I have two tripods.  The first is a Manfotto 190ProB and weighs about 5 pounds. I really like this tripod because it's sturdy, the leg adjustments are levers which are quick and easy, the legs adjust independently, and the center post can be mounted horizontally.  I've carried this thing everywhere including on airplanes.

However, in an effort to reduce my pack weight when we go backpacking I bought a Giotto 1148.  This is a nice little tripod, but I don't like it near as much as my Manfrotto.  It's much lighter, but the legs adjust with the twist type connecters.  I find it much slower to adjust the legs.  The legs also adjust independently, but they don't have as many stop positions as the Manfrotto tripod.  It's also not very sturdy with all 4 leg sections extended.  It is not sturdy at all in windy conditions.  I found out the hard way to make sure the darned thing is balanced properly before walking away.  My camera hit the ground for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago because I didn't make sure the tripod was balanced before walking away from it.  Thank goodness for lens hoods!

In the end, the Giotto is a okay alternative to my Manfrotto when I go backpacking.  I will probably take it when I travel by air too because of it's much smaller size.  However, the Manfrotto will remain my favorite.

I have a Really Right Stuff BH-40 ballhead which I use on both sets of tripod legs.

I plan to opt in (I think) only to try and boost my sales to my first payout.  Once I reach that, StockXpert is off my list and I will delete my portfolio.  I've been on it for nearly two years and have yet to reach a payout.  I just don't have the type of images they want/need. 

Quote from: nativelight on August 07, 2008, 12:05

I wouldn't discount SS over this or any of their other little quirks.  I don't think there's a single micro site that has it completely together when it comes to the treatment of contributors.  SS is one of the better ones actually.  Dreamstime would probably be the next in line. 

Either you've never actually had any encounter with SS "customer/contributor service" or you're joking. They just trashed the OP's portfolio when their site has hundreds of the exact same infringing logo and didn't tell the OP about it. They've done it dozens, if not hundreds of times.

They don't respond to either emails or phone calls. Say what you want about the other sites but at least they have customer service that actually does respond.

No, I've guess I've been lucky and never had anything major happen to me on SS.

Yeah, I love when on the forums they'll say something like "we answer ALL submitter emails."  That's simply not true.

Hey you don't look anything like your avatar! 

Nicely done.  Consider moving the subject a bit further from the background or reducing the light output of the background lights just a bit.  There's a little wraparound up by your ear and right shoulder and a little more on your left calf. 

This motivates me to start uploading again.  I was really getting bored with the whole thing (microstock that is).

I think you have just about everything covered.  Don't forget to plan on something in which to carry it.  I have a Nikon D70 in an Ikelite housing with two strobes, the arms, chargers, etc.  I bought a large Pelican (I don't remember the model) case to carry it all.  The case has wheels and and handle so you can pull it along.  It's safe to check in as baggage on an airplane - just be sure to add a padlock. 

Rene has some excellent tips that you should follow.  The one I would add is to get as close as possible to your subject.  It will make a huge difference in your images.  Also try to take a few and then view them on a computer before taking more.  It's really a lot of trial and error to get it right.  You might consider taking the first few without strobes.  Then add one or both strobes.  This will let you get the feel of handling the setup.  The most frustrating part you'll find is trying to stay still enough to get the shot.  When the subject is moving and you are moving, it can be difficult!  I've not tried to take any snorkeling - I've only been scuba diving.  I have found though that maintaining my buoyancy is my biggest challenge.

Good luck with it.  It's really a lot of fun once you get the hang of it!

I would like to be able to shoot tethered with my Nikon D200.  From what I've read it seems like I need Nikon Capture to be able to do this.  Does anyone know of an alternative to Nikon Capture?  I hate the idea of spending $100 or more just for the ability to shoot tethered. 

Excellent news!  DT is the most consistent site for me.  Sales continue to go up although I haven't uploaded in several weeks.  In the same time frame, SS sales have dropped to pitiful levels because I haven't uploaded.  IS is horribly slow.

Although I said I'd never go exclusive, I'm considering doing it with DT.

I never used LR so I'd like to know if it is really better than PS in some features,considering it is a specially photographic tool.

What Lightroom adds is the ability to catalogue your images.  If you don't plan to use that feature, I don't think it's worth buying (if you already own Photoshop).

In the final version you CAN import your existing libraries from Lightroom 1.xxx

The new version has some things that were not in the beta , such as a gradient tool.

Yes, I remember they said you'd be able to import existing libraries once the final version was released.  I just never bothered to play with the beta version because I didn't want to create new libraries. 

Anyone else work with 2.0?  Is it worth paying for the upgrade?

Ugh...that seems high for an upgrade.  Has anyone played with the beta version?  Is it worth upgrading?  I initially downloaded it, but put it aside when I found I could import my existing catalogs.