Sydney, October 30 2004

[gstark]

I just need to express everyone's thanx to Birddog an his charming wife for their wonderful hospitality today.

It seemed to me that everyone there had a really good time, exploring various aspects of their cameras, lenses, tripods, post processing techniques, and so much more.

More to come ...

[xerubus]

Let me be the first to say that I am very envious....

looking forward to some pics...

perhaps some day we could organise a d70users meet with people from other states and OS... make it a different state once a year .....

only been a member for a couple of weeks... and i'm still in awe at the generosity of sir birddog.... amazing...

[plukaduck]

Gary,

I second that.

I would have to say without doubt that Birddog and his lovley wife are among the most generous and charming people I have had the pleasure of meeting. A great day was had by all, the only thing I can say is that I thought I had a great tripod untill Birddog bought his out.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[Kris]

I third Plucka's comments, Birddog your generosity to this community and each one of us is nothing short of astounding. Thankyou very much to you and your family for the hospitality. A further thanks to Gary for making this site what is is

Btw, Birddog's wife makes one of the best desserts I've ever tasted. That was just YUMMO!

It was great to meet everyone, and put the names to faces!

Cheers
Kris

[MHD]

good food GREAT company...
and some gear that makes me go GREEEEEEN with envy...
I'll throw my photos up soon

[W00DY]

Birddog I am stealing your wife for my personal chef....

The Beef Salad & Dessert was so great (have I made every one jealous yet?)

Thanks als to Matt for his help printing out the image of my little girl (My wife says thanks also) and also his great demonstration of Photoshop, I certainly learnt a thing or 10!!!

This community is growing and growing and getting better every day.

Look forward to the next meet to catch up with you all again.

Cheers,

W00DY

[Onyx]

This was my first meet - and I gotta say, Birddog has set the bar very high.

Thanks so much for your generosity. The food was excellent, the drinks (incl. Moet - french champagne) was WELL beyond my palette's ability to appreciate. The toys - OMG the toys!! I've been in camera shops that had less stuff than Birddog did in his posession! Hey how old's your daughter - is she available?!?

Thanks everyone for the great company. And MattK for teaching - when we eventually got around to the PP/PS workshop.

Oh BTW Birddog, I owe $$$: - the polo shirt and DVDRW drive came to more than the $100 I gave you.

[W00DY]

The most generous Birddog.....

[Onyx]

Hey I forgot - the pics! I hope I don't have to obtain model releases of everyone who's picture was taken... (if you REALLY object to it, PM me and I'll take your mug down).

Gallery of pics here:
http://dr-cbtan.fotopic.net/c326671.html

Mostly playing with Birddog's expensive glass collection - 105mm DC experimenting with the defocus control, 70-200 and 80-400 long tele's and their VERY effective Vibration Reduction mechanisms.

The star of the show, Birddog:


The guy that made this forum community possible, Gary (looking quite the santa...)

[gstark]

And a few of my pix can be found here.

http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/ ... FD70+Users

[bago100]

Thanks Gary
Nice photos of all you youngsters!
I can't find anything in the manual about WB Pringles cap settings
Could it be the new Pringles and wine technique?
Cheers
Graham

[birddog114]

Thanks Gary
Nice photos of all you youngsters!
I can't find anything in the manual about WB Pringles cap settings
Could it be the new Pringles and wine technique?
Cheers
Graham

Here are the steps...

1. Set focusing to Manual.
2. Set Function Dial to "WB".
3. Set WB to "Pre" using the Main Command Dial.
4. Turn the Sub-command dial. "Pre" should flash on the LCD.
5. Place the Pringles lid over the front of the lens.
6. Aim camera at the light source.
7. Release shutter.
8. If WB is set successfully "Good" will flash on the LCD.
9. Re-set Function Dial to desired shooting mode.
Note: Use the Shooting Menu to set the exposure mode that you will use when measuring for WB before doing the above. Program mode works fine.
Hope this helps

[Mj]

What a great day.

