pradeep satyaprakash

Sorry Raid that I do not have any suggestions for you. This thread is a great example of how not to respond to a question. It should be placed on the front page as a sticky in the learning section. I guess the anonymity the written word gives a person also gives that person the courage to be destructive. All we can do is pray for people like Mihaela T.

 

And in helping to keep the Peace, I am enclosing a picture of a baby. This baby was 21 hours old when I took this photo. Remember that we are all babies in one way or the other. We all have a lot of growing up to do. Some more so than others.<div></div>

Buy the 70-200 f/4.0 L now and take photos as you can. Once you earn enough, sell it for little loss (maybe 10-15% less) and invest the proceeds into a 70-200 f/2.8 IS L. Simple.

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I had almost lost my interest in photography until one day I stumbled on Anna's work. It was very inspiring, and I thought, heh, I can do that. She lit in me a desire to get back into my photographic hobby and I invested in a digital camera and went to work. I recently looked for her and found this thread instead. It is a huge thread and I don't really care about the outcome. I realize that photo.net is a moderated forum...I have faced the strict rap of having my earnest post being deleted, and then seeing a junk post that I feel has little value being archived. It is unfortunate that Anna was banned from this site. Her actions towards photo.net were probably unfortunate as well, but I don't have the details of those to understand, so I will refrain from comment.

 

If anyone is looking to find her, she is here:

 

http://www.usefilm.com/photographer/14061.html

I used to wonder the same thing. How to develop a photographic eye? I started by looking at thousands of photos on this site. Then I started reading and understanding the elements of composition. Then I went out with minimal tools (either an Olympus OM4T, Canon Elan, Minolta X-700, and now, mainly my Canon G3). Usually carry no accessories other than a simple 28-105 equivalent lens. I took a lot of photos, did a lot of thinking of how I could make it look better. Framed, cropped, cut, moved, sliced, diced, and messed up plenty of pictures using Paintshop Pro. Learnt a lot from the digital editing process, since you've got your darkroom right there and changes are instantaneously visible.

 

But my photographic eye is developing by walking around and just taking more and more time in noticing things. Actively noticing things, much like forcing yourself to pay attention to your breath. I learned that awareness is the fount of all reality and getting in touch with some basics and becoming aware...aware of surrounding, environment, people, moods, light, sounds, etc. really adds to the process of seeing the pictures. Eventually this leads me to take a few hundred photos of a given subject and then spend a week editing and understanding my intentions. I then select an image I feel best represents the essence of what I experienced or felt when I capture that image. This entire process is the rigor around my photographic eye.

 

Developing a photographic eye is similar to developing any talent. You have to spend time developing a process, and then work that process to gain the discipline to achieve the skill you want.

 

I still have so much to go to get to the level that many on this board are at, but the process is fasicinating and so rewarding to me.

 

Here is a sample picture that was taken and edited digitally. It is an expression of a single evening spent on top of Bear Mountain in New York. I didn't see this picture until I first spent time at the location just observing. After 1.5 hours, I thought of what I could photograph and this tree and that sun came to mind. It was a chance occurance seeing them together like this, but it stirred an idea and I took the shot (shots, actually). I then went back and used my digital editing software to change the color cast of the picture to make it fit the mood I was in. One of solemnity and warmth. I think it worked.

 

Pradeep<div></div>

Same dilemma for buying a camera for my mother. Went with the A80 for all the reasons noted above plus:

 

1. Easier to Hold

2. Aperture, Shutter, and Manual controls

I second the Canon A60. It's $175 online and about $195 at Walmart and is quite capable. Longer shutter lag then A70/80, but what do you expect for <$200. 2 megapixel...can print good 5"X7" I am guessing, since I've only seen good 4"X6" from it.

Might want to try G.K. Vale in Bangalore. They do a lot of high end stuff and you might luck out. If you need to send it out of the country for processing, best to have it hand carried by someone you know who is travelling.

 

G. K. Vale & Company

89, M.G. Road, Bangalore

Phones:080-5589429

I don't know about eyes being hurt. It might just be a bunch of overzealous sissies whining as usual about everything. I've gotten flashed many times when I was very young by silly cousins and people and I've flashed many silly people and cousins, with no damage, so I don't think using a flash will hurt anyone's eyes permanently.

When it comes to pure clunkiness, I think both cameras are about the same. The A80 is taller and the S45 is fatter. A80 gives you a nice hand grip and the swing out LCD, which is very useful a la the G3. I've got a G3 and will be buying a A80 for my mother. They both are very similar cameras in terms of build quality and features. Both are metal and feel good to the touch. I'd prefer to the A80 just because of the design considerations and the fact it uses AA cells. This is good if you are travelling overseas and your battery konks out. You can find rechargeable NiMH or Lithium cells pretty easily everywhere nowadays. I would go to a store and play with both of them and see which one she would like more.

 

If you wife is going for the sleekness and compactness as a major factor, then I would consider the S400. It's got the same sensor, DIGIC processor, as these two, but is very compact, stylish and a beautiful camera. No manual controls or flip out LCD, but very darn cute.

 

Something to think about...

 

Pradeep<div></div>

I've heard they are crooks:

 

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2375.html

Good...now I the price of the G3's will go down so I can snag another one! Don't you just love progress?<div></div>

I can help out with 1-6. Can spare 4-6 hours a week. Converting to a 501©3 would be a wonderful bonus to everyone involved in this effort. I have my own business and some of my employees are photo.netters and would probably help your organization if I ask them.

 

Thanks,

You could go to G. K. Vale on M. G. Road (Right of Gangaram's book store and near Higginbothams book store) and ask about service or recommendations. They can usually put you in touch with someone very capable. I've had all my cameras serviced, CLA, etc. in Bangalore and there are some professional people who do so there. The cost is considerably less than in the USA (about Rs. 1250 ($27)). I've had my Minolta X-700, Canon EOS Elan IIe, Canon AE-1 Program, Canon AE-1 and Olympus OM4T all serviced in Bangalore. Email me if you are interested and I'll dig up the name of the guy who does it. No warranty work, but good service nonetheless.<div></div>

Avoid 'as-is' unless looking for spare parts. Avoid estate liquidators who 'don't know much about the camera'. Definitely avoid anyone who cannot anser basic questions about the camera. Best to deal with people who are camera buffs like yourself, and you can make that out by having an email conversation or by looking at their previous auctions or the "About Me" pages.

I've had mixed experiences on eBay. I have used KEH.com many times and have been pleased with their products, and if I've had any problems, with their excellent and generous return policy. Their grading tends to be very conservative, and items listed cheaply as bargains tend to be like some of the mint-, good, etc. you see thrown around on eBay.

 

In any case, always ask more questions than you think prudent and look at the answers. Make sure to know more about the camera/lens features and compatibilities, limitations, etc. than the seller, before you buy. Many ebay sellers sell in bulk and mix and match inferior parts to get that wonderful "deal" to you. Like recently, I purchased a Minolta X-700 manual camera and paid about $180 for it. There were other Minolta X-700's available and many with a "Buy It Now" price of only $150-160 dollars, but upon examing the pictures or asking the seller about the lens, you find out it is an older type (Rokkor-X), which limits the camera's functionality just a little bit. Three fellows I trust on eBay that I personally know are 'titterington', 'roblun', and 'gooeyduck'.

 

Good Luck.