Learning to NOT Photograph Fireworks Behind Trees (Sept/Oct 2012)

[Cafeen]

You're choosing to eat English food over French food? WOW! or should that be Sacre Bleu!

The good news is that you're having English for lunch....and Mexican for dinner. (Whatever the time difference, maths or no maths). At least you'll remember one decent meal when you go to sleep.


Jokes aside (at the expense of English food....don't worry, it's me and at least 21 million others. It's a very Aussie thing to do; poking fun at the English)....you should get decent English pub style meals at the R&C and if it appeals to you more than Chefs, you made the best decision.

To be fair, I also made the choice of English/Irish/Scottish beer instead of French .

That, and see, there's a theme here that's very subtle. I'm starting the trip with an Irish Pub. My grandmother (on Mom's side, obviously, it'd be weird if I were doing it with my Dad's side in mind...though they're both French Canadian and we did do Le Cellier in 2010...but I digress) was Irish. My grandfather is English (well, they're both American, but you know, descendants and ancestors and all that). So ending with an English pub makes sense. Look at how great of a son I am to bookend the trip like that. Really. Honestly.

Ok, ok. If you haven't noticed, I'm pretty darn picky. I don't eat things with feathers, or that live in the water, or that aren't some sort of red meat (except sausage...and bacon). As such, there was roughly 1 entree at Chefs I was interested in. R&C has a few that I'm looking at. It's cheaper too (which helps Mom paying OOP).

Remember too, that I'm American, which means that I darn well can't joke about anyone else's food. We have, what... BBQ and McDonalds? Heck, I live in the south, pretty much the traditional cooking down here is "throw it in the fryer!" (we have restaurants here that advertise... not just have, but actually see it as a bonus... deep-fried pickles and Hersey bars...) Even our restaurant at WS is just a QS burger & fries type of place!

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, I am at an impasse.

I can potentially pick up (as in purchase!) the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens for my camera. This would help immensely with low-light and night shots. Even better, I'd not be charged any interest on the lens until Jan. This would work out well, since I'm trying to save every little bit for the trip in October.

The problem comes...I'm not entirely sure how much I'd use the lens outside of Disney. The vast majority of my photography is done with my 55-250... so it makes it a bit tricky.

Decisions. I am so impatient that I want it now!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Allan - If you can afford the lens, get it.

For me, the nifty fifty is just a little too tight in the dark rides at Disney. The 18 - 55 kit lens will not help you out in the dark lens; but the 30 mm f/1.4....that will be about right for Disney.

And you might be surprised at what you may use it for after the trip.

Besides...if you get it, I can see what the pictures look like and find out how you found it. That way, I could consider getting it myself...

 

[Cafeen]

Allan - If you can afford the lens, get it.

For me, the nifty fifty is just a little too tight in the dark rides at Disney. The 18 - 55 kit lens will not help you out in the dark lens; but the 30 mm f/1.4....that will be about right for Disney.

And you might be surprised at what you may use it for after the trip.

Besides...if you get it, I can see what the pictures look like and find out how you found it. That way, I could consider getting it myself...

I'm very strongly thinking about it, plus the fact that I can use my Amazon card and defer having to pay for it (well, beyond some small payments) until AFTER the trip makes it more tempting. I should never have applied for that card! (I'm building up my credit stuff, since I'm going to be in the market for a car in the next 6-12 months and I want something nicer than a little private sale beater, so, really, I should have applied for it since it bumps my available credit up considerably... all this wacky stuff is way too complicated!). I have been reading of some front focusing problems it has though, which is making me hesitant. Not that I really understand "front" and "back" focusing other than it may be a little off... but, you know .

The 50mm was a bit tight last year, and the wider aperture is very tempting. Renting this lens for 2 weeks (to cover arrival and departure) would be about 1/3 of the cost of the lens...and I'd have to pay that in full before and jump through hoops to rent. So, again, tempting. We'll see, though I'm thinking it's going to be sooner rather than later, especially if I have to get with Sigma to get it calibrated to my camera.

And now, I have roughly an hour before Breaking Bad starts, so I better get something posted quickly!

