How many D70 users can play the guitar?

[Matt. K]

The reason I ask is that in my experiance a lot of photographers play the guitar...and I'm just curious to see if that is the case on this forum.

[Nnnnsic]

I play bass, cello, and sing.

Dad (gstark) plays bass.

[MHD]

hahah...

I a cheapo nylon and can blast a few chords... but that is about it!....

[Raydar]

I played lead in a band when I was a tad younger

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

I played lead in a band when I was a tad younger

Cheers
Ray

And now you still play lead with your three boy then who's solo?

[Killakoala]

Yes, and a few other instruments. Well, i did once.................. remember Redgum?

[Raydar]

Yes, and a few other instruments. Well, i did once.................. remember Redgum?

Great band!!!!

I miss that type of music

Not me Birdy, that's for shore

Cheers
Ray

[Greg B]

I've been playing the guitar for nearly 40 years (and geez my fingers are getting sore).

I took a year off in 96 (after receiving a package, wife was still working then) and recorded about 30 original songs, played everything, plus all the vocals. It was great fun. Made a double CD, called it The Retrenchment Tapes.

I have never played professionally, but have a number of friends who have, some very successfully, so I have enjoyed more band room fun than I have any right to.

[Matt. K]

Hey Killakoala
Were you a member of Redgum?

And...boy, did I get a few hits here? So it seems to be true that people who are visually sensitive...ie: photographers...are quite often aurally sensitive and play musical instruments. I'll have more to say on this later on. need to do a little research.

[Killakoala]

Hey Killakoala
Were you a member of Redgum?

No, but i was in a band that did a Redgum cover or two

[Matt. K]

That's near enough!

[gstark]

I play bass, cello, and sing.

Dad (gstark) plays bass.

And guitar, and I can very slowly find my way around the keyboard.

Matt, If you've not noticed, there's quite a lot of people here who also work in some aspect of the IT industry.

Many years ago I noticed a connection between people who are good at IT and a number of their interests - music, photography, flying being prime amongst them. Frequently they'd also take a serious interst in something dangerous as well.

When I'm interviewing people for work in an IT field, while I (obviously) take some interest in their technical skills and background, I make it a point to enquire after their interests in these areas. If I can wrangle a way to get the number 42 into the conversation (to see if they understand its significance) so much the better.

While it's certainly not the be-all and end-all of it, this certainly tells me me much about their abstract thinking skills, and that's an important factor to me.

Oh yes, I believe the source of the connection is that these are all pastimes that require high levels of applied mathematics - sometimes
implied, if not obvious.

One final comment - I still actively and regularly play. The photos I posted on Thursday morning were from a jam session that I regularly participate in at the Empire in Annandale.

[Vicareyus]

Hi, Vic here (or Vicareyus)

I joined this board a while ago, but have just looked, not posted. There's so much going on on this board, and I just get so busy at work and at home that I feel I dont have time for considered input into anything much. But, various things have made me want to "join the club" more...maybe it's nice to "belong" to something.

Anyway, I'll try to make some more posts in future (from now on).

Playing guitar since I was 14yo...now 43. Built (not "assembled", mind you) my own electric (telecaster like but with humbuckers) a few years ago. Played in many bands (not professional). Bit slow nowadays - work get's in the way - as it does with my photography!

Vic

[Greg B]

Hi, Vic here (or Vicareyus)

I joined this board a while ago, but have just looked, not posted. There's so much going on on this board, and I just get so busy at work and at home that I feel I dont have time for considered input into anything much.

Vic

Hi Vic

Don't worry too much about considering your input - just have a go and enjoy

cheers

[JordanP]

Yep play the guitar and work in the IT field (not techo though) - wow this is getting spooky!

[MHD]

I dont work in IT.... I use IT a lot and can program in a few languages (badly)

I'm in Science... But yes... Technical people like technical toys...

Oh and I am also into adventourus pass times whenever I get the time!

[birddog114]

MHD,
I'm feeling cold! I need a winter flyjacket now!!!!!
Are U the one the viewfinder?

[MHD]

I'm the one with the green pants... Louise, my wife with the red...

That was in Arthurs Pass NP in New Zealand...

We are planning our next trip there for xmas... My first OS trip with d70! Very excited!

