Going to Dark Side!!!!

[Nikolai]

Those of you who's been to Yosemite Smugmug Shootout 2005 heard of my horror story about dead alternator in the 4th lane of hwy 101 in SF (Michiel and Sid, are you reading this?:-). Parts and labor were almost a grand $US.
Well, it turned out to be "total rekall": Nissan declared in July that the alternator problem was a factory defect. It took me a while to cut the red tape, but today I finally got the check:clap .

This, and some prior saving (thanks, S*E!) get me enough to get a brand new 20D (w/kit lens). Ordered a few minutes ago from buydig.com (second day delivery, can't wait:-). More lenses and accessories to follow once more cash is saved.

I'm gonna keep my maxmax-modified Sony 828 as an IR camera and as an additional help (I like its versatility:-)

Anyway - dSLR, here I come!:clap

[DavidTO]

Congrats, Nik.



And condolences...(let the spending begin!!)

[Khaos]

Excellent! You are going to love this camera.:clap

[Nikolai]

Congrats, Nik.
And condolences...(let the spending begin!!)I'm ready... I have a precise plan what gear I need to acquire by May 2006, then more, and then to continue...
I can't express my excitement! Next week I'm gonna have it:-) Man, I'm thrilled!:clap

[Nikolai]

Excellent! You are going to love this camera.:clapI will, I know! I soooooo ready for it...:-)

[DavidTO]

I have a precise plan what gear I need to acquire by May 2006


Let's hear it.

[Nikolai]

Let's hear it.Zion, Bryce (http://nik.smugmug.com/2003/103591) and post-shoout out box canyons (Antelope, etc) all call for an ultra wide aproach. The volleyball (http://nik.smugmug.com/Sports/78550) and fencing (http://nik.smugmug.com/Sports/95961) events I was doing recently also ask for quite some wide coverage. So my list of necessities includes 10-22 and a tilt-shift lenses.
Once this is covered I probaly get myself some decent zoom L lens (70-135?) - maybe used.
Then, as funds allow, good manfrotto tripod with a good head, V-grip, L-bracket, flash accessories..
After that it gets fuzzy, but you know, it's a neverending spending:-)
Man, I SOOOO excited!:clap

[gluwater]

Congratulation Nikhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/cheerleader.gif

Nick

[Nikolai]

Congratulation Nikhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/cheerleader.gif
Nick
I know, "it's not the camera, it's how you use it", but... I wanted it so much:-):D
Cheers!:1drink

[gubbs]

may the force be with you :thumb

[Nikolai]

may the force be with you :thumb
I guess next time you, Sid, Michiel and me will be having a drink I won't suffer from an FLSC ("fixed-lens"/"small camera") syndrome:-):rofl
Cheers, mate!:1drink

[David_S85]

but the Lenses will cost a lot more than those car repairs ever did.

Congrat's on the new cam. Get the Hakuba handstrap next time you're ordering from that big 'ol camera shop in NYC. Best under $20 item I've ever added to a camera.

[Nikolai]

but the Lenses will cost a lot more than those car repairs ever did.

Congrat's on the new cam. Get the Hakuba handstrap next time you're ordering from that big 'ol camera shop in NYC. Best under $20 item I've ever added to a camera.I know, I know {sigh} Well, that will give me enough incentive to take better pictures/sell more photos:-)

I appreciate the strap advice:thumb , although I'd prolly wait a bit until I save for more stuff, so I don't have to pay $10 shipping on a $5 item..:-)

Cheers!:1drink

[pathfinder]

Congrats Nick. Welcome to the Dgrin Canon DSLR club!! Now you can really begin to spend moolah :rofl :rofl The sickness begins!!

Talk to 'gus about it... :D

[Nikolai]

Congrats Nick. Welcome to the Dgrin Canon DSLR club!! Now you can really begin to spend moolah :rofl :rofl The sickness begins!!

Talk to 'gus about it... :D
I'm honored:-)
Let the $$$$$$pending begin...:D

[ian408]

Use the force (in english, dig out your credit card)...

congrats!

ian

[marlof]

Congrats, Nik. I'm really looking forward to see what you're able to do with your new camera.

