Letterblade

So, at the indirect urging of family members, I got myself a present. Look, ma, I even found the self-timer!



It's a Nikon D60, second lowest level of their DSLRs. It is, naturally, named Alastor, which nevacaruso pointed out as the obvious. I bought it (along with a second lens (55-200mm), tripod, assorted accessories, etcetera) for noticeable discount at Microcenter's digital camera sale.

I had long been wanting a digital camera, and had often entertained myself by browsing reviews of compact cameras, not thinking I could afford or figure out how to use an SLR. However, I would usually come out frustrated, as the two things I dislike most about digital cameras--noisy images and slow shutter times--plague many cameras to this day. But then I got a look at the sale prices on the entry level DSLRs, read a few reviews, and got hooked. I was originally looking at the D40, but 4 more megapixels and an autofocusing kit lens for a mere $50 increase yanked me up to the D60.

I've never owned a camera any more elaborate than a point and shoot, and barely had any idea what an f-stop was. But this thing *can* be used as a point and shoot camera, and now that I've started futsing around with some of the manual settings, I'm a little proud of what I can do--only a few days after getting it, with barely any photography experience. Crappy self-timer photos aside, of course.

A few more photos below the cut. Links lead to unedited images--full-size, etcetera.

( Photonification! )

And that is the best for now. *hugs her camera*