jennifer_doughty

We made a similar trip in February of 2001. We drove from Seattle down I-5 to San Francisco. After a day or two there, we continued down I-5, bypassed LA, and cut across AZ heading for Flagstaff on (I believe) I-40. We stayed in Flagstaff and did a day trip to the Grand Canyon. By the way, this was a mini-vacation wrapped up in a cross country move, hence one day at the Grand Canyon. We had great weather and no snow (except for the leftover snow along the sides of te road at high elevations). One problem- there was a HUGE snow storm chasing us from western AZ all the way to Arkansas.

Point being, if you get lucky, it will be a great trip. No crowds at the GC AT ALL (I think 4 cars were the most we ever saw at once), but it was really freakin' cold. Be prepared for chilly wind. All in all, if you don't hit snow, it will be a great trip. Snow could really hinder you though, and if you aren't used to it, it can be dangerous. Carry chains, and learn how to use them.

Oh, and the North Side of the Grand Canyon is closed in the winter, so you'll have to approach from the Flagstaff area. Enjoy!

Jen

It really depends on what you want to use your camera for. Are you a "snap-shooter" that's just interested in better pic's from Christmas, or do you really want to learn? If learning is your main objective, and it sounds like it is, I would get the Nikon 50/1.8. I use mine almost exclusively- everything from portraits, to macro (with extension tubes), to snapshots, to well, you name it.

This lens has helped me learn a lot faster than say a long zoom would have- I think about composition and focal length and how they work together more than I would have with a long zoom. I'm not saying you can't learn those things with other lenses, but I think a lens like the 50/1.8 minimizes the other distractions and makes it easier to concentrate on other things. That way you develop habits and skills that will transfer into nicer images once you do get that zoom, or any other toys.

I would go for the 50 1.8. For the money you can't beat it. Sharp as a tack. You'll love the difference in sharpness once you use it compared to the kit lens. I rarely use the kit lens anymore, and I've been shooting with just the basics for about 4 years now.

Enjoy!!

Jen

When you click on "critique photos" and you get to the slide-show type gallery of images, there is nothing there but the picture and the photographer's name, and a place to leave ratings and comments. The person critiquing actually has to click the photo for the normal grey page with all the info and requests from the photographer to be seen. My guess is that your images are being rated this way.

Jen

Same thing happens with me. I'm using IE.

Jen

I think the simplest way would be to limit the space each participant can have. Set the limit reasonable for non-paying members, and give the paying members and heros more space. I would also include a chance to purchase more space (not tied in with any other offer, as in notives, etc). I would also be sure to maintain the email address checks on new members to discourage people from creating multiple accounts. I would also make a minimum size for images that are submitted (I don't know how feasable this actually is) to avoid people loading 1,000 50x50 images asking for critiques.

Basing the "cut" on the ideas outlined in the original post would invite conflict unless the standards were quite low.

Go with limited space that increases for heros and even more for paying members. "Free" sites do it all the time- you get limited space at hotmail unless you pay, you get limited space on webpages unless you pay, etc. I think that would be the best idea.

Jen

Here is the link I mentioned (not as easy to find as I thought). It doesn't include the N65 in its comparisons though, but you should get a brief run-down of the N60 and N80.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/nikon/comparison-chart.html#n50v6006">http://www.photo.net/photo/nikon/comparison-chart.html#n50v6006</a>

I believe you have it backwards- on the N60, you lose metering capabilities when using a manual focus lens. The N65 maintains those abilities, along with other features. I have an N60 and my mother has an N65. I would only consider the N65 now after using both.

There is a good review accessable from photo.net comparing the N60 cameras (I believe if you choose "equipment", "reviews", "35mm cameras" there is a link). It lays out the capabilites and limitations of each N-series model.

Jen

Don't worry about getting only Nikon filters for your Nikon camera. Nikon is looking to make a profit, so why wouldn't they recommend only Nikon accessories? It wouldn't make much sense to say "you can use our brand, or another cheaper, [mostly] equally reliable brand." Its all about money...

Switching to manual focus isn't as daunting as it may seem now. When I first started in photography, I was equally as apprehensive about using the manual focus for "important" shots. But honestly, its easier to use. All you do is turn the end of the lens until you have what you want in focus. Easy as pie, I swear. With auto focus, unless your shooting a flat plane, you have to make sure you focus-lock on the right part, recompose the picture, mess up and knock the focus-lock off, start over, mess up again... and so on... or you take the picture with the wrong thing in focus. Take a few rolls out one day and make yourself manually focus every frame. You'll be comfortable with it in no time, and then you won't have to fight with the auto-focus system anymore, and you'll be less likely to run into problems like you described above.

Jen

I have a set of extension tubes and love them. You lose some DoF, but I have gotten some very sharp shots from them. Worth looking into (Kinko Auto Extension Tubes).

Jen