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Very kind Gary. I thought that, if I am improperly enrolled, I might be able to correspond with a few of you via email for a time before I arrive.

I like all kinds of photography but especially anything outdoors, landscapes and macro/close ups being my favorites. I am planning to bring 2 D70 bodies, Sigma 12-24, 24-60, 70-200, 150 macro, 400 macro, flashes, tripod, monopod, converters, etc. I think this group will work for whatever I encounter.

Thanks again &

regards
Mike Parker
Frederick, MD

cameraguy21773 wrote:Very kind Gary. I thought that, if I am improperly enrolled, I might be able to correspond with a few of you via email for a time before I arrive.

I like all kinds of photography but especially anything outdoors, landscapes and macro/close ups being my favorites. I am planning to bring 2 D70 bodies, Sigma 12-24, 24-60, 70-200, 150 macro, 400 macro, flashes, tripod, monopod, converters, etc. I think this group will work for whatever I encounter.

Thanks again &

regards
Mike Parker
Frederick, MD

Welcome Mike!
And also great to hear that you're coming to Down Under soon.
If you have a chance and opportunity, pop in one of the mini meets in Canberra or Sydney.
 BTW, Sigmand Friends/ Sigma Chairman might join with you at 2:00am Sigma prayer at the mini meet.

cameraguy21773 wrote:Very kind Gary. I thought that, if I am improperly enrolled, I might be able to correspond with a few of you via email for a time before I arrive.

I like all kinds of photography but especially anything outdoors, landscapes and macro/close ups being my favorites. I am planning to bring 2 D70 bodies, Sigma 12-24, 24-60, 70-200, 150 macro, 400 macro, flashes, tripod, monopod, converters, etc. I think this group will work for whatever I encounter.

Thanks again &

regards
Mike Parker
Frederick, MD

Mike,

No worries.

Rather than starting a new thread for every message, you can reply to any message in a thread by using the "reply" button that appears in the top right hand section of each message rendered.

What I suspect you'll find is that the people here will be able to offer all manner of suggestions, both photographically, and well beyond, and by keeping it public, others, who may in time be contemplating a similar journey to your's, can also benefit from the experience.

The kit that you're suggesting will certainly be adequate for pretty well any photographic task that you'll be likely to encounter, and it should certainly serve you well with respect to the photographic interests that you've expressed.

What will be bringing you down under - business or pleasure?

Coming from Maryland, I suspect that you would enjoy some good seafood. If so - and I'm presuming that you'll be spending a little bit of time in Sydney on your way through (which will likely be the case unless you're travelling with the Military) you should take some time to sample Sydney's seafood, which I consider to be second only in the world to fresh caught on the Mediterranean.

Of course, if you are travelling via the Military, then I'm sure that Birddog and KillaKoala will love to chat shop with you.

Mike - it will be great to meet up with another Sigma user and I am sure you will just looooovvvveeee Oz

I retired from the US Air Force in 1993 (after 26 years in Intelligence, computerized radar and communications systems, and software development) and am a consultant specializing in computer-based training systems of all sorts. One of the software comapnies in Canberra is developing an application I am very interested in learning about so this is a business trip but I hope to find a few days on either end of it to see some of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains. My last trip to Oz was in 1969. I'm sure there have been a few changes.

I am hoping to sample some of that great Aussie seafood and compare it to our bluefish, Chesapeake crabs, etc. I really do not remember my last trip well as you might imagine.

regards
Mike

cameraguy21773 wrote:I retired from the US Air Force in 1993 (after 26 years in Intelligence, computerized radar and communications systems, and software development) and am a consultant specializing in computer-based training systems of all sorts. One of the software comapnies in Canberra is developing an application I am very interested in learning about so this is a business trip but I hope to find a few days on either end of it to see some of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains. My last trip to Oz was in 1969. I'm sure there have been a few changes.

