Camera Labs

Tried to do this yesterday - don't know what happened.

I hope it isn't considered too rude but I actually posted already without saying "Hello" so I'd like to do that now. First of all I would like to congratulate Gordon on his creation of as good a site as one can find, and also the members, who maintain the aim of keeping it friendly but very informative and encouraging to new and inexperienced folk like me.

Short and basic photographic history: I bought a Minolta X500 SLR in the 1980's and that went around the world a few times with me. I still have it. Then I lapsed for a time until a holiday to New Zealand in 2006. Decided on a digital P&S and got a Canon A620. It was an eye-opener, especially as to the immediacy and flexibility of digital, and I even got some pics I really liked. Again, I still have it and use it. In 2007 I decided to go DSLR and, after trying various in-hand, opted for an Olympus E510. It was and is a good camera but, as I want photography as a principal retirement activity, I started to look at upgrading last autumn. In doing so I ran into the Olympus blank as far as their future non-pro DSLRs are concerned. I regarded this as a shame but, without any firm clarification, rightly or wrongly I chose to look elsewhere - better to pay for a system change while earning, as compared to on a pension! After as much checking on-line as I could do, plus hands-on in shops, I went for the new Nikon. I now have a steep learning curve in front of me with the D7000, which is far more camera than I've ever had. Lenses so far are the 50mm 1.4G, as Madam tells me the grandchildren pics had better be good, and the 16-85mm. My kids bought me a landscape course and I will be going through that in March. No regrets at all with the D7000 so far and it is certainly a camera to grow with.

I still have the E510 too - but my daughter has it "on loan."

By the way, I live on the edge of the English Lake District. It is wet here. It was wet yesterday too. And it is forecast to be wet tomorrow.

I promise never to write this much again!

Hi warth man, welcome on board and feel free to write as much as you like in the future!

You've got yourself a nice camera there and a couple of great lenses. We look forward to seeing your photos around the Lake District!

Welcome Warth Man.
I'm not too far south of you in Lancs (not quite as beautiful scenery, but NEARLY as wet ) & still learning with the same kit as yourself.

_________________

Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

A warm welcome and hello from this friendly American

_________________
Jason

Just a new guy learning his way

Film: Olympus XA2
Digital: Nikon D3100 w/SB-600: , Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, Tokina 12-24MM F4 Pro II

My Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkmcdonald/

My Blog: http://jmcdonaldphotography.tumblr.com/

Thank you all. It has stopped raining! Poor Wales got even more than we did.