seaboater

Don't worry Simon, as owner of a lowly compact, I'd still be in! , Pat

As all us (ex)salties know from bitter experience, you can go to sea on a lovely day, and before you know it, you're miles from home port and the weather and seas can turn very rough, very quickly. It's worth bearing in mind that if you have to call for help in such conditions, the boat which comes out to you will have a semi-displacement hull! It's the best compromise of seaworthiness and speed, and also helps you not to blow about so much when on the rivers.

Mark, I paid for an oil analysis when we bought our boat 10 years ago. It was somewhat inconclusive, due to such things as a recent oil change and very low usage in that season. So, a waste of money? Maybe, but I felt better for having it done, as at least it didn't find any huge disaster. It's a small outlay in the great scheme of things and you never know......it may just highlight a problem and save you money in the long run. , Pat

I've been using the G9 successfully for a couple of years now, rather than cart around the weight and paraphernalia required for proper SLR use. I'm sure you'll be delighted with the G11 Perry. The mallard shot you've posted above is excellent.

Thanks Mark, maybe it's my screen at home then; it is about 8 years old! May I say that your photos are absolutely excellent, and for me, your "Pots & Creeks" is an absolute cracker. I wish I'd taken it. , Pat

A few more. They're losing sharpness when I resize them with Microsoft Picture Manager - does anyone know a way to re-sharpen them? Otherwise they're all from Picture Gallery and no fancy processing....... as I haven't got the software.

Ok guys, just one to test whether I've got the sizing right.......

Hi All, Had a great day and learned a few things into the bargain. Thanks to all, it was great to meet you. Sorry I had to get away without saying cheerio while you were all still hard at that serious photography stuff! Suddenly realised what time it was.......... Hope to join you on the next one, who knows, I may have some better gear by then. I've scored about 6 photos that I really like out of 114, so not a great hit rate, hope the rest of you did better. , Pat

Happy with suggested venue, please count me in, , Pat

I'm sure you can't go wrong with the decision you've made. If you're anything like me, you'll enjoy the great feeling of having made the decision at last........at least for a short while! I seem to enjoy the agonising phase as well as the decision. And of course, there's always the classic stage of "doubt", just after you've committed to something. Usually followed by relief and pleasure when you find the research has paid off and you haven't made a duff decision after all, but in fact, rather a brilliant one. Happy shooting,

And apart from the 16-80, which I bought for about £400 the rest are stratospherically priced (£1k upwards) and will probably never ever be in consideration for me. Sadly, way out of my price bracket too these days! I do think though that as it was with film, digital still depends on the glass you use, and fiddling about with it after you've taken the photo is no substitute for the satisfaction of a picture well taken with good kit. What a Luddite eh............

It probably won't help I'm afraid, but I'll give you my past experience! For many years I owned Contax SLRs and the absolutely superb Zeiss T* lenses which partnered the Contax. Although I tried other lenses, both OEM T* mount such as Sigma and Tamron, nothing could touch Zeiss. Several of my friends had Nikons and Canons of various types, and none of them, even the most highly rated, could hold a candle to the Contax/Zeiss combinations. Although sometimes frustrated by the very limited range of lenses and other equipment available to me compared to those using more mainstream kit, the superb results always put me off changing away from Contax and Zeiss. Pat

27th is OK for me, look forward to meeting you all, Pat

Quickly off the top of the head I'd add to the list : Dale Humber Offshore Island Gypsy Trader Seaward Channel Islands Falcon Corvette Puget Sound Loads more but i can't bring them to mind right now.......perhaps after a drink!

Sounds good (Plesbit's reply that is, not Brian moving his nob!). I'd like to join you if poss,

Am I right in assuming these sessions are for those both interested in photography and particularly in learning from each other?

Hi Jonny, Enjoy the P80; I'm envious of the excitement of a new bit of kit and a hefty manual to get stuck into. Looking forward to seeing some of your P80 pictures. .........

Haven't quite got the hang of positioning pics in the text yet........I'll keep on trying!

Picture Manager seems to work OK, although images are definitely softened by resizing. Taken on canon G9.

OK Perry, thanks for that. I was going to put in a few JPEGs taken on the G9, but can't seem to get it to paste them in. For future reference regardless, I'd be obliged if someone can advise how to get a picture from Windows Gallery into this reply panel.

Hi All, I enter this debate with some trepidation as there are obviously many experts. Having used many types of camera in the past, I've finally settled on the full control compact, to wit, the Canon G9 (now superceded by G10 but basically the same). This reminds me of my old manual rangefinders and can be used anywhere between that mode and full P&S. The lens is superb, will take JPEG or RAW, it takes c.250 pics per battery charge, it's possible (just) to stuff it in a large pocket and encourages you to carry it. I got fed up of lugging heavy camera bags full of kit about. As a vehicle for learning about photography it fits the bill, and will last you right through until you become a sophisticated "pap"........I haven't had time to check, but I would guess there are 2nd hand G9s about at reasonable prices. Seaboater.........but not for much longer