In camera
The Force is strong with this one.
Rather less with this one.
Speaking of cameras, we should close the loop on our phone vs camera debate.
Thanks to your generous advice, a bit of soul searching and two omens, I was able to choose.
I bought a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 (DMC-ZS7) and a Nokia 1616.
Here’s why.
Holistic
I was sooo close to getting an iPhone. The arguments were very strong.
But I just couldn’t give my phone company the chance to rip me a new
agreement.
I even had a yarn with their Twitter reps, but it was ‘same shirt, different market’.
I’ve since read that a consumer advocacy group tried to compare mobile phone plans and:
‘… declared it impossible …’!
If Choice can’t work it out, what chance have I?
Cave man
Having realised I was chicken, I wondered if my business really needed all the iPhone offered.
When I got more excited about the Nokia’s torch than any app, I realised I just wasn’t a smart phone person.
I only type on the Empire Über Komputer. Outside, I compose drafts in my ‘neck-top’ (to which emails and other distractions are lethal).
This awareness freed me to buy the cheapest, simplest, sturdiest mobile (cell).
And a very special camera.
Here again, your comments were instrumental.
Action!
After aborting a CBD reconnaissance due to crowds and chaos, it was bliss to narrow the mind-boggling choice not only to a brand, but also a model.
Once I knew what I wanted (and that others had found it good) I was able to focus on price.
My eBay win is history; my photography adventure has just begun.
Fonnie often says I take great photos. Now I have the gear to do a proper job.
To chart my education, I’ve set up a photo blog.
I’ve even shot a video with the camera for my YouTube channel.
Omen I
I’d wanted a Leica since childhood, having somehow gathered it was ‘the spy’s choice’.
When I beheld my first Lumix, I saw LEICA stamped in the lens.
Omen II
Meanwhile, ever-kind Fonnie tried to surprise me with a Leica Leica. The man in the shop steered her to a Lumix, saying it was exactly the same.
Such signs mustn’t be ignored.
Proof
I believe I learn more from this blog than I impart.
This exercise proves it.
I hope others drowning in detail will enter the calm, limpid pool that is our reader community.
I’m very grateful for all your help.
Just don’t try sending pics to my phone!
Paul Hassing , Founder & Senior Writer, The Feisty Empire
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Good thing you didn’t pick up an iPhone.
It would already be out of date, and thus basically useless.
If Apple’s marketing is to be believed
I Phone, and so is I Wife.
Good point, Luke! I’d have been particularly miffed that the Model 4 iPhone is much thinner and has a much better camera. A narrow escape.
Adam, is that you, or the I Robot?
Marketing hype is a merry-go-round, is it not? I have a maxim that helps me … ‘There’s always a sale’. That is, next time you see a BIG SALE ON NOW MUST ACT FAST sign, say to yourself, ‘There’s always a sale.’
As for phone plans, my bills (I could name names) were so impenetrable that I created a spreadsheet to itemise and calculate the various charges. I now have 6.5 years of data tracking my call patterns against costs. The bills are no better, but I rarely exceed my cap.
Have sent a screenshot to your phone, Paul, and tried calling your camera, to no avail.
And blessed are the cheese graters…
Though not often enough acknowledged Adam, this blog would not be the same without your QQUIPs (’Qulandenstine Quips of Universally Inviolable Poignancy
And good to see you haven’t gone too far away Luke.
I’m with you on the ‘iPhonetics’…as soon as Telstra rang me a few weeks ago offering me a ’seemingly free’ iPhone, I immediately checked Gizmodo to find that the new version was indeed imminent.
And Paul? The Fon is as usual, not over-exposed and perfectly focused…you do take great photos. And you can actually say ‘I Fon’ and so is I wife’ and it’s true.
That Lorikeet certainly did a nice little dance for you mate…what did you say to him? Whatever it was, make sure you never say it to an Emu, ok? ;-P…
Cheers
Stephen G
Good philosophy, Ad. Call me for a long talk sometime and we’ll skew the stat!
I didn’t get that screenshot, but I’ll probably get charged for the 112 times my network offered it to my phone!
I haven’t exceeded my cap since cubscouts, but that’s another, hideous story.
Thank you for lobbing another log on your praise fire, Stephen. With the nights turning cold it’s just the shot.
It’s hard to take a bad pic of Fon. I reckon a burnt stick between my toes would still respond to her charms. I asked the lorikeet if he’d been in any good soups lately. He retorted that he wasn’t a rosella.
I totally agree with you about Adam’s hi-poignancy.
Where in tarnation were you two philosophers on Tuesday when this comment came through?!
I was getting my car registered…a woeful tale of epic proportions…
If we ever get wise enough to design our societies around people instead of toxic-transportation, I wonder will we merely interpolate our current un-epiphylogenetic ways by registering ourselves and wearing number-plates?…or would you prefer ‘computer-chips’ with that?
Cheers
Stephen G
Well, at least if you lose it they can phone the pound. What’s its name? Or is that a rude question since you ran out of petrol that time …
Well done on the choice of camera Paul and if your first efforts on your photo blog are anything to go by you could be on a winner.
Thanks, Susan; you’ve been a wonderful support in this area – as well as all the other areas!
Walking my dogs has new purpose these days. The challenge to capture a photo worthy of the day’s post is quite exciting.
I’ve a long way to go before I’m even in the same suburb as Luke’s ball park, but you never know what you can do till you try.
@Stephen: Thanks!
@Adam – No wuckers me ol’ mucker
Paul – Jason (my partner) got an iPhone last month. It’s practically glued to his hand!
Me – I like my mobile to be my mobile, my iPod to be my iPod and my camera to be my camera – not everything rolled into one.
But that’s just iMe
Thanks, Naomi. iGet it.
Did Jason perchance like iSnack2.0?
No – we both hated it!
Bought the product though – didn’t get around to tasting it – it went out of date and we threw it out
Ha! Not what you’d call a ‘ringing endorsement’.
Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
A great article from Dave O’Neil:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/embrace-me-im-oh-so-20th-century-20100612-y4ma.html