Dinny, in the past I've had great success with SterlingTek batteries. I have ...four of their BP511A batteries (works with the 30D, 5D, and my IR PowerShot G2). They have one for the S95, that I will be ordering next week.

The full RRS setup.

So who is doing the HC Zoo excursion?

Yeah, now that's worth a little envy! Does it at least not drive you crazy the way that old Gitzo did?

Here's one of my latest, taken a few nights ago in the Sequoias, on a much crappier tripod

on a much crappier tripod

Image did not seem to suffer....

I love the color in that redwood tree photo. And I still have your rocky mountain national park photo with snow capped mountains and turning of the aspen as my desktop (at least that's where I think it was taken).

I definitely prefer it to the Gitzo I had, but I will definitely miss the much smaller travel size of the Gitzo. This RRS is pretty huge.

I could use some help/advice from you guys. Here's a snap I took of the Little Monkey this morning with the S95. I'm the first to admit that I'm a lousy photographer, but this image seems really soft/"veiled" to me. It was taken on "Auto" setting with flash off. I've been noticing this softness with a lot of my initial S95 shots. Is this just user stuff that I need to learn/set, or is there some indication here of something wrong with the camera?

it looks like it focussed on the blanket in the foreground

Also, on the Cannons I've had, I've noticed that auto settings tend to select shutter speed as reciprocal of focal length (in 35mm equivalent), which may not be fast enough shutter speed to negate camera shake/movement even with IS on S95.

Edited December 3, 201114 yr by Salt Peanuts

What are the particulars, shutter speed, etc?

Went to one of the few camera stores in the City opened on Saturday to buy some toys. Bonus was the fact that it is right next to the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park which is always fun.

Love that building. Somehow it looks nicer on pics than in person.

That softness is lens flare to my eyes

I could use some help/advice from you guys. Here's a snap I took of the Little Monkey this morning with the S95. I'm the first to admit that I'm a lousy photographer, but this image seems really soft/"veiled" to me. It was taken on "Auto" setting with flash off. I've been noticing this softness with a lot of my initial S95 shots. Is this just user stuff that I need to learn/set, or is there some indication here of something wrong with the camera?

That softness is lens flare to my eyes

That's what I was thinking due to the rather intense backlighting from the window but I also think Dan is right about the focus point.

What are the particulars, shutter speed, etc?

Auto Exposure, 1/30 sec, f/2, ISO 400.

... this image seems really soft/"veiled" to me.

Is the camera made by Sennheiser? Did you try removing the foams? [/headphone geek humor]

Thanks all. I'll post a couple more. Just want to make sure poor shots are due to my ineptitude rather the camera.

Don't know if anyone is going to make it tomorrow but we will be there at 10 and you can PM me for my cell if you intend to show up. Looks like a really nice day for a Zoo visit.

Sounds like a good time. I've got family stuff to attend to, but I look forward to lots of animal pics!

you're banned if you don't go to meet the monkeys dinny.

The monkeys, good sir, come to meet me.

The Monkey will be missed.

We are going to be parking at the Southern Blvd entrance and will be there at 10. Laxx, where does one get the $4 coupons you referenced?

Reuters best photos of the year 2011

Great Day at the Zoo.

The Ginger Monkeys were ecstatic to see Colin.

But they were shocked when he told them Dinny didn't show up.

Weird-Ass Kangaroo came out to see us.

Edited December 5, 201114 yr by VPI