MatsP
June 1st, 2006, 09:06 AM
Telling other people what lenses to buy (or not to buy) is often hard, for several reasons:
- You probably have a better idea what you want than I do.
- Before you posted here, you probably have made your mind up somewhat.
- My personal preference doesn't really match yours.
- etc, etc.
That's never stopped me from trying to tell people what to do, tho'! ;-)
Now, what lens you should buy depends VERY MUCH on what you want it to do. A 70-300 will be an "OK" lens, it's a budget version - but as you say, it's a lot of money to you, and telling you that you'd get a much better lens if you spend 3x or 5x the money will not really solve a problem.
The things you should consider, however, is if it's going to be good enough for the things you mention:
- Landscapes - a 70-300 lens is probably too long most of the time - your 18-55 is probably a better landscape lens.
- Portrait - Yes, certainly. It's a bit too small an aperture to be a GOOD portrait lens - you want something around f2.0-2.8 - but unless you buy a SPECIFIC lens for portraits, you'd probably not going to get there for anything but A LOT of money.
- Macro . The close-up distance is 5'/1.5m. Depending on the size of insects/flowers and type of photos you want to take, this may be fine or not close enough. However, it's pretty easy to simulate this in the shop, using for instance a coin some such instead of the flower/insect. So if you think that the smallest flower you'd ever want to get a real close-up of is the size of a quarter, lay a quarter on the floor, and try to take a picture of it with the 70-300 lens... Do you get close enough to fill most of the frame, or does it look like a bit lonely with lots of space around it? Can you accept it? Obviously, most insects are slightly smaller than a quarter - except for butterfly's.
There aren't many other options to replace the 70-300, that are reasonably low cost. I'm sure you could find some sigma or other non-Nikon brand lens that is less expensive and do roughly the same, with approximately the same result and the added risk that it's not quite as good at working together with the Nikon camera - at least if it's a Nikon camera and lens you can complain to ONE place and hopefully getting it fixed, rather than being stuck between two companies that neither will take responsibility for your equipment not working... [Although Sigma is more likely to fix a non-compatibility problem than Nikon, of course].
I just noticed that Nikon actually has three different lenses of roughly the same range, a 75-300/4.5-5.6, 70-300 4.0-5.6D ED and 70-300 4.0-5.6G - the latter is a lot cheaper and specifically designed for digital SLR (using smaller lens-elements since the sensor is smaller than the original 35mm film). Not sure if there's much optical different between them. ED should be slightly better optically (and you'd hope so for more than double the price!).
There are a few things that come to mind:
1. If you are SERIOUS about macro photography, you probably want to get a proper macro lens - they get MUCH closer to the subject. There's a Sigma 50/2.8 that costs about $300 which will be a good starting point. A poor mans version is "macro filters", which is basically a screw on lens that goes on the front of the filter screw of your usual lens. They are not quite as good optically, but at least allows you to get close enough to get the subject. The macro lens would also be good as a portrait lens, if you want to get a bigger aperture for that.
2. If you really want to do "big" landscapes, you may need some more wide-angle than the 18-55 gives you. That's obviously not NECESSARY, but for some scenery, it's hard to get far enough away from the subject with a longer lens. Unfortunately, there's really no substitute for dollars here, you'll have to pay for it or not get it, so no easy solution. A Sigma 12-24mm is $689, and that's obviously a lot of money... [Yes, you can get screw on wide-angle lenses too, but if the close-up ones are OK, these aren't - making wide-angle lenses is HARD - magnifying glasses aren't too difficult to make!]
3. You'll almost certainly need a tripod - both for landscapes and macro photography.
Finally: Whilst it's good to consider the purchase, waiting TOO long will make you miss oppurtunities of using the equipment.
Best of luck, and please feel free to ask further questions...
--
Mats
- You probably have a better idea what you want than I do.
- Before you posted here, you probably have made your mind up somewhat.
- My personal preference doesn't really match yours.
- etc, etc.
That's never stopped me from trying to tell people what to do, tho'! ;-)
Now, what lens you should buy depends VERY MUCH on what you want it to do. A 70-300 will be an "OK" lens, it's a budget version - but as you say, it's a lot of money to you, and telling you that you'd get a much better lens if you spend 3x or 5x the money will not really solve a problem.
