I Can't Believe It Took Me Two Weeks...

[Speed]

Quit spreading rumors... I have never KICKED YOU BUTT..... but will if you spread that any further

now if somebody would just tear the ???? out of my images

OK, OK, I'm back from Myrtle Beach, so post some images for me to rip.

;-)

[Speed]

Hey Speed,

I have to agree with Sebastian. That moon + clouds shot is great. I think the exposure is just right. Any bright the clouds would have been blown out and any darker the sky would have been too dark. Great "grab".

On the subject of the D70, I checked on out yesterday and I have to say that it's handling is great, better than the digi-rebel. Very responsive and the "zero" time start up is great. Couldn't check out the picture quality, but from the samples i've seen on the web, so far they look great too. The ergonomics and control layout was a little wierd, but i'm used to shooting canon so, i'm sure that since you shoot nikon it wouldn't take long to get used to.
Anyways... nice shooting, look forward to more astrophotographs from you.


Ivan

Thank you for the comments. You are probably right about the exposure on the cloud/moon shot. But I do wish the moon was a little more prominent.

I know what you mean about the controls being a "little weird". I get the same feeling when I pick up a Canon. I figure I could figure out the controls in pretty short order. That is, if I can get a handle on white balance. :-O

[Speed]

I've actually gotten more interested in black & white - but that's about the only film I shoot anymore. Seems kind of weird - the internet (digital technology) has got me interested in b&w film processing (analog technology). I tried my first Tri-X in D-76 developer the other day. That film came out in 1954 and the developer has been around since the '20's.

I'm not a photoshop guru either, but one tip builds on the next. I usually spend a minute or two (usually very literally) on an image when it comes out of the camera. I've been very impressed with the prints I get from a Fuji Frontier when I do this. If you want (and have a high speed web connection!) I'll e-mail you an image from the DSLR with minimal photoshop that you can print to 8x10 at a minilab and see what I'm talking about. Any Wal-Mart should have a Fuji Frontier. Or I'll mail you a print (8x10's only cost me about $2). Send me a private message if you're interested. No, I don't work for Nikon!!

Me either, but we should!!!!! Just waiting for them to "discover" us! :-D

By all means, I'd love for you to email me that photo. Send it to RobertLMcCabe@hotmail.com or, if the file is too big for a hotmail address, send it to robertm@co.carteret.nc.us.

Our local Wal Mart has the Kodak and the Fuji printers in the photo section, ( I prefer the Fuji) so making a print won't be a problem.

Thanks for the feedback and the help. I do appreciate it!

[Speed]

Speed you've raised the bar my friend! I love your second shot, wow very artistic! You're coming right along artisically here mi amigo! If you ever make it to a gathering, I want a print of that one! ;)

Rick

Send me an address, and I'll mail you a print!

RobertLMcCabe@hotmail.com

WHEN I make one of the gatherings, I'll bring you a framed 8X10.

:-)

[Speed]

Two very nice shots Speed. The second one is awesome, great job for a "grab shot".

Troy

Are a constant source of encouragement!

Thank you for you comments!

BTW, I love the F-16 shot!!! I'm forwarding that one to my son. He's also into jets, and wants to be an Air Force pilot. Go figure...

:-O

[Speed]

I think I averaged about 3-5 rolls a month last year, maybe less. Since getting the 1D, I've shot over 3000 images. Granted most of them are junk, but I can still use them for education purposes. I can experiment, try different things and it doesn't cost anything but my time. I can also get almost instant feedback. It makes a huge difference.

My wife is even talking about getting a 10D to replace the Canon A2 (my old film body). She went out to the bomb range with me last week and complained about having to replace film so often! The lab that developed the film also did a horrible job. TONS of dust specks, the images burned on the cd were edited to their taste, and some of the film was actually damaged. My wife wasn't impressed!

Unfortunately you will need a relatively fast computer for editing images, but I went with an eMachine, it works just fine for me. As for printing, I do some at home, but most of the time, I edit the image save it to a CF card and take it to Wal-Mart and have them print it on their Frontier system "with no adjustments". I've had good luck so far.

Whatever you do, we enjoy your shots! As someone mentioned above, you are the "Moon Master"! I'm still wondering if he meant Luna Master or some other kind of moon... ;)

Trust me, my friend, I am considering it! :-)

I can probably list the reasons for getting a DSLR as well as you. Instant feedback and instant learning definitely top the list. The cost savings over film/developing definitely add up as well. And the list goes on...

It's the up front costs that are holding me back. D70, expanded memory card, new computer, and new printer just to name a few.

Funny thing is, a year ago I wouldn't have considered getting a digital SLR. They cost too much for what you get. Now with the D70, the price, while still higher than a film SLR, is much more reasonable. And the features they packed into the D70 are incredible.

I read a write up about the D70 last week that stated, and I'm paraphrasing here, that the D70 was designed to crush the competition (the digital rebel), and that it did. They further stated that while Nikon wouldn't say it, they foresaw the D70 REPLACING the D100. It's that much camera. With more features for less money, the D100's days are numbered.

OK, I'm starting to ramble here...

Definitely buy Collette a 10D!!!! Do it now! Strike while the iron is hot buddy! Having your wife involved in your favorite "hobby" can only be a good thing! She will be much more understanding when you "need" a new lens, or more memory, etc. :-)

Thanks for the comments and encouragement my friend. We shall see what the future brings, but rest assured that I am giving serious thought to the D70.