kja

So what's it going to be??

I have to admit I never bother with MF so couldn't tell you The AF is mighty fast and I can't imagine needing to MF my WA. I might have time later today to have a play if you want, but it isn't something I've found a use for yet. BTW - on the corporate shoot I did for the new resort here, I used the Tokina 11-16 a lot for interiors. Learning how to hold the lens flat and level will go a long long way towards reducing any distortion. Heck, I even used the 10-17 fisheye for a few shots and as long as I was careful they turned out great. If you are shooting interiors for a real estate agent or whatever, you're most likely going to be strategically lighting things up with external, remote triggered flashes anyway so 2.8 will be of limited use (unless you are blessed with the perfect that house that has perfect natural lighting highlighting all the important details and blessed to be shooting on the perfectly lit day!) I still don't think 20 is wide enough, personally. I use the 10-17 range of all of my superwides far more often than I hit the 18-22 range :D The Sigma 10-20 is a great lens. Totally excellent value for money. It isn't as fast as the Canon version, but it's a delight to use and usually in WA you won't need the speed in focusing. The 2.8 is very nice on the Tokina but the Canon and Sigma are great performers so if you won't be shooting low light then I would probably head to one of those. The Canon handles flare far far better than either of the other two so if that's more like what you'll be shooting, then go with the Canon. If you will be shooting mostly outside but know you can control the time of day and position of the sun (about 90% of the time for most people!) then the Sigma will save you a few dollars, come with a lens hood and rock your socks

I adore my Tokina 11-16 2.8. It's not terribly tiny, but it's not a beast either. I usually have this in a pouch with me when I walk the doglets on the beach in the mornings, just in case I want something nice and wide. Would not be without this lens AND I already have the Canon 10-22 which covers the same range (I wouldn't be without my Canon 10-22 either ever!!) 20 isn't *that* wide honestly and you've already covered it with the 17-55 anyway.

mercedes - what is the assignment? A brick wall or a fence works well if you are looking for differences in depth of field at different apertures. Start at the widest aperture and take a shot. Go to f11 ish and focus on the same spot you did at the widest opening and take another shot. Then stop it down to f22ish and do the same thing. You'll need to shoot in a lot of light (think sunlight) if you don't have flash or your photos at f22 are bound to be dark

What kind of assignment? Depth of field changes with the distance to your subject and your aperture (in a nutshell). A wider aperture such as 2.8 will have a shallower depth of field at a given distance than a narrower aperture such as f22. Here's a DOF calculator for you.

Woohoo!! We want to see photos now

Woohoo! You're gonna have so much fun!

ROFL I"m sure that list is L-O-N-G

I hear "wa waa waa wa" like Charlie Brown's teacher - I have NO clue what this means ROFL. I am so not a photoshop guru!

That's either photoshopped or done "in studio" with control of the lights and a backdrop (and then still tidied up in post). You won't get that in a real life situation and you'll need external lighting so you can illuminate your subjects but expose for no detail in the background. I do it underwater all the time but on land? Tough one really. I suck at changing backgrounds out and just plain don't do it and don't take the time to learn how but there are on some on here who do an awesome job so I'm sure they'll chime in!

Wow, looking great, Guys!! I've been slack about shooting motion this month, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing more from all of you instead!

No different sizes or capacities, card readers are basically like your hard drive. The difference is that you stick the data holder (card) in and out instead of just leaving it there as with a normal hard drive There are different speeds and different readers with bells and whistles. I am using an el cheapo multi card (8?9? different types? dunno only use SD and CF and once in a while XD) reader that works a treat. I've tossed two newer ones because they kept giving me errors. I think I spent $12 on mine The SanDisk ones are meant to be excellent - fast, reliable. But I'm too cheap to buy one. I just stick the card in and it takes however long it takes. I can do a filled 8GB in not too long so I don't see the need for faster at this stage

Thanks for the tips. She's fine when I'm on it. Will even come over for a pat Not so much little as 50+ kilos

We're working hard to drop some weight off Dora (and the rest of the fam in our "3 kg challenge"!) and since it's getting colder and darker, we've dusted off the treadmill and plugged it back in. Dora detests it. Totally flips her lid when it starts. I did get her as far as taking a couple of steps today, but then she threw a hissy and leaped off sideways. She's 50+kgs of determined Ridgeback so there's no way I could keep her on there myself. She'll get on it no worries if it isn't moving but as soon as I lean towards that button - bam, no thanks, mom! I'd love to get her comfy on it and am willing to take it nice and slowly but am not sure what techniques to try. I've been using little treats, mindful of her diet, and she's loving those itty bitty morsels, but they aren't enough to keep her on there - or I'm doing it wrong. Something. I'm thinking maybe when hubby gets back we can tag team her with one holding the lead out the front and having treats and one standing with her or something... Ideas appreciated.

Check the camera battery. If it's low it may cause a problem. Take it out and put it in again. STupid, I know but it can work Then check to make sure your cable is really connected - does your computer recognize the camera as being there? If so, manually transfer the files to a folder on your desktop. When you hit the play button on your camera, do you see the shot you took and can you scroll through the images? Tomorrow, go to Kmart and buy a card reader. They are cheap and will help avoid some issues and you don't have to worry about your camera going wonky

#2 and #3 for me - great action shots!!

Wohoo! Just heard from Hubby and MatildaLily has passed her exam Vet says she sees no deformities or anything that would concern her. She did say Til has some "backwash" in three valves, but that all of her bits and bobs are well within normal parameters so she isn't concerned. No meds. Does want us to keep an eye on her and have the local vet listen to it now and again just to make sure there are no changes. But Perth vet is very happy with Til's health (bar those few extra kilos!) Woohooo - so happy!

Shell - you nailed that seagull shot! His eye looks nice and sharp and you got some movement in his wings...great!!

Often when images are uploaded you can see the EXIF data embedded in them which should ID the camera and lens combo. Firefox has a plugin for it and I think Windows has something, too. Not sure on the Macs... Failing that and failing ppl remembering to put it in a post, just ask

Argh - NOOooooooo! Please don't feed the sea gulls or the pigeons or whatever. They are total pests and make huge messes everywhere - feeding them just teaches them to come closer to humans and dirty up the areas humans want to be in as well as... +1 what chezzyr said.

Aw shame, I'm covered for those needs

What are you going to sell? The 135 is on my list

Yup, we're very happy that we were able to get an appt so quickly and at a time that works perfectly for us. I'm sure she's going to be fine, but like redangel, I want to know and be informed!

Update: MatildaLily is off to Perth with hubby on Saturday and her ultrasound is scheduled for Monday morning :rolleyes:

Thanks :rolleyes: How does one know if heartworm is an issue or not? I'm sure this vet is good, but I do always get the feeling that they do things one way and that's just the way it's always been done coz somewhere along the line it's what they were taught. Even when I ask, I don't feel like I get the information I need to make good choices. I never get the feeling that the vet is au courant, merely more or less adequate. But as the next closest vet is an 8 hour drive, sometimes it's just what it is...