The things you should consider, however, is if it's going to be good enough for the things you mention:
- Landscapes - a 70-300 lens is probably too long most of the time - your 18-55 is probably a better landscape lens.
- Portrait - Yes, certainly. It's a bit too small an aperture to be a GOOD portrait lens - you want something around f2.0-2.8 - but unless you buy a SPECIFIC lens for portraits, you'd probably not going to get there for anything but A LOT of money.
- Macro . The close-up distance is 5'/1.5m. Depending on the size of insects/flowers and type of photos you want to take, this may be fine or not close enough. However, it's pretty easy to simulate this in the shop, using for instance a coin some such instead of the flower/insect. So if you think that the smallest flower you'd ever want to get a real close-up of is the size of a quarter, lay a quarter on the floor, and try to take a picture of it with the 70-300 lens... Do you get close enough to fill most of the frame, or does it look like a bit lonely with lots of space around it? Can you accept it? Obviously, most insects are slightly smaller than a quarter - except for butterfly's.
There aren't many other options to replace the 70-300, that are reasonably low cost. I'm sure you could find some sigma or other non-Nikon brand lens that is less expensive and do roughly the same, with approximately the same result and the added risk that it's not quite as good at working together with the Nikon camera - at least if it's a Nikon camera and lens you can complain to ONE place and hopefully getting it fixed, rather than being stuck between two companies that neither will take responsibility for your equipment not working... [Although Sigma is more likely to fix a non-compatibility problem than Nikon, of course].
I just noticed that Nikon actually has three different lenses of roughly the same range, a 75-300/4.5-5.6, 70-300 4.0-5.6D ED and 70-300 4.0-5.6G - the latter is a lot cheaper and specifically designed for digital SLR (using smaller lens-elements since the sensor is smaller than the original 35mm film). Not sure if there's much optical different between them. ED should be slightly better optically (and you'd hope so for more than double the price!).
There are a few things that come to mind:
1. If you are SERIOUS about macro photography, you probably want to get a proper macro lens - they get MUCH closer to the subject. There's a Sigma 50/2.8 that costs about $300 which will be a good starting point. A poor mans version is "macro filters", which is basically a screw on lens that goes on the front of the filter screw of your usual lens. They are not quite as good optically, but at least allows you to get close enough to get the subject. The macro lens would also be good as a portrait lens, if you want to get a bigger aperture for that.
2. If you really want to do "big" landscapes, you may need some more wide-angle than the 18-55 gives you. That's obviously not NECESSARY, but for some scenery, it's hard to get far enough away from the subject with a longer lens. Unfortunately, there's really no substitute for dollars here, you'll have to pay for it or not get it, so no easy solution. A Sigma 12-24mm is $689, and that's obviously a lot of money... [Yes, you can get screw on wide-angle lenses too, but if the close-up ones are OK, these aren't - making wide-angle lenses is HARD - magnifying glasses aren't too difficult to make!]
3. You'll almost certainly need a tripod - both for landscapes and macro photography.
Finally: Whilst it's good to consider the purchase, waiting TOO long will make you miss oppurtunities of using the equipment.
Best of luck, and please feel free to ask further questions...
--
Mats
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chandra_mb
03-10 10:01 AM
Hello,
My wife is planning to convert from H4 to H1 for dentist.
1) Does she need a dental license to apply for H1 ?
She 'qualifies' for a dental license (ie meets all requirements), but almost all states require a SSN to issue a dental license. Since she is on H4, she doesnt have a SSN. Problem: Dental License needs SSN - SSN needs H1 - H1 needs license - basically a "Catch 22" position here
2) I did some googling and found that UCSIS issues H1 for 1 year for nurses who do not have license(because of no SSN). Would this apply to dentists as well ?? link (http://www.murthy.com/nurse_faq.html#2)
Please help !
Thanks !!
My wife is planning to convert from H4 to H1 for dentist.
1) Does she need a dental license to apply for H1 ?
