Konica Minolta Z6

In 2004 I bought my first digital camera. I was very slow on the digital camera uptake.

I was still using my old Pentax K1000 SLR which I had bought myself when I was in High School way back in 1981. It was my first camera and I had my first part time job and treated myself to a great little camera that took the most amazing photos. I've kept it in excellent condition all these years. I still love the photos it takes but of course it is limited by the need for using film.

Once I bought my digital camera I never looked back. In fact I was so excited by the digital potential that I still had unfinished film in the old Pentax up until late last year when I was desperate to take a photo and my digital camera battery needed recharging. So I whipped out my Pentax and used up the film all the time wondering...do the stores still develop film for you. Well, yes they did...but not without some odd looks as I handed it over the counter.

So my first digital camera was a Konica Minolta Z6. It's been a great little camera, takes lovely photos, but I admit I haven't been using it to its full potential until today. I just did a Google search read up all about the different settings it has in an effort to take even better photos. At times I have been disappointed at the clarity and sharpness of some of my photos. I've been wondering if it was the camera or just my lack of experience in how to use it properly.

The Konica Minolta Z6 was the last model to be made just before Minolta removed themselves from the camera market. Hmmm....the salesman didn't tell me that was going to happen when he sold it to me. I guess it pays to do a bit more market research before purchasing something like a camera. I've learnt my lesson. Happily I haven't had any problems with the camera and it's still in great condition after six years.

Recently we had visitors staying with us and they owned the most amazing camera - a Nikon D90 DSLR. I fell instantly in love with it and it is on my wish list as my next digital camera. An SLR that takes THE most BEAUTIFUL sharp photos....sigh.....must start saving. Have hinted to Daddy that I'd love it for our next Anniversary.

Anyway, enough of the dreaming...until then I am content to keep using my great little Z6 and here are some photos I took in the garden and around the home today while playing around with different settings.

By playing around with the cameras macro setting I was able to go from this....

...to this!

I'm still learning. Any camera tips you all have? Please share...