I am hoping to sample some of that great Aussie seafood and compare it to our bluefish, Chesapeake crabs, etc. I really do not remember my last trip well as you might imagine.

regards
Mike

Mike,
If you have a chance to get into Sydney, PM me and I'll give you my mobile phone number, pop in and we'll have a talk. Very interesting.

cameraguy21773 wrote:I retired from the US Air Force in 1993 (after 26 years in Intelligence, computerized radar and communications systems, and software development) and am a consultant specializing in computer-based training systems of all sorts.

Mike,

Then you will have lots to talk about with Birddog. Killa will still be at sea during your visit, but yes, both Sydney and melbourne should be musts for you if you can swing the time.

I always try to schedule my business trips with some slack time at one, if not either, end so that I can learn something of the regions I've visited.

The only times I couldn't do that were most of my visits to NY (just too busy) and my one into your neighbourhood, DC actually, where we took our cab from Reagan National, dropped our luggage at the hotel, and proceded around the corner to meetings at the Dept of Housing.

so this is a business trip but I hope to find a few days on either end of it to see some of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains. My last trip to Oz was in 1969. I'm sure there have been a few changes.

Just a couple. The Opera House is now completed, for one thing, but the Cross is dirtier than you may recall, and nowhere near as lively.

I am hoping to sample some of that great Aussie seafood and compare it to our bluefish, Chesapeake crabs, etc. I really do not remember my last trip well as you might imagine.

I'm presuming that in 69 you might have been visiting from VN on R&R? If that's the case, then there are probably several reasons why you don't remember too much from that trip.

I'm quite sure we can point you in the direction of some truly great seafood. The one word of warning I would give in that regard is Doyles. It's lauded in all of the tourist mags; it's utter crap, and best avoided at all costs. It's the Gallo of seafood.

Birddog114 wrote:

cameraguy21773 wrote:I retired from the US Air Force in 1993 (after 26 years in Intelligence, computerized radar and communications systems, and software development) and am a consultant specializing in computer-based training systems of all sorts. One of the software comapnies in Canberra is developing an application I am very interested in learning about so this is a business trip but I hope to find a few days on either end of it to see some of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains. My last trip to Oz was in 1969. I'm sure there have been a few changes.

I am hoping to sample some of that great Aussie seafood and compare it to our bluefish, Chesapeake crabs, etc. I really do not remember my last trip well as you might imagine.

regards
Mike

Mike,
If you have a chance to get into Sydney, PM me and I'll give you my mobile phone number, pop in and we'll have a talk. Very interesting.

Bingo!

Hi Mike,

have a great time in Canberra.
Let us know of your schedule when it gets a bit closer.
I'm working during the week and will be heading overseas on the 26th of August.
We might be able to touch base during one evening.

Cheers,
CD

Hi Mike

Here is a basic list of some ideas for shooting around Canberra (off the top of my head). If you want something specific let me know and i will see what i can come up with.

Also - If you are looking for a guide let me know (send me a message) closer to your arrival and if i am free i could tag along. I would like to check out your kit too.

For animals
National zoo and aquarium. Good cats (pumas, lions, tigers, cheaters, snow leopards, jaguar). Nice brown bears too.

Bird life
Lots of parrots and cockatoos can be found whilst wandering the suburbs.
Aquatic birds can be found in the Jerabombera wetlands

Plant life
Canberra botanical gardens. Lots of native Australian plants. (Also a good place for birds).
The rose gardens near old parliament house would also be good, but i dont think they will be in bloom when you arrive (it being winter over here)

An overview of Canberra
Walking around Lake Burley Griffin can give some nice shots
Mount Ainslie, Red hill
Black moluntain (including Telstra tower lookout).

Interesting arcitecture
Old parliment house, National library.

As you have an interest in military-type things, you also might like to check out the Australian War Memorial. Im not sure if they permit photography inside, but you will find it interesting never-the-less. Lots of historic information and examples of military equipment. Can be a bit draining though.

If you want something specific i am happy to provide more suggestions.

Thanks.

I am reading everything I can find that's not too tourist oriented - histories, travel writing, etc. I'm sure some questions will come to mind.

