DSLRUsers.com

Hi Everyone!

I propose that we meet on Sun 20th March at Monarto at around 10am. Cost should be about $16 for entry, maybe a little less. Not having been to Monarto I can't say of an area that would be recognisable that we could all meet up. We could have a chat and/or coffee for a little while and get to know the new people and then take a bus tour or a walking tour and take some pictures. How does this grab people? I think if we can get 15 people we can organise our own private bus tour, so perhaps if partners are planning to come along we could do something like that.
What do people think?
Marvin

Hello Marvin,

Sounds good to me, I'll turn up - probably with 'er indoors as well, so there's 2 for a bus tour.

Cheers

Hi Marvin,

I will be there alone, so we have 3 on the bus tour .

Please join in for a pleasant Sunday morning/afternoon with other Nikon D70Users. Better than doing...cooking, house cleaning, lawnmoving and that word I dislike the most of all 'gardening' . I pay someone to cut the lawns and do the edges.

ta ta for now,

Bump,

Adelaide members and non-members, please wake up and smell the coffee .

Goodbye from me,
I'm going to Meet #2, how about you .

i have to be in adelaide to check on the progress of my studio being built, i will stay saturday night at my sisters in elizabeth so if anyone wants a lift i can pick them up on the way through to monarto got room for 2

cheers rob

Well i am going to try my hardest to be there, will try get up on the friday or saturday so yeh if all goes well count me in.
Only be me as The Boss will be home with kids.

Come on all Adelaide members!
I believe this meet will be a "Road Show" most of valued Nikon gears and other gadgets from Robw25 + fozzie + Digitor.
There're 200-400VR, 70-200VR, Sigma 12-24 with "Platinum band" Special Edition, Markins head, Gitzo tripod, Wimberly Sidekick and more and more.

yeh Birdy, i will try make the 5 hour trip with my 80-400VR in hand as well. Looking forward to it all if i work it out right.
Should be fun.

Sounds great. I'll be there!

Birddog114 wrote:I believe this meet will be a "Road Show" most of valued Nikon gears and other gadgets from Robw25 + fozzie + Digitor.
There're 200-400VR, 70-200VR, Sigma 12-24 with "Platinum band" Special Edition, Markins head, Gitzo tripod, Wimberly Sidekick and more and more.

Cool, I figured I'd have to go to a Sydney meet sometime to see all that gear . I guess I better learn some self restraint over the next month for my wallet's sake...

well good news ... my partner is trying to get time off for the monarto zoo meet.... said she might bring a friend which would be okay with you guys ??? btw anyone in the adelaide group have the 85 1.4 ??

cheers rob

More the merrier, Rob so i cant see a hassle as it is open house anyhow, but yeh just dont forget that baby u got. LOL

Rob,

robw25 wrote:well good news ... my partner is trying to get time off for the monarto zoo meet.... said she might bring a friend which would be okay with you guys ??? btw anyone in the adelaide group have the 85 1.4 ??

cheers rob

More the merrier for Monarto Zoo .

No, I can not help you.

Best I can do is the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX .

ta ta for now,

fozzie wrote:Rob,

robw25 wrote:well good news ... my partner is trying to get time off for the monarto zoo meet.... said she might bring a friend which would be okay with you guys ??? btw anyone in the adelaide group have the 85 1.4 ??

cheers rob

More the merrier for Monarto Zoo .

No, I can not help you.

Best I can do is the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX .

ta ta for now,

Fozzie,
Get the 85/1.4, it will be the best portrait lens you ever seen

Birddog,

Birddog114 wrote:

fozzie wrote:Rob,

robw25 wrote:well good news ... my partner is trying to get time off for the monarto zoo meet.... said she might bring a friend which would be okay with you guys ??? btw anyone in the adelaide group have the 85 1.4 ??

cheers rob

More the merrier for Monarto Zoo .

No, I can not help you.

Best I can do is the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX .

ta ta for now,

Fozzie,
Get the 85/1.4, it will be the best portrait lens you ever seen

I know, I know but the 17-55DX will just have to do the job for the time being .

I am concentrating on Macro at the moment. Looking at a 'RRS' B150 Package @ US$450 + Shipping (may be another US$30) at the moment:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/specialty/index.html

Also with my 'Markins' M-20 too .

ta ta for now,

Great news! It looks like we'll have around 10 people at this stage. Hopefully we can find a few more!

I should be able to make it. 90% sure.
Will confirm in a week or 2.

