Photography Buffs

Discussion in 'Skinning, Design and Graphics' started by Diesel, Aug 29, 2006.

  1. lobo

    lobo Guest

    He-he! Real butter-fly ... :drool:
     

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  2. mthrlangl

    mthrlangl Regular Member

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    Wow, lobo, that's great :)
     
  3. lobo

    lobo Guest

    That was whole mystical story about that picture. We came to butterfly exhibition. Those butterflies attacked me. The biggest one sit on my photocamera. The guy next to me asked my permissions to do picture of my butterfly. He asked my e-mail and ... yeasturday I found that picture in my mailbox. I am wondered - that guy did that photo for me for free. Also, it is very suspicious - he did that photo month ago, may be he was developing those such a long time :eek: :lol:
     
  4. Goshzilla

    Goshzilla Regular Member

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    I've been looking at upgrading my camera, since I want to get into the DSLR world. My Powershot Pro1 is great for a point and shoot, but at the end of the day, it's still a P&S. I've been looking around and decided on the Canon EOS 40D (Nikon and Canon wars aside, they both make great cameras, so I'm sticking with the brand I know). I know for a bit more, you can get the kit with the lenses, but I found a site that is selling the body only with no frills for $400 opposed to the grand most want for body only plus accessories. For a little more I can get some default lenses, which most likely will be 'good' but I'm wondering if I should just forgo that and buy the lenses seperately. I know it will end up costing a bit more, but then I can be sure to have the best quality items and not end up buying things twice when I find myself outgrowing the standard options. Anyone have some experience in this area and point me in the best direction.
     
  5. spidergoolash

    spidergoolash Regular Member

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    i've also been thinking about getting a better camera for myself. my little 5 megapixel digital isn't cutting it anymore.
     
  6. Luciann

    Luciann Regular Member

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    well, i am to get a late xmas from some friends and it is a new digital camera, my old one is over 5 years old and is rather limited as to what it can do....they have my gift they just have to get home...then i can take better pics and maybe post one here....
     
  7. Diesel

    Diesel Regular Member

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    Gosh> Before deciding to "go with the brand you know", I'd recommend going to a camera store and try out the various bodies in your hand. While there's something to be said for brand familiarity, there really isn't a ton of commonality between the point-and-shoot lines, and the SLR lines. You're basically going to have to re-learn everything anyway. Spec-wise, similar models between different manufacturers will be the same, but with SLRs, ergnomics can play a big factor. Try them out to see how they feel, test out the button layout and access to critical functions, check build-quality and so forth.

    When buying an SLR, don't pay that much attention to the body itself. You'll likely end up upgrading it within a few years, and it's a relatively minor part in the system overall, and the system is what you're really buying into. Check out the lens offerings, flash capabilities, and other accessories. With Nikon and Canon, the systems are strikingly similar and far-reaching; with other brands, you could find yourself limited, but maybe not to the point where it's enough to rule them out.

    Unless you're ready to jump out of the gate and start out buying pro-quality lenses, stick with the kit lens until you get some familiarity with the camera. They're typically only $100 or so brand new, so it's not a heavy investment. It'll likely last you 6 months to a year before you figure out where to go, and by that point, you'll have shot enough that it will have paid for itself.

    And don't rule out third-party lens brands like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. While some photography snobs might thumb their nose at them, they do make some good lenses that take excellent quality shots, and can be had at a fraction of the price of the first-party manufacturers lenses. You can never really go wrong buying a lens from Nikon or Canon, but you'd be surprised at how close in quality some of the third-party lenses can be.
     
  8. Goshzilla

    Goshzilla Regular Member

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    It's not so much the brand I know, but I've been doing a lot of reading, so while I haven't had any hands on experience, I'm mainly after the noise reduction the 40D has been demonstrating compared to the D200. The Powershot Pro1, while not being the best camera, still tried to mimic the SLR feel, so it shouldn't be too much different to handle compared to any other brand. While still being a Point and Shoot, it's far from the small squares of most comsumer models.

    Also there are some specific lenses I'm after like the Canon MP-E 65mm which achieves 1:1-5:1 macro and that's the area I want to specialize in. Mainly I was thinking of getting a decent ~50mm lens instead of the kit one, but I may just get the body only and a cheap second hand lens to still save cost. Questions' moot for a while anyway until I hand in deliverables for a job I'm doing, but that gives me plenty of time to research, which can never be a bad thing. Thanks for the input.

