I miss that satisfing "CA-chink"

It's true. There is photographic evidence of the very scientific blindfolded taste test. Evidence that will be shared once I remove them from my phone. Yeah... my phone.

Oh, hey! Did I tell you, I was a photo major in college? Yeah. Spent years studying photography, and now my main source of photography is my phone.

My first camera was a Fisher Price/Kodak 110 camera when I was 6 years old. I've had a camera ever since. My God, I thought I was THE SHIT when I purchased myself a 35mm point and shoot. I wouldn't have to have those crappy tiny 110 cartridges any more. You actually had to load and rewind your film correctly. You had to have SKILLZ to do 35mm... Then I purchased my first SLR and oh boy, I was big time. It was a Pentax, and I loved it. My best photographs were taken with it. I loved it... but I didn't feel it was cool enough for a serious photographer.

I was young and easily influenced. I was convinced that if I didn't keep up with technology, I would be lost with the novices. I was a budding PRO-SUMER.

In my 20's something happened. I saved a chunk of money and purchased a high end SLR with auto focus lenses and a snooty brand name... and then I freaked out. I became scared! Scared that I didn't make the right purchase, that it would soon be outdated and I wouldn't be able to upgrade, that someone would steal it, that it would break, that I wouldn't be able to afford to use it! That I would look like nerd with such a fancy camera and someone would think I was some kind of tourist(despite the purple hair and local train tickets).

So I didn't use it as much as I should have and it sits on my bookshelf, out of date and too expensive to use. My decade working in photo labs, darkrooms, and portrait studios ruined me on average film and development. No. I would not take it to Walmart, or use generic 200iso film. The only person who thought I looked like a nerd, was myself... and maybe my sister. It isn't broken, stolen, or cheesy.. but it is pretty dusty.

Luckily, I was able to stave off the atrophy of my photographic skillz with a P/S digital camera. YAY! Something else to play with! They were small, inconspicuous, harder to break, and easier to replace than my heavy SLR. I was happy with with that, until it slipped out of my pocket while watching a Fire Hockey Game in Mexico.

That was over a year ago. I've been using my phone ever since. What has been holding me back? Mostly indecision (and partially cause I'm lazy).

I'm balancing my previous career experience, Wants vs Needs, reality vs fantasy, and missing the super cool darkroom dance that I'll likely never participate in again.

So, all this to say, I need a new digital camera. Any suggestions out there for a picky photographer type with a lower budget? OKAY GO!