Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Friday, January 19, 2007

Ho-Ho-Ho

The digital camera Greg ordered for me for Christmas arrived this week. It is a Casio Exilim. I wanted something small enough to fit in my purse, but with the ability to take good pics and with a screen that was large enough for me to see the image without my glasses. A pretty tall order.

I haven't been able to play with it much because I don't have a memory card yet. But I downloaded the owner's manual and it was 266 PAGES!! I've managed to make it through about 75 pages so far. I don't know why I bother to read all that stuff because I won't be able to retain it. But I feel like I oughta read it anyway.

One cool feature is the "BS" button (BS for Best Shot). When you press the BS button it gives you thumbnails of various kinds of photos you could take (sports, nighttime, scenery, fireworks, portrait, children, candlelight portrait, flowing water, splashing water, backlight and so on). What's nice about this is that when I am trying to take a photo of somebody with a window behind them I can actually push the BS button, click on the backlight image and the camera automatically configures itself for the best exposure.

Since the thumbnails are easily identifiable and also have a text reminder when you place your arrow button over them, I'll be able to utilize the bells and whistles more readily. (With my old camera I would think to myself, "Well, I know there is a backlight option somewhere on this menu, but I can't remember where." Then, I'd just take the photo and hope for the best.)

Do all these options really make a difference? I mean, will there really be a difference if I were to just point and shoot for a pic of my dog versus going to the BS section, selecting the PET thumbnail and then taking the pic? I dunno. But, it makes me feel like I'm getting the best shot. I'll do some experimenting and see.

Also, it has a panel along the side that asks me if I am taking a big poster size photo, a 4 x 6 or a photo for email purposes. Again, I simply highlight, then shoot. That, I really like. Because many of my photos are for my blog. Now, I won't have to spend a lot of time reformatting my photos to a size manageable for the internet.

All in all, I'm excited and can't wait until the weekend when I can play with my new toy.

posted by Deeanne at 11:06 AM

14 Comments:

Katybug said...: We are getting a new digital too. I've finally decided it's time for me to join the information age and learn how to use one. Even though I'm still in love with my 35mm that I got for my birthday about 10 years ago, I'm very envious of friends sharing pictures via email. Time for me to enter the 21st century!!! Not sure what we bought...my dear husband is the one who deals with gadget purchases. I do know that it can do pictures AND video, so that's cool.

266 pages???? Is that all in English, or are some of those pages Spanish/French/Pig Latin? Instruction manuals are the part I dread about getting something new.

BTW, I saw "Courting Trouble" on Christianbooks.com. I'm VEEEEEEERY EXCITED!!!!!:-)
Deeanne said...: It was 266 pages of English. I'd checked because I was thinking (hoping) it wouldn't be all be legitimate instructions.

I love my 35mm camera too. None of our digitals can compare, but now I am so spoiled with digital because you can see the pics right away. Choose which one you want. EMAIL it to Walgreens. And they will process it within the hour!!

So, my 35mm has been "replaced" (kinda like Woody in Toy Story) even though I love, love, love it.

The good news is my daughter is taking a photography class in college this semester and she has to use a 35mm. So, I got to dig the ol' camera out from the corner of the hall closet and mail it to her.

It was like seeing an old buddy again.

P.S. I'm excited about TROUBLE, too!
Sarah said...: ooooooo
nice camera! =)
i got a digital camera for my birthday in november.
it was $150 and the card was like.. $20 im gonna guess..?
i love it. it makes my pic very detailed. =) i like that except when its of myself. hahaha
Sharlene MacLaren said...: What? A 266-page instruction booklet? No, that is just wrong! I would never read it. (Did someone mention BS?) Oh, wait, by BS you meant Best Shot. hee-hee. Seriously, Dee, even when I buy a new car, I can't wade through that book that comes with it. I am one of these learn-as-I-go kinda girls, which means I don't really learn it by studying a manual. I just say, "Honey! Please come and show me how to do this, or better yet, do it for me."

Didn't mean to offend anyone with that silly "BS" comment. In fact, I've never even said the actual words out loud! :)

Luv,
Shar
Sharlene MacLaren said...: COURTING TROUBLE is up on Amazon too. I just checked. Did you know there are about a dozen or more other Courting Troubles out there, Dee? But yours is listed second on the list. Is this one coming out in hardcover? Amazon says it is. That's cool.

We are all anxiously awaiting its arrival!

Hey, Dee, are you going to the CBA Advance '07 in Indy? Just curious.
I'll be there.

Blessings,
Shar
angela said...: I lost my third camera right before Christmas. My husband always acts like he's mad, but I think he appreciates the excuse to upgrade. The bummer is when there is something special (like my daughter's dedication) recorded on it. This one I left under the seat at church--nobody turned it in. At least when I lose my cell phone I can call it and listen for the ring.
Deeanne said...: Oh, Angela. I'm so sorry. That totally stinks.

I have to admit, Shar, that I haven't ever read a car manual either. But I usually read all the others (camera, TV, VCR, telephone, etc). (No offense taken!)

I'm not going to CBA Advance. My books come out in June, so I always go to ICRS. (For those of you who are wondering, that's the International Christian Retail Show where book buyers, book store owners and such go to see what's new and what's hot. "Advance" is the same thing except on a smaller scale.) Have a great time, Shar!

I haven't heard any specifics about a hardback for COURTING TROUBLE. My guess is they'll do the same thing they did with LADY. (A small print run of the hardbacks--mostly for libraries--and the rest, paperbacks.)
Sandy said...: I love my little digital but if I want a really good pic (professional) I rely on Paul. He has an amazing digital with all the extra lenses. Too much detail for me.
Happy Friday, and can't wait to see some of your photography Dee!
Sarah said...: this weekend should be fun
tonight im going to the rodeo at Devos! =)
cant wait! it should be fun
Jenster said...: We got a digital camera a few years ago after I ruined my regular camera in the ocean whilst saving my 8-year-old daughter from being swept out into the Pacific. (Okay - it probably wasn't as dramatic as it sounds, but it sure scared the two of us!) I've loved it to no end!

However, for Christmas this year I received a better digital - one that will take different lenses and flashes and all that sort of thing. I can't wait to be able to get out and actually use it on something other than the lovely tea set I bought or the Christmas tree, etc. lol I'm thinking of taking a photography class this spring so I can really use it the way it was meant to be used.

Have fun with your new toy! Can't wait to see whatever pictures you're willing to share. :o)
Deeanne said...: Different lenses! Oh, Jen. That sounds heavenly (though I bet you can't fit that in a small purse?).

How was the rodeo, Sarah? What events did you go to? Do y'all have concerts in the evenings? Our Houston Livestock & Rodeo is next month.
Jenster said...: Nope. Won't fit into a purse. But I do still have my first digital for that. I wanted this one for more "artistic" endeavors. Now to see if I have any artistic inclinations! :o)
Sarah said...: the rodeo was fun. i got a grey sweatshirt with a bull rider on it from there. its really comfortable. ill email you a pic. my nephew was so cute in his little button up shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat. haha the cowboys there were veery good looking. ;)
Deeanne said...: Yeah, there's somethin' about those cowboys, all right! Glad you had a good time.