She 'qualifies' for a dental license (ie meets all requirements), but almost all states require a SSN to issue a dental license. Since she is on H4, she doesnt have a SSN. Problem: Dental License needs SSN - SSN needs H1 - H1 needs license - basically a "Catch 22" position here
2) I did some googling and found that UCSIS issues H1 for 1 year for nurses who do not have license(because of no SSN). Would this apply to dentists as well ?? link (http://www.murthy.com/nurse_faq.html#2)
Please help !
Thanks !!
Ramba
05-14 04:27 PM
Guys,
The timing of this visa bulletin is suspicious. Right at the nick of time, when the senate is discussing increasing EB quotas, this news comes in. Plus they are saying that there will be forward movement, in the EB cut-off dates in the coming months to rhyme with the current negotatitions in Congress on CIR/ SKIL.
IV should not step behind in their legislation efforts. Even, if visa bulletin dates are current today, they might retrogress later, when the I-485 application starts to process (Current I-485 processing time shows applications processing as of Sept. 10, 2006, which is 8 months before). No one knows, if eight months from now, the cut-off dates will retrogress further or advance, due to the BEC closing out in Sept. 2007 and PERM applications processed from March 2005 onwards.
This may be a valid suspiecion, we may not ruled out ...
The timing of this visa bulletin is suspicious. Right at the nick of time, when the senate is discussing increasing EB quotas, this news comes in. Plus they are saying that there will be forward movement, in the EB cut-off dates in the coming months to rhyme with the current negotatitions in Congress on CIR/ SKIL.
IV should not step behind in their legislation efforts. Even, if visa bulletin dates are current today, they might retrogress later, when the I-485 application starts to process (Current I-485 processing time shows applications processing as of Sept. 10, 2006, which is 8 months before). No one knows, if eight months from now, the cut-off dates will retrogress further or advance, due to the BEC closing out in Sept. 2007 and PERM applications processed from March 2005 onwards.
This may be a valid suspiecion, we may not ruled out ...
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desi chala usa
08-28 11:58 AM
Pady,
I got the same reply it says 6 months insted of 60 days.....
I got the same reply it says 6 months insted of 60 days.....
more...
hdos
06-10 08:01 PM
I do worry about the stay here rightnow, I do not worry about when green card comes.
I do have family and have to take of many things since we are since 7 year in this country.
It would not be enough time to wind up everything in such a short period of time.
If you are talking about having vacation for 1 year in india and come back after 1 year, there are again 100000 people like me who wants to come back. So it is not simple to come back after you go out of this country, and even though they are going after foreign labor doing american jobs.
Even it will be the good to start GC process from the beginning from different company after H1 transfer and having continues stay rather than going back and finding another US employer. I do not know at this moment, how will that happend.
Anyways, once I go back than I would not like to come back and waste 10 years of my life to become citizen of different country. It is a total waste of time and money. anyways that is a diff story, we are not discussing that here rightnow.
I sent him an email and I will be filing WH4 with DOL if he does not reply.
Rightnow the issue is to find out the reason for I140 Denial, hopefully employer will reply.
Thanks,
I do have family and have to take of many things since we are since 7 year in this country.
It would not be enough time to wind up everything in such a short period of time.
If you are talking about having vacation for 1 year in india and come back after 1 year, there are again 100000 people like me who wants to come back. So it is not simple to come back after you go out of this country, and even though they are going after foreign labor doing american jobs.
Even it will be the good to start GC process from the beginning from different company after H1 transfer and having continues stay rather than going back and finding another US employer. I do not know at this moment, how will that happend.
Anyways, once I go back than I would not like to come back and waste 10 years of my life to become citizen of different country. It is a total waste of time and money. anyways that is a diff story, we are not discussing that here rightnow.
I sent him an email and I will be filing WH4 with DOL if he does not reply.
Rightnow the issue is to find out the reason for I140 Denial, hopefully employer will reply.
Thanks,
pbojja
08-15 03:39 PM
My I140 is approved on 12th August . Looks like they found the transfered files atlast.
more...
logiclife
06-15 12:07 PM
How 'bout: Not filing because LCA is rotting in the basement of a BEC?
I have edited the poll to add that option. Literally.
I have edited the poll to add that option. Literally.
