And the secret is...
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to reveal the secret. No, it’s not the same secret as the world-famous book “The Secret“.
(Although, come to think of it…maybe it is. I did kind of manifest this…)
This blog is revealing the secret answer to yesterday’s mental puzzle. Go back and read this first if you missed it.
The blog urged you to find something hidden within.
Did any of you commenters guess? No.
Now it’s time to reveal All.
Oh look at Kathy photographing a moose with that nice camera!
The secret hidden within yesterday’s blog: Every photo was taken–not with my steadfast friend & companion the little Sony Cybershot Point & Shoot–but with a fancy Canon Rebel Digital Single Lens Reflex!
I wanted to see if anyone–anyone–could tell the difference. If anyone might say, “Oh my goodness, look at the superb quality of those photos! Kathy, what have you been doing differently? Have you polished Ms. Sony Cybershot? Have you talked nicely to her? What in the world have you done to get such exceptional high-quality shots?”
But no. Not a single word of praise. Not a single word. Ms. Sony Cybershot is dancing around this living room right now. She’s shouting, “SCORE!” The Canon frowns at her immature behavior. I don’t know how to get these cameras to sit up straight and act like grown-ups.
Kathy spends half the day attempting to take close-up shots
The clues that should have alerted an astute long-time photo surveyor of this blog: Ms. Sony Cybershot has NEVER taken a half-way decent indoor shot of anything. Not for two years. Just look at what a good job the Canon did! You can actually see our living room in yesterday’s blog. It’s hardly blurry at all. A flash popped up and adjusted the light so magnificently. If one utilizes the flash on the Cybershot, everything still looks out-of-focus or washed out in bright light.
Thus, score one for the Rebel.
Second clue. Did any of you really see the photo of yesterday’s car shining in the light? Did you see that wide angle? The little Cybershot doesn’t know how to take a proper wide-angle shot. It tries, but it never quite succeeds. (The Sony is now sulking in the corner and I think getting tears in its lens. Please, Sony, I will sing your praises later.)
The quality of the other outdoor photos look very similar, I think, although maybe the Rebel has a slightly sharper quality. I dunno.
More close-up attempts of the flower variety
The camera is on loan. I get one week to play with it, try it out, decide if it’s a good buy to fork over $275 to a guy named “Chill” who is selling it. He used this particular camera for one month before purchasing a $2,000 camera. So it’s almost brand new.
However…this is what happened. The camera arrived with zero lens. That meant, of course, that you couldn’t take any photos at all. Someone loaned me two lens (a regular lens and a telephoto). I was ecstatic!
Screwed on the lens and started to take photos and…the darn camera wouldn’t focus close up. If any of you know me at all, you know I am in LOVE with close-ups. This was no good.
I figured there had to be some way to get a good close up (not taken from one to two feet away) but could not succeed. I read the instruction book from cover to cover. Began to fuss. Began to tell Barry, “There is no way I am buying that camera. It doesn’t work.”
Luckily, the nice husband took his lens off his Canon camera from work. As we drove up to Houghton on our car-shopping expedition, we paused to attempt close-up photography. Lo and behold! His lens worked! The fault was not in the Rebel…it was in the lens.
If I decide to purchase the camera, it will need a nice quality Canon lens–or two. That’s all.
Let's see if the camera takes wide-angle shots. Barry says, "Kneel down, Kathy...don't take the photo at an ordinary angle." OK, Barry.
However, if no one can ascertain the difference between Point & Shoot photos…and Digital Single Lens Reflex photos…maybe I should forget the whole venture and return to lovely Ms. Cybershot?
Barry said he liked this shot better than the first one. I disagree. He liked the foliage. I liked the expanse of the cemetery.
OK, OK. I will sing the praises of Ms. Cybershot. She is an excellent little camera. She’s taken some mighty fine shots. She really focuses nicely on close-ups. She’s small and can fit in your jean pocket. She’s been a faithful and loving companion.
What to do, what to do? I must admit I am leaning toward purchasing the Rebel and truly learning how to use it. But of course will keep Ms. Cybershot handy as well.
Perhaps the two shall become friends. Perhaps they both can find a beloved spot in this photograph’s heart.
We shall see. Barry told Chill I would decide by the beginning of the week. Let’s see what kind of indoor shots it takes at the photo gallery tomorrow night, shall we?
Lake Superior Spirit 
Oh my gosh, Kathy, I’m laughing hysterically. A DIFFERENT CAMERA! I’ve been reading your blog posts FAITHFULLY for a VERY LONG TIME and I can NOT tell the difference in the photos. I know you wanted to hear something different. You take AMAZING photos with Ms. Cybershot — AMAZING (please notice that I didn’t use the word, “good” — rather, AMAZING). I vote that you save your hard-earned cash and save it toward another travel adventure 🙂
Wow. You are the MOST complimentary person on the planet, Laurie. Oh you know my soft spot, too. Another travel adventure…the heart starts beating faster… 🙂
lol= post the same picture taken with each camera- then we will compare.
