He lives!

That was my first thought too.

Enablers...

Good to be home.

Pics from Memorial Day weekend in Estes Park, starting with the infamous Stanley Hotel of The Shining fame. Need to learn how to meter light better cuz I had to Photoshop all of these to some extent...

That's not the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood Mrs. Torrence...

That's not the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood Mrs. Torrence...

From July 4th 2009.

#1 taken @ dusk, waiting for the oncoming show; 2 seconds at f/8.

#2-#5 taken of the fireworks show. All at varying exposures (ranging from 2 to 8 secs) at f/8.

#6 taken straight into the moon; 30 seconds at f/8.

Focal length on all at 50mm (maxed out my Tamron 17-50). Next time I'll have to either get closer to the action or have a zoom lens by then.

Shooting location in Chautauqua Park overlooking Boulder, CO. Fireworks coming from Folsom Stadium at the local university CU-Boulder.

This one took near front of a coliseum near Roma

And this one at Monaco

Took with 5D + 24-105L

^ I really really like the first one.

I have a quick question for you DSLR enthusiasts. I'm looking to purchase a DSLR in the near future. I have no experience with them other than playing around with a friend's D80, and another friend's 5D; however, I would like to buy something that will last me for a long time and not be wasted in the hands of a newbie. Should I purchase the D90 or wait for a cheaper Nikon full frame to be released and buy that? Full frame seems like something that I would want in a camera.

I have a quick question for you DSLR enthusiasts. I'm looking to purchase a DSLR in the near future. I have no experience with them other than playing around with a friend's D80, and another friend's 5D; however, I would like to buy something that will last me for a long time and not be wasted in the hands of a newbie. Should I purchase the D90 or wait for a cheaper Nikon full frame to be released and buy that? Full frame seems like something that I would want in a camera.

Whatever you buy, it will be replaced by something cheaper and better before you're ready for that to happen.

I adore my D90. It's comfortable and takes fantastic pictures. I'd sooner get a camera today and start shooting immediately than wait for something better to come out.

You'll be a better photographer by the time your inexpensive full frame comes out, and you can sell the D90 along if you so choose.

Choose a manufacturer which has more lenses interest you.

A few first shots from the D700:

full frame + ultra wide lenses = lovely shot

Man, ID, at first I thought the D700 was a silly idea, but after seeing those shots I can only congratulate you on your exemplary purchase.

And, of course, teh mad skillz.

Thanks! I love the experience of using the D700, that the pictures come out better is a bonus at this point. I never thought I'd like live view, but I guess it is easy to say that about things you haven't tried.

But between the live view, larger viewfinder, vastly better screen, improved menu and playback/editing system, more ergonomic and useful vertical grip, and viewfinder shutter, the camera is just a joy to use. Add in the wicked ISO performance, and 8FPS, and shoot howdy what a camera!

Peter, those are some beautiful photos.

I need to learn to take better pictures and get a DSLR.

Fantastic as usual Peter. Someday I hope to be as good as you.

Test shot with Sigma 50-150mm from today. 150mm focal length, 1/40 at f/22. Shot was overexposed, corrected in Photoshop. (And later saw that the ISO was at 250, doh!) Target is the NCAR facility in Boulder. Not sure how far away I was, maybe about 0.75 mi?

And a shot back from 6/23. 50mm, 1/4 at f/4.5, and ISO at 125. (Taken with my Tamron 17-50.)

(click for larger, of course)

Are you shooting full manual, Steve?

Yup I always shoot full manual.

I'll bet ID doesn't

What I mean by that is many of the pros I read about, and all of the ones I know, shoot most of the time in A priority. You should shoot in whatever gives you the pictures you enjoy the most. For me, that's A priority 90% of the time. You might enjoy it.

In the back yard this morning:

I'll bet ID doesn't

What I mean by that is many of the pros I read about, and all of the ones I know, shoot most of the time in A priority. You should shoot in whatever gives you the pictures you enjoy the most. For me, that's A priority 90% of the time. You might enjoy it.

My camera sucks anus at A. Terribly over exposes everything. I really wish I could afford a new one.

Can you manually calibrate the exposure down somewhat to compensate? My D40 overexposed A as well, but i got great results by bumping the exposure compensation down a stop.

Yeah, I generally use A mode most of the time, with some exposure compensation when needed. The cameras I've used (D70s, D200, N80, D700), have had good enough metering that compensation usually only comes in on highly unbalanced scenes like the lake above. M mode usually comes out for flash shooting. P mode & S mode, never touched 'em.

I can, but then I feel like its no easier or faster to just shoot full M. No matter, I'm pretty quick full M anyway, and I enjoy it.

Random pics taken at and near the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA, on Friday last week. 1, 5, & 6 were taken with my Tamron 17-50, the others were taken with my Sigma 50-150 (a fantastic lens btw).

(click any for larger)