I have two Black Rapids in the closet gathering dust. They were replaced with OpTech straps. Reason was the attachment location. Anyone want to buy a couple of slightly used Black Rapids? Oh yes, the OpTechs are much less expensive than the Black Rapids.

Thanks to all. I tried the synchronize function and it worked beautifully. Good thing we have UHH, huh?! Still don't know what caused the problem, though.

Dan

Thanks for the response. Actually, I only import into Lightroom, never Picasa. Picasa imports from windows upon startup. I still don't understand why Lightroom does not show the 2013 and 2014 folders.

Hello all. I have been a silent UHH observer for quite some time and seldom have I posted any comments. However, today I have a problem that I cannot seem to find an answer to on this forum. I keep all my photos (approximately 50,000) on Lightroom 4.4 and Picasa. I usually import my photos into Lightroom into a temp file and then, when I am finished with them, transfer them to another file for keeping. I shoot both RAW and JPEG. When I open Picasa it automatically imports them also into the same file protocol. I have a main file and under that all files and folders are arranged by date and subject.
Today, when I imported several photos into Lightroom, I worked with them and then began to transfer them into their permanent folders. However, I found that the folders for years 2013 and 2014 did not show in the left hand side panel. All years from 2003 through 2012 were intact without issues. No explanation. I then went to Picasa and found all the folders present without issues. Looking at the same folders in windows 7 explorer showed them all to be present.
Then, as a test, I decided to re-import the same photos and lo and behold, the 2013 and 2014 folders showed in the right side panel for potential destination sites. However, they were still not showing on the left side panel.
I know that I probably did something stupid without thinking to cause this, but cannot hazard a guess as to what happened. Any ideas you guys would venture would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Dan

For what it's worth. I have a Canon 60D and 6D. I had Black Rapid straps on both with no problems for over two years. However, I became tired of constantly having to remove the strap every time that I used my tripods. After all, that's what the hole is for. Anyway, I replaced both Black Rapids with Optech, which attaches at the regular camera strap lug. The Optech straps, although not quite as well padded as the Black Rapids,work well with no problem. Now, I can place my camera onto the tripod without any other issues.
Dan

Thanks all for the great responses. I believe it was likely the lack of contrast that caused the problem. Did it again later and the same thing happened. Switched lenses to my 85 without stabilization and all was well, although I really don't think the lack of stabilization was the answer. I did, though, change the focus from spot.
Dan

Good thought dooragdragon. Will try that, but my subjects have left. When they return, will do it. Also, I plan on also changing lenses to possibly an 85 which does not have stabilization. BTW, when I took the camera off the tripod, it worked beautifully with the 24-105, but, alas, my subjects had flown the coop.
Thanks
Dan

Was shooting with my 6D and 24-105 on a tripod. Several shots were excellent and then, all of a sudden, this happened. I know something is amiss, but the only thing I can figure is that I left the stabilizer on while using the tripod. Error on my part. Looks as though the lens just stopped focusing. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Dan

Saw the following advice from the Atlanta Journal/Constitution regarding Christmas shopping. Thought you all should know that we are dealing in dead technologies. Can you believe it?! Wow, guess I need to sell all my digital cameras and their accessories before the bottom falls out price wise.

Do not buy dead technologies like digital cameras (cell phones and tablets are taking their place), GPS systems (cell phones and tablets have eliminated their need) or DVD's/DVD players which are a waste of money when you can stream movies and shows.

I looked on the Canon EOS refurbish site and they are selling the 6D for $1519.20 plus tax. Using an older and broken Canon film camera as a trade on the Canon Loyalty Program, I can the get 6D for 20% off that price which, according to the nice Canon lady, brings the price to $1,216.00 plus tax. That's with a one year Canon warranty. Sweet deal, huh!

Based on that, I have placed my 5D up for sale on eBay. BTW,I already have the 24-105, the 17-40 and 100 f2.8 macro, so I don't need to look for a bundle.

Thanks to all for the input and knowledge
Dan

I am a hobbyist who shoots grand kids, flowers and landscape. I have a Canon 60D and a faithful 5D Classic. I use them both and readily see the differences as well as the similarities. All but one of my lenses will fit the 5D. My question revolves around the technology, or rather, lack of technology, of the 5D. The camera is several years old and is getting kind of long in the tooth. I recently had it serviced by Canon which included reattaching the problematic shutter. The camera has been certified as being up to factory specs. A really great camera. It still does very well for its design, but my mouth is watering to upgrade to a 6D. I know the 6D has quite a bit of technological advantages, including video, that leave my old 5D in the starting blocks. The biggest disadvantage, at least as I see it, however, is the low ISO range of the 5D as compared to the 6D, which, as I understand, does very well in low light.

