I haven't shared this, but, I've been in the market for a new camera. I'll give a little bit of a back story and throw in a little tangent or two, also.
In 2003, I was (we were) gifted a Kodak EasyShare digital camera so that we could take pictures of Annika (who was a newborn at the time) and share them via the internet. This was back in the time when Hi-Speed internet wasn't as commonly used in homes. I know that it was out there and available but it wasn't affordable like it is today and it wasn't really available to those who lived "out in the country." Obviously, technology has changed/improved since then. I find this unbelievable because in the eight years of my daughter's life I've witnessed a big change in technology and the telephone and internet that I knew in my twenties is a thing of the past! It makes me feel old, but, I'm also in awe of the movement.
That camera was a constant companion. It documented almost every moment of Annika's life until age 4: First tooth, baby snuggles, funny moments, nature walks, birthdays, BCT graduation, pcsing to Ft. Bragg, and more. I put that camera through the ringer and Kodak happily fixed my LCD screen when it went caput.
In July 2007, the beloved camera was among a stash of things stolen from my first floor apartment in Minneapolis. I felt as though as I had lost a friend. I bought a "cheap" digital to replace it and it was never the same. Even though I bought another Kodak EasyShare, it didn't have the same quality or connection that my first camera had. The camera lasted a little over a year. It documented some dark times in my life and my rise from the ashes. I did not keep many of those pictures. And that's okay. I don't need the pictures to remember that time. I know who I am now and that's all that matters.
After I married Travis, I "inherited" a Samsung point and shoot digital. Like the others, it has been put through the ringer. It was already on its last leg when I started using it. It had been to the sandbox (Iraq) and back. It was a good camera for documenting our everyday lives, but its ability to capture the beauty of O'ahu left a lot to be desired. I knew that it was time to search out a new camera. I'm fairly picky when it comes to new purchases, especially LARGE purchases, like a camera. I wouldn't say that I'm stingy, just frugal. And, I like to know EVERY aspect of an item before making the purchase. This includes doing research on how it will work, reading reviews and asking for second (and third, fourth, fifth) opinions.
In 2011, I narrowed down my camera selection to three main brands: Canon, Nikon and Sony. Canon was the frontrunner for it's ease of use. I had also heard good things about Nikon and Sony. I weighed the pros and cons but kept coming back to the Canon. It's menu was very "Darcee user-friendly." I'm not completely camera illiterate, but I will admit that I have a lot to learn.
After much thought and consideration we purchased a Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I love it. LOVE it. I'm just like a kid with a new toy. I don't want to stop "playing" with it and I want to take it EVERYWHERE. I've got a lot to learn. That won't stop me from using it, though. It's an investment and I'm going to use it as much as I can.
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