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New Camera! Hooray for Panasonic, boo hiss for Canon

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

I’ve got a new camera, a Panasonic DMC-FZ200!   I bought mine at Hunt’s Camera in South Portland in the interest of buying local, but they are also available here, at B&H Photo in NYC.  I’ve bought many cameras and equipment from B&H over the years, and highly recommend them.

My new camera (well, this is an internet photo, but mine looks like this minus the photo of the Jefferson Memorial!)

My new camera (well, this is an internet photo, but mine looks like this minus the photo of the Jefferson Memorial!)

And WHY did I buy a new camera:  Well…..

Up until this summer, 2 1/2 years after purchasing my Canon G12, I would have given this camera 4 to 4 1/2 stars out of 5. I missed my previous camera, a Panasonic Super-zoom FZ-30 that had a 12x lens; I fatally damaged that camera when I slipped on a hike and it banged into a rock and knocked the lens loose (oops). I wanted something lighter and more compact so bought the Canon G12. After 30 months, it started acting up, buttons not responding, zoom not responding.

After searching on the internet, I discovered that many others are having this problem. The short-term workaround, to eject and re-insert the memory card worked for a few weeks. Eventually, I did a total reset, removing the memory card, the battery and reformatting the memory card. Also tried a different memory card. The camera became more and more locked up, couldn’t delete photos, couldn’t zoom, couldn’t even access the set up menus to do a total re-boot.

I called Canon to see about repairs: $179 plus about $40 shipping both ways. As a “loyal customer” they would sell me a “refurbished G12” for $279 instead. So a 20 percent discount off their current price for a 4 year old refurbished camera that no one is selling that is now two generations old? They would NOT allow me buy a G15 or G1 X at discount, full price only. NO THANKS, Canon.

Instead, I’m ticked off that I paid $469 for a supposedly great camera that died in less than 3 years despite being treated with extreme care: no sand, no water, not bumped, not dropped. Took baby-tender care of the G12 and it just quit. NOT GOOD.  Sounds like Canon’s program is profit loyalty, not customer loyalty!

So yesterday I bought a Panasonic Superzoom, DMC-FZ200. It weighs about the same as the G12. The processor isn’t quite as large, but the display articulates (unlike the G15 and G16), has an optical viewfinder, and 24x zoom. For super fussy I can use my Nikon DSLR.  And so far, the shots on the Panasonic look great.

Panasonic has done a great job… I love DP reviews for an expert review on cameras, and the FZ200 is tops for the superzooms.  Here’s a link to their info, just in case anyone is interested .  Astonishingly, it weights significantly less than my old FZ30, about the same as the G12, but is a bit bulkier.  Won’t fit into a pocket but easily fits into my purse!  WOOT!  All the better for blogging!

Feathers!

Saturday, August 31st, 2013

I’m taking another fantabulous drawing class with Val Webb (website here and class offerings here) this time Drawing Birds in Colored Pencil.  Our first lesson was timed sketches–supposed to be 8 minutes or so but some of mine were longer–in 2B pencil just to get down shapes and proportions.  The second exercise was starting with the colored pencils, this time a Dark Umber, doing an “underpainting” in a feather.  Once again, I am amazed that I’ve been able to do as well as I did; Val’s ability to give a few simple tips that lead to stunning results is why I keep going back for more classes from her (this is my third class).

I think I'm done.....photo of feather from Val upper left, my sketch on right

I think I’m done…..photo of feather from Val upper left, my sketch on right

Here’s a photo from a bit earlier in the process

Just the first side sketched in, and a barest of outline on the upper side of the feather

Just the first side sketched in, and a barest of outline on the upper side of the feather

And a detail:

Detail of feather, partially done

Detail of feather, partially done

I’ll be back soon with a bit more info about the Web Seminar (see previous post, here) on or after Sept. 5, 2013.

Summer chores

Friday, August 30th, 2013

One more done…adding reflective paint to the posts and putting up the French house number!   I found the house number on eBay UK–a real French one!  I needed to spray some laquer on it to seal the chipped areas on the back (to prevent rust).  Then I finally went to screw it to the post and discovered the screw holes were too close to the outside edge of the 8×8 post which was, of course, not quite 8 inches wide.  Sigh.  So that meant glue up some leftover baseboard on the skinny edge to make a wide-enough back, prime, paint, then screw backing board to the post, then the numbers to the backing board!

