Coolpix Nikon L12 and the French Riviera
I needed a new camera for my trip to Nice last year, so I decided on the Nikon Coolpix L12, an inexpensive, sturdy point-and-shoot model.
I'm a light packer, so I don't enjoy being saddled with camera bodies, lenses, and chargers.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 weighs very little and fit neatly into my shirt pocket.
I took the TGV from Paris on a three hour trip to Marseille.
The train station was dark and dingy, but I couldn't resist snapping pictures of the people going by.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 was good at capturing foreground details, but the flash wasn't strong enough to give much definition to the backgrounds.
I was able to select the Indoor/Party mode from the scene menu, and that helped lighten everything up.
We left Paris at over 300 km/hr.
With Coldplay in my headphones and the camera in my hand, the sky brightened and I took pictures through the window.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 isn't quite quick enough to capture fast-moving action.
Too bad, as the countryside going south was beautiful.
After two hours of people-watching and my legs falling asleep, I suddenly realized that I didn't have my ticket! I had no idea where I'd left it, but if the Controller came by to check, I was sunk...
We were only an hour away from Marseille, so I prayed I'd make it.
I sang along nervously with Fergie, and kept filling up my SD Card with JPEG memories.
As the Nikon Coolpix L12 doesn't have an optical viewfinder, I was forced to use the LCD, which unfortunately was a drain on the batteries.
Pointing the camera over the seat in front of me, I suddenly saw that the Controller had just entered the compartment! Peeking out from between the seats, I waited until he was busy checking tickets and then gathered up my things and made a dash for the rear of the car.
I passed to the next compartment and kept going.
I took a seat at the very end of the last car, next to a young lady who must have noticed my shirt pocket, because she asked me if it was a digital camera.
Passing it to her, I told her it was a Nikon Coolpix L12.
She found it quite easy to use, as the buttons were well laid out and simple.
She asked if I wanted my picture taken.
I smiled and said yes.
She must have gotten some perverse pleasure watching my obviously worried face trying to smile.
I was debonair, and we chatted away, until I noticed the Controller entering the car.
I sank into my seat, when all at once, the train began to slow as we finally pulled into Marseille! My new companion smiled at me and, with a wink, said "Lucky.
" I certainly was.
I picked up my pack and offered her my hand.
She took it and we ran towards the door, snapping a picture of the Controller as we passed.
The LCD signaled that my batteries were about to run out.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 uses standard AA batteries, and we found some at the convenience store in the terminal.
The next bus to Nice was leaving in 15 minutes.
So, I asked my new friend an important question.
I'm a light packer, so I don't enjoy being saddled with camera bodies, lenses, and chargers.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 weighs very little and fit neatly into my shirt pocket.
I took the TGV from Paris on a three hour trip to Marseille.
The train station was dark and dingy, but I couldn't resist snapping pictures of the people going by.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 was good at capturing foreground details, but the flash wasn't strong enough to give much definition to the backgrounds.
I was able to select the Indoor/Party mode from the scene menu, and that helped lighten everything up.
We left Paris at over 300 km/hr.
With Coldplay in my headphones and the camera in my hand, the sky brightened and I took pictures through the window.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 isn't quite quick enough to capture fast-moving action.
Too bad, as the countryside going south was beautiful.
After two hours of people-watching and my legs falling asleep, I suddenly realized that I didn't have my ticket! I had no idea where I'd left it, but if the Controller came by to check, I was sunk...
We were only an hour away from Marseille, so I prayed I'd make it.
I sang along nervously with Fergie, and kept filling up my SD Card with JPEG memories.
As the Nikon Coolpix L12 doesn't have an optical viewfinder, I was forced to use the LCD, which unfortunately was a drain on the batteries.
Pointing the camera over the seat in front of me, I suddenly saw that the Controller had just entered the compartment! Peeking out from between the seats, I waited until he was busy checking tickets and then gathered up my things and made a dash for the rear of the car.
I passed to the next compartment and kept going.
I took a seat at the very end of the last car, next to a young lady who must have noticed my shirt pocket, because she asked me if it was a digital camera.
Passing it to her, I told her it was a Nikon Coolpix L12.
She found it quite easy to use, as the buttons were well laid out and simple.
She asked if I wanted my picture taken.
I smiled and said yes.
She must have gotten some perverse pleasure watching my obviously worried face trying to smile.
I was debonair, and we chatted away, until I noticed the Controller entering the car.
I sank into my seat, when all at once, the train began to slow as we finally pulled into Marseille! My new companion smiled at me and, with a wink, said "Lucky.
" I certainly was.
I picked up my pack and offered her my hand.
She took it and we ran towards the door, snapping a picture of the Controller as we passed.
The LCD signaled that my batteries were about to run out.
The Nikon Coolpix L12 uses standard AA batteries, and we found some at the convenience store in the terminal.
The next bus to Nice was leaving in 15 minutes.
So, I asked my new friend an important question.