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First, let me tell you how MUCH I love my new Canon Rebel T5 camera (which is pictured above).

It's been so long since I've used a camera with a viewfinder, that I thought it would feel weird to not only use a monitor. However, the moment I brought it up to my eye to take my first picture, it felt so natural. And the camera itself felt good in my hands, as if it belonged there. I especially like how it's so lightweight and easy-to-hold.

And let me also tell you that this is one powerful little camera, which I haven't even begun to delve into all that it's capable of.

Yes, I am BEYOND happy with my new purchase!

Now, before I show you some photographs, I want to give you a backstory of how I got an even better deal on the price.

For some reason, I kept hesitating to buy this camera a few weeks ago. Every time I went to make the purchase on Amazon, something kept stopping me from doing it. So I started to think that maybe I shouldn't get this specific camera because it might not be the right one for me. Therefore, I took a few days to investigate different models but kept coming back to the Canon Rebel T5. I got so confused that I finally just took a few more days to do nothing and stopped thinking about it.

And it was during those two days, I suddenly remembered that I had two $50.00 gift cards to Best Buy, which I had received last year from my previous job as a reward for achieving my goals.

Immediately, I went over to Best Buy's website and searched for the camera to see if they had it. And guess what? Not only did they have it, but they also had it at the same price that Amazon offered!

So, do you know what I did? I took the $50.00 gift cards and used them to purchase a camera bag and an additional battery. And still, the total price of the camera with the accessories I purchased made it even LESS than what I would have spent on Amazon.

*doing the happy dance*

So you see, there was a reason why I kept hesitating to initially purchase the camera. I think the Universe was trying to JOLT my memory into recalling those two gift cards!

Anyhoo, here are a few photographs I took with my new Canon. I only received the camera last Friday, so I haven't had time to get out and really work it. But I wanted to show you some test photos; therefore I quickly took some shots of various things in my apartment. And by the way, these were all taken in auto mode.


Nighttime view from my apartment windows


One of my many Buddha statues



My collection of rubber duckies



An apple a day keeps the doctor away


I say to-may-to, you say to-mah-to


The cover of a book on the history of Bvlgari jewerly

Yup...I am very happy with this new camera!

Have a grrrreat Monday, y'all!
X


41 comments:

  1. Woohoo I love it when one gets exactly what one wants and at a bargain price! Well done to you Ron. Great photos BTW! xx

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  2. That's fantastic and I love the first photo of the city. I have had the same thing happen to me, where something tells me not to buy online quite yet. But never because I had $100 worth of gift cards stashed! That's wonderful! Have fun with your new toy!

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  3. Hola Denise!

    " And kudos to you for getting it at an even better price, using your gift cards!"

    Yahoooo!

    "What I love about Best Buy is that they will price match most things if it's sold in one of their competitor stores. They offer the best customer service too!"



    Yes, you're right, they do. In fact, they priced matched both the camera bag AND the battery, which is why I ended up paying less than Amazon because I was able to use the remaining balance on the gift cards to reduce the price on the camera! And I agree, their customer service is AWESOME!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week!
    X

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  4. Yay on the new camera! Saving money is always a bonus! Don't you just love a Canon camera? They take great photos in auto, but once you learn manual...wow! If you shoot in raw it will allow you much more leverage in post processing as well. I took mine out this weekend (Canon SL1) and shot in manual raw. I haven't taken them off the camera yet though.

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  5. Ron, don't you love when things turn out better than you thought they would? I'm so happy to hear that you got the camera you wanted, at an even better price! My husband and I purchase most of our electronic devices at Best Buy because their prices can't be beat.


    This camera takes beautiful pictures! What an amazing view from your apartment. You face City Hall? And I love the last picture of the book cover. It looks so professional.


    Enjoy your new camera, Ron. Looking forward to seeing more photographs!

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  6. "Yay on the new camera! Saving money is always a bonus!"

    Thanks, Suzi! And yes, saving money is ALWAYS a bonus :)

    "They take great photos in auto, but once you learn manual...wow! If you shoot in raw it will allow you much more leverage in post processing as well. I took mine out this weekend (Canon SL1) and shot in manual raw."



    Yes, I can't WAIT to shoot in RAW mode. And that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to upgrade my camera because you can do so much more editing in RAW.


    This camera came with two CD-ROM's that give instructions on how to use all the features. I can't wait to start trying things!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic week!
    X

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  7. Hellooooo there Elaine!

    " don't you love when things turn out better than you thought they would?"

    OMG, yes! And I'm so glad I waited until I found the gift cards because I was able to purchase the accessories and still save money on the camera!

    "My husband and I purchase most of our electronic devices at Best Buy because their prices can't be beat."

