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I'd like your critique of my photos

Regarding exposure, it really depends on the scene. You can create great landscapes at f/4.5, but it all depends on what you're shooting. As for a tripod, you don't need it if you pay attention to exposure and (especially) have VR/IS. It helps, but carrying a heavy laptop into the field is a...
- dblevitan
- Post #12
- Sep 28, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Took The Plunge

The 50 mm is not VR, but it is a very fast lens and thus works well under low light conditions. It's also very sharp, which is what people like about it (I haven't used it yet but I'll be buying one soon). It goes for about $120 or so new, a bit less used. Personally, I have a 1 GB Sandisk...
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Sep 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Taking it One Step Further

This is correct. However, Nikon released new firmware for the D70 which basically brought all the software improvements to the D70. As for the actual improvements, the list (from memory) is: - theoretically wider flash coverage, but no one actually proved this - larger LCD monitor - socket...
- dblevitan
- Post #22
- Sep 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How would you transfer eleventy billion Hi8 tapes to a hard drive...

Sony's Digital8 cameras can transfer Hi8 to Firewire. Here's a forum link with some more information. The problem is that consumer camcorders won't last very long under continuous use, but its probably much cheaper than finding a D8 tape deck.
- dblevitan
- Post #6
- Aug 29, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Editing photos- software advice?

Are you comparing the RAW files output from ufraw/picasa to JPEG files from the camera? If you are, that might be your problem. No third party RAW converter will equal the camera manufacturer's converter (whether in-camera or software). For example, I know for Nikon cameras that only Nikon's...
- dblevitan
- Post #13
- Aug 15, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Editing photos- software advice?

If you're shooting RAW it'll be worth it to get Lightroom and Photoshop. If you don't want to bother with the problems associated with RAW (specifically the time required to deal with the photographs), I'd suggest switching to JPEG. If you don't want to and want to use free software, you'll have...
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- Aug 15, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Few very basic questions wrt DSLRs...

Regarding bags, Lowepro's AW series is definitely amazing, although you can get something similar (and only slightly more complicated to use) with a rain cover from the likes of REI or Campmor. I recently picked up one for a new bag that was $20, folds up as flat as the AW cover, and is just as...
- dblevitan
- Post #10
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How far behind is my D50 now?

Actually, I think the D50, specifically for night shots, is way behind the top end of the market. This is coming as a D70 owner who agrees that for most things, a D70/D50 is perfectly fine. However, for high ISO work what the D3 (and now, I believe, the D700 as well) can do is amazing...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How to Get into Digital Photography

Definitely do take pictures, but I would definitely post process. The fact is that every digital photo is already post processed by the camera. There is nothing wrong with using levels/curves to bring out areas or using cloning/healing brushes to remove dust spots. I sometimes go as far as to...
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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What are some must have digital photography accessories?

I agree with corkyg that rubber ear syringes are useful and cheap (and easily replaceable if lost). I always have a microfiber cloth - I think a t-shirt is a bad idea since it will usually contain at least a bit of sweat which I'm sure is not good for coatings. I also have a small bottle of lens...
- dblevitan
- Post #7
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How do you generally do color / white balance calibration while shooting?

I shoot RAW and generally find the Auto setting on my D70 to be good enough. Photography (especially nature, which is what I primarily do) does not need to be a perfect science. The goal is to get a good looking photograph, not the most accurate color representation. Lightroom is fast enough on...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Aug 11, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Just got a D60, need help finding a lens with some zoom

Nikon's VR (and Canon's equivalent IS) is only useful for low-light and/or long focal length shots. VR reduces vibration from your hands, which is most prominent at long shutter speeds and long focal lengths. It's not quite as useful at the wide end but is very useful and the long end. In terms...
- dblevitan
- Post #13
- Aug 5, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Care to comment?

