Sutton Warrior

?????????????????? you live on Mars 'Chippy'? 'Mifsuds' charged £8 for postage. SW

Looks like I have just 'squeaked in' with the purchase of my EX Sigma 10-20-DHSM. One suspect that 'Second Hand' prices are following the upward trend, certainly on fleeBay, this and like lenses, are going for between £280 and £300. Which is strange, look in the S/H listings made by shops in the back of magazines, the Sigma 10-20 seems to be about £250-£265. I count myself lucky, purchasing mine at the lower end of the scale, and got a 3 months guarantee, noted on the receipt by the shop. FleeBay gives me the feeling it is going . . . has gone the way of boot sales, 'no more bargains'. Although, the incidentals still seem to be good value, things like filters, lens caps etc. I purchased a couple of 77mm filters and a 'centre pinch' lens cap, don't you hate the 'edge pinch' Jobie's that cant be fitted or removed with the hood in place Excellent service, placed the order at 11am yesterday Tues., the postie delivered it at 11 o'clock this morning, 24 hours from Brixham to Ipswich, condition is at least as stated, 'excelent+'. I will be keeping Mifsuds of Brixham on my live list All I need is some decent weather at the weekend and for the UV filter to arive by Friday! SW

I was looking at new lens, did I need more aperture, wide angle, new, used . . .? So I stepped back, let my juices settle, decided, wide angle would suite my needs better than more aperture at this point. So onto the auction site, got very confused, found fleeBay really out of order, punters were paying up to £300 for a lens that was still on offer 'new' on web sites at £310?? the world had gone mad! That got me really confused . . . So step back again, re group, I can find it hard going trying to cope with irrationality . . . ? Sitting, waiting for my next fair this morning, thumbing through the shop ads in the back of the photo magazine, reading the small print . . . is it my eyes or is 6pt type to small??? Eany old how, I spied a Sigma WA forsale, phoned the shop, sold! then another, and another, the third one, Mifsuds in Brixham. Zoie answered the phone, very nice sounding lady . . . "yes we have the Sigma 10-20, sorry no box but in 'excelent+' condition, includes hood and caps, its £249.00 with 3 months garentee and 10 days evaluation return" sounds like a bargin to me! . . . We will see when it arives tomorrow or Thursday? Certainly not fishing weather at the weekend but it might just be dry, get out on the sea front at Felixstowe me thinks? Also got to find time for new bedroom furniture shopping, 'browni points'! SW

oow-er!!! did'nt the camera ask you "do you want to format, all date will be lost" I also have to press the comand dial > to move the cursor to 'Format yes', always thought it was a pain . . . not so sure now . . . a tough one, hope you can recover the data Snatcher? SW

In truth, I'm not sure its boredom Colin, probably 'frustration', things I want to do but cant . . . or wont . . . cantankerous old cuss that I can be I'm also getting a bit fedup, seeing the way things are going, feeling l'm being riped off as I look at the lenses. Watching the luster go out of peoples eyes, as we move in to financial termoile, seeing the agresion levels rise as they to get frustrated. I need some fresh air in my lungs, and a fresh perspective on life!! SW

Well impressed with the recent 'jay pics' Sharkbite, that puts the 50-500 as a confirmed top of my wish list after the 10-20! SW

Hay Sharkbyte' 50-500 is the other lens I want . . . ! Trouble is, its the 'want' and 'need' senario again??? I'm trying to be all sensible . . . SW

