ekovisions

Hi All.... I'm looking to get a photo printer, mainly so I can print

out vacation pictures but also for some small enlargments for the

wall, etc. I saw the HP 8150 yesterday and really liked it,

especially the ability to print without a computer. Any feedback on

this printer? Other ones that you'd recommend instead? I want to

stay under $200- $250. I might be convinced to spend more if it's

really worth it, though. Thanks!

Hi All.... I'm looking to get a photo printer, mainly so I can print

out vacation pictures but also for some small enlargments for the

wall, etc. I saw the HP 8150 yesterday and really liked it,

especially the ability to print without a computer. Any feedback on

this printer? Do I really need to bother upgrading to the 8450?

Other ones that you'd recommend instead? I want to stay under $200-

$250.

Thanks...

I will shortly be going on a trip to China. I do mostly landscape

and nature photography and have a Canon Elan IIe with 28-105 and 100-

300 lenses. I'm going to do a 3-4 hour hike on the Great Wall. I

am considering different options to deal with handholding issues, as

my tripod is a bit heavy for the steep climbing. Is buying an IS

lens (25-105 probably) worth it? Should I go for a light monopod

and my standard lenses? A tiny tripod? Or just keep my current

setup and bring along some nice 400 speed film if light gets low? I

am intrigued by the IS function but wondering if it is truly worth

the investmnet. I know there's not one answer, but I'd like other

people's perspectives...

I think that the Alto EZ mat cutter will cut mats that large. You'd have to slide the mat down...

 

The only thing that I don't like about the Alto EZ is the inability ot cut the mat down to size before cutting the window. If you buy their other cutter, too, that wouldn't be an issue.

I am planning on taking a photo workshop in May of next year to

celebrate my MBA. I have three options I've found so far: a 3 1/2

day workshop with Jack Dykinga in the Eastern Sierra, sponsored by

Mountain Light; and a week-long seminar in Professional nature

Photography in Vermont, taught by David Middleton and offered

through RMSP; and a week-long Yosemite seminar by RMSP and Lynn

Hoffman-Brouse.

 

Any feedback on these instructors or seminars? Anybody have other

workshops they would recommend instead? The timing is best if it is

in early to mid-May.

 

Thanks!

Oh yeah... also looking at Kodak 6440 and 4530.

Hi. I'm going to buy a digital camera, and soon, gosh darnit. I'm

not waiting for this latest generation to arrive at stores. I

currently use a Canon elan IIe, and I'm looking for a small digicam

for people/party shots, hiking, travel, etc. I do like doing

enlargements (12*18 = largest so far) for my walls, but for serious

landscape work I'll still have my SLR when I want it.

 

I'm looking for that best combo of portability, ease of use, and

features such as zoom and MP. I'm considering the A80, S50, Pentax

555, Olympus 5000, Sony DSC-V1. Maybe the G5 or Olympus 5060, but

after looking at those I felt like they were too big. I want

something extremely portable-pocketable.

 

I'm leaning towards the A80--i know the screen is small, but the

movable LCD is cool. Nervous about Pentax. Sony V1 felt awkward.

Uninspired by the s50, but I can get over that. I'd love to hear

any input on these cameras... especially portability v. quality.--if

anyone else feels like they've found that ideal "sweet spot".

Anyone have a good reason to eliminate or recommend one of those

cameras (or a different one) over the others? I'm especially

debating the A80 v. S50. Thanks.

I'm looking at going digital. Looking for a quality camera that can

handle landscape and nature while also doing snapshots at parties.

4 MP minimum I think, probably going P&S not dSLR due to

portability. I've been researching online.

 

But then I went to the store and started to play with the cameras.

I'm used to a Canon Elan IIe, and most of the digital cameras felt

flimsy. Small, hard to use, like a toy really, made for people with

really small hands, like if I tried to really get a good grip on the

camera I'd cover up the lens. I bet this is a "get used to it" sort

of deal, but I was wondering if anyone made a P&S but solid camera.

I've been using a friend's old Kodak DC280, which I like the feel

of. Anyone have similar problem/suggestion?

Hi! My photography passion is nature photography and travel

photography, and I have and love my Canon Elan IIe. But, I want to

go digital, and I'm on a budget. I could scrape together enough for

the Rebel, but I think I want something smaller (and cheaper) that I

can slip into a backpack easily and take to parties for snapshots,

too. So I'm considering a 4 or 5 MP compact camera, such as the

Nikon Coolpix 5700 or 5400 or 4300, HP 945 or 935, Olympus C750,

Minolta D'Image 5.0, Canon Powershot, or even Kodak EasyShare DX

6490.

 

I do make enlargements for my wall sometimes (often 11*14 or 10*15,

sometimes larger), and don't want the pictures to look bad, but I'm

not sure I have the very high standards that others do--as in, I

don't have "prime" glass for the canon, and I don't care--the

pictures look great to me! So, do you think it's likely I'll be

disappointed by a advanced P&S camera? Or love the portability?

