I've been spoiled!

Five years ago, I walked into a local Baltimore camera shop prepared to buy either a Nikon or a Canon Digital SLR. I was greeted by a slight man, yamika perched on his head, prayer shawl tassels poking from beneath his shirt. As I explained what I wanted and mentioned either brand, he gently interrupted, "Those are fine; but, may I sell you a camera?" I shrugged, "Sure."

He sold me an Olympus C-5050.


It was compact yet felt solid in the hand. The lens was an F1.8, which meant it could shoot great photos in low light. The lens motor died once and I had it repaired. When it died again, I set out to find a great new digital camera. Yet again, I'm ready to get a DSLR, but looking for options. In forum after forum I run across comments like, "I had an Olympus 5050, is there anything out there that compares?" Apparently, the answer is NO. Sigh.

This leaves me in a morass of digital camera reviews, thousands of opinions and no solid answer. I want my little Jewish salesman to cut through all of that and sell me a camera! In contrast, I went to the camera store down the road and explained I wanted to replace a point-and-shoot camera with an f1.8 lens. The proprieter just blinked at me and said, "Never heard of such a thing. There's nothing under 2.0. You must be mistaken."

I was all set to buy the new Panasonic micro-four-thirds model, but the sample photos look a little cold, plus the price is high.


One other factor: after receiving the photo books I sent for Christmas, my MIL called to rave, "Daddy looked at the books and said you need a better camera. He's going to give you his." Well, if it's his Nikon D60, that's worth waiting for! I could buy a fast prime lens for that body and be in business. However, maybe he only means his old film camera? I have my grandfather's old cameras and don't need another. In addition, when was he thinking of giving me his camera? In the next couple months? In his will? Do I invest in a different system knowing there might be a Nikon in my future? Now I'm trolling the photo forums for a great proam point-and-shoot.

At the end of January I have a potential photo shoot. My friend wanted a family crest for her daughter with all the elements of the girl's name included. As I collected images in order to create a 'mood board' for discussion, I found some great photos. I suggested doing a photo shoot instead that hinted at the name elements. She loved the idea. I know I could borrow a camera, but I also love the idea of having one of my own.

I know, I know, who wants to hear me whine about a camera!? The economy is collapsing, people are in slavery, you still haven't written your Christmas letter and you want to whine about not finding a camera? Sheesh. Well, hmph: it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to! In the meantime, I swoon over the photos that MN and Dooce take of their kids, knowing they both have DSLRs. Our little Casio point and shoot is only good for putting pictures up on-line since all the photos have noise and a purple fringe. It drives me NUTS.