Water lilies and a dead camera
‘Helvola’ dwarf water lily (Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’)
A dwarf water lily like this is perfect for small container ponds. My stock-tank pond holds 100 gallons of water at a depth of 2 feet, and ‘Helvola’ thrives without trying to take over.
The mottled leaves are about 2 inches across, and the pale yellow flower with the lemon center is often compared to the size of a silver dollar. Well, maybe when they’re closed; they’re a bit bigger than that when open. Water lilies can be greedy divas. This one plays nicely with others. Plus it can take a little more shade than some, though it still wants several hours of sun.
I used my trusty Canon Powershot A80 to shoot these water lilies yesterday. I managed not to drop the camera into the pond, and yet when I opened it this afternoon on my way out to the garden, something had gone wrong. The image in the viewfinder was terribly distorted and miscolored, and when I snapped a picture, I got the same thing. Yesterday’s photos are still on the memory card and still viewable, but the camera won’t take any more usable photos. It’s a goner, I think.
I feel a sense of loss over this camera. I’ve had fun experimenting with it, and it’s been my garden-documenter since I started this blog. On the other hand, I’ve been coveting a better zoom lens, and this seems like my opportunity to get one. For months I’ve been collecting camera reviews from bloggers like Miss Canthus and Robin. I’m happy with Canon and am leaning toward the Canon S3 IS at the moment. It appears to have the bigger zoom, tilt LCD display, and macro capabilities I want. And the price is reasonable.
If any amateur photographers out there have any other recommendations, I’d love to hear them. But soon. I’ve got to get a new baby by this weekend.
I have been thinking about a new camera lately – not because my little powershot is on the blink (I love it because I can wear it slung across my back while I work and never miss a shot) but because I’m not always happy with the color of my pics. I don’t know if the bigger better cameras capture truer blues and fuchsias but I would recommend bringing a deep pink celosia bloom or a delphinium-blue-something with you to try them out. (and keep me posted?!)
The Canon that I’m considering has settings, I believe, that allow you to take better shots of saturated colors like red. It might take me years to figure out all the settings it has, actually, but that one sounded good to me. —Pam
I have an older Canon that has the same kind of flip and twist lcd screen as the S3. That feature is really useful when you are taking pictures of flowers because you can hold the camera up real high or down low and still see what you are doing. I also envy the 12x zoom on the S3. So I like the S3.
My Canon Powershot A80 has that flip-and-twist LCD screen too, and I absolutely love it. It’s essential for low macro shots, or above-the-head crowd shots. —Pam
I have the Canon S2IS, which I use to take the photos on my blog. I didn’t pick it out; it was a Christmas gift for the whole family in 2005 and I probably still haven’t plumbed all its features. At this point it seems like the macro button is acting stubborn–I have to press it several times to get it in macro mode, but considering it’s been left out for hours on several occasions and once even in the rain (none of those times by me), I think it’s held up pretty well. (If you ever get anything electronic wet, I hope you know to let it dry out before trying it again.)
That’s the one that Miss Canthus uses, and her very positive review (see the link in my post) led me to look more in-depth at the S3, which is the newer version. It’s been out for a while, and the price has come down; otherwise, I’d be looking at the S2. I’m glad to hear you like it too. —Pam
I’ve always had good luck with the small (elph) Canon digital cameras, so that S3 and its giant lens looks pretty good to me (as long as I don’t have to carry it around).
Thanks for your input, Max. The S3 seems pretty compact for all that zoom power. Then again, I’m used to the somewhat bulky A80, not a pocket camera. —Pam
Gee, seems like you’re holding the funeral kind of early–I would have it checked out first!
I may yet take it to a shop (or send it to Canon), but I use a camera for my design work plus the blogging hobby, so I need a replacement ASAP. Since I’d already been thinking of an upgrade, this was the push that made my mind up. —Pam
I’ll be interested to see what you get. You take such great pictures. I’ve been researching digital cameras for a month or so and it seems that the more I read, the more confused I get. I’m making the transition from a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 (film) camera. Big step for me.
