Is it time to meet up again? I know there have been a few Brisbane gatherings since Australia Zoo but I dont think anything outside Brisbane, (Toowoomba excluded.)...apologies for not attending anything but things have been a just a bit busy.

I also note a number of new members since Australia Zoo so its probably a good time to meet up.

I live out at Boonah now days and there are numerous great sights out here that could easily fill a weekend (or mid week for those retired ).
There are a number of B&B's, two motels, caravan park and there is a great camping ground besides a running creek that I also know of....it has full service toilets & showers.

Please indicate if there is any interest.
Cheers
Grant

Fine by me.

I've got a DA* 60-250/F4 now, from Vanbar in VIC. Still waiting for the K-5 price to drop a bit.

Dan.

Sounds like a great idea

Hi Dan, Adrian, what timing suits you the best and what format would suit you (day trip, overnite +, motel, B&B, camping ?)...afterall, first in first served.?

60-250 Dan ? by all reports a very nice lens. I opted for the 50-135 & a DA* 200....jury is till out on the 50-135 but I love the 200, great lens.
Had a k5 for a while now and happy with it. I'm waiting for a lens to come back from repairs and then I will set up and do a focus test on all of them with the K5.
Cheers.

Day trip on the weekend probably suits me best.

Very interested dependant on date day trip would suit better

Picking a date for this is going to be a lottery, I understand that. So lets start with this coming weekend....and work from there.
Saturday August 6 or Sunday August 7?
I am going to guess that a Sunday would be the preferred day.
Cheers
Grant

I already have a photographic expedition planned for this weekend (6/7August), but for the following couple of weekends (13/14, 20/21, 27/28 August) I am sure that I can find a day to take photos. Sundays work better, but either will do.

following couple of weekends (13/14, 20/21, 27/28 August sound.s better to me as well wouldnt get a leave pass for the wifes birthday

Sunday Aug 14 ?? ok with me. Lets give it a couple of days to give others a chance to consider.

I understand fully about missing birthdays :ugh: have been known to get myself into a spot of bother on that one !

Dont tell me you forgot Ann's birthday Grant
Will let you know. Just got back from a very wet NZ. Moss started growing on me it was that wet.
Keith

I can't make it this time. I've got kids sports commitments for the next 2 weeks and probably more as our team looks like it will reach the finals.

The DA* 60-250/F4 is turning out superior to the DA 55-300/F4-5.8 for junior soccer. It would want to for the price difference. CA is much lower and the image tolerates cropping more.

One thing that's caught me out with a long zoom SDM lens - the zoom control only works when the lens is connected to a powered-up camera. I left it in a extended state when I took it off the camera and then could not fit it into its carrying case & bag until I'd reattached it and zoomed it down.

I really need that K-5:

1. The K20D with sports has too much shadow noise when dodging backlit players or players in shadows.

2. I need that extra stop of usable sensitivity (ISO3200 instead of ISO1600). The extra stop at 250mm FL of the new lens (f/4 vs f/5.6) is helping too.

3. I'm hoping for better AF.S & AF.C too on the K-5.

I may have to try getting the hang of using AF.S and the AF button (decoupled from the shutter release button) for sports as I often get the background between two players in focus instead of the players. There's not much DOF with 250mm FL & an aperture of f/4-5.6.

Dan.

SShhh !! no need to talk about birthdays....mate I have even forgotten my own ....I'm not good on that sort of thing.

Hopefully there maybe more to come Dan, so maybe next time; good luck for the rest of the season.
Understand what you are saying about shadow noise. The K5 is certainly better.
Cheers
Grant

14 August would definitely be a go-er for me.