Steep Learning Curve

Learning to use a friend's old Nikon Coolpix makes my head hurt.

The Blue Corporals and Common Baskettails didn't mind, however.

Heck, they didn't even mind the snow and sub-freezing temps.

They have way more gumption than I.

R.I.P. Canon G12.

Swan Song

I
This dragonfly nymph hauled itself out of the water, scuttled across the bridge abutment, and insisted on tucking itself into a tiny crack between stones. How, I wondered, would it ever survive.

I returned in late afternoon and had to scrape out the sodden odd remainders. It appears my fears may have been well founded.

II
For the last week, my camera's sensor has begun failing. Four good shots, then a white one or two. Then I turn the camera off, turn it on, and it might work again, or not. Ten percent, then twenty the rate of failure.

Two G12s. Two complete failures. The first in fall, the second in spring, just when Odonates appear.

III
Alas, for spring's losses.

An Open Letter to Canon

Dear Canon,

I loved my G12 the moment I took it out of the box. Over the first eleven months, I learned to use it on my daily walks. I got to know the twin pleasures of photography and wandering with a camera, something I enjoyed in my twenties years ago.

Then the camera died. 

I sent it in under warranty for repair, and it came back more broken than it had been when I mailed it to you. I returned it, and when it came back, it worked  -- until it died. Permanently. By this time, of course, it was long out of warranty.

A friend and former student gifted me with her G12 in exchange for some of my photographs. Hers was truly "like new," still in its crisp box. I have loved this camera since May, taken it for daily walks, captured photographs of Odonates, and even discovered some new tricks.

Until this camera died too.

A quick Internet search just now turned up other G12 owners with exactly the same problems I have experienced for the last several days, none of which appear to have been solved either by themselves or by hocus-pocus or by you.

It's such a shame that you made a camera with the potential for greatness and that fell so far short. I don't think I'll be shopping your brand in the future.

Sincerely,
Disappointed (again) in Sewanee.