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Forum: General Talk
08-02-2009, 02:20 PM
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I am starting to find out what Bokehboy is talking about. I came home from Afghanistan with a knee that needs a surgery to repair, while home I went thru an extremely painfull time with my back and had a CT scan done. Thinking not much about it my doctor called me into the office last week to give me the news, 5 areas of serious concern at least 3 herniated discs into the spinal cord area.....what happened???? I guess I'm getting older and 27 years of fixing cars and trucks has taken it's toll along with the various motor vehicle crashes. I am now awaiting a MRI to be done but the doctor told me I will not be returning to my job anytime soon. I guess the 15ft fall from the top of a firetruck onto a pile of fire extinguishers in December is literally the straw that broke "Dereks" back. :(
That is the reason I entered into the dSLR world, to occupy my mind and keep myself busy learning something totally new to me.
Keep your chin up Bokehboy, people have recovered from terrible things (Lance Armstrong) and gone on to do great things.
Doors open in the strangest places and times when we least expect.
Good luck...
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-29-2009, 10:36 AM
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Rick,
Thanks for posting these for me to read, I think this will help alot. I registered for a class locally and 3 days before the class they called and cancelled it. I also have ordered a book recommended from here and reading the manual supplied with the camera.
Derek
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Forum: General Talk
07-27-2009, 04:53 PM
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Thanks for your kind words, I have been married for 26 years and in that time my wife and I have never been apart for more then 5 days. Needless to say this was a "leap of faith" for me as I have also have never been of the continent. This has been the best experience of my life and I have a great support team at home!
If you think Humvee's are tough have a look at this truck, these are everywhere now and becoming another military work horse.
The second picture: Behold the "Jingle truck", this is the Afghan interpretation of chrome. We will all give thanks that this is NOT on the road here in North America. The more the truck is decorated they believe it will bring them luck and good fortune. It is not unusual to see jingle trucks riddled with bullet holes and the truck drivers here think they have it tough...:rolleyes:
Deejjjaaa, could you tell me the story behind the pictures they are fantastic! The armoured wheeled vehicle in the third picture is still in use in Afghanistan and I'm sure the roads have not changed at all. I would bet that some of those pics were taken at the Kandahar Airfield.
Derek
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Forum: General Talk
07-26-2009, 07:47 PM
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Those pics were awesome, I don't have good ones like that however here are a few more. I cannot post alot of the pictures I have due to security reasons.
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-23-2009, 02:45 PM
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I am new to this and have purchased a K10D. I am looking for some good recommended reading for my camera and a beginners book on dSLR photography.
Thanks in advance,
Derek
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Forum: General Talk
07-23-2009, 08:59 AM
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And he goes after the company who made the warning label that went on his hot dog.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
07-22-2009, 06:06 PM
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I find this the most interesting thread in the forum! I guess I can relate to it on a minor scale. I am currently working at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan in a supporting role to Operation Enduring Freedom. My position does not allow me to leave the airfield so naturally I do not have the risk that Bob did, however we are kept on our toes by the frequent rocket attacks (sometimes daily) to remind us we are in a war zone. When I return soon for my 3 month tour I will be taking my camera to document my little adventure. So far I have taken approx 500 pics with my trusty point and shoot. I can relate to some of the things that Bob talks about and some of the things that we are not allowed to discuss. I will be keeping and eye on this thread.
Derek
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-22-2009, 10:46 AM
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Well here goes, my first pictures that I felt were worthy of the forum and, or suggestions. The first pictures I did some PP with Picasa, the second picture is as I took it. The third one is as taken also. These were taken on three different nights
Derek
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Forum: General Talk
07-21-2009, 05:07 PM
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Just a few pics (not a Pentax camera..sorry!) from my job at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. I do the technical support and repairs for the airport crash trucks and fire fighting structure trucks for KAF.It's my job to make sure that the fire equipment and the fire fighters can do their job protecting the young men and women who risk it all every day. I am home for the summer with an injured knee and will be returning in the fall. I am there for 3 months at a time and this has been the greatest adventure I have ever been on! :eek:
When I stand in line waiting for a coffee at Tim Hortons (the Canadians will know what thats about) I get to talk to the soldiers from different countries alot and to them they are "just doing their job" and nothing more. I'm glad when they are "just doing their job" when I have to do mine and I am close to the "wire" servicing water pumps and a Humvee pulls up and make sure no one takes a pot shot at me.
No matter what you hear in the media these people are doing some good over there as I have seen it with my own eyes.
