I'm home! What did I miss? Hello everyone!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

12/15/2004 01:30:16 PM · #1

Got home from our trip to Antarctica last night and it was absolutely magical. Sorting through photos may take me a LONG LONG time! If you ever have the chance to do a trip to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, TAKE IT! Magnificent, both!

Am having some camera dilemmas - will start a thread about them soon... don't worry, still love my D70, not about to slate it, but do have some issues with it's focusing system...

Can't believe it's nearly Xmas and I haven't done any Xmas shopping yet. I hate crowds... so I'm in for a treat (not).

Looking forward to reviewing results on the challenges I missed - congrats to the winners!

Anyway, just wanted to say HELLO!

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/15/2004 01:34:06 PM · #2

Hate Christmas shopping and crowds........... do what I do.... I give money, and you know what,,,,,,no one has ever brought it back.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/15/2004 01:36:22 PM · #3

Originally posted by RayEthier:

I give money, and you know what,,,,,,no one has ever brought it back.

Funnily enough I'm leaning towards book tokens (most my of family and friends are keen readers) or cash... I always feel a bit guilty about this kind of gift though - although it's appreciated and useful I always wonder if recipients feel I couldn't be bothered to spend the time finding the right gift for them - a bit of a cop out. Still. I just don't have that much time this year so perhaps it will be understood...

RHoldenSr

Canon EOS-5D

12/15/2004 01:39:06 PM · #4

Kavey

Welcome back! You are making me very jealous :)

P.S.
My shopping is all done thank goodness for online ordering

cghubbell

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

12/15/2004 01:39:07 PM · #5

Originally posted by Kavey:

Originally posted by RayEthier:
I give money, and you know what,,,,,,no one has ever brought it back.

Funnily enough I'm leaning towards book tokens (most my of family and friends are keen readers) or cash... I always feel a bit guilty about this kind of gift though - although it's appreciated and useful I always wonder if recipients feel I couldn't be bothered to spend the time finding the right gift for them - a bit of a cop out. Still. I just don't have that much time this year so perhaps it will be understood...

I always wonder the same thing, yet I *love* receiving gift certificates! I usually don't feel right asking my family for photo gear since its so expensive, but a few store credits brings things within reach for me.

You should only feel guilty giving book tokens if you're doing it because you can't be bothered. If you're doing it because you think its a good gift, then it IS!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

12/15/2004 01:44:21 PM · #6

Originally posted by cghubbell:

You should only feel guilty giving book tokens if you're doing it because you can't be bothered. If you're doing it because you think its a good gift, then it IS!

Not so much can't be bothered but have very little time this year (were away a lot of October and for last 3.5 weeks too). Usually I spend a lot of time and thought on choosing gifts so tokens is a bit of a change from the norm for me...

I DO love receiving tokens (for stores I actually frequent) myself so I DO think it's a good gift... just thinking about perceptions of recipients but no doubt they'll be happy too.

Anyway, just wanted to say HI!

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/15/2004 01:44:33 PM · #7

I cannot speak for anyone else on this issue, but I can tell you that I started doing this several years ago because I got ever so tired of being told that I got the wrong.... fill in the blanks.... size, shape, colour, style, version, etc etc. Also, considering that I live in the country, every change would require yet another trip to the metropolis, replete with the noise, traffic, noise, smell at the rest.

I have actually had those close to me tell me that they prefer this mechanism as they can pick what it is that they like, (as opposed to my interpretation of what it is I think they like), and secondly, it seems that I am a tad more generous with cash than I would be if I purchased an item.

In a nutshell, it works for me and I am quite happy about it.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/15/2004 01:52:48 PM · #8

Makes sense to me, Ray!

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

12/15/2004 02:00:25 PM · #9

Welcome back Kavey!! Am looking forward to seeing some of the shots you got........tis my opportunity to see these amazing places.

I love getting tokens/vouchers so I can head into the shops, spend hours looking and get what I want...........stuff I normally wouldn't buy so it's a real treat!

sue

bod

12/15/2004 02:23:19 PM · #10

Scr*w christmas shopping, get some photos sorted! I wanna see some penguins : )

Oh, and welcome back Kavey. Glad to hear your trip was good.

12/15/2004 02:25:06 PM · #11

Demanding, much? LOL ;o)

I'll try but... it won't be in the next couple of days and I don't want to put my very best ones up because I want to enter a couple of competitions... not that I stand a chance but...

I have to say... standing amidst about a quarter of a million penguins on Salisbury Plain was one of the most amazing experiences in my life...

bod

12/15/2004 02:32:41 PM · #12

Originally posted by Kavey:

Demanding, much? LOL ;o)

: )

Originally posted by Kavey:

I have to say... standing amidst about a quarter of a million penguins on Salisbury Plain was one of the most amazing experiences in my life...

