Thought since we had some photo enthusiasts here, that an official thread might be in order. It also seems that more people are picking up Rebels or Nikon D##'s, and might have some questions. Even standard point and shooters could benefit.

This also might be a good place to show off some shots we're proud of that aren't Oakley related, and then get feedback and suggestions. Official Oakley news is slow at the moment anyway.

throw up the snowflake shots...Man, those were sick!

I've been trying to find a good camera bag recently. One that would hold the body, about 3 lenses and a battery grip. I can't seem to find something I like locally.

Any camera bag suggestions? The more compact the better, plus over the sholder bags are preferred over backpacks.

Lowepro Slingshot AW200...I have one and it holds everything you need and is weatherproof. Too bad I don't use it, but it is great. I don't use it much anymore since I never swap lenses (my extras are junk in my opinion), but it holds a bunch. My camera gear goes into the Kitchen sink anyway

http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-200-AW,2035,4.htm

That's a cool bag, I'll have to look into it.

And by request:

Larger:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3207650401_d039bb88b3_b.jpg

I had hoped for better, but for a first try, they're okay.

Hey Oak have a good look at the Lowepro's there really good bags and they have a very large selection.. your bound to find one that will suit.

This is the one i have it's a backpack but when i travel i have room for the laptop as well meaning it's one less bag to carry. It's also a really comfortable BP.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm

Hey Dann.... great idea for a thread, there are a few photo guys here so it would be nice to share so opinions.
I really like the shots you take and check your flikr page every now and then to see what you've done. You have some really cool stuff on there.
I so need to study the principles more and get a macro lens.

That laptop bag is a nice one too. One of these would be good just for home storage too, since my camera collection is just sitting on a shelf at this point. I think I'd need a module design one since that 300mm lens is just way too big to fit much else.

And for macro, go big and get the Sigma 180mm f/3.5

There are bags that would suit all of yor gear as well Dann.

The back pack has room for my current gear, including the FS100 Video, if i get another lens i can leave the Video or the Speedlight out for extra room. But ther eis also room at the top for all sorts.

As for the Macro lens i was thinking of the
-AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED.

once i go for a brand i have a tendency to stick with it.

I hear you. I've stuck with the Canon 180mm Macro despite people saying the Sigma counterpart is just as good and cheaper. But I got a deal, so it was just as well. The 105mm should be just fine, don't go any shorter though or the background blur won't be as pleasant. Here's an example:



Which is why I suggested the 180, but 100ish is still great. For good technique, you wouldn't want to aim down towards the ground anyway, but rather have more distance parallel to the ground, so the background is a lot farther away.

Here's the main article, which explains why this happens, as it's not a magical focal length thing, but rather a side effects of the distance you're forced to use when you want the same framing.

http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-180mm-f-3.5-L-USM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

And I picked up the FS100 as well. Finally cashed in my 30,000 credit card points.

Thanks for that input and link Dann, I'm a while from buying anything so it will give me more info before making a final choice. May have to look at a longer length then.

As for my Video i have the HF100 not FS as i said, went the HD route, man the image is so crisp a clear even in low light.
if your interested here's some videos of Cameron i have on line in my .mac gallery.

http://gallery.me.com/mikebahr#gallery

lastly here's a photo i took of Cam recently that i liked.

Gotcha. The FS100 isn't really good and I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it. Just wanted to retire my mini-DV cam since dealing with tape was getting annoying. The quality on my point and shoot is much better actually, but what can you do. I would have gone HD, but I'm waiting for the new DSLR with video since I can use my lenses and whatnot.

I was wondering about the Canon HD units. I found a great deal on the HG-20 at newegg and was considering one. I bought the JVC GZ-MG330 in red from Circuit City and now I can't take it back and exchange...Not really a problem since I could Craig's list it being still sealed in the box, but I may just hang on to it...

Great thread Dann. Great timing for me too, as my Canon XSi kit arrived today. I'm going to attempt crossing over to SLRs, as I've always loved viewing photography. I swear if I dropped all interest in Oakley, I'd still visit this site just to see the images some of you post.

So, by all means, I also invite members to throw up some images and give feedback. I'll be trying to learn from it all.

A great camera from a great company, but the Leica M8.2 "Safari" is a tad expensive at $10k.

http://www.bornrich.org/entry/leica-m82-safari-edition-camera-asks-for-10000/

Hmmm, I got my 40D body, 1-5x Macro, 180mm macro, 70-200 f/2.8 zoom, 300mm f/3.8 telephoto, the 1.4x and 2.0 extenders and the twin light flash for about the same price.

Sigh. Photography is such an expensive hobby.

Sony Alpha100 w/Sigma 15mm 2.8 fisheye...
mounted to my head.

Awesome, how are you liking the Alpha's.

Hey Dann... so far I like it a lot. I bought the 100 when it first came out, long before all the other models were even announced. But for my limited purpose, it's working out great! My previous equipment was Minolta, so getting the Sony was a no-brainer for me because the mount was compatible. I still have a ton to learn though.

That's cool, it's smart to stick with a system once you've invested a bit into it.

This image is rough around the edges, but I was playing with the aperture settings to see the effects while my collection was engulfing the kitchen table.

I have the Sony A100 as well and love it. Just picked up a Minolta Macro lens and light box so I am looking forward to re-shooting my collection photos soon.

I used to have an Alpha a100 as well. I started a 10 month photography program and decided that this is what I wanted to persue in my life. I invested in a shwack of canon gear. My body is a 1dmk3 and I have managed to pick up quite a few lenses over the past couple years. Here's a link to my flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoenforced/

Dann, I have a few lowepro bags, and love most of them. But, to choose "one" bag is as difficult as choosing "one" pair of sunglasses. :).

It really depends on what you plan to be able to carry, and what you want to do while you're carrying it. My most recent bag is a Lowepro Flipside 300. I bought it for a 2 and a half month trip through asia, and it was PERFECT. I'd recommend it for a body and 3 or 4 lenses plus a flash. Very comfortable and secure.

Very cool. On the first picture, did you use the 24mm f/3.5L Tilt-Shift. If so, how do you like it. Once I plop down the cash for the 5D II, I want to get the 24mm f/1.4L II, but the TS lenses interest me. I suppose more for the video effects.

Just wanted to share some of the shots I'm the most proud of.

The macro ones (taken with my Panasonic Lumix FZ18 + Raynox DCR 250 macro lens)

small fly



dead fly


little jumping spider who seems to pe posing for me


And some random places in Paris

Cimetière du Père Lachaise


Grande île de la jatte


Tour Eiffel (photo taken with sony DSC-P73)


Arc de triomphe (photo taken with sony DSC-P73)