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Mini meet for all Sydney members on the 8 January 05.

8:00am - 1:00PM at my base as usual.

Tea, Coffee, refreshment are provided

CCD cleaning for new member who want to DIY., pls. BYO D70.

Looking, testing, and lust lenses, gears are as in the past, question about PP/ PS/PSCS.

Legs as Gitzo tripods and ballheads are available for evaluation.

Discussion some other techniques and questions if you have.

Limited of 20 registered members.

VR Club will open at 4:00am for VR owner.

Members who participate in the afternoon workshop will stay back and depart from my base.

Is it still dark at 8AM?

Matt. K wrote:Is it still dark at 8AM?

No, we will do the sunrise workshop and coming back here at 8:00am

Birddog114 wrote:

8:00am - 1:00PM

THAT'S a mini meet!!!!!

Wow, I'll have to take my berocca to get through the entire day as I plan to do some night photography in the city!!!

W00DY

Should be able to make it by 10.30 Birddog, I think it's time I learned how to clean the sensor. Thank you

Hi Birdie

Wow a 4am VR forum!

I'll wear my glow in the dark pyjamas

(and no - they are not rude - just radioactive)

It's those paint fumes - truely

Cheers

Graham

See you with the 4am crowd...

Birddog

Count me in - I'll drive down from Newcastle. Love to meet you guys.

Peter

stubbsy wrote:Birddog

Count me in - I'll drive down from Newcastle. Love to meet you guys.

Peter

So what meet are you in? 4:00AM or 8:00am

birddog wrote:So what meet are you in? 4:00AM or 8:00am

Have a heart.

Long answer: It's a 2 1/2 hour drive from Newcastle (provided I don't get lost). As it is I'm getting out of bed at 5 am and I'm not a morning person (visualise this - I get up at 8 am weekdays and start work at 8:30 and somehere in there take a shower get dressed & drive the 10 mins to work - breakfast? what's that!).

Short answer: 8 am

Besides I haven't weakened to VR lust yet

Peter

stubbsy wrote:

Besides I haven't weakened to VR lust yet

Peter

Give it time, you will

W00DY

Bugger I can't believe it. I only have to work one Saturday this month and of course, it's this Saturday....

I had a word to my boss (me), but I'm a real B@st@rd and I'm going to dock myself if I take any time off!!!

However, if nobody dobs me in, I might be able to drop in for a little while around 11.30am if that's allright Birdy.

Just don't tell my boss

Look forwar to seeing you all - our first Sydney meet for 2005. (perhaps we shouldn't call them "mini" meets anymore, look at the turn out expected)

johndec wrote:Bugger I can't believe it. I only have to work one Saturday this month and of course, it's this Saturday....

I had a word to my boss (me), but I'm a real B@st@rd and I'm going to dock myself if I take any time off!!!

However, if nobody dobs me in, I might be able to drop in for a little while around 11.30am if that's allright Birdy.

Just don't tell my boss

More than welcome John!

Hi Birddog114,

my daughter is moving this Saturday and guess who needs to help her.
I think you should consider a residence in Canberra.
You could enjoy the warm, dry climate. Also the reds and whites.
We Canberrans could enduldge with you in a filthy, decadent and wild D70
plus accesseries meeting and fuel our D70 lusts.
Wouldn't that be good ?

Best regards
Christian

So... the maxi-meet in BirdieLand is on !!!
Hope not tooo many outsiders read this stuff... they'll be wondering what the heck is going on... what with 4am starts, glow-in-the-dark pyjamas and tall dark russians and some demi-god called VR???

I think i might be able to manage a visit by about 9-10 AM, with demo Manfrotto 055PROB and RRS PCL-1 Pan head for anyone interested.



See ya there...

Can I come around 11:30? I still have to convince the man to look after the rug rats, but if you don't mind a late comer, complete newbie to the D70 tagging along I'd love to be there.

I gather you are just around the corner from me.......can I get your address?

Cheers

Birddog - I'd love to attend the mini-meet this Sat:

- to meet some of the other guys...
- to arouse my lens / accessory lust
- maybe to track down and eradicate my elusive dust-bunny...

If possible, can you please PM me your address...

We'll be there - maybe not quite awake, but we'll be there!

Oh no!!! This is tragic!! We have arranged to go to some friends place on Friday night (to stay over)..the downside is they live up near Gosford, and we can't just up and leave in the morning and go...as much as I'd love to get to the meet...I will do EVERYTHING possible to get there before 1pm...lots of new faces too, which is always good! Hope to get there but not sure if I/we will....I hope with lots of anticipation.


Geoff.

Okay now Birddog, do you think Dad's going to go on Saturday?

At 8am I should be through Customs and Immigration, and hopefully on my way back towards beautiful downtown Bondi. I will have some laundry to take care of, but I'm expecting to do Blues Point in the afternoon.

Well I guess that's one way to circumvent my question...

gstark wrote:. I will have some laundry to take care of, but I'm expecting to do Blues Point in the afternoon.