 

[Cafeen]

Day 7 - Signaturepalooza!​

(The events contained below occur on 03 Oct 2012)

So, here we are on Day 7, and what is there to do left? A lot. This is Disney World. There's ALWAYS stuff to do!

So, today I am heading on down to DHS for some reason. I'm not sure what's driving me to this place, since it's only my 4th favorite major WDW park. Which makes it the 1st least favorite. I guess it's for pictures. (Maybe some streetmosphere with the potentially new 30mm here...hmm...)

So, yup. This is going to be a boring park-based installment until later. And, I'm sure, the corresponding TR portion will be very attractive to some of you who like food porn. Though, with 2 TS every day, that may be every installment of that! Of course, we still have over 2 months until I even do this, never mind get around to processing and posting. And that's assuming I don't disappear over the holidays again.

So, at any rate.

The plan will be to get to ToT and RnRC first thing. I'm solo here so I don't care about getting a FP for TSMM (or even riding it!) I do plan on spending some time photographing the ToT queue quite heavily. I'm going to need a sign that says "If my eyeball is stuck into my camera, feel free to pass me!" at this point. Now, I'm also planning on bringing Trusty Tripod here, but I may locker it until later. (Yes, locker is a verb, deal with it!)

So, ToT and RnRC with photography done, the plan will be...whatever. I'll head on up and hang with street people before making it over to my first ADR of the day. This time it's...Hollywood Brown Derby! Having never been here before, I have no idea what to expect, but I needed an extra 2 credit meal since I have a few 1 credits for dinner earlier on, so this works.

After lunch, I'll hang in the other half of DHS and attempt to photograph GMR again. This time I hope to get more than 3 acceptable pictures...

And those are only at the "acceptable" level, not even what I'd call good...

The potentially new lens here will help as well. As well as figuring out that I have higher than ISO 3200 on my camera (thanks photo board (pfft, manual? isn't he the cook at the Mexican place?)).

So, more photo stuff, including pulling Trusty Tripod out of lockup and doing daytime HDR work of the ugly hat (why do I bother photographing something that I absolutely hate? I guess it's practice for if I ever start doing this professionally and have to work with people I don't like?)

Really, the rest of the day is open until about 5pm, so open that I can't even fill this PTR with stuff. So we'll just insert "Assorted DHS stuff" here.

Around 5pm, it's time to head on over to the Yacht Club for dinner.

Tonight's dinner is Cape May Cafe!

Just kidding. By now, you all should know that I don't eat seafood. Plus that whole Signaturepalooza thing wouldn't make sense if I only did one today right?This may be a skim check....or it could be a way for me to draw out this already drawn out post

So, Yachtsman it is! Yup, nice good steak cooked medium well to get rid of all the actual steakness of it! (Sorry you steak snobs, I'm a medium-well/well type of person, it's a texture thing) I'll likely get a NY Strip, since that's my default steak and they are yummy. I haven't even thought of apps or desserts here, but the NY Strip will be mine and food porn will ensue.

After dinner, it's time to head on over to Epcot for PM EMH (which, will be 3 hours this year, if I weren't going until 2013 it'd be only 2 hours... /rude)

My goal here is to setup for Illuminations around 8pm in Japan. Hopefully on the patio outside of Tokyo dining or somewhere that gives me some elevation along that side of the lagoon. Really the goal is to shoot the show from a different angle as the night before, just so it doesn't look repetitive in the TR.

I'm also going to aim to do some more night shots of the pavilions. This will be a bit more difficult than last year though, since I'm expecting F&W to keep more people here, but we'll see.

After the night shots, back to POFQ I go for the night.