Thanks, Jean. Once I switched to digital, I never looked back. And it’s essential if you’re a blogger and want to upload pics every day. Good luck with your switch. —Pam
Great pictures even if they are the last! I have a Nikon so I can’t help you with Canon.
Thanks, Layanee. What kind of Nikon do you use, and are you happy with it? —Pam
I don’t have any suggestions on the camera… there are so many choices these days. I use a Canon and it’s easy to use but doesn’t do all that great with close ups. I really just wanted to comment that I like the water lilies.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
I’m glad you enjoyed the water lilies. I quite like them myself, but I don’t see them as much as I’d wish because they open late in the morning and close in the late afternoon. In summer, I venture into the garden only in the early morning or evening, when the heat is less intense. —Pam
I am going to go buy a Sony 8.1 mp cyber-shot right after work. I looked at it last week and the zoom is incredable. Just a suggestion, you might want to go to a store like Circuit City and look at each one and get a feel for them, that is what I did and I think the Sony will do what I want.
Hmm, thanks for the tip about the Sony. I’ll take a look at it too. Let me know how you like it, if you get a chance. —Pam
I’ve read on a camera review site, that it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you buy, the quality of pictures has to do with the knowledge of the person who takes the pictures. I don’t know if that is really true or not, but you take incredible pictures, so hopefully no matter what camera you buy you will be pleased.
The yellow water lily is beautiful.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Robin. I think a good camera helps, but you’re right—it’s only part of the equation for good pictures. —Pam
Wow! The water lilie photo’s are gorgeous!! Also love your bottle tree, what a great idea the post with a finial on top, I have had my husband searching for the perfect old weathered tree
and now I have a much better and quicker idea!!(THANKS!) Also I’m not a big fan of orange, but after looking at your orange crush post, that is a gorgeous plant!! Gotta have one! Or atleast one!
Hi, Catherine. Thanks for your comments. Yep, the post tree is a lot easier than waiting for an old tree with a perfect form to croak in your garden. Instant bottle tree!
I love orange in the summer and fall garden, but I use a lot more red. When it’s hot, go with hot colors. Like eating salsa in the hot parts of the world. It just suits the climate. —Pam
Sorry to hear your camera went on the blink, Pam. Hopefully you’ll find the best uber-zoom camera for your needs.
The photos of your water lily are superb. I’m glad you were able to save them despite your camera woes.
I was sorry at first, but now I’m excited about getting a new camera. There’s always a silver lining! —Pam
beautiful shots, Pam. If you ever figure out how to shoot reds, do tell!
Thanks, Nikki. It may take me a year of reading a camera manual, but if there’s a way to do it, I’ll share. —Pam
You always take such beautiful photos. My husband has a Nikon D-70 with several different lenses and absolutely loves it. I do too, and it’s very reliable and produces great quality. We also love Precision Camera on Lamar – their staff are experts and will give you great advice when you tell them what you’re looking for. BTW – lovely water lily photos – Are they in your yard?
Thanks for the camera info, Diana. Yes, the water lilies are in my container pond. —Pam
I had a Twilight Zone moment reading your blog. My Canon A70 suddenly died about 6 weeks ago (exact same symptoms that you described), so I went out and bought the S3 IS. It’s recently been replaced by the S5 IS, so it was on sale ($290 at OfficeMax) but may be hard to find by now. I love all the things I can do with the S3 IS, especially the zoom. It also has extremely good (and easy to use) video for a still camera.
That’s interesting about the A70. Anyway, I’m glad you like the upgrade to the S3 because I’ve ordered one online, similarly priced. (It was very hard to find in brick-and-mortar stores now that the S5 has come out.) I’m excited about the zoom, in particular, and the video will be nice too. —Pam
Hi Pam: I so enjoy your pictures. You’re a master. Keep up the wonderful work. One question, what do you do about the biting insects while you’re working in your garden?
Hi, Pat, and thanks for the compliments. But, biting insects? What biting insects?
I wish! I wear long pants and lots of OFF. Ugh. —Pam