My new camera – finally!
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008A brief timeline of my new camera, a Canon 5D mark II:
Fall 2006: “Canon must be introducing a replacement for the 5D this year – it’s already 18 months old! — Darn, they didn’t.”
Spring 2007: “Canon must be introducing a replacement for the 5D this year – it’s already 24 months old! — Darn, they didn’t.”
Fall 2007: “Canon must be introducing a replacement for the 5D this year – it’s already 30 months old, and they’ve replaced every other camera in their digital line-up already. — Darn, they didn’t.”
Spring 2008: “Canon must be introducing a replacement for the 5D this year – it’s already three years old, and they’ve released two successive cameras in the consumer line — Darn, they didn’t.”
Sept 25, 2008: Canon announces the replacement for the 5D; expected to ship end of November.
Sept 26, 2008: I place my pre-order on Amazon.com; note I did this one day after the announcement.
Nov 25, 2008: Rumour has it the camera has been delayed and will become available in December.
Dec 5, 2008: First J-Random-Person on the Internet posts “I got mine!”
Dec 12, 2008: I email Amazon to find out when mine will be shipped. They say February 11. Auugh! Remember, I ordered it within 24 hours of it being announced!
Dec 23, 2008: Driving down to Palm Springs for xmas, I stop at a Best Buy near Gilroy, and they say their Pasadena store has one camera left.
Dec 23, 2008: Pasadena store doesn’t have any left. Darn.
Dec 23, 2008: Check email; “Your camera has been shipped from Amazon.com. Expected delivery is Dec 26th.” Auugh! I’m 540 miles away! But at least I didn’t end up buying one in Pasadena and getting one shipped. I guess there is a silver lining.
Dec 26, 2008: UPS tries to deliver to my office, which is closed. Auugh!
Dec 28, 2008: Back in Sunnyvale, I spend a very frustrating half-hour trying to figure out what magic incantation I have to say to UPS’ automated voice-operated telephone system, I finally get ahold of someone, and they change my shipment from “next delivery attempt Jan 5th” to “Hold for pickup.”
Dec 28, 2008: I pick up my new camera, and spend 3 hours reading the instruction manual while waiting for the battery to charge.
Dec 30, 2008: Since I received the camera, it’s managed to attract a new tripod, new flash, and new lens. Auugh, my Visa bill!
Darren is now happy.
Starbucks after the sun has set. 1/30 at f/4, ISO 6400, Canon 24-105 f/4 L lens
Picture of a dog. 1/30 at f/4, ISO 400, Canon 24-105 f/4 L lens