Some snaps from today's minimeet

[MCWB]

OMG Scott, it's an Expodisc!!!!!


Steve's (Killakoala) reaction to the announcement of the prize for the next D70users challenge:


Gary, and... Gary!


Gary's cake (sorry the exposure is a bit crap, still experimenting with the SB800 and not much time to PP!)




My 24-120 VR taken with Nikkor 58(?)mm Noct @ f/1.2. Got shallow DOF?


Macro experiment with Sigma 12-24.


Much thanks to Thanh and Tranh for their wonderful hospitality as always, and to John (Leek) (and anyone else I annoyed ) for putting up with my SB800 testing!

[leek]

You didn't annoy me Trent... In fact I don't even remember it...

Nice shots... I'll post some to this same thread later on...

[sirhc55]

Some more pics from today - first 4 with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and the last with the Nikon 17-35 f/2.8.

Our host - Birddog



Some people even bring their toys



MHD - hard at it with his 105mm micro Nikkor



Same flower as above



And with the Nikon 17-35 - Matt.K

[leek]

Yet more pics from today's mini-meet (although there were really too many people there to call it a mini-meet anymore)...

These are straight out of the camera...

Click any shot for more pixels...
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Once again... a great mini-meet... great company, great lenses and great food... Highly recommended to anyone who's lurking out there...

[Nnnnsic]

That's the youngest shot of me I've seen in ages!

[christiand]

Happy Birthday Gary (on Monday ? ) !

It looks to me that you all had a great time today.
I couldn't visit, I had to go to the air show at the AWM 60th aniversary of the VE day. Also mother's day is tomorrow.

Good to see you all in a happy mood.

Best regards
Christian

p.s.: hello to Stubbsy, Matt, Killakoala and Birddog.

[sirhc55]

John - looks like you will be very happy with your new toy

[sirhc55]

And for my 3300th post a very young looking admin guy just ready for military service

[leek]

John - looks like you will be very happy with your new toy

Yep... Most of those were taken with the Nikkor 105mm...
Unfortunately - I made a big mistake today and bought 2 lenses...
Now I don't know which one to experiment with tomorrow...
Look forward to some very confused postings in the near future...

[sirhc55]

John - I would give the VR a go coz the weather ain’t gonna be that good (with respect to GregB for the English)

[BBJ]

Great Photo's guys, as usual the clan looking very well looked after with lots of lust, just as well you are all too far away from here.
Good to see you all enjoyed your day and Gary Happy Birthday old fella.LOL
Cheers
John

[johndec]

Sounds like a great day, shame I missed it. I actually promised Birddog earlier in the week that I'd be there, but that was before the household came down with Kindergarten 'Flu (that's were you 5 year old goes to school, another 5 year old sneezes in his face, then your kid comes home and promptly sneezes all over us)

Happy Birthday Gary and Leigh good luck in your chosen career.

[Nnnnsic]

I'd still love to know where the idea that I was entering the military came from... even Dad has no idea.

I wouldn't last 42 seconds.

[MCWB]

You didn't annoy me Trent... In fact I don't even remember it...

Ahh that's good! I nearly blinded myself with the SB800 last night, so I was a bit mindful of shooting the same person all the time, but I wanted to keep the scene constant to compare exposures and modes.

Big turnout today, had great fun, great company, and the food was wonderful as always, in particular the beef salad. Mmm. Thanks to all again!

[Justin]

Hi all, my first mini-meet and it was a great experience. I wore out my camera with the number of lenses flying on and off... I still have to check my camera back to make sure that VR lens didn't fall in... many thanks to Birddog for his hospitality and unfortunately I had to leave before the food arrived... sounds like I missed out! I walked out with a new strap, eyepiece and remote control (that will spin the dog out!)

Anyway - looking forward to next time.

[stubbsy]

Thanks to our excellent hosts for great hospitality and to Ray and Joe & Chryssine for bringing extra sugary treats to keep us nourished before the great Vietnamese lunch arrived.

