Ripley

I have the one you sent me of Rex with the bunny, it made me smile when you sent it. You have those lovely professional photos of him taken in the studio when he was young to remember him by. There were many faces of Rex. It shows how gentle he was. Do you have the one taken with your friend's macaw?

Thanks for that helpful info, kja. I won't be getting out the camera again until midl August. We are going to Lady Elliot Island for some diving and there are quite a few seabird species there, as well as the whales migrating through. So I'd like to take a second camera because changing lenses in the sand and wind isn't great. (Got my point and shoot underwater one too ) Your advice has really helped, thanks.

Thanks rubiton. On a smaller print, I see no loss of image quality at ISO800 but if I wanted a large print, I can see softness in the fine details such as feathers at that higher ISO level. I applied gaussian blur to the background so it wasn't noticeable there). Just had a browse of some photo forums then and very conflicting views. Some don't rate the 40D as much better image quality wise, but say the AF is better. I'd like a second camera so I might just wait a bit.

Thanks guys. I was considering 50D, don't know why he talked me out of it except he probably wants me to lay some coin down for the upcoming 60D. I wasn't going in there to buy a camera that day anyway, he remembers me because I've bought my lenses off him because he gave me the best price I could find in Sydney CBD (they are an independent store in my building). I got my boss to pick up the 30D when he went to NY in 2008 and it hasn't taken a lot of photos. I find if I'm taking a photo in a forest, photos are a bit noisy at ISO800 and although I don't use ISO800 that often, it would have been nice to up it a bit without the noise, especially as I take pics of birds and wildlife and they can move quickly. Also, is the image quality a little better with a 50D over a 30D? I mainly have a 300mm prime on my lens so very good lens. I just need a second camera. (should rephrase that to say that I 'want' a second camera, it's not really a need). It would be nice to hand my husband a DSLR so the poor bastard can move around and snap away and doesn't have to stand there bored while I take pics, he really hates that and has a whinge every time. 30D has 8.0 megapixels, 50D has 15.1 so can someone explain, image quality when cropping in surely has to be better, right, due to more pixels? Or do I have this all wrong. I know how to take the photos, I just don't know the technicalities of megapixels with cropping in as I'm a little 'challenged' on that area. Noise issues is the main one. Not great at ISO 800. I've also considered a second hand 40D. 30D is pretty much the same as the 20D isn't it? With focusing, as I mainly use one point I haven't found the need for all the other focus points. The 30D has spot metering which I use a bit and it can also do 5 frames per second which I've often used. I don't want a very heavy camera as I often carry it on my back in a pack. Live view would also be helpful. 7D is out of my price range.

Has anyone upgraded their camera from a 30D to a 50D and could share their views? I went into the store where I've bought my lenses from (I only have 3) and the guy basically talked me out of the 50D, saying it wasn't worth the upgrade for what I take photos of and that people who had 40Ds and upgraded were disappointed. However, I need a second camera as even though I only get my camera out if I go somewhere special, it was a real pain changing lenses and getting dust and crap in the sensor and missing a photo opportunity because I had the wrong lens on the camera at the time. I had to spend a while cloning out sensor dust in a few shots recently. I usually only use one focus point and use the 'dial' on the 30D to change the focus point to where I want it, so all the new focus points on the newer cameras aren't that much use to me. I am not interested in the 7D. Anyway, just wondering for now, I won't be buying anything for a few months. For anyone interested, the 60D is coming out next month. Here are some musings on it. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=30798841

Sol, see how the light changes everything? I love that time of the day. If you are into landsapes and scenics, I have a couple of UK photography magazines I was going to bin, but I'm happy to post them to you if you wish. They focus on landscapes as well as wildlife, the 'golden hours' of shooting and exposure as well as composition etc. Just let me know if you'd like a couple and I'll post them up to you. Where in the Hunter Valley are you from? I spent my teenage years in Gresford where my parents had a property. The landscape looks very familiar.

I used to feel perplexed at PS. I finally borrowed a book from the library where it all 'clicked' for me, so I went out and bought it. I find Scott Kelby's Photoshop book the best (along with Photoshop CS3 for Nature Photographers, which is fantastic if you take photos of animals and scenics, not portraits though as it doesn't have anything about people in it). I now know about layer masks and other things that I didn't have a clue how to do before. The newsagents have a Photoshop booklet out that is only $20, it's full of the basics. I had one of these but gave it away to another DOLer. The best way to teach yourself something is to read up on it and absorb it. You can also google heaps of tutorials on the net too.

Gorgeous! How was your wedding and did you have a great honeymoon in NZ?

I wouldn't mind one of these for photographing birds of prey in flight. (just kidding). I don't have the guns to hold it up.

Canon 30D Canon 300mm L f/4 IS Canon L 1.4x teleconverter Canon 50mm 1.8 Sigma 17-70 Sigma 10-20 I think the only thing I'd add is a back up camera. Maybe a second hand 40D or a new 50D. Only because it was a pain changing lenses all the time and the 30D doesn't have sensor cleaning and got quite dirty after being out in the elements. eta: I forgot the teleconverter, which I never seem to use anyway. eta: Polariser, ND grad filter Lowerpro Nature Trekker backpack, tripod and Manfrotto Monopod (which doubles as a hiking pole and which I also, never seem to use but seemed like a good idea at the time).

I don't use a filter on my most expensive lens as I think it ever so slightly reduces sharpness. Others won't agree but I can see it and I have put a Hoya on it before I often use a ND grad filter so I can maintain detail in both the land and sky. You can do this in PS by blending two raw files or shooting 2 different photos and I've tried this too but prefer the effect a real filter gives, providing you line it up correctly over the horizon. What macka said about hard to scratch the lens, I was very careless once and got my 300mm sprayed with salt water on a boat. I got out my lens cloth and went to clean it and then realised with horror I'd just cleaned off a bit of salt water spray - which scratches. I rinsed it carefully and cleaned it at home, examined it and not a scratch. Phew. The guy at the store I bought it off told me it's a great piece of glass and can withstand some rough treatment (he examined it for me), but I can't believe how careless I sometimes am. As my husband says, I'm a little rough with equipment and don't deserve nice things which is why I now have it all insured for portables under our home contents.

