rene_morin

I would say for rather inexpensive destinations : Thailand and Turkey ( the Cappadokia valley is stunningly beautiful in Turkey ).

And for more expensive destinations, but just as beautiful and culturally rich : France, Greece and Italy .

You could try a search under " sunset filter" - Cokin and other manufacturers make sunset filters and that might be what you are after.

Those countries or regions I found most photogenic were Turkey, Thailand, France, England, Switzerland, and the North American west coast - why not a trip to the Canadian Rockies which offer endless nature gems begging to be photographed !

The Mont Tremblant Park offers great photo ops. Accessible via Autoroute 15, there is an information center at Lake Monroe. Following La Diable ( Devil's ) river, you will easily find many spots worthy of photos. Enjoy.

I have found a lot of interesting information here :

http://www.gentleye.com/photo/photoart/ugly/uglyhour.html

( Sorry for the late reply ).

Like Jim Evans said, a trip to a foreing country is not the place to learn to use a new type of camera. Take something you're familiar with.

And, as much as possible, travel light : your back and shoulders will appreciate that at the end of the day. A 24-120 or 28-105 zoom should do fine, if backed up with a 50mm f/1.8 or even f1.4 for low light. A small table tripod might come in handy is some cases. You now use film, then bring film along, and buy it before you go, not in Greece. I use slide film, and the airport scanners for carry-on baggage have not damaged them ever.

This website should be of some help :

http://www.bonjourquebec.com/anglais/regions/montreal.html

In Montreal, March is still in Winter, so there is a possibility of some snow or, if you are lucky, of spring-like temperatures. But it is too early for flowers and for the beautiful Botanical garden and it's Chinese and Japanese gardens.

Besides the Notre-Dame Basilica ( a must ), visit Place Jacques Cartier right in front of City Hall, St-Paul street and Bonsecour Market, and the Old Port, all located in the " Old Montreal sector ". One often neglected but impressive place to visit is the huge St.Joseph Oratory, on the mountain.

Even though the Botanical Garden is not at it's best at this period, it is still worth a visit, as is the Biodome righ nearby, where they recreate the various ecosystems on the planet, with live animals to boot.

The tourist information bureau and most hotels will be happy to give you more details. Note that most people speak English in Montreal, and the same is true for Quebec city. Have a wonderful vacation !

re- film, with negative film, ISO 200 or 400 will do quite well. With slide film, you can use Velvia 50 or 100 ISO, Sensia 100, Ektachrome 100 GX, Provia 100F or Provia 400 F, the choice is yours. Any of these films will give good results.

Places to visit ? There is a wonderful international flower exposition going on presently, called " Les floralies ", with many countries participating. Starting next year, you'll have to go to China to see it. It is in the Old Port area and definitely worth visiting. All the Old Port area is nice, and the Old Montreal section adjacent to it is something special too, with it's 17thand 18th century architecture. Also visit the Botanical garden with it's Japanese and Chinese gardens, one of the biggest botanical gardens in the world. Right across the street ( Sherbrooke street ) you can visit the Biodome for a peek at the various climates in the world, and the animal world that inhabit each one. After that, why not visit the Notre Dame church ( impressive ) in Old Montreal and the St-Joseph Oratory, a huge affair !

This should keep you very busy for all the week-end !

Montreal night life is quite busy - starting with the casino ( with a show every night ), and the numerous night clubs if you like that.

Food is excellent and you should be able to find restaurants serving food from most countries of the world.

I use this, and find it quite satisfactory

http://www.camerasandcameras.com/t/Tripod/Tiffen_Mini_Photo_Video_Tripod_B000050927.htm

There is also a model from Hamas ( Europe ) which had clamps in addition.<div></div>

Suffice to say that from now on, whenever I plan on buying a new piece of equipment, the VERY FIRST place I will look will be ezShop.

And whenever a friend asks for advice on buying some equipment. I'll refer him there!

I also have used a greygrad filter on a cokin P holder without any vignetting. But I have found the Cokin Holder so difficult, bothersome or impractical to use that I almost always refrain from using it. I'm thinking of using the GreyGrad handheld in front of the lend/hood combination. Has anyone felt the same way ?