hughden

Not sure what your budget is misterman but a friend of mine has the canon g5 and swears by it. Its a bit bigger than your average point and shoot, but not much, its certainly not a compact, but it has more options and takes great pics.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong5/page2.asp

The Canon G5 went out of production years ago. The OP has his shortlist of cameras, not much point throwing in other options (of which there are hundreds).

Turns out that the ip issued by my service provider had been blacklisted. They changed the ip and now the problem is solved.

If you want to do macros, the macro focus range at the bottom of your chart is relevant. The camera on the right focuses as close as 1 cm from the subject; so this will give you the closest macros.

But, read all the reviews you can find and handle them in the shop before deciding.

You can use the http://www.downforev...neorjustme.com/ to get a good indication of whether it's just you are experiencing the problem or it appears to be for everyone.

I would recommend you turn off your modem and router for about 15 seconds, then turn them back on. If that don't work then also turn off and on your computer's Wifi function basically forcing a Reconnection to the router Wifi or hard wire connection. Also, try doing a forced refresh by pressing Control-F5 after/when attempting to reach the site. You can also try clearing all the Temp/History files on your computer as some maybe be corrupted causing the problem.

I've had a few cases over the years where I just could not reach certain web sites, and one of above fixed my problem. About two months ago I could not reach a certain U.S. govt web site to access my 401K account. I had been reaching it no problem for years, but then one day I couldn't any more. I cleared my computer's cache/temp files, turned my computer's Wifi off and on, but it didn't help. Then I just turned my TOT ADSL modem off and on and I could then reach the site.

If I put a site I cannot access into downforeveryone then it says it is up; but I can't access it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have a VPN and everything works fine when I use that. But going through J-Net I can't get to Twitter, Flickr etc.

I have tried clearly my browser, clearing DNS cache, using Google DNS; but the problem persists with all three computers in my house, one wired and two wireless. Have tried rebooting as suggested with no success.

J-Net tells me everything is working fine as far as they are concerned; it's really weird!

I have an account with J-Net and use their DNS servers. Today I have experienced problems accessing site such as Twitter, Flickr and Metacritic; they just don't load; while other site are OK.

I have tried changing to Google DNS but that doesn't help.

Are there some checks I can do which will highlight why I am unable to reach certain sites?

Thanks.

But be aware that stock libraries are unlikely to sell you photos that you in turn will be allowed to sell on your site. Their terms of usage are very precise, and will exclude resale.

Another option would be to look at photo depositories such as Flickr or Pbase, search on Thailand and contact any photographers whose photos you like to see if you can do a deal.

Depending on where you live, watch out for photography exhibitions and get the contact details for the photographers; there are some very talented Thai photographers around.

The first shot is more a shot of a bus and street than of a monk. Maybe it would help to crop it in landscape format so you just have the bus and the people; but then there is the problem that the monk is slightly blurred by his movement. Try getting closer to your subjects and shoot with a higher shutter speed to freeze their movement,

The second shot is also blurred unfortunately. Make sure you are focused on your subject and that your shutter speed is high enough to eliminate camera shake when you press the shutter. The shot would also have looked more dramatic if you had shot from a lower perspective so it was shot at the same height or lower than the sleeping man.

Panasonic and Olympus make micro 4/3 lenses and they can be used on any M4/3 body. If you want a long zoom, the Panasonic 100-300mm is very good.

Voigtlander make an exquisite 25mm f0.95 lens for M4/3.

In addition, you can buy adapters and fit almost any other lens. Hundreds of different lenses from film cameras to choose from; fun but dangerously addictive!

I've always wanted an SLR but it just wouldn't be practical for me carry around. I've always been a P&S guy but for my upcoming trip to Thailand I wanted something a bit better, something that is compact but has good IQ, so I just got myself a Panasonic GF2. Really looking forward to receiving this.

I have had a GF1 for the past eighteen months and it has been by far the most enjoyable camera I have ever owned. I am sure you will have a blast with the GF2. If you want to expand, there are almost an unlimited number of lenses you can stick on the front of it.

Have to say it again: eBay. I ordered two camera batteries last week out of Hong Kong; came in four days. A 300D is about $7, including shipping.

You could easily stuff 2 SSD drives in the spare slot and keep the DVD drive....

You don't even need to take up an HD slot with an SSD; just stick it in the spare DVD drive bay, plenty of space!

I believe he was banned for a while. As was The Vulcan.

Ask at a branch of Big Camera. They won't stock it, but maybe will order for you. Ditto Fotofile in MBK.

Easiest, just order from eBay. About $20 dollars for two batteries, including shipping, from Hongkong.

Not all programs take advantage of extra cores; so best compare the speed of your iMac against the Mac Pro.

I have a 2008 8 core 2.8 Mac Pro with an upgraded graphics card and it runs any game I throw at it at a healthy speed. The great thing about the Pro compared to the iMac is that you can update it. As well as the upgraded graphics card, I also have four hard drives plus an SSD boot drive running inside. So you can have back-up drives in the machine, plus a separate drive for Boot Camp and Windows.

The Dell U3011 has good reviews and is an ips panel (which means the screen will look good from any angle). I have the Apple Cinema Display which is also good, plus a secondary Samsung display which I use for displaying menus when processing photos. To use an Apple Cinema Display you will need a graphics card that supports the Apple connector.

The Mac Pro is a lovely machine. Beautifully built, whisper quiet and room to grow.

Thanks Hugh I'll check out Big camera. I also found ZoomCamera and Pix-One websites for Bangkok.

