dick_ginkowski

I got an E-mail from Gitzo yesterday admitting that there were defects in early 1228's and stating that they were sending me some replacement parts (may be a bit late for that).

If it works for you, then it makes sense.

It is unlawful to engage in prohibited debt collection practices, including attempting to collect a nonexistant debt.

Garrett, I am glad that you've had no problems with your 1325. To answer your comments:

 

1. No, the screws were not excessively tight. In fact, they hadn't been tightened in many months. The first failure happened in the field and the second in the hardware store.

 

2. I, too, had no problems with my 1228 for five years but then it happened. Had I known in advance that I could avoid it by purchasing stainless steel 6mmx16mmx1mm screws for 40 cents each, I would have done so. $3 is a cheap investment.

Scott, it's five years old and packed away when not in use. If I am shooting wildlife, it's a 300 f/2.8L which is well within its capabilities.

 

I E-mailed Gitzo about this. No response.

The 1325 is a different design.

While shooting in Yellowstone this weekend I had a retention screw

break and pop out of my Gitzo 1228 tripod. This is an aluminum

6mmx16mmx1mm machine screw that attaches the legs.

 

An emergency duct tape repair kept me shooting -- albeit gingerly --

until I could get to Ace Hardware in Jackson Hole where the first

words out of one of the Helpful Hardware People was, "Oh, that looks

bad. Not supposed to happen with a Gitzo." (He added that he owns a

Bogen!)

 

Anyway, we found a replacement screw in stock and repaired the

tripod. However as soon as we finished with that screw another broken

one popped out of a different leg! We fixed that on the spot and I

bought enough replacement screws (6) to carry a full set with me. The

next day I bought a few more as I will replace ALL of the aluminum

screws now rather than wait to do a field repair. The aluminum screws

are a disaster.

 

 

Moral of the story: If you have the Gitzo Mountaineer with the above

described screws, run to your local hardware store and buy eight

stainless steel replacements. Install six on your tripod and keep the

other two just in case (although you probably won't need them).

 

Eating crow: Five years ago John Shaw saw my Gitzo 1228 while I was

shooting in the Smokies. He came up to me and said that it would fall

apart. Every time I would run into him after that I would remind him

that so far it hasn't. Now I must eat crow!

Different products. Different manufacturers.

 

While I recommend Kenko extension tubes, it's generally a good idea to stick with the OEM teleconverters because they are optically matched to that lens series. You may be able to find deals on used Nikon TC's. Good luck.

Great answer, Scott!

Scott,

 

I did not submit anything for that, having blown the deadline.

 

I was, however, with Bill Fortney when he was telling me of the quality of what was submitted (this was long before the book came out).

I am sure most working pros are, as stated, very busy working and have alternate means of communicating.

 

I take some exception, however, to the implication that "truly GREAT nature photographers" do not post. No doubt the names you mentioned are great photographers but they are also full-time working professionals meaning they do this for a living. That alone does not justify greatness.

 

I suggest you go find a copy of the book "American Vision" which contains images by amateur nature photographers. Without exception the working professionals who helped compile this work agreed that the amateur work product depicted therein was exceptional.

 

You may not have intended to "infuriate" anyone but you sure have insulted a lot of folks.

The 100-400L is, of course, a much different lens than the 500.

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I waited a long time to buy the 100-400L. I waited too long.

<BR>

I am using this lens a lot because of its versatility. I am not going to part with my 300 f/2.8L but I am using it less these days.

<BR>

Check out the immature night heron I shot on the 100-400L. Judge for yourself.

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<IMG SRC="http://www.pbase.com/image/12682792.jpg">

Thanks, Gloria.

Beware of road construction on 41 (Tamiami trail)

Took me almost 2 hrs to get back to Miami Saturday night from Shark Valley.

Robert, I am actually in the same boat. I kid that "I live midway between Milwaukee and Chicago -- not a lot of great scenery but we have great airports." Actually, www.chicagowilderness.org opened my eyes to some of the stuff around me that I never thought much about. In fact, I found more Jack-in-the-pulpits to shoot 15 miles from my house than in the Smokies!

Open 24/7.

The little bookstore/visitor center opens at 8 a.m.

Trail open at all hours.

Best to get there right before sunrise.

Tourist traffic and extreme sunlight both hit about 9:30 a.m.

Good luck.

I was just there.<div></div>

I agree that there are many places a nature photographer could visit in the Miami area. You've listed some (and I would even include places like Big Cypress or Biscayne as other options). But it would be "malpractice" to ignore the fact that the Everglades at the peak of the bird season tops the list of places to shoot. I would substantially disagree that photo ops there are limited. I also shot scenics and macros there, including some nice morning glory and sunrise/sunset shots.

 

I appreciate that you are a "local" but sometimes "locals" may not always appreciate the significance of what they have at their doorstep.

Have I convinced you that this is THE place to be in the Miami area?

Anhinga trail shots...<div></div>

Everglades...Everglades...Everglades...

 

You could spend days there! (I just did!)

 

Start right before sunrise at Royal Palm/Anhinga trail.

 

You can also start and finish the day at Shark Valley.

 

Good luck!

This is not looking promising. No responses!

dickg@execpc.com

It's the largest one that fits all standard airline templates.

 

I like mine so much that I bought a spare in case they decided to stop making them.

 

$152.95.

I will be shooting in Yellowstone on Feb. 1 and 2. On one of these

days I am considering rental of a snowvan to make the run from

Mammoth to Old Faithful and back. With tip, the van would run about

$115 per person if I can get seven others to share the cost (the van

seats 12, so eight would be more comfortable). If anyone else is

going to be shooting in Yellowstone then and would like to consider

this, please let me know.

 

Disclaimer: this is not a photo tour, workshop or profit making

venture in any way, shape or form -- just a bunch of folks getting

together and splitting the cost of transportation.

I keep the 81A on all of my lenses (instead of that ridiculous suggestion of a UBV "protective" filter). The 81A provides a little warming when needed and doesn't hurt anything when it's not. It also removes some of the bluish cast when shooting flash.

 

I've used the 812 filter, too, as well as 81B filters and recommend them for use as needed.

 

But--day in and day out--it's the 81A that's on ALL of my lenses!

(a) No, I don't *think* the bears have calendars up where they scratch off the days and then say, "Hmmm. September 1st. I'd better get my butt down in the river and get me some salmon!"

 

(b) However, when I contacted Katmai National Park, one of the rangers warned me that it's as if the bears *did* know the calendar and her experience is that they almost magically appear after September 1st. My reaction to that was exactly the same as yours so that is why I sought other feedback.

 

(Incidentally, from what I've heard, there may be four or five bears around Brooks Camp before 9/1 but 5-10 times that afterward.)