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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: photography and cameras
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
I can't find the old thread where I was once a frequent contributor so have started a new one.
I still have my Nikon DS3100 but son seems to have taken it over. He did a Nursery workshop by Tim Coulson, now basically a wedding photographer down here. His workshops were highly sought after and people raved about what they had learnt.
My eldest son is a Fuji fan. He bought the first model just after I bought the Nikon when I did not know about the Fuji.
I have been experimenting all morning with his fairly new second Fuji, an XT1. I am very tempted to buy one. This morning I used the 35 mm lens which is really 52mm. I will swap this afternoon to the 23 mm (35mm). There are other lenses to try and a useful macro lens too.
It is easy to use and the results are brilliant. Reviews are very favourable. Not cheap. His outfit with spare batteries, bag and several lenses was well over AUD$4000. I can't spend that much but will get two lenses not five. I can already feel how much I enjoyed using the Nikon and am looking forward to the. Not exactly depressed, but black dog has been nipping at my heels for too long and this is exciting me.
Any comments?
[ 08. March 2015, 00:29: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
The Fuji is, by all accounts, an excellent camera. If you got the XT1, Metabones make an adaptor which allows the use of Nikon lenses. Then you could borrow from either son, extending your range of lenses at no cost. And find loads of used Nikon lenses in the cheap.
That is the beauty of the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Another Fuji Fan checking in - I had [still have] an HS25 and then got an HS50 which is brilliant. I have deliberately avoided interchangeable lenses as I would then obsess about different lenses for different situations and would drive my bank manager to distraction! I got a great set of filters last year and have had enormous fun trying different effects - and still have lots of filters to go. I am actively considering getting a ring flash for macro work, I can get one fairly cheaply online here.
[edited to cohere]
[ 08. March 2015, 08:28: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Thanks for your opinions. Son has had a Fuji for several years and has now bought his second. I had forgotten the ability to change lenses. I will probably buy the 23 mm and perhaps the macro lens. I gave his camera to play with for a few says and I will give him a shopping list to show his contact. Spare battery, memory card etc all need purchasing.
He will be in London for several weeks soon as well as in Strasbourg and Frankfurt. I may give him an idea of anything else I fancy and how much I am prepared to pay. He is not long back from a similar trip with his wife where they bought things duty free.
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
My pocket camera is also a little Fuji, quite a cheap one, too. it is okay for snaps and has quite a few features that were high-end a decade ago - technology is just amazing!
Tell your son to be careful in Duty Free, some places overprice things way above high street prices and certainly above online prices, I think the motto is Caveat Emptor. But there are also some great bargains to be had.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
thanks for the warning. He is an experienced traveller,well used to tricks used.
He is a canny shopper and explores lots of options.
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Bene Gesserit
Shipmate
# 14718
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Posted
Another Fuji owner here. My partner and I each have an S5700, bought in 2007. They've done us proud!
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Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Posts: 405 | From: Flatlands of the East | Registered: Apr 2009
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
I have been reading reviews online and overwhelmingly, these are positive. Not always 100%, but one reviewer may find things differently to another. Generally, the overall tone is great.
I have been trying out the lenses son left with me. I think this afternoon may be the time to switch to manual from automatic. I was quite used to fully manual on Nikon DS3100, but have had so little access to that lately that I may have forgotten tricks of the trade.
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
I have a Nikon D3200 which I will need to experiment with before the 20th for the eclipse. I've got a solar filter for the run up to totality, and not much time then to fiddle. Before then, I've got the Aurora. I've downloaded some instructions for that, and there's a video setting on the camera which might be good, as well. I've also got a cheap extension to fit on the 52 mm screw to give a wider field for that, as well. (True wide-angle was beyond my budget.)
I was hoping for a number of eclipse and aurora geeks on this trip who know what they are doing. I'm not sure, from the people I've seen so far, that there will be. They don't look as if they would slot into an astronomy society seamlessly. Might be wrong though.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Sandemaniac
Shipmate
# 12829
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Posted
Most people have probably worked out that I'm a professional silly bugger, and thus is the case with my photography. My "serious" tools are a Canon G10 and a Nikon D200 (note the age of each...), but I also collect elderly and vintage cameras, the older and odder the better, and what is more I try to use them. I currently have close to eighty cameras, thirty-odd being box cameras (or thirty odd box cameras, I don't mind how you parse that!), and have probably managed to use sixty or so at least once. The oldest I have is circa 1909, the oldest that I can regularly use dates to 1911.
