tallnbig68

<p>Apple as a company is innovative! Apple also produces both the hardware<br>

as Macintosh and software as Apple. Basically one in the same company.<br>

Windows based machines are not constructed by Microsoft, the machines<br>

are constructed by others and then a software operating system is then installed<br>

usually something from Microsoft.<br>

You must decide what you want to do with your computer.! You purchase a<br>

product from Macintosh and you'll get a stable operating system and a bevy<br>

of programs. However you'll pay dearly for the purchase. Also an<br>

extended three-year warranty is also a darn good idea, just in case something<br>

goes amiss. Trust me, any computer is a mechanical device and things do fail.<br>

With Macintosh yo get a one-year warranty and the option for the three year warranty.<br>

Buy a Mac, buy the warranty! Trust me. Have been a Mac person for years;<br>

however each of those Macs have had serious hardware problems. And each time was thankful<br>

I had the extended warranty. These things are like Smart cars, a good idea but expensive to<br>

repair. My most recent laptop a basic 14" iBook G4 is still functioning, and so far (touch wood)<br>

has given me no problems! Like yourself thought the 20 inch screen iMac was a good idea.<br>

Purchased such a device a year ago, used from my local Apple dealer. The computer<br>

had been refurbished and was all of C$900.00!. For graphics and similar the larger screen is quite nice.<br>

However...<br>

I also use a Windows based laptop, a a wide screen Toshiba. There are times a Microsoft based machine<br>

is the only solution to a problem; Macs don't work for a lot of specialty industrial applications for example.<br>

The big problem with any Windows based machine is<br>

the virus problem as soon as you connect to the outside world. As noted, by others a properly constructed<br>

HP machine of a certain ilk Windows based machine will blow the doors off a Macintosh. I agree that a machine<br>

devoted to 60 gigs of production a week has to be a Windows machine. Macs simply don't compete unless you're<br>

willing to lay out one heck of a lot of money!<br>

So my advice? Purchase a HP tower machine and go look for decent 24 inch monitor, there is a wide choice<br>

out there. And figure whatever you purchase be it an Apple or Microsoft operating system,<br>

your hardware will be dated in four years. Budget for a replacement!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The price for a Nikon D700 s still about US$1000 less in the USA than<br>

here in Canada where the price is still well above C$3000.00!<br>

In speaking with two different independent small local retailers<br>

they were advised Nikon Canada prices will rise, between ten and<br>

twenty percent on all product<br>

The market here in Canada is considerably smaller than either the USA<br>

or the UK! I had thought a D700 might be a proper digital camera to have, to<br>

complement my heavily used F100 (I still use K64 for colour slides of railways).<br>

Not now, just too expensive. Have gone the route of other digital Nikon SLR devices<br>

and none of them were satisfactory, for me. Digital IMO has a long way<br>

to go insofar as a lower priced full-framed camera. I shall wait, maybe forever?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Was trying to determine when the term "point and shoot"<br>

is no longer applicable to a digital camera that is not<br>

really a simple point and shoot.</p>

<p>Am thinking of cameras which are not physically small<br>

shirt-pocket designs, more in physical size to a digital<br>

single lens reflex camera.</p>

<p>Just curious...</p>

What must be determined is long-term use.

The D3/D3x/D700 is what Nikon has produced to look after the full-frame

(135mm sized digital advocates),

the D300 is for those who prefer the smaller digital sized format.

With the small size digital lenses are a farther reach

marked on the lense.

If the longer reach is what is required, go for the D300.

If however the 135mm format in digital is what is required

(and with it a higher ISO capability)

the D700 (or the D3/D3x) is the camera.

However as has been suggested the lenses are the bugaboo.

You've probably already invested in DX lenses with the D100.

Hence the D300 would be the route.

However the rules are changing. Suspect the D700 being the

second horse (and now third)

in the FX race for Nikon will have some glitches; best wait.

The D300 is built upon a proven formula of a number of digital

cameras, each an improvement upon the former.

So "in your case" the D300 is the route to go.

And, I suspect may well be the last of the smaller digital

sensored Nikon camera. Look for lesser priced FX

cameras next time around.

