There IS another alternative. HP has a program where, for $4.99 / mo. you can print 100 pages or for $2.99 / mo. 50 pages. Pages not used would go into the "Rollover Pages" feature. The sweet thing about the program is that HP will monitor your printer and send you ink (included in the program you choose), before you need new cartridges. You never have to worry about running out of ink! They also send plastic return bags, prepaid, for your spent cartridges. If you have a problem with using your printer, HP will help you solve it. They do this by, online viewing the printer and then fix the problem, at no additional charge, I might add. I believe you'd have to have a model that qualifies to take advantage of this program. Go online to the "HP Instant Ink" site and there you'll find the information. Hope this helps.
I had a '62 VW and some funny things happened in that car. You asked about the heater. I was driving home, early one morning in the rain, and hit a deep puddle of water. The first thing that occurred was that all my windows immediately steamed up and the next thing, I found that my car would float (somewhat)! All I could do was pull over and laugh, this was weird, fortunately I was alone in the car AND on the road.
taj334 wrote:
I am considering sending my photos "out" to be printed. My HP Photosmart seems to devour the ink and is not cost effective at all. I was wondering if anyone here had any great places they use or are they all pretty much the same (Walgreens, Costco, etc.). Or, if there is another alternative. I wouldn't be printing anything too big (5x7, 4x6 mostly). Most of my pictures are taken with an SX50 and edited on PSE-13 or Photos for Mac.
taj334,
I have been using an outfit in New York called PEPhoto (look them up online). For the past 10 years, or so, I've been getting 5 x7 and larger prints made. When I started with them the price was about 7 cents per print for 5x7's. After going on a cruise, I'd edit my photos and have 400 prints made, which would fill two albums. You can just imagine what I was paying! The postage was about the same as the prints (not quite)!
The last time I had prints made the cost of a print was about 17 cents each, if I remember correctly. For 400 5x7's it was about $75. I'm not sure what the cost per print is now. I've got so many albums that I now save them on external hard drives or thumb drives.
The way I'd send them the files was to upload them to their site, but that took hours! Now, I send them a DVD with the files. You can send a thumb drive, instead, and you'll always get your DVD's or thumb drive(s) back with your order. PE works very fast and their prints are very good. Their turnaround is about 2 weeks.
You can call them for special instructions. Believe me, it's a lot less expensive than the printer ink! Good luck!
-Marv
jcboy3 wrote:
I can't imagine why you would want the 28-300 in a museum. If you must zoom, then take just the 18-55. For me, it's too slow for shooting ambient indoors.
I've used it several times before and had no problems. Photos came out just fine. If they are a little dark, I can lighten them up a little. I will use the 18-55 as you suggest and just keep my fingers crossed. Thanks
jcboy3 wrote:
I use a photographer vest; lots of pockets. What you need is a couple of wide fast primes, because the light is dim and you don't need a lot of DOF. Your 50mm is too long for the crop sensor on your camera, a normal lens would be 35mm and you really should have something around 20mm.
I shot mostly wide/ultra-wide in Paris. Narrow streets, wide vistas on the rivers.
Hi jcboy3. What about the 28-300 and the 18-55 that I plan to carry? I find that using my little point and shoot Fuji camera works in low light situations, up close and wide angle shooting. Honestly, I've gotten some of my best shots with a point and shoot camera and it fits nicely in my pocket.
fantom wrote:
Is there any way to lock your bag? My last time ever wearing a fanny pack was in Rome and I had it in front of me. Outside the Vatican a gypsy woman holding a baby in her left arm, under a shawl, held a coin in her other hand and kept shoving it up towards my face demanding money. She got very close to me and was opening my bag with the hand holding the baby. I am not a fanny fan any longer and put my wallet and valuables in a money belt.
Also, you may know, to be very careful of anyone in the subway offering to help you buy a Metro ticket. These are quick change artists and will have scammed your fare and more and will be on the next train outta there before you notice. I've seen girls try to steal wallets off tables in sidewalk cafes when the wallets were left out waiting for the surly waiter to return with the change.
Good luck and have a nice time and, as you know, you will love it. Wish I were going.
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Hi fantom. Just got the bag today. Any way to lock it? Hell, I can't even get into it. It's a really nice bag and has a zipper top and lots of room. As I have said, I'll be wearing the bag in front.
Let me tell you a story about being pickpocketed. We were in Lisbon and about to get on the trolley going down the hill from the fort. As we approached the door to the trolley, an old lady (about 90 years of age) came up on my left and I thought she wanted to push by me. I said, "I'm not in a hurry, you get on first". She said "no, you go". I told my wife, beforehand that wearing cargo pants with Velcro pockets, down near my knees, that I'd be able to hear the pockets opening. Yeah, right! The person operating the trolley would not let the woman on. That should've told us something. When we got seated, in the front, a little girl got on and held out my wallet and said, "this is yours". Guess when I was distracted by the old lady she was working on my "loud" Velcro pocket! I'm surprised that all that was missing was my cruise card and about 70 euros. All my credit cards and drivers license were not touched. Upon arriving back at the ship, we heard that about 50% of the people who went ashore were pickpocketed. After that I had my wife carry my valuables around her neck, under her sweater and jacket. Having valuables stolen is not fun. Thanks for the heads up.
fantom wrote:
That is what I would do also at first, but becuz you are dealing with Parisians I wud not expect an answer. I wud google the Louvre web site and look for restricted items there.
