Spot Lights

what would be the best f.stop to set my nikon d80 for inside a building using spot lights and low lights?

childrens's play and needing pics of it....too dark

The short answer: use the smallest number possible. Eg. f/3.5.

The long answer: these are very tricky shooting conditions and that might not be enough. Here's what I'd do...

Get hold of a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (or even better, an f/1.4 version) lens, and get a seat close to the stage. A lot of Nikon users have a 50mm lying around somewhere so if you don't have one already, you probably know someone who does.

Set the camera to Aperture priority mode and dial in f/1.8. The aperture setting of f/1.8 makes the camera 3 stops more sensitive to light compared to the 18-135mm kit lens at f/5.6. The payoff: three stops translates into an 8x faster shutter speed!

Start with a test shot at ISO 800 and go higher as needed. The object is to tweak the ISO until you get a shutter speed faster than 1/100th second. With an ISO of 1600 or the H settings that go up to ISO 3200 you will see a lot of digital noise, but this is always better than using a slow shutter speed and getting blurry shots.

With general stage lights, use matrix metering.

With spot lights, switch from the default matrix metering to the spot meter. To use this effectively, place the central AF point over the face of your subject and half-press the shutter button to get the right exposure reading. The camera will then properly expose for the subject and let the background fade to black. With matrix metering the camera will try to get some detail in the background and as a consequence severely overexpose your main subject.

Don't bother using the pop up flash - it won't accomplish anything from 15 feet. And don't bother using a proper flash unless you want to get into a fist fight with the faculty.

If you've mostly used your camera in auto mode until now this probably sounds insanely complex. It's not that bad really, but I would recommend practicing for an evening.

Best wishes!

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Lights Backyard

lighting tips for a late afternoon/evening outdoor backyard wedding?

If you use candels how do you know how long they will last, whether or not the wind will blow them all out, or if you will have to run around like a maniac re-lighting candles etc? Also how to u know how many paper lanterns/christmas lights you will need to light the back yard properly so there is enought light so ppl can see?

yea x-nay on teh candles, theyre almost disasterous! If you really like the look of candles, then go with LED candles that flicker..they look very real and if you order them in bulk from a website like americanbridal.com theyre pretty cost effective.

An altarnative that I chose to use were little mini lanterns. theyre are sooo cute! I ordered them from http://www.theknot.com and scattered them everywhere! they went with the theme of my wedding though, they light up the WHOLE backyard, we already tested them-theyre amazing. Whats the theme of your wedding? Then I can give you some more ideas!!

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Flower Lights

How can I get red and blue grow lights on a budget?

I am growing flowers inside and I know the fluorescent light I'm using won't be to great when it comes time to flower. I have been looking at buying LED lights that are red and blue but they cost soooo much! What's my alternative? I don't want to use hps or mh bulbs.

Use whatever lights you have now.

Go to SamAsh or Guitar Center, etc and get colored gels

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Led Garden

What are some songs about the ocean, "Octopus garden"by the Beatles and "Ocean" by Led Zeppelin for example

Any ideas about songs involving the Ocean ?

"The Ocean" by The Velvet Underground
"This Is The Sea" by The Waterboys
"Ocean Breathes Softly" by Modest Mouse
"Under The Sea" by Raven Symone
"Sea Song" by Craig Armstrong
"Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Landscape Lights

Landscape lighting? Does anyone know of a company that can help with lighting design?

I understand the wiring and voltage drop etc... I need help with the lighting design. I want to light up the front of my home (stone face)(wall wash & columns) and do some up lighting and down lighting on trees (moon lighting effect) (wooded lot -nice mature trees). I've seen some really nice lighting in my area and understand the concepts but need help in knowing what kind of fixtures and bulbs - also placement.

ELS (Executive Lighting Solutions) They helped me out. It's great you can send them photos and they can even draw right on them to let you know where to put the fixtures. I was impressed with their knowledge on how to light different areas. I had gone through a couple of different landscape contractor but they didn't seem to know much about the different techniques, they just wanted to sell me fixtures.

Good luck. (I think they are up in your neck of the woods)

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Lights Set

What is a good way to clean corroded connectors on a set of fog lights?

The problem is, the metal connectors are surrounded by a larger plastic housing, so it is impossible to clean them with steel wool or something like that. I could maybe fit a q-tip in there, but that about it, not enough space to get a wire brush in there.

Baking Soda with water.

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Dome Stainless

Can I get a dome stainless steel dog tag engraved?

this tag seems to be curved and i wanted to know if it could still be engraved.

Certainly. Anyone with moderate engraving skills could do so.

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Led Light

Where can I find LED light bulbs to replace conventional light bulbs?

