This post is a bit of a long ramble about my experience and the effect of distorted expectations on the enjoyment of an excellent new S90 (or any camera or purchase for that matter). Maybe some of you can relate to this. If it is of no interest to you, please stop reading now! 
I purchased a Canon S90 shortly following its release after using a Kodak DX7440 for about 5 years (my first digital camera). I did a good bit of research and made what I believed to be a logical, well thought out decision. I still have tons to learn and a lot of experimenting to do, but I’ve taken some very nice shots with the camera (as well as some real duds, but that’s to be expected).
So, what’s the problem, you ask? I guess with all of the pre and post-release hype, I was expecting something more. I am not a pixel peeper and when I do print pictures (not often), so far I have printed at modest sizes. When I look back at some of the pictures I have taken with my Kodak (4 MP), I have many shots (taken in good light at 80 ISO equivalent and not viewed critically) that rival those taken with the S90 or any other camera. At higher ISO there is, of course, no contest, and I’m sure if I pixel peeped comparable images at even at base ISO I would see that the “state-of-the-art” S90 has much better IQ. Nonetheless, I suppose I was expecting the quality difference to be easily evident to anyone in almost all situations. I am fully aware these are unreasonably high expectations, and therein lies the issue.
Instead of allowing myself to thoroughly enjoy this wonderful device and the picture-taking process, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the shots I take, focusing on shortcomings, failing to see the positives and occasionally wondering whether I would have been just as well off continuing to use my Kodak or purchasing any other current pocket camera, all of which I’m sure can provide a very nice picture in many situations.
I wonder how many others have found themselves slightly disappointed after buying a camera because of inexperience and/or having had expectations that are out of whack with reality. Based upon some posts I see on these forums, I think I am clearly not the only one. I also wonder how many people wind up returning cameras because of unreasonable expectations.
I guess my somewhat open-ended question is whether any of you have had similar feelings about camera purchases in the past and, if so, what have you learned along the way? Advice is welcome and encouraged (but, of course, will be taken with a grain of salt).
As we approach the new year, I will resolve to enjoy my journey more and analyze less.
Here’s a picture from the S90 that provides just one example/reminder of why I bought the camera and, despite any indication in my ramblings to the contrary, believe it’s great. (Shot on Program Mode at ISO 400, Aperture Value 2.0, Shutter Speed 1/60)
Thanks for listening/responding/humoring me. A Happy, Healthy New Year to all!
I purchased a Canon S90 shortly following its release after using a Kodak DX7440 for about 5 years (my first digital camera). I did a good bit of research and made what I believed to be a logical, well thought out decision. I still have tons to learn and a lot of experimenting to do, but I’ve taken some very nice shots with the camera (as well as some real duds, but that’s to be expected).
So, what’s the problem, you ask? I guess with all of the pre and post-release hype, I was expecting something more. I am not a pixel peeper and when I do print pictures (not often), so far I have printed at modest sizes. When I look back at some of the pictures I have taken with my Kodak (4 MP), I have many shots (taken in good light at 80 ISO equivalent and not viewed critically) that rival those taken with the S90 or any other camera. At higher ISO there is, of course, no contest, and I’m sure if I pixel peeped comparable images at even at base ISO I would see that the “state-of-the-art” S90 has much better IQ. Nonetheless, I suppose I was expecting the quality difference to be easily evident to anyone in almost all situations. I am fully aware these are unreasonably high expectations, and therein lies the issue.
Instead of allowing myself to thoroughly enjoy this wonderful device and the picture-taking process, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the shots I take, focusing on shortcomings, failing to see the positives and occasionally wondering whether I would have been just as well off continuing to use my Kodak or purchasing any other current pocket camera, all of which I’m sure can provide a very nice picture in many situations.
I wonder how many others have found themselves slightly disappointed after buying a camera because of inexperience and/or having had expectations that are out of whack with reality. Based upon some posts I see on these forums, I think I am clearly not the only one. I also wonder how many people wind up returning cameras because of unreasonable expectations.
I guess my somewhat open-ended question is whether any of you have had similar feelings about camera purchases in the past and, if so, what have you learned along the way? Advice is welcome and encouraged (but, of course, will be taken with a grain of salt
).As we approach the new year, I will resolve to enjoy my journey more and analyze less.
Here’s a picture from the S90 that provides just one example/reminder of why I bought the camera and, despite any indication in my ramblings to the contrary, believe it’s great. (Shot on Program Mode at ISO 400, Aperture Value 2.0, Shutter Speed 1/60)
Thanks for listening/responding/humoring me. A Happy, Healthy New Year to all!
