Aubrey

What a terrible shock I am so sorry for you loss :D

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Luka Beautiful boy!!! :D Aubrey and Thomas send lots of Schnauzer kisses and hugs Luka's way!

Here are a few of my 2 - I'd love to see a drawing of them! :D Thomas Thomas and Aubrey

Thanks for the responses guys. I gave the trotters to them and Thomas was having a go at his but Aubrey just buried hers..I then checked this thread again and freaked out so took Thomas' away from him. We retrieved Aubrey's this morn... Prob would have been okay as a 1 off treat...

Hi There I just went shopping and came across some raw pig trotters - are these okay to feed to dogs? Just thought that I should check first as I've never fed them before. Thanks

Which terriers are in their development? Lovely little dogs. I just googled this to find out and found this paragraph on a site called animal-world.com: 'The Miniature Schnauzer was established by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with one or more small breeds, such as the Affenpinscher or Poodle. This energetic companion was bred to be a farm dog, it excels at catching vermin' The Poodle isn't classed as a Terrier though? I'm not sure how accurate this is though...hopefully one of the Schnauzer Breeders can add more.

There is the 50mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4D and the new 50mm 1.4G... retailing at around $180, $450 and $800 respectively. The 1.4 is what I'd really like, and I think the G is more aimed at those cameras without the on board motor (D40 etc) as there is an AF-S motor on board, but some places say the optics are better in the G than the D, but is it worth twice the price?

That top one is so adorable.... OK for those in the know... after reading reviews I am still not sure.... 50mm 1.4D or 50mm 1.4G for my D80?

We're looking for obedience for our two.... One is at level 2 and is currently doing Agility on Thursday nights One is an ex-show dog and has no idea about basics Both are 1 year old. C3 with one and C5 with the other, about to be C5 with both. Ideally looking for a Sunday morning school in and around the North Adelaide, Croydon, Grange etc area... would travel if a good recommendation (as we travel with one to West Beach for the agility!), but prefer local Any hints greatly appreciated. At the moment I think both are more pet type orientated rather than trialing. Thanks

Hi Sway Kielland - Miniature Schnauzer Treuliebe - Miniature and Giant Schnauzer.

Aubrey can do the following Shake, Spin, Walk, Stick 'em Up and Beg. I need to do the Bang side with her so I we can do Stick 'em Up then Bang in one movement, but she is reluctant to go on her side... more treats required! I like the idea of Shy, might have to do that one soon! Andrew

I have the following Nikon 18-55 AF-S DX f3.5-5.6G VR Nikon 55-200 AF-S DX f4.5-5.6G VR Tamron 28-105 SP AF f2.8 LD IF I purchased the 2 Nikon lenses last May when I got my D80 I purchased the Tamron 2nd hand back in February... It is a fantasticly sharp lens, but the autofocus is very slow, I should have got the 28-70! So, I am saving up for Tamron 28-70 f2.8 Nikon AF-S 80-200 f2.8 Nikon 50mm f1.4 (Will be the last purchase) Sigma 10-20mm (If I want to do more wide angle) Which will mean I'll sell my 3 lenses above very very shortly... they are great lenses, but kit lenses were always purchased just to see if I get in to it... and boy have I! Andrew

Aubrey is off to her 3rd agility session tonight You will need your dog who has not been fed (food orientated!), lots of treats, poop bags, leash and an open mind. Harnesses are not too good as they can get in the way, or so I was told my our club, so I'll go along with that. Most dog owners will just walk around with their dogs, some will play and some will just carry on... I guess it depends on what is going on. I would think that during the training session all eyes on the trainer and doing what is required when asked... play time is for before / afterwards. Most clubs have a lot of strict rules such as not using the equipment without authroization etc, but that is to be expected. Speak to the club, get their rule book with the do's and the don'ts and follow them, and you'll fit in nicely. As for you, enjoy the time with the dog, it forms a great bond and more trust with each other. Also, don't rush through the equipment, make sure that your dog gets an understanding and knows the words you use for instructions. Also, a bum bag full of treats as you'll need your hands free to hold the leash and direct your dog Enjoy yourself and listen to the other trainers and handlers and they'll accept you in no time Andrew

Another vote for the Colonel Light Garden's Vet Clinic!

Which lens did you go for?