Especially impressed by the pringles demonstration !!!
Now, all I need to do is find a use for those chips and I'll be in white balance heaven.

One problem though... I believe I left a few lens behind... ummm... let me see I can't find that 70-200... or that 85/1.4 I had early today... clumsy for me to 'misplace' them like that !!!

I heard that Matt's pidgeon demonstration on photoshop was a great success (of course I was busy gasbagging at the time ) Would love it if someone could provide a brief summary of his 'process'.

[Geoff]

It sure looks and sounds like you guys had an awesome day..can I PLEASE put my hand up to attend the next one? I would love to be there...good on you birdy - you are indeed a champion!


Geoff.

[birddog114]

First, I would like to thanks all the members who attended the meet today at my base. Your present make the meet more fun and creatively same as sharing all your experiences with others, greatly appreciated!!!

Second , thanks to Gary and his team whom made this forum community possible.

Third, special thanks to Mattk with your kindly supporting the event in PS/PSCS and PP.

Fourth, Thanks to Killakoala for spending his time walk around collecting all infos and "minutes taking" of the meet same as writting the Report of the meet.

My wife and myself enjoyed your company and we have had a nice day same as met all the photogs idols.

We hope and wish that we will see all our members in one of the near future meets.

[Greg B]

And a few of my pix can be found here.

http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/ ... FD70+Users

Great photos, thanks Gary.

For the benefit of those of us who weren't there could you tell us who is who?

cheers

[ajo43]

Great photos guys.

I am green with envy. Not only of all Birddog's toys you got to play with but of the oppoutunity to meet what looks like a genuinely nice group of people who share a common interest. Hopefully I'll make it next time.

I must say this has got to be the friendliest forum I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Cheers

[MHD]

Well getting the ball rolling
http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/ ... C_4106.jpg
This is my Ugly Mug!
http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/ ... C_4108.jpg
This is Louise and Isabelle

[Onyx]

I'm waiting on Gary to post the pics of me modelling the polo shirts! Me in thexy poses...

[gstark]

Onyx,

http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/ ... olo+Shirts

[the foto fanatic]

Man, am I envious. You guys sure had fun.
We need to arrange a national meet somehow.
Maybe we could structure it around next year's Photo Show in Bris-Vegas!
Trevor

[MHD]

natural!

[MHD]

So technically what impressed people most, and what did people learn?

Impressed: 70-200VR... Yes it is as good as I was expecting it to be!

Learnt: Poses... I will have to practise those!

(oh and of course on a non technical side I was most impressed by the Beef salad and desert!)

And I still dont understand the 105DC nikkor

[birddog114]

MHD,
Here's the link that I posted while ago about the 105mm DC, hope this will help.

http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php ... t=105mm+dc

[gstark]

I've added a name or three ...

[MHD]

Thanks Birdy will check it out (its the physcisit in me!)

[Greg B]

I've added a name or three ...

Thanks Gary

cheers

[Onyx]

 LOL, very flattering pics of me Gary, thx.

RE: the DC - I finally get it now... I think. It offers the ability to control the characteristics of the out of focus areas - the way the bokeh looks, as a side effect (or the main effect?!) of shifting the point of focus slight forwards or backwards. Very slight adjustments yields the best results - massive shifts like f4 or f5.6 front or back causes severe chromatic abberations (purple fringing), making the $US1k lens look like a $100 one.

And I had no idea this glass was worth so much! Thanks Birddog for entrusting me with it!

[MHD]

haha!

It was amazing hoding both the 85mm f/1.4 and the 70-200VR and finding out they are the same price (ish)!!!!

while the 85mm is a superb lens, it is a lens that would comlete a collection... nope... one day I will own that 70-200VR... brilliant lens...

[Raydar]

Well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What can I say that hasn't been said?

I could never of imagine that my purchase of the D70 would bring me to a place like this “AWESOME”

I’ll get there one day fella’s!!

