cameras cameras cameras

Today we went looking at cameras.  Mainly of the point & shoot variety. 

Right now I have my Nikon D5000.

I love it.  It’s awesome.  And I’ve learned a lot in the last year and a half taking pictures with it.  But it’s also a decent size camera and kind of bulky to carry around everywhere (which is pretty much what I do).  I’d like to get a point & shoot for just everyday picture taking, but I still want to have control of the picture taking process and I still want it to take really good pictures.

So we’ve been looking at this P7000.

It’s smaller and lighter, but has a lot of the manual settings I like to play around with on the dials on the camera instead of being in menus like other point & shoots.  It also has a viewfinder which a lot of P&S cameras don’t have. 

Eventually, I’d like to get a Speedlight, but seeing as those are between $100 and $800 that’s an investment that will be put on the backburner.  But, if I do get one it would be compatible with the p7000.  That’s a plus.  Also, my uncle, a professional photographer has this one as his everyday camera and if I can’t trust his opinion on cameras then who?

The thing about me is that if I don’t apply the knowledge I learn I will completely forget it  If I’m going to use a P&S quite often I like the idea of having the manual controls so I can still practice going through the motions and not lose any know how.  That way I can still grow as a photographer and not take steps backwards.  That’s why I like the P7000.  I read some reviews on Canon’s G12 and while the reviews were great it’s a Canon and I’d like to stick with the Nikon.

So speaking of cameras … while at San Jose Camera today and chit chatting with one of the employees he introduced me to this lens.

It’s a middle of the line micro lens, perfect for the type of macro photography that I like.  I got to play around with it and see what it can do and now I really want it!  I’m thinking of testing one out from Borrow Lenses, but even if I love it, at $489 it’s going to be awhile before I get my hands on one to keep! 

If anyone has any experience with the P7000 I’d love to hear it!  Or any recommendations for other camera toys I’m all ears!