Post your Train shots!
- Thread starter Rick M
- Start date
I found NS 4161 southbound (RR west) on the Seattle Sub just south of Tacoma, WA. I was trying out my new Nikon DX 35mm f/1.8G. I've got some work to do, but I don't feel it is the best lens for moving trains.
Taken 11/4/2018 11:18AM
Nikon D90
F stop f/4.5
Exposure 1/1000
ISO 200
Focal Length 35mm
Center Weighted
Taken 11/4/2018 11:18AM
Nikon D90
F stop f/4.5
Exposure 1/1000
ISO 200
Focal Length 35mm
Center Weighted
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Your image looks fine to me John, no problems. I've thought about getting a 35mm Prime just like yours for my D5100. I am not sure I'd use it enough to justify the cost, but having a f/1.8 lens in my kit would be nice in the evenings when loss of light is a concern. I'd have guessed it'd be a fine choice for trains, though to capture a certain composition, it might nudge a photographer to stand in a unsafe spot.
Thank you for the kind words. I need more practice and I need to fine tune my settings, also, many of my shots were over exposed and or soft. Not use to all that light entering my camera. 
My go to train lens is a Nikon 18-105mm and it does a fantastic job at this location.
My go to train lens is a Nikon 18-105mm and it does a fantastic job at this location.I agree with Sandpatch your image looks good to me too John. I learned photography using a 50mm lens on my Nikkormat. Although it seems I'm still learning many years on. I still use a nifty fifty today although that's a 35mm with an APSC camera. Keep shooting with your 35mm you'll grow to enjoy it more & more.
Me too. The 50mm was my sole lens for many years and it did well. Even today when I shoot with my 18-55mm DX kit lens, I try to not go below 35mm when shooting locomotives and other subjects close up because I don't want distortion. A 50mm view spoils ya with it's pure perfection.
CSX has recently changed up its local schedules and I now have a daylight train to watch in both directions!
I was so excited that I went out in the overcast to catch the train. I didn't care how the picture looked -- I was stoked to be trackside with any kind of light. It's just a short local, but it sure is a welcome sight.
I was so excited that I went out in the overcast to catch the train. I didn't care how the picture looked -- I was stoked to be trackside with any kind of light. It's just a short local, but it sure is a welcome sight.
That must be a really sweet lens and I agree, just a perfect range for trains.
I have the Fuji 35mm F1.4 & it is just magic. These days I'm more likely to shoot trains with my 18-135. It is harder to get close to trains these days without getting a trespassing charge. It's not like the old days when I wandered all over train yards & engine facilities & no one said a word. Well maybe they'd say hi & remind me to be careful. Oh how times have changed.
I had the 18-105 when I shot with my Nikon's, before Fuji grabbed me. It is a very nice lens. You can find them for not much money on the used market. People dismiss them, because it was a kit lens. They are wrong it is a fine lens that is value priced.
Nice shot of that CSX Geep running long hood forward Sandpatch. Perfect with it passing the signals. Cloudy day or not, well done. :encouragement:
I had the 18-105 when I shot with my Nikon's, before Fuji grabbed me. It is a very nice lens. You can find them for not much money on the used market. People dismiss them, because it was a kit lens. They are wrong it is a fine lens that is value priced.
Nice shot of that CSX Geep running long hood forward Sandpatch. Perfect with it passing the signals. Cloudy day or not, well done. :encouragement:
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AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
A couple of years back me and one of my railroad enthusiast friends were out one night playing with multiple flash set ups, and this came through on the BNSF Aurora IL. Sub. We do see a few CSX out here but not true CSX line. Neither one of use new it was coming through let alone on the point, until we "chimped" our shots. Unfortunately for me number one flash did not fire, and have tried to save the shot in the digital darkroom. Maybe one of you CSX fans can get luck a grab a shot of it one day.
That's a fantastic night shot of CSX No.1! I stumbled onto a lucky shot of the same unit in September, but it was in dreary overcast.
When I was a teen, I was messing around with a flash one night as the local switch crew worked. I also had a cassette tape recorder running to record audio. My puny flash was hopelessly outmatched and on the tape you can hear the distant voice of a switchman say, "Hey, what's that with the light there?"
When I was a teen, I was messing around with a flash one night as the local switch crew worked. I also had a cassette tape recorder running to record audio. My puny flash was hopelessly outmatched and on the tape you can hear the distant voice of a switchman say, "Hey, what's that with the light there?"
Why is that? A dangerous area and/or overly zealous law enforcement?
One of the model trains recently given to me by my friend is this little N Scale jewel that's nearly 50 years old, an Arnold Rapido 0-6-0. When I was a kid, I had one just like it and as kids do, I hopelessly ruined it trying to paint it. It's not a valuable locomotive, but it won a place in my heart long ago and I am thrilled to once again have a perfect replacement. The manufacturer also made matching passenger cars and the set makes a sweet sight around the tree at Christmastime. This locomotive is 5" Long.
This locomotive is 5" Long.
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