Broken Shutter button - Again!

Well, the shutter button on my 30D has yet again bombed out. What happens is the button is pressed and nothing happens, then varyingly in seconds, the shutter will then operate. If I switch the exposure lock and focus to another button so the shutter button only operates, the problem persists. It's a bad problem because the photograph is not taken when expected. Needless to say I am frustrated with this issue. So the camera will be gone for 2 weeks and I have to eat the cost of shipping, bummer. A part such as this should be built to more durable standards. I take a lot of pictures everyday and need a tool that is dependable. Maybe the 30D was built more as a backup?

New camera shop in town!

I am so excited about having a first class camera shop near me, with knowledgeable people to talk to, and gear and accessories in stock. I just came back from the Camera West store opening in Walnut Creek, CA and it was great. I spoke with a good sales rep named Hal. The store was laid out very clean with excellent displays. They have some very nice used equipment for sale. I saw a really nice Nikon F100 and F3. They also have a lot of Leica and Mamiya gear. A very fun place to browse around. While I was there I picked up a BG-E2N battery grip, and an RS-80N3 remote switch. These are two items I should have bought a year ago and I have been putting it off ever since. My little finger finally has a home and the portrait shutter button will be very handy. I am pretty excited about the remote switch though. Here come some very sweet HDR's and close-ups.

Tough Gear

B&H has a good article on Tough Gear. Kind of an overview on cameras that are good in rough conditions.

There is a new camera store, Camera West opening in a city near me that I am going too check out tomorrow. I am pretty excited because all we have in our area are Wolf's, which is great to a point. I will give a report.

I am in dire need of a good photo trip, but time is scarce. I am thinking California North Coast, but I would really like to go to Vancouver Island, or those islands off Santa Barbara,, the Santa Catalina's. I also feel drawn to Missions, so I need to make a point of getting some shooting done. One region I think that would very interesting is San Ardo, CA. I always just drive through it, but I think there could be a lot there amidst the oil fields, hills, and train tracks.

Websites to see:
www.tomstoddart.com
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