Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Photographically Phulfilling new Year to all, (including the petographers!).

This forum has really come alive in 2007. Time was, when Matt and I, and Kim and Kimbo, plus of course JR, were just about the only contributors.

Now we have wise and witty contributions from all corners of the globe.

Roll on 2008.

G

Thank the Lord for that. Doggies and moggies. Yuck.

G
PS: I like animals, but photos of pets should be served in very small doses. On 29 February, except for leap years. IMHO.

Liam,

Unfortunately I don't have a huge amount of time at present. And I want a fast machine with plenty of fast disk space, so second-hand kit probably won't do.

After my frustrating experiences trying to find the cause of strange lines on my pictures (which I first blamed, wrongly, on the K10D) I want a turn-key solution, where if there is any problem I can just send the box back.

But when I retire............

Thanks for the suggestion.

G

Thanks for that. It sounds as though the Media Center stuff is not especially useful, and that Vista puts a heavier load on the system for little benefit other than allegedly better security.

I think I'll stick with the devil I know.

Cheers

G

Well, the time has come to buy a new PC. Sadly, it won't be equipped with Linux, though I hope/expect its successor will be.

So, is there any advantage to Vista (rather than XP)? And if so, which version? Is the Media Centre stuff worth having?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

G

It's very cold here. Nearly 3 degrees C.

G

MX Veteran,

A camera manual is just that; a guide to the camera. It is not there to teach you the basics of photography. By your own admission, you have never taken any interest in flash, and now you seem to expect the camera manual to tell you all about it.

That's simply not realistic. There is a lot of technical stuff to master in order to be a proficient photographer, and you need to read much more widely than just the camera manual.

Also, the biggest single difference between film and digital is the opportunity to instantly review what you have just taken. Use it. Whenever I have a potential exposure problem, and even when I don't, I check the last shot and correct the next one if necessary.

(Still get some bad exposures! But the hit rate is much higher.)

G

Come, come, Chris. Not everybody can multiply and divide by 2. 'Specially veterens!

G

It's not just a matter of reverting to earlier firmware. You then have to use a hidden menu in version 1.1 to recalibrate the focus.

G

You guys are all the same, grabbing bodies in the studio.

G

PS: Sorry, should have left that comment to Chris A.