Gary,
You do need a "MAID" to give you a hand on these things and enjoy your free time.

Gary, I am impressed!
Birddog, I will be there

Birdie - think I'll be there in the morning, do you have a coffee machine? (If so, I'll bring some fresh beans )
I have a disk with a lightning shot I'd like to print too if that's ok

see ya's all!

sheepie wrote:Birdie - think I'll be there in the morning, do you have a coffee machine? (If so, I'll bring some fresh beans )
I have a disk with a lightning shot I'd like to print too if that's ok

see ya's all!

Thanks Sheepie,
No coffee machine at this stage, perhaps an expresso or cappucino machine later for VR club I'm working on it.
Welcome! and yes you can print it on the Epson 2100

Good to see I'm not the only newbie attending and also not the only one who'll be half asleep after a long drive (unless you'll be in sydney already ru32day)

Cheers & cya Sat

I'd love to come also but a little to far to travel (2000Klms).
If youse are doing a sensor clean could you take some pics and maybe someone could do a tutorial for it.Would be very handy as I am yet to get the courage up.

Just an Idea.


Have fun all and Dont let the Lense Lust Bug Bite

MATT

matt
If you do a search on the forum I am sure there is a link to an excellent step by step how to clean the CCD.

In regards to the afternoon workshop there was talk about starting at Blues Point and moving into the city for some dinner.

Remember there is the free concert in the city that night so it will be pretty busy around the rocks / Opera House, however could also provide some great photo opts.

Is anyone planning to venture into the city for some night photography? I would bee keen to if we get a few members.

W00DY

Tahnks MATT K. I'll do the search

Thanks

MATT

Well Woody, if you're planning to head into the city by night, I guess I'll have to tag along for as long as you can put up with me.

Sensor cleaning might be a bit hard to photograph due to the small space in the camera's mirror chamber and the need to stick a hand in there for the wiping, but I'll try to catch some snaps. There are plenty of guides out there I would imagine - all advocating slightly different ways of cleaning.

If there there is any room left, I will be there.

Birddog114 wrote:VR Club will open at 4:00am for VR owner.

Birddog

Has anybody ever turned up at 4:00am

louiek

Birddog turns up at 4am.

[quote="Onyx"]

Well Woody, if you're planning to head into the city by night, I guess I'll have to tag along for as long as you can put up with me.

quote]

Shouldn't be to hard to put up with you

Yeah I should have mentioned that before offering you a lift

If you need to get home before hand we can work something out.

W00DY

Yeah! I've just got back and have some questions:

Big concert at the Oprea house for Tsunami Victims In SEA. It'll be a big crowd!!!!!traffic and road blocked after 2:00PM.

1/ Parking spots will be hard as gold, car pool or BYO?
2/ Wandering around Blue Points with a group of men with backpack and cameras with long lens around their neck.
3/ Weatherman said rain and storm in the afternoon of the 8th Jan.
4/ What restaurant or where are we heading for a bite after workshop?
5/ How do we fund our dinner? Pay per meal ordered by each person or pay by group? and drinka as beer or RED? most restaurant, they don't split bill.

Your thoughts and comments

Birddog114 wrote:Yeah! I've just got back and have some questions:

Big concert at the Oprea house for Tsunami Victims In SEA. It'll be a big crowd!!!!!traffic and road blocked after 2:00PM.

1/ Parking spots will be hard as gold, car pool or BYO?
2/ Wandering around Blue Points with a group of men with backpack and cameras with long lens around their neck.
3/ Weatherman said rain and storm in the afternoon of the 8th Jan.
4/ What restaurant or where are we heading for a bite after workshop?
5/ How do we fund our dinner? Pay per meal ordered by each person or pay by group? and drinka as beer or RED? most restaurant, they don't split bill.

Your thoughts and comments

1. Yep, organise a meeting place and then get your own way there.

2. I don't think this will be an issue, especially if we all have the same equipment. We can just say we are a camera club if questioned.

3. Yes well... I guess we have to play everything by ear.

4. I beleive China Town was originally suggested (and I jumped at the chance:))

5. Pay your own way or split the bill at the end, we can make a group decision on the spot.

Did you have any other suggestions on location Birdy???

Birddog114 wrote:1/ Parking spots will be hard as gold, car pool or BYO?

You're right, parking is going to be a nightmate. I'll probably catch the train instead, might be interesting trying to get home though. BYO always sounds good to me.

W00DY wrote:1. Yep, organise a meeting place and then get your own way there.

2. I don't think this will be an issue, especially if we all have the same equipment. We can just say we are a camera club if questioned.

3. Yes well... I guess we have to play everything by ear.

4. I beleive China Town was originally suggested (and I jumped at the chance:))

5. Pay your own way or split the bill at the end, we can make a group decision on the spot.

Did you have any other suggestions on location Birdy???

