GKPE: General Ramblings thread

[FlyingPete]

:D :D :D Pete, I like the new avatar :D :D :D

Its my new hypnotic stare, I am using it to make everyone buy Sigma lenses :lol:

[Wazza]

Well it must have worked for me. :D

[scotttnz]

It sounds like Tony has had some influence on the groups lens buying habbits

Not really, I can't justify the new price of a Canon or Sigma 70-200 f2.8, and if I could get a Canon for $700 Second Hand I would have, but the cheapest I have seen one for is around $1200 which is what Pete paid for his. It will be interesting to do a comparison of the 2 lenses.

From what I understand (guys/gals, jump in if I'm mistaken) there are 2 versions of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 -- APO DG & EX DG HSM, the EX being more expensive. Others in the forum (and elsewhere) swear that the APO gives great pics, but I would assume that the EX would do the same given that it is the professional version of the line.

There are 2 verions of the lens. The EX APO DG is the replacement for the EX APO that I got (Both are designated EX which is Sigmas top range). As Pete said the only differences with the DG are the finish and the element coatings that are supposed to reduce internal relections, althought I am yet to hear of anybody noticing the difference in pictures. Speculation is that is is simply a marketing thing.

Let me know what you think after you have had a good play with it. Be nice to see that lens and wazzas 1.4 TC on my body.

I hope to get my 82mm CP filter this week

You are welcome to borrow it for a while, I'm only to happy to return the favour. I'm keen to try a 1.4TC as well, it is on my wish list. I'm going to be looking for a 77mm CP too, might go out to Auckland Camera tommorrow or Saturday if the lens arrives. I need to get my gear valued for insurance too.

[scotttnz]

Its my new hypnotic stare, I am using it to make everyone buy Sigma lenses

Cool, so when I get hassled by the other half I can say that you made me do it!

[FlyingPete]

Cool, so when I get hassled by the other half I can say that you made me do it!

:D

[Wazza]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138720

I've finally put together a few jousting pics, if anyone wants to take a look. Sorry it took so long!

[joeseph]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138720

I've finally put together a few jousting pics, if anyone wants to take a look. Sorry it took so long!

yeah we know, other things on you mind......

Got an e-mail from a Computer/Network supplier in Albany today who shall remain nameless (except they were bought by another NZ supplier last year and moved their warehouse south)
Anyways, this supplier being a Canon supplier, haven't ever done SLR's before (sure I would have noticed...) The interesting bit in all this ramble is they've dropped their dealer buy pricing for the 20D - $1699 +GST +shipping for body only, $1850 +GST + shipping for body & 18-55 kit lens. interesting? huh?

[scotttnz]

The interesting bit in all this ramble is they've dropped their dealer buy pricing for the 20D - $1699 +GST +shipping for body only, $1850 +GST + shipping for body & 18-55 kit lens. interesting? huh?

WOW that is interesting! They have had some SLR gear on their site for a while, but it has always been too expensive, like more than Auckland Camera's retail price. The question is have they just dropped their wholesale prices because they have woken up and realised they need to be cheaper than retail, or do they know something about an announcement we have all been waiting for? I will have to check out what has happened with their lens prices to give an indication.

[scotttnz]

I will have to check out what has happened with their lens prices to give an indication.

Nah lenses are stil over priced!

[FlyingPete]

yeah we know, other things on you mind......

Got an e-mail from a Computer/Network supplier in Albany today who shall remain nameless (except they were bought by another NZ supplier last year and moved their warehouse south)
Anyways, this supplier being a Canon supplier, haven't ever done SLR's before (sure I would have noticed...) The interesting bit in all this ramble is they've dropped their dealer buy pricing for the 20D - $1699 +GST +shipping for body only, $1850 +GST + shipping for body & 18-55 kit lens. interesting? huh?

Wow, I will tell some of the guys here about that, they arer thinking 20D:
Your Buy (ex. GST) Your Buy (inc. GST) GST
1,850.00 2,081.25 12.50 %

RRP (ex. GST) RRP (inc. GST)
2,488.00 2,799.00

Description
Canon EOS20D with 18-55 Kit Lens
SLR Camera 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor & DiG!C II

Stock On Hand Committed Available
0 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland)
Being Receipted In Transit On Order First Available*
0 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland) 2 (Auckland) 26 FEB 2006

Stock is not good though :(

[FlyingPete]

BTW, Moppie just made Goldmember:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138880

[scotttnz]

Stock is not good though

I don't think they ever keep these in stock, they just order them when someone wants one.

[dgcorner]

The interesting bit in all this ramble is they've dropped their dealer buy pricing for the 20D - $1699 +GST +shipping for body only, $1850 +GST + shipping for body & 18-55 kit lens. interesting? huh?

Wow! I wonder how many pieces does a dealer have to buy? I bought my 20D in September last year, and the retailer (I found via pricespy.co.nz) would have made less than $150 then...

[FlyingPete]

Wow! I wonder how many pieces does a dealer have to buy? I bought my 20D in September last year, and the retailer (I found via pricespy.co.nz) would have made less than $150 then...

The whole thing is a little messy, if they bought directly off Canon, not the above mentioned supplier, they may have got a better price, but it is much easier to get an account with the above mentioned supplier than Canon. Having a Canon account is still no guarantee of a cheaper price either. An example of that is bottles of Coke:

In my student days I worked at a supermarket, I was surprised how many dairy owners would stock up big time on coke when it was on sale (there was no quantity limits back then) when they had accounts with Coke NZ, turns out the supermarket got such a good bulk discount they were able to sell it at a better price than the dairy owners could get out of Coke!

The above mentioned IT supplier is a major bulk buyer, however not in 20D's judging from their stock levels :rolleyes: (They probably still get a good deal with all the other Canon gear they buy).

[iKirst]

Stock is not good though :(
Heh - Canon have issues with meeting demand in NZ. I said this when I first jouned POTN (about 4 weeks ago :p)
It took 2 months to get even a 430EX speedlite (yeah, I know, a little one) and 3 months to get my 90-300USM.

[tim]

It takes me less than a week to get stuff from B&H in New York, and it's cheaper too.

[Wazza]

B&H took 4 days to even process my order
Couple of days to get from NY to Auckland,
And then another 2-3 days of mucking around and first time tax import duties etc...
Took about 2 weeks in total when you included weekends. Felt like an eternity.

