Mtnman,

I really like the composition of your photo---shows the contemporary village along with the old castle ruins. Well done!

Scott Kelby has a series of books out called "The Digital Photography Book: How to make your photos look like the pros." The basic book plus 3 additional volumes can be purchased as a set. If you don't want to invest in the series, I believe the first book would really be most helpful to you. Scott has a way of making complex photography topics simple. He addresses the issue of accessories very well in the first volume. The books are easily ordered through Amazon.com. Good luck!

Hey now! Dead people can vote in some states. Lyndon Johnson once said that "dead people need representation too!".

I have both the Sigma 10-20mm and 18-250mm lenses for my Canon Xti and T2i cameras and have been very satisfied with their build quality and sharpness. Sigma is and excellent alternative to Canon or Nikon lenses at a more affordable price.

I use the Sigma 18-250mm on my Canon T2i and have had some great results. The lens is fairly light weight, well constructed, and covers a good range of photo situations.

Scene from a chateaux in Saint Emilion, France

Your P&S will most likely cover the distance that the kit lens is good for, so leave the kit lens at home. The extender is a good idea, although you will get "up close and personal" on many of the photo ops on the game drives. I have been to Africa twice and carried two bodies---one with a 70-300mm lens and one with a 500mm with a 2x extender. That pretty much covered all that I needed. Unfortunately, it was before digital and the print development for 25 rolls of 36 exposures was very expensive. Digital will be much better!

Zebras


Hippo breaking water at sunset

Great photos! Pack up your gear and head to St. Louis---they have a fantastic butterfly museum there that operates year round!

Absolutely fantastic photo. Good idea to print in sepia---definitely makes it more dramatic!

Why don't you consider the Sigma 18-250 mm lens? It will do it all for you. It will not break the bank either. A great, versatile, "walk around" lens!

Murphy, Getting into the "minutia" of photography is one thing. Having fun with your camera and takening good photos can be a much easier process. I have had quite a bit of success shooting in "P" (Program) mode with white balance set to "cloudy" with more concern for composition than for a myriad of camera settings. Shoot at 100 ISO on bright sunny days. Move up to ISO 200 or 400 if it is overcast and dreary. I concur with using a 18-200mm or 18-250mm lens as a walk around. It will cover the complete range of what you will need in Ireland. I have been there twice and have found it to be a photograpers "heaven"---you will not believe all of the different shades of green! You might want to invest in a circular polarizing filter. $30-40 will get a decent one. It will make the colors "pop". Google "circular polarizing filter" for more info. Have fun!

These photos were taken on a recent trip to France. The first one is of "loaner" bicycles at Chateaux Franc Mayne in Saint Emilion. Chateaux patrons are allowed to use them to ride into town. Second photo is of a tour boat on the river Dordogne with the town of Beynac in the background. The third photo is of Castlenaud, just up the river Dordogne from Beynac. Chateaux Beynac and Castlenaud were rivals during the "100 Years War".

Chateaux Franc Mayne


Boatride at Benac


Castlenaud

I kept my Canon Xti when I upgraded to my T2i. It comes in handy when there are situations when only a "wide angle" lens will do and it is not convenient or practical to be swapping lenses. Sometimes carrying two dslrs can be a bit cumbersome though. Guess you have to weigh that against missing a shot, while you are taking a "walk around" lens off and putting a "wide angle" on.

I have the Sigma 18-250mm lens: Sigma 10-20 mm lens and the Canon 24-70 mm. I am very pleased with them all. Sigma builds a very solid lens that takes sharp photos. I don't think you would go wrong with their 18-250 lens.

You won't need as much "reach" as you would think. The bears are accustomed to the tundra vehicles, so you will be pretty close to them most of the time. In fact, many times, they will actually stand up with their paws on the vehicle, hoping for a "handout". A good walk around lens like a 18-250 mm, or there abouts should be sufficient. Have fun! It is an interesting place.

Great photos! The G10 is an excellent camera---sturdy construction with an excellent lens. Bought one years ago as my "backup camera" and have been astounded by the sharpness of photos made with it!