God, is passion humbling. I used to laugh at car and boat people, the way they’d go to “shows” (I’d have said nothing held in a convention center qualifies as entertainment), the way they’d go glassy-eyed over the latest models (money pits), and the way they’d pour over each new issue of their favorite industry magazines (what sort of cracked reporters cover just one beat? ah hem). But then came photography, a pursuit which, to me, is like a roof-top dinner party on a flowing summer night, with artists, models, techies, documentarians and starlight all in attendance. I find myself insatiably hungry for it.
And so it was that I inhaled the Las Vegas Convention Center last week during PMA, the Photo Marketing Association’s yearly photography show. I caressed the new D-SLR’s, fantasy-shopped gargantuan gear bags for my fantasy-shoot of Cuban jazz legends, studied every move of the pro’s doing softbox demonstrations, and interrogated SanDisc and Panasonic reps about lowering the price of high-capacity memory cards. I’m as bad as my mother, who once downloaded a podcast about quilting, and way worse than the old guys at model train shows who at least realize that their hobbies are pretend. I dream of my own studio, terabytes of storage, exhibits, clients, mentors, gigs, grants and a phenomenal multi-media montage at my memorial service. I’ve gone dotty, I know this, but am I ever the right person to give you PMA product picks:
Wannabe-Pro Camera (D-SLR category): I’m still fond of my Canon Rebel XTi, but I did have a chance to play with the next generation Rebel, the XSi, which has a larger screen with “live view” action, a pro-camera image processor and 12.2 megapixels. Considerable specs, but frankly, I’d advise you to save your money for lenses and buy the discounted XTi once the XSi comes out in April. Meanwhile, first-timer D-SLR shoppers can get a great deal this month on Nikon’s new entry-level fancy-cam, the D60 ($750). It feels great in the hand, has onboard editing, and can use the new “Eye-Fi” SD cards which wirelessly transfer images to your laptop.
Don’t-Wanna-Lugga-Lens Camera (ultrazoom category): Olympus just came out with the term “HyperCrystal,” which I have some erstwhile druggy attraction to, and it refers to the screen on the back of the new SP-570UZ, already on the market for $500. It is a little looker, that color-rich 2.7-inch LCD, but the coolest thing on this intermediate-level camera is the 20x optical zoom. You can be ultra-lazy and still get the close up. This is the camera professionals are going to take on vacation with them when they want a break from carrying heavy lenses. We should pack it too.
Sex-Up-Your-Pocket Cam (point-and-shoot category): My favorite nailpolish color ever is OPI’s “Smokin’ In Havana,” and one of the new Fujifilm Z100’s (“Cappuccino”) matches it exactly. This luxe little camera comes in an Astaire “tuxedo” black-and-white design as well. Design is the differentiator at this price point (under $250), but Fuji backs up the lacquer with solid feature credentials, from face-detection to the finest color quality. Whenever friends ask, “Which point-and-shoot should I get?” I always say Fuji, and this year’s no different.
Don’t-Steal-My-Camera Bag (portage category): Once, years ago, I was assigned to guard a photog’s gear bag while he was shooting at Rare, a two-room indie-rock lounge in Manhattan’s meatpacking district, and I would have done a much better job if he hadn’t just bought me two dirty martinis. There’s something way too obvious about most camera bags. They practically beg to be swiped by swine. A new company called jill-e designs is on the case, though, with bags that look like Coach knock-offs, which no one would ever consider stealing. I was most tempted this year by a half-a-backpack from Lowepro, the Flipside 200 ($80), and the new “Industry Disgrace” ($25), a cushy neck strap designed by the brilliant loons at Crumpler.
One seasoned camera salesman at PMA told me that Gen X camera shoppers, whom he defined as photogs between the ages of 28 and 45, were entirely exasperating because “they want it all, they want it now and they want it cheap!” I flashed him my most demure smile and assured him we’ll put it all to good use.
Audrey,
The D60 has been optimized to work with an Eye-Fi Card by automatically maintaining power to the memory card slot when using an Eye-Fi Card. The new Rebel XSi can use an Eye-Fi Card as well, although it does not automatically detect when an Eye-Fi card is being used.