Sutton Warrior

With 2009 just around the corner, I'v been sitting thinking what will be my 'resolve' in photography terms for the New year, a genuine goal for what I hope will be a better year than 2008! With my new found option of RAW picture taking . . . strange how things sit stareing one in the face and yet, for the sake of a little sideways thinking, a majour option can gets missed. 1, Yes, to get into RAW pictures, nail the options avaliable. 2, I also feel a real urge to encourage Hazel with here D40X. The sum of these two ideals will be to improve our picture taking skills, and enjoying quality time together. A side issue, might be to, aquire a wide angle 10-20'ish lense? Although perhaps a better way of thinking would be to improve on technique with the glass I already have. Any one else, got ideas for 2009? SW

Top Service, orderd some new 4GB ScanDisk Extreem III DS cards Sunday evening, one from 'Hongkong' and one from 'Guernsey'. Both arived this morning Wed. Thats amazing service All set for some serious RAW/JPEG picture taking over the Christmas/NewYear Holiday period, its 'steep lerning curve time' You all have a good Christmas and the very best for 2009, SW

You should read what 'Ken Rockwell' has to say about RAW . . . phew . . . follow his links, he seems to be able to back it up as well Not changing my stance, but if his name was 'Billy Graham', there would be 'a lot leaving their seats and going to the front' . . . SW

Hay Ho I got it wrong, I can shoot RAW with three levels of JPEG; . . . RAW + JAPEG fine, normal or basic No excuse now, here we go!!!! Gona eat SD cards, at 109 shots per 2GB!! a couple of extra cards needed me thinks O'well, no excuse to upgrade to a D300 now . . . SW PS, 2 new SD cards from FleeBay @ £16 a pop, inc., HC card reader, SanDisk Extreem III 4GB, getting the bit beetween the teeth

Thanks for the reply Steve, I feel happy now to continue with my faltering steps into the world of RAW. I agree with you on the minimum of PhotoShoping, although I do like to crop!!! more experiance and a little more time spent framing me thinks SW

Point taken Steve, I have spent the last hour or so, cleaning up my computer, unistalling Nikon NX in particular, and removing all the little cache references to NX . . . what a change The Adobe plugins now work in a logical way, I can make adjustments to a picture in its RAW file state, it then gives me the option to open in 'Elements 7' to make crop and size changes etc. The head is spinning a bit at the mo., but its a transformation from the frustrations I have been looking at over the past few days. Looks like its going to be worth while stiking with it a little more intensly, the ball of string has only a few nots in it now A question one must ask, I have put it forward before . . . "if I shoot in RAW, make adjustments, then convert to JPEG, adust the picture size to the competition requirements, is that picture leagal in the competition"? I have used and taken advantage of the improved picture quality of RAW, although the final submision is JPEG. An old chestnut, but one that still rangles un resolved in my mind, especialy as it looks like I might be going this rout in the not to distant future. As for using 'Elements 7', I have stated and do prefer 'v5' as a presentation . . . ? However, if thats what it takes, I will have to get used to 'Elements 7' wont I 'all in a days work' as they say, 'onwards and up wards' . . . Roll on my 10 days Christmas/New Year holiday; photography, fhishing, January sales shoping, and my Hazel is making great progress after her op, to good realy!! having trouble keeping her 'down' SW

Unfortunatly Steve, its a short comeing of the D80, it shoots RAW or RAW + a low res JPEG . . . An excuse to upgrade A pain, but what one intends to do; Changing from JPEG to RAW and back again on the hoof is not so much hassel, I will continue to major on JPEG, and every so often, when the subject suits or is static, pop a RAW in, save these to a seperate file, so that as I get to grips with manipulating RAW, I have a library to play with. Thats the plan anyway. I have half a dozen RAW pics I went out and shot so that I had something to evaluate with I'm glad I took the trouble, befor total comitment. I suspect I am doing something wrong, I cant believe its so much hassel to use RAW files. Slowly, I will unravel the tangled ball of sting in my my head I call a brain. Have you, or has anyone got any sugestions where I might get an 'ABC' or 'RAW for dumies' type book? I remember a mag pull-out two or three years back, kept it, but it has been miss placed or lost with the passing of time Might even be the Adobe plugins I have. The Nikon NX program seems to rule over the picture side of the computer, so it might be worth uninstalling that. ET

