j._wayne_green

Hi,

i was on safari in July, i took the 80-400 vr with me along with my 18-200 vr. In addition, i have two friends with the same camera (D200) that have had the 80-400. All of us have since sold ours for the same reason. And this is how slow it focuses, and also how soft some of the images are. i lost shots of a leopard with that lens that i got with my 18-200.After more than a year of inconsistant images is just sold mine on ebay. i would recomend getting a 70-3-200 vr, it will be enough for most of your shots, plus you can always use a 1.4 tele, and it is a much better lens overall.

Heather,

i too am in Oregon. i have seen others from the state on this board. Some seem very eager to help the new folks. i am in Corvallis so if i can help let me know. The weddings i shoot are usually for friends but intend to broaden the client base quite a lot next year. The previous post was great advice also. Might use it myself. Good luck.

w

Came on a month or so ago. Found it by browing for ideas. Find the questions to be good solid requests for learning and find the very great majority of the answers to be very helpful.

Conrad, i would really like to have the option of having somone to observe. Unfortunately, the couple are friends and i was volunteered by the wife. i also strongly encouraged them to hire a wedding pro, but for whatever reason they still asked me. Sorry it took so long to get back to you on this i was playing in Alberta.

Thanks guys, i still have about two months to get my ducks in a row, and am very excited to learn so new things(flash/lighting) but the reality is that i won't get down to a normal (40) hour work week until the end of the month. So, i want to learn some of the better ways to get better results, but if i get pressed for time i feel some kind of nearly auto setup(s) might be needed.

i wanted to say thanks to everyone for the advice and helpful tips. Before i

agreed to shoot my wife's best friends wedding i STRONGLY suggested that they

hire a pro (they can afford one). They reasoned against this with a few valid

points. Much to my wifes dismay i have no intentions of doing this for a

living. i prefer to make my living doing other things and keeping photography

as a passion. i do work part of the year doing portraits. i have purchased a

mid range zoom, a SB-800 and am waiting on the bracket, additional flash etc.

Also, thanks for the tip on the better flash for the D100 backup camera. Now,

any suggestions for settings to someone who is going to have to switch from

outdoors to indoors fairly quickly. Again, D200 Sb800 main, D100 SB-80 backup,

24-85 2.8, 18-200vr, 80-200 2.8. Thanks, you guys are awesome.

i have been asked to shoot a wedding for my wife's best friend in August. My

wife is in the wedding also. It will be very casual, outside wedding, inside

reception. i have been shooting for 20 some odd years now, mostly scenic and

wildlife but in the last 18 months have been doing portraits as well. i use a

D200 with a D100 as a backup. Was planning on getting a couple of SB800/600s

anyway so will more than likely stick with that plan, as far as lens i use 80-

200 2.8, 300 f4, 18-200 vr and am shoping for a midrange zoom 2.8. Any

suggestions?