Day 7 Food Plans

• B - A snack of some sort. Light.
• L - Brown Derby @ 11:40am (DHS)
• D - Yachtsman @ 6:00pm (Yacht Club)

Day 7 Photography Plans

• ToT Queue Detail
• HDR of ToT Exterior
• Really, just assorted ToT pictures (would love some interior machine-room pics, but those may be tough!)
• I will not attempt RnRC on-ride pics. Although.... except the launch this may not be too bad...hm.
• BAH Assorted ugly subject pictures
• Other assorted DHS pictures to fill up the TR and see what I can see
• Yacht Club - HDR and assorted
• Illuminations
• Germany, American Adventure, Japan, France, UK, Canada Night shots
• Whatever other night shots I want from Epcot

Phew, it's 8:30pm, 30 more minutes until Breaking Bad, that wasn't too bad!

 

[rachel09985]

Enjoying your photography talk! I just got into photography, I am very beginner, but have taken some good photos so far. I only have the 50mm and the kit lens, but I need to get a zoom next then a wide angle! I need to get a tripod before my trip in November.

By the way your dining spreadsheet formulas were nuts. I thought I was good with Excel and formulas until I saw yours. Lol!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm very strongly thinking about it, plus the fact that I can use my Amazon card and defer having to pay for it (well, beyond some small payments) until AFTER the trip makes it more tempting. I should never have applied for that card! (I'm building up my credit stuff, since I'm going to be in the market for a car in the next 6-12 months and I want something nicer than a little private sale beater, so, really, I should have applied for it since it bumps my available credit up considerably... all this wacky stuff is way too complicated!). I have been reading of some front focusing problems it has though, which is making me hesitant. Not that I really understand "front" and "back" focusing other than it may be a little off... but, you know .

The 50mm was a bit tight last year, and the wider aperture is very tempting. Renting this lens for 2 weeks (to cover arrival and departure) would be about 1/3 of the cost of the lens...and I'd have to pay that in full before and jump through hoops to rent. So, again, tempting. We'll see, though I'm thinking it's going to be sooner rather than later, especially if I have to get with Sigma to get it calibrated to my camera.

And now, I have roughly an hour before Breaking Bad starts, so I better get something posted quickly!

Thankfully I've got the 17-55mm f/2.8 in my bag so I don't have to make the decision between the Sigma 30 f/1.4 and the Canon 28 f/1.8 anytime soon. I don't know if the Canon has any focussing issues like the Sigma seems to.

Good luck with the decision. I guess it will come down to whether you want the extra aperture or whether you prefer the Canon sharpness.

 

[Cafeen]

Enjoying your photography talk! I just got into photography, I am very beginner, but have taken some good photos so far. I only have the 50mm and the kit lens, but I need to get a zoom next then a wide angle! I need to get a tripod before my trip in November.

By the way your dining spreadsheet formulas were nuts. I thought I was good with Excel and formulas until I saw yours. Lol!

Thanks . I've been "into" photography off and on for years (really since I was a little kid), but never formally trained, or taught. I mostly make it up as I go along! I have trained myself to be constantly looking at things different (patterns, viewpoints, details, etc) and that's helped quite a bit more than any particular piece of gear would. I still have a long way to go in capturing said vision, but I'm getting there.

Not sure what you shoot, but I love my 55-250mm "kit" zoom (I shoot Canon). It's basically along the same level as the 18-55mm kit lens (and pairs with it great), but is very good for the price point (~$150). Unless you're looking to go "bigger" (e.g. 70-300mm for ~3x the price), it's a very good investment for awhile. Of course, I don't know what Nikon or the other makes offer in this range, or if theirs are as good as the Canon's. This is my primary go-to lens though for what I shoot (which, is mostly macroesque stuff as you can see).

All 3 of those were taken at 250mm with that lens (I have a thing for lizards). The first was super lucky, catching the red thing backlit by the sun one afternoon after work while waiting for my ride home. While the 2nd isn't going to hold up for printing or anything as I flubbed the focus, it works well for screen viewing (which is 99% of what I use the photos for anyway).

On the tripod front, I have to get used to carrying mine around. It stayed in my suitcase for my entire trip last year. I used my little Silk Pro table-top one a few times, but the normal one did not get touched. I really have to fix that for this year...especially if I don't want to be stuck behind trees for fireworks! I'm looking into a Lowepro Flipside 200 for this year, which has a tripod holder on it, so that may make me a bit more prone to bring it along.

