It has been a week since I started taking pictures with my Canon IXUS 65 point-and-shoot digicam. I must admit it’s quite simple to use and takes good pictures. I would’ve enjoyed a digital SLR even more for control and creativity; however, the deciding factor at this time was portability; this Canon is small enough to easily fit into my jacket pocket. That translates to less anxiety whenever walking around and taking photographs in Metro Manila.
The other pocket digital camera I was considering was a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T9 mainly because of its Carl Zeiss lens, but the premium prices of its proprietary media make it cost-prohibitive for me. In the end, I chose the Canon IXUS 65 for its good image quality and prosumer camera-like features.
In New York, although I mainly used a 35mm single reflex camera, I still kept a pocket camera handy — a Fuji which used an Advantix film. I soon realized that I had more fun taking candid shots with it since all I had to do was whip it out of my pocket and shoot. But for more creative shots, nothing beats a digital SLR, which I intend to get one in the future. For now, I intend to enjoy my Canon point-and-shooter at its utmost.
Agree with you nothing beats the digital SLR. I took my Minolta Maxxum STSI using ASA 400 films this time when I went on vacation and the pictures werent that bad. They're quite crisp. At least I ended up without having hundreds of pics to deal with. I have found out however that if you develop the pics on a CD, some shops have poor CD quality therefore the pictures aren't.
ReplyDeleteDigital camera is still the best option.
I was about to follow your lead, BW. That is, use my old Canon SLR and have the developed pics on compact discs. However, I had eventually forsaken that idea because:
ReplyDelete1. I was just not comfortable enough to walk around with a professional looking camera gear. In NY or Canada, fine, but here ... I'm not sure, really.
2. Even by going through only 24 shots a week, I would spend about 500 pesos for both the film and processing, which would be about 2000 a month. So I figured I might as well buy a small digital Canon for now.
:)
It's pricey back home. I'm buying 5 x 400 ASA films for about $9.00 and the development is dirt cheap if you take it after 2 days.
ReplyDeleteNow i'm thinking of using the SLR for black and white pics.
Nice shot again! I bought a digicam about 3 years ago (Olympus, 3 megapixels only) but I didn't like my pictures so I gave it to a nephew. My brothers dabble in photography (one actually has a studio and he develops his own pictures but it's only a hobby) so I am content with looking at their pictures. Now that you mentioned the Ixus, I'm dreaming of buying another camera. But Senor Enrique, I think taking pictures can't be learned - it's a talent (which you definitely have and which I don't).
ReplyDeleteYes, BW, compared even to New York prices, it is higher here. Also, over there you can buy packs of films even at drugstores for much less. Here, you can only buy them at photo shops.
ReplyDeleteBlack and white photographs are by far the most dramatic for me.
I should be honored that you say I have talent in photography, Bugsybee, but in complete honesty, photography for me is more about personal perspective than talent.
ReplyDeleteTalent comes into play when learning the mechanics of the camera to gain a desired effect, but then again, that would be more like discipline than talent.
Therefore, I say, photography is nothing more than God's gift to those unable to draw and paint like me...hehehe.
But seriously, photography is like keeping a personel journal -- capturing a certain aspect of time and immortalizing it. It is also a means to appease our "soul" that constantly nags at us to continually express what's inside of us.
I'd get a camera if I were you, Bugsybee -- at least for the same purpose like mine -- simply to add another dimension to your blog posts; that's all.
And don't be too concerned about having the "talent" or "eye" for it, because spiritually speaking, we all do :)
Great shot!
ReplyDeleteI love your photo.AH I used to have an IXUS. So portable.But my daughter accidentally dropped it while viewing an aquarium. Yeah it drowned. I bought a canon powershot 530. Though it's bulkier, it takes pics just as good as the ixus
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Niceheart! Now that I have a decent camera, I'll take more local shots to make you feel even more homesick ... hehehe!
ReplyDeleteThe IXUS is so cute and small a child can claim it as a toy, Noemi :) I bet the powershot 530 is really sharp!
Thanks!
love your photo.
ReplyDeleteyou should post your shots @ myislandsphilippines.com
Thanks, Milkphish! I just signed up and will be posting my pics in a minute.
ReplyDeleteAgain, much thanks! :)
hello Senor, how was your week? here's hoping that you'll have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeletecongratulations on that camera, it's a good buy :)
Thank you, Jairam!
ReplyDeleteTrust you're enjoying your weekend. And you, too, have a great week!
Those point and shoot cameras are doing a great job. I am amazed at the quality pictures you can achieve with a simple point and shoot camera. I have a digital SLR but I miss a small camera I can carry in my pocket at all times. It is really a hassle to carry a bulky dSLR with you. I guess I need the two ;-) And looking at your picture I need to confess that I wouldn't have achieved a better result with my dSLR.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Sidney, are your back?
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind, BUT there's nothing better than a dSLR, of course, and I'm sure you can do a much better job :)
It's not so much the bulk, but rather the attention it may attract from those with less than desirable intention as I walk around with it in Metro Manila.
Welcome back, Sidney!
I love the Ixus series... my wife has the Ixus 330 most of our vacation shots were taken with that. Couldn't control the arperture though... I've the point and shoot S50 now.
ReplyDeleteShould be takin some wellington pix with it when the weather clears up.
Yes, you're right, Senorito Ako -- not much control with the IXUS, but nonetheless they take pretty good pictures.
ReplyDeleteHaven't done much shooting because of the dreary rains, and whatever outdoor shots I've done so far (especially landscapes) I'm not too happy with. Like you, I'll wait for better weather conditions.
The lovely leaf makes me want to get out of my office right this instant... so sharp! And yes, you're right - we all have the spiritual talent for photography but I'll bet your spirit is much "richer" than ours. You take such insightful photographs!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Cathy! You're another kind friend :)
ReplyDeleteBTW, I took this photo around the house because I wasn't inspired to venture outside with all those rains pounding on us that day.
I used to have Ixus 60..yeah nice cam.Now I have Canon SD750. I love taking pix but the "technicality" of it :( how did you do this? what's "point & Shoot" thing? Sorry so "ignorant"..taking photography class is my dream, hope I have time..soon I think. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Mimie,
ReplyDelete'Point & Shoot' is basically a fully automatic digital camera :)
Taking photography class is fun!