Ski

I'm really not a big fan of independant lenses, although Tamron's are by far the best. When I was starting out in college, Tokina had just come out with an 80-200 2.8 lens that was 1/3 the price of the Nikkor equivalent. The downside was that it was crap at anything wider than f5.6. What's the sense of having a 2.8 if it's soft wide open? But if there's really a need for IS, then that lens fills that need. I shoot everything manual focus, which is the other reason I like lenses with the biggest maximum aperature. I even used to have the Nikkor 50 1.2, which made very little sense. I shoot with three camera bodies, so it's no big deal to have fixed focal length lenses, which inherantly have larger max aperatures. A 24 2.0, 85 1.4, 200 2.8, and a 300 4.0 are my working lenses. I've found that the best way to decide if a lens works for you is to rely on it as a main lens for a while and see if it seems like you are missing something. And are you getting the photos you want? Are you having to flash when you wish you didn't? Then other obvious things, such as whether it's long or short enough for what you shoot. I'm glad you have it figured out, though. The IS is amazing technology that they incorporated into 35mm. IS is one of the most underated advances...I remember when it was such a big deal that drive-time tv news helicopters were the first to use it (other than what they did on movie sets) in NYC. I think ABC had it, but CBS and NBC didn't, so every ABC commercial showed split screens of what they were capable of over the competition.

Firstly, I don't own and haven't shot this lens, so I can only go by what guys around me may have said. The 3.5 to 5.6 maximum aperature is a killer for anything I do in sports, image stabalization or not. I know that most people are happy with the lens, that it's sharp at f8 and smaller. It's also pricey as hell, like around $500? Wow. It almost sounds like you're complaining about it's smooth operation. If the "IS" were to noticeably vibrate, then it would have to work twice as hard to stabilize it's own motion. I can't give you a definitive answer, but my feeling is that all is well. But is it working? Set the lens at 135mm's and shoot in your livingroom with the house lights giving you about f5.6 at 1/60th of a second. A headshot portrait would be noticeably soft, unless the IS kicks in and gives you the 1/250/sec. image. Hope this helps.

The 'MSRP' for your ski/binding setup is close to $1100, although that GS:11 model has been replaced (not saying it's better or worse, but lots of people I know have a need to ski on what other people will see as the 'latest thing', not necessarily the 'best thing'). So a shop would have had the setup with a 30% off sticker and charged you $770 last year. This year, they may have a 50% off sticker and charged $550. There's no way you could have gotten a better deal, 'freak. You did good

Ah, DH will probably beat me senseless with a tightly closed fist...

Thanks, I'm online buying gear all summer long. But, Jeez, I gotta ditch this rep...

Oh, man, what the heck am I supposed to say? I buy tons of gear for our hill, friends, and even people that walk into my wife's library. Think's gonna be p*ssed at me, I know... So I'll apologize to everyone right now. Sorry, everyone.

You're telling me I know nothing about this? Sounds like you need to do some research. Straight skis are trash. Kids---even little kids---benefit from shaped skis. And nobody except your customers pay $300 for a junior ski package. That's a 300% markup. 300%! Dynastar junior skis wholesale under 110cm wholesale for about $40, depending on how many you buy. You can buy 80cm Atomic Race 5's for $55. Junior bindings wholesale for $25. Boots wholesale for under $30. So you sell a package that wholesales at $95 for $300? No wait, you sell people straight ski packages for $300. That's incredibly expensive. So, exactly how many sets of front entry boots in 17 to 18.5 Mondo size do you have to rent? I bet NONE. But correct me if I'm wrong. And lastly, you state that I "buy your childern the cheapest equipment possible." Well, my five year old has Atomic Race 5's in 70 cm, 80cm, and 90cm, mostly with Marker bindings. She also wears a Boeri helmet. Her skis were all bought new and all three sets combined were cheaper than your single package of straight skis. People are "screwed" if they buy something off of eBay and it breaks? Yeah, there's a great sales pitch. My kid's Atomic 5 Race skis aren't breaking any time soon. Why would brand new skis/bindings break? Are any of your seasonal rentals brand new? I'd be more afraid of wasting a day by having old straight seasonal rentals break, than brand new Atomics. The number of eBay online shops that carry junior ski gear has taken off and it's hurting local shops. Why on Earth would anyone pay $300 for a junior ski package, when the exact same package can be delivered to your door for $129? It makes no sense. Is that "raving"? I've actually done quite a bit of research and help my local hill buy rental gear. Our policy is to buy high quality gear at low prices. And the coolest thing about eBay? After paying $129 and having your kid ski all season, you can turn around and sell it for at least $100. Take the time and auction the gear separately and you'll get back every penny you originally spent. Okay, so here are real examples of eBay junior ski/binding packages at "Buy it Now" prices, not auctions. These are skis/bindings you can just go to eBay and buy without bidding. You can just as easily save another 25% by picking items that are up for regular bidding.

