This is one of the first pictures that I took. It was an accident while still trying to figure out the settings while at the soccer field. I have to say, though, the sharpness of the blades of grass is pretty impressive.
So far so good on the outdoor shots. It's the indoor shots I'm still working on. They have been turning out grainy and I have to figure out the setting. It's a Panisonic Lumix ZS10. If anyone has any experience with that brand, please let me know. I got it at Costco so I have 90 days to exchange if I don't like it. Which brings me to my funny story about buying this camera. In the meantime, I will intersperse with picture to keep you entertained........
Before heading to Costco, I first decide to stop in at Staples to peruse their camera section to possibly take advantage of not only a 20% off coupon, but also their top notch customer service that is promised by more than one commercial. So with my arms full of bubble wrap, envelopes for Christmas cards that most likely will never be mailed and ink for the printer, I ask the cashier for someone to help me with a few technical questions in the camera department. She immediately summoned "Herbie" (names have been changed to Christmas elves to protect the idiots) who slowly sauntered over from the computer area allegedly ready to answer any and all technical questions I had.
Me: "My Canon sx110 that I love broke and I need to replace it. But I really need to know the difference between this Canon Power Shot that I currently have and this other Canon Power Shot 230. They both appear to have a lot of the same features. Also, would going with this Sony model (I point to a similarly price camera) be a better bet? I really need something with a good zoom."
I then anxiously awaited any and all questions to be answered so that I could walk out of that store a happy woman with a working camera, bubble wrap an a whole new out look on life.
Herbie: (Takes a long and careful pause before answering)......
Wow. I thought to myself. He is going to give me more information than I ever dreamed of. I briefly considered running to the stationary section to grab a pad of paper and pen to write down everything he tells me.
But then I reconsider when he does this......
He reaches for the card that has all the specs and info sitting next to my current Canon model. And, then, he picks up the other spec card for the Canon 230.
Then he speaks.......
Herbie: "Well. Hmmmm. Let's see. This one has 14 megapixils. And this one has 16 megapixils. This one has 14X zoom. And this one has 16x zoom."
He turns both card over to see if there is any more information. There isn't.
Herbie: "Well, with the 16x zoom you will get closer pictures."
Really. He said that. Seriously. I can't make this stuff up.
That's when I stopped listening to him and thought to myself "omg.......this is so going to be a blog post...." I almost burst out laughing but stopped myself.
I stopped him right there and immediately put him out of his misery.
"um....I can read. Reading isn't my problem. My problem is I need to know the technical differences of these cameras. You don't know.... do you?"
Herbie: "Um...well...no"
Who knows. Maybe the poor guy was meant to be a dentist not a salesman. All I knew was I had no questions answered and no camera. I left with my bubble wrap, ink and a some peppermint bark I grabbed last minute at the cash register and headed to Costco where any and all camera related questions were answered by a very knowledgeable electronics employee. I love Costco. What other store can you walk out the door with a camera, loaf of bread, roasted chicken, a gallon of body wash and a bag of Cutie oranges. Not Staples, that's for sure.
Off to work at Paper Tales today.....Talk to you soon! Karin
I always love your stories! Great photos too.
Posted by: Susan Tidwell | December 12, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Oh my goodness!! This post had me laughing the whole way through. :) I love Costco! My mom gifted us a membership last year...amazing. When I go by myself, I always have someone asking me if I need help loading my car. And those lunch-time goodies!!
Thanks for sharing,
~Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | December 13, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I love your stories too. I have a Nikon D80 SLR and love it. It takes great pictures. Costco is awesome! They have a very liberal return policy.
Laurie
Posted by: Laurie | December 15, 2011 at 04:13 PM
My family keeps asking me why I keep giggling. I just love your high expectations of sales associates.
Posted by: Donna | December 15, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Nelson's Camera...Little Italy. They know everything about everything. I buy all my gear there.
Posted by: Julie Prichard | December 16, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Don't buy the Sony if it was a Cybershot. Not even sure if they still make those, but I never got a good pic from mine.
Posted by: jamie slay | December 16, 2011 at 06:47 PM
I had a very similar experience at Staples before Christas. I had the luck of dealing with 2 stellar employees. I didn't even have a technical question! I just wanted to know where the new "Cube printers" were. (I knew they had them in stock because my husband had just called them, as I was parking the car. The first clerk said "never heard of 'em, but the printers are over there" (pointed to an area where the printers were NOT). The 2nd employee... same question. She said "we're out of them." I told her why that was an incorrect answer. Then I found them myself while she looked on. I said, "oh good, they are on sale for $99." She said "nope, $129 just like it says there!" I told her thanks a lot and that I'd take my chances. Stellar. I kept thinking "how can it be that unemployment is so high? I've seen more than a dozen employees at various stores (including the ones at Staples), who definitely do not want to be working. Long story short, I hear ya!
Posted by: Sheila | January 01, 2012 at 03:01 PM