Question for Dana

[Jonathan Long]

Dana,

Are you ready for the purchase of a DSLR????

Did you do all of your research?

What help can we provide?

Jon

[Dana Grant]

ha ha -- yes, I am ready!! However, my wallet is not quite there yet!! I actually opened a savings account JUST for my camera fund.....This is my personal project, and although I COULD, I do NOT want to use any of our family funds or a credit card or anything like that. So I am only putting money in there that is "found."

For example:

I did someone's senior pictures, and the parents actually gave me a donation to my "camera fund." LOL

One of my clients had a horrible computer problem for a couple of weeks, for which I helped by working many extra hours -- my latest payment from them was 3 times the normal amount that I receive -- so I put the extra 2/3 into my "camera fund."

My mom sent me money for my birthday -- marked "camera fund" -- I thought that was cute.

SO, it's coming along quite nicely, actually!!

I don't know when I'll be able to actually BUY the camera, but when I do -- that is when all of you can help!!!

I'm sure I'll have hundreds of questions!!! I DO plan to take some classes on it....in fact, I just missed a GREAT class that was FREE this past weekend. There is a photography group here in Tucson, my neighbor is a member, and this past weekend, there was a gentleman who did a presentation that included all of the Canon products and their differences and similarities, etc., from point and shoot to the pro DSLR cameras and lenses, etc. I was out of town and missed it. But she tells me that this is not the first time they have had something like this, and she has encouraged me to join the group!! I'm considering it.....

So the research -- well, since I've been working like a crazy woman for the past few weeks, I haven't had a huge amount of time to read everything, but I have bookmarked about 7 web sites that I want to read carefully......and one of them actually has a long review of the camera you suggested, Jon....looking forward to that!! So that's a start!

It will be a big day on NazNet when I finally purchase this camera.....LOL I'm sure you'll be the first to know!!!

Dana

[Jonathan Long]

Dana,

One option that you may want to consider is purchasing the camera body and one lens to start off with, then you can add additional items as time/money allow. Doing it this way will allow you to get the camera body sooner so you can start learning how to use it. Plus if you only purchase one lens it will make you think more to get the photograph that you want or envision...

Just a thought....

If we have any contributions... where do we send them???

[Dana Grant]

That's okay -- your contributions will be needed AFTER the camera -- in the way of expert teaching!!! Thanks!!!