[Nikolai]

Use the force (in english, dig out your credit card)...

congrats!

ian
:-) Yeah, I keep hearing that.. But, see, I have made a pact with myself - I only spend on my photo-hobby/biz what I get from that activity. So if I suck on a business (or programming :-) side - I won't get any new funds, and will not be able to expand it..
Thus far it worked, hope it will continue to work in the future.

Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Congrats, Nik. I'm really looking forward to see what you're able to do with your new camera.Me too, my friend, me too! At last indoor/evening sport event won't suffer from that horrible ISO400 noise anymore, so that would be an immediate improvement:-)
Cheers!:1drink

[Ann McRae]

Congrats Nik!!! Enjoy!

ann

[dragon300zx]

Congrats nik. Next month I have 2 weddings and the cheerleader shoot. Hoping to walk away with enough to pick up one of my own.

[Nikolai]

Congrats Nik!!! Enjoy!

ann
I bet you I will:-):D
Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Congrats nik. Next month I have 2 weddings and the cheerleader shoot. Hoping to walk away with enough to pick up one of my own.I wish I could help with with the cheerleaders... :wink :rofl :lynnma
Anyway - all the best, and may your hopes come true! :thumb

Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Fedex, 2d day Air.. Even it they don't count Sunday, which is today, it means I get my new to..ol no later than Wednesday:-). But I keep hopes for Tuesday:-):clap

[DavidTO]

Fedex, 2d day Air.. Even it they don't count Sunday, which is today, it means I get my new to..ol no later than Wednesday:-). But I keep hopes for Tuesday:-):clap


Nik,

Let me know if you need to borrow a lens...

10-22
17-40
50 1.8 mkII
70-200 f4L
100 2.8 Macro


EDIT: or want to...

[Nikolai]

Nik,

Let me know if you need to borrow a lens...

10-22
17-40
50 1.8 mkII
70-200 f4L
100 2.8 Macro
I would be thrilled..:clap Thank you SO very much for the offer!!:thumb

Looks like you have a very nice balanced set.. And that prime looks like a killer! It would take me 2-3 years to get to your gear level {sigh}

Do you ever use a TC with your 70-200?

Maybe we can pick up a day (some Sunday) and go do some shootn' again? Then you can bring all those treasures with you and I'll have a chance to actually get a feeling on them? No need to go far - Promenade, Janss and Wildwood provide tons of opportunities. And we can climax the day with a nice drink-and-dinner in Bucca di Beppo:-)

[DavidTO]

I would be thrilled..:clap Thank you SO very much for the offer!!:thumb

Looks like you have a very nice balanced set.. And that prime looks like a killer! It would take me 2-3 years to get to your gear level {sigh}

That's just because you have more sense than I do. And the 50 is only $75. Not the same as the 1.4L, but a nice lens for the price. You can really see the difference in the bokeh.

http://davidrosenthal.smugmug.com/photos/32864940-L.jpg



Do you ever use a TC with your 70-200?

No, don't own one. Wouldn't mind trying it, though.



Maybe we can pick up a day (some Sunday) and go do some shootn' again? Then you can bring all those treasures with you and I'll have a chance to actually get a feeling on them? No need to go far - Promenade, Janss and Wildwood provide tons of opportunities. And we can climax the day with a nice drink-and-dinner in Bucca di Beppo:-)

Sure. We should do either early morning or evening. I'd love to try to get some landscapes at Wildwood. Maybe the setting sun on the mesas?

[Nikolai]

Start around 4-5 pm to get some not-so-low light a chance,
shoot the Paradise Falls, then shoot the sunset at Wildwood mesas (if you don't mind hiking a couple of miles, there should be a nice view from/to Lizard Rock) and then drive to BdB and finish with indoor/late night shooting inside the restaurant and in Janss:-) - or we can drive to Promenade, it has more lighting, especially in the fountains. I *really* wanna check the high ISOs on 20D, because on 828,... well, you know.. it sucked:dunno

[Nikolai]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap
One day earlier - thanks Fedex!
http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/33247995-L.jpg

I'm officially happy!:D

[marlof]

Nothing like a box with new gear, right? :D

[Nikolai]

Nothing like a box with new gear, right? :DVery nice feeling indeed:-)

Thanks!

[DavidTO]

Very nice feeling indeed:-)

Thanks!

