I almost bought an insanely priced DSLR yesterday.
Was very much in the mindset that I was going to use my last full paycheck to reward myself for getting through the season with one.
But then I decided to take a step back. As much as I’m wanting to get back into the Nikon DSLRs, the little but mighty red point-and-shoot Nikon I bought for $50 at a card and comic book shop a few years back does an adequate job at capturing the things I want. Sure it lacks any manual options and trying to get the autofocus to center on what I’m trying to focus on is finicky and takes some serious patience and finesse when time is limited, which can be a headache when a butterfly is here one minute and gone the next. But it’s a solid camera considering I can capture craters on the moon but always have to have rechargeable batteries at the ready in the hopes they can outlast my sudden bursts of wanting to test the boundaries of the camera.
And I do have the 15 pro max that does pretty good with certain shots as well, especially when timing is everything, so it’s been really hard to talk myself into upgrading.
So instead of making the big purchase, I bought new rechargeable batteries and headed to the arboretum to once again fall in love with my little red engine that could.
It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, but it makes me practice patience more as I lovingly encourage to focus on the moth and not the flower behind it, makes me concentrate so intently on the moment in front of me that I have to continually hold my breath as I click the shutter button, and makes me feel an incredible amount of joy when everything comes together for a capture I won’t soon forget. I’m more than okay with that.
A camera is just a tool, the person holding it is what matters. I have a decent Canon DSLR and I spent more money on a couple of good lenses. I also have the iPhone 15 and it does a great job of photos on the go. I use Snapseed to process them in camera but I'll also use Lightroom on my desktop too
Nice captures... you've got a good eye and your Nikon Coolpix is a good little camera.
I had an old Nikon FTN for years and years, and when it gave up the ghost, I bought my first (and only) digital camera, a Coolpix P80 and I've still got it.
Patience and a good eye (plus taking hundreds of pics to get a good one), is more important than a really expensive camera.
Excellent restraint .. many lack that self-control when new and shiny is in front of them. I've got a new truck stalking me .. but have resisted so far since my current one just refuses to give up the ghost. ;-)
@PerfectionOfTheHeart Familiar. Put the family ahead more often and bargain shop for me. Good stuff at best price when I do buy. Tend to spend more readily to enable experiences over longer term vs just having stuff on a shelf, in a closet or even the driveway. That said .. a camera to a photographer is an experience thing. Hope the right time comes at some point for you to put the right tech together with your eye and photographer's soul.
I’ve always been a huge fan of your photography. You had commented on my post and saw I’m in a season right now, where I have to be careful about impulse purchases. I can tell you, you do a much better job at reasoning with yourself than I do
You have got yourself a gem with this camera. Love the size of the display on it too. Not a colour I would have chosen, but it suits you to a tee. The clarity and detail is beyond words. Love them all.
@ThirstenHowl Totally understand the multiple frustrations there. Mine has a lcd screen that comes out to adjust for a better view of the capture, but I never use it. I rarely look back while shooting because I have so many limitations that hinder me from making corrections for the next time. I mostly just keep my fingers crossed while clicking away.