The thing with HDR images is that they look fake. We're used to photographs that have a limited dynamic range and its hard to make them appear real. However it is possible and Nikonians just had a contest for HDR photos where there were several very nice ones. Personally, for my own photos, I...
- dblevitan
- Post #14
- Jul 19, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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SD850 vs SD1100

Well, the 1100 saves you about .1 inches on every dimension, so yeah, it is a bit smaller. But as you mentioned, the 850 gives you more zoom, specifically a slightly wider and somewhat more tele lens (35-140 for the 850 vs. 38-114 for the 1100). You might also consider the 870 which gives you an...
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- Jul 19, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Chicago Skyline

20 seconds you should be fine with. I would say stick with lower ISOs and longer exposures rather than higher ISOs and shorter exposures (as long as you're using a tripod and the exposure isn't beyond a minute or two). However, make sure the camera does the long exposure noise reduction. This...
- dblevitan
- Post #9
- Jul 12, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Cheap-O Macro?

I don't think it particularly matters that much. I know I got a B+W one which has the advantage of having a ribbed edge (the rings are sometimes annoying to get off and on) and I'm happy with it, but I'm not sure if its worth the extra price ($20 vs. $8 for others). I'm not sure if any of the...
- dblevitan
- Post #12
- Jul 6, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Cheap-O Macro?

Not all close up lenses are the same in terms of sharpness - the ones made by Nikon and Canon are typically better. I believe they have two elements instead of one. As for step-up rings - make sure you get metal. I generally get my filters from 2filter.com - they're fast and have good service...
- dblevitan
- Post #4
- Jul 5, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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What's your "hit rate" for photographs?

I have several definitions of "good". There's the "good" that is one of my better shots and the "good" that is not one of my best shots but still pleasing to look at. The other issue is that the more I shoot, the better I get, so those levels keep going up. Which means that some of the better...
- dblevitan
- Post #20
- Jul 2, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How many mega pixels do you need to achieve a quality image?

I recently printed some 6MP shots (Nikon D70, 18-70 AF-S) at 16x20 (slightly cropped since that 5:4, not 3:2). Both shots are high quality, even at web resolution (see here and here). They were printed by Mpix.com, one of the most highly regarded printers around. Even though 16x20 is...
- dblevitan
- Post #28
- Jun 11, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Quick Camera Question

P&S cameras are generally 4:3. The easy way to check is to see how many megapixels you get from a 4:3 shot and a 16:9 shot. In the case of the OP (base on the pictures he posted), that's 11.3 MP and 7.75 MP, respectively. Thus the camera natively shoots in 4:3. SLR cameras are generally 3:2...
- dblevitan
- Post #12
- Jun 11, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Recommendations for xD Card data recovery company

I'm wondering if anyone can give any recommendations on companies that can recover data off of a dead xD card. The card experiences I/O error for every sector and my computer cannot read anything off of it. I've tried some software packages and they dont' produce anything. Anyone have any...
- dblevitan
- Thread
- Nov 25, 2007
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Good but not very expensive 2.0 speakers

I have seen the Klipsch, and $100 is at the top of my price range, but I'd rather spend less if possible. The problem with the klipsch from what I've been hearing from all the responses (thanks everyone for the help) is that I should really stick with a subwoofer for any decent sound. How...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Jan 12, 2005
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Good but not very expensive 2.0 speakers

I currently have a set of ATP3 speakers, but the left speaker connector seems to have broken, so I'm considering upgrading them. I mostly use speakers for music (classical music and classic rock - not much bass) and the occasional movie. I'd prefer to avoid having a sub if possible, mostly due...
- dblevitan
- Thread
- Jan 11, 2005
- Replies: 8
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Remote Desktop to a machine behind a University firewall

One thing I've done in the past is use ssh. On your side you will need a linux computer (or a windows ssh server - I'm not sure if there is a free one). On her side she will need something like putty (I suppose she's running windows, but any ssh client will do). She will have to make a ssh...
- dblevitan
- Post #6
- Oct 10, 2004
- Forum: Networking
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Good Speakers without Subwoofer

Yeah, that's a bit too high a price for me. I really don't want to spend over $100, and the less the better. Thanks, David
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- May 26, 2004
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Good Speakers without Subwoofer