And as for Excel...yeah. I can thank work for teaching me the ins and outs. Mostly a person who used to work for us who was absolutely amazing with Excel. Over the past few years that I've been using it I've been able to tweak and stuff so it works well. It's mostly a matter of time and Google. Just like any programming is

Thankfully I've got the 17-55mm f/2.8 in my bag so I don't have to make the decision between the Sigma 30 f/1.4 and the Canon 28 f/1.8 anytime soon. I don't know if the Canon has any focussing issues like the Sigma seems to.

Good luck with the decision. I guess it will come down to whether you want the extra aperture or whether you prefer the Canon sharpness.

Ack! Now you gave me another option! /shakefist. I don't do well with options .

The Canon sounds like it has some CA issues and issues with soft focus wide-open and again around the edges even if stopped down. Not the Sigma's front/back focusing issues though. I do rely on AF quite a bit as my vision kind of sucks (yeah, I probably didn't pick the best hobby with my eyesight ), so that leans back toward the Canon... but that extra light from the 1.4 is also tempting as all hell....

One of these days, I'll make a decision!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pics Allan.

 

[Cafeen]

Great pics Allan.

Thanks .

----------
I've been away for a few days. My good keyboard was acting up so I replaced it with my old one that has a bad spacebar. It makes me not want to type. Couple that with stupidly busy work-time and that leaves little room for DISing.

However, the keyboard seems fine now and I have news to share.

For all of you keeping track at home of my day to day here... sorry, it's all changing again!

I have decided that I will be traveling down the night before all of this, and getting a room only reservation that night (since I'd be arriving at ~10pm). This gives me an extra most of the day at the parks. Couple that with Mom deciding to visit Saturday AM through Tuesday instead of Thursday PM through Monday, and we got ADR changes too! (And even a couple park day changes.)

So, since I've posted up to Day 7 already, I'll just summarize the changes here...

Wed 9/26 - Day 0
I'll be hopping the 4pm flight out of Mobile on this day and arriving to Orlando around 8:30pm. I'm either going to just grab a room at a value, or add on a single night room-only at POFQ. I haven't decided yet.

Thu 9/27 - Day 1
I'll re-check-in early in the AM to activate my tickets and dining plan and stuff and then head to the Poly for breakfast. I'm getting Tonga Toast! Yay! This means that I'm eating at Kona Cafe, at 8:25am for those keeing score.

Lunch this day has moved from Cantina at "whenever I end up getting to Epcot" to Liberty Tree Tavern at 11:40am.

Since Mom won't be there this day, I don't have to plan an out of park dinner, but I am anyway. Only, instead of Raglan Rd, it will be Artist Point at 7:15pm. After AP, I'll either head back to MK for Wishes (9pm) or just hop a cab back to POFQ.

Fri 9/28 - Day 2
No changes to plans here, other than Mom won't be joining me. This means that I'll likely focus on the DHS shows this day.

Sat 9/29 - Day 3
I think I'm going to plan on having Mom meet me at AKL around 10:30am for our 10:45 am Brunch. This works out great as it gives her time to get there when she wants, instead of having to rush around in the morning. Granted, she's a morning person (she said that she got up late a few times during her recent New Hampshire trip... ~7am!). So, since this is an AKL AM EMH day, I'll try and get out for that and do the Safari a couple times in the morning before breakfast, then hop the bus over to AKL for brunch.

The rest of the day stays the same.

Sun 9/30 - Day 4
The only changes here are that I'm planning lunch at The Plaza instead of LTT (since I'm going to LTT on Thu) and that we're likely doing MNSSHP this day.

Mon 10/01 - Day 5
No changes to here, other than I may not hop over to MK that evening since Mom's not leaving. We still may do that after dinner though, but I'd not be likely to set up like I was planning for Wishes and MSEP.

Tue 10/02 - Day 6
This day has big big changes. Instead of my original MK plans, I have switched over to DHS (since Mom wouldn't be there on my original DHS day). Mostly, this means that lunch has changed from The Plaza over to 50s Prime Time (yup, swapping meatloaf for meatloaf here, just realized that ). I haven't been to 50s PT since the last time we went as a family, and I don't remember it all that much (I certainly don't remember any antics and stuff).

