Selfish digital dilema

With the wedding fast approaching our honeymoon to Costa Rica is right behind. I present you with a dilema that I would like some feedback on. I like to take pictures. Alot. I won't be going pro anytime soon (because I can only handle so many weddings ;). I'm currently on my 3rd digital camera that, with only a lens scratch or two, still works just great. The previous two died completely. I'm thinking of stepping up to a digital SLR with interchangable lenses and such. More power! Would you recommend:

Option 1
Wait to see if any overly generous soul picks up the camera I listed on our registry (which I just took off 'cause it wasn't the one I want), cutting it rather close to the honeymoon (that is, if it's purchased before the wedding -- most gifts will probably come at the later reception)

Option 2
Throw down $1200-$1500 on a package that includes camera, lenses, memory cards and the like. Take prettier pictures. Enjoy an optical viewfinder and completely manual focus. Attach to my telescope. Mmm...

Option 3
Suck it up, be happy with what I've got, and do just fine taking pictures in Costa Rica just as I did on our last Scotland trip.

You all know I like the toys and I really try to be sensible about this but I'm reaching out for some guidance. Take it from here...

Comments (12) | To Top

12/7/2004 @ 1:48pm

Well, you will be able to see if someone has purchased it off of your registry by checking online. If someone buys it for you, great. If not, then you'll just have to be okay on your honeymoon and you can buy what you want later. Just my opinion. Are you freaked out that I respond like this?

by Britta

12/7/2004 @ 1:56pm

Freaked out because someone out there is actually willing to use this journal/blog's comments feature the way it's meant to? Heavens no! In fact, other folks out there that I know read this thing should use you're willingness to comment as an example. ;)

Very good option, by the way. I just have to remind myself not to become impatient when I get myself doing research on this sort of thing.

by KevinFreitas

12/7/2004 @ 3:48pm

hey kevin...

my advice is to wait. i, like you, am an impatient guy when it comes to wanting toys. it always seems that i buy something that i've really wanted right before christmas, my birthday, or some other special event. by buying it, i tend to ruin a surprise from my wife or mother and get them upset at me. since your camera is holding up well and is taking good pics, i'd stick with what you have and wait. waiting sucks, but it's probably the best option. just my 2 cents.

also, congrats on getting married. i'll fill you in later about my marriage in 2001. skamania is beautiful! my family used to go there every december for a family trip. i miss those days. take care and enjoy the ride. feel free to shoot me any questions.

by Adam Gaston

12/7/2004 @ 3:52pm

Go for it Kevin I think you will have the memories and high quality pictures from your honeymoon and spectacular location if you don't mind me sayin for the rest of your life. Normally I would agree and say wait but I think in this instance you will be glad you upgraded to really take advantage of what you will see down there. It only happens once in your life you know so my advice is even though you all are short on the funds to document your experience in the best way you can.

by Stephie

12/8/2004 @ 10:40am

Hey Kevin,

I agree with Britta. Besides, I found that people can be surprisingly generous with registry items. If you make it clear you desperately want a camera it will likely be purchased (or at least this was my experience with terrifically expensive kitchen implements). Also, if you register somewhere that sells the camera in question in addition to other items, you could return some of the smaller gifts in order to purchase this more expensive item you want a great deal. I don't think most people have any personal connection to the small random items they purchase for you and would be happy to know that you were able to get something special (even if it meant that you returned the items they selected). At least this is how I‘ve viewed the gifts I‘ve given to other couples.

PS -congrats on the engagement.

PPS - Are you planning to rough it in Costa Rica or staying in one of the more luxurious resorts? If you are planning on roughing it, make sure your renter’s insurance/travel insurance covers your camera when you are away. Almost every backpacker I’ve met has had his or her camera stolen (often out of their locked pack in their locked, crappy guest house). I doubt this is a problem at more expensive places.