[tim]

You were unlucky, it's usually around a week for me, a little more or a little less. Weekends do make a difference. Tax stuff I just call up UPS a day before stuff arrives in the country and pay them by credit card, then they're not held up at all. Takes an extra day to get the stuff to Wellington too.

[Wazza]

You said that before, but I phone them beforehand, and they said it had to go THROUGH customs and get calculated GST on arrival, not during transit. :(

[IainB]

It takes me less than a week to get stuff from B&H in New York, and it's cheaper too.

When I was buying my 70-200 F4L, I managed to squeeze Auckland Camera to within NZ$120 of the landed all-up price from B&H, so decided to give them the business (loyalty, ra ra...). Delivery time to be 4 weeks. O.K I thought, this is end-of-the-line NZ afterall. 4 weeks later, I was told 'not here yet'. I rang Canon who told me they were waiting on Australia to advise shipment date, and that another 4 weeks delay would be expected.

Next I emailed Auckland Camera, and cancelled my order. Placed an order with B&H the same day (adding a few trinkets to lift my spirits). 6 days later, I had the package in my hands, and more than $300 extra to spend (comparing the prices of the items I actually ordered). Not bad at all.

Auckland Camera rang me in the interim, expressing their frustration with Canon NZ, apologising to me, and asking (I'm not sure why) if they could 'use' my experience as leverage with Canon. (is that a pig I just saw flying by my window?). As the Canon representative had said to me "We are at the end of the food chain in NZ..." So true.

We may want to support local business - what goes around comes around - but let's be realistic. I was not prepared to wait 8 weeks. To pay more as well would have been an insult.

If you haven't yet ordered from B&H or another o'seas source, remember a couple of things. GST is levied here at a certain threshold; Customs add an import charge (+GST), and use a miserly exchange rate to do their calculation of the goods value in NZ$$. On top of that, Visa can only process the transaction when it is submitted by the retailer, who has 6 months to get round to it!

I last bought from B&H when NZ$ was at US$.7250 and falling. B&H were tardy in submitting the deal to Visa and I needed to hurry them along (finally went through on Visa at .715). Not a huge difference, but every $ counts.

When I collected my parcel from UPS at the airport, I was surprised to see a number of B&H packages awaiting collecting - I could only imagine the delights within.....

[IainB]

B&H took 4 days to even process my order
Couple of days to get from NY to Auckland,
And then another 2-3 days of mucking around and first time tax import duties etc...
Took about 2 weeks in total when you included weekends. Felt like an eternity.

Over a certain value, you may need an import licence - a formality, required the first time you import. Others should check with Customs.

Was there any issue in this regard with your order, Wazza?

[scotttnz]

Moppie just made Goldmember

Pete with your new Avitar shouldn't you be Goldmember or Austin Powers or Something!

Its my new hypnotic stare, I am using it to make everyone buy Sigma lenses

Cool, so when I get hassled by the other half I can say that you made me do it!

Does it count for teleconvertors as well? I just got back from Auckland Camera where I was hypnotised into buying a second hand Sigma 1.4TC for a good price. I got home to find a box by the front door with my new (second hand) 70-200 in it.

First impressions are it looks to be in good condition and works. I'm glad I'm on holiday this week! Guess what I am doing this afternoon?

[tim]

I've bought in thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, and i've not needed an import license. UPS can calculate the GST and fees when the package is 1-2 days away, you can pay in advance, change the delivery address if you want, and it flies thru. I'd say i've had packages take from 6 to 10 days to arrive, after ordering.

[dgcorner]

An example of that is bottles of Coke ...the supermarket got such a good bulk discount they were able to sell it at a better price than the dairy owners could get out of Coke!

The above mentioned IT supplier is a major bulk buyer, however not in 20D's judging from their stock levels :rolleyes: (They probably still get a good deal with all the other Canon gear they buy).

Thanks Pete! Yes, I know what you mean. To date, dairy owners still go to Pak&Save & Gilmours to buy their stocks... mainly because they can get a better deal there compared to buying direct from, say, Heinz Watties.

Middlemen always make the bigger profits... when it comes to smaller fry like us :confused:

[FlyingPete]

Does it count for teleconvertors as well? I just got back from Auckland Camera where I was hypnotised into buying a second hand Sigma 1.4TC for a good price. I got home to find a box by the front door with my new (second hand) 70-200 in it.


More toys! What lenses can you use it on? I would be interested to put my name down for a "trial" at some point!

We can add it into the sharpness test too, see if it beats a equivalent crop of an image in Photoshop (I sure hope so!).

[dgcorner]

... and i've not needed an import license. UPS can calculate the GST and fees when the package is 1-2 days away, you can pay in advance, change the delivery address if you want, and it flies thru. I'd say i've had packages take from 6 to 10 days to arrive, after ordering.

I agree with Tim -- I've been ordering quite a few things from overseas. Since you don't buy things in commercial quantities, you don't need an import license. 10 working days is the norm. Any longer would be unlucky...

And yes, like Iain, as much as I would like to patronise local stores, I can't justify the excessive mark-up of the retailers. $150 dollars difference might be a good "insurance policy" if the item doesn't have an international warranty... any larger than that... :confused: My tripod and ball head ex-Einstein Products on eBay arrived in a week, and I saved some $350+ compared to buying locally.

[dgcorner]

Scott, looking forward to some pics of yours with the new toys. I've been saving up for the 70-200 and it would be really good to get firsthand feedback.

[dgcorner]

If any of you still use Photoshop 7 (like me) and want to create frames...: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1195890#post1195890

It's a pity that Mickle's scripts only run on CS...

[tim]

Scott, looking forward to some pics of yours with the new toys. I've been saving up for the 70-200 and it would be really good to get firsthand feedback.

70-200 IS? It's a fantastic lens! Pricey but worth it IMHO.

[scotttnz]

More toys! What lenses can you use it on? I would be interested to put my name down for a "trial" at some point!

There is a list of lenses in the manual. The only lens I own that it supports is the 70-200. It will work with your 70-200 as well, but only with the centre focus point.
I'll bring it along tonight, I believe we are doing the usaul for dinner.

I've been saving up for the 70-200 and it would be really good to get firsthand feedback.

I can do better than that. Borrow it for a day or 2 sometime and see what you think. Of course mine is the non DG version not the current DG one.

I'll post a mini review in a week or 2 when I have had a bit of a chance to get used to it. I think Pete and I are going to do a comparision between my Sigma and his Canon at some point and post the results. I expect the Canon to be better, but it will be interesting to see how much better for the $$$$.

