I like Canon. I own half-a-dozen digital cameras and four of them are Canons. I'm not suggesting people need six cameras, because they don't - any more than they need six cars. The first Canon was a gift and the rest happened very easily, for surprisingly little money. All have proven rock-solid reliable and very versatile. However, I couldn't help noticing this statement: “Canon has always provided industry-leading educational resources for our customers,” Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc., said in a press release. “Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to include live workshops, one-on-one in-person sessions, and countless free lectures across the country." Well, I'm sure it's so, if Mr. Ishizuka says so... but where was I? I think it depends where you buy the camera. I remember buying one and being offered an hour of free instruction, not by Canon but by pretty knowledgeable people at the camera store. A couple of the Canons were bought in discount stores and all I got was a receipt. I don't really mind - the cameras are great and I've taken other courses, including a free one, downloaded from Harvard Extension - better than any I paid for! I'd recommend the cameras to anyone. And if they're going to teach people how to use them - that's a worthwhile bonus. J.
Johann, Did you ever get your ham license? I just finished building a kit transmitter, one watt on the 30-meter band. Talked to a guy out of San Diego on my first attempt, maybe 800 miles away! There's always something new in amateur radio to try. Also in Phoyography. I have a couple of Canons which I've schlepped over mountains and through valleys with great pleasure but lately I've been shooting film in my father's Yashica Electro-35.
Sadly - no ham license yet. Got distracted but will get back to it yet. You'll be the first to know. I did complete a distance photog. course, though. I remember the Yashica Electro-35s very well. They seem to last forever. Very well-constructed and good lenses. I got "converted" away from film when my grandkids were small. I found it hard to run through the sandbox etc. and fiddle with a full-size SLR, so I went to a compact. Didn't like it. Shortly thereafter, my son gave me my first digital (Canon). I had already been paying for my pics to be put on CD, so I could post-process them by computer; the digital allowed me to simplify the process - no film to buy, no developing to pay for - go directly from camera to computer - only print when done. Good to hear from you! J.
I'm not sure what the "film look" really is but there's no question in my mind that it's a thing. The elderly Electro 35 offers amazing natural low light performance due to its massive, heavy, well-engineered all-glass lens and excellent (and un-switch-off-able) exposure control. Still, I took my small Sony digital when I tramped between the Sierra High Camps a couple of summers ago. The Yashica and my excellent Canon stayed home. I shoot Fujicolor 200 mostly. I do think you would enjoy QRP operation, though.
