I have just made a deal with the Beautiful Rocket Scientist. Just sold my soul, if you will.
There is a new camera that I have been eyeing for some time. The current, Official camera of Shutterthumb is a Canon Powershot s20, given to me for finishing one decade and starting another. Almost two years ago.
As with all technology, something new is always around the corner. The 'old' technology works just fine but this is a new millenium and no one should have to bother with anything 'old'. The new camera I choose to crave is a Canon PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH weighing in at a mere 6.4OZ. and similar in size to my iPod. It is the flyweight champion of the digital camera world.
While some photographers would love to have the latest model featuring 10 megapixels, full motion video, and a 32OZ. cup holder, I would prefer something smaller. It's time I had an image grabber that is easy to carry while visiting the planet here and there, something I do now and then.
The PowerShot s230 fits very nicely in the front pocket of slacks, khakis, and even denim jeans. Of course shorts will provide ample room and comfort for those long walks during an exploration of any new city or National Park.
I have one chance, one deal, to prove that I am worthy of such a camera by eating both breakfast and lunch with food prepared from home, thus saving enough money to purchase the ELPH. I am to do this for the next three weeks without fail. Similar challenges have been handed down in the past, yet some weakness in my being has caused me to stumble and loose the bargain.
I will try and keep this in mind as I pass by six Starbucks on my way to work every morning.
Sure you could say, "that's easy, Starbucks blows chunks" but I will respond that there are worse evils in the world. Besides, Starbucks and I are on good terms right now, if I don't like their service or drinks, I just send them an email and three days later the Mermaid arrives at my house with free drink coupons to lure me back in.
Call it extortion — I call it victory in disguise.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
Many moons ago, I owned an ELPH S100. 2.1MP, same basic size as the S230.
It was a great camera. I often carried it around in a jeans pocket. It was trivial to take out and snap quick shots of anything that caught my fancy.
There were, however, two problems that I doubt have been fixed. First, the battery life was seriously short. And replacement batteries were expensive. I could extend battery life by turning off the LCD backlight and flash, but that was problematic many places.
And the 2x zoom was really useless. It was good for nothing more than a simple reframing of the picture. That's not that big of a deal, as the camera was replacing a Minolta SLR with a fixed 50mm lens, but I really longed for a zoom that could actually, you know, zoom.
I sold the S100 to a friend some time back when I realized that I wasnt taking pictures with it because the short battery life made it hard. My object of lust these days is a Canon G2.
Starbucks pretty much sucks, but if the only choice is that or AM/PM swill, I'll take 'Bucks. By the way, the way to avoid their terrible "house blends" is to order an Americano, which is espresso with hot water.
Just don't get me started on that "Vente/Grande" crap, though....
I don't know why anyone in their right mind would drink coffee made from South American beans (which is mostly what House Blend is made of). It's like trying to enjoy a cup of paint thinner.
Coffee that is a joy to drink is from exoctic locations like Sumatra or Java and sometimes Africa.
On that note, Beerzie, you should read Mermaid sometime.
Back to the main topic. Anyone else have experience with a Canon ELPH?
I'm more interested in seeing if you can, by force of will, overcome this challenge. Prepare for it like it's a sports contest. Measure twice, cut once and all that.
"You can do this Greg!"
(--the voice inside your head)
greg - i would highly recommend the s230 as it's a great little camera that you can literally take anywhere and it consistently takes killer photos. i also have a canon g2 and it undoubtedly takes crisper, cleaner pictures than the s230 but it's nowhere near as unobtrusive and convenient. for the money, you can't get a better digital camera on the market today. show some self-disclipline man - save up!
One day down, twenty to go.
Hey, does anyone want to go out for chinese tomorrow for lunch?