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Buying a Fancy Camera – My Story

Just in time for Christmas… A couple of different folks have recently asked what kind of camera I’d suggest they buy. Specifically, what type of DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera? That gave me a reason to pause and reflect on the approach I took. This is certainly not the only way, or even necessarily the right way. This is the way I did it.

I’d start by acknowledging that for most of us amateurs (and just in case there was any question, that’s definitely what I am), like just about everything, the greatest single factor when purchasing a new DSLR will be our budget. Yeah, unless you are a doctor, lawyer or senator, that’ll be a major factor. As such, I thought long and hard about the approach I would take before buying my first DSLR. That is what I am about to share.

(Note: To prove I’m not a camera snob I took each picture used in this post with my iPhone 4 and edited in Aperture.)

1. I bought a used DSLR – I started with my old friend eBay. What I wound up with was a used Canon 30D for which I paid a reasonable $300. That’s a fraction of the $1,400 this model cost new when it was released back in early 2006. Oh, and Canon versus Nikon? In my humble opinion that is purely personal preference. I use Canon just because that’s what I know. I had a Canon Rebel SLR since college and was comfortable with the brand. That’s pretty much the only reason.

2. I bought a basic lens – I bought the least expensive lens Canon makes. An entry level 50mm lens for $100 from B&H. I reasoned, before I buy a lot (or any) fancy lenses, I’ll buy one simple lens and learn how to use it. Then if I’m still interested, upgrade. My goal was, once I could actually use my camera, and save some cash, I’d invest in a really nice lens.

3. I took a class – I read a lot online about photography before buying my camera. What I kept reading over and over again was that, if you are going to buy a fancy camera, for goodness sake learn how to use it. There is a lifetime of learning that goes along with improving ones art but just learning the basics will get to pretty far down the road. Learn about the basic manual settings (Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed) of your new toy first and then get the heck off full auto.

4. Take lots of pictures – I feel like I fail at this but I really believe this is the key. Enjoy it. Do not agonize over it.

5. I bought a nice lens – (See also item two.) I used my 50mm (I still use it) almost exclusively while I learned how to use my camera. While I’m not pro, my patience ran out a few months ago and I finally bough the Canon 24-70mm.

This approach allowed me to accomplish all three goals in about a year. I felt from the beginning that it would free me to (a) learn the ins and outs of a DSLR without (b) spending the kind of money you’d spend on a used car. This was my approach and my experience thus far. Hope this was useful!

December 17, 2010
My iPhone Apps – Page Two

It’s taken me a few weeks to get back to my iPhone apps. In all honesty, it’s make me rethink my second page. I realized that I had apps on page two that I really never used. I’ve done some rearranging and now all of the apps on my page two are those that I use on at least a semi regular basis.

1. iTunes – This is the store. I was having lunch with a friend, asked what they were listening to lately. They recommended an artist. I went to iTunes on my phone, bought the record, and it was downloaded and ready to play on my ride home before lunch was over.

2. App Store – This one had to show up eventually, right? I will regularly check the top paid and free apps just to see if anything new, fun, or useful has come along.

3. Apple Store – I bought my Apple TV using this app. I warn you. This is can be the most expensive app you have; indirectly at least.

4. eBay – I don’t use this as much as I once did but it does come out to play every now and again.

5. Flixster – Sitting at dinner and decide you wanna see a movie? You once had to drive up to the theatre and squint as you tried to get the movie listings and times to come into view. This app allows you to search for local theater, movies showing, and times. (I’ve even used this in the theatre on what I term “double feature day” to see when the next movie I wanted to see started.)

6. iConcertCal – Find local (or not local) concerts playing at a venue near (nor not near) you.

7. Skype – For $2 a month I have unlimited calls. It’s not the greatest reception and calls seem to drop a lot but for the price? Whatchayougonnado?

8. Stopwatch – Does what it says. Simplest of apps.

9. Best Alarm – I used this recently at a hotel just in case my wakeup call failed.

10. Converter – Ever wonder what 100 degrees fahrenheit is in celsius? There’s an app for that. Need to convert miles into kilometers? You guessed it.

11. Flickr – I use this the least because the interface is a little wonky but when I need to show someone pictures I’ve uploaded to my Flickr page, it’s right in my pocket.

12. Camera – This is the native camera app. I keep it around because not only does it take regular pictures and video but it will take pictures in HDR as well. Cool.

13. Photos – Where I can review the pictures I’ve taken on my iPhone.

14. Southwest – I sure wish I’d had this ten years ago. Review DING! fares, book flights, make car reservations, check into your flight! Best of the best. I used this to check into a recent flight home; from my hotel room. Not having to fight with the hotel lobby computer? Priceless.

15. Settings – Duhh.

Hope you enjoyed. I’ll spare you pages three and four. Mostly that’s just where apps I’m trying out are stored. Happy holidays!

December 16, 2010
My iPhone Apps – Page One

I was asked recently to list the iPhone Apps that I use. Here are a few that are on my iPhone that you might also find useful. This is just page one. I’ll save page two (perhaps three and four as well) for another post.

Page One

1. Facebook: This one has been listed in the App Store’s Top 25 Free Applications for as long as I’ve been paying attention. I use it to keep up with your status and to update my own. It’s not perfect but like with the desktop user interface they continue to tweak the experience. Sometimes they make it better. Sometimes not.

2. Twitter: This app was once called something else but changed it’s name to Twitter when it was bought by the actual company. It’s been so long now I don’t even recall what the original pre-twitter purchase name is anymore. Best mobile Twitter application for its simplicity and for being so easy to use.

3. LinkedIn: I don’t use this application very often but since it rounds out the business end of my social networking experience I have it installed.

