First Time Post / Couple of questions

[strangedays]

Firstly, I have just purchased a D70s kit, plus a variety of other bits and pieces to go with it. I am relatively new to SLR photography and I have been browsing the forums here for a while and have appreciated the wealth of information on offer. So thanks to all those that have posted.
My questions:

1. I have noted that many seem to use the Nikon Capture software - looking at the Nikon Australia (Maxwell) site it indicates that the software retails for ~$349.00 AU. Looking on Amazon I saw it for $89.00 US. Even taking into account the conversion to AU that is a significant difference. Is there anything to stop me from purchasing the software from Amazon and loading it/running it here? I vaguely remember a post indicating region encoding or something with this software.

2. Tripod/head combo - what would you recommend here(around $500 for the both)? I currently have a Manfrotto Monopod/head (482B/222) which i like - the joystick like arrangement appealing to the gamer in me i think. The guy at the local camera store was not a big fan of ball heads and that got me thinking that perhaps a second different head might give flexibility for different situations. Or is the 222 head enough and just put the money towards the best tripod i can afford and swap the head as required between the monopod and tripod.

Will appreciate any assistance you can give.

Thanks....

[birddog114]

Firstly, I have just purchased a D70s kit, plus a variety of other bits and pieces to go with it. I am relatively new to SLR photography and I have been browsing the forums here for a while and have appreciated the wealth of information on offer. So thanks to all those that have posted.
My questions:

1. I have noted that many seem to use the Nikon Capture software - looking at the Nikon Australia (Maxwell) site it indicates that the software retails for ~$349.00 AU. Looking on Amazon I saw it for $89.00 US. Even taking into account the conversion to AU that is a significant difference. Is there anything to stop me from purchasing the software from Amazon and loading it/running it here? I vaguely remember a post indicating region encoding or something with this software.

2. Tripod/head combo - what would you recommend here(around $500 for the both)? I currently have a Manfrotto Monopod/head (482B/222) which i like - the joystick like arrangement appealing to the gamer in me i think. The guy at the local camera store was not a big fan of ball heads and that got me thinking that perhaps a second different head might give flexibility for different situations. Or is the 222 head enough and just put the money towards the best tripod i can afford and swap the head as required between the monopod and tripod.

Will appreciate any assistance you can give.

Thanks....

Welcome!
1/ You can use the eval of NC comes with the D70s for 30 days.
You can purchase the NC anywhere in the world and use it for yourself without any restriction of region, colour of skin, or language spoken...

2/ Heads and tripods, we have had many threads on the forum, do the search with your pleasures or get into the local meets, see all the set up which local members have and make your own decision.