Presenting...... Olga!

          Who?

          "Olga", for the information of the faithful readers of this blog is my new toy - a Digital SLR, more specifically of the Canon EOS 450D variety.  (Oh yes, another major purchase just two months after I got Isaac. )

          This means I'd have to apologize to my dear friend Ampy who came up with the name "Athena", which was, until very recently, the leading name suggestion for this DSLR. 

(Ampy, I had every intention of naming this baby "Athena".  However, when I finally held it in my hands, it didn't feel like an "Athena" to me.  This one felt bulky, loaded, and tough.  For a split second, I thought of Lloyd's suggestion - "Holmes" - but then it hit me... OLGA.  A very tough female Russian name.  It was perfect!  Sorry, I guess "Athena" is the perfect name for something else.)

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          I tried hard to produce a good-enough first photo of Olga using my Sony Ericsson P990i, but they didn't really turn out well.  That's the problem with buying a really good camera for the first time - you'd have to take pictures of it using an inferior one.  In this case, a smartphone with a 2 Megapixel camera. 



          The photos you see in this page were already taken using a flash and added lighting from a fluorescent lamp.  I guess it only goes to show that I still have a lot to learn about photography.  The good news is, I now have Olga to learn with. 

          I know this bloke Rockwell said that "it's not the camera, it's the photographer" (or something like that).  But still, it does help if your camera has 12.2 Megapixels, and a $h!tload of other features that are not a few notches above those that are present in even the most advanced point-and-shoot digicams around. 

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          Aside from the items in the box, Olga came with the following freebies/accessories as part of the bargain with Kim (my seller):

• a 2 Gigabyte SD card
• a 1 year Canon Philippines warranty
• a screen protector
• a 4 ft. high aluminum tripod; and
• a black Dark Knight backpack (which is really way cooler than the Rudy Project camera bag that they were giving out before this week)

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Many thanks go to the following:

Kim Lato
- For very good customer service, and another gadget in excellent condition.  Buy smart, Buy Kimstore! 

HSBC Girl Ampy,
Smart Boy Lloyd,
Mrs. Muchay,
Soon-to-be-Mrs. Sheh,
and ex-girlfriend Me-Ann
- For your name suggestions and for sharing my excitement. 

The Social Security System
- For approving my salary loan.