Andy Elle wrote:
Zane, is it safe at Maroubra beach in the morning? I have heard so many things about crowds gathered there in the early hours after partying that I am a little hesitant, especially alone. I love early morning seascapes and have done heaps, but am keen to try Maroubra rockpool. Do you go alone?
I feel safe there. I could see people (I wouldn't describe what I see as a 'crowd') gathering at the carpark where the shops are. The pool is a lot further uphill close to where the residential apartments are. I've been there twice, once with my wife and once with a friend. I usually go an hour before sunrise and it's a bit scary if what you see is just wave coming in from the dark ocean. You will doubt the actual existence of the early swimmers
Ed W wrote:
btw, I noticed that someone *caugh*Zane*caugh* is selling a 70-200 IS on the PICA site...
*caugh**caugh*....yep, that's the same Zane as me. The lens was sold on Thur for $2450 incl shipping. I guess it's a great deal for the guy who bought it.
G&V is probably the most expensive place to buy in the world. They will try to sell you a 2.8 IS for $3999, f4 for $1599, 16-35 for $2999. 28-300 for $4399. But I do agree that it's a good place to view (and probably test) the lenses. Hey, if someone's going to view or test lenses at G&V, pls ask me to come along(0414711220) as I only work 2 min away from G&V.
I have to repeat myself that Foto Riesel Camera House on Kent Street is probably the best place to buy in Sydney. Their staffs are professionally trained (Mick Connolly is a really really nice guy) and prices range from "reasonable" to "the lowest around". They sold my friend a 20D kit for $2500 while everyone's trying to sell it for $27-2800. Also Mick tends to quote a 'good price' for lenses (rather than the RRP) and he's very patient in explaining, showing and allowing you to test the lens. Try to get away from the COLIN guy thu...
gregau wrote:
Yes thanks Zane. It'll be really good for me if the FM events can be planned way in advance as in my work I usually have to plan a few weeks beforehand when I will or won't work. Some of your suggestions seem very good.
* H2O jetski show - every weekend til 23 Jan, 2pm and 5pm, Darling Harbour
*15th Jan, 5pm - FMers outing
* Life safers competition - 15th @ Narrabeen
- 22nd, 23rd @ Manly
* Manly festival - 22nd, 23rd
* Australia Day - international wheelchair race (The Rocks, Circular Quay etc)
- sunrise balloons - Parramatta
- heaps others, eg surf board challenge...
* City of light til end January
February:
*Chinese New Year parade - Town Hall to Chinatown
* Lan Tien Buddhist Temple in Wollongong - shooting lotus in summer (the Temple holds a competition as well)
April to May
* Autumn colours - locations include Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains. I also noticed a line of maple trees on St Kilda Parade in Melbourne which could be quite nice in Autumn. Other suggestions??
*Mid April - Australian Rally Championship - Smelly for details
June to August
* Winter sunrises - I go to farms in Richmond every year - sunrises are more misty and foggy in winter
* Katoomba festival
* Another festival in Merrylands organised by some Aborigines and Islander groups
* Snowy mountains - wasn't very successful last year, I may go with the St George club this year...
*August - City to Surf (not in the running but photographing)
Sept to Oct
* Spring flowers - Tulips in Canberra (Floriade) and Bowral. Private gardens in Leura and Mount Wilson
* late Oct - Scuplture by the Sea - Bondi Beach
Nov
* many other festivals - Newtown, Indian, Thai etc etc
April 22-24 Subaru Rally of Canberra, ACT (subject to FIA approval) **
May 13-15 Respect Yourself Forest Rally, WA
June 3-5 Falken Tyres Rally Queensland
July 15-17 Subaru Safari Tasmania
August 5-7 Coopers Pale Ale Rally SA
September 2-4 Premier State Rally, NSW
October 28-30 NGK Rally Melbourne, Vic
11-13 November Telstra Rally Australia, WA
Obviously some aren't that accessible but some are like Canberra and NSW ones. It'd cost a bit of $$ to get in but I'll see what I can find.. helps when you work for the winning team of the ARC.
Thanks Smelly...
But let's skip those WA and SA ones and concentrate on NSW and ACT. It will be handy to find out the cost involved as well.
I will be seeing a group of photography friends tonite and will try to get more ideas on what's on on the OZ day. I will amend the first post when I have all those info... In the near future, I will be doing those life savers championships and the OZ day, those lotus in the temple in Wollongong.
definitely interested in the Subaru rally. What's the policy in issuing press passes??
Ah, I'm going blind. It's in Sydney again in 2006.
Zane Yau wrote:
I have to repeat myself that Foto Riesel Camera House on Kent Street is probably the best place to buy in Sydney. Their staffs are professionally trained (Mick Connolly is a really really nice guy) and prices range from "reasonable" to "the lowest around".
btw, Mick should be coming to our FM gathering next week.
Zane Yau wrote:
definitely interested in the Subaru rally. What's the policy in issuing press passes??
I think from what I've heard, you can actually walk quite freely amongst the teams by yourself and if you want, speak to the drivers direct. It's not like F1 or even V8 Supertaxi races where they allow only "special" and/or "special people with extraordinary deep pocket" people to even get close to the cars. There are volunteer jobs so I've heard as well but I'll put more as they come to hand.
Be careful guys on the beach! Article in today's Tele.
Beach camera ban targets perverts
January 17, 2005
A PROPOSAL to ban mobile phone cameras on Bondi Beach to deter perverts from snapping children has received a mixed response.
The plan follows reports men were caught photographing toddlers in a children's pool.
"Our beach lifesavers are complaining that sexual predators have been taking unauthorised pictures of semi-naked children and women at our beaches," Waverley Council deputy mayor George Newhouse said.
"I have spoken to the police and this is an additional power that they are happy to have in their armoury."
Cr Newhouse said police struggled to prove when a criminal offence occurred with a camera, so the safest option would be an outright ban.
"Banning cameras from an area is a clear-cut regulatory power that sends a powerful message to perverts to keep away," he said.
But some parents questioned the proposal and the ability of police to enforce it.
"I think it's a bad idea and impossible to police," said Bondi resident Rezelle Jerrard.
Ms Jerrard, a mother of two young girls and a baby, said the proposal would take away people's freedom
Tony Madagan has two children aged six and seven. Despite being concerned for their safety he said banning cameras was a "ridiculous" idea.
