chezzyr

Have you tried googling the word "vignetting"? But there is much more to those pictures than just vignetting I think.

So you want to "cheat" but you just don't want to use Photoshop?

Wagsalot: I ended up coming across a Canon Powershot 710 IS for only $250 (we used gift vouchers so it cost us nothing lol). Its a lovely little camera, 7mp, 6x optical zoom, image stabiliser, close macro, can do movies, has some manual functions, feels sturdy because its not wafer thin or too tiny. I think I will miss it just a little bit

I can't talk though - I agonized over a compact camera for Mum and Dad last week. :rolleyes:

I think every photographer goes through "this", the more you learn the worse it becomes. Have you even booked your trip?? :rolleyes:

Hi. I think Ripley is going for the non-IS version which is why its so much cheaper. Not sure what the Sigma 70-200/2.8 is going for but yes I have used one and its a lovely lens! Not sure what the weight comparison is, the Sigma is quite solid. The good thing about it is that its NOT white/grey/cream so you won't stick out like a sore thumb (well not as much) :rolleyes: eta: the one I have used is the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX APO IF HSM NOT the DG macro version.

I think we are getting confused here Ripley: I want to know if your current Tokina (the big beast) can zoom in and out or is it set at 300mm? prime: set at a certain focal length, you cant move it zoom: you can move it in and out (say from 100 to 300 etc) Am trying to establish what focal lengths you have available to play with, with your current lenses.

The Tokina is a prime? (fixed focal length - you can't zoom it)

How many lenses do you want to take with you?

Rome wasn't built in a day I have been out getting used to film cameras again. Love the feel and sound of the motor wind!

I too use filters on my lenses, particularly my good ones for the simple fact that I am subjecting my lenses to dust/dirt/gravel/insects as I am out in the bush alot - and also puppy licks quite often. MUCH prefer to clean or replace a filter than the lens glass. Good luck with your new camera.

Austen, the camera will probably come with a pretty decent sized manual/user guide so definitely check that out and it may well have enough info to get you going for starters. Then go get yourself something like "Understanding Exposure" which has been recommended by a number of people! I think its a good idea to get a "lens protector" by way of a UV, sky or haze filter. He He - wish i knew what all those things meant - is the $20 one alright to get? Also - just wondering if anyone knew a good basic book about photography - not about exposures etc - because I think i will be just using auto for the first six months or so - but more about techniques - i.e. the way to position your subject etc.

Sharpness can come from: equipment stability quality of lens focus/depth of field sharpening during post processing even what ISO is used

I just had a look at your Melbourne Show photos and none of the black dogs look "grey" to me so what has happened between the Royal and now?

No real goofs here (although I may remember some later) but I seem to have the habit of getting a sticky lens from puppy licks or nose prints ! Every time I photograph a litter its like one says "you distract her, I will eat the lens" Good thing I keep filters on my glass!

They look kind of funny flying, Ripley, but then so do Swans. I have added it as a "must do" when we visit Europe in 2009. I hope they are there all year round. Did you notice any young ones? I have only ever seen captive Flamingos. Must be amazing to see so many in the wild. White horses would be a bonus!

I actually think the later 100-400 is a grey/silver colour - not white. I can't find the picture now but it looked pretty grey to me. ripley: were those photographers wearing waders and did their lenses have camo covers? How close could you get to the flamingos at the Camargue?

Ripley: its serious! Don't you know most people follow those 'rules'?? As for the keeping the biggest lens mounted on the camera. Reminds me of a time I had my 400mm lens on the camera and I handed my other camera to my other half to carry (that camera had the 50mm/1.8 attached). boy did my other half pout! He did not want to be seen in public with the little lens attached We had to swap didn't we! Boys!

I had a Smugmug account but let it lapse because I had/have too many fingers in pies. I doubt I personally would use something like that for 'storing' files as I always do multiple back ups anyway. I use pbase and have hundreds of smaller images over multiple galleries there - it costs me US$23 a year. The proof watermark feature on smugmug would be handy. Like PC I get my work printed elsewhere at Professional Labs.

You probably won't like this: but I reckon the 'hooman' adds an element of interest to the picture. You are kind of left thinking "where has she been, where is she going?" :D

I was simply saying there is a benefit to shooting jpeg and people shouldn't feel pressured into shooting raw. I'd rather shoot jpeg than not get the shot at all (this happened to me one time when I was quickly running out of space and this was before cards got cheap). Anyway people have the facts, they can choose based on their experience/needs/resources. Persephone: don't open a can of worms, but basically I agree

If someone wants to use jpegs (to save space) they can simply make a duplicate copy of the image before working on it. Safest thing to do. eta: perhaps someone doesn't always "need" a huge file to work with, I have a ton of raw files that I will probably never use, weighing down my computer hard drives (multiple drives). I have a little think before I head out on a shoot "what am I going to do with these images?" and then decide whether to shoot raw, jpg or both Believe me, after trying to move GIGS AND GIGS AND GIGS of images across computers sometimes I think raw is a pain in the butt

Eza: beware that raw files EAT your cards and your computer space so make sure you have plenty!

I don't know whether trains of thought change over the years but when we got our Sheltie pup years ago the breeder advised us to keep her home til the vaccinations kicked in. We were fine with that and our pup was fine. Lived a normal, happy life. Not quite sure if things would be different if I had a young pup in my life at this time. Sometimes I wonder if there is too much information available and sometimes common sense just goes out the door.

For those who fully vaccinate, how long do you wait before taking your pup out into the world? (even handbag/carried pups would come into contact with people, patting hands and so on)