SchnauzerBoy

+1 from me on this too.... take it to several valuation places first, would never trust the first person to look at it, and getting other people involved shouldn't hurt. Then get the 7D

Some fantastic shots there and looks like it was a great meet. That Ness and Kenzie look strangely familiar

What about getting him some toys that he can chew and that will keep him entertained when you are not around. Praise him for chewing those toys (so long as they are made of the tough stuff!) and repremand him for going near the stuff he isnt allowed. He'll soon get the hint. Apart from that, keep everything out of his reach.

You will get several recommendations from several different DOLers here, but the best thing to do is get down to a Camera Warehouse or similar shop and hold / play / use all the variants, then try the different options and see what feels comfortable in your hands :D Then research and listen to others on the ones that feel right. Remember that you are also buying into a system, whether you go Canon, Nikon, Sony etc etc. and that most of the real money is spent on the lens, and the body can only help so much. Budget wil also play an important factor, and you need to go online to somewhere like DD Electronics and DWI to see prices for Imports. Most people will warn you about imports because there is no Australian Warranty by the manufacturer, but you can purchase a MACK warranty which is as good as the manufacturers, and can be up to 5 years! I am a Nikon user, and I would recommend the D90 for the lower end or a D300s for a higher end... you are looking between $800 to $2000 for the 2 different bodies. The Nikon 50mm 1.8 D will cost you around $200, and you should look at lenses seperately as kit lenses are a good start... the 18-200 VR is a great start but will set you back another $1000. Canon work on 3 numbers is a consumer, 2 numbers is a prosumer and single numbers are the high end... so the 450D, 50D and 5D or 7D Mark II would be there bodies, but again prices will need to be looked at. Their glass is pretty good too... with the "L" series being their high end. Also, don't be afraid of 3rd party glass as Tamron and Sigma do have some great lenses, but reading up will tell you the ones to get, but most importantly, the ones to avoid. Get to a shop, feel each camera and see what feels good for you, then do plenty of research and talk to many many people. Good luck and welcome to the magical world of dSLR Andrew

Nope, just did my first outing down the dog park with the nifty fifty and loving it However, still got to learn a bit more on using a prime glass, but here are the first few photos taken at the park today

Love the 1.8.... haven't taken any pics yet worth posting, but I am sure it'll be out at next Sunday's meet I went for it over the 1.4 because so many reviews said the 1.4 isn't that sharp at 1.4 and is as good as the 1.8 at 1.8, so I thought I'd save the money as I don't think I'd need the extra light

+1 from me too :p +1 from Aubrey who also won't wear her costumes!

U do know someone :D I purchased the 50mm 1.8 D Nikon during the week which has arrived... going to get out and play with it over the weekend. BTW JS - I used DD Electronics (Singapore Website) and DWI for my purchases, much cheaper than B&H Video and quicker. DDE are based in Sydney and the 50mm 1.8 D came the day after I ordered it, and for much less than B&H or CameraHouse :p Well recommended, just check the Whirlpool forums I'll probably stick it on the camera for the DOL meet on Sunday too

Ahem... you missed me and the OH

I, along with the OH, would definitely come along with our 2... so that is another 2 to add to the list

Indeed, well done, it's amazing what these guys can teach us and our dogs. We have a 2nd consult this evening with our behaviourist to try and get Aubrey happier with kids... tonight we actually have a 3 year old coming over too so they can see what can be done!

You won't go wrong with the lens for portraits... You could always go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 at around $1,000 which I use for the fast sports shots and it doesnt miss a beat.

Ours are on a combination of Pro Plan and Royal Canine and both love it and we have no problems.

I'll be happy with JD for Aubrey Let me rephrase that... I'd be extatic!

Looking forward to the meet on the 6th, although might have to head off early as we have tickets to Green Day. Anyway, if you don't mind, I'd like to use the afternoon to practice more on my photography and maybe do a portrait type thing (you and your dog) to practice, as well as get a few shots for the galleries I want to do for my photography business setup :rolleyes: I hope none of you don't mind, if you do, please let me know and I won't ask Thanks Andrew

OK need to find a track in Adelaide to take my 70-200 f2.8 to to try

Whilst I am a Nikon head (I'd recommend the D40X or the D90) The 40D is a little old (Replaced by the 50D) but because if this has gone down in price. You'll probably pay around $1,100 just for the body, and then add a bit for a lens. Depending on what you want you'll need specific lens, or a good all round lens... e.g. in a concert you'd need a f2.8 or better lens for low light, for the fast action you'll need a 2.8 with a fast motor to stop the motion etc etc. You get into the system first, the lens later... so a camera body to learn off a good lens is the best... so the 40D would do this. The 50mm 1.8 is a good start for prime, the 18-200 type lens for a general all round. Good luck and welcome to world of dSLR Andrew

+1 from me on that... definitely helps to get other peoples perspective.

Do you want some help (i.e. a 2nd photographer?) Let me know :D Andrew

Our 19 month Miniature Schnauzer won't stop barking at kids. Last week she even tugged at the clothing of a 4 year old girl. If she spots a child the other side of the park, she'll often run over and start barking and get closer and closer. She hasn't bitten anyone yet, but has gotten close enough to tug at clothes. It seems to be children under 5 years old. Even if she hears them on TV she'll start barking. Not sure what is causing it, might be the school playgrounds which is behind and to the left of our back yard (she cannot see the kids, just hears them at playtime), and as far as we know she wasn't treated badly as a pup, and came from a breeder with kids. It is getting to a point now that we can't invite our friends over as they all have small children, and whilst we won't leave Aubrey with kids unattended, even when she is near the kids and we are there, she'll carry on barking. No amount of telling her no, seperating her etc is working. We are inviting one of our friends over next week who has a 4 year old to try and do some training, just open palm feeding etc so she learns that to associate kids with good feelings (and yummy roast chicken), but what else can we do? The kid is good enough to know to be calm, won't run around or cry and even tells Aubrey to sit. We don't want her ending up on a news site as another dog attack and we want to invite our friends over for BBQs! Thanks

Indeed, one of my main reasons on going was to catch up with Tim. Will find out at the end of next week where it'll be in 2010!

This weekend is the annual A-P-S Conference "APSCON" in Victor Harbour. It'll be my first, so quite nervous / excited about it. Any other DOLers going?

Haven't gone through mine yet, will try and do them tonight. Lisa, the photos of our two are great... will have to get the originals from you

Annie, love the shot, just wondering if it would work better flipped the other way round (mirrored)? Just my creative mind thinking the old left to right of a picture.

Some fantastic shots there I took this one for a different competition last month whilst up in the Adelaide Hills.