I used to play with manual SLRs before and want something a bit better than a P&C but still with P&C capability for the missus to use.

In Bangkok I like AV Camera, a shop that actually knows about cameras and concentrates on the smaller models.

Oh, and you have the best three cameras identified in the "quality compact range", with the Olympus probably being the best of the bunch. If you want to spend a little more, the the Micro Four Thirds cameras with interchangeable lenses from Panasonic (GF2) or Olympus (EPxx, but will be replaced at the end of June with new models) are worth a look. If you want to spend even more, while still being compact; the Fuji X100 will steal your heart (and your wallet).

Big Camera at Central Beach Road seem to have the best selection; I have seen all three of those cameras in that shop (although can't guarantee they will all be there now).

I can't quote an exact percentage; but I have bought many lenses and a couple of cameras via eBay out of Hong Kong and never paid more than a few hundred baht. The secret is to ask the seller to be creative with valuing the package for customs.

What do you think of the Canon ixus (digital elph in the US)?

Depends on your definition of "good pics" as you stated in your requirements. Personally, I don't think the ixus or other point and shoot cameras produce acceptable quality or give the photographer sufficient control; but only you can decide what works for you.

Compact cameras that take good photos include Panasonic LX5, Canon S95 and Olympus ZX-1. Not sure if these would be considered too big for your purse.

I want a small purse sized camera (for a small purse- I do not carry a "mom bag") that takes good pics and doesn't turn on in the darn bag. I have a panasonic lumix, takes good pics but the stupid on switch turns on too easily and when I take my camera out of my bag its battery is dead and the lens is stuck open. Must frustrating.

So, comparable in size and quality to the panasonic lumix series? the canon G12 is great I understand and looks nice but its way too big for my purse.

Which Panasonic Lumix do you have, there are many?

OK - I'll bite - here's my money where my mouth is. This photo (if I can get it to load up) was taken with a 3,000 Baht 5 MP Cannon. The file is large so one can better pick it apart. Zoom in and look at the detail. If people just need a point and shoot then the cheaper cameras are just fine. I have expensive cameras as well but can not cavalierly fault the inexpensive ones. Depends on what you need. The 10, 12 and 14 MP ones available for less than 10000 should be much better than my cheapy but I am satisfied. Again I definitely recommend some good software for post processing

!

For the size posted, a 5mp camera will take a better image than a 10mp camera, everything else being equal. Even so, the dog on the right seems to have white area where there should be brown fur, highlights being blown out due to a small dynamic range from the small sensor.

Have to disagree on the super zoom option, these ridiculous zoom lengths result in poor image quality.

I'll put my mouth where my money went. I bought the GF1 with the 20mm f.7 lens, and it has been the most enjoyable camera I have ever owned. It regularly produces images that delight me. I have a Canon 1D which cost me 150,000 baht and I admire it for what it can do. But I love my GF1 and it is my camera of choice unless I need to capture sports.

I had a nikon D 80 and gave it to my daughter who could put it to good use. With two extra lenses It was simply too heavy and bulky for me to carry. I am now looking for smaller camera; your posting made me research the GF1. It looks very good except it has no rangefinder. How do you all manage to see anything in the LED screens? I can not make out any detail in the sunlight. I now know the real meaning of point and shoot - and hope I hit something.

I plan to buy the Canon G12. It has a small range finder but sufficient for me. It also has raw.

I recently had a 15 hr operation on my neck and back plus two 4 operations. Feel good now but a medium weight camera with one zoom lens is what I need. Are there any other camersI should consider ? I just do general shooting of friends and family; scenic pictures on beach; boating pictures; and just shots while walking downtown and on the water front. Any suggestion will be appreciated. Thanks.

Tom

The GF1 has an, optional, viewfinder. Not brilliant, but preferable to squinting at the screen. The GF1 allows you to play with different lenses, has a bigger sensor and therefore better image quality, better high ISO capabilities etc. Another choice might be the new Olympus EPL-2 which is about 22,000 baht and produces beautiful JPEGs straight out of the camera. Same sensor as GF1 and same choice of lenses. Also has optional viewfinder which is much better than the GF1 offering.

Thinking of putting down a deposit ,to keep the developers Bentley on the road ?

Yups, these guys are very keen on getting a big car parc...

in 2009 when I used to live in view talay residence I always saw the managers of that Siam Enterprises riding around in their Bentley's...a year later these Bentley's were even replaced by two Rolls Royces...

I am asking myself the question how long will it take until these guys will end up in Hiluxes or Commonrails.

Is this company still in existence? Siam Best Enterprise Company. If so, I would like to know the properties it owns and the properties it is developing. Is it the company behind the new condo developments like the "Sails?"

I suspect the company is still in existence.

If I recall there was a post on Thai Visa from one of the developers/promoters clearly identifying their projects, but I can't find it very well using the search function. He was clearly identifying that "View Talay Condos" (3 through 7) and 'View Talay" time share units were not part of their developments.

If I recall, SBC developments were "View Talay Residence" (1 through 6), "Ocean 1", and quite possibly "The Majestic Villas". Although "The Majestic" may have been with another associated company, "Jomtien Properties" which built "View Talay Condos" (1 & 2), and "View Talay Villas".

I don't believe the "Sails" was ever associated with them (I suspect that was another operation near Ban Sare)

Correct. They continue to "manage" most of these properties, although they have never held AGMs or produced annual accounts in line with the condominium act. Residence 1 and 2, after a battle, managed to replace them with another management company. Problems with some owners getting title due to bank loans being secured using chanotes of sold properties. Best avoided.