[Class A]

I may be wrong but it smells a bit fishy when a loan company auction of a camera like that with a $ 1.00 reserve.

Why? Haven't they made their money with it already? Anything that comes through the auction is extra isn't it?

BTW if you borrow $500 from that company for 3 months the interest is $600. That is 360% interest a year.

If you are really saying after 3 months you have to pay back $1100 ($500 + $600 interest) than expressed in an annual interest rate that's ~2242%

[Class A]

Thought this might be of interest, NZIPP Photographer of the Year 2009 Paul Gummer's website:
http://www.paulgummerphotography.com/

Thanks for the pointer.

A painter who uses a camera rather than a brush. There is a precedence for this combination to work very well...

[mingdie]

Why? Haven't they made their money with it already? Anything that comes through the auction is extra isn't it?
If you are really saying after 3 months you have to pay back $1100 ($500 + $600 interest) than expressed in an annual interest rate that's ~2242%

I was more thinking along the lines of who would use a camera worth that much for a $500 loan and then default on the interest payment when they could have sold it for good money. But as I said I may be wrong.

[Transit]

I smell fish
stuck my oar in
Pete

[Class A]

Have you seen this Nat Geo Contest Winner? Meanwhile they've taken it off their website.

That sealed it, Nat Geo definitely doesn't have the standard to deserve my service.

[CWyatt]

Have you seen this Nat Geo Contest Winner? Meanwhile they've taken it off their website.

That sealed it, Nat Geo definitely doesn't have the standard to deserve my service.

Bad form to sneakily just remove it, Nat Geo!

What I don't understand is: the clouds don't even seem to be reflected?

[Class A]

What I don't understand is: the clouds don't even seem to be reflected?

That's why the "photoshop disasters" page changed the original caption from

These shallow waters are mainly famous for flamingos at Nal Sarovar near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The picture shows the reflection of clouds on water

to

These shallow images are mainly famous for not being very well thought out. The picture shows Photoshop's multiply layers effect.

To Nat Geo's credit, it was a viewer's award but how that bad photoshop job could get past the Nat Geo staff is beyond me. I cracked up when I read this comment

It must be getting to the point where National Geographic start thinking about recruiting a full-time photo editor. That bike courier they have doing it between collections obviously isn't able to give it his full attention.

.
or this one

Laws of reflection, unknown beasts...

[CWyatt]

Should have had a better read before I posted anything! That photo is a disaster.

[Transit]

gee you guys are picky

Pete

[Class A]

That photo is a disaster.

Hold on to your superlatives.

The same guy who brought you -- let's say "magical Indian reflections" -- can also do wonders by just selecting a "slow shutter speed". I bet you cannot pull this one off just by dragging the shutter.

Probably he told the two girls on the left to "freeze!".

BTW, I noticed you are interested in a fast lens from 18-30mm. Have you looked at the Sigma 30/1.4? It has exceptionally high centre sharpness but the corners trail behind in sharpness by 1-2 stops. Ken Rockwell has some sample pics. The f/1.4 shots look great AFAIC. Switch on your cr*p filter when you read Ken Rockwell's test, but I'm sure you know how to handle him. Not everything he writes is cr*p but one has to take his writings with a grain of salt.

[CWyatt]

Wow.

I was wrong when I said that picture you submitted to National Geographic with the magic clouds in it was the "worst photoshop ever." I apologize.

This, my friend, is the worst photoshop ever. It's like you're not even trying.

Hits the nail on the head really.

[zkarj]

Those who enjoy a nice bit of scenery might enjoy the results of a recent trip I made to Rotorua. (Yes, there ARE some aeroplanes in there too, but they're in a minority this time.)

You can find them all in my Flickr set, but here are a few favourites.











All shot in RAW on my K10D and processed through Lightroom 2 for crop, exposure and dust spots and small amounts of colour correction/enhancement on some. Lenses were kit 18-55 and my wonderful Pentax 55-300.

[Transit]

Nice shots there Thanks for showing them
The chicks posed well !
I like the light in the last ponga shot, almost HDR

cheers
Pete

[Transit]

re the possibly dodgy K20 and 16/50 auction
He is answering other questions but not mine which annoyingly asks...
"Hello, What is the history of this camera please ?"

I may need to get out more

Pete

[Class A]

Thanks for showing them

+1

I would have picked this one as a favourite.