Kodachrome

Last week I *finally* received the new camera kit I ordered from the US. As with most everything else here, transporting something across time and space took a few minor bureaucratic miracles. But, after 11 days, I may retire my 10-year-old digital Nikon in favor of this:

Nikon D3100, Courtesy en.wikipedia.org

I now have both a 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens, a combination with which I can capture pretty much anything on film. I also ordered an independent flash, though I had to send it to Texas, as shipping it to Doha would violate export controls. (I could write an entire post on how I do not fully understand the ins and outs of export control and compliance, but that would bore everyone.) The quality of the photos is fantastic, and despite its fancy schmancy appearance, the cost did not break the ol' Zog piggy bank. Of course a generous donation from JZog's dad certainly helped. (Thank you, thank you, thank you Dad!) In fact, this camera kit proved such a steal that Dad ordered one, too. Instead of dueling banjos on the ranch, we'll have dueling cameras!

I follow in a well-established family tradition of shutterbugging (I'm looking at you, Dad, Aunt D and CMit!), and will work hard to live up to the standards set. The new Nikon had its first trip out to the Souq last Friday:

 

Souq and Spiral Mosque

 

Camels - I cannot resist!

 

Public Transportation?

Souq Interior

Ewers and Swords

Rosebuds

 

Souq Spices

 

Camomile  

Souq Shuttle

A Refreshing Lemon-Mint

 

 Friday Night at the Souq

I still have a soft spot for my 10-year-old Nikon. It has documented most of the Zogs' travels and other exploits, took nearly all of the thousands upon thousands of research photos for my dissertation, and snapped hundreds of pictures of PeppeRoni the Wonderpup.  So, especially because my new camera does not exactly qualify as "compact", I keep the ol' girl charged and tucked in my satchel in case of a photo-taking emergency. 

And with any new Nikon, one must have Kodachrome:

(For even more information on my new camera, see Ken Rockwell, who runs a wonderful site for anyone looking for any camera-related reviews or advice.)

XO, 

JZog