Well now folks, things are a bit quiet, poor weather and I have had a problem with my diabetes, been off work for a couple of days. So I have been able to to play with the new computer, what a revelation. Is it me or have things really got that much better in 6 years since I first used XP? The new 22" screen is amazing, so much room, 17" up to 22" takes some getting used to! Its also taken a lot of time to get to grips with HP's 'Calibration program', but, now I have my own saved preferred view based on 'sRGB' values, suspect a little more fine tuning will be in order, but my original 'prefererd' settings are saved, I can have as many options as I like all saved to compare one with the other. The bigger screen/new computer, also seems to promote better page options of old pages viewed over years, better and more detailed weather forecast presentations for instance. I have also rediscovered the 'Google Spell Checker', checks all text typed including forum submissions 'like this'. So you wont have to translate any more of my dyslexic ramblings Time off and reading a few Photo mags recently has had my mind doing handstands, really like wide angle landscapes. Fancy a Sigma 10-20 or maybe a Tokina 12-24? however currency instability is putting prices up by dramatically large lumps, especially the Tokina. So I thought 'used' fleeBay? Current price on the web, a Sigma 10-20 can be had for £310.00'ish, price rising, as I write!!! if you phone the shop to check availability . . . " yes we have new stoke, prices is now £329.00"!!! Watch the action, and they are paying as much as £300.00!!! for a used copy, no guarantees, there is an issue it appears (reading various forums) with some of these lenses sharpness? Has the world gone mad!! I have stepped back, reconsidering the wide angle option? My 18-200VR is taking good sharp pictures, money is going to get tight(er) !!! 'Want and need' are very different animals. Enjoy what one has, and wait for prices to fall, if they don't, we will be pushing wheel barrows full of cash to buy a loaf of bread Magazines; I have particularly enjoyed February's 'Digital Camera', >>'Hotshots' is 11 pages of inspired readers photography . . . stunning, quite stunning !!! Amateur Photographer is also interesting Sat 24th Feb., 'Gallery' readers pics is good, wintry pictures, inspiring. Both magazines have some interesting articles to read as well. Yep, I'm bored, its chucking it down out side, not photography weather (for me) nor fishing weather . . . Tuesday looks good? might be worth taking the D80 to work, I need to get some pictures in the can!!! SW

Thanks 'LittleSusy', this is what I have gleaned from Google: . . . "There are 2 different UV from HOYA - UV(N) & UV(0). AFAIK, UV(N) has been marketed in Asia only because it has inferior glass quality, and much cheaper than UV(0). UV(0) uses the same high quality glass as other high quality filters. And yes, both are available in HMC, and the situation is confusion." . . . And that there is a colour tint on the '0' type . . . perhaps, erring towards a combined 'UV/sky filter'? Plus there is a load of waffel, that seems to be trying to muddy the water, I like the simplicity of the above? SW

Looking at UV filters on fleeBay, aware of the cheap'o 'dont touch with a barg pole' types. So looking at Hoya, reasonable prices, if you are prepare to serch, any one know the significance of the bracketed sufix (0) or (N) after 'UV' ie; HSM UV(N) what does N or 0 indicate? SW

Westie, thanks mate, I was hoping you would put your £1's worth in, cos it worth it to me. I have always had the hankering for wiiiide angle, I take very little, indoor stuff. As you say, my 18-200VR is doing a good job, I dont need to duplicate the focal length. One also has the 18-70 kit lens that I have always rated, its on Hazels D40 at the moment. I have been poeking around on the nett this evening, and am reading good things on the 10-20 Sigma, for me, I think 'WA' is the way to go? More thought no rush, you never know, a good second hand deal might jump up and bite me???? Just like when I bought the D40 for a steal. SW

OK, I'v been doing a lot of thinking recently, shoot in RAW? get a new computer? upgrad the Nikon D80, get a fast new piece of glass? The new computer, that was a no brainer, the old one was on its last legs. Shoot in RAW, thats still, work in progress? but curently one is still 60/40 in favour of JPG A new camera body, curently on a D80, only bought it 9 months ago, the D90 has the CMOS sensor, but, another £350 + my almost new D80? And finaly, new glass, thats the item in any decent kit that can make or break a picture, IMHO. Curent lenses, kit 18-70, Sigma 70-300 and a Nikon 18-200VR, all 3.5 + apature! All three lenses are capable in there field, all be it budget, I would even float the speculative; 'best in their respective use/price bracket'? Personaly I find the 18-200VR, the dogs swingers, with the VR function allowing 3 to 4 stop better shooting leaway!!! I have heard that some find the 18-200VR a little lacking in sharpness at some focal lengths, something I have not been aware of personaly, althought, I use a tad of 'in camera sharpening'. My budget would be £300-£400 tops . . . new computer has drained the coffers. Been looking at f2.8 lenses, Sigma and Tamrom both do somthing in the 18-50mm bracket the obvious choice is Nikons own f2.8 17-55mm . . . with a price tag of double my budget = a lump! Dilema, stay as I am, pocket the money and enjoy the VR 18-200, or seriously consider the Sigma 18-50mm -- Tamron 17-50mm fast glass options, for both of which I have filters. 'Amatuer Photographer' gave them both a good 88% review rating compared with the Nikon in the same, multie side by side rewiew, it receiving 89%. One plus on the Sigma, 1.3 macro?? 1.3 is that macro, is it a plus? What is holding me is the fact that I am repeating the focal length with the 18-200VR and the kit lens, but not the lower 'f' setting?? Final alternative is a Sigma 10-20EX 4-5.6, never use a wide angle like this before so a bit . . . 'where will it fit in my collection' . . . . . . . . earing towards the Tamrom 17-50 f2.8 as the compromise, which has just that tad more angle at its widest, am I choking over a nat? In un charted waters here. SW

