A DAUNTING DECISION: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I BUY??

In the scheme of things, does the decision of what camera to buy really matter all that much??  I have LOVED using my Samsung Galaxy 8 camera  for nearly four years, with Android technology and all my familiar apps.  Wherever we have traveled people have been fascinated by it.  "Is it a phone?  Is it a camera?" Kinda both -- you can't make a traditional phone call, but it is otherwise connectable while principally being a camera. And then there is the enormous screen size -- 4.8" -- which has been a joy.

 

It was beginning to show some wear so off to Best Buy for help as they are a big Samsung outfit.  Upon learning the distressing news that Samsung had discontinued the product (mon dieu!), apparently due to low sales, I was faced with a mind-boggling choice of what to buy next.  The decision is akin to sorting through all the wineries in Napa/Sonoma these days ... so much variety to choose from.

For me (and obviously so many others), travel and photography are intertwined. In discussing my upcoming travel plans, a well-meaning person actually urged me to bring a camera along! I really can't imagine one without the other. Yes, most of us know folks who travel but don't have any sort of record (permanent or otherwise) of their experiences. The hubby has never had to think about it, and likely wouldn't, but still nudges me if I don't have a Shutterfly album (samples below) printed in short order after our big trips.  

Typically I go to Samy's Camera, a very reputable dealer in Los Angeles, and rely on their expertise to guide me.  This time I did my own online research.  I looked at Samy's offerings and compared them to Amazon, plus read user reviews.  I don't want to be too much of a skeptic, but how does one know if a user knows what he or she is doing when they review something? Maybe the bad experience is due to "pilot error."  

Without going much deeper in the weeds, I decided on a Canon Powershot SX540 HS with 50x Optical Zoom and Built-In Wi-Fi.  So far, so good (you be the judge per below). I will still bring the Samsung with me just in case.  And I will try not to be influenced by reading all the recommendations in a WSJ column ...  seen, of course, after my purchase!

From my garden: first ripened blackberry of the season and blossoming nectarine tree.

Indoor photos from a recent event/art show at The Cellar Beverly Hills.

       Baby shower luncheon.                     Downtown LA's Last Bookstore

So what camera are you using ... and why???

HOW MUCH TIME IS TOO MUCH TIME?

Most every Friday morning, I try to catch (radio talk show host) Dennis Prager's Happiness Hour.  No, even though I am honored to call Dennis a friend, I am not here to pitch anything. Dennis is a renown traveler, including having annual "listeners" cruises.  He just returned from one such trip to Asia.  As he typically shares, he had a fantastic time. But when asked prior to departure if he was looking forward to the trip, he said "no." Not no, he was dreading it or he thought it wouldn't be great; rather no, he hadn't really thought about it.  

 

This led me to think a couple of things:

1)  What if one thinks too much about an upcoming trip, and one's expectations don't work out?

2)   If one is spending too much time on something happening in the future, is one missing out on the day-to-day?

3)   How much time is too much time spent on planning travel?

Here are a few of thoughts from someone (yours truly) who spends a huge amount of time on the subject.

 

I really, really, REALLY try not to have expectations.  Not knowing what we will do at a particular destination is a great part of the exploration. Many a surprise has been realized, like arriving in New Zealand one year in late April, only to be surrounded by magnificent foliage changing colors.  Hey, it's Fall in April there!  I never thought about it and was beyond thrilled.  The hubby always reminds me I love the leaves because I never had to rake them (as he did in Cleveland). 

Regarding expectations, one way I draw a line in the sand is expecting 5-star accommodations and service if I agree to pay 5-star rates. That is something I think about in advance and most definitely question if not received.

 

There are some practicalities to advance planning, like award seats, theater tickets and special restaurants.  But I totally agree that looking forward to something at the expense of whatever is happening right now can play a part in not appreciating what's in front of us.

I rather doubt I'll spend less time planning travel than I do now. You know why? Because I love it.  There's something about discovering a new hotel or making a new contact or knowing that you finally get to go somewhere you've always dreamed about that is just too rewarding.  

So what's the moral of this story?  If you happen to find something you love, savor it ... just not only it.   There's just too much wonderful stuff that might be missed!