1/ Are you going to walk about 3-4Km with your gears as tripod on your shoulder, long lenses, backpack to the Bluepoints? Get a car park at that day should be a big challenge.

2/ I say OK, but look at the crowd in that afternoon pre-concert, all people
pour into the concert area early, and don't make those coppers think we are belonged to a terrorist group with dynamite strapped aound body
3/ Weather is un-predictable, that why I want to have a mini-meet prior to head into the city.
4/Chinatown is a rendez vous point, again depend where are you parked your car, you may walk back to Chinatown or collect the car at the first parking lot and drive into Chinatown find a gold spot (Saturday evening + Concert).
5/How do you pay your own way when you seat in the table of 10? and everyone will have their own choice and option same as Restaurant in Chinatown, they DON'T Split bill as said earlier.
Other spot? NO Ideas.

I guess we'll devote some time during the pre-meet discussion these issues. I forgot about the tsunami thing that night, I'm not exactly keen to join the crowds there but if I'm in the passenger seat, Woody, I'm fine with whatever plans you wanna make.

We could drop into one of the asian restaurants a little way out in the suburbs - Birddog seems to know quite a number of them, instead of strictly in the city. The meal might cost less too. As for that - I suggest we all bring big bundles of cash. Or we could attempt to do a runner...

Birddog
Blues Point is not very close to the Opera House. It's on the other side of the harbour...behind Luna Park. Parking will be hard to find but if you persevere then should be no Problems. Can always drop off at Blues with the gear and then go find the parking spot. Bring umbrellas. It is still not against the law for groups to take photographs anywhere. If the cops come then I'll handle it and explain to them.

"Why don't ya bugger off! Cop! Or I'll put me mates onta yas!"
(That normally does it)
Personally...I'm not a fan of the food at Chinatown...but I'll go with the flow.

Sheesh, you skip the forum for one night and this happens. Busy thread this one!

I'm in for the 8am meet, but need a couple of things. Address, and whether I can reach it on a train! My car decided to have the starter motor play up on me, so I'm hoping to catch a train to Birddog's and get a lift from someone or train back into the city. Birddog, should I PM you?

On the bright side, I live in the city so won't have to go far to get home!

How about Spanish for dinner - there are 4 or 5 Spanish restaurants on Liverpool street. I'm happy to split the bill too; let's not make it too complicated.

Looking forward to meeting the group!

I am happy with any plans that the majority rule.

Does not have to be the city, that was just originally suggested. As Onyx said we can just work this out during the day.

Seeya all on Saturday.

Birddog114 wrote:2/ I say OK, but look at the crowd in that afternoon pre-concert, all people pour into the concert area early, and don't make those coppers think we are belonged to a terrorist group with dynamite strapped aound body

I'm not sure I understand this issue beyond the normal parking headaches that Blues Point holds in store.

Yes, there are concerts in the city. Two, I guess - the tsunami aid concert at the Opera Hut, and probably another at the Domain, for the Festival of Sinney.

But Blues Point is on the north side of the harbour; how will the city road closures affect North Sinney?

All the crowds will be, again, in the city, while the north shore will be unadulterated by the great unwashed, unless they're bunging on some extra fireworks as well.

Please enlighten me as to what I'm not seeing here? To my mind there will be the normal Blues Point parking hassles, but that's about it.

For the after shoot feed, might I suggest Leichhardt?

Good food, out of the city parking hassles, good food, should be relatively easy to get to, and did I mention that there's good food there too?

Gary,
In the earlier of this thread, few people suggested to split this workshop as two groups (correct me if I'm wrong) for two difference workshops, that what I thought one group will be at Blue Points and other could be on the other sides or other spots. ATM, I did not know how many people want to get into these workshops, the number 8,9,10,11,12 is not confirmed and we only find out on Saturday morning at my base, and transport as car pool or by individual.
Therefore my precaution is brought it up + 1/3/4/5 also. for members who wish to attend, having an idea of the busy afternoon in the city, which we are doing the workshops.

gstark wrote:For the after shoot feed, might I suggest Leichhardt?

Good food, out of the city parking hassles, good food, should be relatively easy to get to, and did I mention that there's good food there too?

VERY, VERY good sugestion...

One of my favourite restaurants is in Leichardt, however I can never remember the name of it

Birddog114 wrote:Gary,
In the earlier of this thread, few people suggested to split this workshop as two groups (correct me if I'm wrong) for two difference workshops, that what I thought one group will be at Blue Points and other could be on the other sides or other spots. ATM, I did not know how many people want to get into these workshops, the number 8,9,10,11,12 is not confirmed and we only find out on Saturday morning at my base, and transport as car pool or by individual.
Therefore my precaution is brought it up + 1/3/4/5 also. for members who wish to attend, having an idea of the busy afternoon in the city, which we are doing the workshops.

Yeah there was mention of this but I thought you and Matt decided on maximum of 8?

If we are going to work it out during the day we have to make sure we have contact numbers for those people that are only turning up for the afternoon session, so we can let them know where we are going.