    And I have been looking at Tamron and Sigma. They offer some decent telephoto lenses which won't cost me 11k like the cannon counterpart. I dont' plan on being a photo-snob, so I'm fine with whatever works.

    But now back to reading this article which has provided a decent overview of the EOS system. http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html
     
  9. Diesel

    Diesel Regular Member

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    Me personally... I think the noise reduction issue is overblown by the fanboys. The 40D does have good noise performance at mid-range ISOs, but honestly, so does the D200. At high ISOs, you're going to be using noise reduction software in post-processing anyway, and at low ISOs, noise isn't an issue.
    On my D200, I don't need to use any noise reduction through ISO 600, and really only need minor touch-up at ISO 800 and higher. Of course, that's pretty much to be expected on any body in this range. Unless you start getting up around the 5D or 1DS MkIII or D3, you're looking at noise at high ISOs.

    It looks like you did some homework, so you're on the right path. I like the MP-E 65mm, which is a great lens, and unique in the market, but be aware that at 5:1, a tripod is a must. It's virtually impossible to shoot that lens handheld at anything >1:1. Keep in mind that there are inexpensive ways to yield >1:1 magnification with standard 1:1 macro lenses. Not trying to downplay the MP-E, since it's the only lens of it's kind that can do what it can do.... just mentioning that there are other alternatives.

    50mm - They're a must for anyone with an SLR, in my opinion. They're cheap, super-sharp, and an amazing value. However, note that it's not going to be a very good general-purpose lens because of the crop factor on APS size sensors. I don't think you're going to be able to get away with it as your only lens unless you're shooting portraits almost exclusively.
    With the 1.6x crop factor on the 40D, you're looking at an 80mm FOV, which turns it into a telephoto lens. Unless you're only shooting in that range, you'll need something significantly wider. The cheapest option is going to be an 18-55mm kit lens, but if you want a better option, look at something like a 17-50mm f/2.8. Tamron has one, as does Sigma. I believe Canon also recently came out with an option, but at a significantly higher price-point.

    If you're really aiming for primes, then Sigma makes an excellent 30mm f/1.4, which will give you a much more normal FOV than the 50mm lenses, but it's not nearly as cheap as the 50mm f/1.8.

    Moreso than with Canon or Nikon, you need to be picky when it comes to third-party lenses. Some are good, and some not so good. It varies from model to model, and even more from sample to sample. I honestly wouldn't use anything from Sigma not in their EX series, but I've had very good experiences with their EX line.
     
  10. Goshzilla

    Goshzilla Regular Member

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    Since you started this thread, that's really when I've been experimenting with what I can do. I was able to get some great macro shots of the bugs over the season and create a nice gallery. I've been alternating with tripod and handheld based on need, but I've been reading up on that, and the things I need to do to get decent shots it well within my realm.

    As for noise reductions, the 40D does have some on-camera reduction, but even without it, it's certainly not bad. An independent review site showed some side by side shots of ISO 1600 on the Canon and Nikon, and the Canon was slightly less noisy (but of course that's just one element of the camera). Even ISO 400-800 would really be fine for me, since I'm finding 400 (max in the Powershot Pro1) is good for allowing a fast shutter speed, but the noise in unacceptable in all but something like concert shots. Moving from a CCD to a CMOS will give me a better advantage. I'm sure I could debate Canon vs Nikon forever, but I'm sure a new model would come out before I really found one that was better. And as you said, upgrades are down the road anyway, so no sense getting to entrenched into it.

    And I'm sorry, by a 50mm lens, I did mean a variable lens from 18-50 or something similar so I can get wide to 'normal' ranges. I just typed 50mm fast and didn't re-read it. I certainly wouldn't want a prime lens with that limitation unless I'm going for a 400mm telephoto or something and it's going to be for specialized use only.

    Here's ideally what I hope to have at some point before I really start moving into specific lenses:

    17-50mm for wide to medium shots
    70mm-300mm for the longer shots
    MP-E 65mm 1:1-5:1 Macro for the bugs
    100mm Macro for 1:1 at a moderate distance for the Jumping Spiders, since they don't like things getting too close. Wasps I can get within a few inches of, but the spiders like their space.

    the latter two, I'd like to keep Canon (and MP-E I have to) but then I'd like a higher zoom third party lens that won't break me for some real distance shots.
     
