Help Me Out Oppo!

"Zerofret" (zerofret)
07/27/2014 at 17:44 • Filed to: None

So, I've decided to bite the bullet and purchase two tickets to the United States Grand Prix! My only issue is the outrageous price of parking at the Circuit Of The Americas. Please, anyone know if there's an alternative place to park where I don't have to pay $260!

Have a GIF of Sebastian Vettel spinning out!

DISCUSSION (20)

For Sweden > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:46

It's Austin; I'm sure you can park your fixie somewhere.

ttyymmnn > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:48

Paging Clown Shoe Pilot.......

I think you can park downtown and take a shuttle to the race. That would probably be better than trying to park at COTA anyway.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:48

See if there is a bus? Could park a little further away and walk in.

Slow4o > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:53

Granted I went for practice and not the GP itself, but we only paid like 20 or 30 bucks to park on the gravel lot. I can't imagine they upped the prices that much.

EL_ULY > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:53

i parked across the street for $40. It took me 5 min to walk across the steet and into the facility.

EL_ULY > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:56

$40

ttyymmnn > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 17:56

This information is a little dated, but I would expect similar arrangements for this year's race.

http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2…

ttyymmnn > EL_ULY
07/27/2014 at 18:05

E92M3 > Zerofret
07/27/2014 at 18:14

For $260 you could have a limo drop you off. That's absurd!

EL_ULY > ttyymmnn
07/27/2014 at 18:17

LOL oh man my stomach hurts from da lolz!

ttyymmnn > EL_ULY
07/27/2014 at 18:18

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > ttyymmnn
07/27/2014 at 19:47

Posted a story about a camera I was looking at and I think you had a 20D from what I remember of the photography blog. $50 bucks a good price? Anything I should know?

ttyymmnn > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/27/2014 at 19:59

Walking out the door right now to play a show. Will write more tonight or tomorrow morning.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ttyymmnn
07/28/2014 at 08:37

That's what we did in 2012 - lines were pretty long to get on, and the walk from the shuttle drop-off was pretty long as well, but otherwise it was a good option.

Vance Facundo > Zerofret
07/28/2014 at 09:09

I live next to Circuit of the Americas and the only place to park is on " Haywood's Hill" .

This is the view from the hill. Click the link above for details or call Don Haywood to reserve your spot. Parking is 1st come basis.

ttyymmnn > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/28/2014 at 09:35

Actually, I have two, though only one is working right now. Both were acquired used, the first (non-working) I bought from KEH, the second was given to me by my brother when he upgraded. I also have a 40D and a 50D.

Even with the 40 and 50D, I still like the 20D very much. For whatever reason, I think it takes better pictures in low light than the 40D (I haven't had the 50D long enough to really compare). The drawbacks of the 20D are the painfully small LCD screen on the back and limited ISO choices (not many steps, max out at 1600). It does not have any built in sensor cleaning, so dust can be a problem. Also, no video, but I don't have that on the 40D or 50D either. But like all the cameras in this line, I like the ergonomics (though others seem to prefer Nikon, but I have no experience here). $50 is a great price, if the camera is in good shape. The biggest concern is the number of shutter actuations on it. This is like a car's odometer, but it's difficult or impossible to find out how many the camera has had, and even then, there is no set number after which to expect the camera to fail. But even if it craps out after a while, it's still a great price. You can check B&H Photo and KEH for their used products. Adorama also sells used, but I've never bought from them. If you have a little extra money, it might be worth stepping up to a 40D. But, bottom line, I have a 20D and I like it. Here are some shots I took with the camera at the Udvar-Hazy Center in VA. No flash was used on any of them. Lens is a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. The last two of the airliners were taken with a 40D and a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8.

Speaking of lenses, what are you considering?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > ttyymmnn
07/28/2014 at 11:30

Really I am just looking for a solid upgrade from my potatocam. My dad said he has a bunch of Canon lenses from his photo days, so I am going to see what he has before I start getting too many lenses. The ad which I will link at the end of this says the camera is still in great condition. From my research it doesn't look like you can check the actuations on the 20D. Would love to move up to a 40D but there isn't a whole lot on Kijiji right now, I know there are more options online but between shipping and the time it takes to get stuff up here to the Great White North its a big pain. Really if it lasts me a year and I get some picture taking skills I will be happy. Those pictures look really good, but I imagine the glass helps! Thinking I could also get it for 40 now even.

Full ad for the 20D here.

Lense I am thinking of getting too!

ttyymmnn > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/28/2014 at 11:59

The glass makes all the difference. The Tamron 17-50 is a terrific lens. Nice zoom range, and fast. New it's about $400, but you can find them used. Not for $60, though. The lens you linked might be a bit slow, but I don't know what you will be shooting. Outdoors it should be fine. Indoors or in low light you might find it lacking, especially at 80mm.

That 20D looks well worn. Seller is asking $90, which is still a decent price. I would be interested to know, though, just how dirty the sensor is (or isn't). It would be nice if you could test it out before you pay for it. Because if it's dirty, you'll need to get it cleaned, and that can cost between $50-100 (or more) depending on where you take it. You could clean it yourself, but you have to be very careful. That's why having a sensor-cleaning camera is nice. It won't get all the dust off, but it will get most of it. The rest you can take care of in Photoshop. Does the camera come with a battery? Charger? I wouldn't buy it if I couldn't power it up and make sure all the buttons etc. work.

Not sure just how far north you are, but is there a Craig's List in your area? You might get lucky and find a pro who is unloading gear and has taken good care of it.

Good luck!

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > ttyymmnn
07/28/2014 at 12:42

I mean I am not looking for the highest quality stuff, just something that is better then a point and shoot. I am not paying anywhere near 90 for it, it is looking like 40-50 for that camera and likely would offer 50 tops for that lense. So together that is about 100 bucks for a dslr set up. Awaiting a reply on the charger and battery. If it is bad enough dust wise I likely won't even buy it.

Up here we use Kijiji a lot more then Craigslist. That is where I found almost all the camera stuff I was looking at.

Thanks a lot! I owe you a beer for this!

ttyymmnn > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/28/2014 at 14:32

My pleasure. I'll take that beer!