Definitely interested, Johnny. I cut my usual 6 day work week back to be free weekends for ASRA, so I haven't been able to join a regular midweek league, but I'm sometimes free Monday nights and would really like to do one or more full days. That's something I bet Skimom and Atomic would be up for as well. MC's pretty far for a lot of people from this MB, but I agree with Skimom that your courses are among the best for ASRA. And MC's South Lodge is an easy quick hit for after work; you can park, grab a ticket, and be at the lift in five minutes.

Excellent. Jeez, I feel bad about calling him a prospective Ranger. I should have known better.

It's really flattering that you put me in your signature. But I'm married and not into any guy/guy stuff. Sorry, man.

Ha, oh, yeah. I guess DH is right about me being a jerk.

So is Dthmtl going to be a Patroller or a Ranger? I've missed reading any update on that. The world is going to be a little different if he's a Ranger.

And again!

Woodbury is a little place owned by a guy that takes great pride in opening before KMart. But he has said Woodbury is on borrowed time and every year might be it's last. They just lost a big lawsuit from some skier or boarder that got hurt and their insurance premiums have doubled. You might wait and see how early Belleayre gets it's guns going. They usually beat Windham and have some good runs. I'll never do ealry season at Hunter again...Hunter makes Honeymoon Lane seem wide open and empty.

Yeah, Blue's Patrol is nicer when threatening to take your ticket.

Ah, 'Dude can manage a dig without even realizing it...

It's a lens hood that shades the lens from light reflections. Some lenses have them built right in and can be pulled out and locked with a 1/4 turn. The are helpful when you are shooting in the general direction of the sun, since most lenses are made up of seven or more separate glass elements that like to bounce the light around inside and create problems.

So 'Dude, uh, what exactly do you and skierforever chat about? Or is it a secret?

That's DHarrisburg's job.

Papa: put $10 in the boy's pockets and drop them off in time to make first run with their team each Sat/Sun. Try to remember to pick them up at 3pm. No worries. Fun will happen.

Hey, I didn't add the DNF...it was a cut and paste. That's my camp roommate, btw---you know him. He'd probably kill me for posting that. But I DNF'd at the second slalom there, so I guess it's okay. Not to answer for Johnny, but my 2 cents NJSkifamily: I sometimes race with a guy in his 60's that runs a single digit NASTAR handicap. He also races in a league and is competitive with USSA racers. He began skiing in his 40's. Adult racing is a journey and it takes patience and commitment. We may kid about wanting people like Bartek and Johnny to be in other age classes, but it really makes no difference. It's absolutely inspiring to watch those guys bust out of the start house. The journey is a learning process and it's easier to learn with people like them around. As I'd said in an earlier thread, I finished fourth in my age class last season, but have no illusions that I can beat the 10 guys I finished in front of...or maybe it's 15 guys. I just had some decent runs on days when they weren't there. But I have a blast racing. I like most of the people I race with and feel good about the fact that I'm a little faster every time out.

And 'Mom take a look at the MC Alumni results from last December... I think it's great that coaches also race. And that they race that well is all the better. Just as in any sport, I think kids repect and listen to coaches that lead by example. Every one of those CAT guys had something to learn when some, uh, senior guy demolished their times. Johnny tied Dunston and pulled 87 points in a NJ race. How is that even possible? (Sorry, Johnny, some longtime race fans---just ignore the talk behind your back)

Yeah, we're in the same class, but I wouldn't give his dog a run for the money... 1st Place JohnnyP 1st run 22.61 2nd run 22.77 TL Time 45.38 2nd Place YOMBOR, CHRIS 22.78 23.31 46.09 3rd Place Ski999 27.88 28.2 56.08 4the Place ZAZZERA, BOB 30.38 30.37 60.75 DNF ALBERO, KEVIN IND 27.35 DNF

Luckily, neither you nor your opinion matter, DH. You have Mammoth and Alpinezone has the mighty Jiminy. Enjoy life as a nanny and chair catcher, DH. Sounds exciting. You puting some hate on me because you trash talked a great contributor to skiing in this region and I defended him sort of shows what type of person you are. Why you guys feel compelled to bash PA skiing and riding at a PA message board is beyond me. Seems like you are the idiots.