Calgary meet up/ photo walk or something?

[mikejoe]

Heyo!

I've been in Calgary for a few months now, my first winter out here... not a fan haha.

But I don't really know anyone out here and i think it's about time I do.

So if Calgary ever gets nice out again, I'd like get out and do some shooting... whether it's someones car or walking the streets or going for some brewski's. I'm game!

Anyone else down?

Cheers!

Mike

[KKY]

me

[eglove]

do you has nice car? we could go for a cruise

[mikejoe]

I had this...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5347923846_40cac95d8d_b.jpg


But I had to sell it back in March.

So I'm rollin Transit for now. Hoping to get a Vespa or Honda Ruckus for the summer.

I'm gunna need something to transport my lighting equipment around for car shoots this year.

So lets set something up!

I work down by Chinook Mall but live up on Center and 16th.

My Cell - 587-433-2264

Mike

[shakalaka]

If you wanna do a Photoshoot or practice your skills I am more than willing to volunteer my car. Just give us a holler!

[kvg]

I would be down for a meet up :thumbsup:

[The_Rural_Juror]

I would be down depending on the week. It would be nice to meet kky and a dew of the other crazies around here.

[Squishy]

Ever seen the beyond meet thread? If you work by Chinook, the beyond meets are there every Wednesday and there are lots of nice cars for you to practice shooting on. No one minds having pictures of their car taken. :P

[Little Dragon]

I wouldn't mind getting some tips on photo taking!

I'm just getting into photography but have been in videography for quite some time, will hopefully be getting a DSLR soon.

[kvg]

Meet up for a coffee, shoot the shit and do our thing. That sounds like a great Idea.

[Unknown303]

Yeah I could really use one of these to rekindle my love for photography.

[Go4Long]

I'd be down if I'm not workin...bring out some of the toys to play with...go to the zoo or whatever...not really into automotive photography much personally.

[msommers]

I'm down when it's warmer!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c159/matt_calgary/DSC_1586.jpg

:rofl:

[Penis McNickels]

I'm down.

[Xtrema]

I'm down. Need some practice, still a quite a noob.

[97luder]

:thumbsup:

[flipstah]

Depends on when it is so if the timing is right, count me in! =D

[almerick]

I'd be down as well, still learning and wouldn't mind some tips from the beyond pros :thumbsup:

[Mitsu3000gt]

I might be in depending on where & when. Unfortunately I have zero interest in either car shots or just walking around downtown :).

And for all you guys saying you need to learn, get tips, etc. feel free to post in the camera section here or even PM me if you prefer and you can get your questions answered more often than when you go to meets :thumbsup: .

[blitz]

I thought you were trying to branch out Mistu? Think of downtown as urban landscapes :)

[msommers]

Mark, I'll bring my cat. This could be your chance for an HDR pano.

[clem24]

I'd be down for a meet, depending on when...

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by blitz
I thought you were trying to branch out Mistu? Think of downtown as urban landscapes :)

Haha not so much *urban* landscapes. But yes I am trying to expand a bit, I am just not interested in much that Calgary has to offer for picture taking. The vast majority of my pictures, at least in the last year or two, have been on vacation.


Originally posted by msommers
Mark, I'll bring my cat. This could be your chance for an HDR pano.

This, I may come out for. The walls in my place are a little bare right now and there would be no better way to fill the void than a gallery sized print of that.

[JC522]

i'd be down. Been using my camera and lenses as a paperweight lately, actually since i bought them

[Go4Long]

How about May 6th? lots of advance notice, and my wife is outta town that weekend :poosie:

[rawsensation]

Count me in. iPad 2 works? I've got 2 cameras:D

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Go4Long
How about May 6th? lots of advance notice, and my wife is outta town that weekend :poosie:

Isn't that a Friday?

[kvg]

What about a saturday evenig?

[almerick]

I'll have to catch the next one, I'll be out of the country for a month :cry:

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by Xtrema


Isn't that a Friday?

got the date wrong...lol...may 8th, or the evening of the 7th...thoughts?

[smc]

I would come out but I am in Vegas from May 5-8th, Walnut Creek from 9-13th and I have a wedding on the 14th in Calgary. But if it happens after the 14th, with the exception of the 21st, I'm in.

[ercchry]

if you guys want to shoot cars you should stop by race city on may 17th after 5pm... lots of chances for action shots, lots of different car styles too

[Penis McNickels]

Generally, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings are fine with me. Although, I have no interest in shooting cars. I am more interested in shooting people and then taking their picture.