My dinner this night remains at Hacienda at 6:30pm followed by me setting up for Illuminations as Mom will likely leave around 4-5pm.

Wed 10/03 - Day 7
You know, that whole Signaturepalooza I just posted? Yup, toss that out the window. All of it. Since I'm doing DHS on the day before, and I don't really like DHS, 2 days in a row wasn't going to work. So, I moved up my Day 9 plans (which, I haven't posted yet, so you don't have to keep track of that) and placed them here. So, I'll be heading to AK this day, with lunch at RFC and a 5:30pm dinner at Jiko. Still all followed by Illuminations though.

Now the big question, are there more changes in store for days 8-10? You'll have to wait and see .

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your plans have more changes than Katy Perry has in a concert! I might just to wait for the TR before being able to keep up with it all.


Seems like this change might be for the better! Extra time at WDW.

 

[Cafeen]

Your plans have more changes than Katy Perry has in a concert! I might just to wait for the TR before being able to keep up with it all.


Seems like this change might be for the better! Extra time at WDW.

Heh, this year they've been bad. The past 3 trips though, it was pretty much set when I made the first round of ADRs.

At least it should be set now. I've gotten approval from bossman to take that half day off, so that's all good to go. Mom's committed to arriving Saturday and leaving Tuesday, so those plans are set. The only thing may be if she arrives early Saturday and we both go to the park first, but that works too, not a big deal.

46 more days to go.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Almost at that magical 45 day mark.

 

[Cafeen]

Almost at that magical 45 day mark.

In 30 minutes (my time), I'll be at my 43! And it'll be payday so I can finish paying this thing off! Woohoo! Then to pay the credit cards back off after I pay Disney off... at least I got time on those

And speaking of spending money that I don't have right now (but will when it matters), I bought ANOTHER new toy today. The Canon 430EX II flash. Now, I'm not really that big on flash photography (and the book about it will also be picked up for my Kindle tomorrow), but when I went to shoot the Boo To You parade last year and my on camera went schizo on me (it strobes for AF assist), I decided not to do that again. Poor Mickey could have had a seizure! (And the people around me were a bit annoyed, I could tell). So the LED here for it will help, and me knowing how to focus quicker with a wider lens will as well.

And really, I just wanted one.

I may have made another ADR change too... or maybe I wrong the SAI for Monday 10/01 incorrectly for the past several weeks and it's really at 6pm not 5pm. I was thinking my time...yeah, that's the ticket.

At any rate. With just over 6 weeks left to go, this thing is sputtering and I gotta finish it up. But, like I said on my TR from last year, that's not going to happen tonight. Maybe tomorrow if I don't get sucked into another marathon 6hr Civ5 gaming spree.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations!!!


I hope you don't mind....but I'm going to hijack the thread for a bit because I need to bounce something with a fellow photo-nut. I probably should post this on the photosubforum but seeing how seemingly innocuous threads are going lately, I really don't want Open Warfare III or too much public debate.


I have acquired vouchers to a local photo shop chain in Melbourne. Won them in a competition. The $$$ are enough to buy the new Canon pancake 40 mm f/2.8 STM, even with the mark-up for buying the lens in Australia.
Points for consideration -

• I won't have to fork out any additional cash.
• Canon US has just issued a warning on this lens with an intermittent fault on the autofocus; only some lenses affected, not all. Patch is coming to fix the issue. I could wait a couple of months but there is no guarantee that the lenses will be from new stock.
• I already have the 17 - 55 mm f/2.8 in my bag; so I won't be gaining anything new with this lens.
• DH has snaffled back HIS camera (the T2i) and we can lens share. He's shooting with the kit lens and we already have the 50 mm f/1.8. DH is more likely to shoot video than I am; so the STM would be useful for him. (He's no help with this decision as he's barely even beginning to learn to shoot with the kit lenses; and besides, he thinks that it's my vouchers to spend and he knows he can enjoy whatever I get).
• If I wanted to go light to a park or anywhere, this would be something worth taking .... right?