Here's some pictures of them. Some I've passed on, sold, etc, but mostly if it's in that set I still have it. Yes, I'm a squirrel!
AG
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"It becomes soon pleasantly apparent that change-ringing is by no means merely an excuse for beer" Charles Dickens gets it wrong, 1869
Posts: 3574 | From: The wardrobe of my soul | Registered: Jul 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Lovely collection that is. I have a difficult enough time restraining myself buying new kit that I cannot allow for the collecting of old. But your link does remind me of a local camera shop I frequent. I have a nerdgasm every time I walk into it.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Son did some wheeling and dealing today and now has my new camera at his place charging battery, updating firmware etc. No idea of cost but probably more than I contemplated. Fuji xt1, 35 (52) lens and a macro. I tried out his lenses and agonised over the 35 mm. I really liked the 23 mm (35) as well, but decided on 35 mm.
He leaves for London on Tuesday but I think he has everything now at a good price.
Am looking forward to tomorrow. He will bring it over.
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Very exciting! I am photo geek enough to be very excited for someone else getting new kit. ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif)
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Thanks. I am excited too. Quite different to Nikon so it will be another time of learning. I probably would have bought the Fuji when it was first brought out, but it was after I bought the Nikon. Last year was a fairly rotten year all round and I am looking forward to getting out a bit with the new camera even if it is only on the roof garden here. That will be a struggle in itself. Several flights of steps as lift does not go all the way to top.
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
My son and his wife arrived yesterday needing breakfast but carrying all sorts of goodies for me. He had paired purchasing camera for me with a big zoom lens purchase for himself and had seen one of the top directors of a large store here where he has bought two Fuj cameras already. One for himself and one for wife. He got a very good deal indeed. I bought the 35 mm lens and the macro, the body . Also bought a super fast memory card.
There were quite a few goodies in the box which were added despite good prices on the big items. A couple of extra batteries and a lot more.
I am now planning a quiet Monday, sitting down exploring the lot. It was like a lucky dip.
[ 15. March 2015, 21:58: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
I had not wanted to post again without someone posting before me. However a week has passed. I have been playing with camera and exploring settings. After a couple of days with everything on auto, I became bored. With a digital, it is easy enough to erase anything truly horrible without paying for developing. So I took a deep breath and launched out. There have been some very good shots, at first more good luck than good management. Some very poor, and quite a few more than passable. Have just spent a grey morning adjusting ISO and shutter speeds and comparing results.
I love the viewfinder on the Fuji and am enjoying this lens. Very clear shots, unless I do something stupid.
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
I was going to ask. Very glad the camera is working out for you.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
There was an ubergeek on the trip, who gave us extensive advice on the photographing of aurora and eclipses. I have some very good aurora pics, though some do not look quite so good when magnified, and some lousy eclipse ones. I found switching between reacting spectacles, eclipse viewers, and trying to adjust the camera completely beyond me, as I couldn't focus on the screen of the camera either to focus the image or to read the settings. One of the diners at the table I had been plonked on had a simpler camera, no tripod and no remote, and had some brilliant pictures. Grr.
For the benefit of anyone thinking about a Nikon - the zoom lenses do not have an infinity indication, and actually seem to focus on the sky a smidgen in from the extreme focus position. This isn't a problem in normal situations, but by comparison with what I have done in 1999 with film and old-fashioned telephoto lenses, where the end of the turn was infinity, it was disappointing.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Glad you liked the Fuji, Loth, I find my HS50 great to use.
We have been away this last week and one afternoon was spent in a garden/park and found the manual focus invaluable for some of the distance shots of one flower among many - the HS50 has a feature which lights up the edges [as seen through the viewfinder] when in sharp focus - I have no idea how this is achieved but I like it. Haven't downloaded any yet as I was too knackered yesterday but am hoping for some decent results when I do it later today.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Do any other spectacle wearers struggle with manual focus through a viewfinder? I can use it for things that are reasonably close up if I have a fair amount of time but I have had to discard several photographs that were otherwise really good because the focus that looked fine through the viewfinder turns out to be off once on a larger screen.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by To The Pain:
Do any other spectacle wearers struggle with manual focus through a viewfinder? I can use it for things that are reasonably close up if I have a fair amount of time but I have had to discard several photographs that were otherwise really good because the focus that looked fine through the viewfinder turns out to be off once on a larger screen.