Oh my god. I've gone a funny green colour.

No pressure really, I'm the worlds worst at sorting out photos. My holiday photos were finally sorted a couple of weeks ago ... the holiday was in September!

12/15/2004 02:40:02 PM · #13

Can't wait to see the pictures! I have been wanting to do that trip for quite some time and it is definately on my list. All my trips are planned out to 2006 so it will be awhile yet.

Welcome back and I'll add to the "let's see those penguin pics!

J.B.

12/15/2004 02:56:12 PM · #14

Bod! Breathe, breathe!
Er... I still haven't processed ANY of the thousands of pics I took on the 2 month Africa trip in May and June and I'd really like to do that before the Antarctica ones. I'm really eager to get on with both though so will try and get cracking ASAP!

JB, look into it for 2007. I know it's not cheap but it's.... almost out of this world. It's like being in a Discovery Channel show - even more so than remote safaris in Africa. We travelled with Peregrine in the Akademik Ioffe and recommend them wholeheartedly. Don't go for one of the giant cruise ships - you spend more time cruising and looking from a distance and less time actually on shore and when you do go on shore it takes almost the entire day to zodiac the passengers ashore. The Ioffe carries 100 and each zodiac takes at least 12 pax so shore landings are pretty easy. Some boats carry even less. The big draw (other than the destination itself) was the crew - an incredible gathering of experts - we had Jonathan and Angie Scott (photographers and wildlife doc experts who have now visited Antarctica 12 times), John Rodsted (photojournalist, anti-landmine activist, nobel peace prize winner), David McGonigal (travel writer and co-author of one of the most comprehensive books about the continent), Graham Charles (modern day adventurer specialising in global expedition firsts, recently did a kayak expedition along the Antarctic Peninsula, also an excellent photographer), plus a whole heap of other experts in mammals, birds, research and in the stories of explorers such as Shackleton, Scott, Amerson et al. What a wealth of information!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/15/2004 03:02:39 PM · #15

Thanks for the info Kavey. I'll look them up. I did explore a Russian outfit that even has helocopters on the ship to ferry passengers ashore, but it was very pricey. I would only do the trip if it was a small ship at 100 or less passengers. Same for any Alaska cruises, small is more expensive but a much better experience. I have to get through the planning for the Greek Islands in 2006 first. We are looking to maybe charter a small ship with a our own group. So many places to go and so little time (and money!).

Thanks again.
J.B.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

12/15/2004 03:12:39 PM · #16

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

.. I have to get through the planning for the Greek Islands in 2006 first. We are looking to maybe charter a small ship with a our own group. So many places to go and so little time (and money!).

Thanks again.
J.B.

Actually it's cheaper to use the ferries from Island to Island, during the summer months you have ferries criss-crossing the mediterranean from greek island to greek island...very efficient and inexpensive.

12/15/2004 03:29:09 PM · #17

Originally posted by doctornick:

We are also considering that. Only problem that I have heard is that the ferries may not always be dependable. We will likely go in late September, do they still run as often?

Edit: of yeah, and the arranging lodging, etc. We thought if we had a boat we would not have to pack, unpack, etc. But the cost looks like it may force us back to ferries anyway.

Message edited by author 2004-12-15 15:31:07.

Jinjit

12/15/2004 03:46:11 PM · #18

Lucky me I have no Xmass shopping to do but I would LOOOOOVE to see some pick of yours from you trip!
Welcome back!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/15/2004 06:26:25 PM · #19

Landing via zodiacs was half the fun - it's a challenge but absolutely crucial to the adventure experience! Don't helicopter it even if you can put the dosh together!

No promises on pics, will try and do one or two at some point soon!

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

12/15/2004 07:40:11 PM · #20

I can't wait to see your photos, me and my other half love penguins, we're so jealous!

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

12/15/2004 07:54:13 PM · #21

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

I can't wait to see your photos, me and my other half love penguins, we're so jealous!

SO many different kinds - rockhoppers, magellanics, adelies, kings, macaronis, chinstraps, gentoos... AMAZING!

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/15/2004 07:55:45 PM · #22

Hey KV~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Not one tiny little pitcher to tease us with? :(

I'm not gonna stop bothering you till I see some of these!!!

Lee

Welcome back!

12/15/2004 08:00:44 PM · #23

Originally posted by Kavey:

SO many different kinds - rockhoppers, magellanics, adelies, kings, macaronis, chinstraps, gentoos... AMAZING!

Jeez - first you tell us we have to wait for a penguin picture and then you tease us with how many kinds there are!

12/15/2004 08:09:25 PM · #24

Originally posted by Tranquil:

I'm not gonna stop bothering you till I see some of these!!!

Lee

Welcome back!

Thanks for the welcome! Since you asked (demanded) so sweetly, here you are: