Supermoon

My efforts at photographing the lunar eclipse a while back weren't brilliant, but since then I've learned a little more about my camera.  I now know how to work the controls, although they're so sensitive and fiddly it's quite a challenge to set them.   So when I was reminded by the ABC weather report that there was a "supermoon" (because its orbit had brought it close to the earth), I though I'd have another attempt.

Still not all that terrific, but maybe with a bit more practice?

Lunar eclipse

I forget about the lunar eclipse until quite late, and then had trouble getting a good photo of it.
However, by taking quite a few photos on a range of settings (aka "trial and error"), I managed to get a passable photo, just before it finished.

The red colour had all gone by then.

However, there are much better ones on the internet, as was the version Paul Henderson showed as part of the weather report.

In the park

I didn't like to take a photo of the one-on-one personal training occurring in the park, but it often occurs.

I suppose parks are there to be used, but I admit I had to pause for a few moments to think about where I stood on the issue.

Although you need a permit in Stonnington to have a wedding ceremony in a park, there doesn't seem to be any requirement to obtain a permit to undertake other activities, including wedding photos (unlike the Botanical Gardens - even in the driveways!)

Getting used to a new camera

My new camera is the same brand as my previous camera, so it was quite straight-forward to operate, at least in "point-and-click" mode.  Of course, it has quite a number of additional options, which I am gradually familiarising myself with.   But one early action required was to be adjust the size of the file.  I quickly found out that the default file size of the images is quite large (some are over 5 MB!), being the price you pay for high-resolution images.   However, they take a long time to upload to the internet (as I need to do, for example, when inserting an image into this blog), so for everyday use, I have contented myself with a lesser size.

Another early impression was that  the battery life is pretty woeful.  The reviews had mentioned this, so it wasn't a surprise, but I had been living in hope.  Presumably use of the zoom in particular  shortens the time between re-charges.  I turned the GPS function off, but this didn't seem to make much difference.   I quickly got  a spare battery so that I'm not left short. This is a "compatible", which although it cost $30 is more reasonable that the Canon battery (nearly $80).   Even if it doesn't have the same capacity as a "genuine" battery (notwithstanding the sales talk when I bought it!), it ought to be sufficient to get through the rest of the day until I can re-charge.

I was interested to read a review in Choice magazine of various cameras in the category that I bought.  Isn't it so often the way - this information only comes to hand after you've made the purchase?     The one I bought was somewhere in the middle of the field.   One of the things I have noticed with my purchase is that the controls can be a bit "fiddly" at times, but I notice from Choice's review that none of the cameras in this category rate highly in this respect and that in fact my purchase is rated significantly higher than some of the others.

In hindsight, based on a combination of the features I was looking for and the price,  I think I would still have decided on this camera even if I had read the review before I bought it (although I am still waiting for the "cash-back"!)

The "Cash Back" offer

I've already mentioned that I recently bought a new camera.    I'd been monitoring the prices of cameras on my short list, but my final choice was influenced by the fact that there was a "cash back" offer on one of the models on my list.    I've always been sceptical about these "offers", and my experience on this occasion just reinforces that. They're hard work!

The first issue was that it turned out that the one and only way of claiming the "cashback" was on-line.  The only information the retailer gave me was, "you claim the cash back on the Canon website".  Yeah, right, but the website didn't give a link to the relevant location.  The search tool didn't help, because I didn't use the magic word "promotions" - was I supposed to have thought of this?

I rang the Canon support line, but, no, they couldn't help, I had to speak to the "Promotions" support line and they had closed for the day before the time of my call.  The issue was finally resolved by a call to the shop where I'd bought the camera, who after some minutes and a drop-out on the line, pointed me in the right direction (that is, use the magic password, "promotions").

Secondly, the claim on the website had to be accompanied by a scanned copy of my purchase receipt.   Fortunately, the sales person did know about this and although he didn't actually volunteer the information, it came out in response to my questioning.   He was also good enough to scan the receipt for me and to email it to me (saved me from what would otherwise have been a bit of a hassle).