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swartzphotography
March 4th, 2007, 08:56 PM
i am not sure what it is about the 300d or known by most as the digital rebel that makes it not a good choice. i used and still use the digital rebel. i consider it to be worthy of professional status. it lacks a few capabilities but for studio work i still feel more comfortable with that camera and i must admit even though i have the rebel xt i have not used it near as much as the 300 d.
more...
kshitijnt
10-08 02:34 PM
This is an excellent move by the Indian govt and clearly takes aim at Indian people's contributions to US social security system. I like such bold steps and reciprocal measures.
Anyways going by the current economic trend it seems, Indian PF is much more reliable than US SSA or 401K where you could become bankrupt with your retirement anyday.
Anyways going by the current economic trend it seems, Indian PF is much more reliable than US SSA or 401K where you could become bankrupt with your retirement anyday.
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sujith1
07-12 03:34 PM
Very useful - Now I have the receipt number - Let us see if its 2 yr or 1
more...
chi_shark
05-18 01:14 PM
Friends,
I am EB2 with Jan 2005 Priority date, I have used AC21 and send documents before through attorney.
For my self
1. Now I got RFE on current employement and offer of proposed employment (description of position) and offered salary
2. Current address proof
For my Spouse
1. Missing G325-A need to submit one (but I did send them initially)
2. Evidence that you maintained non immigrant status
Please let me know if there is any attorney who is good and affordable
Thanks in advance
Shana
did you receive one rfe for both cases or one each for each case?
I am EB2 with Jan 2005 Priority date, I have used AC21 and send documents before through attorney.
For my self
1. Now I got RFE on current employement and offer of proposed employment (description of position) and offered salary
2. Current address proof
For my Spouse
1. Missing G325-A need to submit one (but I did send them initially)
2. Evidence that you maintained non immigrant status
Please let me know if there is any attorney who is good and affordable
Thanks in advance
Shana
did you receive one rfe for both cases or one each for each case?
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jsb
04-16 03:59 PM
Here's our situation:
Both of our GC applications were filed in EB3 categories, by our individual employers, independent of each other.
My priority date is Apr 2002. My 140 is approved and 485 was filed in 2007 and is currently pending.
My husband's 140 is also approved and 485 was filed back in 2005. His priority date is Sep 2003.
Is there any way now to link both our applications, so he can take advantage of my earlier priority date without him having to withdraw his 485 application?
Attorneys might have an answer based on their past experience. I believe it might be best to act by calling USCIS as soon as your PD gets Current. Note that they don't see files in sequence of PD's. They see them in sequence of filing. As your husband has filed earlier, it is possible that his file is seen first. Anyway, best seems to call USCIS as soon as your PD is current, and let them deal with it. It may not require withdrawing of 485, as it is just a case of reclassification from EB3 to EB3-Dependant.
Best..
Both of our GC applications were filed in EB3 categories, by our individual employers, independent of each other.
My priority date is Apr 2002. My 140 is approved and 485 was filed in 2007 and is currently pending.
My husband's 140 is also approved and 485 was filed back in 2005. His priority date is Sep 2003.
Is there any way now to link both our applications, so he can take advantage of my earlier priority date without him having to withdraw his 485 application?
Attorneys might have an answer based on their past experience. I believe it might be best to act by calling USCIS as soon as your PD gets Current. Note that they don't see files in sequence of PD's. They see them in sequence of filing. As your husband has filed earlier, it is possible that his file is seen first. Anyway, best seems to call USCIS as soon as your PD is current, and let them deal with it. It may not require withdrawing of 485, as it is just a case of reclassification from EB3 to EB3-Dependant.
Best..
more...
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newbie2020
07-07 01:52 PM
Generally you need not pay the taxes right upfront, However if at the end of the year when you file your taxes, if the IRS determines that you owed lot of taxes and you hadn't make any advance payment it could create lot of issues,
Also imagine getting a tax bill for $$$$$ at the end of the year and you need to shell out right huge amount instead of making a small installments (Similar to the W2 withholdings )
Better choice, Make an advance tax payment, it would reduce the tax burden at the end, You may also get a refund.....
You can make the advance payment by getting an voucher and filling the details...., It need not be in both names, it can be just in your wife's name.
