We're only writing January. I'd expect at least another six weeks...

Bret

This is my seagull at 1:1...




This "grain" looks obvious as a background picture, but I've seen these printed at A3 and they look great.

Bret

PM is now on v4 and I don't see *any* problems with noise, even on high ISO shots with a k10d.
I'll re-check this tomorrow with a set taken at 800ISO.

Is "noise reduction" on in Photomatix?

this is a quick example of noise available at ISO200 on a K10D - remember that the blue channel is the noisiest...(f11, 1/800)




Bret

aluminium is fun, isn't it?

Bret

well, right now it's drying again - I'll put some primer again on it tomorrow and let it sit overnight before I retry first coats of blue. Pain in the timetable.... but hey, that's the way things go.

Bret

first time in 50 days it's above freezing in Helsinki today....

Bret

yes, and they're great. I have one.

Bret

different technology for focussing. Uses electrical as opposed to a mechanical connection (therefore motor built in to lens). Similar to Sigma's HSM or Canon's USM.

No contacts = no Autofocus.

Bret

silly question: when prepping metal for paint, what grade wet & dry to use? it's the base of the lamp and it was obviously too well done (I think it was 800?) because at one point I was going to polish. Then it turned out it is stainless and alu, so polishing won't look right.

It's intended to be high-gloss blue (2 coats primer, 3-4 blue, 3-4 gloss lacquer). So I think 180 should be enough....

The third coat of blue crazed after I'd sanded some of the imperfections out. Then it turns out I can simply scrape the paint off with my fingernail. OK; time to re-do.

Bret

there are *lots* of new forum spammers, though...

I get some chinese ones at work, but the filters are pretty good these days.

Bret