[KKY]

Prefer Sunday day time involving coffee. 8th should work for me.

[kvg]

Sunday afternoon would work for me too.:thumbsup:

[Go4Long]

Ok, so sunday May 8th, 2:00pm at a Starbucks to be determined.

I'll Ride a 193 HP Supersport bike the day before, so as long as I'm alive I'll make it :poosie:

Anyone know of a starbucks with a large seating area?

[Unknown303]

I was going to suggest the Starbucks in Bridgeland on General Ave, but it has probably the smallest seating area of any Starbucks... :dunno:

[Squishy]

Why does it have to be inside? Can hang out outside in the nice weather! Just need a decent size parking lot

[Go4Long]

You make plans inside because its calgary and there could be 6 feet of snow by then. And with a few exceptions most of us couldn't care less about taking pictures of cars, or even just cars in general, so hanging out in a parking lot ranks pretty low on the list of things to do on days off.

[kvg]

If it's nice weather, but don't bank on it:dunno:

[Clever]

I'm in as well, as long as you guys don't mind having a noob around.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Clever
I'm in as well, as long as you guys don't mind having a noob around.

That is largely the point of these meets, I would think, to help people learn.

[JdmGirl]

I'd be down..... just superscared being a girl here. Its so unnerving. hahah..

[Go4Long]

just ignore the leg humpers...the rest of us are married ;)
and squishy is a girl too...

[kvg]

^:werd:

You are a true poet my friend:thumbsup:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Go4Long
Ok, so sunday May 8th, 2:00pm at a Starbucks to be determined.

I'll Ride a 193 HP Supersport bike the day before, so as long as I'm alive I'll make it :poosie:

Anyone know of a starbucks with a large seating area?

Aww boo. I'll see y'all next meeting; I'm out of the country at that time. :)

[Squishy]

Originally posted by JdmGirl
I'd be down..... just superscared being a girl here. Its so unnerving. hahah..
:poosie:

[msommers]

Originally posted by Go4Long
Ok, so sunday May 8th, 2:00pm at a Starbucks to be determined.

I'll Ride a 193 HP Supersport bike the day before, so as long as I'm alive I'll make it :poosie:

Anyone know of a starbucks with a large seating area?

Sounds good man.

[clem24]

[^^ Few posts up] Yup and so is one of our resident pro photogs, Melinda. Though I think her own business and her kids are keeping her pretty busy!

Just to add: depending on how the group is, what we've done in the past is meet up somewhere, talk, have coffee, and whoever is done, usually go for a random walk and just take pictures. Although I think the last time we did that, we did the photog thing and walked from Eau Claire to the Camera Store. :rofl:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Go4Long
just ignore the leg humpers...the rest of us are married ;)
and squishy is a girl too...



Originally posted by Squishy

:poosie:

I'm missing THIS?!

DAMN IT! :banghead:

[msommers]

Originally posted by clem24
[^^ Few posts up] Yup and so is one of our resident pro photogs, Melinda. Though I think her own business and her kids are keeping her pretty busy!

Just to add: depending on how the group is, what we've done in the past is meet up somewhere, talk, have coffee, and whoever is done, usually go for a random walk and just take pictures. Although I think the last time we did that, we did the photog thing and walked from Eau Claire to the Camera Store. :rofl:

The flash mob of photographers. We should definitely paparazzi some random.

[Unknown303]

If we did meet in bridgeland it is a decent place to walk around and get some pictures, the Starbucks has maybe 10 tables or so though, should be enough for us if there aren't already people occupying them.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by msommers


The flash mob of photographers. We should definitely paparazzi some random.

LOL they did that for Just for Laughs. It was pretty hilarious. :rofl:

[JdmGirl]

hahahaha okay, you can count me in then! :)

[Go4Long]

ok...so we're doing Bridgeland Starbucks 2:00pm on May 8th?

where is bridgeland starbucks? lol

[msommers]

Originally posted by flipstah


LOL they did that for Just for Laughs. It was pretty hilarious. :rofl:

Damnit. Well we'll just have to be over-the-top about it........Steve is picking up coffee.......nnnnnow....*snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap**snap*

Oh ya, that's a keeper.

Or if we find another telephone booth :rofl: :rofl: Holy F did that thing get attention.

[Go4Long]

I'll get my hairs did so that I look speshul in my closeups :P
now comes the challenge of choosing which gear to bring :confused:

[msommers]

Just as an FYI, I'm willing to work with someone if they need further instruction on post-processing bokeh.