    This is the first thing I ever purchased from Best Buy but will be doing more in the future because the whole experience was awesome! The customer representative I spoke to on the phone couldn't have been better. She rocked!

    "You face City Hall?"



    Yes, I face City Hall. I have a very small studio apartment but the view of the city is faaaabulous!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week!
    X

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  8. Ron, I am super happy that you ended up get the camera you wanted and paid even less than what you had originally planned. I'm frugal, so if I can find a way to save money, I am very happy!

    Great shots! I love the Buddha and the view from your apartment windows. Btw, do you practice Buddhism?

    "I say to-may-to, you say to-mah-to." LOL. Roma are my favorite to-may-to!



    Congrats on your new camera, dude. Enjoy!

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  9. Hiya Grace!

    "Canon 'auto' takes really good photos."

    I had read on several reviews that Canon takes AMAZING auto shots, and they were right. I am so impressed with how intuitive Canon's are!

    "Love the rubber duckies!"



    Aren't they festive? One of my blogging friends sent me the ones you see pictured, however, I have several others that I've collected over the years.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic week!
    X

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  10. Thank you, Matt :) I was very happy that I got this camera, and got it at a GREAT price!

    " I'm frugal, so if I can find a way to save money, I am very happy!"

    Me too!

    "Btw, do you practice Buddhism?"

    No, I don't. However, I believe in many of their principles and follow them. I collect Buddha statues because whenever I look at them, I feel calm and more balanced. I started collecting them back in the late 90's.

    " Roma are my favorite to-may-to!"



    Mine too because they're the perfect size. I like to slice them and add them to salads and pasta.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent week!
    X

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  11. Hey, Ron, that's a beautiful camera. And the fact that you got a better deal just makes things even sweeter!


    It's fascinating how you instinctively held back from making the purchase on Amazon even though you didn't know why. I'm so glad you used your Best Buy coupons because you definitely earned them.


    Love those first photos and I'm looking forward to seeing many more great shots. You're an excellent photographer!


    Take care, buddy, and have a great week!

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  12. I popped in to see if my comment was printed, alas No. I could swear I saw it, too. Leaving this to see if this goes through - or not, as the case may be. So here it is again... I have started to save the comment just in case so it will be interesting to see if this one gets through....

    I like a camera with a viewfinder. My camera has one of those silly viewing screens which feels all wrong to me. So what if I can twist it this way and that! Good on you for remembering those vouchers, you would have kicked yourself if you missed such a good opportunity to use them. Have fun with your new toy. Loved the pics, by the way, love the view from your window.

    Happy Monday xx

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  13. I remember the first camera I bought without a monitor. It felt unnatural and took some real getting used to, but now a monitor would feel weird. In any case, looks like your camera takes amazing photos! Or maybe it's the dude behind the lens. Either way, these are stunning, Ron! I love the photo of your nighttime view. Hell, I love your nighttime view. Great apartment you've got there! And I bet you're within walking distance of some amazing Philly cheesesteaks, too!

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  14. Ron, first off, Congratulations on getting such a GREAT deal! Everybody should be such a savvy shopper, my friend!

    I'm so glad to hear the camera is pleasing you (especially after SOOOO many of us encouraged you to make one your own!). Your photos are amazing, but I'll bet that, after a couple of weeks using this beauty, you're going to WOW us all with what you come up with! I can hardly wait, you know!

    Hope Easter was wonderful for you -- I sure like that Mama Ducky wearing her head towel, ha!

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  15. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comMonday, April 06, 2015

    You got a great deal - but more importantly, a great camera! Love your shots - especially the Buddha. And wow, you have a great view from your apartment window.

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  16. Hey there Rob!

    Thank you :) "And the fact that you got a better deal just makes things even sweeter!"

    You said it! I TOTALLY forgot about those gift cards because I stashed them away in my desk draw last year. I'm so glad I held off and waited until I remembered I had them because I was able to save some money, and at the same time, was also able to purchase some "extras!"

    I had today off, so I went outside and took LOTS of photos!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an AWESOME week!
    X

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  17. "I popped in to see if my comment was printed, alas No. I could swear I saw it, too. Leaving this to see if this goes through - or not, as the case may be. So here it is again..."

    Oh drats, sorry about that Valerie! I can't understand why Disqus eats comments sometimes. And it's not only you because it's happened to some of my other readers. But I'm so glad you saved your comment so that you could paste it again. I've gotten to the point that whenever I leave comments on people's blog (whether it's Blogger or WordPress), I copy my comments because it sometimes happens on any blogging platform.

    "I like a camera with a viewfinder. My camera has one of those silly viewing screens which feels all wrong to me."

