Good morning, everyone.
Thank you, thank you for the lovely comments yesterday. I had a very pleasant day, one way and another.
On the way over to Val's, it started raining which was a bit of a downer but by the time I got there it had stopped and, apart from a few warning drops at one point, it stayed dry and, occasionally, sunny.
You're right - Marks Hall is lovely. It's wilder than Hyde hall, less 'managed', and much more natural and it's huge! After lunch we took a leisurely stroll around half the lake and the walled garden - LOVED the walled garden - before leaving. We talked the hind legs off a donkey as the saying goes, catching up on each other's news.
I will definitely be going back!
One annoying thing though - I have no photos. My camera decided to be awkward and wouldn't fully cooperate. I definitely have to get a new one and fairly quickly. Eileen, you asked whether I wanted a point and click or a DSLR and, having looked up what a DSLR is I think the answer is 'both'. It looks as if a DSLR will be great for taking photography a bit further with more creativity and effect while a point and click is so useful for what it says on the box - quick, instant and lightweight. I gather you can get different lenses for the former - is that right?
Today is a nothing day until tuition and SW group (which I am dreading after the last few weeks) and, as the weather is dull, I will spend it sorting out the mess I call my home and researching cameras. Oh, and also spending some time walking around in my shoes with heels so I get used to them. Sounds daft, I know, but if you'd gone over on your ankle as often as I used to, you'd be very wary. :-)
Have a good day and wish me luck, both with SW group and with camera research. Any advice would be gratefully received.
xx
Good luck with the camera choice it is quite difficult to decide which type to choose. I'm glad you had a nice day there are so many lovely places in the UK
ReplyDeleteThere are, aren't there. We do have a lovely country one way and another.
Deletexx
I hope you are pleasantly surprised at SW. If not, I'm sure you'll soon be back on track. Just don't be hard on yourself, you're going through a difficult time right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I haven't got any camera suggestions. I just use my phone. Point and click is all I can manage.
I'm glad you enjoyed your special day yesterday. X
Loads of people use their phones but I don't have an iphone or equivalent, just a wee mobile for texts and phone calls.
DeleteI will have to do some research, I think.
xx
I had a little Cannon which was fine and as small as a mobile phone until a blob got on the lens inside somewhere(although it didn't magnify very much, then the family got me a Lumix for my 60th which does all sorts of clever things but I always leave it on auto! It's much bigger - too big for carrying round sometimes.
ReplyDeleteMarks Hall sounds good, hope SW is not as bad as you fear
I'm concerned about the same thing - that a DSLR will be too heavy for days out but I was starting to find my camera a bit limiting. That's why I think I might go for both and I think my lucky stars that I still have most of my retirement lump sum tucked away and not spent. This is just the sort of thing I feel I should be able to get without feeling guilty. :-)
Deletexx
Why not have a look at the range of cameras classified as ‘bridge’ cameras, so you get the best of both worlds. What you’ve written about point and shoots, and DSLRs above is correct- the bridge cameras fill the gap between the two and is a good option if you want a bit more control and wish to take your photography to the next level.
ReplyDeleteOh - thanks very much indeed. That does like a good compromise for now. I'll look around.
Deletexx
If you have a decent camera shop nearby I'd definitely suggest you go in and handle the cameras and let them demonstrate exactly what the limits of each type of camera is. If weight is a consideration, this gives you the opportunity to actually hold one and see how it 'feels' in your hands - there is a big difference between the various manufacturers.
DeleteMy other bit of advice is to be sure which features are a 'must have'for you and which would be a 'nice to have'. Sales reps and online sales pitches often stress features that sound essential but which in reality you rarely or never use.
If you are interested I can recommend a brilliant free online course if you want to develop your photography skills.
I am interested, thanks.
DeleteFor now, I have bought another pint and click with a great review. It's the same range as the one I have now which I have been very happy with but a little more 'high end', not that it cost any more as the other one did when I bought it as it's not cutting edge. However, I am also thinking seriously about a bridge camera as well. Extravagent? Moi?
xx
I don’t think it is possible to be extravagant with photography!! I use a DSLR as my point and shoot and have a better quality DSLR as my ‘proper’ camera and I don’t even think that is approaching what could be called extravagant 😂😂
DeleteDSLRs aren’t necessarily heavy and bulky. Before you make your decision, decide on the type of photos you plan to take as that determines the type of lens you need.
My email address is in my profile. If you contact me I can give you the details of the course and chat through your camera choices/options if you’d like, rather than filling up your blog.
< grin > I kinda agree with you really. And I really admire your photos, they are lovely.
DeleteI looked on your profile but couldn't find your email adress. Are you on Facebook?
xx
I wouldn't go for a DSLR, heavy, bulky and expensive. You might end up rarely using it because of this. If you do want interchangeable lenses, a mirrorless micro-4/3 is a better way to go: same quality, cheaper, lighter. Olympus do good ones.
ReplyDeleteAs for a compact I recommend my Sony RX100 to everyone. It's small enough to go in a pocket, robust, and the photos are almost as good quality as my DSLR ones. Great results on auto, and when you get more adventurous it has full manual control. It has a limited optical zoom, but that doesn't bother me. Oh, you may wince at the price of the latest model (Mk6 I think), but all the earlier models are available at very good prices. I'd go for a Mk4, which is the one I currently have; it has a pop-up viewfinder, which I find I can't live without. I agree with Eileen that a visit to a good camera shop is essential.
Yes, I think you're right about the shop. I must find one locally. Thanks for the info.
Deletexx
Yes, go to a camera shop and pick their brains. I walked into a shop at Preston to buy a new battery for my Fujifilm camera, and came out with a point and shoot Canon. It's perfect for what I want to do with it.
ReplyDeletelol - good for you. Yes, I really do need to get advice from a specialist if I'm going to get a more advanced camera.
Deletexx
John Lewis are very knowledgeable on their cameras and are always happy to talk you through them and they have loads on display to handle. Many bloggers use Cannon quite successfully but I am a Sony person and love my lightweight Cybershot. You don't need an expensive camera to take reasonable pictures just knowing how to adjust the settings helps. A lot of the pictures are modified and adjusted afterwards now in the online software available.
ReplyDelete