Greetings, Brian Poirier aka Steelsun here

[Steelsun]

Greets,

My name is Brian Poirier, and I usually use the name "Steelsun" online (been using it since dial in BBS days).

By profession I am a Private Investigator (been doing this about 10 years), and by passion I have been doing some photography.

I first became interested in photography (beyond the disposable camera level) in my PI job where we sometimes need to do specific shooting (scene documentation, evidence imagery, surveillance, etc).

I bought my first digital a few years back (Oly clamshell 2 megapixel), and when it failed the night before a big photo assignment (taking pictures of every crack in the exterior walls of an apartment complex in Huntsville - over 1000 total), I did a search of a new digi to replace it that I could buy the next morning. At that time (February 2002) the best bang for the buck in the $500 range (my budget) that would accept smart media cards (I had 4) was the Oly C4000, so I was waiting at OfficeDepot for the doors to open and bought one right away. Overall it's a good camera, acts as a P&S on automatic modes, but you can also put it on Manual to learn all about f-stops and shutter times.

Right now I am planning on getting a Canon 20D, possibly this weekend.

My photography biz, outside of PI work, is minimal at the moment but I do make a few bucks selling photo christmas cards, some minor event photos (did a boat race a few months ago that had some nice income), and some commissions product photos (just finished brochure shots for a florist). I am developing a stock photo and fine art site to sell some of my pics. I also frequently have a few pics published in the St Pauls UMC Newspaper (a weekly paper for St Pauls UMC - that big gothic church accross from the Museum of Fine Arts).

I try to go on 2 or 3 trips a year and photo like crazy. This year included London, Yellowstone, and Washington DC, over Xmas I'll hit San Angelo and Albuquerque for a few days each.
Next year I have a 10 day trip scheduled for Italy (Florence & Rome), so hopefully I'll have the 20D (and a couple of lenses) by then and be used to it.

My personal/family site/blog: http://uebelhart.net
The PI company I work for: http://paladin-intl.com
My image/stockphoto company (in development): http://sunstockphoto.com

[Abel]

welcome!


i can tell you one thing you will love the 20d! i have a 10d and everytime someone mentions the 20d my mouth starts to water!

your trip abroad aound like a blast! we've been secluded to the texas area for the past year or so but i am interested in hitting maybe new mexico this winter since its fairly cheap...

maybe you can share some of your photo locales from there once you get back. they may come in handy for me. :)

the PI business sounds very interesting and i bet its changed alot in the past 10 years. with all of the resources and databases found on the internet and such... its prolly hard to be in that business and NOT be computer or electronic saavy...

thanks for sharing and if i every need anything or anyone "checked out" i know who to call!!!

[Steelsun]

Now I am really psyched! Just bought a 20D!

Circuit City is selling the kit (body + 18-55 lens) online for $1499 (normal price and suggested retail is $1599), but it's an online deal only.

They opened a new CC in Meyerland (near my house) this week, and tonight was the official Grand Opening with all kinds of deals. One is 10% off certain classes of merchandise (one item only) today from 6-10pm, but alas DSLRs were not included. We fought the crowds (they were giving away lots of junk), talked to a a few salesmen before we found one that new anything about cameras. Well CC does not stock the 20D in the stores, it's web only, but they will order it for you for pickup at a store or delivery, but at the $1599 price. Well I wouldn't go for that and said "I'll order it online myself" and the salesman got the message and discounted it to $1499. They had some one gig CF cards on sale for $69 (after a $30 mail in rebate), so I grabbed that, and tried to talk him into allowing the 10% on the camera. He couldnot, but made me a deal instead: If I got one of the warranties (I know they get commissions for them, but what the heck), he would do a 10% giftcard for the entire purchase. So I got the 3 year warranty (which you can cancel and get refunded prorated anytime) and the total was about $1700 before tax ($1500 cam, $90 CF, $125 Warranty).
So we opened up a CC charge account (Actually it's just a Visa card) which, if your total is $499 or more, is no interest Until Jan 07. Charged it there, and walked out with a $170 CC gift card (we need a new TV, so that will help). We'll get the camera in 2-3 biz days (I'm guessing Monday or Tuesday) delivered to my office. Yipee.

Now I need to find a longer lens (200mm or so), battery grip, extra battery & CF cards, etc. Oh the agony!

Can't wait to try it!