StephanieBice.com

Gorgeous!, originally uploaded by stephaniebice.

by stephaniebice.

Baby Shower Cake, originally uploaded by stephaniebice.

My Birthday and Christmas present this year was something I really wanted – a DSLR Camera. I have always had a desire to learn photography (I even borrowed my father-in-laws 35MM camera once to take black & whites.) Unsure of which camera would best suit my needs, I did a LOT of research and asked around. For any of you that read blogs regularly, I was mesmerized with the photographs taken by Susan Wagner, and she enthusiastically suggested I consider a Nikon D40. I read reviews, researched photography sites and even considered borrowing Susan’s camera (as if some epiphany was going to come to me when I used it..). All the reviews for the Nikon were wonderful and I was just about ready to make the plunge – when what to my wondering eyes should appear? A magazine insert in the Sunday Newspaper offering the Canon EOS XSi on sale at a local photo shop for a bit less than the Nikon, AND it included a second lens. I headed down to the store to quiz the sales person on the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon vs. the Canon – only the conversation was not at all what I expected.

Me: What is the difference between the Nikon & Canon?

Marie: Very Little. Look, I am a Nikon fan. I have two of them and a load of lenses. But, these two cameras are VERY similar – with the Canon having a slightly larger megapixel size. Since you are getting the camera base, two lenses and the accessories – I would go with the Canon.

So, $742 later, I headed home with my new toy. I have been snapping away at the kids, inanimate objects, and even food just to get a feel for the camera. I also took it to a birthday party. The images are very sharp and look great (when they are in focus or not too dark, that is). Obviously I have some learning to do – but hey- it’s a start! Here is a pic I took this last weekend at a local Tea Room.

The Tea Room, originally uploaded by stephaniebice.