Iron_Dreamer

It shall be interesting to see how the Amazon tablet shapes up. I'm certainly a huge fan of Amazon in general, and wouldn't mind it if they took the tablet world by storm as well. There is definitely a space for something out there between the $400 tablet crowd, and the Nook.

Yeah, I get it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Nikon had just better make darn sure this new system is better received than most of their Coolpix of the last five years or so. Because it is a non-starter for the semi-serious to pro markets, so if it doesn't do well with consumers, eek! Here's a shot from Tuesday evening, high on a granite ridge in Yosemite, after a torrent of angry afternoon weather:

I'm thinking the lack of RAM is also a culprit, when I've checked there has generally been 40MB or fewer free. Bur for the price, I really can't complain, it definitely hits a sweet spot between a phone and laptop.

Just got my Musical Fidelity V-Link for computer tethered use of the Hifiman HM801.

Wow, what a bummer that you won't make it, Steve. If you still have time, I'd definitely take you out for some photo time before or after RMAF. On that note...can anyone take me as a room crasher?

It is pretty much what I expected the Nikon mirrorless to be, having followed the rumors. Totally uninteresting to me, and anyone who wants a narrow depth of field at any time. Nothing like a 27mm f/8 (35mm equivalent) as the only prime lens. I've been too spoiled by my Rokinon 35 f/1.4 in that regard

Finally recieved my Nook Color on Friday...have it running the latest CM7 nightly now. Even at 1200MHz, it seeks a bit sluggish at times, compared to my HTC Thunderbolt, also on CM7, on the same wifi network, doing the same tasks. That said, the screen size and resolution are a boon, though the screen seems to have a somewhat desaturated color palette. Anyone have any must-do tweaks, tips, or apps for the Nook Color?

Naw...ES400!

Stone Ruination IPA, following up a Green Flash Le Freak.

I'd get the Nikon 60mm AF-S. It is non-extending, and gets very good reviews from a couple of guys I respect, who use it as a general lens, for everything from macros, to portraits, to landscapes. It's a versatile lens that is close to an 85mm equivalent on DX, and a near-normal lens on FX. It will AF with any Nikon DSLR. The Sigma 70 MIGHT be marginally better optically, but I doubt it's a difference that you'd ever notice. The Nikkor AF-S wins on pretty much every other front.

Hehe...$135 out-of-pocket for my refurb, I couldn't say no to that. Especially with how much I've enjoyed CM7 on my HTC Thunderbolt.

Oh, I'm sure it does, but those are the two uses I have in mind for it at the moment. Basically a cheap, easy device that I can hand to people to show photos, and a capable web browser for times when I'd rather have more screen real estate than my phone, but my X220 tablet is overkill. I'm sure I'll probably find other uses for it along the way.

Picked up a Nook Color for rooting and CyanogenMod7 installation. It should make a nice little photo frame/viewer and casual net surfer.

I use a Kirk L-plate. No complaints, other than the cost of one hunk of machined aluminum.

Drinking from my dangerous pair of packages that arrived today. Thanks namaan!

Really Big Cameras is great. It's really just a guy (Kerry). He is always very responsive. I had a minor issue with my PC40, the bubble levels fell out and got lost. He sent me new ones immediately with no charge, over a year after my purchase. I would skip the Manfrotto tripods. They are overpriced and overly heavy for what they are. Benro/Induro are the best bargain, IMO, in terms of getting near Gitzo quality at a fraction of the price. If you buy them through ebay or another party who sells directly from China/HK, it is a much better deal, generally, than buying through a US importer/sales front. Feisol looks very nice. I've never used/handled one, but they seem very promising, and I'd probably go that way for one of their biggest models, when I want to plunk down for a taller tripod than my current biggest one. The Markins series is great, but Photoclam is the same design and build quality, at a lower price point. The PC36 would be a perfect fit for the smaller traveler-type tripods. Tripods can definitely get very expensive very quickly. I honestly don't think Gitzo is necessary unless you are very tough on your gear, and even then, I'd probably rather buy an RRS tripod if I was really going to spend a ton. BTW Carbon Fiber is definitely worth it. Between the better vibration damping, and weight/strength ratio, you can get buy with a smaller tripod than you can in aluminum to do the same job (height issues notwithstanding).

I would skip the larger Gitzo for now. Hogan's advice is good, but veers toward the overkill side for anyone not using mega-buck, mega-telephoto lenses. A tripod is only useful if you have it with you, and the larger Gitzo will be 4.5-5lbs with a good head attached, which is quite a bit for bringing along casually. I'd much rather have a smaller, slightly less theoretically stable tripod, that is actually with me and ready to use, than a bigger, heavier one that didn't make the journey. Until you get up to some seriously heavy gear, or do a lot of shooting in extremely windy conditions, I wouldn't be too worried about needing the biggest, toughest tripod out there. I've done plenty of very long exposures with a gripped D700+14-24 (about 5 pounds of camera+lens) on a pretty small Induro, and a few even on nothing but a Joby Gorillapod Focus+Ballhead X. If you want a nice ballhead, check out the Photoclam series at reallybigcameras.com. I have a PC40 as my main head, and it is excellent (having used some other brands which were less so). The knobs are positioned such that Traveler style tripods can fold up properly with the head on. A PC36 should probably serve you well.

Make it two of us, I'm absotudalutely interested in getting to my first F1 race in person.

Here's one from my trip last week. Sunrise at 12,000ft in California's White Mountains:

I get the idea that there is a black cloud over Washington these days, but I can't say I find it an attractive picture outside of that analogy.

A huge thanks again to Al and Claire for making such a great afternoon possible. What a double-whammy of cooking skills to boot! And thanks to everyone for coming and making it a night to remember. Claire's lovely blueberry pie cools near an open window Strip after strip of uncured applewood smoked bacon adorns the tenderloin Even more bacon hits the pan...destined for desert Grahame tucks the chocolatey bacon goodness into the deep freeze... ...and proceeds to reap the benefits of being the chocolatier Mikey's high-proof stash isn't taking prisoners Conversation heats up as the bacon cooks (and cools) Ric and Melissa inspect the rig of pork cookery Al and I ponder the smoking of corn Mikey gives Ric a primer on the day's spirits Mmmmmmm.......porky goodness! Al cuts his pork Sun sets over Mayberry Claire cuts the pie as the wave of calories crests And Grahame finally frolics in the fruits of his labor

I've been to the one in San Diego, the Vegas location is quite a bit better (as least the one on Sahara).

Yowza Ken, that's a real shame.

Breakfast in Vegas is all about the Hash House A-Go-Go. You.must.go. Plus, you won't need to eat again all day