Can I Join The Camera Club?

[freemonkey]

:excited: I finally broke down and ordered myself a Nikon DSLR last week. It's probably somewhere in Wyoming or Idaho right now. If I hadn't been so cheap, I'd have it by now, but no, I had to go with Ground shipping. :eager: All the good shots will be gone by the time it gets here on Friday.

Its been ages since I used a SLR camera, and those were manual ones, so I'm a little nervous about this one. Monday we might go to the big camera shop in Seattle so I can try out bags and monopods and other cool gear. :hyperb: Oooh, and I can take some city pics! Oh!! And if we take the ferry I can take some seagull pictures! :hyper:

[livius drusus]

Oh wow, congratulations! I can't wait to see the products of your new baby. :wriggle:

[viscousmemories]

Congrats, freemonkey. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics. :)

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

cool! i look forward to your pics! :D

[Plant Woman]

The cormorants are back so you can usually find them preening themselves on the pilings.

Congrats on the new camera too. Look forward to your pics!

[curses]

Congrats, freemonkey! Is it a "D" series camera? Nikon DSLRs are wonderful cameras.

Always remember to get a bigger camera bag than you think you'll need. Otherwise you'll be trying to play Tetris when packing it.

[freemonkey]

Congrats, freemonkey! Is it a "D" series camera? Nikon DSLRs are wonderful cameras.

Its a D80 (the one ITSOZ has?) with the 18-135mm kit lens. I was trying to balance budget against features against future needs. I found myself playing that "what if: they introduce a better camera next month? drop prices drastically next week?" game and just decided to take the leap with something I liked the feel of.

Always remember to get a bigger camera bag than you think you'll need. Otherwise you'll be trying to play Tetris when packing it.
Again, its a balance between comfort and convenience. I am interested in one of those slingshot bags you wear like a backpack, then slide to the front when you need the camera. I tried one on and envisioned doing just that, snapping my pics, putting the camera back in the back and sliding it back into backpack position. Without having zipped the bag up. :oops: I'll have to practice.

[Ari]

Welcome to the camera club.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

Its a D80 (the one ITSOZ has?)

i do indeed! i love it. remember that the only thing separates the d200 from the d80 is durability. it is a more rugged and professional camera. that said, are you going to be going to many scrums or riots with yours? you will love it!

as for bags...i gave up my camera bag for a knapsack because i take it out on my bike a lot. i bought a Lowepro Orion Trekker, which holds three lenses (one on camera), camera, and opens easily, with lots of space on top for accessories or lunch. they make great camera bags that sell for very reasonable prices...

Lowepro - Orion Trekker II (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/classic/Orion_Trekker_II.aspx)

if you're looking to get another lens at a good price, i suggest Sigma. they have become a great lens company, with their professional lenses selling for a very affordable price.

[freemonkey]

This is the Slingshot one I'm interested in (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx).

Oh yes, am definitely interested in getting more lenses, but that may have to wait awhile. I would want a good macro or micro lens and a good long lens.

I have a couple old Tamron Adaptalls and just ordered a Nikon adapter for it. I'm not expecting miracles from these lenses, but they are better than nothing. I also have an old Nikkormat with a pretty good prime lens on it, I may be able to use that one too. Manual focus and all on these, but that's OK for now (although my eyes sure ain't what they used to be).

Meanwhile, in camerawatch news.... no new updates, its not even in Seattle yet. :imwait:

[curses]

I like the look of that bag, freemonkey. I've outgrown a Kata Holster (http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=346&cid=34&perentId=4&ProdLine=4), have you ever used a Lowepro bag before?

Also, where'd you find the camera, if you don't mind my asking?

ITSOZ, I've got a Sigma 28-105mm f 2.8 lens, and it's okay. It's a bit soft when using AF, but shoots beautifully under manual. Worth the money IMHO.

Meanwhile, in camerawatch news.... no new updates, its not even in Seattle yet.:excited:

[freemonkey]

I got it though Cameta Camera via eBay. They sell new, used and refurbished stuff, individual pieces and kits. They sell through Amazon, too, but the prices were higher there.

The prices were the best I've found, $100's less than BestBuy and less than Costco, even (although Costco's return policy can't be beat). You need to look at their packages very carefully because some things - cheap filters, straps, tripods - in the packages are not worth buying that way and other packages include manufacturer refurbished demo items. Not that that's a bad thing, because you can get some really good deals that way.

I got a package that had a couple good extras, and I think I got a pretty good deal, lots less than if I'd put the package together piece by piece.

I have a couple little digicam Lowepros, they are well-made.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

ITSOZ, I've got a Sigma 28-105mm f 2.8 lens, and it's okay. It's a bit soft when using AF, but shoots beautifully under manual. Worth the money IMHO.


dig.

[freemonkey]

11/09/2007 5:30 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY

:hyper: 'cept we don't get our deliveries til after 5PM, so that kinda bites.

[freemonkey]

:w00t: Its here! Its dark outside, so the first pics are of two of my housemates:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jonezart/pic-1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jonezart/pic-2.jpg

[Ensign Steve]

:aww:

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

congrats! cute pets :)

[freemonkey]

Thanks!

here's one more, then I promise I'll stop:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jonezart/pic-3.jpg

:squee:

[Ensign Steve]

Kitty!

[viscousmemories]

You're a kitty!

Congrats, freemonkey. :cincin:

[livius drusus]

Great pics, freemonkey. :thumbup: (Although to be fair, the subjects are so adorably awesome they'd probably look great in polaroids.)

[Pinecone]

Kitties Pups and a new camera! :bliss:

[Plant Woman]

kitteh! :hyper:

[freemonkey]

Finally made it to Seattle today and shot this pic from the ferry ride over. It was freakin' cold, and I was standing right over the ferry's rumbling engines, I'm surprised it came out clear. That's Mt. Rainier in the background. This picture is so Puget Sound.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/1/5/MtRainierferry.jpg

[Ensign Steve]

Very pretty!

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

indeed...nice shot. glad to see you out using your camera! :)

[Plant Woman]

Very nice! And yes, so Puget Sound!

[Petra]

Wow! Great camera you've bought (from all the reviews I've read) and lovely fur babies, too!

Love that Puget Sound pic best of all, though. But then, as much as I love fur babies, I love landscapes even more.

Looking forward to seeing your pics in the gallery, freemonkey. :cool:

[Plant Woman]

Here's a little blog on how to photograph Christmas lights, in case anyone is interested:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights.html

I recommend using a tripod.