I want to change the rear tailight bulbs on my 2005 Honda Accord sedan to LED light bulbs. Can i do this? and where can I find these light bulbs?

LED bulbs are available in 2 forms. As direct replacements for original style bulbs, or if you want it to look like the kind newer cars have from the factory, you need to get a whole taillight assembly. Available from many places, including Amazon and e-bay, as well as many individual companies.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Honda+Accord+LED+lights&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Garden Landscape

Dwarf garden/landscape?

I'm visually impaired and can't handle a true miniature garden. I'm trying to find info on not-so-small mini-gardens, but all I can find on Google under "miniature landscape" is for model railways!

Hi:
There are hundreds of wonderful plants you could use to do in your raised beds. I could list several but I will link you to different sections of my website. The website is on landscape solutions and I think many of these sections would be able to help you decide on what might work.

If you need any further help, please feel free to contact me at the website. I will link you to the site map as this has everything that is on the website. Borwse through and see if you can find any useful information. I will link you also to the gallery of plants section. There are a variety of different trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs that have descriptions as well as zones. I will also link you to the Theme Color Garden section as this section has a page on dwarf shrubs. Good luck to you and have a great day! I hope this information will be useful to you!
Kimberly

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Site.html

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Gallery.html

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Theme.html

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Bulb Lamp

I have a Infocus SP 4806 Projector. Whats the difference inbetween the Lamp and the Bulb?

My projector has about 1500 hours on it. What should I replace the lamp or the bulb? Do they come together? Do I have to buy them seperate. As you can tell I don't know a lot about projectors. Which of these usually get replaced the lamp or bulb?

the bulb is in the lamp you cant buy one or the other you buy the whole as the lamp assembly since the lamp is sealed with the bulb inside. and it runs between $300 - $400

like:

http://www.superwarehouse.com/InFocus_Replacement_Lamp_for_SP-4805/SP-LAMP-021/p/623741

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Wall Light

RoomStore delivered a bed and damaged a wall light fixture! How to proceed?

I just had a new mattress set delivered by the Room Store. On the way up the stairs, the 2 men did not pay attention to a light fixture on the wall and scraped it with the mattress. It punctured the drywall on one side, and also the one of the screws broke. What infuriated me is that they didn't know I saw them and then tried to get me to sign the papers stating the delivery was ok and that there was no damage to the item and my home and personal property. I quickly (in a nice way) pointed the light out and he was like, "oh, yeah, it's just a screw. you can buy that." No attempt to fix it or offer a solution. I made sure to make note of the damage on the sheets I signed and crossed off the no damage statement.
Has this ever happened to anyone? What should be done here, if anything? Will the company do anything if we do call? I know these were just delivery men and it's not their problem. I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble.

Damage on delivery is actually common. Most retailers are equipped to take care of the problem. Call the customer service department and ask to speak to the manager. Time is of the essence, do it now before it looks like you did it yourself and you're blaming it on the drivers.

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Deck Lights

Pontiac Vibe 2004 interior lights and audio deck not turning on,?

Today I put a new deck into my car. I had to run a switched power source into my fuse box. When I went to put the deck in where the old deck was, suddenly the interior lights flashed off and the deck turned off. I put back in the old deck to see if it would resolve the problem, and removed the fuse I had just put in. Still the interior lights and deck would not turn on. I also replaced the fuses in the manual corresponding to what it said powered the interior lights and radio. This did not work and I also found out now that my wireless locking system no longer works and also the door chimes went out.
I have to get my car inspected on Friday, so anyone who could help me resolve this problem, would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you shorted something and blew a fusible link somewhere. Where is a good question. Dealer time.

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Landscape Lights

i need instructions for malibu landscape lights?

What kind of instructions are you looking for? How to install and wire a system together, or what to light up?

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Outdoor Lighting

What are some cheap outdoor lighting ideas that are rain proof. ?

My wedding reception is this coming saturday and now it looks like rain. With a dark driveway to walk up what kind of lighting can i make thats really cheap a able to stay lit even in rain?

White Christmas Lights. You can wrap them around trees or shrubs. They are very beautiful and are weather proof!

Best Wishes

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]

Wall Mount

How do I hang my flat screen tv wall mount , when there are no wall studs available?

I bought a 42" TV and a mount to hang it on the wall. There is only one place that we can put it on the wall and in that space for some reason the studs are 45" apart. So can we just use the heavy duty wall anchors? Or is the TV to big for something like that? Please help!

this is not the prettiest solution but I had a customer last year with a similar problem they bought 2X4s and mounted them to the studs and then mounted the mount to them. you can paint the 2X4s and hang a couple of photos on them.

[affmage source="amazon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="ebay" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpzon" results="4"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]
[affmage source="phpbay" results="6"]KEYWORDS[/affmage]