zvia_shever

<p>Haven't bought the 7D yet, so don't have the disc. I'm about to head out to get the disk from my brother's 40D and then will upgrade from the canon site.....I think the 3.7.3 is the latest. Will report back :)</p>

<p>Thanks Keith....I am heading out in the morning to buy Aperture 3 and will try their converter. Will also try DPP, although I'll have to find the disk that came with my 30D....do you know where I can get the latest updated DPP? I'm just not comfortable buying the 7D until I can get a clean image.</p>

<p>7D image...hopefully</p><div></div>

<p>Will try to post 7D now</p>

<p>Puppy...what's RFI?<br>

G Dan.....when I compared the photos, I did take that into consideration. I looked at the 7D shots at 100% and the 30D shots at 156%...somewhat comparable I guess. I'll try to post the images.</p><div></div>

<p>Just tried to load a sample but something is wrong with the server. Anyhow, I was using ACR but plan on buying Aperture 3 tomorrow. I was holding off on Aperture until 3 came out. How is the conversion from raw to jpeg in Aperture 3? If necessary I'll get a NR plug in for Aperture also. Another question....in Aperture 3 (or a plug in available for Ap3), can you selectively reduce noise? <br>

Most of the prints I make are not huge (12x18 is the biggest). I mostly shoot on trips/vacations (4-5 trips a year) and my family and make photo books using the best pics....so it's a big deal for me to spend $1,700 on a new camera when I really don't "need" one. But it's been almost 4 years since my 30D and I'm ready for an upgrade. </p>

<p>Hi Puppy face....how do I add a couple of images to show you what I mean?</p>

<p>I went to my local camera store today to take some test shots to compare the new 7D with my 30D before making the decision to drop $1,700. I've heard some good and bad things about the 7D and I wasn't sure what to believe. <br>

First I took some indoor, low light shots at ISO 1600, the 7D definitely beat out the 30D. Then I went outside and took a couple shots at ISO 100. On my computer screen at home, I liked the overall result of the 7D shots better especially after a little tweeking in Elements (I shot in Raw). I liked the fact that I could use more sharpening without ruining the edges of buildings/signs/words etc...probably due to the higher megapixel count. I found just one problem though....even at ISO 100, the beautiful blue sky in the background had this weird noise throughout, much worse than my 30D. I was able to get rid of most of the sky noise using a noiseware plug-in...but it still thought it was weird. Anyone else have this issue? Is this perhaps due to the 18 megapixels? Will this show in print? Any other suggestions regarding upgrading from the 30D if in fact this is a common problem with the 7D?<br>

BTW....I shot in RAW in Program mode using the exact same lens, plus I compared 100% crops on the 7D shots to 156% crop on the 30D to try and compare apples to apples so to speak. <br>

Thanks, Zvia</p>

Beautiful photo...do you remember what time of year you were there? I guess summer is when the fog hits.

<p>Thanks David for that suggestion. When I think of California, I automatically think of the west coast (I'm in FL) and therefore sunsets....but I looked online at some images and it seems like I could get the bridge and more from pier 7 at sunrise. From what I understand, the fog tends to roll in in the the afternoons in SF...so does that mean I should be okay for sunrise? </p>

<p>Richard.....funny you should say that as I currently have that book open to page 22 (GG Bridge). I noticed recommendations for it when I searched past threads and ordered it. Just got it yesterday, and yes you are absolutely right, it is wonderful!!! The book combined with the advice I received from everyone on this thread has me really prepared...now I just have to wait until June and pray for the weather to cooperate!</p>

<p>Thank you Tom for the warning!</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for all the input. There is so much to see in San Francisco that I wish we had a few extra days...but alas, my husband needs to be back at work so he can pay for our next trip :) <br>

I think on the first day we get to San Francisco, we'll try and hit the Mission District for an early lunch, China Town (maybe the Cable Car Museum while we're there) and Russian Hill in the late afternoon (hopefully we'll get all this in?!?). Maybe get a shot of the bridge from Torpedo Wharf in the evening on our way out.....last question, I promise....will the sun be a problem in the later afternoon from this point?<br>

The next day we're visiting a few wineries in Sonoma and will head back to SF in the evening, hopefully catching a sunset on the Marin side on our way in.<br>

