Busy day ahead. Have to unpack from the trip, re-arrange the shelving in the garage to accomodate new additions to the gear (the old big tent), and then "document" the camp online (write-up and pictures).
Pictures... As I think I'd noted, my 2.5-year-old Nikon D70 broke down during the trip down. We stopped in at a camera store to figure out what could be done, and learned that the new Nikon dSLR bodies will not accept my older lenses. So...the D70 will just have to go into the shop (and the battery exchanged per a recall notice I saw in the process), and I just have to hope it won't cost too much to fix.
Walked out with a fairly sophisticated (medium-range $$$) Canon digital S#, not an SLR (sigh), that carried me through the event. What I required was manual control of aperture and shutter speed, and "instant" response from the shutter. What I got turned out to have some really nice features such as automatic stabilization, periodic shooting ("take 50 shots at 1-minute intervals"), pre-shoot scene brightness histograms, and a raft of odd features I haven't learned how to use yet such as movies and stereo sound recording.
If Canon doesn't have Nikon's "pre-planned obsolescence" lens policies, I may (horrors) go over to the dark side -- if&when the budget allows me another digital SLR. Going to have to talk with the Canon owners at the camera club at work...
So how are things there? I guess you're probably well into monsoon season now?
Had to go put on some coffee for LoM when she awakes. Looked at the thermometer — 9:30 AM and it’s a pleasant 59F outside. I love the PNW! In Lassen it would already be blistering “hide from the sun” hot (though the Californians would be just starting to shed their parkas).
I’m glad you’re back, with nothing more serious than a camera breakdown. (WHAT amd I SAYING?)
Yes, we’re into the monsoons. It’s supposed to be raining all week, but of course, it doesn’t rain here like it does there. If they say “rain is forecast for the next week,” it means only that some parts of the county will get wet, and other parts will just be humid.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of the photos. :o]