Monterey, CA

Business trip to Monterey. Nice flight from Flagstaff to Phoenix, then straight to Monterey. Too bad the plane's window was too dirty for me to take any pictures. With unusual amount of moisture this year, the hills around Phoenix was really green, looking from the air, it has a mossy look to it. I think the Spring this year will be really neat.
It was the same around Monterey area. Already very green. The hills are covered by green grass, and some very fancy houses (well, more like mansions) on top of the hills.

After sunset.

Nice to see the ocean again. Weather was a little cool, but it was nice and sunny. This is the third time I have been to Monterey, but each time, I miss the opportunity to visit the aquarium! I would love to go there, and I am only a 20 minute drive from the hotel...

New Sony DSLR announcements

Sony announced A200, a replacement of their first foray into the DSLR market, the A100, in CES. A lot of people were surprised that it is not a very big improvement over the A100. Well, Sony waited til the PMA (photo marketing association), to announce 2 more entry level DSLRs, A300 and the A350. You can read more about them here.

These are very interesting announcements, price wise, they are fairly competitive, which is good for the consumers. There are some key features I like, and a lot of people have been happy with their Sony Alphas. I found this Minolta/Alpha mount forum, http://www.dyxum.com/index.asp, check it out, I found a lot of camaraderie amongst members, a very nice community, not a lot of hostilities.

One thing I am wondering about all of these recent camera announcements, is that with a recession going on, who's buying them, where's the money coming from? It really looks like some of the hot cameras (Nikon D3/D300) are flying off the shelves; are people using their tax refunds to purchase these new toys?

Right now, I think the best DSLR deal is the Pentax K10D. With a $100 rebate (sorry for the late notice, it ends 1/31/2008), you can get it for $509 after rebate (body only)! That's INSANE! Too bad I don't have the money now, :), doing a kitchen remodeling......

Sigma DP1

Availability for this camera is now set for "Spring". See DPReview for more info. This can be a significant camera due to its use of DSLR sized sensor.

Nikon D60 Announcement

Go over to DPReview, Nikon has officially released D60, which is a D40x replacement, along with a host of digicams, and a couple of lenses:
PC-E 24mm
AF-S 60mm Micro
AF-S DX 16-85mm VR

D60 (isn't that a Canon?) is a consumer oriented DSLR with some high end features borrowed from D3/D300. Looks like the direction is that Nikon has decided to keep built-in motor out of the body, auto-focus is only supported with AF-S, AF-I lenses.

I have tried out a D40, and I like the big bright view finder, and the big LCD (compared to 1.8 inch on the D70). The only reason that would keep me from buying a d40, d40x, or d60 is that they do not support older AF lens. My AF 50mm f1.8, and AF 80-200mm f2.8 will not autofocus on these bodies. The other thing is the sensor based shake reduction system. I don't think Nikon or Canon will go that direction.

Update - Letsgodigital actually has a fairly comprehensive review of the D60, click here.

Delicate yet determined.

Took these pictures last October, inside Wupatki National Monument, by a cinder hill. It is dry, and rocky, I don't know how they sustain themselves.

To quote Dr. Malcolm - "No, I'm simply saying that life, uh... finds a way."