Missing my D80

Today I finally dropped my baby (my Nikon D80) off at the local camera store to get its sensor cleaned. They told me it might be four days before I get it back, which feels like a hundred years. I have been very successful in taking pictures everyday since the 1st, and it was really becoming a habit. I have a little Coolpix that I am shooting with now so I keep up the action, but it is not the same…at all…seriously. When I got my D80 last year for Christmas (and by last year, I mean year before last – 2007) I just dropped any point and shoot camera usage to nothing. All I have used has been a D-SLR, except maybe a few lame pictures of myself with a camera phone just for the heck of it. I did not realize what I had at my finger tips and just how versatile a SLR really is. I shoot in manual mode about 90% of the time meaning that I pick my Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO setting for every shot. I have ultimate control, and consequently I take a lot of pathetic pictures, but when I get a good one it is so rewarding. On my Coolpix, I am at the mercy of what the camera sees and what it records and that is pretty much it. There are no real artistic options to it. I drove around today to try to get ideas of things to go and shoot once I get my D80 back and to keep my shooting rhythm. I got lost a few times, but I found my way. I did notice that I was more willing to stop and shoot with the little point and shoot camera. It is so much easier to use without drawing attention to yourself, or so it feels. That is one advantage I guess to using a good ole point and shoot. However, that does not make me miss a SLR any less. I think this brief separation will help me be more determined than ever to take quality pictures when I get the camera back. I a mean time I will do the best I can to get a great picture with what I have!
God Bless