Henrys in Toronto is still selling the D700 for C$3299.00.

Plus the 13 percent sales tax.

My local retailer here in Burlington knows of no discount

from Nikon Canada.

And they were quick to note we in Canada rarely if ever

see discounted prices, the market here is just way too small.

Though the D700 is digital as it was meant to be,

film for me is still preferable.

My D40 and 16-85 VR lense is all I require for digital.

The D700 FX for Nikon is the first horse away from the

start;

there will be others, and at a lesser price over time

no doubt.

Many of us lesser peoples can wait.

Eventually the rest of the world will gravitate to a Macintosh computer.

Start with the following URL: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook_Pro

then look for some other URL's regarding Apple products.

Yes, there are new laptop models about to be produced with apparently

a much better chip setup for graphics. Time will tell.

If you can afford,purchase the machine which suits your applications best,

look around for a local Macintosh Users Group (MUG) ask questions.

One point about Macintosh computers is generally the price is higher

than equivalent Windows based machines.

Macs are different, no two ways about it.

The hardware and the software are integrated. If you're doing graphics, and have the space, as suggested, a BIG

monitor is blessing and perhaps use said monitor with a physically smaller laptop.

I have always had a laptop, although my first iMac was one of those coloured stand alone

units. It is long gone, and the laptop is the preferred machine, for me.

However about six months ago came across a used large screen iMac for a very low price. Two years old it was surplus to a company. I have a G4 iBook, and a G5 iMac.

I have not graduated to an Intel chipped machine, however when either

one or both of the present machines die, then I shall upgrade.

Macs tend to either be dogs or saints when it comes to models. There are any number of web sites

which explore the pros and cons of various models.

May your own search be as successful.

I subscribed to receive replies to a question on the Canon EOS forums.

I now wish to discontinue receiving replies.

Where do I initiate such an action?

Thank you

B. Lee

Suspect Thom may have been in a rush to complete his

review of the full-frame D700.

Find his style of writing to be very exacting and as such

was surprised with his comments and comparisons.

My own selfish wish would be for a D40 style

camera body with a full frame sensor.

Maybe next year or the year after?

And a full capability for all those lenses

which are in the back cupboard and not suitable

for the D40/D40X/D60 series of bodies.

The light weight of my D40 is a very big positive

for me. I call it my point n shoot

with interchangeable lenses.

Perhaps a variant on the FX sensor down the road?

Superb, for my purpose.

I shoot moving objects, specifically railway trains.

And often that one locomotive I've been trying to

photography for months appears at dusk.

My Kodachrome

64 (my other film) won't stop the train.

Sensia 400 will.

My photography inr ecent times is much less

than even five years ago

so I usually use Sensia 400 - 24. The cost difference

in the purchase price between Provia 400F and Sensia

is a bit of a shocker

The Provia 400F is about $18.95 here in Southern Ontario

without processing. Sensia, about $8.00! Heck of a difference!

I buy my Sensia in bricks of ten rolls, usually 30 rolls at a time.

Kodachrome in blocks of ten.

The Kodachrome goes into the Spotmatic, the Sensia into the

Nikon F100.

The chemical Goof-Off is

methyl ethyl ketone, a known carcingenic!

Suggest you use something else less

potent. Highly flammable, easily absorbed

by the skin.

Try and physically remove the old foam, then

as suggested try Windex or as perhaps

some WD-40, sprayed first on a rag.

My D100 is a basic digital imagery

device. However I want to replace same with

an equivalent point and shoot, and the

brand need not be Nikon!

P&S cameras now have nearly the same megapixel

factor as the D100, are often smaller, and perhaps

too, more user accessible.

My primary camera is a Nikon F100 and its backup

is a Pentax Espio 105.

Am thinking of disposing of the D100 and purchasing

a digital equivalent to the Pentax Espio.

The D100 and its accompanying 24-85 (non-digital)

Auto-Nikkor lense would be trade on the new P&S.

I am in Southern Ontario Canada

Suggestions?

I purchased just such a lense from Henrys in Ancaster three

weeks ago. I suspect somebody is stringing you a line!