Definitely 5 MP, or would 4 be a good compromise so I could afford a

larger optical zoom? If you have one of the cameras I've mentioned *

(or other comparable ones), what do you love and hate?

I am going to Seattle and Olympic NP in late May, over Memorial Day

weekend. Yes, it'll be busy! I'm interested in photography, of

course, short hikes, sightseeing. Where would you recommend? I know

the typical hotspots--hurricane ridge, Hoh, etc.-wondering what less-

popular wonders might exist there, or specifics on where to go in

these places. Suggestions for nice places nearby are also welcome.

 

And, in planning for hotels, what sort of time frame would you

recommend? I have four full days to spend there. I'd like to

reserve hotels but don't have a good idea of what the schedule will

look like in driving around the park.

 

Thanks!!

Ok--so you think you want to drive this route. Don't say we didn't warn you. I live in Dallas, and let me tell you, you FLY to Big Bend. Or even Midland. You mighta done long miles before, but these are *not* pretty or entertaining miles.

So, are you sure it's not a perception thing? I mean, an experience at a visually spectactular place is highly memorable, and perhaps the pictures don't look as good because they are a mere part of the puzzle. But, if you take a great photo of another smaller, less stunning place, you weren't expecting stunning in a photo, so it looks better? I don't know, I've had this happen when I think photos are awful, because they don't match my memories of the place, but people who weren't with me are amazed...

I will say that your choice of developing can be a a very huge factor in how your prints look, even moreso than the film sometimes. I used to hate un-saturated prints; got them developed at a better lab, was astonished with the results. I also used to work in a lab, and most machines/operators in drugstore/mall labs are trained to under-saturate a bit, because (they say) most of the general public prefers it that way. Sometimes just asking them to "saturate" will make a big difference. You might want to take a few negs of some decently composed shots to a pro lab (without bringing proofs) and see if they can make them look better... assuming of course, that you're not using a pro lab already.

Does anybody have experience attending John Shaw Lectures (these

aren't field workshops, but lectures) put on by RMSP? I'm thinking

about going to one next year, but I'm wondering if it'll be worth

it. I do have most of his books, including the Business of nature

Photography, and I wonder if it'll be repetitive. Thanks for the

insight.

I've stayed in Salida a few times; if you can, I'd recommend heading over to Crested Butte for the day... it's a long day, but you can easily do it. The mountains get much prettier on the other side of the pass. The road to crested butte is fine road, if a bit crowded, and there are some nice views along the way.... just past crested butte there's a road that theoretically goes to marble; you definitely can't get through this all in a standard car, but the last time I was there it was passable at least a ways in by car, and there were plenty who made it in, and it's absolutely stunning. I liked that area much better than the Salida/Buena Vista side. There's more info on my route on my website at http://www.ekovisions.com/information.htm.

 

The Mt Princeton Hot Springs road isn't that great. St. Elmo wasn't worth it, either... took a darn long time to get in and out, and, again, that side is dry and therefore not as stunning.

 

If you get to Buena Vista, there is a fabulous place called the Raspberry Patch Cafe... best darn Coconut cake I've ever had in my life, and very nice food too.

 

have fun!!

Man, you trying to scare the guy? That link to the article on Schofield pass made it sound insane. If you're coming from the Crested Butte side, the road is perfectly fine for a very long way (or at least it was last year). Along the way you see various signs saying, "4WD vehicles only." A long ways in, past Schofield Pass, there's a gargantuan sign saying something to the effect of, "VERY experienced 4WD drivers in small 4WD vehicles with high clearance ONLY past this point. Very Steep Road. Very Dangerous. If you die don't say we didn't warn you." Trust me, you'll know.

 

On the other hand, as the article states, the road from Marble is much worse, much faster. From where the pavement ends up to Crystal Mill was steep, narrow, and scary, far worse than anything I encountered on the other side. It's a couple miles (??)in to the Mill, and you can just about walk as fast as you can drive (not even kidding). That's the only part of my drive that I'd be hesitant to recommend.

My recommendation would be to get a 4WD and head North from Crested Butte towards Marble (through Schofield Pass). I was there last year; it was breathtaking-- this was my first time 4WDing, it's not challenging along this road unless you go too far (you'll know, trust me.) You get the back of the Maroon bells, without as many crowds. Definitely plan on camping; it's a long way in and out. You'll have to turn around before you get to Marble unless you're a real daredevil; the road is perfectly fine (if a little bumpy) most of the way, but a small patch of the "road" ain't so much a road as a sluice. Also the other side of the road, from 133/Marble, is passable in 4WD only (though less so than the other side) for a little while, past Crystal Mill.

 

There's a little more information about my route last year and a few photos on my site at <a href="http://www.ekovisions.com/"> www.ekovisions.com </a>