Anxiously awaiting my UPS delivery...

[annnewjerz]

On a gloomy Tuesday in New Jersey, the thing that is keeping my spirits up is the fact that this time next week I should have a new (to me) lens in my possession to fiddle around with. :yay:

The unfortunate part is that I didn't decide to get one earlier when the weather was still nice and I really had the motivation to get out and shoot. :rolleyes:

Anyone else anxiously awaiting the arrival of some gear?

[WDWFigment]

What lens? I'm 'awaiting' the D7000. Not quite anxiously as it'll be a little while, but I'm awaiting it, nonetheless!

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm waiting on an 86" umbrella, some speedlite grids, and some mat board. I'm not that anxious.

[annnewjerz]

What lens? I'm 'awaiting' the D7000. Not quite anxiously as it'll be a little while, but I'm awaiting it, nonetheless!

Nothing as exciting as a new camera body! I got a jump on a used Nikon 105 f/2.8 AIS manual focus lens that Jeff was planning to sell. I love the 50 f/1.2 AIS I have even though it doesn't meter with the D90 and I'm in need of a longer lens...so problem solved!

I wanted to ask you, did you end up preordering the D7000? If so, where from? I was looking at it, seems impressive and thought maybe next year I'd like to get it since I have a neighbor who would be interested in buying my D90 if I ever sold it.

ALSO---your Tamron 70-200, where'd you get it and how much? I sold my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR because it wasn't getting any use really but was thinking about picking up a non-mfg brand to give me more reach for the random time I might need it. Thoughts on it (not compared to the Nikon)? It doesn't have any sort of off-brand VR, does it? Based on that shot of the owl from DL you have on Flickr, it looks like it would be a good alternative for much less money.

[annnewjerz]

I'm waiting on an 86" umbrella, some speedlite grids, and some mat board. I'm not that anxious.

Mark, over the past few months I've started to think about learning more about off-camera lighting. I've seen pictures of your set-up and I don't think I'll ever set up a home studio or anything, but I wanted to see if you had any recommendations on a good book to read as a jump-off point. I only have one external flash and was thinking about buying some basics to start with, but really have no idea where to even start.

[WDWFigment]

Nothing as exciting as a new camera body! I got a jump on a used Nikon 105 f/2.8 AIS manual focus lens that Jeff was planning to sell. I love the 50 f/1.2 AIS I have even though it doesn't meter with the D90 and I'm in need of a longer lens...so problem solved!

I wanted to ask you, did you end up preordering the D7000? If so, where from? I was looking at it, seems impressive and thought maybe next year I'd like to get it since I have a neighbor who would be interested in buying my D90 if I ever sold it.

ALSO---your Tamron 70-200, where'd you get it and how much? I sold my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR because it wasn't getting any use really but was thinking about picking up a non-mfg brand to give me more reach for the random time I might need it. Thoughts on it (not compared to the Nikon)? It doesn't have any sort of off-brand VR, does it? Based on that shot of the owl from DL you have on Flickr, it looks like it would be a good alternative for much less money.

I have a pre-order in on the D7000 at Amazon. For full price. I had no experience with this sort of thing, so I was expecting to get it for at least $100, but it doesn't seem like that will happen. I sold my D90 body for a good amount on CL (compared to eBay completed prices) before the D7000 was announced, and I've noticed prices have come down a bit more since then. I actually just set up an instant-alert for low priced D90 body buy-it-now listings, so if something comes up low enough, I might actually just buy another D90 and wait on the D7000. I really have a tough time justifying paying that much for it. Sarah gave me the greenlight, and it would be nice to have something new, but I just don't know if I need it. Part of me thinks that if I don't know, I probably don't. So, I guess we'll see if I actually end up with that!

The Tamron is actually Sarah's cousin's. It was nice to have for the 2.8 and the IQ seemed good, but I just couldn't push its limits on shutter speed like I could with the Nikon. I doubt I will ever buy either given that I can borrow them relatively easily (hopefully I'll have the Nikkor again for our Christmas trip!), which means for once I don't have a "lens void" that I want to fill! I do have lenses I want:
Sigma 10mm f/2.8 (replacing Tokina 10-17)
Sigma 50 f/1.4 (replacing Nikon 50 1.8)
Sigma 8-16mm (will be waiting until the price drops on this; would sell the Tokina if I preferred this lens; would sell this lens if I preferred the Tokina)
but nothing "new" that I want.

Those manual focus lenses sound interesting, but I think I'd get frustrated at WDW with them. Especially at night. I think they're for people more like you and Jeff! :laughing:

[rotlex]

My EOS 60D is sitting at home right now, in the box, just off the delivery truck........I cannot wait to get home. :thumbsup2

[YodasMom]

Ordered my Sigma 30 mm F1.4 lens earlier today.

I also upgraded bodies from Sony A-200 to the A-550 (got a great deal)! Just arrived last week and I haven't had time to play with it beause work is so busy. I need to spend some time with it this weekend so I'm ready for WDW!

[handicap18]

Mark, over the past few months I've started to think about learning more about off-camera lighting. I've seen pictures of your set-up and I don't think I'll ever set up a home studio or anything, but I wanted to see if you had any recommendations on a good book to read as a jump-off point. I only have one external flash and was thinking about buying some basics to start with, but really have no idea where to even start.

You can use your D90's popup flash as a master and your speedlight as slave off camera. Works great. You'll be getting a 2nd speedlight soon enough once you try it out.