True Newt, I must have learned something during the agonising process. Thanks to you and all who offerd support and help. SW

Here we are again . . . happy as can be . . . . de-dum, de-dum. New computer and all, not a crash in site, the Logitch wireless keyboard and mouse has given a bit of grief, but thats sorted now, switch off unwanted extra fuctions!!! we have the technology . . . 'there's fancy' for a stick in the mud, old fart And a new 22" HP monitor as well, how bad was the old one . . . And the new one has a complete setup CD to get colour and all the delicate little bits just right! It has normal contrast, brightness buttons and auto clour, but HP recomend the full setup for the bet results, it works to. What looks OK at switch on, is transformed after a run through 'or three ' with the CD. I just did not realise how far out my old monitor was, despite regular colour set up. So what you guys have been looking at of my work, I have no idea? I can see stuff in my pictures, especialy in shadows and dark area, I had no idea were there. Lots still to do, but the essentials are working well. A mention of 'EASY PC', Swadalingcote, Derbyshire, who supplied the computer, they saved me cash, gave me more for my buck, and handled the whole affair in a business like way, even to missing the promised Friday delivery. A phone call Friday morning, "sorry we are not going to make it to day, its on carrier for delivery tomorrow morning, Saturday". That cost them money, true to their word, the door bell rang at 8.30 this morning, missed my lie in!!! All I need now is some apropriate weather to get some pictures in the can. SW

Thats fair enough 'corydorus', I am sceptical about most things new these days, nearly 62 years worth of water under the bridge, one gets sceptical . Ill be looking at W7 when W8 is on the horizon Good news, this is the new computer!!! delivered by 8.30, had a problem with re instaling Virgin BB, but the guy at the other end of the phone wes very, very, patient and we got there, eventualy, my fault, if only I could spell SW

"Greatest thing since sliced bread"!!! . . . heard all this befor somewhere??? excuse my scepticisim I'm going off liner now, new computer has just arived, complete with 'Windows XP' instaled. Speak again in a few hours . . . or will that be days? SW

Hi Colin, it was suposed to arive today . . . however, I had a phone call this morning to say it will be delvered tomorow morning . . . irretating . . . perhaps not? At least they had the courtesy to phone and let me know, they do seem to do things the right way. I had an answer to my email the other day: "Yes, we supply genuine holographic Microsoft disk and COA sticker. All as it should be done." I have also had an email confirmation of despatch to day with 'interLink Express, and that it will be deliverd 17/1/09 Thats the right way to operate and worth a in my book, very business like, lets hope the computer is as good Absent from the Forum, I supose so . . . ??? If I have any problem you might get a call, if thats OK???? SW

Thats about it Steve, extra colour staturation levels are; Normal, Softer, Vivid and More Vivid, with Nikon, if the menu settings are set to 'normal' colours are very true, but, can be a bit boring sometimes, hense, I will use 'Vivid'. The option I have discovered recently is 'Contrast' of which there are 5 levels including Normal. Obviously contrast might be usefull on a hazy, misty day, or a flat light situation in the winter, I suspect 'contrast and some extra colour' might be of use? Not tried it all yet still digging down through the menus in my D80 They are not hiden simply, my mind is in an 'enquiring receptive mode' at the moment. There is the question, of RAW or not? As has been mentioned on this thread and many times on the forum, 'RAW post camera manipulation', can be time consuming, its not encouraged (or allowed?) in the competition. I've been looking at ways of extracting the best from my camera, even upgrading to a D90? . . . Much more coste efective to get the best from the camera I have! Plus, a better spec., camera aint going to produce better pictures, its he, or she, who drives the camera that makes the picture in this modern digital age. However my thoughts were, the fact that a lot is made of the standard maual functions, but did anybody consider the other subtle veriable functions in the menus of modern DSLR's worthy of consideration. Thinking about it we never had such niceties in the days of film, main functions, the only other veriable was film type and maufacturer, colour saturation was always something to strive for in those days, then it was down to the processing for any further change? Would'nt it be nice to take a picture, put it on the screen and have that satisfying feeling, 'got it right, nothing to do, print' SW