[JordanP]

Mmmmm adventurous past-times - good mix. Just need to sack the job so I can spend more time adventuring

[Marvin]

If I can wrangle a way to get the number 42 into the conversation (to see if they understand its significance) so much the better

So Gary, do many people understand it??? It is the answer to the ultimate question!!

[MHD]

Damn mice!

[Greg B]

I must admit to being slightly disappointed that I was member number 43! In the words of Maxwell Smart - "Missed it by that much"

And I also noticed that 42 is the number of exposures remaining in the D70Forum logo - I figured it was no accident.

[gstark]

So Gary, do many people understand it??? It is the answer to the ultimate question!!

If they're worth a cracker, then yes.

Basically, there's one non-technical book that I consider to be an almost essential part of any programmer or analyst's bookshelf.

FWIW, there's a couple of references to this that you'll see on this forum. I think Leigh's (nnnnsic) signature or ID has one, and the other one should be painfully obvious to anyone with a couple of eyes.

I'm aware of another programmer who uses it as an exit code from the applications he writes to signify that the application terminated gracefully and with no errors.

[gstark]

IAnd I also noticed that 42 is the number of exposures remaining in the D70Forum logo - I figured it was no accident.

It's not. Likewise the last thre numbers in my mobile phone number ...

Leigh and I also frequently take note of references in various movies and tv shows that we watch. Things like apartment or house numbers (look at addresses on included advertising billboards and the like), the number on a sportsperson in the show, and so on.

While there's too many for this to be a mere coincidence, what's fascinating is that there's a number of these references that actually pre-date the original radio serial, which makes me wonder whether Adams, a an astute author and satirist, originally picked this up from elsewhere (like, perhaps Hollywood movies) made up his explanation - almost plausible becaus of its universality - and everyone else has taken it from there.

[Greg B]

You can find an abundance of 42 references here...

http://www.empirenet.com/~dljones/


This is one of my favourites..

According to an article in the March 23,1996 edition of the Houston Chronicle, there are 42 free-range prairie chickens left alive in the world

and this is another..


Elvis Presley died at the age of 42

[Dargan]

MattK has put his finger on one of the certainties of the universe here, and gstark has confirmed a correlation of significance by mentiioning the number 42. It has been some time since reading Hitchhikers guide that I noticed the prevalence on that number all around me. For eg, my office number is 4242, my phone number contains those digits, my ...... need I say more. In addition I have played and listened to guitar for close on, you guessed it 42 years. Anybody else have an interest in Segovia, John Williams, Paco Pena, Sabicas, Slava Grigorian ...? I am constantly queried about my need to have my guitar case next to my bed even if I am not playing. What would really clinch this would be if John Williams was interested in photography! I don't play much any more, too busy with the D70, but I still go off in search of a few bars of Asturias or Cordoba when I need to hear the sounds of Spain. Its not that surprising that sight and sound are linked? Now that's what I can do with the D70, go to Spain and take photos in misty cantinas of guitar playing flamenco players with my new to purchase 50mm 1.4D. Just to invert. 2-4 over and out.

[gstark]

Dargan,

In addition I have played and listened to guitar for close on, you guessed it 42 years. Anybody else have an interest in Segovia, John Williams, Paco Pena, Sabicas, Slava Grigorian ...?

Note that I was more general with my references to music, rather than just a guitar. My primary instrument is the electric bass (not a bass guitar ) but there have been - indeed still are - a significant number of musicians who are (or were) keen photographers. There's a notable series of B&W photos from NY's Blue Note jazz venue that were taken by a bassist whose name escapes me for the moment.

Don Burrows certainly knows his way around a wet bench.

I certainly enjoy John Williams's work, and while his solo stuff is great I particularly like his work with Sky, which includes one of my favourite bassists, Herbie Flowers. Herbie, btw, did the bassline on Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side.

And I saw Segovia (I think - long time ago now) at the Adlaide FotA in 1972.

And then there's Kennedy! I have a sneaking suspicion he might know the difference between an f stop and a double stop.

[Dargan]

Yes I like the Sky work of John Williams have had those albums for years. I have a 40th birthday card signed by John Williams and Paco Pena, will tell you the story if I get down to Sydney and meet some day. Just out of curiosity Gary would you be a fan of Penguin Cafe Orchestra?

[gstark]

Just out of curiosity Gary would you be a fan of Penguin Cafe Orchestra?

