manuals, but usually just end up going to them when I have a problem. Jon, I'm sure, will make very good use of your old camera.
ReplyDeletegood luck with the new camera,, we bought a new one and it doesn't take any better photos in my hands,, its me,, the old camera was just point and shoot, the new one has all the bells and whistles which I don't understand,,, I'm hopeless!We sent our old one to our son as well, I'm wishing i hadn't,,
ReplyDeleteYour photos are SO MUCH better than mine...and I've read my camera's manual!
ReplyDeleteI'm on my second Canon PowerShot, and I love my camera. It's only got a 12X zoom, but it's enough for me and not too big and heavy. I do notice that I take a lot of pictures and only keep a small number, but when you don't have film and just waste a few pixels, you can practice all you want!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have a better camera. It is nice of you to give son the old one. Have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteOh the dilemma of a new camera. I recently bought myself a new Canon 301S. I had used a Canon Elf for a while, and switched to the Nikkon Coolpix, I thought if I upgraded from the Nikkon, I would be able to improve my photographs. It helps if you read the directions. I don't know about you, but my new camera is in it's case most of the time. Looks like yours is in the box. Or, is that the one you are sending to Jon? Cameras are so confusing. Good Luck in Yellowstone. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI love my Canon, but I still could learn a lot about photography. I try reading the manual and get disgusted that a former teacher can have so much difficulty trying to understand what the manual actually says!!! Ah, the joys of old age???? Hope your week is off to a good start, Kay! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Kay;
ReplyDeleteI have not even mastered my canon.
Love you!
Manuals and I have never been friends. I am not a visual learner. I know that about myself, so why bother reading a manual? I might refer to them for clarification, but I never read them.
ReplyDeleteI need a new camera, but I keep putting it off because I am too lazy to learn a new one. Mine I sat on mine and broke it. I had it in my pocket. So much for a small camera that is maybe a little too easy to carry around. I wish the camera world was a little easier to navigate. There are just too many features and bells and whistles.
I'm a visual reader but seem to never read the manuals i get. My hubby reads them cover to cover and helps me out...
ReplyDeletegood luck with the new camera, it sounds like fun (sort of)!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I really should read my manual and learn more about the camera and it´s functions. But who has time for it? haha
ReplyDeleteI have a very hard time making myself read instruction booklets for cameras. Boring.
ReplyDeleteMy camera didn't come with an instruction booklet, it came with a link to the online instructions. It's SO long and complicated, I can barely bear to look at it.
ReplyDeleteAre you still having trouble seeing with your injured eye? I hope it recovers.
Luv — K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
But have you seen the size of that manual?????
ReplyDeleteUh uh. See The Man Manual. Page 1. Item 1: "for any new appliance, including cameras: immediately throw out manual or any instruction booklet, leaflet, addendum or warranty card. If you get stumped, have a beer and call your best friend. Never admit you are stumped, just ask him what he did when HE got stumped. Atta boy."
ReplyDeletealoha,
walt
I have the Canon Powershot SX20 with 20 optical but it's plain slow. My 4-megapixel clunker 6 optical does heavy work for my blogging pics. Photos are so much of blogging that we get transformed into shutterbugs. I found I get better at reading the instructions the more cameras I get and instruction booklets. That's not to say the instructions are or seem esoteric. The old conundrum .... to understand it, you would have to have be an experienced photographer, but if you were an experienced photographer, then you wouldn't need to read the instructions.
ReplyDeleteSeems a lot of us have settled on Cannon Powershots.
ReplyDeleteI like mine, but yes, i use a less expensive camera. When I know WHAT to do with more camera perhaps I'll get one. Till then I agree with you, Kay:
It's mostly in the eye!
Comfort Spiral
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Titchadshi--use your new camera in good health and may you be reNEWed by its newness. May the two of you (Kay + camera) make many happy and pretty pictures together.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jon too.
My little Canon PowerShot A1000IS has lots of settings but my favorite setting is "Automatic," hehe. Who can understand those manuals, anyway.
While I am using my big Nikon more and more, it is still my trusty Canon Powershot point and shoot that I take with me for most outings. Canon makes great little cameras.
ReplyDeleteI do confess i read the manuals, but I don't use all of the features. Ease of taking photos is important to me.
You can take a class, but nothing is as valuable as practice. Take lots of photos, try different settings and different times of day. Good photography is all about the light.
My husband could always get good photos with a disposable camera. I don't take great photos even with his fancy SLR. So, I just keep my point and shoot camera in my purse and I use my iPhone camera when I need to catch a fast shot. I take LOTS of pictures and so a few come out very good. The others go in the trash. Thank goodness for digital.
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