I only have the kit lens and 50mm f1.8

Great dciscool!
Hope you can make it!
Don't worry about the lenses. Like I said before, Fozzie has enough to go around!!
Sorry Fozzie, couldn't resist again!
But seriously, it's great to look at everyone else's gear and see whether or not it would suit you. I really appreciated that the last time.
Marvin

Marvin,

The number attending the 'Monarto Zoo' on Sunday 20 March @ 10am is growing, so we may end up with 15.

I believe everyone has something to contribute, whether it be glass, experience or access to resources ie photo processing facility etc.

I must admit that I am looking forward to meeting new registered user/s, whether members/non-members status, as well as Rob with his new acquisition this week of 200-400VR.

ta ta for now,

hey fozzie
what do you carry all these lenses you have in ?

cheers rob

Yes well i think it doesn't matter if you dont have any thing to contribute anyhow as it is all learning/to learn or even share etc... and general get to know us all with the same interest and have a good time and fun doing it.
I am planning to make the trip anyhow so yeh will be great fun.
Rob we are eager to see that lens and admire it. I see u asked fozzie what he carts them all around with and yeh i am thinking of maybe getting plastic box of some sorts from woolies or somewhere with a lid on it to store all my gear in it maybe instead of it rolling around the car, not that this happens but yeh, easier to pick the box up with all the gear then going back and forwards with bits here and there. Just a thought.LOL

Rob,

robw25 wrote:hey fozzie
what do you carry all these lenses you have in ?

cheers rob

I use either 'Lowepro' Photo Trekker AWII or Mini Trekker AW. Mini Trekker AW gets the most work out. If you like I will bring both along on the Monarto Zoo trip for you to have a look at if you like.

Photo Trekker AWII:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpac ... AW_II.aspx

Mini Trekker AW:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpac ... er_AW.aspx


ta ta for now,

yeah bring along the Photo Trekker AWII: i would like to have a look at that, i have the other one

cheers rob

fozzie wrote:I use either 'Lowepro' Photo Trekker AWII or Mini Trekker AW. Mini Trekker AW gets the most work out. If you like I will bring both along on the Monarto Zoo trip for you to have a look at if you like.

That would be great.. I've been considering getting the Mini Trekker AW since the specs look about the right size. I'd like to see one first before buying tho' and I haven't found any demos around Adelaide. D70users has everything .

Btw should the Calendar on the left side of the forum index page list Adelaide meets as well?

Mark,

xorl wrote:

fozzie wrote:I use either 'Lowepro' Photo Trekker AWII or Mini Trekker AW. Mini Trekker AW gets the most work out. If you like I will bring both along on the Monarto Zoo trip for you to have a look at if you like.

That would be great.. I've been considering getting the Mini Trekker AW since the specs look about the right size. I'd like to see one first before buying tho' and I haven't found any demos around Adelaide. D70users has everything .

Btw should the Calendar on the left side of the forum index page list Adelaide meets as well?

Good to see that you are watching this space and commenting .

Calendar posting on home page: I am sure 'Marvin' will take care of this once everything is in place.

What you need to take into consideration, is that when organising any meeting you need people to commit early. This has now been going on for several weeks and in conjunction with Marvin I have been sending PM's to make sure as many as people as possible were aware of the outing.

NB: first post about this meeting on Fri. Feb 18, 2005

http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php ... 43a7904578


ta ta for now,

Your doing a good job there fozzie. LOL keep us all in line, ok now i did do something the other day and contacted the zoo just incase we had to make a booking or anything and well we should be ok with everything, they did send me some information but really no more that what is on there site. But here is a bit if anyone has not seen the info already in past post.

Here is the reply i got back.

Dear John

Thank you for your email regarding our tours here at Monarto Zoological Park. We open at 10am every day and close at 5pm. our guided safari bus tour departs daily with the first one leaving at 10.30am, and then at regular intervals throughout the day with the last one departing at 3.30pm.

Entry prices are as follows
-Adults $16.00
-Concession $13.00
-Children $10.00 (between 4-14)
-Children under 4 are free
-Family $52.00 (2Adults, 3Children)

Your entry also includes a choice of three nature walks ranging from 20minutes to 1.5 hours allow you to stroll through native mallee bushland viewing free-ranging inhabitants such as emus, kangaroos, euros, birdlife and reptiles.