  11. Diesel

    Diesel Regular Member

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    Only real issue I see is that the MP-E is likely going to be an issue for the bugs. Typically, macro lenses only reach full magnification at their closest focusing point. Normally, the longer the focal length of the macro lens, the longer the working distance.

    In the case of the MP-E, which is a little bit more of a speciality lens, the working distance at 1:1 is only 4", while at 5:1 is a meager 1.6". This means that at 1:1, the front element of your lens must be 4" away from the subject for it to be in focus. At 5:1, the front element must be 1.6" away.

    I don't know too many insects that are terribly comfortable with something within 4", much less closer. None of the insects around me are too photogenic when I start getting around 1:1, even with my 105mm macro, which has a minimum working distance of 6.1".

    Another thing you're almost certainly going to need with the MP-E is a macro flash. There isn't a whole lot of light to work with at 1:1, and the effect is only going to be magnified at greater magnifications. Factor that into your budget.

    Just a couple of things to be mindful of.
     
  12. Goshzilla

    Goshzilla Regular Member

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    From the MP-E setups I've looked at, it seems a ringlight or two flashes mounted on the lens are suitable, so the slowness of the lens can be compensated. I'm aware that it will be a neccessary part of the setup, and I'm fine with that. Also a guiderail appears to be a must due to the lack of autofocus. Even now, I find myself locking in the focus, and physically adjusting the distance of the camera rather than waiting for a slow lens to lock in. By that time the bug's usually gone, or at the very least it's less time my fingers are near the business end of a hornet.

    But as for the working range, over the past season, I've found that they usually don't mind you when they have things to do, so I've set down in my mint patch when the flowers bloom, and found probably a good dozen species that all will let me get within an inch or so for a photo. As a side effect, it helped me get more comfortable with insects, and I don't flinch when something with a large stinger flies by now. I don't have a problem getting up close, but for things that do need some space, that is what I planned the 100mm 1:1 macro for (or better the 180mm if I feel like dropping a grand). Not as much magnification, but it certainly allows some more flexibility. I refer back to the jumping spiders which are one of my favorite subjects and have a long season, but are very timid.

    Here's a setup that worked for someone:

    http://www.vividlight.com/29/images/mt24-ex.gif
     
  13. Elmo

    Elmo Regular Member

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    Went out and took some photos today. Then played around a bit with them, to try and learn some new techniques. Here is one of the results.

    afarm3.static.flickr.com_2199_2384551647_cba85a3616.jpg_a4f0a23c50a330cf1bf56cae6c33a893.jpg
     
  14. Diesel

    Diesel Regular Member

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    Got some cool lightning strike photos tonight. First time I was successful, and even then, it was rapid fire and hope for the best. Out of 118 shots, I got 10 keepers, of which 2 were decent, of which 1 I'm actually happy with.

    afarm4.static.flickr.com_3105_2696966717_819061b431.jpg


    On another note, I'm eagerly awaiting the release and subsequent delivery of a new Nikon D700.
     
  15. monsieurjohn

    monsieurjohn Regular Member

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  16. Elmo

    Elmo Regular Member

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    Great photos, saw them on Flickr :)

    The D700 looks awesome. If funds were available I would be getting one as my first DSLR. Will probably go for something cheaper in the autumn.
     
  17. Panache

    Panache Regular Member

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  18. Luciann

    Luciann Regular Member

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    Panache

    i believe that the pink flower is a hibiscus

    great shots by the way
     
  19. Diesel

    Diesel Regular Member

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    Loving the D700. Still getting used to having my lenses be 50% "shorter" though.

    afarm4.static.flickr.com_3169_2730017615_aca13d9b19.jpg

    afarm4.static.flickr.com_3063_2722592537_3ca993a510.jpg

    I'm going to disagree with Luciann on hibiscus. Hibiscus is a large flower with a big center stalk protruding from the center of the blossom. We saw a lot of them on our honeymoon in Tahiti, where it's the national flower. By large, I mean they're about the size of a person's hand.

    Not sure what those are, but they're extremely familiar.
     
  20. Luciann

    Luciann Regular Member

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    Diesel, not all hibiscus is that large i work at nursery that grows them and our varitey are not that large, there are many different variteties...but i could be wrong

    but then again it might be an azeala looking at it a second (third) time...
     
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