Well now after advise on RAW . . . I have decided to stay with JPEG for my usual editing. I have been going around in circles, I have Elements 5 and 7 with RAW plug-ins and a 30 day tril of Nikon NX. Having conducted some simple duplicate PP on all three programs, in RAW and JPEG, it was obvious that I'm going to need a lot of time to get to grips with RAW. Nikon NX, looks like a superb program but one suspects its a little complex for its own good and 'numpties' like me are going to strugle, it aint cheap eaither, but very 'swish' Elements 5 and 7, as I say, in RAW mode, I'm not so happy. Move onto JPEG however, I find them great, my many hours with 'Ev4' probably, has somthing to do with it, as well as my permanent strugle with dyslexia. The deciding factor for me, I take pictures in the old fashon way, WYSIWYG. I dont mess about adding or removing sky, deleting lamp posts, puting Jims head on Aunty Mays boddy! Crop, light/dark, adjust colour, sharpen, unsharp . . . etc., dark room functions. I only ever view my pictures on the computer screen, the time factor and assimilating new understanding . . . It will come very slowly, but for the forseeable future its 'keep it simple stupid' As fars as my preferances on the three vertions of Elements I have, and the fact that the computer is bouncing along with its new 2gb of RAM, which you have to enable incidently, in the preferences menu of Elements. Elements v4, thats still a nice easy to use program, v7, I found it OK but over tweeked, with a presentation that was not to my liking. So for 99% of my 'PP', I like 'Elements 5', with its slightly modernised presentation, excelent and clear drop down menus, in my humble opinion clearer to view than v7? When I tried the the same and verious menu options on 5 and 7, there realy was no obvious change, only presentation differentces. My view, for simple 'dark room style PhotoShoping', easily readable menus, 'Elements 5' has it. On the organisation of images for storage? I have not looked at that side. I would have been well 'humpty' if I'd have invested £400-£500 on a new computer and come to the above conclusion . . . kicked the dog a few times The RAM up grade was needed, along with the dust clean out, and I only paid £29 for 'Elements v 7'. SW

I'v got Elements 7 up and running, also Nikon NX, with their RAW capabulity . . . its doing my head in Takes me back to the late 80's and early 90's, DOS and eary Windowns, the dyslexic brain cant handle it. All these years and I'm just begining to get to grips with the current way of things!! Then there is RAW, I think its to much for my simple mind to handle . . . I'll stick with JAPG I think Its not often I get beat, but this looks like one of the few. SW

Having just upgraded the RAM on my 'venerable' and very reliable computer. It might be worth mentioning a little simple maintenance??? When I looked inside, the build up of dust was amazing, on the fan blade, on the cooling fan for the CPU, the gaps between the heat sink fins were blocked with dust as well, the ventilation holes into and out of the power supply and dust in general, it was a disgrace. The amount on the CPU fan was incredible and I estimate the cooling holes for the power supply was obstruted by 50%!!! A carfull light brush with a clean 1/2" paint brush and a vacum cleaner nozel close by did the job, although it took 15-20 miniuts. The result is a much quiter computer, and one assumes cooler running. One would also assume the lower (or more controled)teperatures will extent the reliabuility and working life as well. SW

I have cracked it, the answer was upgrade the computer RAM to 2BG, then down load an Adobe RAW converter for Elements 5, all is sweetness and light The operation of the old style converter is a bit basic but of the erea, one presumes it was considered OK, Adobe did not give much away three or four years ago! However I have ordered 'Elements 7', which I am lead to believe is much more akine to modern 'PhotoShop CS' style?? In the mean time, I'v cleaned up the hard drive, discovered another hard drive the same size as the curent one, which is sitting dormant in the computer, unused I'm going to need that extra capacity for all the Raw files I will be storing The old computer is tramping along, like its had an electronic dose of 'Filosan and Viagra' Cant wait for the new 'E7' to plop on the doormat! Then all we need is some half decent weather to encourage me out with the camera. Lets hope the period between Christmas and New Year will oblige, off for the whole 10 days, a bit of fishing, and photography thrown in, wonderfull, roll on the 26th SW

No problem Jan, looks like I'm not going to get many takers. I'm a tight git, and refuse to go to Adobe CS programs, like you I take pictures these days to 'please me', so cant justify the cost of pro kit. I dont think there are to many 'Elements' uses on the site? However, as I want to move into RAW I have to sort it. It looks like the 'RawTherapee' program will be a bit basic for what I want. So I need to consider a new PC? (or does one go to a lap top?) and plug a proper screen in? My computer is 5-6 years old, state of the art in its day, Pentium III is old hat now, and I'm noticing it, it does not always behave its self, and running Elements 7 . . . I havent got a hope! Being draged kicking and screeming in to a new modern world I dont like it, I dont like it one bit! Loads of offers at the mo, makes me think what will be on offer after Chrismas, January sales???? Enjoy your D60, I have been a Nikon man for 20 years and never regreted the brand comitment. Looking forward to you postings on how you get on with the new camera, Hazel will be especial interested, I have just bought her a D40X, I to will be interested in your progress, and how you get on with the RAW saga SW

I am floundering on this RAW thing, but not yet going under!!! I have put questions on other sites, they comback with 'use a RAW converter'? On the face of it I have a couple of problems, thats besides 'me' One my computer 'Pentium IIII prosessor' seems to be at its limit with PS Elements 4? No one can confirm, but Elements 5 crashed it, and the computer the spec for Elements 7 is way above what I have, dual processor, 1 gig of ram . . . etc. However, I have had it sugested that I can stay as I am and use a RAW converter, 'Raw Therapee' being sugested as one of the best freebees? I have also checked out that it will work with Nikon D40-60-80's So if im on the right track, 'JanV' can run the converter, instal the budget, but excelent 'Photo Shop Elements v ?', the same applies to my situation of course. Can any one confirm that I am not talking out of the back of my head! If I am where to go from here? SW PS OK, I have down loaded the 29 page manual, give it a read and see what that says?