Our next day in the SF area will be spent at Muir Woods, Sausalito for lunch then hit the trails in the Marin Headlands, Rodeo Beach and finally making our way to Hawk Hill for late afternoon and Battery Spencer for sunset (I know, cliche..but hey I'm just an amateur and it will impress my friends).<br>

Our final day in SF, we'll catch the first Alcatraz ferry at 9am, then after lunch visit the Marina, Pacific Heights and The Presidio area (Japanese Tea Garden), ending up on Baker Beach for late afternoon shots and perhaps one of the batteries (Godfey, Marcus Miller) for sunset. phew....then we'll need a vacation.<br>

The rest of our trip will include San Jose, where we're staying with friends and will take a day trip probably to Santa Cruz area. Then we'll be in Carmel/Monterey for a few days, taking a day trip to Big Sur.<br>

Thank you all so much for all the ideas....and if you could please arrange for perfect weather, sunny skies and a little fog to make my photos interesting, then I'll be all set :)<br>

Zvia</p>

<p>Richard: Thanks for the advice regarding Hawk Hill...I'll go late afternoon and hang out for the sunset. <br>

Jeff: You're not the first to advise against Fisherman's Wharf. If I want tacky, I can drive an hour from my house to Daytona Beach :) Love your bridge shot from Alcatraz. We'll be taking the first boat...but...I did hear somewhere that the area around the back where this shot is possible from is only open durning winter, something to do with bird nesting. I'll call the ferry people and see if they know anything about that.<br>

Thanks again!</p>

<p>Richard...one more question...is Hawk Hill good for sunset? or afternoon?</p>

<p>Thanks all for the info! <br>

Richard: I like your idea of the Marin Headlands. After looking at a map there, it seems there are lots of beautiful hikes and vista to photograph. As Jeff pointed out, Rodeo Beach would be difficult after sunset, so I'll probably stick to Battery Spencer for the unoriginal shot. As far as the afternoon goes though, if we do Muir Woods in the morning and then head to Muir Beach, we'll be there about 12-2 or so...from your experience, will it be worth taking my camera out if it's a sunny day? Too much glare? Tips? Will Rodeo Beach be a good choice for mid-late afternoon?<br>

Jeff: I may try Land's End if the weather cooperates. Aside from sunset (if it's too foggy), is there an optimal time/place to get good bridge shots?<br>

We actually were debating about Alcatraz due to the summer crowds, but from these posts it seems like a must do...so we will!<br>

Thanks again,<br>

Zvia</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>My husband and I are visiting California in June and I am looking for some photo info, especially San Francisco. I read lots of great advice on past posts, but still have a few questions. <br>

We're going to be in San Francisco for 3 days and I've sort of started mapping out what to do each day, but there seems to be soooo much that I'm a little overwhelmed. <br>

Day 1 (Wednesday). We're flying in to San Francisco and will arrive at about 9:30am. After renting a car, we have most of the day to explore but we're spending the night in Sonoma (Glen Ellen) and don't want to get there late, as we'll have endured a 5hr flight. We want to take it easy but also want to get a few things checked off the list in San Fran. We'll be back in San Francisco on Saturday, so we'd prefer to do things on Wednesday that would simply be too busy to tackle Saturday. </p>

<p>Day 2. (Thursday) Sonoma...I promised my husband this is his day to enjoy, so I just have to take photo ops where I can get them.</p>

<p>Day 3. (Friday) We plan spend the day in Marin county starting the day in Muir Woods by 10am. After a couple hours there, I'm not sure where to hit next....Bonita Lighthouse? Muir Beach? Point Reyes National Seashore? Point Reyes Lighthouse? Someone mentioned Fort Spencer but I can't find it in my Fodor's California book. Where's the best area, of those mentioned, for late afternoon light and sunset? </p>

<p>Day 4. (Saturday) San Francisco. I'd love to see everything in San Francisco, but know there's no way we'll even touch the surface. I'd like to split the following area/sights between Wednesday (day 1.) and Saturday: <br>

Alcatraz...only if we can swing the first boat on Saturday morning.<br>

Chinatown<br>

Lombard Street/Macondray Lane<br>

Hyde Street Pier<br>

Haight-Ashbury <br>

Japanese Tea Garden<br>

Presidio<br>

Is there something I missing that's a must see?<br>

What's the best way to split up those spots between 2 days? <br>

I'd like to end the day with another sunset, but this time from the SF side of the bridge (not necessarily of the bridge, as I'd like to get it from the Marin Headlands area)......Seal Rocks? Point Lobos? Land's End?<br>

