LA Area DPC Meet Up - January - DPChallenge Forums

01/05/2005 04:57:54 PM · #51

I bring everything I have: camera, 2 lenses, a few filters, lenspen, external flash and extra battery. I bring my tripod, but leave it in the car until night usually. My lenses suck so absolute stillness from a tripod won't actually help my photo's clarity. I have a small backpack that all this fits into.

We look forward to meeting you Eric!!!

01/05/2005 05:41:36 PM · #52

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

It will be cool too hookup with you guys too!

About my backpack... I just bought the backpack because I'm buying so many lenses and accessories... My shoulder bag was getting too heavy and was running out of room. Anyway, I would guess my camera bag weighs at least 20 lbs now!!! I have about 7 lenses, 550ex flash, stroboflash bracket, batteries, etc ... oh and I just bought a canon 14ex macro flash ring today ... So should I bring all this stuff??? LOL

01/05/2005 05:47:58 PM · #53

I have the same dilemma Eric... I don't think I can bring all my lenses, so I will probably just bring a few lenses that I can fit into my pack and a monopod (my tripod broke on me recently and I haven't had time to buy a new one). I would take whatever you think you may need given what we decide to do. I would love to bring my big guns (70-200 and 100-400) just in case, but I think they're just to bulky to carry around. I really need to find a bag that will hold all my lenses.

Actually, on further thought, the arboretum (which is in Arcadia) is probably not the best choice given the time of year... I would guess that spring would be a much better time to go there. Also, as between the arboretum and the Huntington, I would choose the Huntington...their gardens are very extensive, including a large Japanese garden area.

It seems like downtown and griffith park are our best alternatives. Did you want to do one or the other, or did you want to try to do both? I'm not sure how well the metro would work for both; I guess we could take it from North Hollywood to downtown and back, and then drive to Griffith Park from there. The other alternative is to just drive to downtown... carpooling might be useful.

I'll go with the flow... whatever you guys think is best.

01/05/2005 06:19:18 PM · #54

Well... I may try and lighten my backpack a little bit then. I won't be bringing my tripod and that's for sure. My tamron 200-500mm lens is pretty heavy so I don't think i'll be bringing that bad boy either.

I don't have a lot of experience shooting in archetectural or metropolitan areas so I think it would be very cool to experiement with downtown. I've already marked this date on my calendar so I'm in unless something important comes up.

SoCal, I would meet you down in North Hollywood at the start. I think that would be best for me since like I said earlier, I don't know how the metro train works or the bus systems. Anyone else wanting to meet down in North Hollywood would be cool too.

Oh, and how dangerous is it downtown? I hope we won't end up anywhere where we have to hold on tight to our gear or have to bring weapons. :)

Message edited by author 2005-01-05 18:20:42.

01/05/2005 06:25:58 PM · #55

Originally posted by photomayhem:

Oh, and how dangerous is it downtown? I hope we won't end up anywhere where we have to hold on tight to our gear or have to bring weapons. :)

You'll need one of these as well :)

Message edited by author 2005-01-05 18:27:11.

01/05/2005 06:33:26 PM · #56

Originally posted by SoCal69:

You'll need one of these as well :)

That's what I thought... Well, I'll just pack my 9. LOL

01/05/2005 06:56:47 PM · #57

The area we are going to is a bit dangerous, but that's why I want you all with me! It's very bustling and busy, so it won't be all too scary, but it's best if we leave around 3pm or so! The toy district can be scary, but just keep your backpack on tight and we'll all band together if we are approached by bums for money. I try to carry change just to give them something so they leave me alone. It's totally worth going down there though... it's really cultural and very cool!!!!

So, go ahead and take the metro down to Union Station. Greg, meet me in Chinatown on College and Figueroa and we'll take the Dash together from there to Union Station. We'll meet at Union Station at 8am by the bus / Dash pick up / drop off (I'll keep my cell phone on me).

Any thoughts?

01/05/2005 07:04:25 PM · #58

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

We'll meet at Union Station at 8am by the bus / Dash pick up / drop off (I'll keep my cell phone on me).
Any thoughts?

8am?!?!?!? OMG!!! ummm, ok.

SoCal, we'll have to exchange cell #'s ...

01/05/2005 07:10:13 PM · #59

We won't make it by 8 am if we do the metro... they start running at 8. I guess I can drive down... Eric can carpool with me... no problem there. If that's the case, can we park there in Chinatown? Not sure what the parking situation is.

Eric: I will pm you with my cell #.

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

01/05/2005 07:14:30 PM · #60

Originally posted by SoCal69:

Or you can carpool with me... I have GPS... LOL

fulgent

Canon EOS-20D

01/06/2005 03:13:22 AM · #61

Looks like things are getting firmed up.

A couple of suggestions would be:

Do the dangerous spot early before the bums wake up.

The other is the Walt Disney Concert Hall. An interesting building and I understand they have a garden there. There is a Red Line "Civic Center" stop is 2 blocks away at 1st & Hill.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/06/2005 12:54:48 PM · #62

if you carpool, we could head to griffith park after, otherwise, we can meet at 8:30am at union, giving you time to get there from the red line :)

Let me know!!!