That will be the end of my major photography purchases for a while. I want to pick up a few filters (CP and ND Grad) I might see what I can pick up second hand. That leaves a kit lens replacement (faster and non rotating front element - the new Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 could be interesting) and a WA (Sigma 10-20 or Canon 10-22 if the price is right) on the wish list. But they will be staying on the wish list for a while!

[scotttnz]

70-200 IS? It's a fantastic lens! Pricey but worth it IMHO.

I'm sure it is worth it for a pro or even semi-pro (maybe) but I am not a pro, nor do I aspire to be. The secondhand Sigma will do me well for many years I am sure. Hey for Under $1K I got a 70-200 f2.8 and a 100-280 f4 (70-200+1.4TC). No it's not L glass, but I don't have L sort of money to spend on my hobby!

[dgcorner]

I can do better than that. Borrow it for a day or 2 sometime and see what you think. Of course mine is the non DG version not the current DG one.

I'll post a mini review in a week or 2 when I have had a bit of a chance to get used to it. I think Pete and I are going to do a comparision between my Sigma and his Canon at some point and post the results. I expect the Canon to be better, but it will be interesting to see how much better for the $$$$.

That will be the end of my major photography purchases for a while. I want to pick up a few filters (CP and ND Grad) I might see what I can pick up second hand. That leaves a kit lens replacement (faster and non rotating front element - the new Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 could be interesting) and a WA (Sigma 10-20 or Canon 10-22 if the price is right) on the wish list. But they will be staying on the wish list for a while!

Thanks Scott! Our wishlists are quite modest actually... all we need to do is find some money for it:) (did you see CDS' post about giving a free lens if he wins the lottery -- that thread was burning...)

Looking forward to the comparison... then again, Pete might do his hypno stare and make you fudge the shots:D

Have a great weekend!

[FlyingPete]

Ha ha has, my evil plan is unfolding :twisted:

Lots of evil laughing, more evil laughing, coughing, chocking opps over did it :rolleyes:

My current place of work may not be too happy a place for some come Monday :-P

[tim]

I'm sure it is worth it for a pro or even semi-pro (maybe) but I am not a pro, nor do I aspire to be. The secondhand Sigma will do me well for many years I am sure. Hey for Under $1K I got a 70-200 f2.8 and a 100-280 f4 (70-200+1.4TC). No it's not L glass, but I don't have L sort of money to spend on my hobby!

I think high priced lenses are overrated generally, though this one is worth the money because of the IS and the F2.8. It's perfect for a dark church given I hate carrying tripods around in churches.

[dgcorner]

My current place of work may not be too happy a place for some come Monday :-P

Oh boy... it's a good thing that you're out of there... No fun working in a place if certain people play the political game, or give others a hard time just to move up, etc. Work is hard enough as it is, other people making it miserable think we need the aggravation like a bullet in the head.

Have a good weekend!

[dgcorner]

I think high priced lenses are overrated generally, though this one is worth the money because of the IS and the F2.8. It's perfect for a dark church given I hate carrying tripods around in churches.

Tim, that's what marketers are paid to do...:) But yes, the IS and f2.8 would be fantastic if I too can afford it...

Ta ta, off to buy a lotto ticket... Looks like CDS didn't win the big one...

Have a good weekend!

[weka2000]

Go Sigma ............

[FlyingPete]

Go Sigma ............

Yeah like I said in my subliminal message:
sesnel amgis yub

[Wazza]

Those darn subliminal messages.

[weka2000]

wazza you need a 24-70 F2.8 to fill that sigma gap. Want to do a swap for a couple of days :)

hell just the thought of loosing my new favorite sigma sends shivers all over me.

[Wazza]

wazza you need a 24-70 F2.8 to fill that sigma gap. Want to do a swap for a couple of days :)

hell just the thought of loosing my new favorite sigma sends shivers all over me.

You don't have any gaps though. :p

I used the 120-300 last night at the cricket.. Wasn't too bad, especially the first few.. Then it went dark, and the images went bad. :lol:

I'm too busy in the next couple of weeks for any lens swaps.
I'm getting pretty scared of my weddings coming up. i'm thinking I'm going to lose my creative ability and do boring posed shots. :confused:

[IainB]

I've bought in thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, and i've not needed an import license. UPS can calculate the GST and fees when the package is 1-2 days away, you can pay in advance, change the delivery address if you want, and it flies thru. I'd say i've had packages take from 6 to 10 days to arrive, after ordering.

I bow to your experience, Tim. My company needed to apply for an import 'number' the first time an import order over NZ$1000 was brought in. From then on, I simply quote that number. It obviously does not apply to individuals.

[weka2000]

You don't have any gaps though. :p

Just 1 gap 500-800mm

[dgcorner]

Tony, how good is the 10-20? That and the 70-200 2.8 EX should fill any gaps for me... ;-)

[tim]

I bow to your experience, Tim. My company needed to apply for an import 'number' the first time an import order over NZ$1000 was brought in. From then on, I simply quote that number. It obviously does not apply to individuals.

You know I think I did have to register about 5 years ago when I bought something in. It took a few minutes to fax something away, I don't know if I even got a reply. Maybe UPS looked that up for me or something?

Could be different for companies, I had it under my name. My biggest order was US$2300 from B&H (70-200 IS, 50 1.4, 2GB CF), and I have multiple US$1000 orders too, never had a problem.

[weka2000]

10-20 $850 Auckland camera. Its good the reviews are starting to pop up all over the net. The only reason I got it was $$$ $1500 ish for the canon
I dont use it a lot. 24-70 is my main landscape lens but in tight waterfall areas I think it will be great.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=298

[scotttnz]

Just 1 gap 500-800mm

Tony, you are insane!

Tony, how good is the 10-20? That and the 70-200 2.8 EX should fill any gaps for me...

John, I borrowed Tony's 10-20 for about 2 weeks. It is a great lens, especially for the price. If you can get to use one for a week or 2 I highly recomend it, it changed the way I think about a wide angle. I thought I would use it for landscapes, but actualy found it too wide for most landscape shots (but there are definately some landscapes where you need the wide angle, unless you are as good at photostitching as Matt), but it was fantastic for the wild perspective you could get on things. I found I was either not using it, or using it at the 20 end most of the time. But I got some great shots that I could not have got without it. It (or the Canon 10-22) is still on my wish list, but it moved down the order a bit, because I discovered that I would not use it as often as I thought, or in the way that I thought I would.

[scotttnz]

Here are a couple of pics of my new lens+TC on the 350D:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/scotttnz/Sigma1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/scotttnz/Sigma2.jpg

Sorry about the IQ.....what can I say they were taken on my Sony P&S

[::John::]

lookin' good, real good.

[forsaken]

everyones getting nice new toys :(

[forsaken]

more drag racing pictures coming up sometime soon. nifty seems to like drag racing, especially the night drags :)

[scotttnz]

everyones getting nice new toys

Or secondhand ones!

[forsaken]

new to them though :)

[iKirst]

I have a nice new big toy..
:lol:

[FlyingPete]

I have a nice new big toy..
:lol:

Ah yes well, but out toys don't talk back :lol:

[weka2000]

Inst that ment to be toy boy :)

[FlyingPete]

Hey everyone, its a lovely day outside, what are you doing here, oh wait I am here too :oops:

[dgcorner]

. . . I found I was either not using it, or using it at the 20 end most of the time. But I got some great shots that I could not have got without it. It (or the Canon 10-22) is still on my wish list, but it moved down the order a bit, because I discovered that I would not use it as often as I thought, or in the way that I thought I would.

Thanks Scott. That actually got me thinking... and it looks like this will be 3rd on my list... next to the 70-200... and I should make the most of my 28-105 or the 80-200 in the meantime...

But first, I think I need the EF100mm/Sigma105mm macro -- I did heaps of macro shooting when I had my Noink Coolpix 5700... and sorely miss shooting in this mode. The Sigma 24-70 isn't a true macro lens, it just focuses closer than most, but only gets (I think) 1:2 rather than 1:1.

Cheers!

[weka2000]

Id go for the 150 F2.8 macro as it will aslo take the 14 TC. May be a bit more but the reviews are great.

Im spending my $ on filters at the moment. I figure Ive got enough glass. Shame they are not all 77mm sizes.

10-20 = 77mm Need to test Duncans 77mm CP to see the results
24-70 = 82mm Main lens got a ND4 this week CP next pay
50-500 =86mm

18-55 kit = 58mm 3x IR filters 3x Closeup 3X ND 1xCP 1xUV will also fit Sony F717 for Infrared

Im glad I dont have wazzas size 100+ mm thread

[forsaken]

Hey everyone, its a lovely day outside, what are you doing here, oh wait I am here too :oops:

just finished washing and polishing the car, it's too hot outside so I am hiding someplace cooler.


that and I needed to review the shots taken last night
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=139295

[dgcorner]

Id go for the 150 F2.8 macro as it will aslo take the 14 TC. May be a bit more but the reviews are great.

Im spending my $ on filters at the moment. I figure Ive got enough glass. Shame they are not all 77mm sizes.

10-20 = 77mm Need to test Duncans 77mm CP to see the results
24-70 = 82mm Main lens got a ND4 this week CP next pay
50-500 =86mm

18-55 kit = 58mm 3x IR filters 3x Closeup 3X ND 1xCP 1xUV will also fit Sony F717 for Infrared

Im glad I dont have wazzas size 100+ mm thread

It's a shame that filter sizes couldn't be made more uniform... they cost heaps... but I guess it's insurance just in case... I read somewhere that if you were to choose a single filter, make it the CP.

I'm looking at one of those Cokin NDs... I have the filter holder but not the adapters for the 82mm... to think of it I may have misplaced my filters... :confused:

[dgcorner]

just finished washing and polishing the car, it's too hot outside so I am hiding someplace cooler.


that and I needed to review the shots taken last night
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=139295

Oh cr@p! That reminds me... I have to clean the car too if I want to join the Ellerslie Car Fair tomorrow!!!:confused:

[scotttnz]

But first, I think I need the EF100mm/Sigma105mm macro

You are welcome to borrow my EFS 60mm Macro if you want to have a go at macro before you splash out on the lens. Actually I am thinking of selling it as I am not shooting anywhere near enough Macro to justify having it. I am looking out for reviews of the new Sigma 17-70 it does Macro to 1:2 magnification so i could replace both the Macro and kit lens with it, and it is pretty cheap too.

Im spending my $ on filters at the moment.
That is where I will be spending a bit of money too. I want a 77mm CP for the 70-200 and ND Grads for the kit lens (or it's replacement)

[forsaken]

Oh cr@p! That reminds me... I have to clean the car too if I want to join the Ellerslie Car Fair tomorrow!!!:confused:


glad to be of assistance, best of luck with the sale

[weka2000]

Scott you are welcom to borrow my 58mm NDs to have a play before you spend your money ND2,4,8 they are stackable.

[scotttnz]

Scott you are welcom to borrow my 58mm NDs to have a play before you spend your money ND2,4,8 they are stackable.

Thanks Tony, I will take you up on that offer sometime. Do you hav ethe cokin type or screw on ones?

[weka2000]

screw in.

[Wazza]

105mm Sigma filter. :o

That's why I bought the 10-20. 77mm, same as my 17-40L
Now bought a cheapo CPL filter...Seems to do an ok job.

[FlyingPete]

Scott you are welcom to borrow my 58mm NDs to have a play before you spend your money ND2,4,8 they are stackable.

Do you have any graduated ND's? Actullay also do you still ahve those IR's?

[weka2000]

No GD ND's

Infrared 760nm 850nm 950nm

[FlyingPete]

No GD ND's

Infrared 760nm 850nm 950nm

What diameters are the IR's? They would be worht a play at the next GPKE :D

[weka2000]

58mm

[weka2000]

105mm Sigma filter. :o

That's why I bought the 10-20. 77mm, same as my 17-40L
Now bought a cheapo CPL filter...Seems to do an ok job.

Comments re the 77mm on the 10-20?

[FlyingPete]

Comments re the 77mm on the 10-20?

There are special slim line ones you can get to stop vignetting at 10mm, not sure if they work or not, but I do no "normal" ones are an issue.

[weka2000]

I was also wondering about the gradent caused by wide angle and CP filters where by the "blue" sky gets less at one end.

Duncan yours is a slim one isnt it. I know it fits but the distance between the top of lens and cp filter is about 1mm, dont screw on to tight or the 2 glasses will touch. In fact the guy at ACamera wount even put it on, he told me do it at my own risk.

[scotttnz]

No GD ND's

Ahhhh....I really wanted to have a go with grads.

[FlyingPete]

I was also wondering about the gradent caused by wide angle and CP filters where by the "blue" sky gets less at one end.

