Jump to content
IGNORED

Photography Equipment & Software Thread

rundll

By rundll
in Creative

 Share

Recommended Posts

gerald.d

gerald.d

Posted
Posted

And just one day after I post that, I get an email from Robert White saying my order is shipping :)

Also....

X100's have just landed in Dubai. I've got one put aside for me (annoyingly, I'm stuck in Saudi until the 20th).

Anyone else picked one up yet? Any thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
iwan_canobi

iwan_canobi

Posted
Posted

Well, got the Sony A33 today, just had a quick play so far but initial impressions are good! The electronic viewfinder will take a while to get used to I think, but its nice having the information overlay through it. It also has a neat virtual horizon that can be shown, which turns green when lined up, so thats pretty handy.

The screen is also really nice, and the articulation will come in handy at some point I'm sure! Noise is low up to about ISO1600, and the IS works well. It actually has a nice feel in the hand, despite being a lot smaller than what I'm used to, but that was the main reason for my switch!

Will hopefully get out soon and get shooting, I think I'll also go for the Sony 35mm f/1.8 as well, looked at the Minolta 28mm f/2.8, and the 50mm f/1.7, but I think for the extra £50-60 I'd rather get the best of both. Skint just now though so that will need to wait...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
iwan_canobi

iwan_canobi

Posted
Posted

I've not tried it yet, didnt even notice it till I looked at the manual! :)

It's a little strange, as the viewfinder displays the image at the brightness of the final image based on te shutter speed...if that makes any sense. So essentially the image you see through the viewfinder (and on live view) is identical to what you will get when the picture is taken.

Initially I thought something was wrong, as I couldn't see anything through the viewfinder or screen, but the camera was focusing, until I adjusted the shutter speed the image got gradually brighter as I decreased the speed! Works with aperture and ISO as well, it's a pretty neat feature!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zomby

Zomby

Posted
Posted

Shortly I will be going somewhere high up above the city at night and I want to take some across the city snaps. I'll have my tripod with me and the option of using my 50 or my standard 17-55 kit lens (D20); was going to use the kit lens @ ISO 100 with Aperture set to around 7 and just stick it on the tripod.. I'm still new to night photography but do you think I will get reasonable photos using those settings or am I thinking about it the wrong way?

Thanks in advance ^_^

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zomby

Zomby

Posted
Posted

Ok lovely thanks, don't have a remote shutter cable but will use a timer instead. Won't have masses of time to play around so will take initial shots in AP mode then go full manual after I've got a handful of photos :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Liamness

Liamness

Posted
Posted

The mirror flipping up can contribute to shake also. If you're shooting over 2 seconds it won't be a such a big deal, but might be worth seeing if you camera can do mirror lock-up. First press of the shutter flips the mirror up, the second takes the shot. Maybe if it's on a timer, it'd flip up when the countdown starts? I don't really know.

Thinking of trading my EOS stuff for 4/3rds. I have a 400d and a Tamron 17-50. How much do you reckon I should be looking for? I know third-party lenses don't hold their value so well, but it is very well regarded (with good reason) so I was hoping it would buck the trend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gerald.d

gerald.d

Posted
Posted

Ok, now you've confused me <_<

Oh no!

It's incredibly simple really when you get your head around it.

The EV number is a standard measurement of exposure. That first chart simply relates each EV number to the typical scene that you might encounter.

Distant city lights at night is EV1.

You want to pick an ISO rating taking into account you're shooting at night. Something relatively fast, but not so fast that you'll get lots of noise, so I was working on the assumption that ISO 400 would be a good choice.

Find the ISO 400 column in the left hand side of the second chart, then look down the column until you get to the value 1 (for your EV1).

Now scan across the right hand side of the chart - you'll see a different shutter speed in each column, and the column heading says what aperture you will need - for that shutter speed, with ISO 400 - to get the correct exposure.

Once you get your head around it, it's simple. Well worth reading the entire article even if you don't ever want to do it this way, simply because it's great background reading to understand pretty much everything you'll ever need to know about how exposure works.

