bugmeister

I do prefer a backpack most of the time because a single strap causes me neck problems. The content does depend on what I am aiming to shoot, whether it be people, bugs, landscapes, and if possible I then leave it in the car and just use my pockets.

Doesn't look like it, on the WEX website, it's listed as discontinued and replaced by the 1DX. It doesn't say when though, so you may still be able to find one somewhere. *edit* Discontinued Mid 2012, I didn't realise it was that long ago

That is just beautiful. Missed the original thread though Well done Barbara and well chosen BP

That does look rather good. A man of many talents indeed

Greetings and welcome, is that kettle boiled yet?

That's an interesting little piece of kit that I've not come across before. Especially good since it gives you a zoom range instead of the fixed length you get from putting extension tubes behind a 50mm (for example) or using a reversing ring

Well chosen Kobione and well done Colin. A different kind of picture that works extremely well.

Hmmm Nice try

That's a man of many talents and interests. Good on you! As for the SF image, it's the kind of thing I like but one observation..... the four brightest appear to be two pairs rather than four independent stars.

Good news for those who like their bugs I wonder if we're also going to get more exotics coming into the south of the country (probably not Kobione's spiders though )

Hello Ian and welcome to the friendliest place around pull up a chair and get comfy.

Well done Martyn, a fabulous picture. (and well done to Heather for trawling through a fabulous selection of pictures over the last week)

Greetings and welcome, Stan.

I use Cokin and very happy with them. One thing to bear in mind is the physical diameter of your biggest lens. That will determine the size of filter you need. My biggest lens has a front ring size of 82mm so to avoid getting the filter holder in frame I had to go for the large ZPro size. Expensive, yes, but I don't get the holder blocking part of the picture.

Mirror - shutter - sensor, three different bits of kit that could be replaced And yes, you can get your camera serviced, they clean it, realign all the optical bits if needed, check the electronics etc. I haven't needed to have it done yet so I can't say how it works, but i doubt if they change any of the bits without extra cost

I take one heck of a lot of pictures when I'm at events, but other days I take none and I've averaged about 12k per year over the last 7 years or so. The shutter assembly can be replaced by Canon service (I think about £250) and I would assume Nikon are the same, but by the time you reach that, will the sensor still be up to scratch? I remember my 300D was showing hot pixels at 25K shots and had become too noisy to use at over 400iso, when I retired it at 35K The newer sensors are better (no problems at 50K on my current one)

Sorry, no milky waterfall, it was a bit flat for that, but I have a lone tree

If I have a patch, it would have to be Wicken Fen. I don't get there as regularly as I like but it's definitely a place for all seasons. I know most of the walks and trails and what you're likely to find and where, but still get surprises.

Well done Colin, an excellent study

I thought he was serious (remembering someone warned me about our Annie when I first joined)

Here's one from the other side When I first started getting reasonably serious about photography (ok who said I haven't managed that yet?!!!), I looked around this area for a camera club to join and learn from.. I went to the closest one and immediately felt like the outsider, I mean I only had a budget 35mm SLR and a little point and shoot digital and between the film purists and those with the latest kit, I was very intimidated. Add to that the fact that every other meeting was a competition of some sort. A couple of visits and that was it, I never went back. A bit of investigation showed all the other ones within reach were pretty much the same especially with regard to competitions, so having found a number of like-minded people in the village, we started up our own. That was a few years ago and the ethos was very much like this forum. Enjoy everything, learn when you can and teach if you can. We only have three competitions a year. one is the 'formal' one with an outside judge. One is far more informal with just the members choosing, and one is a fun 'what is it' evening. All the other meetings are either speakers or practical nights, and the practical nights can be anything from trying to photograph model helicopters in flight to water drops, still life, or even the occasional portrait session with willing victims. Add in a few outside trips if the weather is good. Techniques are widely shared and played with, and we have people who are of all ages from about 20 upwards (including some even older than me). It doesn't matter what kit you use, someone will always be willing to help you with settings or suggestions and there's even one sad person with many manuals downloaded as reference for most of the cameras we use between us. As I said earlier, very much like here at TIPF, we all try to help each other, whether it's camera, lens, technique, software etc etc etc

Hi Graham, you've found your way to a very friendly site. Lots of people willing to help and the equipment doesn't matter anywhere near as much as having 'the eye'

Well done David, and good choice Chris

Love it! I missed the original series so I'm off to take a look.... Good choice Annie and well done BP

Not daring to answer that It was a fun and interesting day wandering around hunting dragons and damselflies, spiders and butterflies.... etc etc etc