Needed a lightweight travel tripod, something small enough to fit in the camera bag, but sturdy enough to take some nighttime shots. Got a lot of good advice, but ignored it all. Tripods are a personal thing -- there's just no picking one out without fiddling with it a bit.
Guys are just like that about anything that's supposed to stand erect, I suppose.
Headed down to the local camera shop, and picked out a beaut (the 714SHB)from Manfrotto. The thing weighs a little more than I thought I wanted: a bit over 2 pounds. For the weight gain, I get something stable enough to do long exposures. Folds down to 14 inches, which ought to let it squeeze into my camera bag. Or maybe not. Well, there's always the shoulder strap.
Feeling all warm and tingly about having spent too much money, I decided to go way overboard. On the Professor's advice, I went ahead and ordered Nikon's 12-24mm f/4 zoom from Calumet. The lens is overpriced considering how little glass actually goes into its manufacture. (It isn't a full-frame lens, being designed strictly for digital cameras.) But if you want to shoot wide angle on your DSLR, it's your only choice. Nikon has a captive market, and they know it.
Besides, we're heading off for Mexico before long, and it'd be silly to travel all that way with an incomplete kit. And, like, do you have any idea how many extra bikini girls I can get into a single shot at 18mm?
Developing...
OK, so I'm shooting digital and there's no longer any developing. But that doesn't mean there won't be bikini girls, who, I hope, will be very nicely developed.
Canon's recently released a wide angle that goes down to 10mm. I'll have to buy it at some point, but it sure is spendy.
do you have any idea how many extra bikini girls I can get into a single shot at 18mm?
Nope, but I'm looking forward to finding out...
"do you have any idea how many extra bikini girls I can get into a single shot at 18mm?"
That would depend on if they're laying head to toe, or standing side by side.
But that doesn't mean there won't be bikini girls, who, I hope, will be very nicely developed.
Dude, you're like, married.
I humbly volunteer to go in your stead in order to save your marriage.
No charge. ;-)
Sigh ...envy you the 12-24 Nikon. I've been trying for a month to convince myself to buy it but keep getting sidetracked by the forthcoming Tokina ATX. It looks to be as good, or very close, for around 60% of the price. Problem is it's back ordered beyond belief and I have no idea when one will be available which of course means I should really buy the Nikon etc etc. Explaining to the wife why I'm spending more on this then the D70 camera is the main obstacle. Doubt the bikini girl issue will help much.
I have 3 support systems. A plastic tripod that weighs about 1/3rd of a pound and is good for telling people I have several tripods.
A Manfrotto monopod that is the bomb. Helps when I'm shooting in low lighting situations or if I'm using a long lens.
Then comes the beast. Over 9 1/2 feet tall when fully extended, it is an ancient Bogen my mother gave me. It is what you use when you need to shoot in tornadoes. I think the metal is depleted uranium because the damn thing weighs 200 pounds. But when you set it up, it doesn't budge.
Now about that wide angle, wish I could get one myself. Still working on drumming up more business to justify it. Love my D2H which will be shamed by the D2X this summer.
Bastards.
