Wouldn't you know it!!

My wife and I were invited to a dinner party last night at the home of some very long-time friends. Small party, just three couples who have all known each other for over 30 years.

I just got my new Canon 30D last week and all during the day yesterday, I was debating in my mind whether to bring it or not. In the end, I decided not to, since I knew the evening was going to be a lot of good conversation and a camera (esp. one the size of the 30D) would be intrusive.

Well, wouldn't you know it, at the end of the evening, both the wives of the other couples pulled out their P&S cameras (one digital, one film) and said they wanted to get a group shot!

So I ended up arranging it, then using the digital P&S to take a picture of the group without me in it (obviously, since I was taking the picture) and then someone else taking the same picture with me in it, so I can photoshop myself in later. I just cringe, waiting to get the files and find out whether they'll have enough resolution to do a decent job inserting me into the shot.

So that's a lesson to me. From now on, the camera comes with me, even if it just stays in the trunk. You never know when you're going to need it.

Didn't it have a self timer?

Good luck with the PP work!

kevin_c wrote in post #3352768
Didn't it have a self timer?

I wasn't familiar with the camera (I think it was a Nikon CoolPix) so I didn't want to spend time figuring out how to set the self-timer. It was late and everyone was ready to go home.

If I had had any of my own cameras with me (a 30D, a Pro1 and an SD600), I could have done that in a snap.

I take my camera to almost all social gatherings. It's just expected, and no one looks at me askance. Some of the time the camera simply stays in the bag, but usually it comes out for a few photos of friends having fun.

Mark

P&S are brilliant for those situations. I never expect a WOW pic in the first place (esp. with the built-in flash), so I just accept it however it comes out...me or NO me.

I expect every digital P&S to have a self-timer, and they are easily placed/propped on top of books, sweaters, tables etc. A 30D on the other hand (without a tripod) is so clumsy and fiddly (no image preview so you MUST compose in the VF).

Make a date to shoot them all in a more controlled environment.