Pictures for Pam, Day 159: Tom Turkey Portrait (+4 other birdies!)

(+5 insets) (please view large) :)

Today is the day. YES!!! *fist pump* TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

What?! What's today?!

Today I will be getting a package from B&H Cameras!!! *bounces around squeeing in excitement*

WHAT'S IN THE FREAKING PACKAGE?!!!

*beams in ROL/PHOTO's direction*

It's a camera!! A NEW CAMERA!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! *explodes into a whirling dervish of cartwheels and backflips*
*Notices that everyone is staring with fright in their eyes* *composes myself into a proper lady once again*
Ahem.
Specifically, it's the Sony RX10 IV, touted as the best bridge camera currently available!* I'm so excited I'm about to pop!
*peeks out the window just in case a delivery truck will materialize on the driveway…noop!* :D *(Please note: there are countless wonderful cameras out there that work great, from phone cameras and easy-to-use pocket cameras to high-end DSLRs or actual film cameras…I'm not making a judgement call on anyone's camera…the fact is, the quality of an image has much more to do with the person behind the camera than the camera itself--awesome pictures can come from any source. My statement of "best bridge camera" comes from the countless reviews on this type of camera that places the Sony RX10 IV at the top of the heap!) :)

WHY would I get another camera when I'm obviously head-over-heels in love with my Canon 5D MkII and MkIII, paired with my beloved 100mm 2.8L macro lens? *visibly confused readers scratch their heads in wonderment*

Here's the thing. When I gave up my old Canon SX30IS super-zoom point & shoot camera back in 2011, I had to really fight with myself. Yes, I dearly wanted the high-quality images, dreamy bokeh and incredible macro capabilities of a DSLR. But I was in love with the SX30's 35x-time zoom and its ability to take any sort of picture I wanted. This versatility was extremely hard to give up, even though the quality just wasn't up to my developing standards. In fact, I became a much better photographer because I made it a mission to push the limits of that little camera with the aim for DSLR quality. Ultimately I didn't get what I'd hoped for but I really learned a lot about how to get the most out of a lower-quality lens.

As the years passed, I've kept an eye on "bridge" cameras. In case you're not savvy to that term, that's a camera which is higher quality than your standard point & shoot camera but is not a DSLR. They have non-interchangeable zoom lenses and smaller sensors. (If you're interested in learning more, the article, The Best Bridge Cameras in 2019 will give you all the information you need.)

To be honest, I was surprised that a suitable bridge camera didn't appear soon after I traded up to my DSLR in 2011. But no. The years ticked by and still the quality was not measuring up. So many models from a vast array of manufacturers but nobody produced the quality that truly satisfied the big-time camera reviewers. Until late 2017. My attention had waned by that point so I didn't know that the belle of the ball had finally arrived…namely, the Sony RX10 IV.

I was taking a break from photography but finally came back on the scene to begin my Pictures with Pam project in October 2018. Finding my passion again, I immersed myself in photography and also reacquainted myself with friends and contacts on ipernity.

That's when I started seeing some totally awesome bird and animal photography by my contact and friend, Roland (ROL/Photo). I kept seeing consistently lovely, detailed close-ups that really impressed me. (If you'd like an example: "A Beautiful Profile" is a stunner!) When I looked at the EXIF data I expected to see a DSLR with a ridiculous cannon-sized lens. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that he was using a bridge camera I'd not heard of before! Reading reviews of the Sony RX10 IV filled me with great excitement because I learned that finally there was a bridge camera out there which had the quality that I demanded in an "all-in-one".

Immediately I began dreaming of owning this camera. As much as I love our Canon Mk II/III's, the only way I can get proper zoom range is with our 100-300mm lens. That thing is a BEAST. It's huge, heavy, totally unwieldy and requires a tripod and not moving around a lot. I've used it to photograph birds on our feeders but that's about it. That's why my bird and non-insect wildlife photography totally took a dive after I gave up my SX30. I really hate it. Everyone knows how much I love animals. It would be so nice to take pictures of the critters I see on walks but my current setup just doesn't allow for this. If only. If only. I began to save my pennies.

Finally, I was able to scrape enough coins together to buy one of these cameras. I could have kept saving towards the next Canon camera in line but the fact is, our cameras are perfect just as they are. What I don't have is the option for zoom photography. Also, we'll be doing some traveling soon and what better than to have the perfect travel camera with us? Steve spent time looking into this camera as well and was equally impressed. With a green light, we ordered it, and it will be arriving today!! Hooray!!

UPDATE: IT'S HERE!!! IT'S HERE!!! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!
And…put on the brakes sister…its battery is charging. Heh.
I have a couple of hours to wait before I can play with my new toy and truthfully I'm really looking forward to trying it out. However, unlike the me of year's past, I'm perfectly content to wait. Anticipation can be a delicious thing, so I'll read the manuals while I wait. :) I hope my next update will be me letting you know how it went and details on my main picture! :)

UPDATE 2: HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH but eventually…SUCCESS! :D
My camera was finally charged and out I went to take my first pictures!! I had some trouble learning how to focus but I got the hang of it. I still have to learn what all the modes and settings are but I managed to get by. :)

As you can see, I got a BUNCH of winners!! I'm so happy!! This camera is EXACTLY what I was hoping for, HOORAY!!!

My main picture is a portrait of a lovely tom turkey, isn't he amazing?! I'm also sharing five insets of some other happy successes! A Black-Headed Chickadee, a male and female Golden-Crowned Sparrow (the female lacks the yellow on the head) , a female House Finch chomping on a sunflower seed, and a close-up of a tom-Turkey's gorgeous feathers! I would have to say that's very encouraging for my very first test drive of this camera!! I hope you enjoy the show! :)

Pam, I did a search for "bird" on your photo stream and landed on your fabulous "Young Mr Bluebird Collage" that's just running over with goodness! :) Who needs a fancy bridge camera with 25x zoom?! Your camera is totally fantastic! And would you just take a LOOK at that bokeh?! WOOT! Outstanding images my dear! And here's hoping you had a nice day too. *BIG HUGS*!

In case you're interested, here's an in-depth review about this camera from a site I really respect, DP Review's: Sony RX10 IV

If you'd like to watch a super video review from a photographer who took this camera on a cruise, you'll really enjoy Maarten Heilbron's Sony RX10 IV - My Vacation Hacks and Photos

Explored on 4/18/19, highest placement, #6.