justthings

<p>The 20mb image you provided opened without delay (instantly) in Photoshop CC on my machine which has an i5-4690k cpu, 16gb RAM, and an MSI Radeon 270X GPU. Build can be seen here: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/cltmaps/saved/Ydw8TW.</p>

I think you are spending a lot of money for something that isn't going to perform better for you than other much less expensive builds that have been suggested and *only* gives you 16gb of RAM with all DIMM slots filled. While that's some pretty fast memory I doubt that you will really experience any significant performance boost over lower speed sticks. My own (http://pcpartpicker.com/user/cltmaps/saved/Ydw8TW) saves nearly a $1,000 as determined by partpicker.com with few compromises I think - and in reality, I only spent about 2/3s of that by buying pieces over a period of a couple months and taking advantage of sales. It's wicked fast and I couldn't be more pleased. I did go go down the path of liquid cooling but I intend to tinker with some overclocking. I know there is debate about how to configure SSDs, but I've found that even with a 256GB SSD for my OS and applications that drive is filling up so I am glad I chose to keep LR catalog and previews on a separate drive. Also, my understanding is that LR and related apps don't necessarily take advantage of the technology that makes the difference between the i7 and i5 CPUs so other than baseline speed there is no real reason to splurge on that monster i7 if photos are your main purpose, particularly if as others suggest the additional cores want be used by LR or PA. Minor point, but I don't understand why you are getting both a mouse and a keyboard/mouse combo - seems like you will end up with two mice from those last two line items.

<p>Another vote for the 12-24, I love mine but can't compare against the other offerings as I haven't used those. The lens is built like a tank and handles really well on my D80. I like the F/4 constant aperture though the idea of an f/2.8 in this range is very interesting to me as well. I use this at its widest setting a lot, but then I like wide perspectives<br> <a title="From the Nickel Bridge by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15464313145"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15464313145_167f409c43_z.jpg" alt="From the Nickel Bridge" width="504" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>Again, thanks Eric - I read those articles among the many I'd perused when considering my uses and needs and found them helpful. In my build, which I did just this last week (http://pcpartpicker.com/user/cltmaps/saved/Ydw8TW) I was trying to balance cost against performance and went with an i5-4690K processor because the cost difference between the i7 and i5(about $100)didn't seem warranted for the slight gain its native speed might offer, particularly since I found a really good buy on the i5. I will be working on an overclock once the holidays are done and life returns to normal - will be interesting to see how that works out.</p>

<p>Eric, thanks for the suggestion - I'll look closer at that and see what I can find about optimal configurations, though I think past research suggests the differences stemming from where the catalog goes is six of one and half dozen of the other.<br> Alan, that seems like a reasonable strategy, I've moved away from a laptop so the portability factor isn't nearly as much of an issue for me - though if someone breaks in and has enough incentive to take my case I they could get all my stuff. I"m not worried about Big Brother either.<br> JDM - as murky and impenetrable remark as I'd expect from an archaeologist!</p>

<p>Thanks for the thoughts and perspective folks, we live in a world of paranoia so its good to hear some common sense being applied.<br> @Eric, i'm curious about your suggestions here. How big is my catalog with previews likely to be? As is, with even just a few programs and the OS installed the system drive is already at 1/2 full. In fact, if I had followed typical suggestions to use a 120gb drive for the C:\ drive, i'd already be at capacity. My thinking was to keep the catalog along with previews on its own drive and not compete for space with the system drive. Since most recommendations are to fill SSDs to about 75% capacity, i'm already 2/3s of the way to where that drive could start running into performance issues. As for keeping my photos on the SSD, my reading has suggested that SSDs are best suited for objects that are being accessed alot and are fairly dynamic. Since photos are relatively static objects, and will only grow in volume over time, probably soon outstripping the space available on a modest sized SSD, it seems that putting these on the HDD is a better approach. Perhaps this is a workflow issue - are you only keeping a limited number of photos in your catalog at any given time? I'm new to working with lightroom, so perhaps I'm confused about how this is supposed to work.</p>

<p>I've recently built a new computer and installed Windows 8.1 Pro as my OS. My system has a 256gb SSD for just the OS and applications, a 256gb SSD for the LR catalog and previews, and for now a 2TB drive for photos, with the ability expand that storage capability in the future as it becomes necessary. I'm curious if others here are using the bitlocker encryption capabilities that come with this version of Windows - are you encrypting your drives with photos, lightroom catalog, and OS? Are there any implications for performing backups from an encrypted drive? Any hints, tips, suggestions for Windows 8.1 are welcome. </p>

<p>I can't comment directly about either package but I do use PSP X6 and and have used versions of that software from I think the X2 release. What I have found with all of my PSP versions is that they do a worse job at RAW (Nikon and Canon RAW files both are interpreted equally badly) processing than other software I've used for that purpose. If you are intending to do RAW processing you may be disappointed, unless X7 has significantly changed in this regard from historical releases.</p>