My other option is the 430EX II flash.
Points for consideration -

• I would need to stump up another $150 - $200 for this.
• I haven't even yet started to take pictures with the in-camera flash. I know nothing about flash photography!
• I know nothing about flash photography! But it is time I started to learn.

I really would prefer to get a 28 mm or 30mm f/1.8 like you got. Problem is that the price in Australia is ridiculous. I don't mind some mark up; but even with the vouchers, the difference I have to pay is the same or a little more than what the cost of the lens is in the US. I refuse to buy in Australia as a matter of principle! DH probably has a trip to the US in October this year so he could always pick one up or I could always buy it on-line.



What would you do?

I'm kinda leaning towards the 40 mm only because there is $0 outlay. The reviews have been pretty good and most of the conclusions are that this is a good lens to have in the bag because of the size and price.
I can wait for the 430 flash and the 30 mm for when I'm in the US. Both are significantly cheaper than purchasing in Oz.....
Am I missing something?

(And feel free to disregard if you want to take the 5th on this one! But thanks in advance.)

 

[Cafeen]

Never worry about hijacking my threads, especially for camera stuff

As far as the lens. It's a toughie.

I've typed at least 4 responses so far, and then get lost in them. So I'm going to go with the non-helpful "I haven't a clue". Yup.

Make that 5. All of them lengthy. All of them while sitting at work putting off stuff I should be doing .

My gut is telling me to go for the pancake. But that may be because I like pancakes. Not really the lenses, I think they look silly, this little flat thing on this huge camera body, but pancakes in general are good. With bacon. And sausage. Maybe I should have eaten breakfast this morning...

6... (hey, at least I kept that above part!)

I really have no clue.

7...

Ok, yeah. I have no idea and I'm probably thinking everything that you're telling yourself already.

I'd almost say to go for the pancake, since you can get it now for no outlay, but if that's going to affect the stuff you really want, then it's not really worth it. So, if those vouchers discount the flash or 28/30mm lens that you really want to less than you can get them elsewhere, I'd hold off. If they don't, or if they don't by enough so that it doesn't matter, then may as well pick up the new toy since you'd not really affect the other gear goals that you have.

 

[KatMark]

I get dizzy just reading all your changes.

But I am happy to say you are at 43 days.

Oh and just to rub it in a little, I'm at 31 days (around the time you were SUPPOSED to be there ).

Your plans sound great, and your pictures continue to blow me away.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Never worry about hijacking my threads, especially for camera stuff

As far as the lens. It's a toughie.

I've typed at least 4 responses so far, and then get lost in them. So I'm going to go with the non-helpful "I haven't a clue". Yup.

Make that 5. All of them lengthy. All of them while sitting at work putting off stuff I should be doing .

My gut is telling me to go for the pancake. But that may be because I like pancakes. Not really the lenses, I think they look silly, this little flat thing on this huge camera body, but pancakes in general are good. With bacon. And sausage. Maybe I should have eaten breakfast this morning...

6... (hey, at least I kept that above part!)

I really have no clue.

7...

Ok, yeah. I have no idea and I'm probably thinking everything that you're telling yourself already.

I'd almost say to go for the pancake, since you can get it now for no outlay, but if that's going to affect the stuff you really want, then it's not really worth it. So, if those vouchers discount the flash or 28/30mm lens that you really want to less than you can get them elsewhere, I'd hold off. If they don't, or if they don't by enough so that it doesn't matter, then may as well pick up the new toy since you'd not really affect the other gear goals that you have.

Thanks! I'm partial to pancakes myself....only with maple syrup. Yup...I think you've almost talked me into pancakes, with the waffles.



The vouchers will discount the flash - but as I'm not much of a flasher (although I could be; I just don't know yet) I'm not sure how much use this equipment will get.

The 28/30 mm pricing is so ridiculous here that if there was a sale in the US, it would be cheaper for me to get it online then c.f. the difference in outlay over here!

 

[Cafeen]

I get dizzy just reading all your changes.