Now that is a brilliant idea, K. May just have to do that. In fact started doing that yesterday. Can’t wait to see the difference!
Whatever you decide, your photos are fantastic. The fact that none of us guessed the secret is a testament to the quality of your work.
I get it now. I really do. I see the wider angles and the lovely lighting and detail of the picture of your living room in yesterday’s blog!
Love the pic of you taking a pic of the moose! And the first one of the statues. AND … the nail shot.
Rest your creative head. And I hope tomorrow’s showing is fabulous!
OK, you and Laurie just tied for the most complimentary people on the planet, lol! Did you ever suspect when we worked together at the school that this Business Manager had so many creative ideas flying around in her head? laughing again…
How much difference in quality can really be detected online? Not that I was even thinking of that as a possibility! So my Waldo in the tree was my imagination, I gather. Fine! Hub has a Rebel (last year’s Christmas present), I have a Panasonic Lumix. I love my point & shoot with the 18x zoom, because I don’t want to mess with shutter speed, apertures, ISO, all that stuff. But if I decide I want to, I can. So – the Panasonic is my main camera – the little Canon that I had before that rides along in my purse for just-in-case. Happy co-existence – they each fill a purpose. With the Rebel – you can add lenses as $ permit. And use them when you upgrade to an even bigger and better Canon.
Carol, no, I think there was a Waldo in that tree. He was sitting there all along sticking his tongue out at us. lol! Love what you say…happy co-existence. Still thinking about things! Happy weekend, friend!
Well, uh, now that you mention it. Of course! Love the new camera—or rather the borrowed one! I have been toying with the idea of a ‘Big Boy’ digital camera myself. Iphone and Canon powershot 1100–just toys, but the do the job. Mostly. I have two now ancient by today’s standards, slr’s and a fabulous Rollei range finder. Love them, but they are film only. Let us know how you like the Canon Rebel!
Erin, will keep you informed. Smiling at your description of a “Big Boy” camera. It kind of feels like the little ones aren’t so grown-up…but, gosh, they sure do a nice job. Let us know if YOU decide to upgrade. I will decide on the Canon Rebel by the beginning of next week.
Kathy, I have to admit to being one of the can’t-tell-the-difference people when it comes to technical variations and qualities. To my untutored eye each one seems to be exactly as it IS. Quite perfect.
But that being said, sometimes a new challenge and a different perspective and/or lens doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Especially when it seems to fall right into our lap. Enjoy! I have a feeling we most definately will 🙂
Yep, Colleen, know what you mean. My untrained eye–before all this photography hoopla happened–wouldn’t even be able to see the photo let alone the variances! I liked that this fell right into my lap.
Oh My Gosh! Kathy! A new camera! I too had been mystified by yesterday’s blog, and went over and over it, trying to figure out what you had hidden.
And what a lovely synchronicity – after three months of being without a camera (or rather, borrowing a very, very nice person’s camera for important events), hubby and I eventually, this last weekend, decided to buy a Digital SLR, the Canon EOS 550D, which came with two lenses, one 18-55mm wide-angle and one 55-250mm telephoto, which sounds like the setup you are playing with now.
Honestly, the difference in quality has blown me away… although I have primarily used it on Auto and on the pre-set options (portrait, macro, sport), it has impressed us sooo much. I’ve quickly gotten used to having to zoom by hand, the auto-focus is brilliant, and the best part is that when I switch it on, I can immediately take photos!
As a result, I’ve captured shots that I would have missed with both my previous and the loaned camera, because of the delay before you can click the shutter, and the delay in zooming and focusing. And the wide angle… oh! Isn’t that just magnificent, Kathy?!
OK, admittedly, the downside is that you have to shlep both lenses along wherever you go, just in case, and there often isn’t time to change lenses (or it’s windy or drizzly or dusty and you don’t want any dust inside such an expensive camera!). Of course, you can’t tuck it away in your pocket, which is awkward sometimes, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking it with me everywhere.
And that sound it makes is such a satisfying CLICK (oooh – and when you’re in sport mode, you can quick-fire away like a machine-gun, capturing a burst of shots, which is just awesome!), don’t you think? At the same time, though, it also creates the impression that you’re a professional photographer, so you’re expected to capture FABULOUS photos, which means that the pressure is on! 😉
But from what I’ve seen, you’re in the big league now, Kathy! I’m sooo pleased you’re trying out this new camera… Can you keep BOTH? You know, for different environments and different situations?
Reggie, this is so cool that you have just bought a very similar camera! It was great reading your experiences. And that you have been blown away by the difference in quality. (I didn’t realize that you had to borrow a camera for the last three months…that must have been challenging.)