4. Foursquare: Location based social networking leader. However, it is sometimes a slightly awkward conversation tying to explain the appeal of this app. I’m not even sure sometimes how to describe it other than when you go somewhere, out to eat at a restaurant for example, you can “check in” to the location, get “points” for checking in, and if you check in often enough become the “mayor” of that location. Truth is I might not still be using this app if it weren’t for their special four square deals. For example, a local sushi restaurant offers free edamame when you check in. You can also use it as a sort of digital journal of all the places you’ve been. If you’re into that.

5. Solebon: They call it “For Refined Solitaire Players”. Okay dokey. It does have a lot of solitaire games. I’ve played more hours of Yukon than I’d care to mention.

6. Best Camera: The camera application brought to you by Chase Jarvis. It’s almost as easy to use as your native camera app but has a few really cool, yet still simple to use, editing features.

7. Evernote: I don’t use this as much as I could / should. A lot of folks that use this app swear by it but admit that at first they “just didn’t get it”. I’m sort of stuck somewhere in between. I get it but don’t use it as much. What is it, you ask? Oh, it’s a an app that lets you capture your thoughts, ideas, and inspirations (i.e. notes to self) via text, snapshot, or voice.

8. Netflix: Lets you manage your dvd and streaming account from your phone. As if that weren’t enough, you can also stream video right from your phone. Yes, sports fans, you can now watch Netflix at the gym.

9. Dropbox: Download the app to your desktop, drag files to the folder it creates, share the folder and its contents with yourself via another desktop or your phone, and share specific subfolders and their contents with friends, family, and business associates.

10. Feeds: Google Reader feeds.

11. Weather: Duhh. While this is a native (an app that comes installed on every iPhone) I have every city I’ve been to since I’ve owned an iPhone listed here. There’s a few.

12. Tip Calculator: I can sometimes go overboard in an attempt not to stiff wait staff on their tip. This allows me to do the 15-20-25 percent and round up to the nearest dollar without all that messy math business.

13. Shazam: Best application ever. There’s a song on the radio and you can’t quite remember who the artist is or the name of the song. Open this app, click a button, and Shazam will not only tell you the artist and song title but give you the opportunity to buy it on iTunes.

14. NY Times: I’m not a big news guy for my own personal reasons but when I do read the news I go to the NY Times.

15. Contacts: This is also a native app, true, but here’s a tip. You’re sitting having lunch with your new business contact and you want to give them your phone number and email address. Did you know that you can go into Contacts, navigate to your listing, open up to the listing info, scroll to the bottom of your contact listing, click Share Contact, and text the contact info to them? So easy.

16. iPod: This is also a native app but since it’s the one I use the most it’s worth mentioning. Now that I have 16G of space, on my phone, the one device I always have with me, I hardly every use my iPod classic anymore. I guess that’s why they no longer produce them anymore. Makes me happy and sad all at the same time.

That’s it for page one. Do you have a favorite iPhone application? Please share.

PS: I have a few stories and lots of pictures from my recent trip to Nashville. They’ll be up soon; they just aren’t quite ready yet.

December 2, 2010
Icke Family Portraits 2010

A couple of weekends ago I got together with the Myra and Pete Icke, along with their girls Alyssa and Karina to take some family pictures. Myra and Pete wanted some pictures of the family and also a shot or two of the girls in their princess themed Halloween costumes. We decided to meet in Tempe Town Lake Park in Tempe, Arizona.

The weather on this sunny “Fall” Saturday late morning turned out very nicely. The lake park is such a nice spot. Pete suggested including the Bridge in the family picture “In order to represent where we live”. Since there wasn’t a cactus or a tumbleweed to be seen anywhere in the park, I agreed that was a great idea.

I half jokingly asked Pete if he had any back issues. Hey, you never know. I wanted to get a shot of him holding the girls. It’s probably not going to be too long before the girls will outgrow this opportunity so Pete gave it a shot. I believe this is him faking strain.

Pete pulled it off and here is his reward.

Myra wisely chooses to take a different approach. This is one of my favorites.

After family pictures were done the girls changed into their costumes. I believe Karina is dressed as a Fairy Princess and Alyssa as a Dainty Queen Fairy God Mother? The girls told me but things like that just don’t stick in my mind. Ehh, close enough, right?

It was a really fun time. Pete even picked up the tab for lunch! Thanks, Ickes. Hope you’ll enjoy these pictures for many years.

October 29, 2010
Is Asking To Have My Restaurant Food Customized Fair?

It started simple enough at first. Asking the waitress for a baked potato instead of french fries. “Can you swap out the buttery twice baked garlic mashed for a side of broccoli?” became no big deal. I don’t think I’m at all unique but I do have some interesting customizations as I’ve become increasingly bold in my requests. It’s more than just salad with dressing on the side. It’s chicken parmesan extra spicy hold the mozzarella cheese on top at the local Italian restaurant. It’s chicken quesadillas without the cheese (I call them Dillas) at a Mexican place in town.

I am most proud of my custom turkey burger. They have the best turkey burger at the Cheesecake Factory that is a freshly patted out patty. No pressed fake turkey mess happening with this burger. It’s good right off the menu. However, I also really love the dark rolls they serve. You know the ones that come before your meal? So I asked if I could have my turkey burger served on one of these dark rolls. It turned out great and from that day on with few exceptions, whenever I order the turkey burger at the CCF, this is the way it’s done.

Does all this make me a pain in the rear? To some degree, I guess. However, nobody gives me any trouble and I tip well. That’s fair, right?

Next time you are out to eat try a little tweak to your favorite dish. You might be surprised with how good it turns out.

October 25, 2010