Scroll half-way for an overview.
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295017&perpage=20&highlight=&pagenumber=11

[Unknown303]

The Starbucks in Bridgeland is located at 912 General Ave NE.

MAP HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=912+General+Avenue+Northeast,+Calgary,+Alberta,+Canada&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=54.005807,100.986328&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=912+General+Ave+NE,+Calgary,+Alberta+T2E+0P4,+Canada&t=h&z=16)

[almerick]

Originally posted by msommers
Just as an FYI, I'm willing to work with someone if they need further instruction on post-processing bokeh.

Scroll half-way for an overview.
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295017&perpage=20&highlight=&pagenumber=11

OMG hahaha wtfrick :rofl:

[Gibson]

Damn, always loved coming to these meets to get a chance to actually meet everyone. This may prove to be difficult if as I don't live in the city any more. Stupid photography jobs.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Unknown303
the Starbucks has maybe 10 tables or so though, should be enough for us if there aren't already people occupying them.

Any time we have these meets, usually half the people that say they show end up being no shows. I think it'll be fine. It'll be nice out. Worse case scenario, buy a coffee and just sit outside!

[Little Dragon]

I am good for the 8th!
Haven't met any you yet, hopefully there are more noobs like me?

Still haven't bought a camera though, but I will bring the gf. She has a decent one.

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by Little Dragon
She has a decent one.

the question is does she have a decent two...
oh right...married...forgot.

[Penis McNickels]

I'm in for the 8th.

If anyone is willing to bring along their Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 that would be great. I am contemplating trading in my 24-70 for that one.

I know my four year old would want to come, for these meets is it best to leave her at home? I imagine if it's just a people sitting around talking she'll start begging to leave pretty quick like...

[Go4Long]

yeah...last one I was at we took over the starbucks seating area for about 4 hours...hehe....

I don't have the original 70-200 anymore, only the VRII. personal opinion is they're far to different of focal length to trade one for the other. it's like saying you'll trade the 24-70 for the 14-24...they're completely different lenses. you need all three :D

It goes in to the list of lenses that everyone needs to have in their nikon bag at least once...

- 14-24mm - it seems to defy the optical formula, it's sharp corner to corner even wide open
- 24-70mm one of the best mid range zooms on the market, rediculous at 24mm, and amazing throughout
- 70-200mm VR sharp at any aperture and any focal length focus that seems to know what you're trying to focus on before you do
- 84mm 1.4 Natural light legend, unreal bokeh.

there's more, but that deserves it's own thread.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Penis McNickels
I'm in for the 8th.

If anyone is willing to bring along their Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 that would be great. I am contemplating trading in my 24-70 for that one.



I agree with Go4, they are so different that I don't know how you wouldn't already know if you would need the 70-200 when compared with a 24-70. If you're always shooting at 70 and wish you could go longer and still have f2.8, then yeah you probably will like the 70-200. The two lenses are designed to perfectly complement each other with zero overlap, so I would think you could pretty easily figure out if it would be more useful than your 24-70 or not.

The 70-200VR II is truly something special, not sure if you're talking about the VR I or VRII but the VRII is in another class altogether.

[Penis McNickels]

Yeah, well I would like to try out the 70-200 to see if I am missing out on anything. I pretty much just take pictures of my kids (hence my interest in people photography) and with the summer coming we'll be outdoors more. The 24-70 has been great for the winter when we're inside most of the time.

And I just don't think I can convince the wife to let me drop another 1800$+ on another lens.

edit: I do have the 18-55 kit lens to cover the mid-range. So the question would be, do the gains made with 70-200 and coupled with the 18-55 outweigh the loss of the 24-70?

As for the VRI vs VRII, I'm on a D90 and reading around it seems a DX doesn't see much benefit from the VRII as an FX would.... and I am aware that the two have different focusing aspects.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Penis McNickels
As for the VRI vs VRII, I'm on a D90 and reading around it seems a DX doesn't see much benefit from the VRII as an FX would.... and I am aware that the two have different focusing aspects.