Yes, I would be able to keep both, if I buy the new one. It feels exciting just to be contemplating a new photographic adventure!
I couldn’t tell, but I’m looking at your blog on a little laptop. The quality probably wouldn’t translate there. Put your photos up on something bigger, say the TV and see…and of course take two exact same photos, one with each and compare that.
And the previous post is right, if you buy the SLR you’ll be shlepping a lot of camera equipment around…so you’ll use it in special situations, but will probably keep using Ms. Cybershot for thse spontaneous shots.
Mostly it comes down to whether or not you like the SLR and think you can get to learn all the cool stuff it does. Because if you use it as a point and shoot..well…you already have a great camera for that! 🙂
This is not to say that I don’t want a SLR too…just that you need to get the right SLR for you!
Oh yes, that shlepping challenge…I wore the “big” camera around my neck for almost two hours last night and the poor neck! It poor back felt like it needed a yoga pose just to adjust it properly. I don’t want to buy a SRL unless I’m commited to learning how to use it. That is a very good point.
Kathy,
Holy Wow! I know you have been discussing getting another camera for some time now! That Ms Cybershot, sometimes miss fires, yet she is handy and unatusive.
Even with an expensive camera, the photographs are only as good as the photographer. and you have taken some very fine, beautifully crafted photos with Ms C. yet I believe you will have a more creative experience with the Canon. I hear your enthusiasm as I read this blog!
I am Love, Jeff
A young 15 year old fellow tried to teach me all the finer points of the Canon last night at the art gallery. My mind went blank after about five minutes. There is this setting called “TV”. I’m sure you’re famliar with it. All I can think when I see this setting is from my township treasurer job: Taxable Value. lol! (Yes, I’ll bet you can FEEL the enthusiasm way over on the East Coast!)
Now that you mention it….I can see the difference, but not so clearly on my laptop (as someone else also mentioned). I say you do whatever brings your little heart happiness – there is room in your creativeness for BOTH cameras! Of course, saving the money for another adventure trip sounds good, too….decisions, decisions!
Good job seing it, Cindy. As for saving money…we are in such a deep money trough right now…it’s going to take a while to dig out. We bought a new car yesterday. A new used car. The savings account has taken a very steep dive!
As a brand new Rebel user, I can tell you it certainly takes some getting used to. Focusing close up works differently depending on the lens you are using. I’m discovering my desire for a variety of lenses now that I have it. In “everyday” situations, you may not notice a HUGE difference; I’ve found it is the special circumstances where the Rebel allows me to do things I never could before.
Karma, you shall be my Canon Rebel Teacher. I can see how you would start to get an intense lens desire. I would love to get to the point where I could see huge results during special circumstances. By the way–your photos and blog is one of the main reasons I have been considering this. Watching your “flowering” as a photographer through learning steadfastly about your Rebel has been truly inspiring.
Awe, shucks! Thanks Kathy. If you do get this camera, I will be very happy to share anything I’ve learned. I’ve learned so much from other bloggers, I’d be very happy to give back to the community.
I poured over your photos (the larger versions) yesterday and couldn’t figure it out. I think this emphatically proves the point that it’s the photographer, not the equipment, that makes all the difference. 🙂
Robin, why thank you! The creative inner photographer is now running around shouting “SCORE!” laughing…
Dump Ms. Cybershot. She’s been holding you back. Since you like Macro photography, I’d suggest getting a Macro lens as one of your lenes. The other a good all around zoom lens like the Canon 18-200 IS (that is the equivalent to the Nikon 18-200VR I have used the most over the last 3 years.)
Oh, and when you get it, read its manual and purchase the 4th edition of the Bryan Peterson book, Understanding Exposure. Also, a lot of Friday blogs should be reviewed as they pertain to dSLR photography.
Scott, are you getting a kick-back from Bryan Peterson? 😉
Well, only if people use the Amazon link on my blog to buy it. 😀
I got shivers, Scott, when you said “Dump Ms. Cybershot. She’s been holding you back.” Thank you for your advice, so much! Truly, Scott, if I get this camera, I really want to–first the first time–learn how to use it. To be a good technological photography student, not just a creative eye. Will purchase that book and give you lots of hits reading the Friday blogs.
A correction, Bryan’s book is in it’s Third edition which was released a few weeks ago. Has a lot more on digital cameras (his last edition came out just before digital took hold) with some added chapters to cover some new stuff.
Great blog, Kathy! That was so funny! I do see the difference in the quality of the pictures. And, I also like the expanse of the cemetery picture.
Thank you, Marianne, for liking the more expansive cemetery photo. (We won’t tell Barry.” Thank you also for liking the blog. It was fun to write this little camera series.
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