D40x

My dearest DSLR,

You must not realize how much pain your absence has put me through since July. It is now November. And you're still not fixed thanks to a fellow who has the ability to procrastinate at an even higher level than me on your recovery. As much as I wish for your speedy recovery, I am pained by the repair quoted by this evil Nikon technician who thinks I was born yesterday and he's the only existing technician in the world. What a nerve to charge me 150 extra than normal. Even if you return to me coated with gold lining after his God-like repair, I personally don't need much except for what is necessary.

I have my needs (to photograph) and you denied them time and again because of your physical defects. Did you not realized I've missed out photographing the important moments of my life this year ie. my birthday, my sister's birthday, my grandmother's funeral, various dinner parties and outings, building my photography portfolio, my fashion/cosplay shoots, random interesting events I would die to shoot and photoblog about.

I only received my precious 50mm within a month after saving like crazy and am burning with enthusiasm to try it out.

I'm so way being in practicing and I have a tonne of projects in mind. And I'm in a dilemma right now whether to get you fixed or just replace you with a new body but that would deal severe damage to my finances.

After all the emotional trauma and distress you've put me through, I wish to end this endless torment and uncertainty that you will be able to last our already doomed union (even after I get you fixed, who knows when you'll betray me again).

I honestly want to divorce you.

And elope with the Canon 5D Mark II. And ditch Nikon altogether.

...

My dearest DSLR,

I bought you with my hard earned allowance saved up for months by eating crackers every day in college. When I bought you from the Camera Fair in September 2007, you were the biggest commitment in my life. My Olympus Myu was stolen by some creep in Barcelona that summer and I was mad on buying a camera which had godlike shutter speed than normal cameras. More than ever, I bought a Nikon because I truly believed in its capabilities after months of research.

Maybe at the back of my mind, I wanted a DSLR so badly because a close friend of mine had a DSLR (Sony).. In a way, it keeps us connected still even though right now we've gone separate ways and God knows whether we'll be able to meet (and talk like we used to) again.

My D40x, we've gone through -8 degrees in Korea, 30 degrees in Malaysia, rain, sun, beach, snow and anywhere possible. Whenever I'm with you, it's as if we're off to Wonderland because everything else feels oblivious. I wear you like how a soldier would wear his rifle to war.There were the times your presence enhances my presence in society, giving me the honourable role of event photographer. You've brought me many new friends who were interested in both of us and became an important conversation starter especially among my photographer friends.

And then, you're the proof that people admire what I'm doing despite their constant nagging about how I am neglecting my role of becoming a lawyer. Without you, I wouldn't have enough positive factors to convince myself of my own self worth to the people around me. You materialized my talent and emphasized on my abilities. You projected my thoughts through images. You were my artificial right hand to draw when my own right hand died on me.

In short, you have brought with you whatever my existing happiness in order to look to the past and future with smiles. With you, I immortalized memories, even of the people that I have lost and I won't be able to see again. My po. My first love I broke my heart loving. People whom I don't know whether I will see again the rest of my life.

My D40x. My first DSLR. I will make sure you'll get fixed and come back home. And we will continue our journey of creating many more wonders...