New camera

Our point and shoot camera kind of died on us earlier this year. We started looking into getting a replacement. We weren't sure whether to get another point and shoot style, a super-zoom, or a DSLR. We settled on getting a DSLR, but we also got a "tough camera" point and shoot that we can use when we don't want to lug the DSLR and camera bag around with us.

We got a pretty good deal for a starter DSLR. We bought a Canon T2i, with extra telephoto lens, UV filter and 4GB SDHC card. About 20 days after we purchased it, I found the camera listed for $100 less and got a price match. I really think we did quite well. We also bought a Panasonic Lumix that we can use for general purposes and when we are in/around water (like we were over the summer when we visited Water Country USA).

So anyway, I've been playing with the settings and shooting different scenes to get familiar with the camera and the operation so I can shoot good pictures with it. This was one I shot during the big snow storm that hit the east coast Christmas weekend. I think it's pretty good - artistic and interesting. I had to hunt for the right spot to get this angle on the birdhouse - ended up on the second floor shooting through the window (with screen) using the telephoto lens.

I've also practiced shooting the starry sky at night, the full moon, and a few other difficult settings. I'm really learning some good camera basics. I'm loving the bracketing feature, the continuos shooting mode and the self-timer functionality. The camera also shoots 1080p HD video, but I haven't had much time to really play with that feature much. Maybe I'll post more pictures now that I have a legit camera. Maybe I'll post more blog entries as well, while I'm at it.