Cheers
Ray

[MHD]

I've put some of my pictures up now
http://potofgrass.ath.cx/gallery/d70syd

one of my favs:

[birddog114]

Scott,
Very nice visual report of the meet.

[Glen]

Birddog, thank you for the warm welcome by yourself, wife and family

Absolutely great meet, with smoked salmon from Onyx, Photoshop tips from Matt K, camaraderie (what a great word to use in a D70 context) from all there and the best food and wine courtesy of Birddog and his family.

A big thank you to all involved

[Onyx]

And thanks to Gary too, for calibrating our laptop screens.

Birddog - you're a legend. Your offer of the DVD drives really were at giveaway prices! I got mine installed and running great on my computer (dark grey case - the black drive suits it well)

[birddog114]

And thanks to Gary too, for calibrating our laptop screens.

Birddog - you're a legend. Your offer of the DVD drives really were at giveaway prices! I got mine installed and running great on my computer (dark grey case - the black drive suits it well)

Onyx,
Have you managed to put the 105DC on the real test yet? what's the outcome? got any stunt shot from it?
Call me at your free week end, we might get out and do the photo hunting.

[Onyx]

Birddog - the DC lens, I've used it mostly experimental. Like shooting objects in front/behind one another varying the focus and stuff. And reading up online on how to properly use it! I don't exactly have a ready/willing portrait subject, but I'll try to chase my pets and see if they're willing.

Also, a friend of mine wanted me to go to the Mind Body Spirit festival at Darling harbour exhibition centre in around 2 weeks, to take pictures of the event for him. Do you think it's something you wanna come along to?
http://www.mbsfestival.com.au - pre register for cheaper admission.

[birddog114]

Birddog - the DC lens, I've used it mostly experimental. Like shooting objects in front/behind one another varying the focus and stuff. And reading up online on how to properly use it! I don't exactly have a ready/willing portrait subject, but I'll try to chase my pets and see if they're willing.

Also, a friend of mine wanted me to go to the Mind Body Spirit festival at Darling harbour exhibition centre in around 2 weeks, to take pictures of the event for him. Do you think it's something you wanna come along to?
http://www.mbsfestival.com.au - pre register for cheaper admission.

Thanks for the info, I don't know if I can make it or not, yhis time of the year is flat out, if you want to use the 85/1.4, please let me know, I'll loan it to you. Talk to you soon.

[birddog114]

Onyx,
Here's another example of Nikon 135DC

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=10969698

[Onyx]

Thx for the link Birddog. Somehow I don't think the soft effect quite suits flowers - for some reason it doesn't look right to me. IMHO, the defocus is to make a person "glow" with a soft halo outline for that romantic effect.

Once I sorted the focus problem with my camera, I've used it to good effect - mainly with my pets as the only willing subjects available. Unfortunately, EXIF doesn't show the defocus settings.

How often would you use this lesn Birdy? It seems a very pricey piece of glass for what it does.

[birddog114]

Thx for the link Birddog. Somehow I don't think the soft effect quite suits flowers - for some reason it doesn't look right to me. IMHO, the defocus is to make a person "glow" with a soft halo outline for that romantic effect.

Once I sorted the focus problem with my camera, I've used it to good effect - mainly with my pets as the only willing subjects available. Unfortunately, EXIF doesn't show the defocus settings.

How often would you use this lesn Birdy? It seems a very pricey piece of glass for what it does.

Hi Onyx,
That's true! I have the same comment as your post and agreed the rest.
It's a gem but quite hard to get acquaint with it, took me awhile to work thru but not the excellent pics which I want and expected from that lens.

I used it quite often in portrait just try to push my brain further in learning the secret of of it.

Actually, I took that lens back to Maxwell from the beginning, cos I thought it was the bad sample, but they tried on my D100, they could not see any problems there and they explained to me all, finally, I realized it was the error from the guy behind the viewfinder