I would appreciated anyone who has used both the 5DClassic and 6D to give me some insights, recommendations and ownership advice and comparisons. Many thanks in advance.
Dan

In a fit of anger her majesty Queen Elizabeth II issued the following letter to the citizens of United States of America

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure to financially manage yourselves and inability to effectively govern yourselves responsibly, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up ‘revocation’ in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).

Your new Prime Minister, David William Donald Cameron, will appoint a Governor for the former United States of America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

You will learn that the suffix ˜burgh” is pronounced “burra”; you may elect to spell Pittsburgh as ˜Pittsberg” if you find you simply can’t cope with correct pronunciation. Then look up “aluminum” and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.
The letter “U” will be reinstated in words such as ˜colour”, “favour” and “neighbour”. Likewise, you will learn to spell “doughnut” without skipping half the letters.
Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels (look up “vocabulary”). Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as “like” and “you know” is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.
There is no such thing as “US English”. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter “u”.
You will relearn your original national anthem, “God Save The Queen”, but only after fully carrying out Task #1 (see above).
July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.
You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you’re not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults and then used solely for shooting grouse. If you’re not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you’re not ready to handle a gun, let alone shoot grouse.
Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.
All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.
All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.
The former United States of America will adopt the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland prices on petrol (which you have been calling “gasoline”) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.
You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French Fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with malt vinegar.
Waiters and waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.
The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling “beer” is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. New Zealand beer is also acceptable, as New Zealand is pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth – see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat’s Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.
Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one’s ears removed with a cheese grater.
You will cease playing “American” Football. There are only two kinds of proper football; one you call soccer, and rugby. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American Football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies or Jessies – English slangs for effeminate males and blouses for big girls respectively).
Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the “World Series” for a game which is not played outside of the United States of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket.
You must tell us who killed JFK. It’s been driving us mad.
An inland revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty’s Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).
Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

Thank you for your cooperation.

God Save the Queen!

What Is An American?
A primer.
By Peter Ferrara, an associate professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law.
September 25, 2001 9:20 a.m.

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper there an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.
So I just thought I would write to let them know what an American is, so they would know when they found one.
An American is English…or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them choose.
An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American is from the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God-given right of each man and woman to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need. When Afghanistan was overrun by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country. As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.
An American does not have to obey the mad ravings of ignorant, ungodly cruel, old men. American men will not be fooled into giving up their lives to kill innocent people, so that these foolish old men may hold on to power. American women are free to show their beautiful faces to the world, as each of them choose.
An American is free to criticize his government's officials when they are wrong, in his or her own opinion. Then he is free to replace them, by majority vote.
Americans welcome people from all lands, all cultures, all religions, because they are not afraid. They are not afraid that their history, their religion, their beliefs, will be overrun, or forgotten. That is because they know they are free to hold to their religion, their beliefs, their history, as each of them choose.
And just as Americans welcome all, they enjoy the best that everyone has to bring, from all over the world. The best science, the best technology, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best athletes.
Americans welcome the best, but they also welcome the least. The nation symbol of America welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed.
These in fact are the people who built America. Many of them were working in the twin towers on the morning of September 11, earning a better life for their families.
So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo and Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung, and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the world.
But in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.
So look around you. You may find more Americans in your land than you thought were there. One day they will rise up and overthrow the old, ignorant, tired tyrants that trouble too many lands. Then those lands too will join the community of free and prosperous nations.
And America will welcome them.

his morning I went to the lake and took about 250 stills and 4 videos of the dam's opened flood gates since we have had a great deal of rain. I used a Canon 60D and a Canon SX-50. When I returned home I uploaded them all into Lightroom 4.4 and shut the computer down. When I restarted the computer, all folders containing all photos in Lightroom have the dreaded (?) and the Notation at the top of the screen showing "the file xxxxx is offline or missing". All of the normal icons at the top of the screen, Library, Print, etc are gone as well. I then attempted to look into Picasa since I have all photo files in it as well and found that Picasa did not show any of the photo files. Checking with Windows explorer verifies that the files exist and are in fact in the correct locations. I am presently scanning all photos (about 50,000) and reinstalling them into Picasa. The only thing that I can recall that would've caused any type of potential problem was prior to uploading the photos I downloaded Spotify, looked it over and then uninstalled it from the PC. I have Windows 7. 64.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
Dan