Check first with other retailers of Nikon gear (Try

Downtown Camera first IMO), in Toronto. Then if nothing is

happening ring Nikon Canada on Aerowood Drive in Mississauga

Ontario and ask them the situation.

If you're still stuck, call the Ancaster Henrys outlet (area

code 905) ask for Marian Monne (accent on last two letters)

and if you wish, use my name (I live in Burlington) and ask her

if she could help.

My lense came from the Newmarket store, took about a week to

get to Ancaster. It lives on my D100 (purchased used earlier

this year as my introduction to digital imagery); my F100

uses the balance of my Nikon glass.

Please let the list know how things evolve.

As with all things, there are or will be shortages.

Nikon Canada is overwhelmed by the response for the D200;

as one would expect and yes some of the new digitals have problems.

That noted, it took three weeks for the local Henry's chain

outlet to obtain a spare battery holder for my F100.

The two local owned and operated stores said they could order same,

however would not place an order for just that one item, and the wait could exceed six months. And both suggested why did I not simply

buy a new D series digital SLR (they were more than willing to sell

me a D2X at a high four-figure price, the D200 at about $2300 is bad

enough) as film was dying. Sure!

Figure between the beginning of the month of December and the end

of January suppliers of all stripes have had trouble filling orders.

The economy is booming, people seemingly have scads of money

to spend or are simply maximizing their credit cards.

Bottom line, at least here in Canada, until enough people want

enough of any one something, Nikon Canada probably won't bring it in to the country.

As suggested, if you're in a real mad rush, order from another

country, pay the piper in taxes and more taxes and go from there.

Bonne chance.

Borrowed a friends copy of PS7, wouldn't load,

was advised computer had insufficient memory.

That's why I am using Photoshop Ellements 2,

PhotoShop Elements 3 won't load either.

And having read the manual find the full blown

leave not stone unturned version of Photoshop

completely and utterly confusing.

I do have difficulty at comprehending instructions

at times...

Due to unusual circumstances was able

to acquire a shop-worn Nikon D100.

Me, a dedicated colour slide only photographer

now has a DSLR!

At the same time purchased the

Nikon Capture software, Version 4.4.

What other software is required

to process the images from the chip?

Some of you may recall in a past time that I had trouble

installing PSE 3 on my Mac laptop, what Adobe only told

me in a round about way

some weeks later was my laptop simply wasn't good enough

and to perhaps go buy an newer model.

Told Adobe in so many words to get stuffed where

the light didn't shine.

Photoshop Elements was then sold

to somebody else. I did obtain a copy of PSE2 which

have used infrequently.

I don't manipulate photos, although having recently invested

money in a Canscan 8400F so, may well have to learn

at some point.

I have the following hardware: Macintosh Power PC G3 iBook

laptop 640MB SD RAM, with OS 10.3.9 Panther installed. Maximum Ram

Also have for those tasks for which only a Prehistoric Computer

can do, a Compag laptop. With PIII chipset, MS Windows XP Pro

installed 722 Mhz speed 512 MB RAM. Maximum Ram installed as well.

Have no intention of purchasing upgrades of either, I don't have the

money, and with the Mac want to wait a bit to see how the new

Intel chips work. Figure about C$3000.00 for the new Intel laptop.

So the question(s) then.

Why wasI advised to purchase Nikon Capture 4?

Is NC4 a reasonable photo manipulation program?

Should I even attempt to load same on either machine, and

will either machine baulk at accepting the progrom, much

as the PSE3 did prior? Photoshop Elements 2 is loaded.

And would the PSE2 be compatible with NC4.

Am feeling quite stupid at this point.

Tx

Yes, and to that end have a question.

Do handheld meters deteriorate, with age?

Have used a Lunasix 3 since 1969, usually to

confirm or yes deny what the builtin-in TTL

meter in either my Pentax KX's or now Nikon F100

tells me.

I believe the meter is reading a stop to a stop

and a half high; over exposure.

So purchased a Sekonic L-398M Studio Deluxe meter, from a friend who

had two of them. The meter had been used, perhaps once!

Even with my tri-focal glasses focused I find the meter

utterly confusing to use for starters; however would a lesser

meter (lesser in fancy bits, and lesser in cost perhaps)

still do the trick?

