You've Got Possibilities

I've been alluding to this whole new camera thing lately. I've been outright bellyaching about it for a long while, too. Things are coming to a head, though, or should I say coming into focus? (Heh. I'll be here all week. Do not try the veal.)

So, a friend (not sure if they want to be identified in this context so I'll wait) has asked me to take some photos of her kiddo, her parents, her hubs and her in prep for a full family holiday card at the end of the year. She likes the pics I've been taking of Alita and Music Baby so she asked me and even offered to pay me something. I declined payment. It's exciting and fun for me and an important learning experience so I'm getting paid already.

Anyway, I need to learn a bit more, shoot a bit faster and be able to take more photos at a time before our date with destiny in June. I need more freedom to make mistakes and I need the immediacy to try different techniques on the same subject to learn which ones work best. I need the digital equivalent of my beloved but ailing Nikkormat.

I just spent about $2,000 on the show so the idea of spending over $1000 on a camera seemed crazy indulgent. As a precursor I was going to go to a famous camera store and get some advice then hit Ebay or Craigslist or whatever to see if I could find a reasonable pre-owned option. Anyway, after the snow day changed my plan on Friday I hit the web site for store hours on the weekend and discovered a USED SECTION!

The camera I think I'll be directed to is the Canon Digital Rebel 8 Megapixel (pictured). When I first put it on my Amazon list as something to moon and drool over it was clocking in at around $700 with the standard lens. After that I just started blurring out the price in my mind when I looked at it. Well, my internet window shopping today has revealed that at the famous camera store has the used Rebels starting at $399 with the standard lens and even my Amazon version is only $469 also with the lens. This is doable! (Still indulgent, yes, I do understand that.)

Last month I wrote a check for almost $600 for the theatre balance, still paid my bills and didn't have to transfer out of savings. So...I could really buy this camera and not feel so terribly guilty about it. I'll be saving all that money on film! I'll be able to take more pictures (oh you lucky folk of the internet, are you holding your breath yet). I want this. I've wanted this for years and it's OK to have it. (I know it is, but I have to keep telling myself.)

I am at this point so excited I can barely contain myself. Today, y'all, by today I might have a big kids digital camera. I can't wait!