cjk

<p>And another alert from eBay: </p> <p>------------<br> Hello kastous,<br> We had to cancel bids for the buyer, roxxy825, because they aren't registered on eBay:<br />261528143733 - Nikon Nikkor 24-70 mm F/2.8 AS G SWM AF-S IF N ED M/A Lens<br />261528143733 - Nikon Nikkor 24-70 mm F/2.8 AS G SWM AF-S IF N ED M/A Lens<br> ------------<br> So there seems to be quite a good amount of scam, but also good monitoring from eBay.<br> Meanwhile the dirty tricks the 2 scammers played on me wasted my time and took the lens off the market for 2 days. AND they made me hit the limit on the amount of stuff I can sell as a newbie seller, which eBay doesn't seem to update automatically after canceling the 2 fraudulent bids. So I have to call them to get that cleaned up. </p>

<p>I am already worried enough about selling on eBay and I just received the message below from them. Pfffff. <br> That was a "buyer" who wanted me to ship a lens to Indonesia... </p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#FFE680"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="bottom" width="100%"> <h1>MC010 Account Security Communication Partner Warning - kastous</h1> </td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="8"><img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/globalAssets/rtCurve.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" align="top" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFCC00" height="4"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" alt="" height="5" /></td> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2"><img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" alt="" height="10" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top" width="100%"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" alt="" width="" /></td> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="1" align="left"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1"><img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" alt="" height="10" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top" width="100%">Hello kastous (),<br /><br />Our records show that you recently contacted or received messages from XYZ through eBay's messaging system. This account was recently found to have been accessed by an unauthorized third party, who may have used the account in an attempt to defraud other members. <br /><br />We've taken action to restore this account to the original owner, but wanted to let you know to be suspicious of any communication you may have received from them. Nothing is wrong with your account at this time ? this message is just being sent as a precaution. If you have received any messages from that appears suspicious, please feel free to forward them to us at <a href="mailto:spoof@ebay.com">spoof@ebay.com</a> for review. <br /><br />-- Safety Tips --<br />-- Don't respond to the sender, through either eBay or your email provider, if the message is an offer to buy or sell an item. This type of offer may be fraudulent, and the transaction won't be covered by eBay protection programs. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<p>Dieter, Stephen & al, </p> <p>thank you for a most valuable advice. On the advice of a eBay rep, I added some buyers' constraints (local only, etc.). I am going to stick to "local pick up only" for now, though it will clearly limit my "market". I am going to let the auction run its course and see what happens. </p> <p>If the outcome is not positive, I will try again a in few weeks, after -- hopefully -- having gained some more experience with the site. Or maybe just give up and sell to Adorama. </p> <p>Again, thanks to all for the very valuable input. </p>

<p>John: </p> <p>Yes, you are absolutely right. I came to that realization shortly after receiving the first few solicitations. I should have indeed tried buying/selling a few low-value items before. Live and learn...</p> <p>But still, here's a question: Imagine you ship your item, then the buyer sends it back saying it's defective and when you receive it, it is actually defective, i.e. the buyer mishandled it or broke it. How do you get out of that situation?? How do you prove to eBay that the item was working fine when you sent it? All that -- and probably other paranoid scenarios -- went through my mind while going through this experience. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Guys, thank you so much for the great feedback. I am going to try and revise the ads to take them into account. <br> Or I might just drop the whole thing altogether and go with selling to Adorama (face to face!). But the price they offer is way lower.... <br> Re. sharing of personal info, I got this email from eBay saying that the buyer requested info on me (formatting got lost in the copy-paste). eBay released to them the full name and the phone number (and City / Zipcode) (I replaced them with XXX in the text below).<br> Cheers, </p> <p>Cesar</p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="2"> <tbody> <tr> <td nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"><img src="http://q.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/logos/ebay_95x39.gif" alt="eBay" width="95" height="39" /></td> <td align="left" valign="bottom"><strong>eBay sent this message to CJ Kastoun (xxxx).</strong><br />Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/name-userid-emails.html">Learn more</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="8"><img src="http://q.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/globalAssets/ltCurve.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /></td> <td valign="bottom" width="100%">eBay User Information Request</td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="8"><img src="http://p.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/globalAssets/rtCurve.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" height="4"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="2"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Dear XXXX and XXXX, <br /><br />This message is an automated reply to a contact information request made by roxxy825. This request is related to item #261528143733. <br />Important Usage Guidelines: <br /><br /> <ul> <li>1. This contact information should only be used for resolving matters related to eBay. Any other use is strictly prohibited.</li> <li>2. Use of this information to complete a transaction outside of eBay is not permitted. Items purchased outside of eBay are not eligible for eBay services.</li> </ul> <br /> <table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Contact Information for</td> <td>xxxx</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">User ID:</td> <td valign="top">xxxx</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Name:</td> <td valign="top">CJ Kastoun</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Company:</td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">City:</td> <td valign="top">New York</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">State:</td> <td valign="top">NY</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Country:</td> <td valign="top">United States</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Phone:</td> <td valign="top">(917) --------</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Registered Since:</td> <td valign="top">Sunday, Jul 06, 2014 07:28:41 PDT</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Contact Information for</td> <td>rox******</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Email:</td> <td valign="top"><a href="mailto: rox*********@outlook.com">rox*********@outlook.com</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">User ID:</td> <td valign="top">xxxxxx</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Name:</td> <td valign="top">xx xxxx</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Company:</td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">City:</td> <td valign="top">*****</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">State:</td> <td valign="top">TX</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Country:</td> <td valign="top">United States</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Phone:</td> <td valign="top">(914) xxx-xxx</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="15%">Registered Since:</td> <td valign="top">2013 19:48:07 PST<br /><br /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<p>Shun:<br> I've had not so great experiences with Craig's List where people either never show up to agreed-to meetings or just keep lowballing. I was told (and read) that eBay is much better. And with over 10 Million people in and around NYC, I was hoping to find someone genuinely interested... </p> <p>Patrick: <br> I did that but what do you do when someone clicks the "Buy now" button? That effectively takes the item off the market and then you've lost 2-3-4 (?) days to re-list again. </p>

