Next, an FO. Mine, this time. A pair of legwarmers, yellow-brick road legwarmers to be precise, using a basket-weave stitch. I didn't intend to replicate the Brompton's sleeves, more inspired by the gentleman's fancy sock pattern, but it seemed to work out that way.
The yellow yarn is collinette's jitterbug, in the 'Vincent's Apron' colourway, inspired completely by Megan. I worked them both at once on a 80cm 2.5mm circular - I'd tried out the two-at-once trick for the red pom's, but found it much easier this time with just the one (rather than two) needles. All ravelled here.
That shot looks like I have rather clumsily upped the brightness on a basic photo editing programme - all that pink in the top left hand corner. But I didn't touch it, there was just weirdo light going on that morning. And on that odd photo colouring, I have a question: to SLR, or not to SLR?
I have a perfectly ok camera. It works. But I do keep getting frustrated by an inability (its and mine) to get the imaginary shots in my head out of the camera. Its five years old this summer, and though I'm normally of the view that (for the good of the planet if nothing else) you should use things till their death, I have to admit, I've been coveting an upgrade for a while. Plus the battery's running out quicker than it used to, so its obviously on its way out. My mother's going to give me money towards one for my birthday next month, and I should have a bit of extra money from various work things. My budget is £250 max, because although I want a good one, I'm not exactly rich. But maybe I should bite the bullet, wait a few months till I have (a) more money saved and (b) time to learn, and go for an entry level SLR.
Flatmate says go for it, mother says not to bother. I've read a few reviews online and tried the trick of clicking the 'what camera' on pictures I like on flickr, and I'm just not sure. Tips, advice?
20 comments:
I would go for one (I've been really wanting to upgrade myself for the same reason as you) but I would make sure you could afford a really good one so that you feel that it's worth using for years and years.
It really depends on how interested you are in photography for its own sake. If you're very interested, then an SLR will be a much more flexible tool (I love mine). However, bear in mind it will be somewhat less portable than what you are using now, so if you want a camera you can stick in your pocket as you run out the door, and SLR might not work.
Knitography's comment is spot on. I just upgraded to a camera that isn't an SLR but has many features of an SLR (Canon Powershot Pro) and so far I like it very much although it is bigger than my tiny Pentax Optio so I won't be carrying it with me wherever I go. But it isn't so big that I wouldn't take it with me on trips. One thing to know about SLRs -- any additional lens you buy will probably be more expensive than the camera body. I can add a telephoto and wide angle lens to my new camera with an adaptor ( for about $100 each) and it has a hot shoe so I can use a better flash so I hope that this camera will last me for years. It really depends on what features you feel you need and whether you need the flexibility that SLRs give regarding lenses.
My Pentax has not worn out but I really felt I needed image stabilization for shots with longer exposure times. One thing that I was glad of with my smaller camera is that I got the one that uses AA batteries - I use rechargables - so I was happy that the Canon also took AAs (4 vs 2 for the Optio). The cameras that need to be recharged directly do seem to have more of a limited lifespan.
Good luck and have fun looking!
I wanted one for years, but only just got an SLR as a gift - and love it. I don't get to use it as much as I like, but I love fiddling with all the settings and just learning as I go. I would get one if you have the opportunity, rather than getting another poin-and-shoot.
Best,
esmerelda
P.S. I have those shoes! Doc Marten love!
Oops, I forgot to give you the model of my Canon Powershot Pro -- it is the S5 IS with 8 MP and 12X optical zoom. On Canon UK it is listed as 309 pounds although I bought mine from Amazon USA for $330. Part of the reason I chose it was that the customer images on Amazon taken with this camera made me go, "Wow!"
I'd say that if you can, go for the (D)SLR.
i have the same camera as harper now and i love it. it has all of the features of an SLR without being one.. and you get video and a ton of other stuff too. i use it all the time and really think it's one of the best buys out there.
I am also wrestling with the same issue - my digital camera is quite old now (It is a very early Powershot) and while I do love it, I have found that its photos really aren't as good as the photos in my head. I usually wear things out until they break but i'm thinking that if I do get a new camera than at least my older one could be backup! I had read a review of the powershot pro in Bust and thought it sounded excellent.
P.S I love the legwarmers, toto!
Your legwarmers look fantastic!! I love that cheery, sunny yellow you chose. Bring on spring!
- Julie
I'm in the same boat. I need a camera upgrade but don't know what I want to do. Let us know what you decide!
first off, i LOVE the legwarmers. the yellow is perfect!
i recently bought a DSLR because i could no longer stand the point and shoot. i really wanted a nikon d80, but it was way out of my budget, so i went with the nikon d40. i'm really happy with it, so far. all of my film cameras were always slrs, so it feels nice to have the control again.
good luck with the camera search!
I didn't upgrade to digital until I could afford a camera that would do everything my old Pentax SLR would do. I now use a Nikon D40x, which is their entry level DSLR. It's a lovely piece of kit and I don't regret buying it. It does all the weird and wonderful things I need it to do.
However, I need to get a new lens and a tripod. I've found I need to think about it all a lot more than I ever have done before. I've found I look at pictures taken with point-and-shoots with envy, wondering why I can't take pictures like that.
I think this says a lot more about me than the camera.
BTW, you're welcome to borrow mine for a play once lent is over. See how it suits you.
I was having the same conversation with myself last week and I ended up buying an upper-level point and shoot (a Kodak Easyshare Z712 IS). I'm happy with it so far, but I wouldn't recommend it to you (it only takes a certain kind of battery, which can only be recharged if you buy a special dock from Kodak and I can't get videos off it without installing some special software).
That said, I say go for it with the DSLR if you can afford it. I probably should have, but I kept looking at the price tag and backing away. Just too much for me.
Fabulous leg warmers! And yellow is so 'in' this year. I have been wanting to upgrade my camera too, what I do is look on flickr at pictures that I like and then ask/see what camera people are using. Everyone says I should get a D40, I am looking into it...
Love the legwarmers!
What a pleasing color. I saw a girl on the street in DC today wearing a coat in that shade--it made my eyes happy.
I recently got an SLR, and it's fantastic. But I do miss my point-and-shoot (which I clumsily broke) for more snapshotty uses. And, you know, for most uses, I think you'll do just as well with a really good point+shoot (Canon Powershot, e.g.) and some decent (and free) editing software.
Also, and more importantly, those are clearly the best legwarmers of all time. I have 2 skeins of the Vincent's Apron and I get all excited about them every time I see someone else's knitted up!
For my part every person may read this.
A great deal of useful information for me!
To my mind every person have to read it.
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