    I was delightfully surprised by how fast I got used to using the viewfinder because it's been ages. The last two cameras I owned only had monitors.

    "Good on you for remembering those vouchers, you would have kicked yourself if you missed such a good opportunity to use them."



    I'm sooooooooo glad I remembered those gift cards and waited, because not only did I save some money but I was also able to purchase those accessories!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a lovely week!
    X to you and Joe

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  18. Hey there Mark!

    "I remember the first camera I bought without a monitor. It felt unnatural and took some real getting used to, but now a monitor would feel weird."

    I go back and forth using the viewfinder and the monitor on this camera. But I definitely prefer the viewfinder.

    "In any case, looks like your camera takes amazing photos! Or maybe it's the dude behind the lens. Either way, these are stunning, Ron!"

    Aw, thanks, buddy. But I'll tell you, the auto mode on this camera is AMAZING, so it helps a lot!

    "Hell, I love your nighttime view. Great apartment you've got there!"

    My apartment is very small but the view makes up for it because I have four BIG windows, which give the illusion that it's much bigger!

    "And I bet you're within walking distance of some amazing Philly cheesesteaks, too!"



    Bwhahahahhaaha!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a SUPER week!


    X to you and Tara

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  19. Thanks, Debbie :) I am so glad I waited to purchase this camera because it gave me time to remember that I had those two gift cards. Yahooooooo!


    Thank you for your sweet and encouraging words, my friend. I have a lot more to learn about using this camera, but I look forward to the process. I had off today, so I spent the afternoon outside taking a TON of photographs. I took a lot of Spring flower shots. The weather today was STUNNING!


    I worked yesterday, but it was a short day. I actually offered to work so that some of the other managers who had family close by could spend the day with them.


    Hope you had faaabulous Easter, my friend! Happy Monday!
    X

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  20. "You got a great deal - but more importantly, a great camera!"

    Fiona, I am sooooo loving this camera! And yes, the great deal I got makes it even better :)

    " And wow, you have a great view from your apartment window."



    Thank you :) I live in a small studio apartment, however, I have four LARGE windows which gives the illusion that it's bigger.


    Have a super week, my friend, and thanks for stopping by!
    X

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  21. Congratulations on your new camera, Ron! And good for you for listening to your intuition by waiting until you remembered those gift cards!


    I'm so happy you got this camera. You deserved the upgrade because I know how much you enjoy photography. Your passion and excitement shines through!


    Fabuloso photographs! What an incredible view you have from your apartment windows. Damn, and I bet you pay a lot for that but it's worth it for that view! Love the rubber duckies shot. They're adorable!


    Have fun with your new camera. Looking forward to more of your photos!

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  22. Thank you, Robert :) Yes, I'm so glad I listened to my intuition and waited to get this camera from Best Buy because I saved some money and also got the accessories!

    It was time for me upgrade because I learned all I could learn from my previous cameras. And I know this camera will teach me a lot!

    "What an incredible view you have from your apartment windows. Damn, and I bet you pay a lot for that but it's worth it for that view!"

    I've been in this apartment building for about 12 years, so my rent hasn't gone up as much as it would be for someone moving in now. They're charging almost $100 more for this apartment, so I feel lucky to have it for the price I'm paying.

    " Love the rubber duckies shot. They're adorable!"



    One of my blogging friends sent me those several years ago. Aren't they adorable? I have a few others that I've collected over the years.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week!
    X

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  23. Woohooo...indeed! Sounds like you got a great deal and the perfect camera for you too! The photos are all great, love the rubber duckies most of all. The night scene is so cool too. I look forward to seeing a LOT more great photos here, in the coming months. I bet you're going to be out and about with your new 'baby" a lot!!!


    Hugs, G


    PS: I wasn't able to reply to your email from disqus, hope you have time to email again soon, from your regular acct. Thanks so much.

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  24. PS: I've had that "hesitation" thing happen a lot (especially in recent months) and it always works out for the best. That still small voice rarely steers us wrong. :-)

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  25. Yay!!! I'm so glad you made the decision to go with the Canon. And congrats on scoring a sweet deal! I'd love to have a new Rebel. I got a Canon ProShot SX700 (little camera) and really don't like it much outside of the fact that it's easier to carry around. The photo snaps are awesome. I think the two of you will be very happy together. :-) Can't wait to see what you're going to do with it once you get our and about in town.

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  26. Helloooooo there Geraldine!


    Can I just tell you how much I LOVE this new camera? The weather was gorgeous yesterday, and I had the day off, so I spent the whole afternoon outside taking photographs of spring flowers! I'll be sharing lots of photos over the next couple of weeks.


    And yes, I will send you my email address just as soon as I finish responding to comments. So sorry that I forgot when you asked me last week.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a FABU week!


