un_soon_choi

<p>Andrew Gale,<br>

"This is not a racial issue as people from both China and Japan are Asian. I believe that people dislike China because of the long standing, American tradition of hating communism."<br>

I am not sure how your argument counter-argues the previous assumption. Jews and Germans are both Europeans. Therefore, not a racial issue? However, i agree with you in that it is different from a racial issue.</p>

<p>Jeff Z,<br>

Whatever I said above included some sarcasm. In other words, I don't understand producing in Japan makes any difference. I am not sure how my D300 and other high-end cameras of Nikon (including D3, D700 and etc) comes at a high ultimate cost. (My D300 is made in Thailand btw.) I know there is something called reliability. But knowing that Nikon (at least) gives me a product that is reliable, I don't care where it comes from. (Of course, there are some exceptions such as inhumane work environment and so forth. In this case, those are not the cases.)</p>

<p>There is only one question for me: Do you want your camera to be more expensive? If you do, I have nothing to say. My D300 is not made in Japan, but produces a great photo. </p>

<p>I think a photographer's intention takes a great part in this. However, I encountered a homeless old lady who lived in a small shelter out in the street with a sign that says "no photo." I believe it is rude to ignore the subject's feeling. (I am not saying, you should not take pictures when other people do not want it.) I see that in a photo, photographer and a subject/subjects have some sort of transparent mutual bonding. </p>

<p>Chris,<br>

That photographer looks <i>VERY VERY</i> untrustworthy and unworthy. (not even taken out of the box!, and 700 dollar camera brand new? It must've been a first DSLR... A newbie who charges 200 dollars. Wow... For me, even the minimum wage seems too much. (He gets an opportunity to take pictures. Think of a museum.) (I am not even sure I should call the person a photographer. It looks like he/she's a gold digger of some sort, assuming from the person's words "easy money.") From Aimee, I get an impression that the photographers Aimee is talking about are <i>MORE</i> like volunteers, not those who seek money for the sake of money itself. </p>

<p>Thanks, Matt. Do you have any opinions about the difference between 055 series and 190 series in tripods? It seems like 055s are have higher heights. What's the difference that will contribute to the photograph?</p>

<p>I am a beginner in photograph and love to take a shot casually, especially on portraits. However, taking landscape and nature photos seem to demand otherwise. So, there comes a tripod with a head.</p>

<p>I can afford up to ~350 dollars. (Price can fluctuate, if someone can persuade me, regarding the necessity of more expensive ones.) It seems like there are so many options out there, from Giottos, Manfrotto and so on.</p>

<p>As of a tripod and a head, Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate with any Manfrotto tripod that can reach at least 60 inches (ideally 66-68 inches) seem great. (There is a 300 dollar Giottos tripod, which looks fantastic. But, I am not sure it is worth that much.) But, I am not constraint to my opinions, for I know that there are so many great photographers here.</p>

<p>Btw, what's the advantages and disadvantages of ball-head instead of other forms of heads? what's the importance of a length in the tripod?</p>

<p>Thanks,<br /> Un-Soon.</p>

<p>Wow, as a reader, I am delighted by such enthusiastic answers. Among all, Lannie's comment stands out and speaks to me. It's definitely something to consider.</p>