But I am happy to say you are at 43 days.

Oh and just to rub it in a little, I'm at 31 days (around the time you were SUPPOSED to be there ).

Your plans sound great, and your pictures continue to blow me away.

I get dizzy keeping track of them! That's why I have my spreadsheet

I also just realized that my day count above was off by one. I was not including the 26th when I will be arriving. So that means 42 (when you posted that) and 41 now! Still going to miss you though, the things I do to keep my cushy job.

The photos from this year will hopefully be even better. I have a lot more experience than I did for this trip, and I have a couple new toys

Thanks! I'm partial to pancakes myself....only with maple syrup. Yup...I think you've almost talked me into pancakes, with the waffles.



The vouchers will discount the flash - but as I'm not much of a flasher (although I could be; I just don't know yet) I'm not sure how much use this equipment will get.

The 28/30 mm pricing is so ridiculous here that if there was a sale in the US, it would be cheaper for me to get it online then c.f. the difference in outlay over here!

So, you're either flashing or having pancakes then. It's still a tough choice, but I'm horrible with these choices. It took me awhile to decide which UWA and which fast lens I wanted. And after I posted on the photo board for guidance, I ended up getting something different than what I was originally looking at .

The problem with the flash is, you simply don't know if you're going to use it until you have it. The 40mm, you'll probably use a bit, especially for your quick, spontaneous, street stuff you do (at least, that's my visualization of it ). Mine arrived today and, while it's pretty neat, I simply don't know how much use I'll get out of it. I still gotta get my Understanding Flash Photography book too. I forgot earlier (then I fell asleep).

I think you need another trip to Hong Kong with a fresh CC!

----
In other news, the trip is fully booked and paid for! (And by fully paid for, I mean I still have to upgrade my dining plan, but I'll likely do that next month).

I'll be flying out at 2:30pm (CST) and arriving at MCO at roughly 7:30pm (EST) on Wed 9/26. This means that I need to get to the airport here in Mobile at around 12:30pm, which just so happens to be right at the end of lunch time .

I'll stay the night at POFQ in a Garden room, which is the same resort and room type that I'll be staying at for the rest of the trip, so I'll hopefully be able to keep the same room!

On the way home, I'll be flying out at 6:30pm and arriving in Mobile at about 10:00pm (so, no dinner that night at home ).

 

[PrincessInOz]

So, you're either flashing or having pancakes then. It's still a tough choice, but I'm horrible with these choices. It took me awhile to decide which UWA and which fast lens I wanted. And after I posted on the photo board for guidance, I ended up getting something different than what I was originally looking at .

The problem with the flash is, you simply don't know if you're going to use it until you have it. The 40mm, you'll probably use a bit, especially for your quick, spontaneous, street stuff you do (at least, that's my visualization of it ). Mine arrived today and, while it's pretty neat, I simply don't know how much use I'll get out of it. I still gotta get my Understanding Flash Photography book too. I forgot earlier (then I fell asleep).

I think you need another trip to Hong Kong with a fresh CC!

That's a great title for the thread on the photoboard, should I decide to want to stir there. I'll bet no one will respond to a title like that!

Another trip to HK? I don't know.....I'm half-seriously considering jumping on a plane with DH to San Francisco in October. Now.....what to do about DS.

BTW - Did you get the instant rebate off your speedlite? I'm seriously tempted.

In other news, the trip is fully booked and paid for! (And by fully paid for, I mean I still have to upgrade my dining plan, but I'll likely do that next month).

I'll be flying out at 2:30pm (CST) and arriving at MCO at roughly 7:30pm (EST) on Wed 9/26. This means that I need to get to the airport here in Mobile at around 12:30pm, which just so happens to be right at the end of lunch time .

I'll stay the night at POFQ in a Garden room, which is the same resort and room type that I'll be staying at for the rest of the trip, so I'll hopefully be able to keep the same room!

On the way home, I'll be flying out at 6:30pm and arriving in Mobile at about 10:00pm (so, no dinner that night at home ).

Congrats on paying off the package. That's always such a milestone for me.