Good points all. I see I will have to put deeper thought into how much to spend. I'm leaning toward DSLR. I anticipate the learning curve, but see it as part of the fun, and the end goal is definitely worthwhile. I like the option of changing out lenses in the future, when I know what I'm doing and by then, will have saved more money.
It also looks like the more money I spend, the more time I'll have (need) to invest in the learning. Fortunately, the more money I spend, the more time I'll have (possess) to invest, while saving up to move out.
I still have to work out how much I'm willing/able to spend. It's rather a function of how long I live with my parents: the longer I can stand, the more spending money I have, but the more I spend in the meantime, the longer I must stand, but the longer I can stand because I have something to keep me occupied after work. As much as I'd love to pull out a formula and plug in variables, it's rather more timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly at this point.
Robbie, what camera did you use to get that close up of the scales? It seemed like you were implying a point and shoot, which completely baffles me. How??? Even if I got my snake to sit perfectly still (I've practiced with rubber snakes, believe you me), used a tripod, best quality settings and maybe if my zoom worked in ideal lighting there's no way in reality my point and shoot could take that quality of picture.
Alright, so my current point and shoot doesn't fit in my pocket (old -> bulky), and I see the advantage of a camera that does. To be honest, I think my cell phone camera answers that need, at least for me. People who shy away from cameras tend to pose more readily for phones. Insurance companies and courts looking at car accidents and such don't care as long as the picture is half decent. Besides, a camera would have to be pretty tiny to fit in girl pockets. For that matter, due to the shortage of pocket space, I rather like having a bag with a strap for the camera. Not a bad purse substitute, actually. And if I'm hiking, I have a backpack anyway. Just thinking out loud.
I suppose I don't like to put too much cash into any one object that I use "out in the world", but I'd rather spend $500 on something that will be satisfactory and useful for 5 years, than $100 for 1 year. Technology person though I am, I don't like "upgrading" (which usually really means disposing and replacing) often. I come from a background of "use it til it don't go no more". And with the right DSLR, an "upgrade" would mean buying a new lens or whatever, rather than just replacing the camera.
I'm after the following kind of usages. Taking pictures of the corn snake is the first: small subject, fast mover, ne'er-sit-still, close up macro type shots. I'd like to nurse my passing interest in entomology into a hobby, but would rather not deal with the corpses, so photos would be ideal: similar needs to the corn snake pictures, but smaller subjects and even more desire for detail. Someone mentioned bird watching, which was a great reminder. I've all but given up on photographing the local wildlife, particularly the avian, but the local hawks and falcons are so awesome: rather different set of needs than the first two, being much more distant subjects, but still the more detail the better. Fourth, astronomical photos would be awesome: I know it might be a bit of a stretch, but that's what this part of life is for.