2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zomby

Zomby

Posted
Posted

That makes a bit of sense now thanks, basically I'm going to be up very high in the middle of a city looking down on the city lights. I'll have a play around with the settings and familiarise myself with full manual (only really used Aperture mode so far) before I go, will post the resulting photos if I manage to pull it off ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
iwan_canobi

iwan_canobi

Posted
Posted

I'll have a play around with the settings and familiarise myself with full auto (only really used Aperture mode so far) before I go, will post the resulting photos if I manage to pull it off ;)

I hope by 'full auto' you mean full manual! ;)

Full auto will probably set it to ISO3200 and pop the flash up! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Alexlotl

Alexlotl

Posted
Posted

Looks like good news for 'entry-level' Nikon owners who want an inexpensive* fast 50mm with AF: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1104/11041310nikon501p8g.asp

*Am assuming that it'll be in the same region as the 35mm f1.8.

Hmm, must have been a leak/cock-up - Nikon have pulled the website.

Might not be cheap - the DX 35mm f/1.8 is cheap and cheerful, but the FX 35mm f/1.4 is almost ten times the price - £1300 to you, sir. I guess it's a like-for-like-but-with-AFS replacement for the current cheapo Nifty Fifty - maybe this is a sign that I should sell mine quickly before the price plummets ;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rev

Rev

Posted
Posted

The Canon non-L 70-300mm gets good reviews. I think it is a bit swings and roundabouts between the two really, but it boils down to the Tamron being better at 70-150mm but being worse at 300mm and not focusing perfectly all the time. As it is highly likely those two bits are what you'll use most...

I'd get the Canon one personally.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jonny5

Jonny5

Posted
Posted

In a rush of blood to the head I bought a set of "close up lenses" for my nikon from eBay for £8.50.

I'm not expecting miracles but I'm looking forward to having a play about with them.

These arrived and I've had a bit of a play with them now. Rubbish! :lol:

The only difference I've been able to detect is that they stop the autofocus working. At least they were cheap I suppose. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Liamness

Liamness

Posted
Posted

I don't think I'm doing anything unscrupulous, I just have a lens I'm not using that I think would serve his needs. If you think otherwise, probably better for everyone's sake that you explain why, rather than just negging me but keeping your reasons to yourself.

2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mercury

Mercury

Posted
Posted

I don't think I'm doing anything unscrupulous, I just have a lens I'm not using that I think would serve his needs. If you think otherwise, probably better for everyone's sake that you explain why, rather than just negging me but keeping your reasons to yourself.

I agree and have cancelled out the neg.

1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rev

Rev

Posted
Posted

These arrived and I've had a bit of a play with them now. Rubbish! :lol:

The only difference I've been able to detect is that they stop the autofocus working. At least they were cheap I suppose. :)

Try one of these. The hardest thing in the known universe to focus, but utterly amazing nonetheless:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raynox-RADCR-0250-DCR-250-Macro-Attachment/dp/B000A1SZ2Y

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=raynox+250&f=hp

I want to get a decent, affordable portrait lens for my 60D. Can anyone make a suggestion?

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM seems to be well regarded. All thoughts on this welcomed.

85mm on a crop is a bit of an odd focal length - it's very tight but not really taking you close enough to gain much. To do a whole body shot you'd be stood miles away and you'd have to rely on either natural or off-camera lighting as well as anything on camera would be particularly harsh from that distance. I'd not saying anything against the lens itself though, so I wouldn't have any concerns about buying it on that front.

Personally, I'd go with the 50mm f1.8. Or f1.4 if you have money to burn, but even then I'd go with the f1.8. Fun lens. I've written a big thing about it, I'll link to it sometime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Liamness

Liamness

Posted
Posted

If this isn't too cheeky thought I'd mention I'm selling the aforementioned lens in the trading folder now, along with a 400d and Tamron 17-50, and B+W 67mm Circ. Polarizer.

Linky

Using it to fund purchase of probably a GF1 and the Panny 20mm f/1.7 lens. I basically want a compact but not a compact. ;)

Rev, why would you buy a close up lens like that, as opposed to say an extension tube? I have no practical experience of either.

2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Use of this website is subject to our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Guidelines.

  I accept