That is a very real issue with wide angles, the angle of coverage is such you will get variation in the "blueness" of the sky across the frame.

[weka2000]

Thats what Ive read. Is there another filter Mabe be a cokin system.

[weka2000]

Any one want to go halves or maybe a group purchase :)

Im almost tempted to sell my 2 550EX speedlights to go towards this setup.

http://www.alienbees.com/busy.html

[weka2000]

My last post got me thinking.... Shot me down tell me im out of my mind what ever but here is my Sunday brain wave.

GKPE Club Auckland branch.

We set up a club, with Bank account, memembership etc. The fees $100 a year. The money goes into to the club fund to purchase things that we could not afford to buy ourselves or would not use all the time. We then hire those goods out and the money goes back into the fund to buy more stuff.

Alein bees, lens, 20d body, etc

Membership grows so does our hire pool.

We all have wants and needs but many of us have kids to feed. As it is we borrow each others stuff thats fine we dont mind and there have been no broken lens to report. Its the "other" things.

Thoughts, comments, ideas

[MattL]

We all have wants and needs but many of us have kids to feed. As it is we borrow each others stuff thats fine we dont mind and there have been no broken lens to report. Its the "other" things.


No broken lenses, but I seem to recall a close encounter of a flash gun.

[tim]

You'd need commercial insurance, which isn't cheap - at least a couple of hundred per year if not more. If you make any of your own gear available for hire it'd have to be covered too, that'd be expensive. I have my gear insured for commercial use, if anyone wants I can find the name of my insurance company.

Weka, I used a 550 and a 580 at a wedding yesterday in master/slave, they worked great, there's no way I could've used ABs out there. The speedlites are good at that sort of thing.

[Moppie]

I thought about this idea, the dollars I have to borrow gear for my work shoot would be a great starter for it.

However, Iv been involved in clubs in the past that have started when a group of mates thought it would be a good idea to start a club. Many of them have fallen down, or once the idea of money, gear ownership, responsiblity comes into it you discover that some members of the group have quite differnt ideas and they clash.

I think we should continue to operate as a group of mates for a while longer yet, but keep the idea of a more formal club in our minds.

[weka2000]

We never seem to have enough stuff do we, and I want it all :)

Yes the potential to loose freinds etc. Ok one of the group needs to win lotto and make a generous donation.

[dgcorner]

There are special slim line ones you can get to stop vignetting at 10mm, not sure if they work or not, but I do no "normal" ones are an issue.

Yep, the slim ones should iron out the issues... but they cost $$

[dgcorner]

You are welcome to borrow my EFS 60mm Macro if you want to have a go at macro before you splash out on the lens. Actually I am thinking of selling it as I am not shooting anywhere near enough Macro to justify having it. I am looking out for reviews of the new Sigma 17-70 it does Macro to 1:2 magnification so i could replace both the Macro and kit lens with it, and it is pretty cheap too.


That is where I will be spending a bit of money too. I want a 77mm CP for the 70-200 and ND Grads for the kit lens (or it's replacement)

Thanks Scott. I will most likely take you up on the offer... if and when I am sure that I have some $$$ coming in. I've heard and read fantastic reviews on the 60mm. But... so far, spending on additional gear has been put on hold.:o

[FlyingPete]

I think we should continue to operate as a group of mates for a while longer yet, but keep the idea of a more formal club in our minds.

I second that, keeps things nice and easy, we can come and go as we please, and add to our numbers with no commitment requirement (which may deter some people).

[dgcorner]

I second that, keeps things nice and easy, we can come and go as we please, and add to our numbers with no commitment requirement (which may deter some people).

Agree. As Moppie says, lets do what we're doing for a little while longer and if we are comfortable in the future with the idea then we can discuss it again.

I like the way the group is at the moment -- open and without commitments, yet strong enough to get together to do one of the things we love to do, and learn more by it. :)

[iKirst]

^^ What you guys said.
I've seen the rise, and very drastic fall of some clubs when money starts to be come a factor.

Having all the gear to share would be exceptionally cool, but the points to be raised there is;
* Who'd decide what was bought
* Who'd be the keeper of all things nice and shiney
* Who'd decide who got what if two or even more folks wanted the same shiney toys on the exact same days
* Who'd trust me with anything.. I'm clumsy :eek:
* How do we trust new members, with the high ticket items, when we don't know if they'll bail off with it or break it beyond repair. (Duncan loaned me his 100-400 without me even asking - crazy man :lol: - but thanks!!)

Liabilities insurance, etc, is looking way to far ahead, and setting up any form of company is totally not needed. That's just silliness :p

However, we'd have to start looking at forming rules and appoint people to decide on the answers to the stuff above.

It's a dangerous thing. There is just too much to police, and contractual stuff that would just deter from the ease if joining the elite lads of GKPE ;)

I much prefer the way we have it now. You guys seem to trust the likes of me without me having to sign my name in blood to anything. :cool:

[FlyingPete]

Doesn't stop anyone from getting one of these :D

http://www.flyingpete.nzpages.net/GKPE/GKPE.gif

Its available too!

[iKirst]

Doesn't stop anyone from getting one of these :D

image of a really cool plate idea here!

Its available too! Buy It!

[IainB]

Agree. As Moppie says, lets do what we're doing for a little while longer and if we are comfortable in the future with the idea then we can discuss it again.

I like the way the group is at the moment -- open and without commitments, yet strong enough to get together to do one of the things we love to do, and learn more by it. :)

It's good to have new ideas and suggestions - thanks Weka. I agree with dg and Moppie sentiments. The current 'affiliation' is a good arrangement - so far.

Cheers
Iain

[dgcorner]

^^ What you guys said.
I've seen the rise, and very drastic fall of some clubs when money starts to be come a factor.

Having all the gear to share would be exceptionally cool, but the points to be raised there is;
* Who'd decide what was bought
* Who'd be the keeper of all things nice and shiney
* Who'd decide who got what if two or even more folks wanted the same shiney toys on the exact same days
* Who'd trust me with anything.. I'm clumsy :eek:
* How do we trust new members, with the high ticket items, when we don't know if they'll bail off with it or break it beyond repair. (Duncan loaned me his 100-400 without me even asking - crazy man :lol: - but thanks!!)

Liabilities insurance, etc, is looking way to far ahead, and setting up any form of company is totally not needed. That's just silliness :p

However, we'd have to start looking at forming rules and appoint people to decide on the answers to the stuff above.

