Forum: General Talk
02-05-2015, 10:25 PM
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The first thing that comes to my mind would have to suggest a jaunt through hill country just west of Austin/San Antonio. It's probably the best looking part of the state you will be in and very chill. If you like barbeque, beer, blues or any kind of country you will probably be able to find something good. I'm not big into the usual tourist spots. I've never been to the 6th floor museum despite living near it my whole life.
I guess it depends on what you're into, though...
If you like sports, October would be a good time to catch quite just about any major team. Football fans from opposing teams seem to flood Cowboys games, I think people are still enjoying the novelty of the ridiculously huge stadium. The best deal is probably Stars games.
Austin probably has the best night/music options of the cities you will be in.
If you like butter sculptures and paying too much money to eat fried garbage, you'll be here in time for the Texas State Fair. The last time I went, I think I saw Bel Biv Devoe, which was... something. Then the Scientologists wanted to adjust my thetans and GM wanted to sell me a car.
I've never looked for the Branch Davidian compound, but I think much of it was burned down. In my experience, October in Waco is mostly a bunch of dead crickets and bird poop.
I remember really liking the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin, and if you have any kids, the new Perot Museum in Dallas is great. The Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Crow Collection of Asian Art are all right in one spot, so it would be easy to see all three in one afternoon.
PS- I don't know how many times I have looked over some of your for sale listings for limited lenses. I just can't talk myself into buying another lens (because I've already bought too damn many lately).
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
02-01-2015, 12:11 AM
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I got one for "free" in a camera bundle a couple of months ago. It's a nice bag, but not my first choice. It has room for a camera body, 3 extra lenses (up to maybe as long as a 55-300mm), a flash, and some other smaller accessories. So, quite a bit of stuff in a pretty small package. The compartments can be adjusted with the standard padded velcro inserts. Instead of three smaller lenses, you could put one longer one. Accessing the camera is easy, it is comfortable to wear, and the strap can be adjusted to go on either shoulder. The strap is padded and wide enough, so even with all of that, it feels light. It also feels sturdy or protective enough, but I haven't done anything to test either.
My main complaint with it is that it looks like a camera bag. I would rather use a nondescript (waterproof) messenger bag, something that could just as easily be full of diapers as it is hundreds or thousands of dollars of gear.
But for the price? It's great and hard to beat.
I still use it occasionally, and I always keep it loaded with something. It is the smallest bag I have and easy to grab in a hurry.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-29-2015, 12:25 PM
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There seem to be a few more at 699 now.
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Forum: General Photography
01-21-2015, 08:04 AM
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I recently went to my local aquarium (Dallas) with just my 50/1.8 and 35/2.4. One thing I did not factor in was that the aquarium here has a large tropical atrium on the top level with tiny monkeys and birds that can be quite high or far away. I really wish I brought something like the 18-135 for the top level.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-09-2015, 07:49 AM
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I believe the camera itself is the same, the big issue is that it does not qualify for warranty repairs.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-08-2015, 03:41 PM
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Anyone ever try to get one of these serviced in the US? I'm curious what happens.
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