I just got a small (24") softbox for one of my speedlights. If it works out I'll get another. For the time being I've just been using the Gary Fong diffusers and have gotten great results. Also I put a diffuser on the popup and for when I don't need that light I have a blocker thing to block the light on the popup.

[spinetnglr]

No new gear on the way for me. Would love to have a 70-200mm 2.8 but can't quite justify spending the money. I have the 70-300mm 4-5.6 which I use alot and I often wish I had a few more stops on the fast side. Since I am using all my part-time photog job $$ to fund my upcoming trip the lens will have to wait until next year most likely, but by then I may be in the market for a new body .... oh my ... its such a vicious never ending circle we all have ourselves trapped in.

[RadioNate]

Well I was waiting for a battery grip for my T2i. It came today. I put it on my camera and it proceeded to take 187 shots by itself before I got it turned off.

So it's going back.

bummer

[littlekidagain]

Yes,a gloomy day in NJ. UPS dropped off my order at 5pm and I just got home from work and can't go out and play. I leave for Disney in 2 months.
Just go a Sigma 10-20,Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 also got a Crumpler 6 million dollar home.

[wkrider]

I am ,I am,,,my Pentax K-7, vert grip and battery should be here today.:cool1:

[RadioNate]

I am ,I am,,,my Pentax K-7, vert grip and battery should be here today.:cool1:

Here's hoping that yours works better than mine did yesterday. :thumbsup2

[wkrider]

Here's hoping that yours works better than mine did yesterday. :thumbsup2

Don't scare me...what was wrong with it?

[RadioNate]

Don't scare me...what was wrong with it?

Post #11. It just would not stop shooting. It was like the shutter release was stuck depressed but it wasn't. I returned it.

That is what I get for buying a 3rd party grip for less than 1/2 the price of the Canon one.

It looked banged up so I'm pretty sure I'm not the 1st person to return it.

[MarkBarbieri]

Mark, over the past few months I've started to think about learning more about off-camera lighting. I've seen pictures of your set-up and I don't think I'll ever set up a home studio or anything, but I wanted to see if you had any recommendations on a good book to read as a jump-off point. I only have one external flash and was thinking about buying some basics to start with, but really have no idea where to even start.

I haven't found a single book that covers flash really well. I love the book Light: Science and Magic (http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Introduction-Photographic-Lighting/dp/0240808193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286385015&sr=8-1-spell), but that is really more like a fundamentals textbook. It's sort of like reading a book cookbook that tells you about how different ingredients react with each other and with various cooking methods, but doesn't say much at all about how to cook a good meal.

I love Joe McNally's books The Hot Shoe Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Light-Flashes/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286385127&sr=1-1) and The Moment It Clicks (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Light-Flashes/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286385127&sr=1-1). They are great for inspiration, but not so great for training.

Probably the best source for learning about flash is The Strobist blog (http://strobist.blogspot.com/). It has a good intro section and very useless posts. If you combine it with lots of practice and experimentation, you'll have a great start.

[wkrider]

Post #11. It just would not stop shooting. It was like the shutter release was stuck depressed but it wasn't. I returned it.

That is what I get for buying a 3rd party grip for less than 1/2 the price of the Canon one.

It looked banged up so I'm pretty sure I'm not the 1st person to return it.

Sorry I missed that post....I knew there was a reason I bought the Pentax Grip....just thought that if I was spending that much money what is another hundred bucks.

[rmdavis]

I am anxiously waiting a little extra income next month that I am going to use to order a 100-400L and a 70-200 F 2.8L Mark 2... Really really looking forward to these.

[wenrob]

Not waiting on anything exciting but I have big plans after the New Year.

For off camera flash I got a shoot through umbrella, clamp adapter thingy (lol) and stand for around $70. I also recommend the RockyNook book for the Nikon Creative Lighting System simply because it's a thousand times easier to find answers and understand then the manual that comes with the flash. I have Light Science and Magic but haven't had a chance to read it yet (darn kids). I have read The Hot Shoe Diaries but beware, he just wants you to absorb what he's doing. And you will but if you want to be taught how to use the flash in practical terms this really isn't a teaching book. I found it a good read but if I hadn't had a good grasp on using an external flash I would have been disappointed in it.

[ChiSoxKeith]

I am anxiously waiting a little extra income next month that I am going to use to order a 100-400L and a 70-200 F 2.8L Mark 2... Really really looking forward to these.

I'm in the same boat you are. Anxiously waiting for a little extra income next month. :)

[Groucho]

Nothing as exciting as a new camera body! I got a jump on a used Nikon 105 f/2.8 AIS manual focus lens that Jeff was planning to sell. I love the 50 f/1.2 AIS I have even though it doesn't meter with the D90 and I'm in need of a longer lens...so problem solved!
I'm not sure if the optical formula is related, but I have the pre-AI Nikkor 105mm F2.5 and it is quite a nice little lens that I can mount pretty seamlessly on my Pentax. I pull it out when I feel like doing something a little different... I actually was just using it for the first time in a while a couple weeks ago.

Sorry I missed that post....I knew there was a reason I bought the Pentax Grip....just thought that if I was spending that much money what is another hundred bucks.
Well, I would prefer the OEM over my knock-off, but at 1/4 the price and identical ergonomics and fairly solid construction, I'm happy with mine. :) I do miss the OEM weathersealing though...

Nothing on the way for me... I'm actually trying to "batten down the hatches" on spending and am going to unload a few things to see if there's any way I can magically make the money for a K-5 appear before our January trip (this also hinges on the price coming down a bit!) It's certainly not definitely... but ISO 51,200 and improved DR are pretty strong incentives for Disney shooting. ;)