phil_sedgwick

AF speed is not that important when shooting from the inside so something like the 300/4 would work well (I know you said zoom, but it would be a better add quality wise than a cheap zoom) TMS has a few areas, like turn 2, where you can get pretty close to the track and your 210 would be fine there. A 300 would be better, but you can get along with a 200. The start finish is a long way across the grass from the pit, so more glass is required for that shot.

 

I know a few guys who shoot the Nikon 80-400 and are happy with it.

"exactly. you don't want to be fumbling around like a big dumb-ass and miss the shot because you forgot which camera you're holding."

 

I hear this a lot and I don't find mixing cameras a problem. I shoot with 6 different Nikon bodies. 3 film(N90,F4,F5) and three dig(D1,D100,D2h) and that doesn't count my MF and LF cameras. They all have their place and do a job I need them to do. Granted, a couple of them are used mostly as remotes, but still, I know how to set them without futzing around. (My remote setups are often in places where you have a very short amount of time to mount and set the camera.)

 

For my money the D2h is a great camera. At 1999, it' even better. It's sharp, fast, delivers good color and shoots like it's bigger than 4Mp.

Depends on what you shoot. If you're looking for an all around kit get the D70 with the 18-70 and the 80-200/2.8 (you don't mention which one, so I'll guess it's not the AFS version. Still a great lens). The Canon is a great camera (8 vs 6 mp really is not that big a deal IMHO). I'm a Nikon shooter and I shoot against the Canons on every gig. If you can live without a longer lens (I can't) the Canon is a good way to go. If you've got kids playing sports, you'll need the longer glass and that makes the Nikon kit you've outlined a better selection.

Eye contact. I can't see Santa's eyes and the kids seem to be looking at something else.

They are all busy working that thirty some odd weekend schedule.....

 

www.sportsshooter.com has a number of galleries that include NASCAR.

Make sure you are not running Boot XP or other program that modifies the boot process.

I shoot motorsports - open wheel (Indy) cars mostly - for a number of mags and mfgs. I use a D1, D100 and an few film cameras thrown in for fun.

 

What it is going to come down to is what is the final usage and what do your editors expect. I've had D1 images run as posters, full page and even the lead image (double page) in the photo issue of Racer Magazine. If your editors and press folks know what they are doing, the camera will produce (assuming of course, you shoot full frame, not just press and pray and crop a bunch later).

 

I'm in the process of replacing my D1 and am going through some of the questions that you are. Is the speed of the D2h (D1 in your case) worth giving up file size to the D100 ? Some times. But 3 million in focus pixels will out sell 6 million out of focus ones

every time and the focus speed on the D1 still kicks the D100s rear. If it gets a little dark, then the D1 really shines.

 

Flash sync is also as issue and one that a lot of non working folks miss. The D1 syncs to 1/500 and that is great IF you do a lot of outdoor people shoots. The D100 is at 1/180th. I might keep my D1 arounf just because of the sync speed.

 

Folks have raised some good points about the D1 being a workhorse and you not knowing what you are getting. There is some truth to that - My D1 was bought to work and work it did. It's been all over the world, Fed-Exed to jobs when I couldn't get there and worked hard. It's also been well cared for by Nikon service on a regular basis, as I expect most 'working' D1s have been.

 

So, yes the camera is still viable if you shoot well and your editors know how to use the files. If they don't, you may need to learn a little about preping your images. That's nothing new.

For seals, head to the Childrens Pool. It's the semi circle brake water south of the cove. A group of seals is usualy sleeping on the sand with a few swimming about. At low tide the seals will swimm out and sleep on a large flat rock (seal rock) that is under water during higher tides.

 

As mentioned above Torry Pines is a wonderful place. Follow Torry Pines Road north untill it drops to the ocean, the entrance to the park in on the left at the bottom of the hill. From the upper parking areas it's a half mile or so hike to the top of the cliffs. No seals but lots of rare Torry Pines.

It's Jellystone Park, and Yogi Bear is the resident who has garnered the most fame.

 

Sorry, could not resist the typo,

 

BooBoo Bear.

I was in Homer this last July - I noticed that some of the eagles make a low level flight along the seaward beach from the end of the spit toward town. I was able to pace them (with my girl friend driving) but getting a good shot with my MF 600 was tough - I only made one pass, with practice and AF you could pull it off. Also, if you watch the guys sitting on the telephone poles you can get as good shot as they launch.

I just returned from a trip to Alaska and one of the places that I visited was Brooks River in Katmai Nat'l Park. The park is teaming with bears. You can not drive to Brooks, you must go by boat or float plane. Float plane being the most popular.

 

There are a number of air taxis that fly from King Salmon, Homer and Anchorage. It's a bit pricey at about $500 (out of Homer and Anchorage) but worth the money IMHO. I don't know what the flight costs out of King Salmon, but round trip from Anchorage to King Salmon was $240 so I took it off my list. You can not hike in Katmai that I know of, but there is a lodge where you can stay.

 

Another option if you want the true wilderness experience is McNeil. If you can get a permit (there is a lottery system) you will get to spend 4 day camping with a total of eight folks allowed in at one time. Though I did not go to McNeil, I understand the bear viewing is very good, but not as good at Brooks River.

 

Homer was nice, I was able to find eagles (which are everywhere really) and moose less than a 30 minute drive from the lodge.

 

If seeing bears is important to you, remember that the salmon start running sometime in July. No bears fishing when there are no fish