I know I'm wasting my breath here, but while we're on the subject of unpacking gear, there really is nothing like unpacking an Apple product. The packaging, the design, the feel of it...ahhh.

And yeah, I know you put the box aside and then work with the gear inside, but still. Ain't nothing better.

Congrats on the new camera, Nik. Looking forward to shooting with you soon.

[Steve Cavigliano]

Those of you who's been to Yosemite Smugmug Shootout 2005 heard of my horror story about dead alternator in the 4th lane of hwy 101 in SF (Michiel and Sid, are you reading this?:-). Parts and labor were almost a grand $US.
Well, it turned out to be "total rekall": Nissan declared in July that the alternator problem was a factory defect. It took me a while to cut the red tape, but today I finally got the check:clap .

This, and some prior saving (thanks, S*E!) get me enough to get a brand new 20D (w/kit lens). Ordered a few minutes ago from buydig.com (second day delivery, can't wait:-). More lenses and accessories to follow once more cash is saved.

I'm gonna keep my maxmax-modified Sony 828 as an IR camera and as an additional help (I like its versatility:-)
Anyway - dSLR, here I come!:clap
Nik,
Nice to hear you finally got all that stuff straightened out :thumb I see you will be using your money wisely......lol

You are going to have a ball. The 828 is nice, but the 20D is even more fun to use :lust

And BTW, Nikon is the darkside. The force is with Canon :rolleyes :lol3

Good luck with your near gear :D

Steve

[Nikolai]

I know I'm wasting my breath here, but while we're on the subject of unpacking gear, there really is nothing like unpacking an Apple product. The packaging, the design, the feel of it...ahhh.

And yeah, I know you put the box aside and then work with the gear inside, but still. Ain't nothing better.

Congrats on the new camera, Nik. Looking forward to shooting with you soon.
I like the idea of another shooting afternoon-sunset-night-beer...:beer
Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Nik,
Nice to hear you finally got all that stuff straightened out :thumb I see you will be using your money wisely......lol
You are going to have a ball. The 828 is nice, but the 20D is even more fun to use :lust

And BTW, Nikon is the darkside. The force is with Canon :rolleyes :lol3

Good luck with your near gear :D

Steve
I'm positive I will. I already am, actually:-)

Speaking of force - wait till you see my new avatar:-) It's ready, I just need to get home to change it..

"May the f/stop be with you!"

Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Today, only two days after receiving my new 20D, I purchased my first lens.
EOS 50mm f/1.8. Got it at a local store for 79.95+ tax. Could get it online for $69.95 taxfree, but shipping and wait would not make much sense - I needed a faster lens by Saturday for our fencing class.

Also got an eypiece extender PEX15 - got tired of pressing my nose into the LCD:-)

Some results - with the new lense - could be found here (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/758488) - including originals and exif.

Thanks for reading!

[DavidTO]

Today, only two days after receiving my new 20D, I purchased my first lens.
EOS 50mm f/1.8. Got it at a local store for 79.95+ tax. Could get it online for $69.95 taxfree, but shipping and wait would not make much sense - I needed a faster lens by Saturday for our fencing class.

Also got an eypiece extender PEX15 - got tired of pressing my nose into the LCD:-)

Some results - with the new lense - could be found here (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/758488) - including originals and exif.

Thanks for reading!


Nice. Those cups are tack-sharp!

[Nikolai]

Nice. Those cups are tack-sharp!I did as I was told: used the decent lens, cranked the ISO, set AF to center point, and then created an action in PS to do the sharpening (go LAB, smart sharpening 1.0 pixel, 150%, go back to RGB).

I'm glad that you find your teaching to be fruitful, Mastah:-) :bow

[Michiel de Brieder]

(Michiel and Sid, are you reading this?:-) Oh I remember :D

http://michiel.smugmug.com/photos/30415507-M.jpg

http://michiel.smugmug.com/photos/30416953-M.jpg

http://michiel.smugmug.com/photos/30417297-M.jpg
BUT we did enjoy that excellent jacuzzi with that weird guy :D
So, we're going to kick some major @rse on the 2006 trip?? :D

[Nikolai]

Thanks for the memories!:rofl
And 2006 gonna be kickass, too!:clap

Cheers!:1drink