I hardly use my 50mm 1.8. I'm not as into dog or people photos, although it's a great lens I find I'm not getting my use out of it. The lens I use the most is my Canon L 300mm f/4. It's a prime and super sharp. Has 2 modes of IS - one is perfect for taking photos from boats (it's a challenge due to the bobbing around in swells). It's a perfect length for wildlife such as seals, whales and birds (even a wild penguin let me get close enough the other week). I find I hardly need to use the 1.4 teleconverter on it and prefer not to as it slows down the autofocus and you only get one chance with a bird in flight or a whale diving. I love this lens but have now ordered a khaki cover for it as I don't like the way it stands out like dog's balls or the comments I get when it's spotted - it's not even big, I don't like the white colour. eta: Even though it's nowhere near as fast as the 2.8 version, I was able to take a photo just before sunset, in shade and get away with ISO 200 as it lets you hand hold it at about 1/100 and still get a very sharp shot. Maybe I have steady hands but I was pretty surprised. I've also been able to get a sharp shot at 1/60 from it (when I'd accidently left my camera on the wrong setting). It's great.

I was going to buy the Sigma 50mm macro which could double as a portrait lens/every day lens. You can buy it from BH Photo in New York for under USD300. When I get financial, that's my next purchase. I know you have to get right up close to bugs with it though, that's my only concern. I have two other sigma lenses, the 17-70 and the 10-20, which I haven't used much, but will in the next few weeks. eta: I sometimes go to this place for reviews of lenses/cameras http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/ eta: The Sigma 10-20 is fantastic for landscapes, but you can also get some interesting photos of animals with it, but you have to get up close. This is a wild cockatoo who landed on our balcony. I bribed him over with some seed. When he heard the click of the shutter, he put his crest up. The lens can give you some amusing angles of animals.

That's a Chough bird. I love the ruby eyes (I call them ruby, not red as it makes him appear a little less '28 Days Later') I've never seen one but that is what it is. Great shot of him. eta: I like the way you've allowed him space - he looks like he was about to take off. With birds, some of the signs they are about to take off are they will stretch or poo and then off they go.

Di, I'd contact Denise at PAWs. She is lovely, I fostered a couple of little dogs from her years ago and always found her fair and extremely helpful. What a crap situation to be in. If you need to chat, you know I'm only a phone call away.

Those ugly big house spiders are often confused for funnel webs too. I had a few of them too close to the front door so they had to die.

Yep, all the rain had driven them out. I live in a funnel web favourite area of Sydney. We have one in the front yard under a place where we know and isn't anywhere guests will go, I've left her alone as only the males roam. I just know where she is, so that's a good thing

Two of my best DOL / real life buddies are going so I'd like to win one.

I won't be getting another dog for a few years yet but wouldn't get a puppy. Probably a retired showdog, but I wouldn't say no to a rescue dog but I'd prefer a pure bred next time. My mother has a retired showdog from a DOL breeder and also a rescued King Charles Cavalier from the RSPCA (ex puppy farm dog rescued in a raid, poor Charlotte). Both dogs are wonderful with beautiful, gentle temperaments and are pretty good friends too.

There have been several model upgrades from my 2006 model but yep, it's a great little camera. I think the Leica lens has a lot to do with it. I was blessed with lovely weather for those pics too eta: I now have a Fuji pocket digital, that I bought because I wanted its underwater case to take snorkelling, but I still think my 2006 Lumix takes much better pics. I've dropped it, I've accidently smeared lip gloss on the lens (gave everyone a lovely 70s misty look before I realised) and it's still going great guns.

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC. Bought it in August 2006 so it's a bit old now. It's still my take anywhere camera, I think it's great. Back in 2006 it was around $400 so was never a cheap pocket digital. It has a Leica lens, which makes it a great little pocket digital I think. Here are a few pics taken with it back in 2006. It's a great little pocket camera and I had no clue about taking photos back then, which is why I just did the point and click thing with it. To give you an idea of straight out of camera jpgs from it, this image below is straight out of camera with no photoshop used on it, I used the Landscape setting which increases the blue and green saturation. It also has image stabilisation and a movie mode, and comes with a tiny tripod which would fit in its case. This image was slightly sharpened in PS due to slight movement blur of wild squirrel

Aw crap, muffincav. I know exactly how you feel. I was cleaning my camera on a hotel bed and my lovely 70-200 L lens rolled off onto the tiles and I killed it. It was insured though. I insure my camera gear as I just can't be trusted with nice things not to ruin them.

Congratulations!

Now you are talking. That is a great price, thanks kja. I'm not going to take that many macro shots, I prefer photographing birds and wildlife, but seems to be so many interesting critters in the garden, it's a shame I can't get up close and personal with a macro on them. eta: interesting spiders too, I'm sure there's a funnel web living in the front yard, male one.

@ Junior Bear quote. Thanks guys, I'll look around when I get financial again, money is a bit tight atm. I could buy an extension tube or reverse my 50mm but I do want a macro. Hopefully I can get one in the next few months. I was late for work as a ringtail possum decided it was still dark (due to the overcast low light at 7am) and hadn't made it back to the neighbour's possum box yet, so I used my telephoto to take some pics, couldn't help but be late for work, the background was lovely green foliage and poss' was posing for me like a model. I've never tried macro photography before, do you have to rock back and forth to obtain better focus?