Thirdly, the claim form asked for some personal details that I wasn't really happy about giving, but unless the fields were all complete, it couldn't be submitted.  The lure of $50 persuaded me to waive my principles!

Fourthly, it's going to take "up to 60 days" for my money to be direct credited to a bank account, and would have taken "up to 90 days" if I had requested a cheque.   So, don't even think of applying if you're not an Australian resident (in particular, there's no facility to have the amount credited to a credit card).

In short, "cashbacks" are obviously a marketing tool.  I've read that the promoters assume that a significant percentage of  those eligible won't persevere with the application, and my experience certainly confirms that a less determined person could well be deterred form doing so.

I can report that I subsequently received an acknowledgement within a few days that my claim had been "approved"....along with the information that it may take 30 days before I see the money.  At least this is down from 60!

Buying a camera

I have had my current camera for a few years, and it has served me well.  I know that my photos aren't always great, but that's probably due more to my lack of skills than to the camera.  Also, for the record, some of my photos are taken using my phone, which isn't great but I don't always have a camera with me when I need it.

There have been significant developments in camera technology since I acquired my present camera, and you certainly get "more bang for your buck" now.  Just the same, I have stuck with my present camera because I have become reasonably familiar with its controls, and have been able to utilise its various features.

However, it has also meant that I have become aware of its limitations, and with that in mind, I have been intermittently researching what's now available. There's an enormous range of cameras available, at least on the internet. It's very important to know what features you need.  For me, while the quality of the image is obviously an important factor, other considerations included the amount of zoom, the ability to control the aperture and exposure settings manually if desired and the size/weight

But just because a particular model is reviewed and available on-line doesn't mean that the stores stock it.   With the exception of the speciality shops (at least to some extent), the range available in each category in the stores is nearly as great as might be assumed.  It's not a lot of use looking at the reviews and setting your heart on a particular camera if it's only available on the internet (not my preferred method of purchasing).

So, when after several months of casually watching what was happening in the market and reading numerous reviews, one of the cameras that was in fact on my short list (offering a reasonable balance of the features I had in mind) was promoted by a well-known retailer at a good price, plus the distributor had a "cash-back" offer,   I made the decision to "go for it".   Result, a new camera that I now have to get used to, and a wait - potentially 60 days! - for the "cash back" offer to materialise (this is deserving of a post in itself).

Camera

We decided an additional camera was required.   The requirements were that it had to be able to be easily operated in "point-&-shoot" mode, capable of fitting comfortably into a handbag and the photos had to be of acceptable quality.

The colour should make it easy to find!

Although I looked into upgrading my own camera a few months back (nothing has yet come of this because I still can't decide just what I want), I hadn't looked at the entry level offerings for a long while.    So I was quite surprised at the range available at Mr Smith's shop for less than $100, and the sophistication of the features that they had.

Our initial impressions of the purchase we made are favourable:  it certainly is "compact" (although that comes with a slight trade-off in terms of the amount of "zoom" available);   once set to "intelligent auto", it has a number of features that appear to assist in automatically obtaining the best photo in the available conditions (although our testing of this is only at a preliminary stage); and the controls are pretty intuitive.

I admit, however, that we're still working on the "smile detector" feature.  When activated, this delays taking a photo until the subject smiles!   Even in auto mode, the camera is predisposed to use this, which gives rise to bafflement when there's a delay in taking the photo even though the shutter button is pressed.   As yet, I haven't worked out how to turn this feature off without also turning the "focus on face" feature off.

This particular camera uses an external recharger, so the battery needs to be removed for recharging.  I wondered about this, but in the end decided that the ability to have a spare battery (which we may or may not acquire) charging while the camera is in use was just about sufficient to offset the potential disadvantage of carrying the charger in our baggage while travelling.

I wasn't expecting the camera to come with a large memory card, but apparently these days all cameras come with no memory card at all (but they do have a small internal memory).

Just for the record, yes, I looked at reviews on the internet for a number of cameras in this category, but I found they varied in helpfulness.  I suspect that camera reviewers are kept fully occupied with more up-market products!