Camera Indecision

Best Friend modeling her Canon XSi

Karl says to me, "Do you love all the compliments you get on your blog?"  Such an easy question to respond sarcastically.  Too easy.  So, yes, I love them.  I do get an occasional, "Mom you look pretty" or "You are a really good cook" (after I opened up a can of raviolis), but as far as compliments go, I don't get a whole lot since most of my time is spent with a 4 year old and a 6 year old.  Most of what I do doesn't really drum up compliments (laundry, sweeping, you know...), and that is natural and normal, I suppose.  But, really, who doesn't love a compliment?  

In short it goes like this:

Christina, would you rather

a) clean the toilet

b) clear the self-clutter-producing counter, again

c) go stop Samuel

d) go encourage Eva to hurry

e) read a nice comment on your blog

Answer:  Easy, e.

So, thanks for the photo compliments.  I love them.  They are such a nice little break from the same old routine (or non-routine, we are kind of chaotic).  It is especially nice to get compliments on something I worked at.  I also love compliments like "Your kids are so cute" or "Your kids are so funny" but I didn't really work at that, they just came out that way.  

I took a couple of classes (not like the community ed. one we took a few years ago) from Nicole Hill (a for reals pro photographer) and it made me take my camera off "auto" and opened up a whole new world to me.  I know I will never be a pro or anything but since I take a billion photos, it was really good to get some direction.

My birthday was about a month and a half ago.  Karl gave me a big ol' envelope full of cash to go and buy a camera.  But the problem is, I can't decide what to get.  Isn't that always the case?  If you can't have something, you know exactly what you want.  

I have been using a Pentax k100.  I bought it from my sister for a few hundred dollars and it has been a really good camera to learn with.  I love it.  I also love that I have dropped it a few times and Samuel has dropped it even more and I don't need to have a heart attack whenever it happens.  The problem is that I need (yes, need) to get some lenses and it isn't worth it to invest in lenses for this camera.  I want to go either Nikon or Canon and am leaning towards Canon just because I have noticed that the photographers that I admire use them (of the ones whose cameras I have seen).

 

Canon came out with a Rebel with a video mode called the T1i that I am leaning towards.

Pros:  Small, video mode might be fun with cool lenses, eliminates the need for me to carry around a video camera in some cases.

Cons:  I might wish I got something fancier.  The handle is a little awkward.  It isn't out until May.

There is also the XSI that is kind of like the T1i but without the video mode and records in a few less megapixels.  But I don't need that many

Pros:  The cheapest option

Cons:  The cheapest option

But then it makes me wonder if I am going to spend the money if I should go for the heftier 40d 

Pros:  6 frames per second (perfect for taking a bunch of dance and play shots and then choosing a decent one from the sequence).  Only $90 more than the T1i.  

Cons:  Would be too heavy to take some places.  So big it makes me look like I know what I am doing.  Uses a different memory card so I would have to start a whole new system.

or maybe I should "invest" and get the 50d.  

Pros:  6 frames per second.  Bigger viewing screen.

Cons:  More money.  All the same cons as the 40d.  The envelope that was provided might need to be added to on Mother's day and our anniversary to buy this one.

I do know that I want these two lenses:

The Canon 18-200 mm lens, kind of a jack of all trades, all in one that will let me take pictures of my kids and my food when they are near and far.

&

The 50 mm f/1.8, a relatively inexpensive lens that will let me take photos with a low f-stop with means I need less light and the background with be more fuzzy. 

I hate decisions.  If you are a good decision maker, please help me.  I change my mind every few minutes but maybe writing this will get me one step closer to a decision.

I meant for this to be a short post, but apparently, I am incapable.