Sunday, June 5, 2011

REGRETS

Do you have any regrets? I have scanned my brain for days now thinking about regrets. Either it's old age or something else but I can't seem to find many. Obviously if I had some at a certain point in my life they certainly are not important anymore. The only thing I have been able to come up with is being a better mother.

I'm not saying that I was a bad mother. I know I did the best I could at the time and from the knowledge I had. I know that going through a divorce when my children were only 4 and 18 months old didn't make me the best parent at the time. I was in my own world of destruction. I feel like I could have done so much more as a parent. I also think that looking back now that many of you will feel this way when your children are 30 and 32. Life is busy, each day can be hectic and sometimes we yell or are preoccupied with other things. That is life. I feel today that this is the reason that God gives us grandchildren. That is when you can just love and appreciate a baby/child without all the responsibilities of everyday life.

This post isn't really about past regrets, it's about a future regret that I don't want to happen. Hopefully I can explain myself well enough so that you fully understand where I am coming from. I need your support here but you have to put yourself into my shoes to fully understand and help me with this.

I am having the most difficult time making a decision about my cameras for my trip. I love my point and shoot camera. It's my second point & shoot (digital) and it takes excellent pictures as far as I'm concerned. Ninety percent of the pictures you see on my blog are with this camera. My Canon Rebel has been my dream of getting that big girl camera. That is what I have always referred to it as. I have had this camera for maybe 7 months now. I take great pictures with it, mainly the close up shots, but I only use the auto setting. I am trying to learn more about it but haven't. I've been reading my Canon Rebel for Dummies book but haven't really taken the time to really learn other things.

Okay, are you in my shoes yet? You need to think of this as maybe your mother or your grandmother. (I know I have several followers who are still as young or younger then my own children) I turn 60 in four months. I have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and I am 60 pounds overweight. I am okay walking but when it comes to upper body things I get extremely winded. Over the years I have downsized my purses and carry as little as possible.

I just don't know how I will be carrying my Canon Rebel with me day in and day out for 21 days, besides the other things I have to have with me. I am torn. I don't want to regret taking it with me yet I don't want to regret not taking it with me. I was all sure of myself the other day and made the decision not to take it. (remember that most of my touring will be just me, my husband will be working)

Then I remembered the main reason I wanted to take it. Not because I felt the pictures were that much better but because it has a view finder. Sometimes with the point & shoot, because they don't come with view finders anymore, you get a terrible glare on the screen and can't see what you are doing. I am lost, I don't know how to make this decision. However I do know how hard it is for me to have the camera around my neck just when I am taking pictures around the house! I've been praying very hard about this. (I would not be taking the bigger lens, that's for sure)


I know that you can't really help me with this decision but I value your opinion.

Now don't get me started on what shoes to bring!!!!

26 comments:

Deb said...

boy that is a tough one...you definately want great photos...but it's more important to actually enjoy your trip....and not be uncomfortable the whole time...will your hubby be able to help you out and maybe carry the camera for you when you get tired?

Anonymous said...

Debby, I think in your mind you know it is going to be difficult for you to carry it along. Why don't you bring both along, that way you have it for some short sight seeings you may do(not long days). Having a walk around for a shorter time instead of all day. Pack it really securely in your carry on. I would take both. Take your point and shoot for the longer days but you'll still have the Canon to take out when you want to go for a short stroll.

Empty Nester said...

I'm sort of in agreement with Nichol- you could take both and decide which one to take depending on how long you'll be out and how you feel that day. Wait---there's a Canon Rebel for Dummies? I NEED that! LOL

Shoes- take comfortable ones and the heck with the rest!

Laura said...

I love the idea of taking both too! You could take your point and shoot when you are alone or out for a long day and the Rebel when you are with hubby and take pictures near where you are staying. I do think that your point and shoot takes amazing pictures~ but I also know that the Rebel is amazing (my mom has one and I would love to spend my pennies and one day get my own).
I do (honestly) think that you will be fine with your point and shoot. A lot of pics on my "Days" blog lately have been with my cheap classroom camera that I bought just because it is SO tiny and can fit in my pocket so it's always there!
The pictures you take will be wonderful but more importantly, they will bring back the actual memory of being there- and that is the picture you will keep with you anyway!
Best of luck on your decision friend!
No regrets!!
You are an amazing woman and every choice and event in life has brought you to this moment and you're changing still. That's the best part about this thing called life!
Can't wait to see pics- no matter what camera they're taken with!
Hugs
L

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

That's a tough decision Debby. I would be torn also. I think I would take both and then decide which one to use. I know which ever camera you take you will have wonderful photos Debby. Just have a wonderful time.

LynnMarie said...

I agree with some of the others, take both and decide that morning how far you will be traveling that day and if you can carry the big one. If not, you have the little one for that day. You may find that some days you will be able to use the big one. It's far more important that you enjoy your trip than have first had pictures from your big camera.

SouthernDogwoods said...

No regrets so far - what I have done in life so far has taken me where I am and I have definitely learned lessons for my mishaps so no regrets. :)

Stella said...

Why not take both and if you know you have a long way to walk take the lighter one and if your close to what you want to shoot take your rebel. This way you have the best of both worlds. If both is not an option take the smaller and you will still love the memories you take.

Sonya said...