It's a dangerous thing. There is just too much to police, and contractual stuff that would just deter from the ease if joining the elite lads of GKPE ;)

I much prefer the way we have it now. You guys seem to trust the likes of me without me having to sign my name in blood to anything. :cool:


Wow, all that on a Monday morning.... :D :D :D Wazza's in trouble...:D :D :D

[dgcorner]

Doesn't stop anyone from getting one of these :D

http://www.flyingpete.nzpages.net/GKPE/GKPE.gif

Its available too!

Cool! But at $400+ bucks...:D Now, if someone owned it and wanted a pair of Euro plates I know where we can get it for around $90 landed NZ...

[iKirst]

Wow, all that on a Monday morning.... :D :D :D Wazza's in trouble...:D :D :D
Hehe - sorry, I can be a tad too passionate about my writing at times :p
I really should focus that energy on my badly out of date blog.

[weka2000]

:( ok so I just opened a can of issues. So I need to buy stuff and let you guys hire it :lol: but what if you break it :mad: and then you tell me you have no money to pay for it :evil:

Ok lets leave things as they are. Hold it I have another idea................

[iKirst]

I wasn't meaning to spout off, or stomp on toes. Don't take my rant personally, Mr Tony Sir, I engage mouth before brain at times :lol:

Actually - maybe I could just say Wazza posted under my login again, and blame him. Better yet, I could say that I have an imaginary friend that does so too...

[weka2000]

Thats ok so do I. The key with foot in mouth is to talk you way out of it so you come out smelling of roses. Thats an art :lol:

[iKirst]

Thats ok so do I. The key with foot in mouth is to talk you way out of it so you come out smelling of roses. Thats an art :lol:
I prefer to smell like angels, though :lol:

[FlyingPete]

"Time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana"

There my random thought for the day, and my 2000th post, thought I should make it worth while :-P

[Moppie]

Uh oh.

Now your a GoldMember tooo!!!!!

[FlyingPete]

Uh oh.

Now your a GoldMember tooo!!!!!

And to top that one off, I resigned this morning :D

[iKirst]

And to top that one off, I resigned this morning :D I'm guessing, by your beaming emoticon, that that's a good thing..
So..
Congrats Mr Pete of the airborn kind :mrgreen:

[dgcorner]

"Time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana"

There my random thought for the day, and my 2000th post, thought I should make it worth while :-P

Congratulations!!! Another post whore:D :D :D ... oops, I mean Goldmember :lol: :lol: :lol:

[dgcorner]

How's this for creativity?: http://legnangel.livejournal.com/564026.html Looks like the forum is Russian (duh...)

[dgcorner]

Kirst, I gather you haven't seen this post yet... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=139026&highlight=GKPE

[iKirst]

Oh - thanks for the Heads up - I'll go read. Merci Beacoup, John, Sir :)

[dgcorner]

Oh - thanks for the Heads up - I'll go read. Merci Beacoup, John, Sir :)

Is the "Sir" meant to remind us of our age? :D :D :D My dad was always called "Sir"... and he was/is old :D :D :D

[iKirst]

:lol: no. I was taught, purely by myself, that manners are a sign of respect.
I title people 'cause I like to make them feel respected and important and things :D

[dgcorner]

And to top that one off, I resigned this morning :D

Off to a new chapter in your life. I hope your boss didn't go ballistic on you... then again, what could he/she have done? Good on ya!

[dgcorner]

Anyone know where I can purchase good, cheap, but reliable RAM? I've checked on www.pricespy.co.nz but one of you might know better places to buy off?

I've had it running on 256K of RAM... the computer slows to a crawl more often than not... and they say the best way to speed things up is more RAM. I'm looking at an additional 512 or 1 gig if I can afford it...

Besides, if I move to PS-CS I need a minimum of 512...

[weka2000]

Ah resigning.... wife gave me the ok last week. She said I could stay home and be a kept man. I was half a turn of a key on my keyring to take up her offer.

Went out side had a smoke and clamed down, after that didnt help I realsied that its part of the job dealing with idiots.

The thought of spending all day been a unpaid photographer...kept by my wife.

[weka2000]

Heck I run CS2 on 384 RAMBUS P4 2.0....... Honey We need a new PC :) The guys on the forum say we will get better results from the camera if we get a new computer

[Moppie]

Anyone know where I can purchase good, cheap, but reliable RAM? I've checked on www.pricespy.co.nz (http://www.pricespy.co.nz) but one of you might know better places to buy off?


If you don't mind ordering online then www.ascent.co.nz is VERY good, otherwise the only local one I would goto is www.eoneonline.co.nz

[FlyingPete]

I hope your boss didn't go ballistic on you... then again, what could he/she have done? Good on ya!

This is making for an interesting, but no enjoyable day. My boss was on leave, he came back in to deal with it, they wanted to know what they needed to do to keep me, made a counter offer etc, but lots of hard talking.

[FlyingPete]

Anyone know where I can purchase good, cheap, but reliable RAM? I've checked on www.pricespy.co.nz but one of you might know better places to buy off?

I've had it running on 256K of RAM... the computer slows to a crawl more often than not... and they say the best way to speed things up is more RAM. I'm looking at an additional 512 or 1 gig if I can afford it...



Wow, and it actually runs with that much memory? Go a gig minimum. What sort of machine is it? You should watch it with the cheaper stuff, can affect Windows stability. If it helps I have access to two wholesale accounts, one does Kingston.

[Moppie]

If it helps I have access to two wholesale accounts, one does Kingston.


What are the wholesales prices for 2x512 kingston chips like?



Offers and counter offers are always fun, and you know your boss is going to be upset having to come in from a day off :lol:

They should have paid you more in the past.

[dgcorner]

Wow, and it actually runs with that much memory? Go a gig minimum. What sort of machine is it? You should watch it with the cheaper stuff, can affect Windows stability. If it helps I have access to two wholesale accounts, one does Kingston.

Its an HP 564a, Pentium IV 2.4Ghz. running on 256RAM, XP Home SP2. I have two additional HDs, 120gig & a USB 20gig external, the original was a 40gig one that was partitioned -- 32gig for C drive, and the remainder for system restore (Not sure why HP did this) I bought it around a year or two ago... most likely 2 years ago.

I have to disassemble it to find out what RAM it is running on... can't make a mistake there...;)

[dgcorner]

If you don't mind ordering online then www.ascent.co.nz (http://www.ascent.co.nz) is VERY good, otherwise the only local one I would goto is www.eoneonline.co.nz (http://www.eoneonline.co.nz)

Thanks Moppie! Ascent is indeed a good place to buy -- I bought my additional 120gig HD from them... as well as a few other things. E-one is also ok -- I bought my 4-USB port thingy from them.

