Steven, LOL, I can't stop laughing! Oh, I am sorry - you were serious? ;)

Linda, my monitor top is not very impressive, just my wonderful PowerBook. I believe Garth, Michael G. and Bill W. have the cool set ups!

Scott Bingham - side note; do I recommend this fella for an easel, it has been wonderful dealing with him he has even sent me pictures of the three bolts I need to fix upon arrival - sent me this jpeg when he crated my easel for travels.

I received a call from the shipping company today, and remember the picture I posted of our house with the snow? Well... we are 1/2 mile off the main street and they will not come up our drive.

This baby weighs 200 lbs. Scott say's the easel is around 150 lbs. so now I have to find some young muscular type Santa guys to get it off the truck into something else then to my house and up the steps.

Would anyone like to visit?

Santa's D70
 

Well, Mistah Rhet Santa must have been psychic. A Nikon D70 was wrapped beneath my tree with my name on the tag!!!

"Oh, mah! What a lovely surprise...way more than I could have saved for considering the cost of painting supplies and my January, 2005 class with Chris Saper." she sighed.

"Nevah' did ah expect such an generous and extravagent gift," she said modestly," while batting her eyelashes and crossing her fingers behind her back, eyes cast shyly upon the ground.

According to comments from my one and only painting post in the oil critique section, (My Teddy...) my next post should have a wonderful photo reference. AND BOY COULD I USE ONE!!! I continue to try to paint from requests of friends and their snapshots. Arghhh! The few times that I have had good references, the painting almost painted itself. What a relief it will be to learn to use this wonderful Santa gift.

So there you have it. I'm launched. Up, up and away. Next stop, Sorg Easel.

PS It wasn't REALLY a "shy, modest response," that resulted in seeing the D70, but a war-hoop that resulted from seeing this wonderful camera! A quiet, modest MO isn't really my style. And, now, I plan to ask Mike a few billion questions about photography. Look out, Mike M.
;)

Kimberly, so the rumor that you have a screw loose is true after all!

I've owned a gitzo for many years. It's a real warhorse but also very heavy, not to mention expensive but it's quite cumbersome if I'm on the run. I bought it after having many manfrotto tripods fall apart. That was a long time ago but I did have trouble with the heads loosening up and developing some play. I prefer the heads that have two adjustments and my gitzo has a gitzo head.

I also have a travel tripod, a Velbon Ultra LUXiF 5-Section Trunnion Shaft Tripod with PH-145Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release)

It folds down to about 15 inches and weighs 2 1/2 lbs. I literally don't leave home without it. The legs lock and unlock with a half turn twist. It's hard to describe but is very cool and fast to set up. It's a gadgeteer's delight. See link below to B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...#goto_itemInfo

Marvin - a truer statement I havent heard. :o

Thanks for this info - got to do my research now. Is there anything as an artist that is easy to choose?

Seriously - I thought a tripod would be a fairly cheap buy. After visiting Garth's links to start with I am discouraged. I am sure you are all right that they are worth it though. I wonder if the kids would let me take the trampoline back? ;)

This isnt a brand anyone has mentioned so far - but check out this on ebay -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...862072525&rd=1


I just bought myself a tripod for $4. Umm- there was one minute left and I got all excited. I hardly read the description. I am sure its a cheapy and I will need another....freakin Ebay fever. I need a 12-step program.

Edit -
anyone know the standard weight of a Rebel? Stepping on and off the scale doesnt work well. There are no camera shops near me - and if I have to go shopping again in person soon I will collapse.

Whose workshop to take. It's a slam dunk. Unfortunately it won't be in Houston this year.

As far as a really good inexpensive tripod. Tiltall makes a terrific sturdily built tripod for around $100. They've been making this design for over thirty years, probably longer. I also have one of these for when I want a very sturdy tripod but don't want to drag my gitzo because of it's weight. You can't go wrong with this one. It used to come only in black but now the've added other color finishes as well.

Tiltall STO1 Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan / Tilt Head - Supports 13.00 lb

B&H page below.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=169817&is=REG

6.7 oz. w/o lens

Wow, Beth, I think Dracula could sleep in this box in your basement after you take out the easel!

Thanks Marvin!

Could you just hang here online for a few more hours in case I have any other questions? That goes for Garth & Beth too - my own personal advisors. This forum does indeed rock.