Had I heard of them, possibly.

Unfortunately(?), I'm in ignorance of who they are, so please enlighten me.

[Dargan]

Try http://www.penguincafe.com/

and for some sound bites at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 0?v=glance

Enjoy!

[Greg B]

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

Melbourne has the best radio station, probably in the world - 3RRR. On Fridays at 9am, Tony Biggs' program theme is Telephone and Rubber Band from the PCO. He plays it all the way through every week.

[focus]

can play flute !!!

[Raydar]

I can play the drums as well,
Iff that's any help????

Cheers
Ray

[jdear]

drums for about 11 years, bass guitar for 10 years.

eek is it really that long??
better start playing more if 'tis so!

maybe we could start a d70 rock band?

JD

[MHD]

Who's going to take the photos?

[Matt. K]

Dargon
I went to a concert of Paco Pena's many years ago in Albury. 8 people turned up! The guy is a genius and played as if there were a thousand in the audience! His un-miked guitar filled the large hall with soulful flamenco and it was one of the finest nights of my life. He can drag more soul out of 4 notes than any other muscian I know. I love flamenco!

[Dargan]

MattK (question at end) AAAHH can I recall! I can remember a night in the Sydney Town Hall when I was a student of that institution at the other end of Broadway and Alerio Diaz playing and filling the TH with sound as if it were yesterday! All I can say is I wish I had the D70 there and then, think of the atmosphere, moody lighting and a backdrop of the Town Hall stage. Perhaps club, performances etc; could be a good topic for future competitions to keep in mind. Which leads to the photographic intent of this post. Would need a fast lens in such an environment though as I wouldn't fancy flash would be welcome. QUESTION...OK, MattK what is the best lens combo for doing justice to such a task?

[Matt. K]

Dargon
I heard Alario Diaz in a concert in Canberra. He broke a sting midway through a piece and didn't miss a note. he then replaced the string in about 45 seconds and was retuning it as he played. Masterful.

Your question has no answer. It depends on how close you can get to your subject. In poor light the general rule is you use the shortest focal length lens that will do the job. Most likely the 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 or the 85mm f1.4 or f1.8

If you had a 80 to 200 f2.8 VR then that too could be an excellent choice. I like the challange of using whatever I've got. Birddog loaned me his f1.4 85mm and I gotta admit that it is a supurb lens in poor light. Probably the finest lens for half length portraits in poor light. If I was photographing a guitarist at a concert I think I would want the full figure, huched over his instrument...so 50mm lens most likely.

[Dargan]

MattK A 50mm 1.4 is about the extent of the budget at present. What about a teleconverter in such a situation as an alternative to get close to the 85mm expensive solution of Birddogs. Do you lose the 1.4f advantage drastically through such a combination?

[Matt. K]

Not really. A 2X convertor on a f1.4 gives you 100mm (150 on the D70) at f2.8 and a very slight loss of sharpness. However...50mm on a digital is about 75mm on the D70. A better option is to bump your ISO up by 2/3 of a stop. You lose even less. 50mm is really supurb on a D70.

[Dargan]

Supurb? The 1.4 50 has been moved to the top of the priority list in the budget. MattK, just realised you have an absence of avatar. Is this significant?

[Matt. K]

Dargon! You are psychic! Last night I tried to make one of those darn things. But try as I might, I couldn't get it to go under 6KB!

help!

[Greg B]

For some guys, small is just not an option.

[Matt. K]

Greg!

No! You've got me wrong! I made my image 100 pixels by 100 pixels and even at JPG setting of 1 it was about 125KB! I knocked the resoution down to about 60 ppi and still coul'nt get it down far enough.




Be the pixel

[Dargan]

MattK I have the perfect butterfly. Will post to you as I haven't figured out how to post on the forum yet.

[Greg B]

Try making it a gif

[Matt. K]

Greg
Thank you. I will try that.

[Matt. K]

Dargon
To post images on this site you have to stick them onto something like PBASE or smugsmug first...or your own website. You then open the image and then copy the www URL and paste that into this forum. We clisk on it and it opens the image for us.

[xerubus]

You can also trying hosting through imageshack...

http://www.imageshack.us/

cheers

[Matt. K]

Dargon
Got it! Beautiful image. Love the out of focus area. The so called bokeh. Correctly spelled boke, (japenese term). Nice lens!