I can understand wanting to carry less stuff! When I went overseas for a month in 2006, I shocked myself when I only packed 1 suitcase and a backpack! I always pack EVERYTHING, but they warned us about having too much stuff when you're trying to get off a train! I was packed even lighter than 1 of the guys on our trip!

I would say take both. I think you'll want the rebel and it might be good practice to try different settings with all of the amazing buildings you'll see. When I was in Scotland we bought the bus tour passes. I did one round on the bus taking pictures in color and then the next round did black and white. It was great to have options because I got some really neat pictures.

As for shoes bring like 2 options that go with everything. Be prepared to wear them out and for them to get dirty if you wear them everywhere. I took flip flops, tennis shoes, & a dressier shoe (for visiting schools) when I was in England in July. I wore the flip flops a lot because it ended up being hot. I bought them for the trip with the intention that I'd probably toss them before I came home. I bought a favorite pair really cheap and trashed them at a hotel in Manchester before I flew home!

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

Hilary said...

I agree with Deb. Better to enjoy the moment than struggle with a camera. What type of phone do you have. Many of the new ones have really good cameras built in, and they are really light...

CB said...

My first thought is to bring both.
When you go someplace like The Eiffel tower bring it! But just for walking around pop your point and shoot in your purse.
I would take both - just in case.

Love Of Quilts said...

Well getting to go on a trip is great.. you can't enjoy your self if your not confortable...so take the point and shoot with you and when hubby gets to go along take the other one. The shoes would be my problem. Trish

Stephanie said...

Oh I do have an opinion:)
I have a Canon Rebel and have just returned from an incredible 9 day trip to Paris. I also have a back injury so know how difficult walking and carrying over distance and time can be!
I ended up taking both my Canon and a smaller point and shoot.
I took the Canon with me when I knew I would be sitting. As in on one of the hop on hop off boat crusies that I HIGHLY reccommend, and when I took the L'Open Bus Tour. Again a Hop on Hop off bus tour. (a big double decker bus that crusies by the major sites)

If I thought I would be doing a LOT of walking I left the Canon in the safe at the hotel. If I was going to one specific place ie The Eiffel Tower brought out that big camera!

Hope this helps:)
MM

Stephanie said...

Me again!
Shoes. Take your most comfy shoes. No one looks at your shoes:) Now as for clothes, I do wish I had taken a few more dressier tops. Those Parisian women are very dressy!

Kerri said...

i say take both! decide on what u will be seeing that day and then take the one that best fits .. if u dont take it u will be mad u didnt and if u need to u can always go back to the hotel get the one u need and go back out again!

i cant help u with the shoes tho ..i love all my shoes and i pack a suitcase just for them hahaha

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I was going to get a point and shoot when I went to FLorida and my hubby told me I would regret it.
I do love photography and feel that I have better control over my Nikon. I don't know if you have a slingshot camera bag, but maybe that would help.

Best camera books I've ever read are the Scott Kelby books. So easy to understand.

Furry Bottoms said...

I say, just take the point and shoot camera. So you can still take pictures, and you did say you take good pictures with it. I have a DSLR camera, and I don't take it with me on very trip because it can get in the way... and I've never regretted it. The point and shoot serves the same purpose, is easier to use. If you think you're going to take pictures that are far far into the distance.... the DSLR would be better but I wouldn't worry my little head over it. Just take a something so you can record memories.

A multi-dimensional life said...

Oh Debbie, I don't have any camera advice...I'm still trying to find a better one myself...but I can understand why you need something easy and lightweight. A few of the suggestions sound right...take both???

Well, when you are ready to pack your shoes, give me a holler....I'm better with shoes! :) xo

Brandy@YDK said...

i say use the point and shoot. it's about the memories not the picture quality.

Katherines Corner said...

Well my sweet bloggy friend. It's all about the photographer not so much the camera. You vision, your capture,your moment. Take the easy one to carry. You'll make happy memories too and that is something you can never photograph. Big Hugs. K

secret agent woman said...

It depends on what sort of photos you want to take, but if you have room to pack both and want the option, why not? Otherwise, I'd go with the small point and shoot.

Trish said...

Debby...make things as easy on yourself as possible so that you enjoy every moment of your trip!
I can't wait to see your photo's!
Have a wonderful time.

Holly said...

Id take both. When we go places I take a backpack that has my canon, point n shoot, and video camera. Then if I wanna stash just one of those in a bag to take somewhere then thats what I do

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Oh hun I'm bad plus I loose things easily so I take the cheap one with me. but I agree you don't want to get winded and make yourself have to be in bed. The one you use on the blog always has great pictures. If you could take both and on special days take the big camera out.

Oh lord I'd be lost with shoes ... lol

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/AlexisAKAMOM/status/78196526551273472

Kristin - The Goat said...

I think you have already made your decision by now, but what I would do is take the point and shoot and leave the big one at home. Make sure that the settings on the P/S save the largest photo file possible, so that when you do get those incredible shots with it, you can blow them up to a lovely size.

When you take two cameras, you usually need two cords, two extra batteries, two chargers, etc. Take the little one and all of its gadgets and enjoy the trip!!

I used my 5 mega pixel P/S when I went to Ireland. (I got my Nikon D90 a few months after we returned home.) I don't regret not buying the big camera before the trip. I wanted to just take pictures and go! I'm glad I did it that way. No regrets :)

I bet your P/S has many more megapixels than mine had - so your shots will turn out great.

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