Bringing you up to speed...
Okay guys. This post is going to be pretty straight-forward.
This past week has been like this. Work has consisted of my normal job plus training a newbie. I like the teaching, so it's no hassle. My off hours have been consumed with all-things photographic. I've got my new cam and am trying to master it. To make it 'sing'. I've been staying up late (for me) and having some trouble getting up, and sometimes to work, on time. I'm usually real good about work punctuality and I think this is a phase that will pass. I've also been struggling with my diverticulitis. I've had two courses of very strong antibiotics for it this year and don't want to see a doctor a third time. My fix for now has been fasting (liquids only) or when I DO eat, trying to increase the fiber. 'Nuff said about that.
So back to the photog. When I made the initial purchase, I got the camera body plus two lenses. One really expensive one (wide angle zoom) and one really cheap but good one (fixed non-zoom plastic lens with good glass optics).
I thought I was happy with both until I ran into the professional photographer who recommended the model I ended up buying. I wanted to share with him that I took his advise about he camera choice, etc. Expecting praise, I instead got an earful about how I didn't choose the EXACT zoom lens he had recommended. The one, in fact, that he used. My choice was a higher quality and pricier lens. He said I got ripped off. That I was mislead by the salesperson and that the optical difference with his less-expensive lens was negligible.
So after the initial 'slap-in-the-face' shock wore off that night; I decided that I would at least go to the store and try his suggested lens. I did and found that he was right. Very little image quality difference even though his lens housing was made of PLASTIC and mine metal. I went through with the exchange and to the store's credit, they didn't give me any shit over it. I had enough change back to actually buy an inexpensive telephoto zoom lens too.
Well over the past week, I decided on my own that I wasn't happy with the telephoto's image quality. It was a piece of shit with a Canon label on it. I took it back today and decided to exchange it for an off brand (Tamron) and take a chance. I LOVE the Tamron lens. I may not tell that pro photographer about this one. Don't want to jinx it.
In other news, my wife and I went to a Flickr dinner meet-up at Anchorage's Noble's Diner. It was the first time we went to a Flickr function and as far as I know, the first time we went out with the intent of meeting new photographers for any reason. The dinner was good but a bit over-priced. The company was great, but we got there kind of late so we missed a few people.
In other other news, I had a possible opportunity to go up to the slope for the day today. Keyword: possible. It never happened. A coworker has some family BP connections and thought she might have had a lead on some 'VIP tour' tickets on a chartered employee shuttle flight. If she was able to get them, she was going to call last night. It never happened. No biggie. I was just going to (care to guess?) take lots of pix. The most northern point I have been to was Cheana Hot Springs. This is the 2nd time she mentioned tickets like this; so it may still happen in the future. Whatever.
By 10pm last night I knew that it wasn't going to happen. My daughter asked if I could play taxi service for her and a friend to go bowling across town. The alley closed at 2:30; so I spent a couple of waiting hours driving around Anchorage in the rain. Stopping at anything interesting and taking night photos. Test Test Test has been the name of the game lately.
So today I slept in. Dealt with upset stomach. Took photos. Did that last lens exchange and took MORE photos. Once again played taxi (this time not as late); and am finally home. Whew! lol.
In the lives of a couple close friends this week, one has been having a shitty week due to transpo problems. The other a great week as she is now officially a homeowner. Congrats Christine!! ;)
Hmm. It got dark early tonight. Fall is in the air (SORRY people! But it is... no point denying it). Maybe this means I'll step up the posts. I'll certainly try.
This past week has been like this. Work has consisted of my normal job plus training a newbie. I like the teaching, so it's no hassle. My off hours have been consumed with all-things photographic. I've got my new cam and am trying to master it. To make it 'sing'. I've been staying up late (for me) and having some trouble getting up, and sometimes to work, on time. I'm usually real good about work punctuality and I think this is a phase that will pass. I've also been struggling with my diverticulitis. I've had two courses of very strong antibiotics for it this year and don't want to see a doctor a third time. My fix for now has been fasting (liquids only) or when I DO eat, trying to increase the fiber. 'Nuff said about that.
So back to the photog. When I made the initial purchase, I got the camera body plus two lenses. One really expensive one (wide angle zoom) and one really cheap but good one (fixed non-zoom plastic lens with good glass optics).
I thought I was happy with both until I ran into the professional photographer who recommended the model I ended up buying. I wanted to share with him that I took his advise about he camera choice, etc. Expecting praise, I instead got an earful about how I didn't choose the EXACT zoom lens he had recommended. The one, in fact, that he used. My choice was a higher quality and pricier lens. He said I got ripped off. That I was mislead by the salesperson and that the optical difference with his less-expensive lens was negligible.
So after the initial 'slap-in-the-face' shock wore off that night; I decided that I would at least go to the store and try his suggested lens. I did and found that he was right. Very little image quality difference even though his lens housing was made of PLASTIC and mine metal. I went through with the exchange and to the store's credit, they didn't give me any shit over it. I had enough change back to actually buy an inexpensive telephoto zoom lens too.
Well over the past week, I decided on my own that I wasn't happy with the telephoto's image quality. It was a piece of shit with a Canon label on it. I took it back today and decided to exchange it for an off brand (Tamron) and take a chance. I LOVE the Tamron lens. I may not tell that pro photographer about this one. Don't want to jinx it.
In other news, my wife and I went to a Flickr dinner meet-up at Anchorage's Noble's Diner. It was the first time we went to a Flickr function and as far as I know, the first time we went out with the intent of meeting new photographers for any reason. The dinner was good but a bit over-priced. The company was great, but we got there kind of late so we missed a few people.
In other other news, I had a possible opportunity to go up to the slope for the day today. Keyword: possible. It never happened. A coworker has some family BP connections and thought she might have had a lead on some 'VIP tour' tickets on a chartered employee shuttle flight. If she was able to get them, she was going to call last night. It never happened. No biggie. I was just going to (care to guess?) take lots of pix. The most northern point I have been to was Cheana Hot Springs. This is the 2nd time she mentioned tickets like this; so it may still happen in the future. Whatever.
By 10pm last night I knew that it wasn't going to happen. My daughter asked if I could play taxi service for her and a friend to go bowling across town. The alley closed at 2:30; so I spent a couple of waiting hours driving around Anchorage in the rain. Stopping at anything interesting and taking night photos. Test Test Test has been the name of the game lately.
So today I slept in. Dealt with upset stomach. Took photos. Did that last lens exchange and took MORE photos. Once again played taxi (this time not as late); and am finally home. Whew! lol.
In the lives of a couple close friends this week, one has been having a shitty week due to transpo problems. The other a great week as she is now officially a homeowner. Congrats Christine!! ;)
Hmm. It got dark early tonight. Fall is in the air (SORRY people! But it is... no point denying it). Maybe this means I'll step up the posts. I'll certainly try.
posted by Eyak Woman at 11:18 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home