We look forward to sharing the unique Monarto experience with you and your group
Please find attached a general booking form for your information




Kind Regards
Lauren Bourne
Tours Coordinator

As for a booking form did say if ther was 15 or more people, but as we do not have own own bus to organise we will be ok as we are, Just rock up have fun and enjoy.
Cheers
John
BBJ

where would the nearest hotel to monarto be ?

cheers rob

Rob,

robw25 wrote:where would the nearest hotel to monarto be ?

cheers rob

Try this website:

http://www.travelhero.com/search.cfm/co ... ervations/

ta ta for now,

I am just bumping this post along to keep it in the 'Topic Area'.

Please note: that Marvin (Our Supreme Commander) has organised for this to be added to the calendar on the 'Home Page'.

Have a great day/night,

I've had the opportunity this morning to take the following shots which may be of value to you, re evaulation and use at 'Monarto Zoo' on Sunday 20 Mar. 2005 @ 10am:

'GITZO' G-1327 : 'Markins' M-20 : 70-200VR : 'Wimberley' Sidekick














If you are wondering what the item is on top of the D70, here it is:

RRS-337 double-axis spirit level, find it on the following website:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/specialty/index.html



Edited: added a 'Markins' TB-30 plate to assist with stability and vibration:




Looking forward to seeing you all there .


ta ta for now,

fozzie,
They're nice gears from you btw.
Do you know one thing I don't like?
The G1327 has the LVL column, therefore it raises the Markins head highger, then once you add the Wimberley Sidekick and other bits on top of the Markins, it'll create vibration and it seems to me not sturdy cos there's a gravity.
Mine, RRS BH55 Pro or Markins 20 sits flat on the top plate of the G1325, no gap in between the tripod and the base of the ballhead. That will cause more problem with the big lenses as 200-400VR or 400, 600mm, which you don't have. LVL column won't work and never stabilizes with the big glasses.
That why I don't like the attachment of LVL, my G1325 can be attached the level platform G1321 to it.
Other than that, It's nice setup.

Birddog,

Birddog114 wrote:fozzie,
They're nice gears from you btw.
Do you know one thing I don't like?
The G1327 has the LVL column, therefore it raises the Markins head highger, then once you add the Wimberley Sidekick and other bits on top of the Markins, it'll create vibration and it seems to me not sturdy cos there's a gravity.
Mine RRS BH55 Pro or Markins 20 sits flat on the top plate of the G1325, no gap in between the tripod and the base of the ballhead. That will cause more problem with the big lenses as 200-400VR or 400, 600mm, which you don't have. LVL column won't work and never stabilizes with the big glasses.
That why I don't like the attachment of LVL, my G1325 can be attached the level platform G1321 to it.
Other than that, It's nice setup.

Thank you for your comments.

If I can ever afford a 200-400VR, 400, or 600mm and then for a few extra dollars a G-1325 will not be a problem. At the moment the G-1327 suits my needs. Just that it would be nice to have another D70 body, but you can not have everything.

Cheers,

What I meant is the G1327 is not flexible as the G1325.
The G1327, can the LVL removed and use as non LVL? if it can be, then you can place the Markins 20 on the tripod plate.
The G1325, with the Markins 20 or any ballhead can be mounted on its base, if required the LVL for macro shooting or other purposes, it can be added on or removed to suit the style/ type of shooting.
So one tripod can do/ use with many purposes, same as one stone kills two birds, don't need to buy other additional tripods for or when you have the big glasses.
I'm not complaining or bashing the Gitzo 1327, but seen the gap between the Markins 20 and the tripod plate, just something is not right to me.

Birddog,

With the G-1327 you can not have the Ballhead flush with the top plate of the tripod. If you have a look at picture two (2) on the post, the distance between the top of the tripod and base of the Ballhead is threaded to fasten the centre column. The distance is 48mm. With the legs extended to the first set position, and releasing the Panoramic lock knob on the Ballhead and also releasing the lock on the Wimberley Sidekick, moving left to right and up and down no vibration evident. Should any vibration occur the 70-200VR (Vibration Reduction) should cpmpensate. Time and practice should tell the story . We can evaluate this at Easter over a drink .

ta ta for now,

Should any vibration occur the 70-200VR (Vibration Reduction) should cpmpensate

.

fozzie,

VR won't work on tripod, check the manual of the 70-200VR, VR should be switched off when use on tripod or monopod, otherwise with VR on tripod or monopod your image will be soft.