Again it doesn't matter how much you want to pay up...Pay like 3-4K per quarter and you are good...At the end of the year if you owe any additional amount you will pay it else if you made any extra payments you will get refund
All of it is just one single payment, Nothing to separate
Also imagine getting a tax bill for $$$$$ at the end of the year and you need to shell out right huge amount instead of making a small installments (Similar to the W2 withholdings )
Better choice, Make an advance tax payment, it would reduce the tax burden at the end, You may also get a refund.....
You can make the advance payment by getting an voucher and filling the details...., It need not be in both names, it can be just in your wife's name.
Again it doesn't matter how much you want to pay up...Pay like 3-4K per quarter and you are good...At the end of the year if you owe any additional amount you will pay it else if you made any extra payments you will get refund
All of it is just one single payment, Nothing to separate
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leo2606
09-15 06:39 PM
Do we have any guesstimate for the number of attendies for the rally?
more...
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GCAmigo
02-09 01:02 PM
Pardon my ignorance.
What is op-ed ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed
~GCA
What is op-ed ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed
~GCA
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obelix
07-25 08:12 PM
My attorney tells me they don't give employees copies of labor applications.
Is this normal? Would I need it in future - if I switch jobs 180 days after 485 etc?
Is this normal? Would I need it in future - if I switch jobs 180 days after 485 etc?
more...
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sparky_jones
10-01 11:26 AM
I found this thread on ImmigrationPortal.com forum with suggestions from "ginnu", who appears to be a well-respected, knowledgeable and trusted member on that forum. Has anyone successfully tried this approach?
http://www.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=263279
http://www.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=263279
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stillhowlong
01-19 05:55 PM
As far as I know:
if your E3 (approved) priority date is current for E2 (approved), you can file 485 (in E2) requesting to use the earliest (E3) priority date. From my understanding, you may be able to do it even when your E2 is pending - but it may be better to wait till you get the E2 approved. Hope it clarifies your question.
Thanks Alvin, so you mean to say it does not matter if I do that process with new employer right?
if your E3 (approved) priority date is current for E2 (approved), you can file 485 (in E2) requesting to use the earliest (E3) priority date. From my understanding, you may be able to do it even when your E2 is pending - but it may be better to wait till you get the E2 approved. Hope it clarifies your question.
Thanks Alvin, so you mean to say it does not matter if I do that process with new employer right?
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gc28262
12-31 06:17 PM
Congrats on your I-140 approval.
Wishing you a smooth GC journey !
Happy New Year !
What a way to celebrate I-140 approval ( $140 contribution)
What are you planning on your 485 approval ? :D
Wishing you a smooth GC journey !
Happy New Year !
What a way to celebrate I-140 approval ( $140 contribution)
What are you planning on your 485 approval ? :D
Bezzer
09-07 08:39 AM
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vamsi_poondla
03-21 03:03 PM
My EB-3 priority date is 10/17/2004 Non-PERM. My I-140 was filed in May 2007 and is approved in Aug 2008. Meanwhile I also filed for I-485 for me and my spouse (thanks to DOS Visagate June 2007 event)
I am also on H1B 6th year. Looking at the delay in the EB3 I am contemplating if there is any risk in filing for EB-2. Since I came into US in 2003, I moved up in the company ranks few times and am in managerial position. Am I eligible for interfiling my GC case to EB2 without losing original priority date.
Is it mandatory that I should be eligible for EB2 criteria (like 5 years experience or Post Grad Degree) as on original Priority Date for interfiling to work.
Any advice is appreciated. I will initiate it in our company. Also any potential risks and RFEs I should expect?
Thanks
I am also on H1B 6th year. Looking at the delay in the EB3 I am contemplating if there is any risk in filing for EB-2. Since I came into US in 2003, I moved up in the company ranks few times and am in managerial position. Am I eligible for interfiling my GC case to EB2 without losing original priority date.
Is it mandatory that I should be eligible for EB2 criteria (like 5 years experience or Post Grad Degree) as on original Priority Date for interfiling to work.
Any advice is appreciated. I will initiate it in our company. Also any potential risks and RFEs I should expect?
Thanks
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