There could be several explanations, some of which might be fixable.
First question: What camera do you have? (Model and brand)
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
My camera is a a Canon 1100D and I've generally been using it with the kit lens or more recently with the 50mm Canon lens.
I do take a lot of pictures of people dancing, which generally means they are moving fairly fast but indoors at night and often in fairly low light - is it just that my eyes (+specs) have a greater depth of field than a lens on a wide aperture?
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
I think you've almost solved the case.
to:dr version is motion blur.
It is very likely that, at the exact instant your finger presses the shutter release, your subject is in focus. The problem is, in those conditions, the shutter speed will be too slow to freeze the movement and you will have motion blur.
An external flash can help. As can a lens with a greater aperture, but they tend to be expensive. Edited to add few lenses will be faster than the f1.8 50mm. So the flash or a new camera.
[ 31. March 2015, 16:33: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Regarding DOF:
When you are looking through an optical viewfinder on an SLR such as your camera, you are seeing the shallowest depth of field your lens is capable of. The lens will be at its maximum aperture to let in more light. If your aperture is set to a smaller size, the camera closes it down just before opening the shutter. So, if it looks like you have sufficient DOF, you likely do.
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One problem with photography lies in understanding the difference between how our brains record an image and how a camera does.
They both record the world inaccurately, but in different ways. Matching what we think we saw with the camera's limitations is the trick.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Weather has been unpleasant for much of the last few days. Tonight was much better and I was out on the balcony, experimenting with settings for night photos without flash. On the whole, I am happy with what I got. A couple of rubbishy ones which I trashed, some others I cropped.
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Thanks lilBudda,
I shall look into flash - I much prefer photographs without, but I'm sure with a little practice I'll be able to get things looking natural.
I have had some luck with people doing repetitive figures - focus on them the first time and wait for them to come through again - and I've set a specific focus point so I can control the autofocus a bit better. And christmas added a tripod and remote to my camera toys, so perhaps a complete absence of camera shoogle will help with the slow shutter speeds.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Motion blur is the subject's movement relative to yours. So a tripod might be helpful.
An antidote to motion blur is to pan the camera with the subject. The tripod should help eliminate vertical motion and reduce the blur. This will only help so much. So set the ISO as high as you can befor too much image degradation occurs and shoot with manual exposure or aperture priority (A) set to the widest aperture.
And regarding the flash, you might want to experiment with flash exposure compensation. Lowering the output of the flash to the point of adding light, but reducing the objectionable look.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
I have found a flash diffuser to be a great asset - and a cheap one, too.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Hiro's Leap
Shipmate
# 12470
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Posted
To The Pain, I did a load of dance photography last year and it's tough! Often drab low lighting, boring interiors and fast movement. Here's what I learnt (much of which lilBuddha covered)...
First, to help identify why your figures are out of focus it might help to look at the backgrounds, especially the floor. There are three options.
#1. If the background is blurred everywhere (near and far) then you've probably got camera shake - you're not holding it steady enough for the shutter speed. Solutions include using a tripod; developing your technique for hand-holding; image stabilisation in the lens; using a wider angle lens + moving closer; using a faster shutter speed (via higher ISO or aperture).
If the background is in focus at one point, you've not got camera shake so a tripod won't help. Now the question is: are the figures about the same distance from you as the in-focus background?
#2. If so, then you've focused OK. Any blurring is probably due to movement blur - the subjects are moving. The solutions include panning the camera; flash; using a faster shutter speed (higher ISO or aperture). A tripod or image stabilisation won't help here.
#3. If the figures aren't the same distance as the in-focus bit of background, you've missed focus. Solutions include using manual focus and focusing on one spot; using a smaller aperture or wider angle lens to increase depth of field; using higher spec gear. (Not an option usually, I know...)
Indoors dance is hard, and very demanding of camera gear and photographers. My suggestion is to use a wide lens (not the 50mm - the kit lens at its wide angle would be better), get as close as possible and have fun with the blurring - it can give your photos a lot of energy. Depending on the context, moving amongst the dancers can be brilliant. Burst mode is useful, letting you take a lot of photos and delete 95%.
Flash can be great too, especially combined with motion blur (slow sync flash). Set the camera to "second curtain flash" for best effect. But get as close as you possibly can!
Posts: 3418 | From: UK, OK | Registered: Mar 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Good suggestion WW.
Hiro's Leap, a minor quibble.
