michaelbrochstein

I took Don's Big Sur, California based workshop during the last week of December 2004. It started on Tuesday night and ended by about 3:00pm on Thursday.

There were about 15 students (I recall that at least two were women). At least one-third brought their wives and two brought one child each (teenagers). All but two were from California (Don is based in California). One of the two was me (NYC) and the other only recently moved from California to Oregon upon retirement. Don also had his wife there. A decent number of the students have been on a multiple of Don's previous workshops.

The students ranged from entry level (i.e. a few just bought their first D/SLR and only had the lens that came with it to use) to one couple who had been shooting weddings fulltime for a number of years and another who shot medium format and seemed quite experienced. A few of the students seemed very capable, knowledgeable and experienced. Most seemed to have a bit less experience and knowledge. All were very nice and friendly. I would not at all characterize this as an advanced workshop. It was probably either a beginner or intermediate (at best) level workshop. Considering most of the students that attended, it was appropriate.

Don had been to the area before (a multiple of times I believe) and had scouted out areas for shooting. He also had some "lessons" planned and since it rained ALOT he did various demo's in a building he rented for the duration of the workshop for us to gather. Don also supplied alot of snacks and a few freebies (i.e. a nice small LowePro case and a Tamron hat).

Don was very friendly and easy going and tried to be helpful whenever possible.

The cost for the workshop was $250 which only covered the workshop. Room and food costs were yours to arrange and Don recommended where to stay. Everyone except me seemed to have their own car as they drove to the workshops from home (I had a rental) and I probably could have easily gotten a ride from others but chose to drive my own car for convenience. Don handed out a number of two-way radios to aid the group in staying together.

Don's website is at http://www.photographybydon.com/

I am thinking of taking a workshop led by Don Gale (California).

Does anyone here have any experience taking a workshop with him and

can privately or publicly comment on the experience?

Thanks ahead of time.

I have no trouble viewing the article from both home and work (don't tell my boss).

Great article Louie!!!

Previous answer is correct. Photoshop CS can read NEF (RAW) files directly. I use it all the time and I am happy with it. Others prefer other software packages for conversion from NEF to TIFF or PSD (i.e. Nikon Capture, Phase 1,...) which they think is superior and I am not in a position to refute this other to say that I am happy with Photoshop CS. You do not need to use Nikon Scan software at all in your workflow.

If you have Photoshop 7 then you need to buy the Raw Converter ($100) or upgrade to CS. Costwise it is a better value to upgrade to CS especially as it now handles 16-bit (RAW) files much better.

The issue with the D70 NEF's is that they are compressed NEF's not uncompressed NEF's (as in the D100) and there is still a disagreement as to whether the compressed NEF's are as good as the uncompressed NEF's. The isssue is the compression program and if Nikon's compression program is truly "visually" lossless or not. Once the cameras reach reviewer's hands we will hopefully find out. I have been using uncompressed NEF's on my D100 and find them quite superior to the JPG's that the D100 produces.

Good luck!

There are a multiple of variables here including (but not limited to); 1. The monitor, 2. the video card, 3. the colorimeter, 4. the Colovision software, 5. the USB port, 6. the PC, 7. the Windows settings, and 8. the user.

If you think your monitor is okay (and being a year old its age should not be an issue) then are you sure you have the correct driver loaded for the video card (and monitor)? It is also possible that the colorimeter is a dud. Are you sure you undertsand how to use the controls on the monitor?

I also use the Colorvision Spyder with Optical and I calibrate in the dark and have been happy with the results. Initially I returned the colorimeter as it tended to result in too blue an image (I had both colorimeters at once and could back to back compare them and my initial colorimeter was a little off). I also calibrate in a very dark (lights off) room. Just the reflection from your shirt while sitting in front of the monitor can change the results (I've seen this in other places).

Are you using a USB hub or going stright into the USB port on the PC?

And of course, lastly, are you sure you are using all of the hardware and software correctly? If you think you are and are still having a problem then I suggest calling Colorvision support (I found them to be helpful).

Good luck!

I have heard that winds are generally quite strong in Patagonia

(Torres del Paine, Fitzroy,...) and was wondering whether a light

travel tripod (i.e. a Velbon Ultra-Maxi) would be okay with a a DSLR

(D100) and moderate weight lenses (75-300 f/4.5 would be the largest)

on it. Any thoughts?

Thanks you all for all of your suggestions. I am indeed looking for something lighter than what I have (the Bogen 484RC2).

In following up on your suggestions, the Velbon PH-263QL (11.4 oz) weigh's no less than the Bogen 484RC2 (11 oz) according the respective manufacturer's website. I have and like the Velbon PH-253 (5.6 oz) and if that came in a quick release version then that would be be about 4 oz lighter than the PH-263 and would much closer to what I am looking for.

I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 484RC2 ballhead with a built-in quick

release and while I am (so far) very happy with it, I wouldn't mind

if it was lighter and/or shorter (smaller?).

My intended application is for use while hiking so size and weight

counts as does speed of set-up (hence the quick release). I would be

using it for a DSLR and medium length/weight lenses (no really "big"

glass). If only the 484RC2 was made in magnesium (or another

stiff/strong/lightweight metal) and a little shorter.

Suggestions!? (FYI; cost is not an issue at this point)

Since it appears that we have in this forum some very experienced Patagonia hands let me share my Patagonia quandaries with the hope that one of them may have some sage advice for me;

I expect (am still just planning) to go to Patagonia for 10 days in early February and visit Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares (Fitzroy) for day hiking and of course, photographic purposes. I expect to take my Nikon D100 (1.5 focal length magnification factor) and expect to be taking landscapes as well as other typical tourist photos. I am not expecting to be shooting birds (or the like) or to be doing macro work.

My questions are about lenses and what to carry? I own a 24-85 and have considered buying the 12-24. While I also own a 70-300, it is heavier and keeping my pack light (it will already have 3 liters of water, a tripod and other hiking gear in it) is my preference. I also am considering bringing the Galen Rowell type graduated ND filters. My sages, what are your thoughts about focal length and related needs for landscapes?

Here are some other non-photographic questions (so as not to �pollute� this forum with non-photographic issues please feel free to respond to me directly at Michael_Brochstein@MABsystems.com);

1. I was thinking of renting a cellphone for use in both Chile and Argentina but I gather that coverage is very spotty. Is this true? What can I expect in coverage and is it worth renting a cellphone at all or should I be looking at satellite phone rentals?

2. Any suggestions for rental car agencies that rent cars that can be taken across the border (Chile/Argentina) legally?

3. Any suggestions for where to stay (nicer places)?

4. Personal safety / scams; Is theft a big worry here? (I am a native New Yorker).

Thank you ahead of time for any advice offered.