<p>(I posted this to the "Internet Sellers forum" but that forum doesn't seem to appear anywhere in the list of forum to browse. It only shows when creating a new post.)</p> <p>Greetings,<br> I am a total eBay newbie and for the first time ever, I am trying to sell something on eBay (3 lenses). To avoid risk, I listed them with "Local pick-up only" and "NO returns" but I've already received requests from people all over, including from Indonesia.<br> Though I am not willing to deal with the hassle of shipping overseas, I have 2 potential buyers in the US (TX and CA) and I am wondering what is the safest way to manage a transaction like this?<br> I read eBay's policies, researched the Net, etc. but can't figure just one easy reliable way. So my questions:<br> - One of the buyers (TX) sent me a text message (I guess eBay sent them my contact info) asking for my Paypal account details (email) to pay me. My understanding is that they to pay through eBay and all the info they need to make the payment is already there. Is that correct? Is s/he trying to go around eBay's policies and procedures?<br> - If I end up going with someone not local, what would the process look like? Is it something like the below?<br />- The click on Buy Now (or wait till the end of the auction)<br />- They use a button someone on eBay's site to pay me (through Paypal)<br />- I ship them the item (with tracking, proof of delivery, etc.)<br />- Paypal releases the money<br />- That's it (no returns, no hassles??)<br> Any advice from regular eBay users would be much appreciated.<br> CJK</p> <p><a name="pagebottom"></a></p>

<p>Ellis: <br> My goal was to show the dark building as if being "lit" in a similar way to the neighboring façades, so just developing an Ev + 2 version of the raw and "painting that" into the areas I want "lit" would not work as the hues are NOT similar (I tried). This could work though if I can find a way to have the overexposed version give me exactly the same hues... Not sure how to do that. I played a bit with WB but that was too imprecise. </p> <p>John: <br> You are right, I think retouching the image taken from the bridge (image 1, which is a crop of image 3), would be a nightmare with all the light streaks, </p> <p>Harry: <br> Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know that. I've been fairly regularly to London for work but never took the time to actually visit properly and take photos. </p>

<p>I was in London last week and took the attached photos of Westminster and Big Ben. Unfortunately part of Westminster's façade is NOT lit, leaving a large dark square in the middle of my photos. </p> <p>I have 2 photos that I really like and am wondering if there is a way to "light" this part in post. I tried the clone tool in Lighten mode, copying from other parts of the building that were well-lit. It looks like it might work but before embarking on an extensive retouching journey, I prefer to tap into the collective wisdom and expertise of this community to see if there is a more effective way of doing it... </p> <p>Cheers!<br> -CJK</p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17778841-lg.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="406" /></p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17778840-lg.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Originals: </p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17778838-md.jpg" alt="_DSC2996" width="680" height="471" border="0" /></p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17778836-md.jpg" alt="_DSC2983" width="680" height="428" border="0" /></p>

<p>I would love to have some experienced advice here. </p> <p>Last year, hoping to do a lot of portrait photography and maybe sell some portrait sessions, and in a moment of very severe NAS, I went crazy and bought a Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G.</p> <p>About a year later now, having learned that equipment does not a photographer make, I realize that I barely used the (very nice) piece of equipment. Lack of time (I have a day job and 2 small kids), lack of drive, etc. </p> <p>I am still very interested in portrait photography and am doing some, but mostly in a home studio where I think the more affordable f/1.8G would work as well as its big brother. Heck, I wonder if I couldn't just "get by" with my beloved 70-200 f/2.8 (which I use mostly for sports). </p> <p>I hate the idea of having a very expensive lens sitting in a drawer depreciating, so my questions: </p> <p>1) Would you sell the lens, take the hit on it (I guess the cost of learning) and replace it with the f/1.8G while freeing up some cash? </p> <p>2) Would you sell the lens, take the hit on it and just use the 70-200 f/2.8 for portrait photography (i already own that one)?</p> <p>3) Would you keep the lens since it's already there and paid for, and since good Nikon lenses don't seem to depreciate that much? </p> <p>Everything I read about the f/1.8G says it's a great lens and I know the 70-200 is already a great lens too (bulky though).<br> I guess it really boils down to figuring out if I might want or have to use a 1.4G in the future or not... </p> <p>Cesar<br> Note: I am currently using a D7000 and plan to move to FX in the next 6 months. </p> Note: I don't have an immediate need to free up the cash (but I wouldn't mind having it!)