In April you will want a jacket or rain coat so take one with big pockets-- big enough for lenses. You see many tourists in and out of the Louvre wearing fanny packs but those are mostly just enticements for the pickpockets around the tourist sites like Sacre Cours or Montmarte etc. Leave that at home.
Thanks, fantom. Good advice. As it isn't the typical fanny type bag and is larger, I plan to wear it in front. I know I'll look goofy, but at least I should be able to watch it somewhat. I love the Montmarte area, so we'll try to be aware of our surroundings. We were in Paris in 2005 and noticed a lot of military types with auto-weapons around the Montmarte and Eiffel Tower sites then. I suppose there will be an added concentration this visit.
Mike Padgett wrote:
Check with the museum to learn when it will be closed for cleaning. We stopped by the Louvre on a Tuesday, only to learn that is the day it closes for cleaning. It was the only day we had on our trip to visit. But next trip...
Wow! That's good to know. Thanks, Mike :-D
Smokey66 wrote:
Former green peace terrorists from the 80's would be in their fifties at least. It seems that the current crop of terrorists are very young and would not fit your description. Only a young naive person would believe they are going to heaven to be served by a hundred nymphs if they become suicide bombers.
I heard it was "only" 72 virgins. Actually, I'm 79 and have all my limbs intact (being a cabinetmaker for 40 years, that's saying something. "Knock on wood").
sbschippers wrote:
I was in Paris about two weeks after the terrorist attack last fall. Crowds were light everywhere but there were no issues carrying a messenger-style bag with photo equipment. Most museums - including the Louvre - had a security check at the entrance but it was just a cursory inspection, no X-rays or scans. Some stores also had a rent-a-cop at the door for a quick visual inspection of bags but they never reached in or asked me to remove anything.
Plenty of law enforcement and military on display. Police always traveled in twos, soldiers by three.
Have a good time!
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Thanks for the info, sbschippers, I fully expect inspections of the bag wherever I go and am, actually, thankful for them. Every litter-bit helps our safety.
NJphotodoc wrote:
Having lived in France and having spent many a weekend at the Louvre and other museums in France, cameras are OK but leave your flash at your hotel. Same for tripods/monopods and items that could potentially harm century-old floors.
At a matter of reference, this is taken from the official Louvre website:
The Visitor Regulations authorize photography without the use of flash in the permanent collection exhibition rooms, under certain conditions:
"Artworks in the permanent collection exhibition rooms may be photographed or filmed for private use by the operator. The use of flash and other lighting equipment is prohibited. Photography and filming is strictly prohibited in the temporary exhibition rooms.
Filming and photography of installations and technical equipment is also strictly prohibited."
If you are planning to write to the Louvre or any other museum and expect a quick answer, you are probably overoptimistic. Since the attacks on Paris and Brussels, even a small pack is likely to cause suspicion and a visual search would be required and in a place like the Louvre, the person doing the inspection is probably dressed in combat attire and has a 9mm on his/her waist.
So, probably your best bet is assume that if you can't carry it on a neck strap or in a pocket, it won't be worth the hassle. Maybe a decent prime lens with nothing less than f/1.8 for inside shots and a lightweight zoom for everything else. Et bon voyage!
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Thank you, photodoc, for your response. I sent the message to the info person at the Louvre two days ago and received the response today. She, however, did not even address or mention the issue about the beltpack I intend to use, which is my main concern. I expect the bag to be searched just about everywhere I go and am not offended or worried about that. If I have to, I'll just take the 18-55 lens on my camera. Last time we were in Paris I had only the Tamron 28-300mm and that seemed to do the trick. I do not intend to take a flash or tripod into any of the museums or churches, where prohibited.
Architect1776 wrote:
Due to recent muslim attacks information even a few weeks old might be incorrect. Check with the museums but also what the police are looking at on the streets as well. Home grown European native radicals are being used now and all ages. A lot of these people are former green peace terrorists from the 80's who were quite good at bombing. Check and be careful. Have a good time and just be aware of your surroundings.
Thanks, Architect1776, that's good information. We've been told several times to be aware of our surroundings and hopefully will heed those warnings.
ddonlewis wrote:
Cameras are definately allowed, and flashes definately are not. Photos are allowed in the permanent exhibits and are not allowed in temporary exhibits like a special King Tut exhibit etc. I'm pretty sure tripods are not allowed. The best advice on bags is that a classic shoulder bag is allowed, and I would say your small belly pouch is not a problem. Back packs are a little tricky. Smaller ones generally are ok, but to large a backpack may not. I will also make the following statement. Carrying a big camera bag with Lowepro or some other big name is like having a big sign saying there is thousands of dollars equipment inside "please steal". All large cities in Europe have very professional teams looking for what they can steal from tourists. We were with my mother in law in London, and she had a small camera backpack that was stolen from right in front of our nose in a McDonalds. You can take 98% of your pictures with a 28-105mm lens, so I would streamline my equipment and have a subtle bag.
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I'm still trying to figure out how to reply in UHH.
ddonlewis, thanks for the comprehensive reply. I will note your suggestions. I plan to carry the bag in the front, at all times. It is a rather large bag and I wouldn't want to bump into art objects. If I find the bag is too cumbersome, I will try my vest to carry what I need. That, too, might present a pickpocket problem. I don't know what else to do. All my equipment is insured, that should alleviate some of my worries. Thanks again.
-Marv
Capture48,
I'm sorry for not making myself clear, I didn't intend to use the converter in the museum. I merely meant that it would be in my bag. I intended to use it for long shots while walking around Paris.
-Marv
Thanks, Bob, I emailed the museum, but haven't heard back yet.