Nice images Trent, Chris & John

Leigh - you do look quite young in that first photo - never would have guessed you were 42 if I hadn't met you in the flesh

[Jenno]

Some shots from the Royal Belmore Botanical Gardens on Saturday where the breeze doth always blow (Perhaps thats why the macro meet is scheduled for 2am)







Most were taken using a combination of other members gear who attended on the day which is the real + outcomes for the mini meets.. ie try before you buy.
If you havent been yet, make it a date.

I would add my thanks to Thanh & Tranh who are always such great hosts and those who readily lend their gear and provide advice.

Ray

[stubbsy]

Ray

You really got me. Took a while for my tired old brain to work out where the gardens were

The fourth pic is especially good. Shame the second one is a little soft - maybe we need a VR garden

[Jenno]

Peter,

You've obviously havent got down and got dirty in "The Gardens" yet. Next time leave your 70 200 vr at home and I'll lend you a macro lens and you can experience it for yourself.

The softness unfortunately comes from that continual breeze I was complaining about in my initial post which makes or breaks this type of photography.

Ray

[stubbsy]

Peter,

You've obviously havent got down and got dirty in "The Gardens" yet. Next time leave your 70 200 vr at home and I'll lend you a macro lens and you can experience it for yourself.

The softness unfortunately comes from that continual breeze I was complaining about in my initial post which makes or breaks this type of photography.

Ray

Ray

I've steered clear of macro cos I fear the cost - means I'll have to buy a tripod

Figured the breeze caused the softness - hence the VR garden comment.

Maybe birddy should enclose his garden in a glasshouse

[sirhc55]

Ray - great results from ”borrowed” lenses in ideal location - food inc

Stubbsy - you can shoot heeps of macro without a tripod - just use an SB800

[Onyx]

Glad you guys had fun at the meet, sorry I missed it. It looks like our long-time senior member sirhc55 has finally attended a mini-meet, and I wasn't there!

That picture of Gary with the picture of Gary shows Gary lacking a little in colour in his picture, compared to the real Gary.

[joet]

Mini Meet Report for Onyx - 7 May

Roll Call:

stubbsy, justin (new member - welcome to our nightmare ), phillipb, gleff, leek, glen, SIRHC55 (no, Onyx, he has been previously, I'm shattered that you didn't see it in one of my reports), MCWB, glamy, nikkofan (welcome again), gstark, nnnnsic, MHD, who did a great job, as usual, with the competition results and announcements , joet(to keep your pedantic nature satisfied )

What a good turnout but not really a surprise because of the announcement of the competition winners and the fabulous prizes for the Anniversary competition.

Gary's birthday was also celebrated in fine fashion, thanks to Birddog's never-ending generosity. He is, indeed, a rare gem who should be treasured by all members of this Forum

Words fail me (most unusual) in describing the food, but I must say that it surpassed even the normal high standard. Suffer, Onyx

[birddog114]

joet,
Killakoala + Matt.k were here also, you missed them.

[joet]

Yes, Birddog, you're correct again, I knew they were there, but overlooked it in my notes .

Gee, I'll be glad when Onyx gets home

[birddog114]

Joet,
After few months in HKG, are you sure he's still the same before?
Probably he'll miss out more people than you.

[Onyx]

Thank you Joe for your mini-meet report once again. Birdy's right - I'll probably miss more people than you. You've done a good job so far trying to remember the people that attended and causing much salivation over the food to lust for.

[stubbsy]

Chi

Judging by your Avatar it seems the surgery was a success Look forward to seeing you again in person.

[Nnnnsic]

Damn... a hot single girl with an interest in cameras and neat gadgets...

SNAP OUT OF IT LEIGH!

[birddog114]

Oh yeah! seeing a difference Onyx coming home with few gadgets hanging around his neck, his finger and big smile on his face as mission accomplished