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Testing the Waters
Or better said: testing the camera. My new Nikon Coolpix (S4000).
Planning fun trips before J-man’s off to kindergarten (May 17). We’ll take a day-trip to an amusement park (De Efteling’) later this week. I just didn’t feel like carrying around 4 pounds of professional photo equipment. It kinda ruins the fun when you have to beat up everyone who comes within 1 foot of your camera while you’re trying to drag your kid away from the roller coaster. So, I bought a relatively cheap click-clack camera, as I like to call it. Merely for trips, family vacations and snapshots type of photography.
Well, I gave it a spin. And then I spun it again, and here’s the result. Far from dissapointing! Okay, so it’s no D700 and it shows, but for regular snapshots this is really decent. I know a few of you were curious about the quality, so I’m slapping up a few shots for you to check out.
Look how small it is! So tiny. I’m not saying size matters (get your mind out of the gutter, Teri!), but I’m really not used to a camera this small.
“De Goudse Hofsteden” is the name of the children’s farm here in Gouda. It’s small but fun. There are animals, kids to play with and a playground with lots of sand. Everything a little boy needs to be happy. The camera does seem to crank up the greens. Wow.. the grass is so green it looks like they just dismantled a nuclear power plant.
They had bunnies! Cute little, soft and fluffy bunnies. One of the few animals I refuse to eat. My rule of thumb: if under normal circumstances I pet it, I don’t eat it. I also don’t eat anything that looks back at me from my plate or that I can still perform CPR on. Yup, that pretty much rules out Sushi.
They had one of these beauties as well. And I could have sworn I heard a donkey, but didn’t see it. Could have been my imagination. Or self-reflection.
These two were kinda cute as well in that setting. I’d eat them. Sorry guys.
I like roosters. Provided they don’t wake me at the crack of dawn, what the darn rooster of a guy living down the street used to do for years on end. Pretty clear and crisp shots, aren’t they?
“Look mom, it’s Ming Ming. Isn’t he cute?”, J-man yelled the moment he saw these feathery creatures. “Marinated and grilled perhaps“, I mumbled under my breath. Speaking of which, is it true that Buffalo Wings are really baby chicken wings?
Bad timing, huh?
It got dark and gloomy. See that playground? If I have the nerve to even hint at leaving without playground time, World war 3 breaks out. It ain’t pretty, trust me. They never told you about the fits of rage those little buggers work themselves up into around their 4th b’day? Well, the terrible twos and threes are peanuts!
But I’m a sucker, and nothing satisfies me more than seeing my little man having a blast. With someone elses toys, but still.
Can you say show-off? Or goofball? All tantrums, fits and rage aside, I do know at the end of the day, he’s what makes me happy and complete.
For those of you with a DSLR: do you shoot with a pocket camera on the side as well? If so, what brand do you use and how’s that going for you?
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Thank you for posting these! Looks like a sweet little camera. Your words are hilarious. click-clack camera – I like that!
These are fabulous photos, Kay. Very sharp and crisp. Did you do any post processing? I had a great Olympus P&S that I recently gave my daughter so I’m only shooting with my DSLRs now. I kinda miss that Olympus…didn’t have to think about aperture or ISO or anything :-)
@Lana:
Just a little light tweak and sharpening in Photoshop, minor stuff. I was duly impressed.
lol. You crack me up.
Your pics a beautiful. So crisp and clear. I know you said you wouldn’t use this cam for your food shots but would the above pics be much better with your DSLR? (I had to look up what that stood for by the way)
I really enjoyed this post. I love looking at your part of the world. When I win the lottery I’m coming for a visit!
Yes, I do, I have a Canon G10 which I should take more places. I bought it because you can use it on full manual as well as on full auto, aperture and shutter priority. Unfortunately, I should have waited for the G11 because the 10 has rubbish higher ISO and 14.9 MP is too much for a compact so unless it’s outside during the day I’m not really happy with it.
@ Teri:
Was wondering if you’d notice :)
Yes, they would have been a lot better. Especially those taken with my D700. There’s really no comparing those two, but for snapshots this is absolutely perfect.
You’re on.
PS. If you win the lottery, bring me a Kitchenaid, will ya!
I use a cannon powershot A1000IS. Love it!
When I don’t want to carry around my large camera.
I have a Canon T1i that I love but I also have a Canon powershot sx110is. It’s awesome and takes great macro.
I have a Nikon Coolpix S60 which might be discontinued now but nonetheless it’s a great little camera for those times I don’t want to lug my big camera around. Touch screen, video, and 10 megapixel for decent photos. Have fun with your little jewel!
Canon G11 – as of 2 days ago…4/23…so funny to come here to catch up and see your post re the Coolpix.
I am not ready to upgrade my Rebel and Lens and my day job very busy at the moment but still wanted to keep up with my blog. Sold my big (70-300 and $$$ lens that I really didn’t use a log) – bought the G11 with a LOT of room to spare.
Only 2 days but I am seriously loving it and very happy with the photos. The G11 has full manual functions, shoots in RAW AND a viewfinder, albeit not a great viewfinder. But my fav things are the articulated LCD which I had pre-Rebel and used a lot vs lying on the ground.
Now, my 54 year old eyes miss the DSLR info in the viewfinder and the nice bright BIG viewfinder images, but I’m adjusting and learning how to use the info on the LCD and then the viewfinder to compose and get a steadier shot and I’m getting faster the more I practice. Full Auto is good as well and I’ve learned where to point the camera to set the exposure, etc. to get what I want, but I still prefer the full Manual and as as with composition, the more I practice the faster I get at setting it for what I want…will never be as fast or easy as the DSLR but for a point and shoot, albeit a brick compared to yours – I think it is going to be fun for this interim busy time as well as a good, “always with me” camera.
Hey, Kay - haven’t gone through your photography section but I just stumbled on prints on metal and ordered my first samples. Was travelling and saw some things I liked and then a company here was featured in a mag. http://www.bayphoto.com is the U.S. company.