    X

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  27. I agree, that still small voice RARELY steers us wrong. And it's taken me years to learn how to trust it.

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  28. Greetings Jennifer!

    Welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a comment. It's so nice to meet you! I quickly clicked over to your blog and noticed that you live in Florida. I lived in Florida for 20 years. Boca Raton for 5 years and then Orlando for 15. I moved back east about 12 years ago because I'm originally from here.

    Glad to hear you like your Canon camera! I am so loving this Rebel. And the main reason I got it was because I want to start shooting more pictures in manual mode. However, I'm so impressed by how well this camera takes pictures in auto mode! I'm so happy I got it.

    Glad to hear you enjoyed the post about Dunkin Donuts coffee.

    " I never noticed how hot it was but, after reading your post, the other attorney felt mighty validated."



    OMG...it's HOTTEST!


    Thanks again for stopping by. I will be stopping by your blog in the next few days to say hi!


    Have a super week!
    X

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  29. Aw...thanks, Lisa! I am sooooo glad I decided to go the Canon as well because it's an AWESOME camera!

    " I got a Canon ProShot SX700 (little camera) and really don't like it much outside of the fact that it's easier to carry around."



    I know what you mean because I have a Canon PowerShot and it's a bit easier to carry around and take pictures quickly without having to put on a lens to shoot. However, I can tell already that this Rebel takes MUCH better photographs!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a super week!
    X

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  30. OMG....YOU BOUGHT IT!!!

    *doing happy dance*

    Ohmygosh....and look at the first photos! Of course I like that view from the window, but wow--how awesome are those closeups!
    Oh!! Just in time for springtime and adventures and COOL stuff.
    I soooo need to get back into camera time.

    Congratulations on the intuitive knowing to just 'wait'. It paid off!

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  31. Hiya Mel!

    Yes...I FINALLY bought it, can you believe it? And I am so glad I waited because I got such a great deal on this camera. Plus, I was able to purchase some other stuff because of the gift cards - Yahoooo!

    "how awesome are those closeups!"

    I can't get over how intuitive this camera is on auto mode because I did no adjusting to get those closeup shots. They just happened!

    "Oh!! Just in time for springtime and adventures and COOL stuff."

    Yes, just in time for springtime! In fact, I took some photographs about three days ago of the flowers that are starting to bloom. I will be posting them next week!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  32. "They're charging almost $100 more for this apartment, so I feel lucky to have it for the price I'm paying."


    That's great, Ron, because I know how much rent can be in a city. I had no idea you've lived there for 12 years! I bet they love having you as a longstanding tenant.

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  33. Yes, Robert, rent in a city can be very expensive; especially in a city like NY. However, Philly is not nearly as steep, but it has escalated over the past 5 years. This apartment is very convenient because it's close to work, grocery stores, and public transportation.

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  34. These shots are amazing. I love the view from your place. So inspiring. The city is there for you.

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  35. Helloooooooo Susu!

    OMG, it's sooooooo great to see you! I hope all is well and that you're enjoying spring!

    Thank you :) I just got this new camera and am LOVING it! It was time for an upgrade to a DSLR, so I went with a Canon.



    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Enjoy the rest of your week!
    X

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  36. now now. i can only be thismuch happy for you, given i'm a nikon gurrrrrl. ;) BUT that being said, those photos are amaze! we can still be bffs. (my autocorrect kept trying to make that buffs btw)

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  37. "we can still be bffs. (my autocorrect kept trying to make that buffs btw)"


    Oh, how funny! And yes, we can still be bffs because I used to have Nikon as well and loved it! However, my last camera was a Canon, so when I stepped up to a DSLR, I decided to go with a Canon Rebel.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl!
    X

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  38. beautiful and stunning. great choice. i do love the canons. enjoy it. look forward to seeing more pics from you. and yes, an extra battery is a must. great purchase.

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  39. Aw...thank you, Val :)

    I am so enjoying this new camera and looking forward to learning more and more how to use it. I think it will teach me a lot about photography.

    " and yes, an extra battery is a must."

    I am sooooooooo glad I purchased an extra battery, just in case I'm traveling somewhere and one of them runs out of juice. At least I'll have a backup. But boy, I had no idea how expensive they were!?! Glad I got this one at half price!

    X

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  40. I love your view! Next to mountains & lakes, high up city views are my favorite. Unfortunately, our new place won't have a high up view. Glad you got such a good deal on your camera! Looking forward to more pics!

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  41. Thank you, Benze :) That's one of the nice things about this apartment, it's small, but I have four HUGE windows that overlook the city, so it makes my apartment seem bigger.


    And I am sooooooo loving this new camera! Glad I purchased it :)

    X

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