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

01/06/2005 07:43:13 PM · #63

Wow! Lots has been discussed since I was last here. OK, so we're meeting at 8:30 at Union Station (more or less)? Arie, I can meet you there or park in the parking lot behind Union Station. I did that last time with Eric and it was about $6 for the day.

I'm all for Griffith Park, Walt Disney (love that building) or even Huntington Gardens (suggested that before). But once we get all gathered up in the morning we can finalize our plans for the day.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/06/2005 09:50:33 PM · #64

Eric: let me know if you want to carpool or take the metro... I'm good either way, although carpooling might be easier if we're heading to Griffith Park afterwards. Let me know what your preference is and we'll take it from there.

Greg: Where ya been? Glad to see you're planning on coming as well.

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

01/07/2005 01:58:33 PM · #65

Originally posted by SoCal69:

Greg: Where ya been? Glad to see you're planning on coming as well.

Been sick lately and with a really sore back. Still sorta sick and back is recovering nicely. I'm not lifting anything heavy other than my butt when I need to get out of bed, HAHA! :)

Anyway, I hope to see everyone next meet and all the new people! I'm glad to see our little group is growing. :)

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/07/2005 02:03:41 PM · #66

Originally posted by photomayhem:

When you guys do your GTG's, do you bring all of your lenses and everything that will fit into your camera bag / camera backpack? I have a backpack full of equipment and I'm just wondering if I should bring the whole thing or not...

Eric

I usually bring everything minus two lenses (50 mm macro and my 28-105). Everything includes 10D, 16-35, 24-70, assorted filters, lens cleaning supplies, second battery and my tripod. I think I'll make up some plain "business cards" in case we meet people and they're interested in our group. Last time with Fritz we met a couple from Germany and he has a 20D or 10D and was having problems. I told him about our site and I don't know what happened to him. Hopefully he got his problems sorted out.

01/07/2005 02:21:11 PM · #67

Greg, do you want to park in Chinatown (free) and take the Dash $0.25 with me to Union Station? You could meet me at the bus stop on Figueroa Terrace & College Ave. The Dash stop is right there on College. There's a bench there. We could meet there at 8am if you want! Let me know!!!

:) Arie

01/12/2005 06:44:17 PM · #68

If it rains, we should go bowling and photograph that!

01/12/2005 07:30:21 PM · #69

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

If it rains, we should go bowling and photograph that!

Is there rain in the forecast???? I hope not... I'm really looking forward to getting out with the camera!

Eric: Do you want to drive down or try the metro? Driving might be easier if we are going to hit multiple locations.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED

01/13/2005 01:14:22 AM · #70

No forcast yet, but the weather people don't sound too hopeful that January will continue to be sunny and bright. I am hoping that it is though!

DDYJR

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/13/2005 08:07:11 PM · #71

Hello fellow DPC'ers, I've been looking at the thread and was wondering if your LA area meet is for anyone or is it just a select few in the DPC community. I live in Northern Cal and would really love to meet up with some folks with a common interest. I used to live in lancaster/palmdale area and I am familiar with the LA basin(more about that latter). It Is really hard for me to network with other photographers(two sets of twins and a full time job). If I read the posts right it looks like you guys are going to meet up on the 29th of January. I would really likie to join the group if at all possiable. I've beeen a member since the begining of december and I am now addicted. Please review my profile and my web page. Also could someone pm me so I could possiably pm them back with my cell # for more details on the trip if it's cool. Thank you so much in advance.[url] home.comcast.net/~ddyjr[/url]

qmdi

Nikon Z9

01/13/2005 08:29:32 PM · #72

Originally posted by DDYJR:

Hi Donald,

Our little group here in the socal area is open for anyone who would like to join us on our get togethers. It would be great if you can join us on the 29th.

I would suggest contacting "mirdonamy" as I would consider Arie our unofficial group organizer and Iâ��m sure she will swap cell phone numbers with you. Send her a PM and I'm sure she will contact you as soon as possible.

We look forward to meeting you on the 29th!

Eric

qmdi

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED

01/13/2005 08:35:22 PM · #73

Originally posted by SoCal69:

Originally posted by mirdonamy:
If it rains, we should go bowling and photograph that!

Is there rain in the forecast???? I hope not... I'm really looking forward to getting out with the camera!

Eric: Do you want to drive down or try the metro? Driving might be easier if we are going to hit multiple locations.

Hey Chuck,

I think driving might be best. Do you want to car pool? Let me know.

Also, I have not forgotten about the 3 bucks I owe you!

01/13/2005 09:13:51 PM · #74

Originally posted by qmdi:

Hey Chuck,

I think driving might be best. Do you want to car pool? Let me know.

Also, I have not forgotten about the 3 bucks I owe you!

Hello Eric, I'm not sure if socal69 is talking to you or me at this point since my name is Eric too. Either way, we can both carpool.