A number of friends have asked for a recommendation on buying a DSLR to capture images of their baby. Here are my thoughts.

My Current Recommendation

• Look for a used Nikon D50 body at the Buy & Sell forums at FredMiranda.com or on similar forums at photo.net. Currently it looks like a used D50 body is going for ~$350. [note: you'll need to create an account before you can search at FredMiranda.com]
• Buy the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for ~$110. You might be able to find it a bit cheaper on the above forums or at Keh.com, but not by much. This lens–even new–is a bargain.

F.A.Q.s

• Why not just get a Nikon D60 kit?
1. The D60 (and D40 and D40x) can only take (more expensive) AF-I or AF-S lenses. [read more here; scroll down a little]
2. The kit lens is slower (meaning you’ll need more light) and of lower quality than the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens.
3. The D50 is discontinued and hence less expensive.
4. I think the 6 mp of the D50 is fine.
5. If you get the higher resolution cameras, you may need a more powerful computer, and you will need more storage space. (This one is minor, but something to consider. True, you get more detail with a higher mp camera, but I still think 6 mp is fine.)
• What are some other resources?
  1. You could buy via eBay or craigslist.
  2. photo.net has a good article covering the basics of purchasing a DSLR.

It’s a hard life being a baby, originally uploaded by superhua.

Oh, you’re kidding!, originally uploaded by superhua.

This is over a year old, but it is just too funny.

When I first read this, I almost thought it was a late April Fool’s joke. Willow Creek has always–at least in my mind–been associated with seeker sensitivity to the point where doctrine and challenge is often excluded. No more!

Interesting!

Hello there!, originally uploaded by superhua.

Interesting film on Intelligent Design.
[Wing Clip clips, Sproul interview of Stein]

“In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things, the figure of him who was sentenced and crucified remains a stranger.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Whoa, I just watched a trailer for 2 Million Minutes — which I heard about through a Youth Specialties newsletter.

2 Million Minutes is a 1 hour documentary which contrasts the educational systems in the US, China, and India. Guess which US high school they feature? None other than Carmel High School. Here is some more info and a trailer: