Berto

Bump it on up!

OK ok you've talked me off the ledge. I'm going to wait a bit since I don't really need it. However, if polaris has another factory clearance event I might end up with something that goes off road.

Or i'll just keep swapping lenses save my money and get the D7100 when it comes out?

ok so the 28-300 Nikkor does work on DX, which is a nice benefit because if I ever do go full frame the lens will be compatible. Thing is about the 50-150 and the 70-200 suggested is they are huge, which is expected for an f2.8 lens. and my focal range is limited, aka have to still swap between lenses. I guess the other question is would I really use anything in the 200mm+ range? uggggggggggggggggggh

the 28-300 isn't really recommended for a DX application What is MPEX?

OK so decision day (so to speak) has come upon me. I am itching to buy a new lens. I keep going back and forth between this lens the Sigma 18-250 ($500) and the Nikkor 18-300 ($1000). The biggest reason for me to get the mega-zoom is to not have to switch back and forth between the 18-55 and the 55-200. Specially while out on vacation, sometimes I find myself missing a shot because I don't want to switch lenses, or I might be in a dirty environment and don't want to get my sensor dirty. The extra focal length is also very very nice. My natural choice is the Nikkor because the quality is decent (for a mega zoom), has an extra 50mm on the Sigma. However it is double the price. From everything I've read the Sigma is actually a pretty good lens and in some aspects I hear better than the Nikkor. On the other hand these are both zooms with a huge focal range, so just in that matter I can't really expect awesome quality photos from either of them (love my 35mm prime). With that said knowing that with a huge zoom like this the quality is not going to be spectacular, is it worth the extra $500 investment? I do have a sigma 10-20 which I am really pretty happy with, it has pretty mean CA, but from what I hear the nikkor equivalent had it too, just the nature of the ultrawide zoom I guess. Nikkor Pros: - 50mm extra focal length - 'nikkor quality' but still is a huge zoom so relative - lower F-stop up top (5.6) - vibration reduction Negative: - Heavier - double the price Sigma 18-250 Pros: - bit lighter - from what I've read quality is pretty decent in some aspects better than nikkor - HALF price - Sigma's vibration reduction system - Pseudo Macro functionality Negative: - 3rd party lens - 50mm less focal length - higher F-stop up top (6.3) I just can't decide!

I ended up getting 'ingenious' I wrapped the old lady's ancient Kirby vacuum cleaner (that has great suction) with rubber. Turns out an old punctured inner tube stretched over the wheels really nicely. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Miscelaneous/092312_5286.jpg

Putting my quad up for sale, time to upgrade. 2003 Suzuki LTZ400 ($2000). This has been an awesome machine. I've had it for 4? years now and it has NEVER left me stranded in the woods. All my friends with other bikes have had all kinds of problems but thing thing is rock solid. Some of the plastic attachment points are broken but that was from the previous owner. Just a few months ago I cracked the head light but I made an HID system that mounts on the bumper. The ballasts and lights are designed to be attached by 4 bolts, so I remove them when i'm not going to be riding at night. I would be willing to drop the price $100 to sell it without the HIDs. - Good tires, Have new fronts it will go with (unmounted) - Aftermarket frame and swing arm protector. - Factory suzuki 6-pack rack - Aftermarket front bumper - Hand guards, the good stuff with the metal support, not the ones that flap around. - New rear caliper, w/parking brake delete. - Sealed AFM battery still going strong. - Recently replaced the front wheel bearings and rear axle bearings. - Yoshimura slip-on pipe - Nerf Bars - New Chain Thats all I can remember now. Oh yeah, it has a clear title as well. A lot of ATV's now a days thats hard to find. Plastics aren't perfect but as on most quads the mounting points are broken and zip tied on. I will be coming back to town in a few weeks, can bring it with me for a serious buyer. More pics as requested. The pic below is older, but the only thing really changed is the headlight no longer works and is replaced with the HID lights on the bumper. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/ATV/DSC00037.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/ATV/DSC03987.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/ATV/DSC03989.jpg

The purple is the scioto river phantom!!!!!!!!!

I broke an impact driver bit in one.... Link?

Nice ride man, good luck with the sale.

So you're a believer huh? Mine is laminate wood so should be a bit tougher and more resistant.

So as you may have seen from the home improvement thread i just put new wood flooring in the entire house. The girlfriend insists on using her 'cast iron' Kirby while is great for the carpet everytime she uses it on the wood floor veins in my head want to burst. We also have a small 'stick' vac. basically its a bissell dust buster on a broom stick. But this thing leaves a lot behind, even on the bare wood floor. The suction power is really terrible. I have to take the widening attachment off and put the nozzle of it directly on a piece of cat litter for it to pick it up. I was just looking a dysons 'DC25' and one of their cannister ones. But I hear the uprights still scratch some of the reviewers floors. I was also considering the DC35 which is a 'stick' vac. So to make a long story short, what do you guys use on your hardwood floors? I am thinking about trying to make the Kirby wood safe by covering the wheels in rubber or maybe a rubberized duct tape?

No.

Newborn belly buttons creep me out. Pretty classic smile on 1.

Also, noticed this full circle rainbow while on the ferry. 16 Wish the colors showed better. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091612_4953.jpg

So I ended up going to Wilmington, NC again for work. This time since I received a promotion and am switching jobs internally it would be my last trip. I ended up fronting some of my own coin and staying there the weekend. So I went back to the airport to drop off my 4 cylinder Camry (yay) and maybe pick up something even more fuel efficient since I was the only one traveling (no coworker). I walked past this bright blue brand new mustang convertible. I thought to myself, I have to ask how much it is extra. It was only $50 extra for both days. Considering I was going to end up driving from Wilmington to kitty hawk and back along the coastal scenic highway, figured what the heck, you only live once. Its no lambo, but its way more fun than a Corolla. 1 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5205.jpg 2 fun with the wide angle lens. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5208.jpg Drove all the way up to Cedar Island on the way I stopped at the Cape lookout lighthouse. To get to it you have a 30 minute or so boat ride, considering I was on the last Ferry to Ocracoke from Cedar Island with a time crunch I just could not swing it. I did grab this picture. Need moar zoom. 3 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091412_5254.jpg When arriving to Cedar Island I got on the last Ferry ride to Ocracoke, where my 'hotel' was (more of an inn/bed and breakfast). The Ferry ride was 2.5 hrs. Had plenty of time to sit back and enjoy my book. I was sitting in the back seat of the car with the front seat folded down and my feet propped up, super chill. Met a few friendly folks a young couple on their anniversary and another guy touring on his motorcycle. Great to hear stranger's stories sometimes. We arrived to Ocracoke at Dark, and I had not eaten dinner yet. The couple invited me to Howards Pub on the Island to chill. Said it was the best place. So I met them up there at the bar after checking in. Had some fresh seafood and a great chat. However, I had an early morning the next day so I wished them a happy anniversary and was on my way. The next morning I woke up and it was still dark. I had plans to go to the Wright Brother's museum in Kitty Hawk and a few other lighthouses. The Island I was staying on was completely isolated in terms of road access. So I headed to the other end of the island to grab the free Ferry to Hatteras (only 40 mins). I happened to be waiting in line when the sunrise began. What a sight... I got off the Ferry and hit the road running. Wanted to get up to Kitty Hawk and see everything else on the way down so I could do the sunset somewhere off hwy 12 (the Scenic Hwy). 4 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5057.jpg 5 more wide angle goodnes? http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5058.jpg It was a weird feeling being at the birthplace of aviation during the remembrance of 9/11 with the flags at half staff. Tried to get a photo to show the contrast. 6 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5065.jpg I ended up walking all 4 of the markers progressively getting farther and farther as the flights got longer. On the way back saw a boy scout troop participated in a sprint to see who could run the distance faster than the wright brothers first flew it. 7 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5099.jpg So after spending a few hrs there I turned and burned back south. The atmosphere in the Kitty Hawk/Ranaoke island was too crowded for my style. I had fallen in love with the relative solitude of the outer banks (Cape Hatteras National Seashore). Heading back I stopped at the Bodie Island lighthouse only to find it shut down for renovations. I got pictures but they weren't interesting so I'm not posting them. Continuing on down rt 12 I had to get to the Hatteras Lighthouse by 4:30 if I wanted to climb it. Supposedly the tallest light house in North America. It was just recently moved more inland due to beach erosion, pretty interesting and impressive feat. 8 Just noticed its crooked but i'm too lazy to straighten it. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5007.jpg I decided to check out the beach nearby caught a few surfers....again need moa zoom. 9 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5173.jpg Even though there were only about 15 ppl on the beach, it was still to crowded for me so I headed back north a few miles into the desolate protected beach. I walked for over an hour (at 5pm) and did not spot another soul, it was wonderful. 10 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5179.jpg 11 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5183.jpg As the sun started to set I ran down the route again a bit to where I remember seeing some kite surfers on the sound side of the road. This is so far out in the offshore that you can see the sunrise and the sunset on the water. I had some perfect timing and luck to have this kite surfer line up with the sunset from my vantage point. 12 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091512_5223.jpg After that I ran back to Ocracoke on the Ferry. It was quite the difference running it at night. The Ferry operator actually navigates by spot light. Due to the sandy nature of the ocean floor there are sand bars everywhere, the routes are actually labeled almost like a road. With the fish attracted to the spotlight you could see the wild birds feeding in the light. Grabbed some dinner at Howards Pub again, watched some ball and went to bed. Knowing my return trip home the next day would be a long day. Up at 6:30, it was still dark. I drove to the beach one last time to get the sunrise before getting on the 2.5 hr long ferry ride back to the mainland. 13 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091612_4881.jpg While on the ferry I grabbed a quick shot of the Ocracoke lighthouse 14 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091612_4909.jpg 15 Wide angle shot from the front of the ferry http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Outer%20Banks%202012/091612_4947.jpg

Not sure what you need it to do, but I am pretty happy with my benchtop craftsman, its was like $150 bux if I recall.

Loving the wide angle zoom for this shot. I knew the hired photographer would be honing in on the bride and groom so I locked in the 10-20mm to get the church etc. 1. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090812_4813BW.jpg 2. Random little girl playing with mom's camera. Trying to show me how Canon fotogs do it. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090812_4824.jpg

Also hearing a new Nook is going to be announced soon that might be incorporating windows 8.... ugh stupid decisions

What do you pick and why? Discuss.

So the GF's sister got married this past weekend. I was not the official photographer. I was asked to take a few shots of the guys getting ready since the photographer was with the ladies. Long story short we got disconnected so I only got some pictures in the limo on the way to the wedding (of the groomsmen). Then while the photographer was messing with the wedding party before the wedding I ran around the place where the ceremony was going to take place to grab a few shots of details the other guy may not get. However I didn't get any 'amazing' shots of the bride and groom because I was in the crowd. Out of respect to the other photographer I didn't wan't to be that guy in all the shots with his SLR in the crowd. So here are a few that I got. 1 Rehearsal Dinner http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090112_4459.jpg 2 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4591.jpg 3 Having some trouble with the CA on the wide angle lens. I like to use it but its pretty obvious in this pic. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4595.jpg 4 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4615.jpg 5 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4624.jpg 6 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4616.jpg 7 This turned out to be one of the better pictures of the night. There is some back story. This is all the bride's side of the family. Their first time really all together since Grandma had died. Their aunt ( the older lady, 95) is in the shot having a blast and the brothers/sisters are all singing 'He ain't heavy he's my brother' to the Father of the bride. He is a pretty conservative guy so being we'd never get him in a pink tie ever again, I decided to leave that in color. So it was one of the better moments of the day asside from the wedding. The photographer was busy stuffing his face and didn't get the shot. So I got my SB-700 out and shot away. Flash photography is a challenge! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/BertoBizkit/Fred%20Miranda%20Forum%20Entries/Berto%20Photography/Misc%20Photography/090212_4721PinkTie.jpg

If I was local you could borrow my 10-20mm . its a DX lens though

Not sure what's getting asked here but I have not run 8s (I wish) and i have not seen it done on an N/A rear end either.

I still have to figure out how to properly post process a blurry background without making it look dumb. Oh well something to learn!