Aaron Christensen
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Does anyone have experience with Outcast pontoon boats?
I have their kayak-style pontoon boat. http://www.outcastboats.com/outcast/products/default.aspx?id=14 If this is what you mean, I will be glad to answer any questions.
Try setting your 50 mm lens to 1.8 (for a narrow depth of field) and take some photos outdoors, with natural light. IMHO, natural beats even the best studio.
The Native is a great boat — comfortable and versatile. IMHO, it is a top choice for flat water and mild rivers. I tested one once and really liked it.
If I could only have one boat (hypothetical, because I have three personal crafts already — ‘toon, canoe and kayak), I would go with the Hobie Outback. It is fast, comfortable, and you can fish without ever using your hands to paddle. I have outriggers so I can stand (but it is not a good option on moving water). It is also well-suited to offshore uses. (The Hobie Adventure is better suited for pure offshore applications).
My choice would be different if I lived in a different area. For example, for big western water or tailwater, I would want a nice pontoon. For lakes, I would be torn between the Hobie and something like the Native. For rocky rivers, I would get a ‘toon.
Boats are like rods – it is hard to pick one that will suit every situation and there are compromises with every decision. Even within the kayak family, there are at least 4 models that I would like to own.
This product looked interesting, too. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0063391630029a&navCount=0&podId=0063391&parentId=cat604039&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=122608midwinter-perf&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604039&hasJS=true
I can’t tell if it is a re-branded (or un-branded) Ott. Any thoughts? It gets several very good comments from the site, but one comment indicates that it is not as bright as the user would prefer.
I ended up at Michael’s today (Feb. 1), and our local store was in fact strict on the coupon policy. They would not share a 40% off coupon from the paper so Christine will go back next week to pick up an Ott light at 50% off with the coupon that comes with your receipt.
From what I can tell, the 50% off ticket, good for a purchase during the week starting 7 days out, that Michael’s gives on the bottom of the sales receipt is the best deal out there.
Great leads on the Ott lights. Thanks to everyone.
I need light for a permanent desk and tying station — I won’t ever need to move the light. Would folks still prefer the portable light for such applications? Neal, which standing model do you covet?
tough call, but I would go with the lens, sell the others for what you can get, and wait for what might be coming down the road in terms of camera bodies.
Remember, the D70 was a premier “prosumer’ body a few years ago. It still takes great pics but is no longer the best option out there. Why not wait until they come out with the D90 replacement and you would still have a great lens?
If I could have only one lens for family and general use, I would get the 18-200 without a second thought.
I have a 28-70, a 70-300 and a nice 50. I would trade the two zooms in a minute for the 18-200, and could do without the 50.
If I had the 18-200 from the start, my next purchases would be a 50, a nice flash, a good tripod (maybe carbon) and maybe a remote. I can’t remember its exact features, but if the 18-200 does not do macro, I would also consider a macro lens.
Neal’s 105 (?) is also an exceptionally sweet lens. I would love to have that for candid photos and natural light. It is outside the price point, and I know we should not covet our neighbor’s goods, but I must admit that I have a hard time not coveting that lens.
Everyone needs to scratch their own itch, and real estate prices in Florida are becoming reasonable.
Me?
There are several videos on youtube, and maybe this can help for a specific question, but otherwise the youtube videos don’t seem to present a coherent set of lessons.
Check your local bookstore for instructional books, especially ones with a video guide included. IMHO, it is 1000% easier to learn if there is a video.
I have tried a class at the local photography resource (http://www.lightfactory.org, a great place to visit if you are ever in Charlotte) and then struck a deal with the instructor to provide private lessons. (I was a c student in class, at best).
My new approach for learning CS4 will be to use videos from http://www.photoshopcafe.com and then get the same professional photographer to help me with specific issues.
LOL, the “fast food” kind don’t do it for me, either, and I don’t know of any restaurants serving the real thing.
Kevin, your report is encouraging. Do you find the new version to be any easier to use (perhaps more intuitive?) or is your enthusiasm mostly feature related?
Curious if you are running on a Mac or PC. I have been waiting for more than a month for a cross-platform (PC to Mac) upgrade to CS4. I have been annoyed enough by the delay to call on two occasions. The last time I called the Adobe guy said they didn’t have the Mac version available for shipment. There is also a fair amount of grumbling on the www about CS4 for Macs, mostly related to the lack of 64-bit capability. My vague understanding is that the new program will run a little slower on Macs and that the issue becomes important if the user will be working with exceptionally large files.
In any event, hopefully, my upgrade will get here soon. Photography is just a hobby for me so the delay is not the end of the world but I would sure be ticked if there were pressing time constraints.
EDIT: my copy finally arrived yesterday.
Beef jerky for snacks.
Lunch — bags of tuna, maybe some crackers, and a single-serving packet of mayo if I want something gourmet.
Cameron, let me know when you get your boat and perhaps we can meet up on some of the water between Columbia and Charlotte. (I have a lifetime SC license, so either side of the border is fine with me). I have a Hobie kayak rigged for fishing.
One spot I would like to try is the Catawba River below the NC line. I believe it holds a scenic river designation.
Hmm, having visited MN during my trip to the Boundary Waters several years ago and hearing stories about plugging in cars at night, I am reluctant to try to define “cold” from my home in Charlotte.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/dslr.htm
In the review above, Ken Rockwell indicates that the new generation of camera electronics eliminates the need to shoot and process RAW for most applications.
I don’t know of the more pics per battery but if so i wouldt not let that be an argument because a good spare batt costs about 6 dollars in Singapore.
I can’t find my charger so just the other day I bought a new battery and charger off Amazon for almost free.