New topic Prompted by Jan V's topic on RAW for her D60. I have put this as a seperate item so as not to detract or dilute Jans requirement. I have been a bit tardy in looking at 'RAW', I have . . . should I say, we, thats the Royal 'WE'; Hazel and I, we have two Nikons, D80 and recently a D40X. I am wanting to look at RAW . . . however, the coast of the Adobe CS... program, is way outside of the money I can justify, prefer to spend it on a bit of good glass? I have been using 'PS Elements v 4', for a good while now, to reasonable effect IMHO I have tried PS Elements v5, crashes my computer!!! I think???, PS Elements v6 and v7 have RAW capability of an order similar to the CS program??? In fact I scaned a mag a few months ago that reviewd the new 'PSE v 7', they said if you were running v6 and were happy, the extras in 7 might not be worth the cost? however, v7 as a new puchase was the 'bees knees' and unless pro use was envisaged no point in going to the cost of CS... program? So can anyone confirm PS Elements has RAW for D40X-D80? or does it have to be down loaded as a 'plug in' or something Yes my head is starting to hurt already, I realy do struggle with technicalities? The old 'dyslexia' problem, means realy slow download time at a personal level, but I will get there eventualy SW PS If it has RAW D40X-D80, at less than £25 from Amazon + PP, thats a bargin, if I compare it to what I have been able to do with v4. I got my v4 from Amazon.

Sunsets, tough ones to get, not got a clue what I was doing . . . So it seemed about right to dial in 800iso . . . find a convenient lamp post or bench to set the camera against . . . O'boy, real technical stuff this I had no idea what shutter speed, but new the apature had to be as wide as it would go, getting good!! The camera selected 1/20th shutter, who am I to argue . . . No tripod!!! but the Nikon EV seems to have done its job (just?) on the 18-200 'all things to all men walk about'. Next time I will do better Need to go lie down in a darkend room . . . . . . . SW

There you go Elton, sent you a 'PM', 48 hours and no response to the question in it? SW

Thats provided you answer your PM's or email???? SW

Yes Peter, the upper reaches by the bridge, the two sunsets are the Stour, across from Shotley to Harwich/Parkstone. The sunsets were especialy dificult, I was hand held, ISO 800 and 20th of a second!!! 'AV' on the lense plus a lamp post saved the day SW

Hazel is home from hospital, the operation(s) a success, all thought procedure took longer than expected, all is well. The weekend has proved to be good and she is well on the road, although a long road it be. I got my card marked for a few hours fishing on Sunday, her friend was coming rounf to sit with here anyway As is often the case, early to rise, the trip to the marina gives a photo oportunity on the sunrise. Sure enough, I was not disapointed, I grabed the Nikon D80, rather than the usual 'fishing compact'. Here are a few of my selection from 50 + photos. Made me late for the fishing, but as I was doing a loan trip, what the hell!! A good day was had with the codling and as a bonus, the Sunset was equaly rewarding. Enjoy, SW

Yes I did, late'ish about 9.15am, went just to the Wadgate/Felistowe ledge area. Had about 20 fish best about 5lb, half were keeping size, I actualy kept 5. Not a single doggie I feel quite under privilaged A very pleasent day, 'me and myself' for company, hot pies, fresh tea Back in by 3, a short session. SW

Only just seen the announcement, patient, kind, helpfull . . . what can one say ? RIP 'Wiggly'. SW

The DSLR is probably a much bigger picture file (m pixels). You dont give 'm pixel size'? My Compact is twice as quick as my DSLR for that reason, simply, more infomation to load! There are some superfast cards out there, have a look at their speed spec. I also find that a 'card reader to computer', seems to be quicker than 'camera to computer'. Thats how it used to be anyway, been using card readers for years, so I dont know if the latest cameras are any better? Also have found own brands cards and 'acme'=never heard of brands, are slow by comparison? personal opinion of course. I'm talking SD cards her, cant coment on CF cards. Its not the capacity of the card thats makes it faster, its the trickery inside that is 'double dutch' to me. However, Sandisk do have verious speed designation on SD cards, I use their 'Ultera III', and still it could be faster transfering 10mp's. . . ! SW

O'well, the sprats are in, the tides is a neap, there are load of cod about but, frustrainly, they will be on the sprats for sure!!!! but the weather is perfect and the tide is right for me to ride it out and back!! My regular crew is unavaliable so I'm on my jack, I feel the urge to go wast some diesel and feed the crabs tomorrow anyone else got the same urge?? SW

Make sure the skipper knows you want smoothies, use crab as bait, crab will give you the best chance of a nice one into double figures, no guarentees of course, but thats fishing Pound for pound, on light ballanced tackle, smoothouds are the best value for money on the East cost, IMHO!!! They just dont know when they are beat!! SW

You old cynic you . . . of course the lady would not even have considerd the advertising factor . . . hay, I just saw a pink elephant fly by