[FlyingPete]

What are the wholesales prices for 2x512 kingston chips like?



Offers and counter offers are always fun, and you know your boss is going to be upset having to come in from a day off :lol:

They should have paid you more in the past.

Not really supossed to bpost this stuff on a public forum, but here goes anyway:

Your Buy (ex. GST) Your Buy (inc. GST) GST
75.00 84.38 12.50 %

RRP (ex. GST) RRP (inc. GST)
107.00 120.38

Description
Kingston ValueRAM 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC CL3
(3-3-3) SODIMM
Actual product may differ
Stock On Hand Committed Available
1 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland) 1 (Auckland)
Being Receipted In Transit On Order First Available*
0 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland) 0 (Auckland) 20 FEB 2006
KINGSTON Code UPC
KVR400X64SC3A/512 740617076790
Product Information
No information available.
Vendors Web Address
www.kingston.com

[weka2000]

So Pete what did you do...... Nice to be wanted by your boss.

[dgcorner]

This is making for an interesting, but no enjoyable day. My boss was on leave, he came back in to deal with it, they wanted to know what they needed to do to keep me, made a counter offer etc, but lots of hard talking.

Gotta agree with Moppie -- they should have paid you good money in the first place. It is funny how employers think that they can keep good people without taking care of them...

In my previous life, I always made it a point to benchmark competitors to see if my team was receiving the right amount of benefits... not to mention a "healthy" work environment.

Key people in an org are essential to meeting the challenges. Pay them too little and someone else will poach them... at that point it is a 50/50 chance that they will stay.

[dgcorner]

Heck I run CS2 on 384 RAMBUS P4 2.0....... Honey We need a new PC :) The guys on the forum say we will get better results from the camera if we get a new computer

:D :D :D

Tony, just in case you din't see my reply to your post, let me know if you want to have a play with my Cokin P-Series filter holder. I currently have the 58mm and/or the 52mm adapters... I'll check. I think that it can take up to 82mm... but check first.

[weka2000]

Hell Im a IT Manager of a school network that consists of 6 servers, 250+ workstations and 850 users and I get under 40K a year. Do I work for the money? Hell no.

I do it because I enjoy my job and the boss looks after me. One of the reasons I didnt quit the other day was because I would have let him down.

I never work for money, its a trap. Sooner or later you cant leave because the moneys to good. They then own you.

[FlyingPete]

Gotta agree with Moppie -- they should have paid you good money in the first place. It is funny how employers think that they can keep good people without taking care of them...

In my previous life, I always made it a point to benchmark competitors to see if my team was receiving the right amount of benefits... not to mention a "healthy" work environment.

Key people in an org are essential to meeting the challenges. Pay them too little and someone else will poach them... at that point it is a 50/50 chance that they will stay.

Dumb thing was this happened last year as well, but I waited for them to "make things better", by they time they said they couldn't do anything, I had missed the other opportunity. Funny how now they can do something to help but...

So Pete what did you do...... Nice to be wanted by your boss.

...I didn't take it, they were unable to match my new offer, and at the end of the day it is not all about money.

My new position I am based in a home office, so straight away I gain 1.5-2 hours a day back of my life, they also pay my fast internet (hmmm 2MB here I come!) and contribute to the household costs. Nice :D

[weka2000]

what size is the glass that fits into the sliders? post pic :)

Oh Duncan can I borrow your 77mm CP filter to test on the 10-20mm ?

[weka2000]

Look after your workers first and you will never have to replace them because they wont want to leave.

I guess the same could be said for marriages :0

[dgcorner]

Hell Im a IT Manager of a school network that consists of 6 servers, 250+ workstations and 850 users and I get under 40K a year. Do I work for the money? Hell no.

I do it because I enjoy my job and the boss looks after me. One of the reasons I didnt quit the other day was because I would have let him down.

I never work for money, its a trap. Sooner or later you cant leave because the moneys to good. They then own you.

Yep, loving what you do is fantastic, being paid well to do it is just a perk. At the end of the day, if you have a difficult time getting out of bed to go to work, or if your boss is giving you so much b.s. that it makes you stressed for no good reason then it is not worth the high $$$ -- that is why I left my first job here in NZ. I've never looked back.

PS my boss was demoted after I left. He's no longer the site manager!

[FlyingPete]

Hell Im a IT Manager of a school network that consists of 6 servers, 250+ workstations and 850 users and I get under 40K a year. Do I work for the money? Hell no.


Hmmm that is a wee bit on the low side, our base engineers here get more than that, but they work them pretty hard.

I imagine you would pretty much have free reign on that evironment though, that would be nice.

Six servers though, I almot have that many at home ;) (Deuterium - AD Controller DNS etc, Technetium - Mail Server, Iridium - Patch Management, secondary AD, Titanium - Firewall & Meson - VMWare)

[dgcorner]

what size is the glass that fits into the sliders? post pic :)

No idea. Better yet, I'll take it with me tomorrow.

[FlyingPete]

Its an HP 564a, Pentium IV 2.4Ghz. running on 256RAM, XP Home SP2. I have two additional HDs, 120gig & a USB 20gig external, the original was a 40gig one that was partitioned -- 32gig for C drive, and the remainder for system restore (Not sure why HP did this) I bought it around a year or two ago... most likely 2 years ago.

I have to disassemble it to find out what RAM it is running on... can't make a mistake there...;)

OK, here are the official part numbers, HP's are fussy so probably won't work with generic RAM:
HP/Compaq Pavilion 564a

KTC-PR266/128 128MB Module
KTC-PR266/256 256MB Module
KTC-PR266/512 512MB Module
KTC-PR266/1G 1GB Module

And now for the $$$

All prices in $ NZD

IM Code Description Stock Avail First Avail* ** Quote $ Ex GST $ Inc GST Qty
KINGSTON Components - Memory - Memory for Compaq
KIN2664 Kingston 128MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 0 TBA 34.00 38.25
KIN2665 Kingston 256MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 13 20 FEB 2006 52.00 58.50
KIN7353 Kingston 512MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 6 20 FEB 2006 100.00 112.50
KIN7354 Kingston 1GB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 4 20 FEB 2006 197.00 221.63

[weka2000]

No idea. Better yet, I'll take it with me tomorrow.

that would be best.

