Mayank's Viewpoint

The (point and shoot) camera with which I began digital photography way back in August 2005 was Canon PowerShot A95. It wasn’t my choice, but recommended by someone dear to me and after reading reviews on the internet, fell for it! With PSAM modes, a custom mode, optical viewfinder, swing-out LCD display, custom white balance, spot metering, use of handy and popular AA batteries, manual focus, room for conversion lens adaptors (and therefore UV and polarizing filters), good image quality, efficient response and very decent build quality in a pocketable form factor, the A95 seemed to have more than I had asked for..

As someone graduating from fully-manual film SLRs, I was often surprised at A95s comprehensive feature-set which enabled me to ‘enjoy’ (yes, enjoy) digital photography and approach subjects with freedom and ease. The features (in particular PSAM modes, manual focus, flip-out LCD and ability to use polarizing filter) also allowed for healthy experimentation and exploration, which IMHO, is necessary for developing photography skills and better understanding of subjects.

My A95 purchase was luckily followed by a few trips to wildlife reserves around Rajasthan, where the camera was used more than generously! After shooting about a thousand images with it in a span of four months, I thought I deserved better and sold it to buy a digital SLR

Four years later, when I look back at the A95, my respect for it seems very much intact (even after having used subsequent and much improved PowerShot models like A620 and A640) and I get struck by a wave of nostalgia for I shared with the camera some truly memorable and beautiful moments, a few of which got frozen in time! I am pleased to share with you some of my favourite images taken with the A95 between August and November 2005, as a small tribute to what I feel was a ‘classic’ digital compact camera:

(This article also appeared on the website Serious Compacts, as a part of Serious Compacts Hall of Fame entries.)

Above: Birders returning at dusk. Tal Chhapar (Rajasthan) India.

Above: Blackbucks at Taal Chhapar, Rajasthan.

Above: 'Thee ripple'. Bharatpur bird sanctuary, Rajasthan.

Above: 'Magic pool'. Monsoon clouds at sunset. Jaipur, India.

Above: Sand dunes and grasses at dusk. Jaipur (Rajasthan).

Above: Leafless beauty at Taal Chhapar (Rajasthan) India.

Above: Undershrub Aerva persica. Jaipur (India).

Above: Fallen tree at a marsh. Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Above: Standing together, at Tal Chapar, Rajasthan.

Above: Rock fingers. Jaipur (Rajasthan) India.

Above: Flowering 'Kair' bush at Taal Chhapar, Rajasthan.

Above: Post-monsoon grasses on dunes. Jaipur (Rajasthan).

A 15 minute grocery shopping session at a shopping mall in New Delhi turned into a three hour long wait owing to a heavy downpour. It rained very hard and continuously that evening (July 27, 2009) and after forced window shopping and coffee session, I got attracted to the sight of rainwater flowing down on some glass windows. Fortunately, I was carrying a Canon SX110IS compact camera with me and started shooting. The next few hours passed easily, thanks to an enjoyable photo session! Here are some pictures of the rain taken from inside the mall, between 7 and 10 pm, most at ISO 400.

Above: Back-lit rain and plant shadows on glass windows.

Above: Rain and reflections on glass windows.

Above: Wet verandah floor.

Above: Rain on top!

Above: Balcony, rain outside and reflections on glass door!

Above: Rain, pavement and shadows, lit-up by street lamps.

Above: Pouring outside..

Above: Post-rain reflections outside the mall.