VRII Is sharper and has better contrast at F2.8 throughout the zoom range even on DX. The VRII is also sharper at 200mm in particular than the VRI. If you ever go full frame, you are also covered as well. The biggest difference, though, to a DX user is the actual VR mechanism is MUCH better in the VR II. You can easily get perfectly sharp pictures at 1/10-1/20sec at a 300mm equivalent. That is absolutely amazing, an easy 4 stops and even 5 stops of VR if you have steady hands to begin with. For me, it is so good that it's worth the price premium if that was the only improvement made to the lens. I've now got countless pictures I couldn't have got with the VRI without jacking up my ISO to insane levels or whipping out a tripod, which is often not possible.

I shoot DX and I've owned both the VRI and VRII for a long time and the VRII is hands down the better lens if you can afford the price premium over the VRI. The VRI is still an outstanding lens if you want to save a bit of money. Basically it comes down to if the small increase in sharpness and huge increase in VR performance is worth it to you. If you don't care about those things, the VRI will likely be just fine for you. AF speed is roughly the same, a touch faster on the VRII. Size is slightly different, the VRII is shorter but fatter.

As for your kit lens, if you don't need f2.8 from 18-55mm, I would say you should definitely give the 70-200 a try, you will love it. There is always the dirt cheap 50 and 35mm 1.8 primes you can add if you need a fast standard lens.

[Xtrema]

So just show up @ Bridgeland Starbucks on the 8th with camera around the neck?

What time?

[Go4Long]

2:00pm

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by Go4Long
2:00pm

Works for me. I get off work at 6am that day so it gives me some time to sleep.

[wbaxter]

See if you can get the local www.skyscraperpage.com folks to come along. Their skills make most local photog's shots look like the work of a 5 year old.

[KKY]

Might be a long shot but does anyone have a Mamiya RB67 they can bring to the meet?

[Penis McNickels]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


VRII Is sharper and has better contrast at F2.8 throughout the zoom range even on DX. The VRII is also sharper at 200mm in particular than the VRI. If you ever go full frame, you are also covered as well...

...I would say you should definitely give the 70-200 a try, you will love it.

So that settles it. You're bringing your VRII to the meet.

Thanks!

[clem24]

Since KKY asked, anyone have a full 4/3 (not m4/3) they can bring?? I still really need to test out a lens I have.

[Penis McNickels]

I've just realised today that May 8th is Mothers' Day. I am not sure how that will affect me just yet, but I thought that perhaps that this fact may affect others looking to attend.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Penis McNickels
I've just realised today that May 8th is Mothers' Day. I am not sure how that will affect me just yet, but I thought that perhaps that this fact may affect others looking to attend.

Yeah I definitely can't come, brunch with the family.

[Go4Long]

Brunch at 2:00pm?

[Roarasaur]

Sorry guys but I wont be able to make it. I have work that day so I'll just have to make it up with the next one.

[Unknown303]

I'm still in. I have no family... :cry:

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Go4Long
Brunch at 2:00pm?

1pm lunch/brunch whatever you want to call it haha. I think we're going to Priddis and they call it brunch still.

Regardless I'll be tied up the entire afternoon unfortunately.

[kvg]

I'm still in:thumbsup:

[Go4Long]

me too :P

[Xtrema]

I'll be there.

[msommers]

Ya I should be in depending on plans with Mom.

[Squishy]

I work 2-10pm. I'm out, sorry

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by msommers
Ya I should be in depending on plans with Mom.

Fuck, that's Mother's day. I'm out. No wonder everyone is going to brunches.

Shit I need to go shopping.

[msommers]

Maybe next weekend would work better for everyone, Steve.

[Go4Long]

I'm gonna be in vancouver for a funeral next weekend...but you guys sure can :D

[Rocketright]

I'd come and volunteer my car, but I don't have a camera or anything lol.

But I'd love to get some good pics of it if anyone wants to.

[Unknown303]

This isn't a take pictures of a guys car meet, it's just a get to meet the photographers on the site.

[Go4Long]

I love how everyone assumes that we all just want to take pictures of cars :poosie:

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by Go4Long
I love how everyone assumes that we all just want to take pictures of cars :poosie:

I want to take pictures of anything but cars come this weekend.

[Go4Long]

alright...so anyone other than me not going to be getting together with their mom and still up for the meet?

[Unknown303]

I'm in 100%. I have no family.

[Go4Long]

I don't know whether to laugh at that or not...but cool.

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by Go4Long
I don't know whether to laugh at that or not...but cool.

I'm just joking anyways, but my mom doesn't live in Calgary. :rofl:

[Penis McNickels]

Put me down as tentative. We have no plans yet, but who knows what the wife will decide to do.

[kvg]

why don't we just do a monthly meet? :dunno: