Random Rambling

Just heard from the camera repair shop that my good camera is going to have to be sent by me to the manufacturer to have the card reader replaced AND it's going to cost over $500 plus over $100 for shipping.

Arrgh! Now I have to decide if I want to spend that (or more) for the repair or if I can find a lesser camera that will give me some acceptable macro and decent zoom capacity.

The camera on my phone isn't bad-- but I want a bit more. The old camera--a Sony Cybershot RX 101V is actually heavier than is comfortable and something a bit lighter would be nice. My previous camera, a Nikon D90 with the 18-200 lens, was the one that I thought took the best pictures and was the most intuitive to use.

I tend to shoot only in automatic and usually on the spur of the moment sans tripod--all the bells and whistles of a serious camera are wasted on me.

So, it's on to a bit of research while I make up my mind . . .

(Below is a drive by shot of what appears to be a wedding party outside the Madison County courthouse

 

Podcast Link...and the Replacement Camera is Here!

 HERE is a link to a podcast that I and Marlin Barton, a fellow Regal House author, did about our novels.  

And my replacement camera arrived and I've been getting to know it better.

New Camera! Better Pictures!

About a month ago, my cherished Nikkor 18-200 lens jammed up. Again. Since then I've been using my little pocket Sony which I love for its portability but it's not near the camera I want. Even before the lens jammed, my friend Cory (a professional photographer) had warned me that all lenses eventually wear out and he had sent me a recommendation for an all-in-one camera that he felt would suit me.  It has a zoom capacity of 24-600. 

Wow! I was tempted. And when I got an editing job that would pay for a good chunk of the new camera, I bit the bullet and made the order. It arrived Tuesday but apart from opening the package to see that it was all there, I left it in the box, telling myself I had to finish the editing job first ( 150 pages to go out of almost 300.)

Friday morning I had about fifty pages to go. I did my morning chores (dress, make bed, laundry, bird feeders, littler box,) got a cup of coffee, and sat down, determined to finish so I could play with my new toy and be ready to take pictures of The Josie's family birthday party today.

At 12:20 I wrote my editorial letter and sent it and the marked up manuscript off to the author. A quick late breafast of yoghurt and granola and I was ready to explore.  Setting the language and date and time was easy. Attaching the neck strap, less so, but I persevered and then tried taking a picture or two.

Something wasn't right. My new camera didn't seem to want to take pictures. It kept telling me LOW LIGHT, even when I pointed it out the window.  Oh, no! Disaster!

After I removed the lens cap, things went better.

Some close ups -- still getting the hang of this-- (will read the manual soon, Cory.)

And then I tried some distance shots . . .

They're not especially interesting but the microwave tower atop the mountain and the house in the shot below are across the river from us, probably about two miles away. 

Maybe I could have a new career as a PI. Hmm...

Probably best if I stick to the private life of birds.

Mrs. R.B. Grosbeak is not amused.

But what a pleasant afternoon it was! 

Layla was happy to pose.

And, as always, there are the flowers. I think the pictures would have been better if the day han't been so windy.

And if the photographer would study the manual. 

But I had fun.