The next 2-3 days will be spent in San Jose, with day trips to Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Capitola.<br>

The last few days we'll be in Carmel and visiting Big Sur.<br>

I've had great help and wonderful ideas from this forum before visiting Ecuador, Alaska and the Smokeys so thanks in advance for any advice.<br>

Zvia</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your responses!</p>

<p>Hi Eric,<br>

I checked out the Ocanaluftee River Overlook and it's about 30-40 minutes from where we're staying in Waynesville...so not too bad. The visitor's center said it's not on Newfound Gap, but is on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 468. After calling various visitor centers, there also seems to be some nice spots for sunrise on the BRP at miles 409, 410, and 411...about 30 minutes from Waynesville in the other direction. As long as the weather and leaves cooperate, I hope to come home with some nice shots. One other question.....Did you use a GND filter for the sunrise from Ocanaluftee Overlook? I have never figured out how to use them correctly, so I may just bracket and combine in Elements if I have to. Thanks again for the tips.</p>

<p>Hi Phil,<br>

Love your Graveyard falls shot, I hope we get good colors while we're there. I looked up both Graveyard and Looking Glass Trails. I think I will try the Looking Glass Falls and hike the Looking Glass Rock trail. It's about 7 miles I believe and moderately strenuous, so I should be okay. The only negative about hiking all the way to the rock (even worse for Mt. Cammerer) is even starting by 8am on the trail, I won't reach the summit until between 10 and 11am....not the greatest light. I will have to remember to bring a split ND filter. There's no way I can be anywhere near the summit at sunrise or sunset, so will have to combat the harsh light somehow. I'm wondering if 3pm light would be better? Any clue? Thanks for the advice and the great links.</p>

<p>Hi Phil,<br>

Love your Graveyard falls shot, I hope we get good colors while we're there. I looked up both Graveyard and Looking Glass Trails. I think I will try the Looking Glass Falls and hike the Looking Glass Rock trail. It's about 7 miles I believe and moderately strenuous, so I should be okay. The only negative about hiking all the way to the rock (even worse for Mt. Cammerer) is even starting by 8am on the trail, I won't reach the summit until between 10 and 11am....not the greatest light. I will have to remember to bring a split ND filter. There's no way I can be anywhere near the summit at sunrise or sunset, so will have to combat the harsh light somehow. I'm wondering if 3pm light would be better? Any clue? Thanks for the advice and the great links.</p>

<p>Hi Harold, thanks for the info. We're actually staying in Waynesville not Waynesboro, but as far as I know Waynesville is only 10 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I've heard there are beautiful spots on the BRP for sunsets but just not sure where near Waynesville. I will take your advice though and do the tour of the grounds and farm area. Hopefully the sun won't be to bad.</p>

<p>Hi all,<br>

I finally have a chance to visit the Smokey Mountains for a few days mid-late October and need a little sunrise/sunset advice. I've done some research already on where to hike and stay away from the crowds and traffic, but not sure where the best spots are for sunrise and sunsets. I'm not willing to fight the crowds at Clingman's Dome or Newfound Gap, so I'd really appreciate some other suggestions. Our itinerary is a follows:<br>

Staying in Sevierville, TN for first two nights, then Cosby, TN for one night then Waynesville, NC for 2 nights. I plan to try for a sunset on the Foothills Parkway East on our way from Sevierville to Cosby and then a sunrise that next morning along the same 6-mile stretch. Any specific pull-offs you recommend?<br>

Our last full day in Waynesville, we plan to drive the Blueridge Parkway nearby. What are the best stretches/pull offs near Waynesville for sunrises and sunsets?<br>

Finally, we'll be driving from NC to Atlanta before heading home. We plan on stopping at the Biltmore House in Asheville on the way home. There's no way we'll get to the Biltmore for early light. Any good photo ops at the Biltmore durning the bright light hours between 10am and 3pm?<br>

Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions (got great advice prior to our Ecuador and Alaska trips :)<br>

Zvia</p>

 

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<p>Thanks for the tips...I will try them out. </p>