kja

The Canon 70-200 4.0 is a very good lens and $550 isn't a bad price (they are about $670+ new). When you jump to the 2.8 version you're looking at over $1000. Only you can decide if the extra stop is worth it. If you do a massive amount in low light and absolutely must have the shot, then it's worth it (and if that's the case then you'll actually want the IS II version which is over $2000). The 10-22 is also a stellar lens. I don't use mine nearly enough. There are a few options, all excellent and all with their own strengths: - Canon 10-22: fabulous lens. most expensive ($756ish). handles flare very well. - Sigma 10-20: great lens. less expensive($429ish). nothing wrong with this lens at all and fabulous value for money. - Tokina 11-16: fabulous lens. mid range price($699ish). wider than the above. max aperture 2.8 so best choice for low light. If you want a fisheye, which is a limited use specialty lens that does distort your subject, the Tokina 10-17 is awesome. ($699ish) Personally, I'd probably go to the Sigma 10-20 looking at your post.

Weasels - thanks for the detailed reply! You've given me quite a few things to think about and hopefully we can find something that helps the Til-Monster

Just over four years old. These are all behaviours she has been doing forever, but lately they seem to happen more often for no reason I can see. One other thing she does quite often is come when I call her, but stop a couple of feet away and either sit or completely lay down.

My Tilly has always been a bit of a freaky skittish thing but lately it's getting worse. For instance: she will hide under her safety plant in the backyard and there's nothing that will bring her out. And randomly she'll look like she's in trouble (she isn't, I haven't raised a voice or acted menacing or anything out of the normal), head down, tail tucked, big ol' puppy dog eyes then lay down and refuse to come to me when called. Sometimes she'll come to me (either of her own volition or because I've called her), I'll give her some pats or a treat or a cuddle or whatever and she'll jump away and go lay down 10 or so feet away, refusing to move. I joke that she hears voices... This morning she knocked something off my desk and startled herself. She will not come to me in the office at all yet. She's been doing very well when we're out on the beach playing and I call her. I don't think I'm explaining it very well but I hope maybe someone can nugget out some sense. I'm concerned because she really does need to come to me when I call her and I just don't think living like this where she's so timid is that great for her mental health. Before anyone suggests a trainer etc, please note that I do not have any of those resources available to me where we live. Thank you in advance!

I'm back home now for the foreseeable future, so let's see if I can do this in 2012 LOL Here's mine up to now: 1/52 - Drove to the Keys while in Miami & had a burger. It wasn't great. 2/52 - full moon setting over Big Spirit Lake at my Dad's house 3/52 - My sister, Cat, lovin' on her new baby, Beau 4/52 - back in Exmouth & out diving before TC Iggy hits. self portrait with new GoPro Hero2 5/52 - Tilly snuggling in her towel during TC Iggy

Perfect moment! Loved catching up on what I missed while away. These little ones are just too cutie patootie!!

You could always add something like Photocart to your own web site.

bummer

Late to this thread but just wanted to check a few things before you go plonking down some cash as I got a little confused reading. - does the lens autofocus properly at all? if no -> yup, there's a problem ;) if yes -> does it autofocus when you are up close but NOT zoomed in at all? if no -> are 100% positive that you are not too close? Lenses have a minimum focus distance and if you are too close, the AF will not work. It's not a flaw, it's a limitation of the particular lens and every single lens out there has it. A cm can make all the difference. if yes -> when you try to zoom from this closest spot, does the autofocus work? if no -> you are too close. You have effectively moved the lens closer and thus encroached into its minimum focus distance so the AF will not work. Remember, usually when you zoom in you must physically move BACK as minimum focus distance at the widest focal length will be closer to your subject than your minimum focus distance with your longest focal length. Hope this helps and saves you some bucks. It's an extremely common user error.

hehe I'm not AIPP certified and I humbly think I do OK by my clients ;) but maybe others disagree. I'd be very wary of doing this as it's a great way to have hurt feelings all around. If you want to take your camera and take some shots to share that's one thing but to be working towards planning stuff that the bride knows about it is a sure way to open the door to disappointment. and the conditions sound sucky. +pretty much all that's been said above! good luck with whatever choice you make.

@kirislin - not lucky til we see what's under the tree - maybe there will just be coal LOL Surprised more DOLers don't have camera goodies on the list.

Santas coming soon - who's got camera goodies in their list & whatcha hoping for? I've got a bunch of stuff from a new uw video system to close up lenses to bendy tripods to the uber cute hero baby video system to snoots on my listy. No idea what will be under the tree (or what shopping I will look forward to after the day!) Can't wait!

Sounds like snapfish doesn't have it together anymore. That's too bad! For books try clickonprint - I've had a few done there,but nothing in the past 10 months, and each time the images have been true. Not the highest quality paper but good enough for casual uses.

You need a monitor calibration software/hardware package. There is also a pretty crappy one that comes with Windows but it might get you in the ballpark. Monitors need to be recalibrated regularly. Here are two sites to help you check yours: Calibration Gray bar If you're sure your monitor is dialed in and your prints come back yuck, it's the printer. Have the lab redo them and tell them not to adjust anything at all and that your files are how you want them printed.

@Frodo's - Ruby looks very...content! And I adore the stare down @dogfan - fun to try something new @crazy - Love the slugs 46/52 Tilly hiding in the garden

Calibrate your monitor. If your monitor is not calibrated you have no idea how the prints will turn out. If your monitor IS calibrated properly and the prints come back really off, it's a printing problem. Reputable labs will redo the bad prints. They likely won't do any adjustments for you but check their site to see if they offer it as an extra service. You'll have to pay and then trust their judgment.

Glad you like them - I'm pretty sure I picked up a few from that deal, too

nm

Why don't you have Lightroom? I'd be lost without it! I think it's on sale again right now, too.

And you know if I was out bush and saw a bungarrow with a feral cat, I'd be right there taking the same shot ;) Feral cats are a problem here, but not as huge as the damned foxes. I have a big bunga' living under my house now and again for the past three or so years, all my furkids seem unconcerned with him and he prefers the front driveway to the back patio so everyone's happy. These ta ta lizards are more prolific in this area than pretty much any other critter besides flies! Here's one of my resident guys who suns himself on the patio furniture almost every day (I've cheated and used an older photo coz he darted off today before I could get a good frame).

Thanks, Crazy!! Harry is doing so much better than I was led to expect

Ripley - yeah, I left it there. I'm not much of one for censorship and I understand the knee jerk reaction. I prefer well thought out objections and no nastiness, but I'm not offended when people speak their minds. And I'm not offended when people like, dislike, object to, think about or otherwise react to my photographs. Not everything I shoot or share is totally cute or beautiful or mindless. I don't see much difference in Boof nailing a lizard and me nailing a fish for dinner other than the fact that I eat part of the fish and have no interest in lizard parts. Or of guys nailing a kangaroo. Or a wild goat. Or a whole bunch of things, really. Other people will react differently to various things, as you said. But just because it's "wildlife" doesn't make it sacrosanct to me. no idea that some photos of my cats would turn into a thought-provoking (at least for me) thread

snapfish.com.au springs to mind

Ah well. You aren't alone in that, someone on my FB wall had a go at me already It's a ta ta lizard. I have roughly 7 billion of them in my backyard. They sit on the chairs, come in the back door, hang out in the cat's bowls and molest the doggie toys. Can't say I freak out about the few that Boof catches each year, really.

Awww