SchnauzerBoy

It really depends on your budget but take a look at the canon IS130 for your image stability issues and the Panasonic Lumix TZ10 for sheer class of image taking (even just in auto mode).

I have the following in Sigma flavoured glass 18-55 2.8 DG HSM 24-70 2.8 EX DG HSM 85 1.4 EX DG HSM 70-200 2.8 EX DG HSM MACRO I do like my Sigma glass, and in some cases it is the same or better than Nikon (24-70 for example is the same, 85 1.4 is better) but then they don't do some lenses as well... hence why the 50 1.8 I have is Nikon, as is the 14-24 2.8. I must say though that the new 70-200 EX DG OS HSM is overpriced for what it delivers... for the extra money you are better off getting the Nikon 70-200 VRII, or for the same money a good quality 2nd hand version of the 70-200 VRI. It also depends on how you shoot, what you are shooting and when!

Quite Abstract and yes Snook your absence has been noted!

Can someone please let me know what time judging will start tomorrow? I know Mini Schnauzers are 3rd on the list in Ring 2 after Standards and Giants, but how many Minis will be there... especially the Kielland ones? (They are Thomas's Breeder!). Need to know how early to get up so we don't miss the best part of the day! Thanks

Not at all. We got Thomas to go alongside Aubrey when she was 1. Fortunately he was a re-home from the breeder and was also 1, so they were at the same age and fit in to our structure perfectly. Getting a second dog to keep Aubrey amused whilst we were at work was one of the driving forces behind getting a second dog and whilst she still misses us when we are at work, she has more company to keep her amused (and out of trouble). Whilst I understand that at 4-5 years is probably better, you will know when is a good time, but you will need to spend twice as long training the two of them whilst they are both young. Double the expense is also a bit of a hit, especially when it comes to food and vet bills. Our two are the best of friends, but they do compete for our attention when we come home!

Damn it... your list of lenses was what I was waiting for!

Kirislin: Canon 7D, 50m 1.4, 100mm macro, 70-200. Bellatrix: Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.4 (and the 1.8), 24-70mm 2.8L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, Speedlite 580EX II JS: Canon 1000D, kit 18mm-55mm & 55mm-250mm, 50mm 1.8, Speedlite 580EX II SchnuzaeryBoy: Nikon D80, Nikon D700, 50 1.8, 18-50 2.8, 28-80 3.5-4, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, SB-400, SB-900, 1.4x TC, 2x TC

Great work The last one of the first post, and the second one in the second post are the standouts, but they all work very well.... Enjoy the 5D :p

I think kja has pretty much explained it here... but put the ISO up as high as it will go before it gets too noisy (400 is probably enough on your camera). Not sure if pentax do a 50mm 1.8 or any 1.4 lenses which are more aimed at pro levels (hence the price) but the 50mm 1.8 is reasonably priced. A powerful flash would also help to freeze the motion and allow you to control your depth of field through the manual settings better. As others have said though, you buy into a system rather than a specific camera (i've moved from a D80 to a D700 to improve performance at things like this!). In a studio environment where everything is controlled almost all cameras can get the same results.

It's official. From the press release : Nikon Australia introduces its much anticipated new entry-level Digital SLR and four new NIKKOR lenses. Nikon Australia is pleased to announce the release of its newest DX-format digital SLR; the Nikon D3100. Raising the bar for entry-level photography, the D3100 is equipped with a refined Guide mode to ensure easy operation. Featuring Nikon’s new 14.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, updated EXPEED 2 image processing system and D-Movie function, the D3100 is guaranteed to deliver exceptional high-definition images and video of superior quality. And .... Nikon is also pleased to announce the release of THREE new lenses compatible with their FX-format digital SLR cameras. · The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is a fast, mid-telephoto 85mm fixed focal length lens. · The AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is a 5x standard zoom lens with a fixed maximum aperture of f/4 throughout its entire zoom range. · The NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a 10.7x super-telephoto lens that covers a broad range of focal lengths from the wide-angle 28mm to telephoto 300mm OK I so want the new 85mm 1.4G and the 24-120 sounds interesting! Oooh and then there is the 28-300 for a walkaround!

Scrap that - Nikon D3100 has been announced

Even though I am a Nikon User I would never recommend the D3000 to anyone! Terrible body aimed at someone who wants the "Uncle Bob" effect. TBH If budget is the issue, go with the Canon, but I'd look at it and see how it feels in your hands. Nikon D90 is awesome, but might be out of price range. As for kit lenses... I regret ever buying mine now, but at the start they were fantastic. If you want nature though, you'll need a longer lens (200mm) but if you want friends / kids etc you'll need a wider lens (18mm etc).

Probably just saw your dogs as an excuse for his dogs to play and tire them out quicker without him having to do anything! Understand your rant though, especially when you are trying to train your puppy.

So cute... love the prancing shot of Bentley ;)

HN will price match a lot of places, but are best for just getting hands on I am a nikon person and would recommend the D90 or D300s for pets and kids as they are much faster with their AF than the D3000 / D5000 consumer bodies. The lenses will also make a huge difference in AF speed. Take a look at these two... then buy online from DWI and get MACK warranty and save yourself a fortune. You get all the Warranty cover at a fraction of the cost! (Whatever people in shops tell you, they are just telling you for sales!). Again as others have said, it is about the feel in your hands, the ability to change the settings that you will use regularly and avoid the gimics. Good luck