<p>I have both an EOS-M and a DSLR kit. They are both good systems for what they do, it just takes figuring out if the M will fill a niche you want. For me it was a pocketable camera that I could have with me when/where-ever. My nits about the camera have nothing to do about it having an EVF or not, and its hardly an underperforming camera. I don't get the angst people have about any particular camera not having every feature they desire. My frustration is mostly that Canon isn't supporting this as a 'system' camera, and i think at this point it is clear that Canon isn't interested in the mirrorless segment. That or they are biding their time to release some wundercamera that will blow everyone way. I don't particularly care, the M does mostly what i want it do for, with some idiosyncracies i can live with until i decide what direction I want to go with a mirrorless system.</p>

<p>From a day out with the EOS-M and 22m f/22 lens<br> Looking downriver from the Huguenot Bridge over the James River<br> <a title="downriver_huguenot by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15520381477"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15520381477_ed225c75c7_z.jpg" alt="downriver_huguenot" width="640" height="365" /></a><br> A lone Maple leaf along the path I was walking<br> <a title="maple_leaf by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15520140358"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15520140358_0533b58a75_z.jpg" alt="maple_leaf" width="640" height="347" /></a><br> Decay in the woods<br> <a title="decay by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15520222428"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15520222428_55d6a5b8dd_z.jpg" alt="decay" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>A bit late in the day.. but then so was the photo.. eos-m, 22mm f/2 lens.. looking downriver along the James River from the Huguenot Bridge in Richmond, VA</p> <p><a title="downriver_heugenot by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15520381477"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15520381477_ed225c75c7_z.jpg" alt="downriver_heugenot" width="640" height="365" /></a></p>

<p>I also have this camera and have never seen such an issue, nor heard of this in the many forum posts I've read about it.</p>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8492684153" title="birdfence_01 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8492684153_dbbafbb2da_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="birdfence_01"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14081611277" title="bicycle sequence 1 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5118/14081611277_46bb0f572c_z.jpg " width="640" height="480" alt="bicycle sequence 1"></a>

<p>I have historically used the Paintshop Pro X software (up to 6 now). I don't use it for RAW file processing however because it is pretty bad for that. It is ok for a lot of other stuff like resizing and such for the limited amount of 'pixel' editing that I do. For RAW processing I have been trying out Lightzone and Raw Therapee - both of which are free and are significantly better than PSP for RAW files. I think the biggest issue is to identify what you actually need to do - something like Picasa (also free.. note the trend here?) may do very well for what you want to accomplish with your photos.</p>

<p>Looking up the James River in Richmond on a nice fall day, from the Nickel Bridge. Nikon d80, Tokina 12-24 @ 12mm<br> <a title="From the Nickel Bridge by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/15464313145"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15464313145_167f409c43_z.jpg" alt="From the Nickel Bridge" width="504" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>I wonder if the sigma 18-35 f/1.8 would work in this situation? Its kind of an odd duck lens, its not light, nor does it have any sort of stabilization but it is fast and supposed to be good optically.</p>

<p>Hiking in the desert while taking pictures poses a number of hazards. In this case.. the hazard was Teddybear Cholla, which drop these little burrs which cling to passing critters and spread that way. These are buggers to get out as there's just no good way to get hold of it to pull off. One learns to carry a comb while being out amongst the cholla to slip between the affected area and the burr and pop it off. These will kick up off your boots and cling anywhere they land, including regions <ahem> higher up.</p> <p><a title="ouch by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8379120404"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8379120404_fd24c8cf1c.jpg" alt="ouch" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>

<p>First and foremost its an exercise in focusing (no pun intended) on something and being able to clear my mind of all the life stuff (work, relationships, etc.) that nag at you through the day. A session out with my camera after a busy day or stressful week centers me.<br> I also use it for more documentation purposes to record my kids as they grow, places I've been and the like.</p>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14230605741" title="kayaker_2_web by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/14230605741_7d74a1fd29_z.jpg " width="640" height="485" alt="kayaker_2_web"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8690566847" title="tulip_2 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/8690566847_90d27c1d0d_z.jpg" width="640" height="439" alt="tulip_2"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8492684153" title="birdfence_01 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8492684153_dbbafbb2da_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="birdfence_01"></a>

<p>Ah, all the sellers on ebay appear to all be overseas, but that might have to be the direction i go if i want a UWA. I have the 22mm and love that. I'm not sure how good a camera the EOS-M is for an extended backpacking trip though, it eats batteries like crazy.. i can get about half a day of shooting out of one, that would be my biggest concern. I wonder if a solar charger would be an option.</p>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/10716173225" title="autumn_sky2 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/10716173225_4daef37298_z.jpg " width="640" height="366" alt="autumn_sky2"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8328487352" title="Bigwoman by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8328487352_330329924f_o.jpg" width="500" height="326" alt="Bigwoman"></a>