I travel frequently and generally stay away from travel guides as they always direct you to where everybody goes or to their advertisers. I like to go where the local people go and eat where they eat. Just seems to make sense to me.

Ahh right Mike,

Perhaps stay clear of the zoo and the war memorial if you dont like crowds and touristy areas. The botanical gardens would be my bet (if you are a naturalist) or old parliament house if you are a history buff. There is also a very good national archives in Canberra (for history) which wouldnt yield a lot of photo opportunities, but might fill in a few blanks for you regarding Australian history betrween 1969 and present .

Just to clarrify, i wasnt offering to be a tourist "guide" as such just someone to tag along and have a chat, etc.

I'd be pleased to spend some time with you. Please don't get wrong the idea. It's just that I do avoid the more touristy places in most of my travels unless they have something especially interesting.

So far my plans are to arrive in Sydney on the night of the 19th and spend the day of the 20th in Sydney. I have to be in Canberra for a meeting sometime around midday Sunday the 21st. I'd be pleased to meet anyone that might be on a shoot somewhere in Sydney. If not, then I'd also be glad to buy someone (anyone? ... everyone?) a coffee, talk photography, and swap lies.

I'll be in Canberra from 22 to 25 August. Hoping to have some free time and some daylight in the afternoons to get some shooting done there. Willy Wombat - I'll be staying at the Crown Plaza.

August 26-28 will be free time and I hope to spend Fri the 26th in the Blue Mountains and Sat/Sun, 27th and 28th in Melbourne. Again, I'd be happy to meet up with someone who might be out for a shoot either day.

cameraguy21773 wrote:So far my plans are to arrive in Sydney on the night of the 19th and spend the day of the 20th in Sydney. I have to be in Canberra for a meeting sometime around midday Sunday the 21st. I'd be pleased to meet anyone that might be on a shoot somewhere in Sydney. If not, then I'd also be glad to buy someone (anyone? ... everyone?) a coffee, talk photography, and swap lies.

I'll be in Canberra from 22 to 25 August. Hoping to have some free time and some daylight in the afternoons to get some shooting done there. Willy Wombat - I'll be staying at the Crown Plaza.

August 26-28 will be free time and I hope to spend Fri the 26th in the Blue Mountains and Sat/Sun, 27th and 28th in Melbourne. Again, I'd be happy to meet up with someone who might be out for a shoot either day.

cameraguy21773
Would like to meet you at the mini meet on the 20th August! and having fun with the gang of Sydney.
PM me once you're in Sydney.

Will do and thanks for the invite.

Birddog114 wrote:cameraguy21773
Would like to meet you at the mini meet on the 20th August! and having fun with the gang of Sydney.

Exactly my thoughts.

I am in Canberra and stqying at the Crown Plaza Hotel. If any of you local to Canberra would like to meet and talk and shoot, I'd be pleased to do so. I'm in room 105 and the hotel number is 2 6247 8999 and the address is 1 Binara St.

regards
Mike Parker

cameraguy21773 wrote:I am in Canberra and stqying at the Crown Plaza Hotel. If any of you local to Canberra would like to meet and talk and shoot, I'd be pleased to do so. I'm in room 105 and the hotel number is 2 6247 8999 and the address is 1 Binara St.

regards
Mike Parker

I thought you would come to the mini meet yesterday as you mentioned earlier

I thought so too. As it turned out, I'm traveling with a co-worker who is not interested in photography and I felt some obligation to see Sydney with him. My apologies, it was kind of a last minute thing.

cameraguy21773 wrote:I thought so too. As it turned out, I'm traveling with a co-worker who is not interested in photography and I felt some obligation to see Sydney with him. My apologies, it was kind of a last minute thing.

Hey there's always next time.

I hope you enjoy your stay Mike... Unfortunately my week is kind of crazy...

Some suggestions:
Beer at the Wig and Pen
Visit both telstra tower and Mt Ainslee
Do the parliement house tour (free)
Wander around the gardens of parliment house
Visit the botanic gardens (a must if you have a macro lens)