As a D80 user I would definitely say snob. As a D80 user who loves his Tamron 28-105mm 2.8, I would definitely say idiot My lens is pin sharp, and has longer range than the 28-70 Nikon lens at a fraction of the price. Plus I am looking at getting the Tamron 70-200 2.8 to go with it, and at a fraction of the cost of the Nikon version with better quality. Let her pay over the odds for the lenses she thinks are the best, and you go on paying less for lenses that give better detail Sometimes I think Nikon (and other manufactures for that matter) do the kit lenses as a package to try and get people to stick with their lenses. Personally I'm going to get rid of the 18-55 and 55-200 kit lenses for the 3rd party ones which are better for the same price.

I own a D80 and love it. Depending on budget the kits will choose the lens for you. I'd definitely start with the 18-55 and 55-200 to get good range, but it may be better to get the 18-200 instead to stop changing the lenses over when you need the zoom. The D200 is coming down in price now too and you can get some pretty good deals. I was torn between the D80 and some Canon camera and it wasnt really until I held them in my hands that was my mind made up. I have bought new lenses since the original purchase, as have most here, and depends on what you will shoot, your cashflow and how into it you go. The D40/D60 was a no-no for me due to the incompatability with older lenses (which go cheaper in the 2nd hand market and still do great photos! I also got mine from d-d-photographics and einfotech which are importers, same camera / lenses etc but you don't pay stupid Australian prices... still covered by warranty and would still go to Nikon in Sydney if there was an issue. Good luck in your search Andrew

I haven't used it, but for $260 so long as you realize this is going to be a starter lens, i doubt you'd lose much sleep. In fact, if you couple it with a tripod, or with good light, it might turn out to be a bit of a dark horse. You will however need either of them when at 200mm as at f6.3 you are going to need quite a long shutter speed. It might be one I'd add to my camera bag if I was looking to start up again just to get a feel of the camera and working out where to go. If I get rid of the 18-55 and 55-200 in my bag when I get the more high power lenses, I'd get this one for bright days down the beach where I'd need the range and not want to have to swap lenses. If you get it, I'd be interested to hear what you think and see some samples. Andrew

There is a really good framers in Somerton Park on Oaklands Road just before you hit Brighton Road.... very highly recommended http://www.theframer.com.au/

If you want great photos from a zoom lens, you won't go wrong with the 28-70 f2.8 from either Tamron or Nikon. If you want to do all the work, get the 50mm f1.8 If you want full portarit, you'll need a 28mm f2.8 or wider.

Of course your selection in lenses will depend on what you actually want to photograph Portrait = I'd go for the 28-70 f2.8 if you want a good lens - either Tamron or Nikon depending on your budget All rounder = Failing that the 18-200 for $900 odd is pretty good, but not too impressive at low light when on full zoom and can be quite slow to focus. Low light = The 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 is great but you have to move! Zoom = 80-200mm F2.8 is one of the best... new Nikon VR G version is expensive, and you can do with the older AF-S for high speed at low light. Flash = I'd also look at getting the SB-600 (or 800 or 900 depending on budget) to get a better flash than the built in one I started out with the 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens, but now I basically use my Tamron 28-105mm f2.8 and looking at getting the 80-200mm f2.8 to go alongside it for the longer zoom. In fact I might be selling both of them once I get the new zoom lens care of Mr Rudd! (Does the stimulus package still count if I spend it on a grey import?). Even at F11 I can tell the difference between the $300 lens and the $1000 lens. Apart from the wide angle, I have no use for the 18-28 range, and if I want wider, I've taken to the 28mm F2.8 and using photostiching! D200 is a fantastic camera to start with, I've got a D80 which I love! Its the lenses I am needing to improve! I haven't even thought about the D90 or D300 as I'd rather upgrade the lenses!

If you want zoom, go for one on the 2.8 lenses - 18-50 or 28-70 from Nikon or Tamron. I'm going to save up for the 50mm f1.4 for $500

Lucy sounded like such a sweet girl and taken far too early. I know it will take you a long while to trust your MIL again but Lucy wouldn't want you to be upset over something that was a horrible accident. Take care of yourself and each other during this most heart and gut wrenching of times. I am sure Lucy is watching over you now with those big beautiful eyes. Andrew

I think this really depends on the lens. Different lenses will focus on something closer than others. Macro lenses tend to focus on things that could be 1cm away to 10cm away, where as other normal lenses could be 25cm to 1m away before they get focus. Best thing to do is to try manually focusing on something close and see if it works... you'll probably get the best manually at close than auto.

I think this really depends on the lens. Different lenses will focus on something closer than others. Macro lenses tend to focus on things that could be 1cm away to 10cm away, where as other normal lenses could be 25cm to 1m away before they get focus. Best thing to do is to try manually focusing on something close and see if it works... you'll probably get the best manually at close than auto.