And having seen the results from my F100 (mostly dull weather

outdoor action photos) am not satisifed, most images are

underexposed, by perhaps one or two stops. Film is Provia 400F

subjects are fast-moving railway trains.

So am wondering if said hand-held meterm ight give me an edge

as it were for photography.

Hmm tripoditis eh? <g>

Where one leg is shorter than the other

on level ground!

Easiest resolved with the aforementioned "E" screen.

Have had one in my Nikons since the days of the F2.

It helps with framing as well as helping ensure

the hoirizontal lines are straight, ditto the vertical

lines if flipping the camera for a vertical exposure.

Probably one of the best non-passive accessories for any Nikon!

The fair trade agreement (NAFTA) applies only to large businesses

and corporations.

We minions don't get a break, in fact we get nailed even harder or so it seems.

In short, often it is not worth enduring the BS delivered with the package. And

if the shipping company uses one of the courier companies you can be almost assured your customs fee will be extremely high. Usually at leat 50% of the stated value of the goods, or more.

So in short unless the goods are really low priced and the shipper is

willing to use the local postal service (not express or expedited post as that means a courier will get it) then go for it..

Otherwise unless there is no other source; anywhere, go for it.

My goodness, a large number of people also

wanted to dispose of their F100s, for various reasons.

As I have replied to most of them, (I think)

the big problem is shipping anything into Canada

is the very high price of taxes and duties applied at the

border. Plus too the exchange rate on the Canadian versus

the US dollar.

In many cases that US$600 F100 could well be over that amount

in Canadian dollars by the time it reaches my doorstep!

Then too Nikon Canada will not do warranty repair for any

gear originating outside of Canada. It is their option if they

will even repair goods post-warranty. Grey Market Nikon BTW

really doesn't exist here, suspect too low a return on sales;

then too rarely do I see rebates on Nikon gear here either.

So this morning ordered a new Nikon F100 for C$1300 plus

15 percent sales tax for delivery next week.

It has the full Canadian warranty of two years as well.

Thank You for all the responses, it has been most interesting!

Oh the old, and yes faulty F100 with the continuing ERR codes

(not it is not an improperly mounted lens) is worth less than

C$400.00 on a trade. It has been traded.

In the last nine months have gone from a pair of Pentax

K1000's (both of which died on a cold winter's day, never

to be revived in a positive way) to a Nikon N90 S and a 24-120

zoom. Then over a short two week period flogged the 90 on a

used Nikon F100. This past summer has been ghastly hot in

Southern Ontario, so few rolls of slides have been taken.

Ninety percent of my photography is railways; I shoot ONLY

colour slides, once was Kodachrome, now Fuji Provia.

Digital to me is a farce, and basically flatwork; my images don't get

published...

Anyhow the F100 is a lovely piece of machinery however it has had

its own quirks. This time it was ERR codes. many of them. Did the

manual read, searched the internet, have Thom's CD and searched there.

Thought I did everything correctly. Even pulled the batteries,

turned on the camera and left it overnight; that killed the problem

for two or three days.

OK, it has problem..called Nikon Canada, and here is their story:

They suggested bring it in

for a Clean Lube and Adjust, a mere C$250.00 plus a wait of at least

four weeks. What happened to low prices and quick turnarounds?

They did however give me a concise history:

Camera was shipped to a retailer in Calgary Alberta

in February 2000; the camera has been back to Nikon

Canada four times since the last time

was two years ago for replacement of circuit boards.

The winding prong was replaced first service, the rear door and

shutter replaced the second time. The third time was for the circuit

boards. The fourth time the owner dropped the camera

They were able to confirm the camera has had at least three owners!

Guess I am the fourth!

And in the interim the camera made it across Canada to Southern

Ontario to boot.

So the F100 is one of the early beasts!

I am now shooting maybe a roll a month, if that.

A new pristine F100 is C$1400.00 plus 15 percent sales tax

Given the lack of use should I trade the current F100 on an N80

or save my pennies and buy a new F100?

How many out there have had problems with their F100s

and what has been the nature of those problems?