The straws have spoken...JUNE PHOTO CONTEST THEME

[Blue_In_AK]

The June photo contest theme will be "Showing Their Personality - People Pictures."

You all will have a couple of weeks to get out there and get your people shots. HullBoss and I will be gone at least until June 10, possibly a little longer. I'll start taking entries shortly after we get back, I'd say around the 15th or so. (That's assuming we all survive 6/6/6.) Happy snapping, everyone.

[regnaD kciN]

1. Yes, 6/6/6...

...could well be a momentous day for photographers.

It is rumored that this infamous date will be when Sony will announce their Alpha 100 DSLR, the successor to the Konica Minolta cameras whose rights Sony acquired over the past year.

Initial reports indicate that the Alpha 100 will offer 10.2 MP (possibly using the same Sony-built sensor chip as Nikon's D200) and KM's body-based vibration reduction system (which will function with any existing Minolta lens), as well as an Olympus-like ultrasonic cleaning system...for a list price of under $1,000.

If Sony pulls this off, look for interesting times ahead in the DSLR market.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Are you going to go buy one

and try it out for the rest of us? :)

[regnaD kciN]

4. Don't know yet...

I'm going to be watching the initial reports on it very closely.

Ordinarily, I'd worry about the first generation product of its type from any company, but I'm assuming that this is not really a from-the-ground-up Sony DSLR -- most of this camera, I would guess, is based on Konica Minolta's Maxxum 5D and/or 7D, which have a solid track record.

Prior to this announcement, I was greatly interested in Pentax's new line of DSLRs, which also have in-body stabilization. They've got a 6.1 MP model coming out in August for around $700, with a 10 MP prosumer camera due later for a price generally thought to be "$100 less than whatever the D200 is selling for" ;-) . Until the past couple of days, these sounded interesting; but, if the reports concerning the Alpha 100 are correct, Pentax (which was releasing the new product line with a goal of becoming a major presence in the DSLR market, just as it used to be in 35mm SLRs) just got blown out of the water. Of course, if the Sony lives up to its rumors, Pentax won't be alone...

[Blue_In_AK]

3. By the way, does that ultrasonic cleaning system

really work?

[JeffR]

5. Have a good trip, Blue

As to the winning theme: yikes. This one is a real challenge for us misanthropic types.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I hear ya...

Being a misanthrope myself, I'm glad to be hosting this one.

[CC]

7. I have an idea for it

if someone will cooperate. I do have backups at least.

Have a great time on your trip, stay safe and come back with lots and lots of pictures for us. :hug: