"Newbie" here, have mercy!

[Digideb]

This is my first post. I'm also new to photography. Although, I've had cameras all my life, all of them have been simple, basic models given to me as gifts. Finally, "Kodak Instamatics" gave way to "Point & Shoot" types, but it was digital technology that really sparked my interest beyond casual snapshots.
After several months learning with an Olympus D-380, I decided to upgrade to a nicer camera for outdoor photography, especially close ups. I discovered this site & others, read reviews,etc. & decided on an Olympus C-60 Zoom. I've ordered it from "B&H Photo" & I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
Because I live in a very remote area, I was hoping to find a way to communicate with fellow digital camera "buffs" & this site had forums that seemed most friendly to beginners who might ask "dumb" questions.
Well, I'm just saying, "Hi!" for now & hopefully I'll have a chance to chat with some of you soon. :)

[John_Reed]

This is my first post. I'm also new to photography. Although, I've had cameras all my life, all of them have been simple, basic models given to me as gifts. Finally, "Kodak Instamatics" gave way to "Point & Shoot" types, but it was digital technology that really sparked my interest beyond casual snapshots.
After several months learning with an Olympus D-380, I decided to upgrade to a nicer camera for outdoor photography, especially close ups. I discovered this site & others, read reviews,etc. & decided on an Olympus C-60 Zoom. I've ordered it from "B&H Photo" & I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
Because I live in a very remote area, I was hoping to find a way to communicate with fellow digital camera "buffs" & this site had forums that seemed most friendly to beginners who might ask "dumb" questions.
Well, I'm just saying, "Hi!" for now & hopefully I'll have a chance to chat with some of you soon. :)"Dumb" question? What's that? We don't know what they are around here. Just ask away, and someone will take your cause to heart, and give you a good answer, if it's possible. Don't be shy - have fun with your new camera! :)

[D70FAN]

"Dumb" question? What's that? We don't know what they are around here. Just ask away, and someone will take your cause to heart, and give you a good answer, if it's possible. Don't be shy - have fun with your new camera! :)

I dunno John. That's an awful lot of smiley faces on one page.

We're a kinder gentler group. ;)

[D70FAN]

This is my first post. I'm also new to photography. Although, I've had cameras all my life, all of them have been simple, basic models given to me as gifts. Finally, "Kodak Instamatics" gave way to "Point & Shoot" types, but it was digital technology that really sparked my interest beyond casual snapshots.
After several months learning with an Olympus D-380, I decided to upgrade to a nicer camera for outdoor photography, especially close ups. I discovered this site & others, read reviews,etc. & decided on an Olympus C-60 Zoom. I've ordered it from "B&H Photo" & I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
Because I live in a very remote area, I was hoping to find a way to communicate with fellow digital camera "buffs" & this site had forums that seemed most friendly to beginners who might ask "dumb" questions.
Well, I'm just saying, "Hi!" for now & hopefully I'll have a chance to chat with some of you soon. :)

Once you get the new "baby" you will want to start hanging out on the Olympus forum. You should be able to get a lot of useful "experience" information there. Read through the existing posts for tidbits on your specific camera. There is a lot of information here, so don't rush or you'll get a brain strain.

[Digideb]

Thank you, I feel welcome already. :) I probably will go to the Olympus thread when I have a specific question about my new camera. I already learned that the "owner's manual" that comes with my new camera is not great & the one offered online is much better. So, I printed out the online manual to occupy myself while I'm "chomping at the bit" for my "new baby" to arrive.
I've always been intimidated by other aspects of photography such as "F stops", "metering", "shutter speed", etc. Even after reading up on these things a bit, I still feel mostly clueless. I hoping to learn more as I go along & I guess this thread would be good for basic questions.
I think it's the instant gratification that digital photography offers that really "hooked" me. Now, instead of waiting to fill up a roll of film, sending it off & weeks or months later seeing the "so-so" results, I feel like, now, I'm the "picture-maker" all on my own. I feel much more connected (& in control) of the process.
I live on the Northern Calif. coast where there is a "postcard-view" almost everywhere I look & many small "jewels" of the forest & sea to capture in pix. It's very remote here & the only photographers I know are "Uber-Pros" who actually knew Ansel Adams. They own galleries & think of digital cameras as silly toys, so I don't want to bother them too much with my so-called "dumb" questions. I'm looking forward to connecting with other "shutterbugs" on this forum.
Thanks, again for rolling out the welcome mat. :D
P.S. I like using smileys! ;)

[Digideb]

The stork (U.S. Mail) delivered my new "baby" (Olympus C-60Z). :D It's much cuter than I expected. :p
"Mom" & "baby" are quietly bonding. So far, negative aspects reported about this camera seem unfounded to me, but I'll reserve my final opinion until I have more experience.