The kit lens will be much slower than the 50mm and might negate the extra depth of field.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
I woke this morning with a type of migraine and haven't felt very bright all day. I changed lens on Fuji from 35 mm to 60 mm macro.
Turned camera on, tried similar settings to last night. Nothing. Changed ISO and shutter speed. Nothing. Refitted lens to make sure it was on properly. Read instruction book.
Then noticed lens cap was still on. Removed that and all was well.
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Been there and done that, Lothlorien. The great thing with any sort of through the lens camera is that you can't miss it for very long - in theory at least
I was in a rush yesterday so here is a link to the sort of thing I'm talking about. Cost about GBP2, not sure about other currencies but it don't cost much and is a doddle to use.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Wet Kipper
Circus Runaway
# 1654
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Posted
am tempting myself with the idea of a 90mm or 100mm 2.8 lens as a treat with my work bonus.
the dilemma is
- the 90mm 2.8 tamron (pentax fit) is £300
- the 100mm (water resisitant) Pentax 2.8 is ~£410
is it worth the extra £100 for the extra 10mm and "pentax"ness ?
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- insert randomly chosen, potentially Deep and Meaningful™ song lyrics here -
Posts: 9841 | From: further up the Hill | Registered: Nov 2001
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Sandemaniac
Shipmate
# 12829
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Posted
Is it a 90mm Tamron lens, or the 90mm SP Macro? If the latter, it's a bit of a legend.
AG
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"It becomes soon pleasantly apparent that change-ringing is by no means merely an excuse for beer" Charles Dickens gets it wrong, 1869
Posts: 3574 | From: The wardrobe of my soul | Registered: Jul 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
What exactly is Pentaxness?
The Tamron 90mm macro, at least the older versions, have been a lens prefered over other lenses for macro work. I've a Tamron 120mm macro and it is fantastic.
BTW, not sure about Pentax, but "Macro" is misused to the point of meaningless. The Tamron is true macro.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Wet Kipper
Circus Runaway
# 1654
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Posted
pentaxness - as in it is a lens manufactured by Pentax, to fit a pentax camera
Pentax 100mm lens
Tamron lens
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- insert randomly chosen, potentially Deep and Meaningful™ song lyrics here -
Posts: 9841 | From: further up the Hill | Registered: Nov 2001
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Never been one for brand loyalty. I prefer to buy the best I can for the money spent.
I would buy the Tamron.
But it depends on what you want to do. The Tamron is true macro, 1:1 reproduction. The Pentax is 1:2.3.* If you wish to do close-up photography, the Tamron is a clear winner.
The Pentax has a minor advantage for portrait photography.
*For those who do not know how macro works, think of it as 1/1=1 and 1/2.3=.4. The Tamron will make very close images seem larger.
[ 02. April 2015, 16:33: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Wet Kipper
Circus Runaway
# 1654
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Posted
where did you get the 1:2.3 from ?
the item description says true macro (1:1) and so does at least one of the reviews
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- insert randomly chosen, potentially Deep and Meaningful™ song lyrics here -
Posts: 9841 | From: further up the Hill | Registered: Nov 2001
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Hiro's Leap
Shipmate
# 12470
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Hiro's Leap, a minor quibble.
The kit lens will be much slower than the 50mm and might negate the extra depth of field.
Fair point lilBuddha! But the kit lens isn't too bad at the far wide end (f3.5) - it just falls off rapidly as you zoom.
Personally, I find it tough to photograph rapidly moving subjects with a 50mm f1.8. Depth of field becomes critical. A wide angle at f3.5 is far more forgiving, and very atmospheric if you can get right in the middle of the action. I guess it depends on the situation though.
As for the Tamron 90mm macro - what an awesome lens! I used to have one on my K5, and it was by FAR the sharpest, most beautiful lens I've ever owned. The images used to make me grin, every time, and it was great with in-body image stabilisation too.
Oddly, though, apart from macro I didn't use it all that much. The focal length was perfect for head portraits, but too long for most other subjects. My 28-75mm f2.8 Tamron got used far more instead - it wasn't as good but much more flexible.
Posts: 3418 | From: UK, OK | Registered: Mar 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Wet Kipper:
where did you get the 1:2.3 from ?
the item description says true macro (1:1) and so does at least one of the reviews
My bad, WK, you are correct.
