Tuesday 13 October 2015

Camera shenanigans

(Just in passing, I really like the word 'shenanigans').  I have been having some problems with my camera recently.  It is a little point and shoot Kodak M23 which has been really reliable, easy to use and takes lovely photos.  I am not a photographer by any means (although I do enjoy taking photos) and need something easy to use.  My camera still takes good pictures, but the computer bit inside (you guessed it, I am not au fait with technology) decided to go completely mad and not do anything I wanted it to.  In fact, although I told it not to, it decided to delete all 340 photos on my memory card, much to my horror.  You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach - well, I definitely had that.  Once I realised that, luckily, I had saved most of the photos onto my computer, it wasn't so bad.  However, I decided that a new camera purchase should be made.
I did my research, waded through loads of reviews, got completely baffled as I trawled through all sorts of technical descriptions and then I bought this one, a Sony W800:
photo from http://www.sony.co.uk
It was like my old Kodak, in that it was small and would fit in my pocket.  However, once I had charged it up and tried it, I found that there was a delay between clicking the shutter button and it actually taking a photo.  This wasn't great as I do like taking the odd photo of wildlife now and again.  I also found it took a while to bring the photos into focus on the screen.  Whether this was a problem with just this particular camera, or across the range,  I wasn't sure, but I knew it wasn't the one for me, so took it back.
I have now bought this one (another Kodak - FZ201 - but a little bit bigger and with more zoom than my previous one). 
image from https://www.ephotozine.com/
I have been having a practise with it in the garden...
 I rescued this little cyclamen from being swamped by a self-seeded astrantia and verbena bonariensis.
It looks much happier now.
 I challenged the camera with a back-lit blueberry branch.  I think it managed pretty well.
 Deep shade and brilliant sunshine (and the shadow of my arm!).
 Using the zoom...
 ...and again...
 ...and again.
 Beautiful cosmos flowers (they were really late to flower this year).
 My favourite aster 'Little Carlow', which helpfully tells the bees which flowers have been pollinated (they are the ones with the reddish centres).
 Magnolia Susan with buttery yellow leaves against a blue autumn sky.
 Vivid pink aster 'September Ruby'. That colour just sings out, doesn't it?
Finally, my replacement hanging basket, still flowering and looking good (until the first frosts come, which can't be too far away now).
So far, I am really pleased with my new camera.  I hope it lasts for a good few years.

8 comments:

  1. Your new camera works beautifully. I am surprised that cameras with that delay are still being made, it seems ridiculous to me.

    Your flowers are glorious, I really must remember to buy some Cosmos for next season.

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    1. Thanks, Toffeeapple. I really didn't like the delay at all on the Sony, but it may just have been that particular camera. The Kodak is much better! It was quite tricky finding a 'basic' point and shoot camera as they seem to have been superseded by the cameras on smart phones. However, for someone like myself, without a smart phone, it does make things a little more difficult by limiting the choices. The Kodak was more expensive than the Sony originally, but I got it on offer at half price, so it ended up only £5.00 more. Money well spent.
      I really enjoy having cosmos in the garden, but it was so late doing anything this year that I almost gave up on it. However, it seems to have almost caught up. I tried some different varieties which were disasters and most were eaten by snails, so it will be back to Cosmos Sonata Dwarf next year!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Loving your garden - and intrigued that we both have cyclamen in flower at the moment.
    A digital camera is a wonderful thing. And a point and shoot suits me just fine.

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    1. Thanks, EC. The cyclamen flowering at the moment are cyclamen hederifolium. I also have cyclamen coum which flower in Jan/Feb (depending on the weather). Which variety are yours?
      I just hope my new camera lasts for a while...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Lovely photo's, it's great fun getting a new camera, your close ups are brilliant.

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    1. Thanks, Marlene. It is fun getting a new camera, although it will take time to get to know what it can do, I think. So far, so good!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. It looks as though you and your camera are getting on really well together! You have taken some great photos so far. I hope that you keep enjoying it! xx

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    1. Thanks, Amy. My new camera worked very well and I was really pleased with the results so far. I look forward to seeing what else it can do (once I wade through the downloadable book all about it...).
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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