Monday, November 10, 2008

Say hello to my little friend

Meet Nikon D90, my newest friend.

Up until a little over a year ago, I had been using a basic point-and-shoot camera and a Nikon SLR. I loved my Nikon but hated getting the film developed. Right before Beau was born, Josh went out and bought me the Canon Rebel DSLR. I loved it! It was an amazing camera that took some fantastic photos. I had a couple of complaints about it but hated to express them since Josh was so sweet to surprise me with such a nice gift.

As luck would have it (luck for me, not so much for Josh's wallet) my Rebel had to go to the repair shop a couple of weeks ago (Halloween, to be exact). I was having some issues with the flash. They told Josh it would be seven weeks before it would be returned to me. SEVEN WEEKS!! That wasn't going to work...not with the holidays coming up and Jack's birthday and my constant need to have a camera in my hands. I bit the bullet though and told him to go ahead and send it off. I could live with my little point-and-shoot for - sigh - seven weeks. The photos wouldn't be as good but at least I could still take pictures.
My favorite husband in the whole world showed up later that night with a new Nikon - just for me!! Who says men don't pay attention?

Anyway, I got to really play with it a little over the weekend and here are some of the pics straight out of the camera...no touch-ups, no editing. Sorry there are so many but I just couldn't weed them down.

So, what kind of camera do you all use - Nikon, Canon, something else - and what do you like about it?

16 comments:

The McDowells said...

Great pictures! We have a Nikon D40, I have heard the D90 is great. I really like ours, but I still need someone to show me how to use all the features to take better pictures.

Claire said...

Those are really great pictures! How does it do inside?

Mine is a Canon S3 IS. Its my 3rd camera in about 4 months. It was a rough summer for cameras around my house. My camera is great outside but I have to really work to get good pictures inside. I also haven't yet managed to get good action shots, while my last camera was great at that.

Tell Josh he did a great job surprising you! I feel completely inept as a mother without a camera nearby.

Melinda said...

Katie, I have seen your photos and they are great. I am still learning all the gadgets on mine as well. Maybe we can learn together. My favorite thing thus far is setting the dial to "A", and then going to the "Shooting Menu", selecting "Set Picture Control" and then choose "Vivid". This makes the colors in your photos really come alive, of course you have to mess with the F-Stop, Shutter speed and all of that other jazz but it is well worth it.

Amber - all of the "foodie" pics from the Italian sandwich post were taken with this camera, so thus far, I am happy with the indoor photos. As for the C3, I have heard great things about that camera. For the action shots, have you been putting it on the action mode of your dial?

Stacey Cannon said...

Wow. BEAUTIFUL PICS!!! I'm in awe of how great they are! My camera? I have a camera? I need a new one!!! Tell Josh he is da BOMB! He got big husband points for that right??!!!!

The Happy Mom said...

Congrats on your new camera! I went from a Canon Rebel to a Nikon D50 DSLR and I LOVE mine. With the Rebel I had to do more post-processing in photoshop to get great pictures, but with the Nikon my pictures usually look stunning straight from the camera (that kind of sounds like I'm bragging-I mean that the pictures are stunning because of the camera, not the photographer, who still has so much to learn!) :)

Melinda said...

Thanks and you are too modest...I have seen your blog and some of your photos and they are fantastic! I normally do more post-processing as well but I decided not to with these - it really is amazing what a better picture a good quality camera can produce.

Unknown said...

The pics look really good! I love the outdoor light for getting clear pictures. We have a Nikon. I'm not sure which one because it's not really my "toy". I just click the button and update the blog! But I will say we don't use it to its potential and need to learn more.

Melinda said...

Thanks, Amy. And you are right, outdoor light does set a much clearer and brighter picture.

Dawn said...

Awesome pictures! Congrats on the new camera. I just got a new camera recently as well. I got the Canon 40D. I'm in my third photography class now. I'm loving it!

I had such a hard decision choosing between Canon and Nikon. They are both such great cameras!

Your kids are adorable. :)

Daniele said...

Congratulations on the new camera! Your pictures look great! Without even having to ask, that's pretty good I must say. I am still on figuring everything about mine out. The hardest thing is changing lenses quickly so I don't miss a shot.

Melinda said...

Thanks girls! I took a photo class in college - it was required with my journalism major although I would love to take some more. Digital wasn't really "the thing" yet. Daniele, I am jealous you have extra lenses. Maybe, my wonderful hubby will surprise me with one of those one day : )

Claire said...

Melinda- I do need to use the 'action' feature on my camera more often. I do use it some, but on our last camera, it was so easy to do, and I'm not accustomed to this one yet. Plus, I have yet to get the hang of taking pictures of one kid in action, while keeping the other two from killing themselves while simultaneously in action! Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

I am pretty much obsessed with my nephews! Love you!

Melinda said...

Beef - so glad you can leave comments now!!

Amber - I think you can also change the ISO on your camera which would make having to switch it over to "action mode" almost unnecessary. It works like buying film use to - the faster the speed of film (800 plus)the faster the shutter speed. So try setting your ISO higher. I hope that helps a little too.

April said...

I am so glad you made this post....I am in need of a new camera too and can't figure out which one to get. Devin has actually loaned me her old one until I go and get one. Congrats on your new camera!

Melinda said...

Thanks April! Just to let you know the Nikon D90 has video capability as well and records in HD. Good luck in your search for the perfect camera.