I don't use my credit card for anything on the net, I have been using Adobe photoshop and Lightroom for several years and don't want to give it up. In Canada we can purchase a card with an activation number that is good for 1 year. They are available at most retailers like Staples, London Drug, or Costco. I have never had any kind of issue with this method and Adobe sends me a message when my subscription is due to expire and I purchase a new card.

I have been a Sony user for several years, I started with the a200 and have upgraded to the a700 then the a77 and now the a77II.
the a77II is by far the best Sony that I have used. It took a little time getting used to the electronic viewfinder but now I wouldn't be without it. As someone else noted the old flash units won't work on the A77II but that is easily overcome with the inexpensive adapter. It is also easier to find off brand and cheaper flash units.
Sony lenses are very good especially the 16-50 f2.8 and there are lots of used Minolta lenses available at very reasonable prices.
I very often shoot with friends with Canon and Nikon systems and so far I wouldn't trade off my Sony camera. I don't think you would be unhappy with the Sony a77II.
They are also one of the lowest priced cameras in this classification.

I shoot both a A77 and an A77ii and I find this site works very well to get a shutter count on Sony cameras http://tools.science.si/index.php

I am also from Canada and have been using Precision Colors ink for my Canon Pro 900 MK II. I bought their refill kit and have found it to work very well. They have a Canadian outlet in Toronto, 426-637-6926. There shipping to British Columbia was $9.11 Canadian.
I have also used 123 Inks and have found there product to be excellent as well.

I recently had my Sigma 500mm f4.5 fall over on the tripod and land right on the lens hood, it bent the hood which I was able to straighten but the focus, manual and automatic no longer worked. I contacted Sigma Canada and they advised to send it in for an estimate. I was contacted within a week of sending and they stated that the lens was a previous model and that they no longer worked on the older models. I said that when I called I told the person that I spoke to what model the lens was and they said it was not a problem. I had also sent a confirmation email with all the details of the lens and the issues. I was told that in most cases parts may not be available but they would have a look at it to see what could be done and that if it could not be repaired they would just send the lens back.
Seven days later the lens was delivered and they had completely rebuilt the manual and auto focus system, serviced and cleaned the lens and shipped at their expense. The lens looked brand new.
When I checked the invoice (I had given them permission to charge my M/C for the repairs) there was no charge and they stated that due to the misunderstanding all repairs were done free of charge as a courtesy.
As far as I am concerned Sigma Canada went above and beyond with their first class service.

Congratulations on your new dealership, the gimbal head looks like a real winner. I am in British Columbia,Canada and ran into a fellow today that is looking for a gimbal head so I directed him to your site. You should be hearing from him very shortly. I assume that you will ship to Canada. His name is Mike.

Lenscoats themselves are not waterproof because they don't cover the complete lens. They are there for protection from bumps and bangs or in some cases for camo. I use them on all my lenses that I use in the field including zoom lenses. To the OP I have a 500mm Sigma that I have had on it since I got it and there is not a mark on the lens, I wouldn't be with out them. They also work very well on lenses that have shiny finish or white finish to cut down on reflections and glare that can affect wildlife that you are trying to photograph.

Try Google Blogger, I have been using it for a couple of years and it is free. Check my site if you wish at kmacsphotos.com

Keith

I recently had the same problem with my Tamron 70-200 f2.8 with a Sony mount. I tried everything that has been noted and finally sent it to the Tamron repair center in Toronto. They did an estimate and the repairs were going to be nearly $500 using used repair parts. I loved the lens but decided that it wasn't worth spending that much on repairs when I can buy a new lens for around $750 with a guarantee. I bought the lens used so I didn't have any guarantee.
I hope you have better luck that I did.

Keith

I have had a Feisol CT-3472 for over a year, I use it with a Wimberly head for my Sony a77 with a Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens. I love the tripod, it has given me absolutely no problems and is a very stable platform for a long lens. I also have a Feisol CB-50DC carbon fiber ballhead and the quality is first class. I too love the Gitzos but I just couldn't bring myself to pay twice what I paid for the Feisol. I don't think you can go wrong with Feisol.

I will second the use of the "Copperhill" products, the price is very reasonable and works very well. Their instructions and training video are very easy to follow. It is also highly recommended by Moose Petersen.

I am considering an upgrade for my current laptop. Size is critical because I want to be able to travel with it. I am considering a Macbook Air or an Asus Zenbook. What I would like to know is if anyone has experience using either of these ultra books with Lightroom 4. My first choice is the Zenbook but I am concerned that with only 4 gigs of RAM it may not be enough for Lightroom. I know that I can get the MBA with 8 gigs so that may have to be my choice. Any input will be appreciated.

Keith

Congratulations on your new a77, it s a great camera. I have been using Sony for quite a while starting with the a200, then the a700 and now using the a77. I am now saving to upgrade to the full frame a99. The only issue I have with Sony is the lens selection and the price of the new lenses. The new f4 500mm is priced way out of reach as is the300 f2.8 but I have found that the third party lenses are excellent and produce excellent images. I have been very happy with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 and I am going to get Sigma 300mm f2.8in the new year.
Enjoy your new camera and don't let anyone tell you it is in any way inferior to the big 2. Nikon uses Sony sensors.

Merry Xmas to all.

Thanks for the info, I think I will go with the 13" Macbook Pro. It will not be my main computer and portability is my main concern. My desktop is a PC but I have been told the there shouldn't be any problems with photos between the two. I think the ability to upgrade the Macbook pro at a later date if I need to is what finally sold me in the end. Also the fact that I can buy the components and update it myself are a real plus.
Thanks for your input and information.

Keith

I am considering buying a new lightweight laptop computer. My biggest concerns are for battery life and light weight. I do a lot of wildlife and bird photography and want to be able to take the computer with me into the field and on trips. The only programs that I will probably be using are Lightroom 4 and possibly Microsoft Office. Does anyone have any experience with any of the new Ultra Books or with the Macbook air. My one concern with all of them is that none of them are upgradeable so I am also considering the 13" Macbook Pro. I have never used a Mac always a PC but I am willing to make a change.
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.