Good News - Bad News

[another view]

Good News - I just got back from an amazing week kayaking in Lake Superior's Apostle Islands. Had a great time with good friends and I think I have some pretty decent shots from the trip too. More bald eagles and loons than I could count. Just about perfect weather which is really surprising up there.

Bad News - On the last day I put a small hole in my kayak, but it's an easy repair.

Good News - I'm finally going to replace my almost ancient Fuji S2 DSLR.

Bad News - Aforementioned hole caused the camera and one lens to get soaked. My own stupidity for not putting it into a waterproof bag, but that hatch has never leaked. I'm now the owner of an ugly paperweight... I'll hold off for a bit to see if any new models are announced. The D80 is a huge improvement over the S2 but that D90 looks intriguing!

[Old Timer]

There is a flip side to every record. Sometimes it takes awhile but that B side starts to grow on you and It becomes your favorite. Maybe the flip side of this record is that that new camera that is now a must will be one of the best things that has come your way in a long while. Glad you had a great trip sorry about the mishap.

[mtbbrian]

Sorry to hear about the new paper weight, but what about the R3 or R4?
Brian

[Loupey]

Bad News - Aforementioned hole caused the camera and one lens to get soaked. My own stupidity for not putting it into a waterproof bag, but that hatch has never leaked. I'm now the owner of an ugly paperweight...

Well that's one way to get an upgrade But it is always much more enjoyable when one is not forced to.

Bald eagles?!? Man, would I have loved to be there. Glad you had a good time.

[photophorous]

Has the S2 completely dried out? Is the lens ruined too? Man, what rotten luck. I guess you'll have to use the Canonet for a while. Maybe you should see if you can rip that sensor out of the S2 and put it in the Canonet. Okay, now I'm just being silly.

So, you're not considering an S5? Maybe Nikon will announce a D300 soon. Not that there's anything wrong with the D80, but if I were shopping, I'd have to consider that tiny little D40x. Looked through the viewfinder in a store the other day and it's much brighter than my D70 viewfinder.

Lets see some of those pictures!

Paul

[mjs1973]

Sounds like a great trip Steve. I have been wanting some loon photos for a while now, but have yet to make a trip up north to find them. Like you, I was forced to upgrade a few years ago when my film camera took a swim when we tipped our canoe over. It was the best thing that ever happened to my photography!

[Frog]

I hope we get to see some of the pics.
Bummer about the camera but it went out in style.

[another view]

Bummer about the camera but it went out in style.

We were talking about our parents getting older and associated problems with that, and ourselves heading down that path eventually and remembering trips like this - "better to burn out than rust out"... Yeah, went out in style!

Bald Eagles have been on the rise up there - I've been there yearly since '01 and this year followed that trend. One day we were waiting for an immature bald to stop making noise so we could hear the loon's laugh again - life was pretty good at that moment!

Thanks for the comments, I think another DSLR is probably in my future before doing much with a rangefinder just based on familiarity, I guess. I haven't paid too much attention to what's out there but probably will stick with Nikon - although at this point I guess I can't rule out a switch to that other brand. My old SB28 flash would really need to be replaced too, and that just leaves three lenses that I could always sell if I decide to go that route. Not rushing into anything, I do have the Canonet and a couple of p&s digitals.

[mtbbrian]

I guess if you aren't going to get and RF the next best thing is to stick with Nikon.
But I know deep down you want an R3 or R4!
I know you hear its call!
Make sure you put that Canonet to some use in the mean time!
:thumbsup:
Brian

[Speed]

D90?!!!

Geez, I've fallen behind in Nikonease.

Sorry to hear about your kayak. Even sorrier to hear about your S2 and the lens!!!

If you'll excuse me now, I've got some research to do...

[another view]

If you'll excuse me now, I've got some research to do...

Actually a joke - see this thread. However, if you're looking to dump that D200...

I ordered $83 worth of fiberglass stuff to repair the boat, although I had to order enough material to do a few repairs - and just need a day to do it. Not bad, the camera replacement will be slightly higher than that amount...

[Speed]

I see...

And a funny one at that!

"However, if you're looking to dump that D200"...

I will gladly "dump" my D200 in exchange for a D2X. So, if anyone is tired of the wrist strain from holding one of those monsters...

:-)

[deckcadet]

I would too, Speed, but only because I have an extra ;)