However, i have a reason to revisit the museum, so here are the notes...
Up front is my first good camera, an Olympus XA3 clamshell advertised, if memory serves, with David Bailey. I loved the compact design and flick open action.
Next is another Olympus, and my first digital camera, the C-400 Camedia. This came free with the first PC i bought (a Tiny). I was thrilled. This little beauty also had the slide open action and took 12 high resolution images (36 low res). With a picture save time of just over 3 seconds, i made a short series of 12 frame animations using the fully glory of the 640x480 frame!
A brief flirtation with Canon next.
The IXUS came out and i fell in love with the style. This gorgeous tiny silver brick looked wonderful, and when i could afford one, it felt great too. But not for long. I went for the APS version and almost instantly regretted it. The C-400, despite it's low highest resolution, had shown me the opportunities digital offered and i didn't like being back with developing costs. So, about six months later i bought this one. A Digital IXUS V, with 2.1 mega pixels. It took great pictures and even now i love the solid feel.
But just around the corner of time, maybe my first true brand love affair was lurking...
I was doing some online / inbox gaming with a group of friends, and a photography game was sent around. Being a little competitive, i had to beat my friend's scores, and got quite good. On reaching some (not that high) level i was rewarded with a 10% discount voucher for the new Lumix cameras by Panasonic. Intrigued, i checked out their microsite.
Armed with 10% discount i also checked this wonderful DMC-FX01 out at their online store then watched the doormat for the postie to deliver it.
A 3.6 zoom and 5 mega pixels, this camera boasts the world famous Leica lens. (It doesn't. If Leica made the lens, it would cost as much as a Leica, but Panasonic use the Leica standard, and the camera wears a little "L" badge as proof.) Even more comfortable in the hand than the IXUS, a clear intuitive interface, and takes really good photos.
So happy with my new camera.
But i wanted more. I wanted ZOOOOOM. So i thought i would order Panasonic's compact zoom. Except i didn't. A new batch of cameras came out, and i bought the wrong one. Confused by all the model numbers i bought a DMC LX3 my mistake...
...10 mega pixels, yes, but no zooooom. Only a 2.2x
However, after picking myself off the floor, and whilst checking my order to see why they had sent the wrong camera, i discovered i had gem. A better sensor, a 28mm native wide angle lens, and i could accessorize with filters and a super wide angle add-on lens.
This is a brilliant camera. There is no photo because it isn't in the museum. Yet.
The museum ends with a zoom camera.
Another Panasonic Lumix, the FS30 (i tried to change and bought a FujiFilm, but this was traded in within a week). A simple slip in your pocket, take anywhere, point-and-shoot, 14 mega pixel, 8x zooooming joy. I carry it everywhere. It was cheap enough to not worry if i kill it in a bag after six months, or condensation gets in when photographing Noah's swimming lessons. This is a fun camera which takes fair photos and video, but also reminds me of the real quality you can get from a better camera. i feel slightly dirty if i use it for more that snaps, so the LX3 comes off the shelf now more and more.
I have loved my LX3, and taken some great photos, but those Panasonic folk know their marketing. This is a bridge camera. More control and better quality than a compact, but not so much / so good as a DSLR.
And there is the rub. I want more again. And they offer it with open arms.
The micro four thirds entry level DSLR, Lumix G2.
A proper camera body with interchangeable lenses, and all the rest of it.
It's smaller and cuter than a standard DSLR.
And it comes in red.
Mine arrived this morning.
LX3 joins the museum....
