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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My New Love

If you've kept up with me recently you may remember that I was having some serious camera envy earlier this year~


Well I'm pleased to announce that you will not have to deal with my whining any longer...I was finally able to purchase ~ my new love ~


After hours...and hours...and a few more hours weeks of research....I decided on the Nikon d300s camera.





Isn't it just divine?

If you've ever had to make a very large, important purchase and you knew you just had to get it right then you know how nerve wracking it is to choose the ideal camera when upgrading.    Here's why I chose this particular camera:

~ it was a definite upgrade from what I already had in ISO performance and overall quality
~ every review I've read {and there were hundreds!} was positive 
~ several pro photographers I've spoken with own this camera and every one absolutely loves it
~ I liked the way it felt in my hands....it's a quirky reason but very important when choosing a camera
~ it was the highest quality I could buy in my price range

But the fun doesn't stop there...after choosing my camera I had to choose a lens and I knew I didn't want a kit lens, I wanted a "pro" grade lens.  I decided on the Nikon 50mm 1.4.


I knew from the first click that I want to be buried with this lens.  That's how much I love it ~

Here's why I chose this particular lens:
~ I didn't already own a 50mm so I was truly getting something new
~ I wanted the 1.4 aperture for more creative opportunities
~ Every single photographer that owns a 50mm 1.4 says it's at the top of their favorite lenses ever

Now don't be a hater because I have some sweet gear now!  I know how that camera envy can sneak up on ya~  Because of this purchase...
~ my kids will not be meeting Mickey Mouse this year....or any other year...ever
~ my kids will not get to ride in a snazzy new car like all their friends have...but instead they get a used minivan that smells like wet soccer cleats
~ leftovers will be on the menu more than ever 
~ those funky, furry boots I'm wanting for fall will just remain on my Wish List...along with that epiphanie camera bag and pretty much everything else I'm wanting

But enough about that....let me show why I've proclaimed that if my house were on fire I would save my new camera first, and then hopefully a few of my kids...

...this is the very first photo I snapped about 10 minutes after I finally figured out how to open the box while I was sitting in the front seat of my van:


I realize it's not exactly art gallery worthy but I was lovin' it.  About 20 minutes later I took these shots at my session.  
{note:  I would not recommend buying a brand new camera, not reading the manual, and attempting to photograph 6 people all within 1 hour}



Those are untouched, uncropped, uneverything...can you say bokeh?  can you see why I'm in love?

Those shots were perfect as-is but I still had to mess with them just a bit~  I added a touch of butterscotch tint and these were my finals:

        f stop 2.2

 f stop 1.6

So to sum it all up, I'm very pleased with my purchases and I'm glad I took my time and did a ton of research before I decided what to buy.  I really suggest that if you're looking to buy a new camera that you go to a camera store and try out the feel of several different models in your range for a good comparison.  Try different lenses too so you can see how fast they focus and what it's actually like to use the zoom ring or work with a prime lens.  

I tried the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 so one of those will be my next purchase...but I just can't decide....any thoughts??








13 comments:

Sandy said...

buy both! they are fantastic lenses!!

way outnumbered said...

Great advice Sandy ~ I'll look for your check in my mailbox soon to help out with that!!

Jewell@ The Lovely Photo said...

Wow, that was bold to use in your session, but the pics turned out amazing! Love the butterscotch action on them:)

way outnumbered said...

Thanks Jewell....I did have my "old" camera with me but just couldn't wait to try out the new one. I had both the cameras round my neck at one point but ended up using only the ones from the Nikon~

I used the action Butterscotch Vintage from Coffeeshop but altered it quite a bit for the lightest effect.

Traci said...

Congrats! Love your shots from your session - a brave & bold woman you are to use your new equipment. I've heard great things about the 24-70/2.8.
Just curious - did you get viable business from your tradeshow?

way outnumbered said...

Traci~
I really enjoyed the tradeshow and learned a lot about display...but the answer is "no" it didn't gain me business. The reason though is that I realized it just wasn't geared to my clientele.

99% of my business has come from referrals and a few from google search. Facebook has been a huge source of advertising for me reaching people that would have never been possible in other ways. But I'm always looking for other conventions or tradeshows because I enjoy them.

TOLIVER FAMILY said...

how exciting!! congrats.

Darlene said...

Beautiful shots! I'm considering either the d300s or the d7000. I'm curious why the d300 is higher quality than the d7000? I'm leaning towards the d7000 but am just starting my research. It's about $300 cheaper, but when you're spending that much money and it's your business, the extra $300 is worth it if it is indeed a better camera.

I've used both lenses you're considering. They are both so different. Depends on if you like to zoom or have a wider angle.

way outnumbered said...

Darlene ~
Honestly I didn't consider the d7000 because it's so new and I didn't have user reviews to go off of...and because when I finally had the money to buy I wanted my camera NOW! I don't think the d7000 comes out for a few more weeks?? The reviews on it look great though and may have been worth the wait....but I'm thrilled with what I've got and have no regrets~

I want both zoom AND wide angle so looks like I have lots more saving to do!

hootnonny said...

I'm waiting with anticipation for more photos w/your new camera!

Kirstin said...

Okay, I do have camera envy now. I have on my list to buy a new camera. Nikon! I have been looking at the D7000, even though it's new. I've read some of the reviews on DPreview, etc...and they seem pretty favorable. I'm not a professional or semi-pro photographer so it seems this one would be great for me. I talked for awhile with a few guys at a local camera store and they planned on purchasing it and said for what I use a camera for it would be great. We'll see...I'm not buying one anytime soon so I think I'll have time to read reviews. The D300s looked great but was a bit out of my range. I would also love the 50mm

I love the pictures you took!! Beautiful!

hootnonny said...

Hi Christy, I ordered the 50 mm 1.4 lens and have not been particulary happy w/it. When I leave mine wide open, the whole image is too soft.

What aperture do you normally use for portaits? Thanks, Betty

way outnumbered said...

@hootnonny
I usually have it set to 2.2 - 2.8 for portraits of one person. I use 1.4-1.8 though when I'm shooting pictures of details and not people. You're right...1.4 is usually too soft for me too and you have to be reallllly careful to not shake or that tiny bit of focus will be way off! Good luck and let me know how it works when you bump up your f-stop. Thanks!

 
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