We’ve all been there -

      A new interest, something thats so exciting, you really want to get INTO it. Oh yes. You need ALL the gear!

 Well you know what I mean. In this case - it’s photography; Now Maria has got all the gear , a nice DSLR, 3 lenses, 2 filters, the bag, 2 tripods, and a good eye for a shot.

I, on the other hand, have got a second hand compact fixed lens thing which runs at only 3 megapixels.

Today, at our photography course I was frustrated, as my camera couldn’t do all the things it needed to to perform in the lesson. I came home and looked on the net for a proper camera immediately. But do I need it? The short answer is yes. I will need a better camera soon. I am becoming more proficient with my composition, and more inventive with my technical shots - the camera will very soon become the limit; However it is not the limit yet!! Padawan has much to learn…..

The long answer is - not yet. I almost clicked “Buy It Now” - the Ebay impulse, its so easy, with paypal, you dont even have to get your wallet out of your pocket. Its really disgraceful.  But right now, I am better off flipping the knobs on my quick and dirty cam and snapping the composition which flits into my slightly warped minds eye, and praying for a good result, of which there are many. 

I am proud to say I didnt do it. How many other consumer pawns can say the same this year? A bargain camera, that gut feeling of “I want it, I can have it!, its my decision! Shall I get it? well….y’know…..maybe….sort of……………………. ( at this point the greed goblin is whispering in your ear “you can’t live without this consumer product…..take it, take it now, its your only chance….show me you are a real man with a credit rating!”)”

I beat the goblin. 

Maria wants to buy me a DSLR for our anniversary, with the money we _would_ have spent on the advanced photography course.

We decided not to do the advanced because on the one hand some of our coursemates were having trouble getting to grips with the basics, which we felt held us back, and on the other hand, they had expressed an interest in proceeding to the advanced course. Thus we wisely spake - they shall hold us back once more.

 And so I eagerly await…my chosen steed - the Canon EOS 350D, of which there are many Canon Re-worked returns items availabel on ebay, in that nice silvery finish, with a matching lens…..My new idol for the summer, my pilgrimage of financial strife, all leads to this beautiful, wonderful consumer product. Hit it!