Scott when does my new toy arrive by 24-70 f2.8 is lonely been the only F2.8 needs a buddy :)

[weka2000]

Hmmm that is a wee bit on the low side, our base engineers here get more than that, but they work them pretty hard.

I imagine you would pretty much have free reign on that evironment though, that would be nice.


Free reign, is a understatement. There is a rule where I work "My way or no way" and its backed 100% by the princapal. The teachers love that.

"Tony can we"...... NO....."But"........NO......Bu....NO..."You have got a bad attitude"..... Well if you want it changed get a note from the princapal. Untill then its still NO.

40K is worth the look when they run to him and he says "if Tony said then its NO"

[joeseph]

Oh Duncan can I borrow your 77mm CP filter to test on the 10-20mm ?

Sure.

Congratulations Pete on your escape! ;)

[scotttnz]

Scott when does my new toy arrive by 24-70 f2.8 is lonely been the only F2.8 needs a buddy

It arrived on friday and is now welded on my 350D.....or at least it would be if i didn't want to be able to use the TC. I'm not ready to give it up yet, give me a few weeks to get to know it. Besides John is borrowing my Macro, and you wouldn't want to leave me with just the kit lens......would you?

[weka2000]

It arrived on friday and is now welded on my 350D.....or at least it would be if i didn't want to be able to use the TC. I'm not ready to give it up yet, give me a few weeks to get to know it. Besides John is borrowing my Macro, and you wouldn't want to leave me with just the kit lens......would you?

Heck I had mine just over a week never saw it again for 2 weeks :)

Mind you just as well it will give me time to pay off the master card, get my wifes car wof and reged and a new clutch put in.

So post us some photos with the new glass.

Wazza hows your new F2.8?

New bench mark guys, has to be sigma and F2.8. If its a canon and F2.8 you have way to much money :)

[scotttnz]

Heck I had mine just over a week never saw it again for 2 weeks

Yeah, but at least you still had the Bigma and 24-70 to use.

[dgcorner]

OK, here are the official part numbers, HP's are fussy so probably won't work with generic RAM:
HP/Compaq Pavilion 564a

KTC-PR266/128 128MB Module
KTC-PR266/256 256MB Module
KTC-PR266/512 512MB Module
KTC-PR266/1G 1GB Module

And now for the $$$

All prices in $ NZD

IM Code Description Stock Avail First Avail* ** Quote $ Ex GST $ Inc GST Qty
KINGSTON Components - Memory - Memory for Compaq
KIN2664 Kingston 128MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 0 TBA 34.00 38.25
KIN2665 Kingston 256MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 13 20 FEB 2006 52.00 58.50
KIN7353 Kingston 512MB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 6 20 FEB 2006 100.00 112.50
KIN7354 Kingston 1GB Module for HP/Compaq OEM Part 4 20 FEB 2006 197.00 221.63

Thanks Pete!!! Pricing is not as bad as I remembered it to be:D Give me a couple of days to mull this over... but I will most likely get the 512mb (hmmm... it is indeed mb, not kb that I typed earlier!:o )

[NordieBoy]

New bench mark guys, has to be sigma and F2.8. If its a canon and F2.8 you have way to much money :)
Shouldn't that be "Used to have way too much money..."

:rolleyes:

[dgcorner]

Shouldn't that be "Used to have way too much money..."

:rolleyes:

LOL:D :D :D After spending on my kit, whatever little of it I got, it should read "used to have money":D :D :D

[Moppie]

Look after your workers first and you will never have to replace them because they wont want to leave.


I keep trying to tell my boss that, hes slowly figuring it out, but we are still having a problem with staff turn over.

And I would asking for a pay rise if I was in your position, thats a lot of responsiblity for whats only around the average wage.

[forsaken]

been trying to tell my boss that for ages but he doesn't listen. He will have to soon or within the next 3 months he will loose all his machine programmers and operators plus the best fitter and turner he has ever had. (no I'm not a fitter and turner)

[MattL]

I tell my boss I need a payrise every night when I get home from work.

Problem is, He never listens.

Im self employed.

[weka2000]

How to be happy in your job.....

Do something, that you would do without getting paid for it. The pay would then be secondary. Thats why I take under 40K. Its not the money. My wife basicaly double my income. They own her, no one owns me :)

[iKirst]

Look after your workers first and you will never have to replace them because they wont want to leave. Someone needs to tell my boss that. There's a reason I still drive around in my little Rollerrari.. 231,000kms (bought at 101,000kms), of which most are work kilometers.Between 800-1000kms a week go on the clock, and about 80% of those are purely accumulated during work hours. The fuel card hardly seems a fair deal anymore. Plus, I'm paid lower than market rate for my job.. then I picked up the slack when a co-worker left.. I've never been renumerated for it... even now.

I think my middle names are gullible and stupid :p
Anyone know any work going? hehe

[dgcorner]

Guess what, a good friend of mine heard on the radio this morning -- there's a shortage of good sales people!!! Either I'm a lousy sales person(?!?!?) or I'm in the wrong industry... bugger! And they said sales & marketing skills were transferrable into any industry... go figure...

[IainB]

Guess what, a good friend of mine heard on the radio this morning -- there's a shortage of good sales people!!! Either I'm a lousy sales person(?!?!?) or I'm in the wrong industry... bugger! And they said sales & marketing skills were transferrable into any industry... go figure...

Aah, but what the news item also said, was that employers should be looking at the age 50+ group where [sic] real experience, skill and wisdom abound! So maybe 'reinvent' yourself and pass yourself off as a venerable gentleman! :D

[dgcorner]

Aah, but what the news item also said, was that employers should be looking at the age 50+ group where [sic] real experience, skill and wisdom abound! So maybe 'reinvent' yourself and pass yourself off as a venerable gentleman! :D

Oh boy... I have 8 more years to be considered then... :D :D :D With no disrespect to the older folk in sales, some of them tend to think short term, i.e., where will my next sale come from... rather than what should I be doing to ensure that customers are happy and that sales will continue to come in the long term... whether I am around or not.

I've been under a few gentlemen who felt that sales was/is a reactive profession rather than a proactive untertaking coupled with a partnership approach... blah, blah, blah...;)

[tim]

I'm considering dieing my hair grey before I go looking for a new job!

[joeseph]

Yay! I've finally got my 20D sensor-cleaning-problem body back from Canon. And it cost only $358.54 for the privalige. AND they managed to find the bugger'd filter to give me back!