I spent the weekend trying to track down the all-singing, all dancing Canon EOS 10D in London.
I found one on Saturday and checked that it was compatible with all my existing Canon lenses. I didn’t buy it. I found another one on Sunday at a cheaper price. I didn’t buy it. That’s right - I turned down not one, but two chances to own the Canon EOS 10D.

And you know what? Unless I win the Lottery (which I never enter), I’m not going to buy one. In the shop, the 10D felt like an expensive, capable, quick focusing camera, with a very bright LCD and clear viewfinder. If you’re in the market for a DSLR, then you should consider buying this camera. But that’s just it - I realised that I wasn’t in that market, at least not for the time being.

I mean, who am I trying to kid? I’ve been interested in photography for about 2 years. I currently own a Canon EOS 300 with a couple of consumer lenses. I go out to take pictures once or twice a week, maybe 15-20 rolls of film in a good month. How can I justify spending ?1500 on a camera body, especially when the general advice is to invest in good lenses, rather than a good body?

So instead, I’m planning to upgrade over time to the EOS 30, better lenses, a decent tripod and some filters. I’ve still got a lot to learn. And the latest, greatest DSLR, however “affordable”, is not going to provide any shortcuts. Not unless I win the Lottery…