New camera ordered...

Nikon D5600 DSLR

Well, I finally got to order my new camera, which should arrive tomorrow.  I ordered a Nikon D5600 from Amazon and several accessories, including 3 different size lenses, filters, lens hoods, and a vertical battery grip with extra batteries.  I am so looking forward to "playing" around with my new toy.

I am more familiar with the Canon SLR (I own a Canon T70 which is 35mm camera), so the Nikon is new to me.  Why did I go with Nikon instead of  Canon?  After doing a lot of research and comparisons, I decided to give Nikon a try.  The Canon I compared the D5600 with was the T7i, which seems to be a really great camera itself.  There didn't seem to be that much of a difference between the T7i and the D5600; however, the deciding factor for me was mainly the price.  Nikon was less expensive than Canon.  Plus, I have a couple of friends who are professional photographers who use Nikon cameras and I know they will help me with learning all I need to know.

As soon as I can, I will update you on my analysis of the Nikon.

Getting back into my love of photography...

Yes I still own my first camera.

Though I’ve been into photography since 1966 when I received my very first camera, a Kodak Instamatic X-15, I have over time realized that I really don’t know as much about cameras and taking great pictures as I would like.  I love taking all types of pictures, especially outdoor pictures.  Nature offers such a vast array of subjects just waiting to be photographed.  Over the years, I have gone from the above Kodak camera to a Canon T70 35mm to a Sony Digital point-and-shoot.  Each camera has been used quite a bit and I love each one.  The sad part is film for the Kodak Instamatic is no longer made that I am aware of.  It used a drop-in type of 35mm film.

Bought in 1984.

The Canon T70 uses 35mm film on a roll, which I can still find.  The downside of 35mm is having to take it some place, such as Walmart, to be developed.  The lens shown in the picture to your right is a 300mm telephoto lens.  I also own several other types of lenses for it, as well as several types of filters. 

A few years ago I "upgraded" to a Kodak point-and-shoot digital camera, which I no longer own. It was gifted to a minister in Eswantini, Africa.  The digital camera I use now is a Sony CyberShot, a point-and-shoot camera.  A digital camera makes it very convenient when you want to upload to FaceBook, Twitter or some other online site or for sending via texts.  

As of this writing, I am planning on getting a new digital camera, one that will use different size lenses like the Canon T70 I own.  I have a particular camera in mind, but am doing all kinds of research before I finally make up my mind.  There are several "bundles" on Amazon I'm looking at, but I can't make up my mind which one I want.  It is my plan to have it purchased before I attend the Lexington ComicCon the last weekend in March.

ISBN 978-0-07-175471-2

I am also reading "How To Do Everything Digital Photography" by Jason R. Rich, which has helped me a lot in what to look for.  It contains oodles of links to help with researching things I need/want to know.  If you are looking to learn more about digital photography, I highly recommend this book.  I got mine at my local library, but you can also find it on Amazon, both new and used.

One last photograph I'd like to share with you is a novelty 35mm camera I bought years ago.  It was one I just couldn't resist and though I didn't use it very much, I am so glad I bought it.  This, like the Kodak Instamatic, used a type of drop-in film, the difference being, instead of dropping the film into the back of the camera, you attached the camera to the film.

As I do more research on my newest addition of a dslr camera, I hope to share what I decide to buy, as well as what helped me to make my decision.

Updates...

We recently added a few new designs to our Etsy store, A Family Affair Boutique, and are working on some more to add soon.  If you don't see something you're looking for, just ask and we'll see what we can do to help.  We are also hoping to soon add handmade lanyards and keyfobs to the store.  We are working on getting pictures made to upload.

I'm still working on getting pictures ready to upload to Sharry's Place.  These pictures include my adventures at The ScareFest convention this past September, as well as some odds and ends I've taken.  Next year's convention will be October 23-25; if you like horror and paranormal conventions, be sure to check out their website often for guest announcements, hotel reservations and to purchase your tickets.

The next convention I will be attending will be the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention, which will be the weekend of March 26-29, 2020, at the Lexington Convention Center.  They have a great lineup of guests so far with more to be announced.  Tickets are on sale now, as well as the opportunity to make hotel reservations.

One last thing for now...I will eventually "upgrade" my camera equipment to include a Nikon D5600.  I am working on saving the money for it and doing a lot of research, and will post updates as I go.

Post-ScareFest...

The 2019 ScareFest Convention is now in the history books, and I must say it was another great one.  Though there were a few stars who had to cancel for one reason or another, there were still oodles of great stars to meet.  The "headliner" was Bruce Campbell who was the star of the Evil Dead movies.  He is also the latest host of Ripley's Believe It or Not.  I will be posting pictures soon of the convention to my photography website, Sharry's Place.  I hope you will come back to see when these pictures will be uploaded.

Dates for next year's ScareFest are October 23-25, 2020, at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky.  The management is in the process of working with local hotels in setting aside blocks of rooms for convention goers.  If you would like to keep up with when these rooms will be available or just to keep up with any and all info about ScareFest, you can visit their website, www.thescarefest.com.