Iron_Dreamer

Just don't pinch me for mentioning it!

If it is anything like its' sibling, the 12-24, which I use on full-frame, sick is very much the word for it.

If you've never heard Infected Mushroom, I highly suggest you check them out. I would start with BP Empire or IM the Supervisor. To simply call their music trance is an understatement of grand proportions. Also look heavily into Diablo Swing Orchestra. Either of their albums would suffice, though I think the second is a touch better than the first. Metal is only one of the several bases of their sound, which is eclectic and engrossing. Finally you might also like Virgin Steele. I'd start out with either of their "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" or "Book of Atreus" albums. Definitely not your average metal, but they actually sport some good lyrics, non-cheesy orchestrations, and excellent performance all-around.

Here's another shot, from the highest point in Southern California, the 11,500ft San Gorgonio Mountain. Out in the distance you see the low-lying smog and coastal fog shrouding the Inland Empire and San Gabriel valley, and further out the Santa Ana mountain range of Orange County topped by the 5,700ft Santiago Peak.

Plus in just about every test I've seen, the Tokina rates out better. Only the new Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 scores equal, if not higher than the 11-16. Speed and filter use versus ultimate width is what that decision comes down to. They are the two best (for Nikon anyway) sub-frame ultrawides out there right now. Toss in the Sigma 10-20 4-5.6 at the low end, and you've got the only three DX ultrawides I'd really consider.

After trying LFF's pair of Fischer Audio FA-003's, the SRH-840 certainly has a new rival in town. The Fischers had an impressive soundstage for closed cans, and despite being both light and quite comfortable, they had about as much isolation as any closed headphones I've ever used.

Hard to imagine that this place is only 2 miles off a busy U.S. highway route:

Cool for you. Sad for Bryan. Enjoy!

Crazy kit there Al! But just in line with your audio style. Nice to be able to move some more world-class gear into Mayberry for all that future listening in-between shenanigans. Have you had the Head-Case logo painted onto your old beater van yet?

Ate a bunch of great stuff, listened to a bunch of Hoffmanized 80's hits, and helped a friend get a bunch of crap outta his house.

B&H has been excellent for me. Very responsive and friendly. Cameta were grouchy assholes who tried to blame me for their own screwups. They are definitely on the shitlist. I hate BB with a passion. Avoid their armies of idiots like the plague, and wait for Amazon to match their sales, with no tax to boot. Get a squaretrade warranty, and you'll have better service than BB could ever dream of. I have had success with Beach Camera, Buydig, Tri-State Camera, and Canoga, but I have also not made any huge purchases with them, nor needed any involved service.

Yeah, there's no sense in having a tripod that you never take out. I know I certainly am a bit more diligent about having my current 3.5lb Benro CF pod/Photoclam head with me, than I was about my former 5.5lb Velbon/Giottos rig. The much shorter folded length (Gitzo traveler-style foldover legs) also makes a bit difference in portability. I wouldn't call your setup overkill at all, if anything, it might be "underkill" for your 100-400. But big teles demand big tripods, so that is likely a separate tripod altogether if you get serious about your long lenses. For regular sized lenses, you should be doing quite well.

Love that subterfuge!

Perhaps that is just the boring headphones themselves coming through? I think the heat issue of the B22 or Dynahi is a bit overblown. Compared to a GOOD stat amp, or a GOOD speaker amp, they're hardly space heaters. Relative to other headphone amps, yes, mabye so. I don't think either one runs so hot that you need to be overly concerned in your environment. Just make sure that whichever you build, you overbuild the heatsinking, and add a few vent holes to the case. It's been a while since I compared AMB's Dynahi and B22. I do recall both sounding extremely close in overall performance, with the B22 leaning slightly softer, with the Dynahi having a bit more edge to the sound. I've also owned a Dynahi, which I can say nothing bad about, sound-wise. I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either, and the differences are much more subtle than those between headphones or sources.

I'm not surprised. ThinkTank bags are deceptively roomy compared to their exterior dimensions. I've had the Urban Disguise for nearly a year, and couldn't be more pleased with it. Room enough to fit a 14" laptop, pro body, 5-6 lenses, flash, cleaning supplies, filters, CF cards, and still have room left for a water bottle and portable audio rig. I don't usually take that much stuff, but for times when I do (like plane trips), it handles it with aplomb.

Self-timer. I wedged the camera between a couple of rocks, and secured the strap as best I could to another one. Success came, in spite of the 50mph wind. Definitely. We know you have the party stamina, so let's see about your altitude stamina Don't I know it. It's really the primary reason why I've stuck around here for so long.

Yeah, it's not too bad as hikes go, for a killer summit view. Definitely worth a shot if you don't mind a bit of huffing and puffing as you go up 3,000 vertical feet in only 3 miles. It's a ton easier than hiking to the top of Half Dome, with a much better view, and far fewer people on it to boot.

Hahaha, I kinda figured as much, or we'da seen pics of the return trip!

Be sure to check out the Silver Lake resort the next time you're in that area. The food is a bit more ordinary, but certainly still quite delicious, and the view has Lee Vining beat: How's this one (from a different trip): Mono lake as seen from the 13,000ft summit of Mount Dana. I'll hold ya to that one!

But Grahame, the real question is, did you take Joanne back to Hot Doug's before you two left town?

Panasonic TS2 waterproof P&S camera on special at Amazon yesterday. And then I had to suck Edwood into buying one also.

Unbefuckinglievable!

Well, I did a bit of climbing/hiking: Then had a great meal at the gourmet gas station (aka the Whoa Nellie Deli): Nice! I haven't been down that road in ages. I'll have to make a run sometime this summer, as a send-off my current set of tires!

Glad you're having a great birthday evening, Dave! Hopefully it should continue into the wee hours.