PPPS - longest comment ever! Sorry.

by Court

12/8/2004 @ 11:15am

No, no Court. I never discourage comments no matter their length. I think I'll re-post the camera in question on our registry and just be happy with what I've currently got until a less-hectic time when I can really focus on saving for a new camera. Don't want to have to skip the flight home because I spent all my money on a new camera rather than a return ticket. ;)

We're staying at the beautiful Lapa Rios rainforest ecolodge/resort (see http://www.laparios.com). We're excited for the seclusion and to support such a worthy sounding place.

No matter my decision, you can all be sure many a photo will be posted upon our return.

by KevinFreitas

12/9/2004 @ 2:13am

I think you can go either way, but I have to say if you have the budget and the approval of your bride-to-be, then go for it! Then you won't have to ever say, 'wish i'd had it' at your wedding or your honeymoon (although you should be enjoying the wedding, not snapping pictures--pass it along to the rest of us!). There is nothing worse than regret during moments of utmost happiness.

People are very generous, there is no doubt about that, but with that large of a gift, it will be people having to organise and throw in together for such a gift, and that is less likely (unless all your wonderful friends have read this blog and are organising as we speak). Plus as a wedding gift giver, I have to admit that I go for the gifts that I think both people getting married will enjoy, where as on the list of gifts, that one (for those that know you at ALL) is most definitely more for you than Sarah.

So that is my two pence worth. Plus, perhaps we can arrange for your current camera to be bought by an older sister and brother-in-law...which would ease the cost of a new one!

p.s. can i just reiterate the importance of travel insurance for equipment like that?! Cover your bases and figure out a policy that would cover the airlines, all transportation, and accomodation, as well as accidental breakage, etc. Be comfortable that your insurance will have no problem buying you a replacement.

by Toni

12/9/2004 @ 6:53am

Sarah and I will have to look at the numbers once again. If I do go ahead I don't want it to be a burden on us both financially. Don't worry about the wedding, however, we have a fantastic photographer lined up and I won't even feel the need to snap the shutter button at the event. It'll be covered.

Thanks for the travel insurance tip. We'll have to look into that. I think you're right about it being more of a "Kevin" gift. I'll likely just leave it off the registry. I really don't want people to feel like they need to band together to afford something like that.

by KevinFreitas

12/9/2004 @ 2:48pm

Travel insurance? I don't think Kevin and the camera would ever separate during the trip! I can just picture Kevin holding Sarah with his left arm and the camera with his right, capturing a beautiful sunset. Can't all of you?

Unfortunately I have no advice for you Kevin on whether or not to purchase the camera in question. I have also desired such a fine instrument of photography but alas, have not aquired one yet.

by Bobby

12/9/2004 @ 4:47pm

Arr, 'tis true. I'll look into such insurance anyway. I'd rather be a fool in love on my honeymoon than a fool filing a stolen camera report in a Costa Rican comisaría de policías -- no matter what camera I take. ;)

by KevinFreitas

12/10/2004 @ 8:53am

Kevin, film is on the verge of making a massive retro comeback. Nothing is cooler nowadays than book upon book of old-school photographs. Pick yourself up a (? vintage) Nikon SLR for under $100, and let the good times 'roll'.

by Alaric

12/10/2004 @ 9:25am

Yeah, no. ;) Been there, done that. I'm all about the instant gratification and confirmation of shot quality that digital gives me. Besides, I nearly broke the bank one January (http://www.kevinfreitas.net/journal/20000100/) in Hawaii when I took my sister's SLR and fired off 12 or so rolls of film. Cost me a bundle when I got back.

When we were in Scotland last year it was great because I have this little device that allows me to dump all my photos from my camera's memory card right onto CDs (which are a dime a dozen) and essentially enjoy endless storage. I think I took about 1,600 photos during those two weeks. Let's say developing them would've taken $5 per 24-shot roll, those would've cost over $330 to develop. Couple trips like that and I'd have myself that Nikon D70.

I'm a digital girl in a digital world -- or something like that.

by KevinFreitas