I currently have a set of ATP3 speakers that I like. But the wires on them seem to be breaking, so I think I'm going to have to get new speakers soon. The ATP3's are a 2.1 system, and I'm wondering if I can get good speakers without the subwoofer. Subwoofers are rather large (at least on the...
- dblevitan
- Thread
- May 26, 2004
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Need to use proxy with linux

What distribution of Linux?
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- Jul 12, 2003
- Forum: Networking
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KDM and multiple window managers

First, what distribution are you using?
- dblevitan
- Post #2
- Jul 9, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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Red Hat 9.0 Qs and comments

I've never used RH 9 - I prefer Mandrake for desktops. It works very smoothly on my P3 900, with no alterations. You might want to try mandrake since it seems to be tuned more for desktops than for servers (something that Red Hat has traditionally targeted). You don't need a google toolbar if...
- dblevitan
- Post #16
- Jul 6, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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What Linux to use for this server?

Another vote for debian - I recently installed it on my server and it works beautifully
- dblevitan
- Post #6
- Jul 4, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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Perplexing permissions problem

A lot of software wants write access to its directory. I know I had problems with Adobe Premiere wanting this before I finally fixed it.
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Jun 23, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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linux on a dell i600m

Which version of Mandrake? I have to say 9.1 is the first linux distribution I'd reccommend to non-geek types. Especially as a replacement to windows. It's the first linux distribution that allows me to plug in my camera and access it without having to open up a shell and mount it. You can learn...
- dblevitan
- Post #4
- Jun 23, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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Why Linux?

I understand what Red Hat is doing. But the reason I'm using Linux for a server is because I can get a powerful OS and all the tools I need for free. I want something stable, so RH 8 and 9 don't work for me, and advanced server is nice, but I'd rather go with something that doesn't cost me...
- dblevitan
- Post #43
- Jun 23, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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LINUX GODS BEWARE! I HAVE ARRIVED!(finally configured my winmodem

For Mandrake 9.1, just go to the control center, and use the install software program under the software tab. Search for samba, select the packages, and it'll prompt you for the CDs as it installs the packages. Works very very well. Also, you can go to http://plf.zarb.org to get instructions on...
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Jun 22, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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linux on a dell i600m

Apparently its a broadcom chipset card, and apparently they're not supported under linux (http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/Linux.Wireless.drivers.html#notsup). You may just want to buy another card for $50 that's a prism or orinoco card. As for the distribution, unless you...
- dblevitan
- Post #2
- Jun 22, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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BIND 9 config question

I believe you can forward requests to a server using the forwarder option (or something like that). I don't think you can tell it to query one server and then search on its own. I'm no BIND expert, but that's my vague recollection. Look in the manuals for it.
- dblevitan
- Post #2
- Jun 22, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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Why Linux?

I don't understand why everyone is saying experienced users can't run mandrake. I personally have 5 years linux experience. I've installed Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian, and LFS. Right now I have Two Mandrake desktops/laptops, a Debian server, and an LFS router (and those are only my own computers)...
- dblevitan
- Post #37
- Jun 22, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems
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installing a GUI on a Linux server??

There's no problem having X applications on your server if you have space. I suggest you disable the actual X server (it is huge and bloated), but you can use X apps remotely if they need to run on the server. SSH should do automatic X11 forwarding if its enabled -David
- dblevitan
- Post #9
- Jun 20, 2003
- Forum: Networking
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Multiple internet connections (Wireless and LAN) Possible?

Technically yes. But why not just use the wireless network to connect to the desktop PC via the router? Much simpler and cleaner If that can't be done, basically you have to do the following...make sure the interface with the crossover cable has no default gateway set (on both computers). You...
- dblevitan
- Post #2
- Jun 5, 2003
- Forum: Networking
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Mandrake 9.0 with WINE

I spent a couple of weeks working on moving my desktop over to windows. My suggestion to you is to get Crossover Office. Yes, it costs money, but it really does work well, and you're helping support Wine development. I'm currently running Office, Quicken, and even Photoshop quite well, although...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Jan 17, 2003
- Forum: Operating Systems

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