You all know what this rain means?

MikeInFHAZ · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location

you guys are awesome!
Santa would be proud
I'll have to give him a call
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bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

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cactuscat · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 459 Location: Phoenix

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 12/5/2004, 2:18 pm Post subject:

I have had four Canon cameras now and recomend them highly. Don't forget to look at the G series while you are at it. They have that same flip out LCD and some real good glass.

For serious macro work like flowers or any landscape work I suggest the Av setting for aperature (f/stop) priority or the manual setting. You will need a tripod though. Both like deep Depth of Field type settings unless you need the more narrow DOF for your vision.

I bought a new Canon 50mm macro lens for my camera so bring on the rain and the wildflowers.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
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MikeInFHAZ · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location

ive seen the A85 on eBay complete with 512mb card, IFC, small tripod,
case and lens cleaner from a respected seller for $299. Otherwise, the camera itself with no extras is around $229
ya'll think its a good deal?
_________________
http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 12/5/2004, 3:08 pm Post subject:

B&H sells it for $240 all by itself. They are reputable dealers so are a good benchmark to judge by. 512 cards are about $50 so it's looks like you get the tripod and case etc thrown in.
_________________
Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

azhiker96 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1419

I've found putting my Canon powershot S50 on action mode works well when I'm trying to get a closeup shot, such as a bug on a flower.

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Mike I have a Fujifilm FinePix A303, it's a few years old but there A340 is a 4MP and I love it. Or if the budget is a problem the A330 is a 3MP. They run around $165 for the 4MP or $140 for the 3MP.

Don't forget to check: http://www.steves-digicams.com for the absolute best info on camera's

Daddee · Posted: 12/5/2004, 10:10 pm Post subject:

Mike - Tim is right, check out Steve's Digicams - the price check tool on that site is awesome.

I just bought a Canon A85 from ProFeel for $221 - they got it to me in 3 days. I recommend calling them over their e-mail ordering though. The customer service over the phone was really quite good.

The best part about the Canon is that if you put it into "Auto" or any of the other pre-set modes you can take some really nice pictures with extreme ease. But you can also go custom and make it perform in really fine tuned ways. I'm still playing with it to find out how all the custom features work.
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV

"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln

Daddee · Posted: 12/5/2004, 10:13 pm Post subject:

BTW - for the spring wildflowers I was always told that the rains that count are the ones that you get around mid January through mid March. Any sooner than that dry out before they can do any good, and after that is starting to get too late to have an appreciable effect.

I don't know how accurate that info is, but I have heard it from several sources.

Anyone else know anything about it? I'm dying to see a really bright spring again - seems like it's been 5 or 6 years since the last really good one.
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV

"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln

Daryl · Posted: 12/6/2004, 11:12 am Post subject:

A85 is the same as the A95 except the A95 is 5mp as opposed to 4mp and the A95 has the flip out screen. The A85 is an awesome camera too though.

Canon A85 currently for $219
http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=A85

Canon A95 currently for $286
http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=A95

Of you can just suck it up and get the 20D... 8mp, shoots at 5 frames per second... for only $1500.00 (this is on my wife's christmas list if Santa is listening...)
http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=EOS20D

Again, Butterflyphoto.com is awesome to deal with. I haven't found anyone that can touch their prices. Their Cameras are all new US cameras with warranties (you need to watch for that on ebay, some are grey market or refurbished) and their prices change daily to match their competition so you have to check back often. I bought from them twice now and had the camera delivered within days. Both times they upgraded me to priority shipping at no charge. However, don't buy accesories from them, they mark up the prices on them so they can turn a profit.
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Arizonaheat · Posted: 12/6/2004, 2:30 pm Post subject:

I have been told by botanical garden Nov and Dec are the most important, the later rains have no significance. I have also seen the same info on PBS. The last banner year which I think was 98 the rains were early.

Daddee · Posted: 12/6/2004, 3:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Kent. Always nice to be able to separate fact from rumor. As I said - I didn't have any authoritative info - just what I had remembered hearing.
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV

"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Well I have heard the saying "April Showers bring May flowers" But that was in the midwest where they actually have a "Winter".

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Arizonaheat · Posted: 12/6/2004, 3:42 pm Post subject:

I don't know if it is fact or not and I'm sure not an expert; that is just what I've been told and heard. I have tried to find some info on the web, but not having any luck.