Vibration is not happened by using Wimberley Sidekick, vibration here is the meaning in using of long exposure, windy condition, doing pano works.
With the 70-200VR, Wimberley Sidekick will control of it easy and you have swinging the 70-200VR on the Sidekick, so vibration is not take into account.

The G1325 has 0mm gap between the plate and ballhead's base.

Birdie's got so much gear he carries it around in a golf cart.

fozzie
the gitzo hasnt even got a level on it ?????? i thought that was the bees knees of tripods ! ..... you better see if you can sell it cheap and get a manfrotto !!!!!

cheers rob

robw25,

robw25 wrote:fozzie
the gitzo hasnt even got a level on it ?????? i thought that was the bees knees of tripods ! ..... you better see if you can sell it cheap and get a manfrotto !!!!!

cheers rob

This is even better, where is counts:

RRS-337 double-axis spirit level: this double bubble fits nicely in the hot-shoe of any standard 35mm camera. Ideal for leveling the camera body for landscape shots and for shooting panoramas.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/specialty/index.html

ta ta for now,

I think like you Rob, if you are going to pay an arm and a leg for it, you would think it had 1. LOL

Oh well too elaborate for me, i dont use the 1 i got.
Cheers

i want to see how stable it is with the 200-400, i like the look of the wimberley, i'm interested in that ! btw bbj my partners sisters husband works for pirtek and has organised a trip to oran park for super v8's yeeeha !! while i'm in sydney fror the meet

cheers rob

Yeh rob i seen that in another post, under my breathe i thought lucky bu##er, oh well mate u know we will expect some good pics then.
Yeh well i got the 80-400 and well only use it by hand and sometimes on the monopod.

i used my monopod last weekend and lost the bloody rubber on the end !!! check yours and put some super glue or something on it

cheers rob

Yes i am always checking it and screwing it down, but will also look into that.
Thanks

The bubble level spirit on the tripod or monopod is useless, once you mounted your camera or lens on the tripod, it's very hard to level and I never count on those spirit levels. Especially once you have heavy lens on top of the gear.
The hot shoe mounted bubble level spirit gives you more flexi in leveling you camera, the only task you need is leveling you camera with the ball head and slightly adjust the tripod. The Gitzo tripod has a pressure inside the tube (legs) so if you loose the lock, the leg is not collapsing down as the Manfrotto.
Just forget how level your tripod is. It took awhile for you to adjust.
If you use the spirit level on your tripod, your camera may not level and it was my lessons for many years.
At dark, it's hard to see the spirit level on the tripod or ballhead but it's easier to see the level on top of the hot shoe.
In pano shooting, the critical factor are the indexing at the base of the ballhead and the leveling of your camera.

Sounds like the Monarto meet is gathering momentum - see you all there! I'm off in the morning for a quick trip (two weeks only) to the tropical climes of Canada and Scotland, I'm taking some gear with me so I hope to get some shots along the way!

Cheers

You have a good trip and enjoy! bring back lot of photos for us!

digitor,

digitor wrote:Sounds like the Monarto meet is gathering momentum - see you all there! I'm off in the morning for a quick trip (two weeks only) to the tropical climes of Canada and Scotland, I'm taking some gear with me so I hope to get some shots along the way!

Cheers

Yes, Adelaide Meet #2 is looking excellent for numbers, and hopefully the weather will be good too. Have a safe trip to Canada and Scotland and look forward to catching up with you and Vicki on 20th March at 'Monarto Zoo'.

ta ta for now,

Man, have fun Digitor, you lucky thing!!
See you in a couple of weeks!

Hi Digi, have a good trip and i too will see you at meet #2 if you are there and well have a great trip.
Cheers
John

Birddog,

Birddog114 wrote:

Should any vibration occur the 70-200VR (Vibration Reduction) should cpmpensate

.

fozzie,

VR won't work on tripod, check the manual of the 70-200VR, VR should be switched off when use on tripod or monopod, otherwise with VR on tripod or monopod your image will be soft.

Vibration is not happened by using Wimberley Sidekick, vibration here is the meaning in using of long exposure, windy condition, doing pano works.
With the 70-200VR, Wimberley Sidekick will control of it easy and you have swinging the 70-200VR on the Sidekick, so vibration is not take into account.

The G1325 has 0mm gap between the plate and ballhead's base.

I have conceded defeat and have ordered/shipped from 'Markins' Seoul - South Korea today the following part, to solve your concerns ie vibration and stability:

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA3/TB-30.php

It is anticipated to arrive early next week.

Goodbye for now,