Just Shoot It!

Last month I got my hand on a new toy. It is a brand new digital camera.
I have always decided that it will be a Nikon and I have always know that I will eventually get their DSLR. I am not ready yet. Not experienced enough so I might as well wait till I am more refined in composing a photos and then buy the latest model by then right. Beside, knowing myself, I will ended up spending every minute with it that I neglect my work. With that, I set my eyes on the P5100. Only Nikon would sells a 12 Megapixel semi-pro digital camera at only RM1299. But I eventually decide it's too big for my pocket but still not as canggih as a DSLR.
I already decided that I will eventually get a DSLR, so why settle for a mere P5100? All I need is a pocket size compact until I get that toy. Nikon has a L range of camera which is both effective and affordable (the L16 is 7 Megapixel effective with a 2.8" LCD monitor at under RM400) but not too pleasing in term of aesthetic. And though it makes perfect sense to just get one of these, the feeling of excitement just isn't there when I hold it. So I thought maybe I get the S51 (S range for style). It was pricier but oh so beautiful. At that time however, the P50 is expected to comes into Malaysia soon and it looks like it has the right balance of quality, style and affordability. I thought maybe I should wait for that first.
The P range is actually under the category for semi-pro cameras. It produces very good quality photos with almost as much flexibility of a SLR minus the bulk. What I like physically about this sort of camera is it has a grip that feels really good to hold. I prefer a zoom ring but am fine with the button variation. For a moment, it looked like the P50 is it. All I need is to wait for it to arrive.
I keep checking but it never comes. I got busy and put off buying a digital camera until last month, when I walked into Jusco with the intention to only check out the promotion. The P50 is already out and it's on promotion. A 8-Megapixel semipro digital camera at under RM700. I had my eyes on it for a while and was told that the price was reduced to clear the stock as the model will be discontinued along with the P5100. I have every reasons to buy it but since I haven't been looking around in a while, I looked at the other new models. The S210 surprised me because it was relatively quick. Not to the P50 but the other S range units. I also did not expect a S model in this range of cost.
I bought it and paid an additional RM30 to upgrade the free memory SD card from 1G to 2G. As the camera was on promotion, I also received a leather camera pouch, a Nikon bag, a Nikon umbrella and a very nice mini tripod :-)
It's a beauty isn't it? At 8 Megapixel and housed in a sleek slim body, this piece of gem surprisingly comes with a pricetag at a little under RM700. It was a new model and without knowing much about this particular model, I am surprised I bought it on the spot. All the research I did on Nikon camera the past few month went down the drain without being put to use.
So what do boys do when they got their hands on a new toys? They play with it. I went around snapping everything.
Landscape
Food (Got careless. My shadow was on the subject)
Treats (not pin sharp but the manufacturer name on the wrapper is legible in the original size)
Orchids (in a bowl of water in a toilet of a hotel in the city of PJ - ahem)
My document bag
Fogged up windscreen
My dinner one night in Bahau.
My Ferrari 250 GTO
I took more close-up than I expected but I guess that is the norm of a amateur enthusiast (or is that enthusiatic amateur?) I am not experienced yet to really know how to make a picture interesting so I just get up close and personal on anything and everything.
Which kinda made me regret choosing this model over the P50. Even from review I read, Nikon S-range isn't especially strong in their macro. The sample macro photo of the P50 is excellent. I wished thse close-up photos I took with the S210 could be as sharp. If I wasn't so tight financially in the moment, I'll probably give this to my sister and get the P50. It's also too bad that I am not as famous as Timothy Tiah or Nikon might actually contact me to endorse their cameras. Would really love that but if they are looking for a blogger to do that, Kenny Sia is also using a Nikon. A DSLR no less so they have no reason to look for me (except I am a die hard Nikon believer). Sigh...
Still, I found my favourite subjects are portrait, especially happy people and people in celebratory mood and the S210 is definitely good enough for those shot.

Until I get my DSLR anyway.
*note: Above portrait taken with flash to compensate for poor quality outdoor lighting. Photo's quality is typically compromised in such condition and in no way reflect on the quality of the camera itself.