My macro lens is the Tamron 120mm. I purchased it instead of the Tamron 90mm to gain a bit of working distance for the same 1:1 reproduction. The 120 is a brilliant piece of kit, but I still wonder if the 90 might not have been better. But then I'd wonder also if I'd made the reverse decision.
I've read a few reviews since, and the Pentax rates very well.
So, I'm not so certain which I would buy anymore.
And I'm pretty sure this is not helpful to your decision.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Wet Kipper
Circus Runaway
# 1654
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Posted
no problem, just wasn't sure if I was missing a technical trick somewhere.
can't imaging i need weather resistance, or the extra 10mm reach to justify the increased cost of the Pentax lens, especially when there seeems to be so much good feedback about the Tamron one
watch this space.... ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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- insert randomly chosen, potentially Deep and Meaningful™ song lyrics here -
Posts: 9841 | From: further up the Hill | Registered: Nov 2001
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
A friend suggested I buy a wide angle lens for Nikon DSLR 3100. Instead I bought a Tamron zoom, 18-270 mm, f3.5-6.3.
I used it a lot and was very happy with the lens and the pictures I took. I don't know if my son, to whom I gave the camera and lenses has actually used the zoom.
What I did find was that it was prone to lens creep because of its weight. Anything other than camera held so lens was perfectly horizontal resulted in lens sliding gently in or out. I used to focus, then put a finger on lens as I took photos to hold it steady. Great results, but the creep was annoying.
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Now I want to try out that 'second curtain flash' - looks like a flash effect I could have fun with.
I took my camera, tripod and remote away for the weekend over the Easter weekend and it's weird adjusting back to using a zoom, but we had great fun taking long-exposure moonlight shots around 10pm. There are a couple up on my blog (please ignore waffly nonsense!) and I introduced my girlfriend to the notion of using a torch during a long exposure shot - she nearly managed to write her whole name backwards in the air over 12 seconds!
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
So, a comment on the prime v. zoom. I use zooms much more often due to practicality. I primarily shoot landscapes and as they don't move and sharpness is key, one might think a prime would be optimal. But I've found the zooms essential. They give me a freedom to adapt and a creative variation not possible without carrying half a dozen lenses. And sometimes moving to another spot is simply not possible.
I have found this in shooting events as well. The shot can happen now and no chance to move. A simple twist of the wrist and I don't have to.
Given infinite time, infinite space to move and a lens Sherpa, I'd have all primes. But for practicality, I use zooms.
This is for me, and my shooting and in no way is meant to criticise anyone else's methods or experience.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Wet Kipper
Circus Runaway
# 1654
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Posted
I love the "moon over the bay" shot, TTP !
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- insert randomly chosen, potentially Deep and Meaningful™ song lyrics here -
Posts: 9841 | From: further up the Hill | Registered: Nov 2001
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
Being almost 10 years since my 35mm SLR died on me, surviving in the meantime on a compact digital, I'm back into having a half-decent camera. Last weekend I was out viewing the blossoms (hanami as they say around here - making the whole act of seeing trees in bloom into an excuse for a party), and got really frustrated that the compact wouldn't let me focus on things close up (like branches loaded with blossom) and if I could get something to focus close up didn't have the depth of field I wanted.
So, I did some research, couldn't find a local specialist camera shop, but did find a Currys-PC World type place with cameras a couple of miles away. Went for a walk on Saturday, and came back with an Olympus OM-D E-M10, with a 14-42mm and a 40-150mm lens. At 25% less than the cheapest online deal I'd seen in the UK as well ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Another hanami on Sunday, and a walk up to the top of the local hill, and I'm very pleased with it.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Very nice Alan - I've just looked it up and it looks a great camera. Enjoy!
[WW wanders off muttering I don't need a DSLR, I don't need a DSLR...]
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Hiro's Leap
Shipmate
# 12470
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Posted
That's a fantastic little camera. I love micro four thirds - small and light enough to throw in a bag without thinking twice, but still feels like an slr.
Posts: 3418 | From: UK, OK | Registered: Mar 2007
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
My new Fuji is also mirrorless. I am enjoying exploring capabilities.
I have been pleased with the ones taken at night without flash use. ISO can go to a much higher number than many other cameras without producing a grainy photo.
[ 14. April 2015, 05:20: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
I love my Fuifilm HS50 but the thing that really appeals to me about the Olympus that Alan bought is the weight! Mine weighs in at 800+ grammes whereas thew Olympus weighs in at under half that - by the end of a day's walk that is significant.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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