Have focused the mind recently with the 'RAW' thing as on-gowing . . . how do I get the best out of my camera. We talk of manual function, tweeking the normal apature, shutter and ISO control. But how many use the inner menu controls, like, 'colur ballance', 'contrast', 'temperature' and 'vivid', there are others and I suspect we leave them on normal or auto? I am working out at present, which are best to try, some seem to almost duplicate each other? But there is no doubt, a whole extra bucket load of subtle options are avaliable to the modern DSLR user that has been, in my case, ignored? These menu fuctions could, I suspect be taken care of in RAW processing, but as most of use use JPG . . . I think more impact or vitality could be put into pictures especialy in the duller winter months with the tweeking of these secondary menu options. Any one else looked at their 'destruction' book and on camera menu lately? Do you look and wonder, "what does that do"?? SW

. . . . Says 'Computer active' magazine. Buying some petrol at morrisons spied the the front page (issue 284) of Computer active proclaiming 'Make XP Last Longer . . . untill 2014'. At £1.79p I thought I'd have a 'butchers', having just opted to stay with XP for the forseable future. Very interesting, although strangly nothing I did not know . . . thanks to you guys, the magazine advise was much along the same lines. However, it does give an 'all XP drivers' free download: www.driverpacks.net/DriverPacks once down loaded they need an extraction program called 7-Zip which can be down loaded from: www.computeractive.co.uk/2128748 Aparently 'there be' all the back issue driver in there . . . might have saved my old 'puter' with them Verious other little hints and tips that make sence, as I say very much along AN advise lines. The artical does say, MS are continuing to suport XP with service packs etc., untill 2014, origionaly, this was to cease April this year. An ineresting fact I did not know, Vista has a retro 'XP' option, as a look alike . . . or, revert to XP Pro option! that would have been a usefull bit of info??? The revert is only avaliable untill the end of January this year! Having given the matter considerable thought, befor and after I new these facts. I'm still happy to continue as I am . . . Vista will be 'old hat' by 2010 they say, aparently it was suposed to be with us in 2003!!! It was actualy released 2006, short, terbulent life? Windows 7 is on the horizon, betas out now, release, late 2009 early 2010 . . .??? So whats the point in me fighting to learn Vista as a new 'OS', its unloved and out of date now? Its frustratingly hard work when you have dyslexia that affects the memory. The best way for me, continue for a couple or three years blisfully happy with my modern Dinasore called 'XP-asorus'. Then when 'Windows 7' is wowing every one in a few years, make the change. I suspect the new '7' system will work on anything curent, that can run 'Vista', they wont make that mistake again, will they? Then I have only one learning curve to negociate, might be semi retired by then, bit more time to grapall with the pros and cons of Windows 7. SW cool . . .

Hay Colin, it gets better, I had confirmation to day, that, they ship the computer with XP installed along with a genuine holographed licence and XP disc. They sound like genuine people to me. SW

Got an Epson A3 printer . . . in the loft, why in the loft? cos of the same problems. The humble A4, HP C5180 'all in one' does not give any problems, even if left for weeks! and now I'v worked out how to get a 6 cartridge refillpack for less than £30, thats not so bad. However, for qulity, framing and display, the online shop seems an excelent idea. SW

Not got time to look at the new comp site but have had time to read coments whilst I drink my morning cuppa! Sounds interesting, and streamlined, set up must have been a lot of work for you Steve, well done. Practicality . . . I will not register untill I have the new computer up and running, hopfully it will be a smooth process next weekend??? What was that . . . 'Pink elephants might fly' SW

You keep telling this 'Grannie' how to suck eggs mate, I new nothing on the subject a week ago! Canon, that was one that took top honners in 'Gadget Show' best printers, Steve put a link for it from U-Tube. Trouble is Corydoras, we numpties, have to rely on the PC World's of this world, and it is obvious, they are not doing us any favours. Maplins, I have had good advise and help there, Ipswich branch, speak as we find? So thanks again to you and all on here for the help you freely offer, with out it, I would have been money out of pocket, and with an inferior product. SW

Hay there Corydoras, of course mate . . . I think even computer numpties like me has worked that one out now Its 'PC World' that seem to have trouble understanding this 'simple fact' Buyer beware, me thinks. SW