We should be all proud of our soldiers. :D
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-21-2009, 12:31 PM
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Being new to this and reading the comments here about PP makes me question the pictures I am taking. I look at the other people here who have vast amounts of experience and admire the pictures they have posted in the forum and wish that I could do something like that. Some of my pictures that I take I really like but unsure whether they are "worthy" of the effort of PP. How do you really know if you have a "good" picture to start with? I know this is all subjective but I am second guessing every picture on whether it should be deleted or not before loading them to my computer. Do I post the pictures to the forum that "I think" are good and ask for suggestions on what should be done with them in PP. Or do I play around with them in PP and then post them to the forum and ask for comments?
Does this even make any sense???? ;)
Being a mechanic my whole life, things work or they don't and there really isn't any room for art so to speak which makes it a challenge for me. But life isn't living unless I am challenged.......if that makes any sense? ;)
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-21-2009, 11:00 AM
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I am new to this also however I have been using Picasa 3 for quite some time and like using it. It seems easy to use and produces decent results. Maybe in time as I become more familiar with my camera and photo editing software I will start using Photoshop. FWIW Picasa seems to be a decent program.
Derek
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Forum: Sold Items
07-20-2009, 05:45 PM
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FWIW, I just picked up my lens from pen123 tonight and I am extremely happy. I saved myself a few bucks from new and got what I believe a great lens which was virtually new in the box. He is a great, honest straight up guy.
Thanx Drew,
Derek
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
07-19-2009, 07:09 AM
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I am new to this forum and I do not like rating systems at all. I came here to learn something new, not to be graded like a school. That was the first thing I liked about this place, it does not appear to be a "popularity" contest. Your site has...."Class!!!"
Derek
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-18-2009, 04:03 PM
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Only a few days with my K10D now and just happened to get this picture of our dog Dawson. This is picture #37 that I have kept, I thought it was kinda neat however not the calibre of the photos posted here but I'm learning.
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-18-2009, 04:24 AM
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Ironically Dawson eats tree branches, I figure he does that when he is low on bark....:hmm: When you bring out a camera Dawson is right there, he loves it when you takes pics of him.......he's pathetic sometimes...:hmm:
Derek
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Forum: Sold Items
07-17-2009, 07:09 PM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-17-2009, 05:20 AM
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Here is the second picture I took, Dawson is the origin and producer of the first pic! :hmm:
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-16-2009, 04:59 PM
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Someone else also recommended the plastic bag set-up which I wil consider. I have also thought about purchasing a cheap lens and if it get ruined then "Oh well!!" That last few times I was there I was very careful about dust with my laptop and other electronics and had no issues. I bought the camera to learn and use, it does me no good sitting in the box looking at it!
Derek
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Forum: Sold Items
07-16-2009, 04:28 PM
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I would absolutely love to have this lens!!!!, I just got a K10D and purchased a Pentax 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens. I would rather spend the money once on something good then spend money several times on something mediocre. However I am just new to my dSLR and learning and still feeling quite intimidated.
:(
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-15-2009, 05:00 PM
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I got my K10D body last week and the lens I ordered arrived today so I finally got to try it out. This is my first picture with a DSLR camera and I think it looks like P**P :eek: I surely hope my pictures get better from here....:lol: :o
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-15-2009, 04:49 PM
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I also have concerns with dust, I just got my camera and plan on taking it to Kandahar, Afghanistan with me. The dust on the ground can be a few inches deep and like talcum powder. Sure would appreciate some helpful hints on this scenario as I have a few months before I return again.
Derek
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-12-2009, 12:19 PM
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I am a new Pentax K10D owner and making an attempt to graduate from the point and shoot camera. I have ordered a new lens from a local retailer, 18-250mm Pentax which was recommended for it's "all around" capability. Given a choice, is their another lens you would recommend to start with? I will probably be using my camera for the typical walk around shots etc. I am not afraid to spend money on good equipment and my equipment may end up with me in Kandahar where it is real dusty so that is a big consideration.
I am just looking for what more experienced people would suggest.
Thanx in advance,
Derek
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
07-12-2009, 06:50 AM
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Wanting to venture into the DSLR world I just purchased a K10D body recently. I ended up ordering a new Pentax DA 18-250mm lens which has not come in yet. I have lots of time on my hands right now so I am hoping to be able to learn how to use my new camera. Hopefully I will have a basic understanding of it when I return to work in Kandahar, Afghanistan and I can take some pics there. Hence the choice of camera body (Kandahar=lots of dust) I am hoping the lens is also a good choice as it seems to be a good "all around" lens and that way I will not have to change lenses allowing for dust to get it. As I am EXTREMELY new to this I have lots to learn so I am spending my time reading and combing thru "Pentax Forums" until my lens comes in.
Derek
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