kja

Late to the party but here's my two cents for inexpensive, straight out of box shooting with few manual controls; based on mass research and tons of hands on: Tiny, versatile & hardy = Canon Elph/Ixus series. I wouldn't be without mine (SD1200, a few years old but still kicking) I paid about $120 and there are quite a few models in various price ranges available. Smallish, water/shock resistant = Panasonic TS3. Adore mine. Wouldn't spring for the extra cash for the newer TS4, myself. I paid about $230ish.

Having a lovely time in Bonaire and can see a future trip my be on the cards, too :) Haven't been shooting nearly as many photos as I thought I would, but getting some neat things each dive. Enough talking, here's me and my little sea horse skewer that came with the calamari and, of course, some underwater buddies more to come...

Maybe not being able to decide really is the universes telling you now isn't the right time. It shouldn't be this hard to choose, really :)

I'm so sad to hear of Cowboy's passing May your memories warm your soul xoxo

hesap - thank you :) two boring ones

Been hearing great things about this new one :)

Yikes!! That makes it an expensive download for sure!! I hope it arrives tomorrow :) CC - but, but, it's for your own good, really!

hehe not that I'm disputing any of the claims coz the D700 is a kickass camera & lord knows that 5DII AF had a few niggles :laugh: , but it IS the Nikon guy so I certainly wouldn't expect the Canon model to come out on top ;)

I'd go the 50mm, too, even though I personally don't use mine much at all anymore. It is a very versatile and crisp lens (for both Nikon & Canon) and it's one of those you really do want in your kit forever Oh, and I don't mean to crash the thread - I currently have Canon gear but I'm not a fanboi of any manufacturer & do try to keep up with current technology so I can make good choices when I need to. ;)

The D7000 is more than enough camera, I reckon. Save the dough and invest in good glass. My Canon 40D is still kickin' ass after how many years? The D7000 will last you well.

4.1 is just a version update. You go to adobe.com and click the button, install it and open it - all good to go. No more payment etc needed ;) Why did you have it sent instead of just downloading it? I haven't had a disk since LR1 LOL

Lightroom 4.1 is out now and I've only just installed it for a quick play. Already I like it even better than LR4. I had no problems with LR4 but this just seems more responsive and even more accurate when transferring files from an old catalog. I vote -> get 4.1, it's ready and you won't regret it :)

@gapvic - your selfies are always so intriguing! @kuma - that little deer guy looks unimpressed :) @huga - both of those so cute! 22/52 - osprey was totally unconcerned with us...and the dogs didn't even notice him until he flew away LOL

Thanks, piper! Schools of fish are so cool to be in Featherstar Shrimp B&W Threadfin pearl perch

Sorry, can't help haven't used them. If you think it's a great deal maybe give them a go. I find their site a bit strange with no examples of their work (only a few iphone/ipad covers) but maybe they are great?!

Thanks again - glad you're not over this thread yet! I can't believe I leave in just four days to a new diving adventure - I'm so excited. Still trying to get through some of my backlog of images from recent dives so I'll try to keep posting some each day for a while. hermit tucked in coral flatworm swims away

bummer, I'll be flying

Yup, that's the one. She looks sharp and the in-flight action is captured well!

for some reason facebook won't let me put a link in I think it's kinda in the middle of the set? She's wearing pink and is fully extended off the ground, coming at you.

The exposure etc looks fine here, too. I'd try black & white just to see if you get more "feeling" into the images with a different process. #2 - I either want to know what Bindy is looking at so need more of the dog in the background or I want to want to know what she's looking at so need less of the dog in the background. I think you have some overall better images on your flickr (the flying shot of #8 is great!), but maybe not of this dog? It sounds like you know what isn't working in the images, so that's great for next time!

@Cat - thanks I love my olive sea snakes Orange curious pufferfish vertical school

Scoopon today -> $79 for huge awesome metal print ready to hang. These things are gorgeous No clue what I will use it for, but for this price I grabbed one!

They look so happy!

Focus tips for your camera/lens: - select ONE point. you should see a single red box in the viewfinder. The centre point is the most accurate but it means you need to recompose if you do not want your subject centered. It's a good one to start with though until you can nail focus every time. - make sure you are in single shot mode on your camera. Read your manual if you aren't sure how to set this (it's usually default). - make sure you are not in continuous focus mode, you want the focus to lock when you half press. Again, see your manual. - check your aperture setting. Don't try for wide open to start, stop down two clicks and start there until you get it happening. - make sure your shutter speed is high enough that you aren't getting any camera shake. Starting rule of thumb: 1/whatever focal length you are shooting -> 50mm lens, minimum shutter speed for safe hand-holding 1/50. - relax your breathing. Lock your focus, breath, shoot, breath. Don't shoot on an intake or exhalation. Find your rhythm. - take more than one shot. - try switching the focus to the * on the back of your camera (read your manual). I almost always have mine set up this way. You press that to lock focus and use the shutter to take the photo. Some people find it becomes a smoother motion for firing than half press and then full press of the shutter. Both methods take practice. - have fun

Thanks again, td :) Still cold and windy here so spending some time getting through a few images in-between all the stuff I should be doing :) Nembrotha lineolata nudibranch B&W porcelain crab