kja

Been out twice for a little late afternoon whale watching since I've been back from holidays. Pathetically, that is twice more than I got last season so I guess I should count myself lucky! Both trips had great whales - lots of them around, babies and yearlings breaching & playing, escorts getting noisy and nosy and mamas relaxing and teaching bubs how to be big whales. I do so love it here Just a couple... Mom's fin up in the air and baby's tail waving away Up and over Here's hoping I can get out at least a few more times in the upcoming weeks!

Canon D10 if you don't care if it fits in your pocket (it's kinda bulbuous instead of flat, but it's still pretty small). Definitely the best images. If you do want the flat shape, the Panasonic rugged series are pretty good, though I'm not as over the moon about them as some of the reviewers. Mine was stolen on my trip (luckily at the end so didn't miss it) and I'll likely replace it with the TS10 or another TS2. I would not pay the premium for the TS3. Stay away from the Olympus range - they suck.

$1209 today

Tear-assing down the beach after some seagulls. (Dora is the non-contorted one!) Looking mighty pleased with herself

Deal Me - 18 hours left. $19, a couple of sizes to choose from.

Just one eensy thing under the tree? Love, Kristin

Nice scare tactics on that link LOL the only thing that *may" be an issue would be the warranty, but a great number of sellers of grey market items offer a Mac Warranty or similar which is often cheaper than the lens with standard warranty (and you can get a longer period, too). I just think each purchaser needs to be aware of the realities of buying "grey market" items and then make the choice that works best for her/him. Sometimes those items will be an easy buy and sometimes one will choose to spend a bit more upfront for a non-grey. Also note that some manufacturers try to limit warranty on bodies or lenses to the country of purchase - even if you buy from an authorised dealer. Theoretically, that means if you buy a body from some manufacturers in London and come to Australia and something happens in the warranty period, they may make you send it back to England for repair under warranty. I personally have not had this happen nor has anyone I know - the country the person was in when the problem occurred dealt with it under warranty with not much hassle. It may be something to consider when purchasing. With as few problems as I've had with gear over the years, warranties don't rank very high on my needs list, in all honesty. YMMV

Don't forget the contrast slider, too. Adding a touch of clarity can help crisp thing up. After talking with a friend, I'm also much more inclined to play with the fill light and recovery sliders than I was before. He really pushes them sometimes and I've found instances where mucking hard with those has made all the difference. I thought they'd screw things up when pushed way way right, but they don't (on certain images, just like anything, I guess). Are you finalizing your tweak with the tone curve? Doing that can add some pop. Hope something helps. I might be biased but the black white prints I've done lately have come back gorgeous so I'm pretty happy with my lack of method! oh and posting one that you think is 99% there but missing that pop might help get some creative juices going for suggestions, too.

Sorry, can't help coz I just play with the sliders :D If you haven't already, in LR, go to the HSL menu on the right hand side and start playing in there. Crazy amount of delicate control on black and whites. Is there something you feel you are missing in your conversions?

There are two options with many of their cameras and lenses. It will say if it's a grey market import in the description. frankly, I don't understand the fuss on the difference. I've never had a problem buying either way. Though I've had very few problems at all with anything!

That works, too! Just be aware that more MPs is not necessarily better - it's about the sensor. Marketers just use MPs coz it's easy to sound bite and people believe that a bigger number on most things is better The D700 is hugely popular and everyone I know who uses one likes it. Personally, I'd take the $2000 towards new lenses or a trip away to use the body I had if I didn't really NEED a new body But then, I'm still shooting and adoring my 40Ds which are several several generations old now and I love to go do stuff! BTW I haven't compared Nikon prices lately but I think I heard that BH Photo has some very good prices at the moment.

I have, but it was a US company. It's a brilliant way to try a lens you aren't sure about or if you know you want to use a particular lens but don't want to/can't afford to buy it. Be warned, after renting a couple of similar lenses I ended up spending three+ times what I intended as I decided I really did need the most expensive option

Gotta have a waterproof compact when you live so close to the beach!

WTG Alera! MTD - gorgeous flower dogfan - pretty chook kittikat - love Pepper's expression Loving all the photos, guys!

Today we had big swims at the beach. I couldn't believe how much time we spent in the water wading in deep water and actually swimming - usually it's only a few minutes in between bouts of romping on the sand but I couldn't get her out today! Must have been the perfect temperature.

Good catch! It's under the Gold Coast link - click me! 25 hours left.

These are actually quite important questions to answer for upgrades, if you please - what your current body isn't doing for you - what you want your new body to do that your current one doesn't

Be helpful to know: - what you currently have for a body - what lenses you prefer - what you like to shoot - what your current body isn't doing for you - what you want your new body to do that your current one doesn't

Only 20 minutes left. I finally decided to take a punt and ordered three for myself

it says WITH canon on the site.

It's not like they kick you out on the street with nothing. No, it wouldn't worry me in the slightest. BTW that link says 1 year warranty with Canon ;)

41/52 breaching humpback whale, Exmouth Gulf

I'd so buy it online!

I am so happy I am not the only enabler on this board :D

@luke - I was hoping "Mr Cat Food" but none of my three felines were interested at all! @crazy, pers, cat - thanks @raineth - I would die of a heart attack. I cannot deal with insects that randomly jump or jump at you. This guy was all bouncing and weaving his head so I had to leave him alone as I knew he was going to spring any second. Sure enough, as soon as I started to scoot backwards he LEAPT off the chair. I shrieked like a bad actor in a low budget slasher flick.