I'm a bit puzzled as to why this 2 1/2 year old thread has popped up again, but I do appreciate all the photography expertise that everyone has shared. PM2, there's a second thread that came after this one if you'd like more info, linked below. I ended up getting a Nikon Coolpix P600 which has a 60x zoom (a bit longer than the 50x Cannon which I also checked out) which I like for long shots of critters in the field. I followed Jane's advice to go and hold a bunch of cameras and try them out, and found both the Canon and the Nikon comfortable, though the Nikon is a bit larger. The Nikon is also slower processing images to get ready for another shot than the Cannon, I think. I am still just beginning to learn to use it, largely using it on the standard landscape setting, though I have started checking out the different options and menus. I most often use it to take photos of critters and scenes we've spotted when we were inside since that's where it's easily available, though I also take it with me when I am going outside specifically to take photos. As Steve said above, "I also use my iPhone a lot because it's in my pocket, and it is often said that the best camera is the one you have with you." It doesn't do a great job on distance or small birds, but it has good color and is great to keep in my pocket to catch some of the surprises I see in the garden. I also use it for many of my landscape shots since it's with me and available when I'm working outside. The few times I've taken the Nikon out while I work in the garden, I've either lost track of where I've set it down, or found it in the way, so I usually just stuff the phone in my pocket when I am doing more than wandering around taking photos. In the birds and mobile features #12 thread, I've posted photos taken with both cameras: Sat, Nov 22, 14 at 9:05 - iPhone Sat, Nov 22, 14 at 9:19 - Nikon Dec 3, 14 at 18:04 - Nikon Thu, Dec 4, 14 at 7:59 - Nikon In the summer, more of the photos were phone photos since I was more likely to be out working during warm weather. Here is a link that might be useful: the second camera question thread

I started my interest in photography while stationed in Germany from 1968 till 1972. i came back from Europe with two Pentax Spotmatics & 19 Takumar lenses, plus a Minolta C330 Twin lens med format camera, a 4x5 century graphic press camera, and a complete color darkroom but unfortunately a year after i returned it was all stolen. When i retired in June I decided i wanted to get back into nature photography as a retirement hobby, however I had no equipment and being on fixed income i had very limited financial resources. Needless to say, at $1000 and up, a DSLR was way off in the future, but with the advent of digital the price of 35mm film cameras has dropped to peanuts. With a little research I discovered that the Pentax DSLR's are compatible with nearly all Pentax lenses ever made so I decided to get a good Pentax 35mm film camera and collect a few lenses and accessories to get me going. I found a website for an online auction sponsored by Goodwill Industries and in reviewing the site I discovered that they have loads of photo gear, and it generally goes for a song. By example, I bought a Pentax ME super with a 50mm normal lens, 28-70mm zoom, 70 to 300mm zoom, a flash unit, camera bag and a long list of misc. goodies for the whooping sum of $62 +S&H. i continued watching for those combined sets and within three months I had acquired 5 cameras and 11 lenses including as 1000mm tele, plus an auto bellows, a ring flash for macro, and on Ebay i got a nice padded luggage style case. Total investment to that point was under $400. Three weeks ago I was checking Craigslist for my area, and by mistake I hit a tab for a neighboring state. When i looked under photo gear, what did i see, a Pentax *ist body in like new condition for $200. Now I will admit that i dont have auto focus, but that is the only feature of the DSLR that i don't have, and considering that when i learned photography through the lens metering was still in its infancy, i am fully comfortable with using depth of field and manual focus. Now i have the full enjoyment of the hobby and i can set a few dollars aside each month until i can buy a Pentax K20 or K7 in the spring. Oh yes...today I bought a Pentax 35mm film camera that has auto focus so when it arrives I will have two auto focus lenses too, not bad for another $45 investment.

Some of the outside ones can be seen if you really look. But I live in a big mid century modern house with lots of huge windows, walls of glass. Including the doors. So I am able to put the cameras inside the house and looking directly out of the windows and doors. The cameras can pan and tilt and rotate so I can make them move around where I need to see. It has the option to be triggered by movement and can be programed to start recording at that time. Or it can record how ever you want. I can also talk to whoever I see through the camera. Which can freak the heck out of someone... (including the dog) I have the app on all my tablets and phones and pc. So no matter where I am I can see my house. The telephone man was standing right in front of the glass door and right inside aimed at the door is a camera sitting on my desk. No one notices that camera on the desk even standing in front of it. The fact they are inside is not expected, they are looking for them outside there and see none. The outside ones are tucked up beside the beams.

One of the things I teach is photography, and these are great examples. The biggest difference I see is better lighting; the original pix are a bit overexposed. With proper exposure, the colors appear more rich and the room looks significantly more appealing. The angle definitely matters. I think most people, when they set out to photograph the room, are influenced by the furniture; that is, they take a picture of the table, when they should really squat down and get a long wide shot of the flooring to show just how big the room is. And, yes, we cannot discount the importance of simply cleaning up. Pack up half the kids' toys and your rarely used kitchen items, put your winter clothes into storage -- consider it getting ahead on your packing. This is one reason magazine pix appeal to us so much: So much space! So much room in which we can live! If we stop to think about it, we might note that the room has no trash can, etc., but we don't -- we just take in "the feel" of the place. Hmmm, perhaps this is a retirement job for me. Taking pix of houses ready for sale.