FINALLY got the house number up on the post!

FINALLY got the house number up on the post!  That’s the first part of the driveway…a long skinny bit of land that takes you up to  our real lot, in the center of the “block”

But at last, what a concept.  I don’t have to say “There are three driveways, take the middle one, you won’t be able to see the house but we are really up there.”  Instead I can say take the driveway with the 339 on the post!  YEAH!

The Mechanics of Machine Quilting Web Seminar

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

Hi all!  I’m happy to report that if you want, you can now sign up for my September 5th Web Seminar on the Mechanics of Machine Quilting with Interweave/Quilting Arts!

Learn how to get ready to machine quilt with Sarah Ann Smith.  Set up your space and materials so they help (and don't hinder) you!

Learn how to get ready to machine quilt with Sarah Ann Smith. Set up your space and materials so they help (and don’t hinder) you!

Here is the link:
To buy it in the store: http://www.interweavestore.com/mechanics-of-machine-quilting

And here’s what QA/IW says about the live Web Seminar:

Want to know how to machine quilt? Join artist Sarah Ann Smith for an informative webinar on Thursday, September 5, at 12p.m. EST. Learn the fundamentals of the quilting process!
 
Sarah will cover a range of helpful topics:
  • Preparing your workstation and tools for an effective quilting session
  • Which needles and thread are best for specific projects
  • Proper sewing machine tension
  • How to baste a quilt in order to get smooth, even layers
  • Practicing good ergonomics so you’re comfortable while you’re quilting
  • Making sure your vision is in good standing to accurately see your projects and workstation
  • And more!

Practice makes perfect, and machine quilting is no exception. Sarah will not only run you through the elements of this process, but she will also encourage you to be comfortable with your beginner status. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn machine quilting techniques from the start!

Don’t worry if you can’t tune in on the 5th!  The Seminar is recorded and you can listen in at any time at your convenience.  To learn about how this works (you’ll need an internet connection for your computer or tablet), visit the hotlink above.

There will be more links and information in the coming days.  There is already something on FaceBook!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuiltingDaily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuiltingDaily
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/quiltingdaily/

 

And I’ve added a link to my  Pinterest boards–I’d love it if you’d follow me!

All of the boards are here:  http://pinterest.com/sarahannsmithq/boards/

and the one just for teaching and publications:

http://pinterest.com/sarahannsmithq/sarahs-teaching-and-publications/

The doors are done!

Saturday, August 24th, 2013

Remember when I was painting the exterior doors and screen doors?

The formerly dark brown (lower right corner) door is primed and ready to be painted!

The formerly dark brown (lower right corner) door is primed and ready to be painted!

Good news–especially for me—they are DONE!

The "front" door--this is actually the screen door to the entry/kitchen.  Like all good Maine houses, the "proper" front door is near the living room.  No one uses it unless they are going from the living room to the porch.  Everyone else uses the REAL front door...into the kitchen!

The “front” door–this is actually the screen door to the entry/kitchen. Like all good Maine houses, the “proper” front door is near the living room. No one uses it unless they are going from the living room to the porch. Everyone else uses the REAL front door…into the kitchen!  PS: no one has anything to fear from our pug…he only wants to love the universe!

The camera is acting weird (and for what it –a Canon G12– cost, it shouldn’t be having the problems it is currently having; I think I should buy a new memory card, as it seems to be wreaking havoc!), so the color looks off, too light.

And here is a photo from the inside/entry/kitchen side:

Better/more true color on this one.  The screen door had been painted that ugly dark brown (which is OK as a color, just not on the outside of ALL of this low ranch-style house)

Better/more true color on this one. The screen door had been painted that ugly dark brown on the inside also (which is OK as a color, just not on the outside of ALL of this low ranch-style house).  I used a caramel color that matches the walls.  Once our carpenter finishes the new latchplate for the new door handle (a lever that my arthritic hands can actually OPEN), I’ll also paint the dark brown  trim on the door jamb inside the screen door.  And in a few years when the outside of the hosue needs painting, it will be a soft gray with white trim like the garage.