Showing posts with label Nikon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikon. Show all posts

Monday, September 17, 2012

10 Ways to Use Your Camera for Family History - Nikon or Canon? Which is the best?

My history with cameras started 21 years ago, back in the eighth grade, when my pictures were blurry but oh so funny. Let's take a walk down memory lane as I showcase "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" of cameras. Which ones past the test, and which ones failed. I will grade each one. Then, I will share my 10 ways to use your camera for Family History.

In 1991, my passion for photography began as an eighth grader; the year of "my first boyfriend" and my 110 film camera that cost $10 at the local grocery store. Lot's of pictures were taken this year with my glamorous pink camera:

Grade: D
In 1993 (10th grade) I was gifted my second camera; the Canon Sure Shot 35mm, with the red-eye reduction button. $150. After owning a cheapo camera, before this one, I pretty much fell in love with the quality of pictures from this camera.
Grade: B+
In 1995 (12th grade) I saved $175 and upgraded to an "oldie but goodie", the Pentax K-1000. Okay, no comparison with any other camera, I ever owned. The photos were so vibrant, and crisp but at the cost of having to learn all about shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field and much, much more. My first love!
Grade: A-

In 1997, my next camera was a gift from my husband, one year after we were married; it was the Nikon 8008s. It came with 2 lenses, (a 18-200mm telephoto lens, and a 35mm lens). Pretty much the ultimate upgrade, and at $900 used, from Allens Camera, this was quite the dream camera for a newlywed armature photographer. Using this camera to capture all those moments of my children, was the most priceless possession I could have ever owned. I hung onto this one for many years.
Grade: A

In 2002, I purchased my first digital camera; the Nikon Cool Pix with a 200mm zoom lens, 3.1 mega pixel. Definitely not the quality of my Nikon, but it was smaller and I no longer had to develop film anymore. So that was a huge plus.
Grade: B+

In 2007, my husband bought me the digital SLR Nikon D40x 10.2 mega pixels (from Costco). This bundle included; the camera, a camera bag, 2 stock lenses, and lots of extras. Despite the fact that many think this camera is "outdated", I still LOVE it!! Mostly, because of the portrait lens that I purchased a few years ago;  Nikkor AF-S, f/1.8, 50mm. I had no idea a lens could make such a difference in my photos. With the new lens and the professional photography boot-camps that I've taken, I feel It has taken me to the level where I want to be. I use this camera on a daily basis, and I am soo happy with it.
Grade: A


For my future camera, I am contemplating between a few, the Nikon D7000 Digital SLR Camera Body - 25468 (Google Affiliate Ad)

and the Nikon D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Value Bundle - Digital SLR Cameras (Google Affiliate Ad)


However, my husband has done his "research" and thinks I should get the Canon EOS 7D 18.0MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Google Affiliate Ad)


The Brand of camera that gets the best grade from me is... Nikon!!
So, which camera I should choose? Just leave a comment below.

So Why am I talking about cameras on a Genealogy site? Here's why:
10 Ways to Use Your Camera For Family History:

  1. Photographing your children or grandchildren right now.
  2. Photographing your home (each room inside, plus front and backyard).
  3. Photographing landmarks in your current city. (Schools, Museums, Theaters, Churches)
  4. Photographing landmarks where you grew up. (Schools, Museums, Theaters, Churches)
  5. Photographing the schools you attended while growing up. 
  6. Photographing old Pictures (Instead of scanning. This is easier, faster, and better quality)
  7. Photographing Headstones of your ancestors, then adding them to www.findagrave.com
  8. Photographing old family memorabilia (clothes, books, instruments, guns, jewelry, uniforms, etc.)
  9. Photographing Family Historical Sites (ancestors homes, place or work, schools)
  10. Photographing family historical documents (Vital Records, Certificates, Bank info, Taxes, Census Records, Military Cards, Travel, etc.)
So, whether you're using a professional camera, or your cell phone camera, the time to start photographing and preserving those memories is now!!