Why Not a Blog 2

[stmv]

(Looks like you have to keep adding posts, versus adding comments)

Equipment is improving each generation, so, when I started in digital about 10 years ago, I found myself applying sharpening on just about every photo using the unmask filter (such a strange name), and learned methods to avoid the effects, and of course, there is the chasing the tail effect, sharpen, add noise, remove noise, loose sharpness, try to put back in some additional sharpness. etc.

What has been happening is that the sensors are picking up more and more details, so that with each generation of cameras, the need for sharpening is being reduced.

As the cameras reach the 16-40 Meg regions, for so many shots, the sharpness is already fine for web viewing, Only the lightest of sharpening should be required (and that is just to counter the Alias filter on top of the sensor). If the sharpening is down in the Raw editor, that should be all that is required.

It all comes down to establishing your focal plane when taking the shot. When I have time, I like using the center point focus and moving it around with the control to the exact spot in the viewer that I want to plane to orginate, and than determine the DOF for foreground and background range. If in a hurry, I switch back to full array, but look at where the camera is placing the boxes, and sometimes by just shifting the camera a hair, the boxes will jump to the spot I want the focal plane to be, which is faster than the single point focus.

we do get used to autofocus, I was out yesterday with a couple of manual primes (20, 28) and forgot to focus the first 2 shots!

 

[stmv]

I think I'll go weekly, add comments to an existing blog entry, and then a week later, open another.

Last night, I went to a local land trust that holds photo classes. I am the resident instructor during the sessions, so we had to plan out the year. Lots of fun, thinking of the seasons ahead and what type of photo opps to provide for the people attending.

I do think that attending group sessions and receiving some pointers is a useful process, and also shooters get real time feedback as they work their shots.

I am always surprised how many people buy these complicated machines and then don't take a few basic classes.

 

[stmv]

I have been switching around for the all around lens for the D800 for when I don't want to be burdened with mulitiple bags. I have run from 24-85, 35-70, 24-120, and lately the 28-105.

The winner is the 28-105. I have the older D version, built well, and holds up well in the sharpness department. The macro actually functions pretty well. At first, I was not convinced, sometimes the D800 has more trouble focusing that lens more so then some of my other zooms, but seems to have gotten better.

So,, that is now the lens that seems to be holding up, otherwise its the 20-35, 35-70 combo for a bit higher up in the food chain.

 

[stmv]

From an informal observation, it seems like the D5100 was a huge seller for Nikon or at least for people suscribing to this post. Perhaps it is the sweet spot of Nikon's lineup of reasonable price, quality of sensors, and enough features.

I wonder how the 3200 is doing now, and when will Nikon come out with a 5200?

 

[stmv]

I was thinking about how a photo can still have such an impact. Take the gymnast who made the disappointed face with the silver.

Now in video, it was a very quick passing moment, and perhap would not have been noticed, but the burst shot still captured the scene.

as a result, the image went viral, and all types of discussion has occurred due to it. Shows how an image frozen in time can still have wide viewing.

 

[stmv]

Friday, and perhaps a good time to consider potential photo opportunities, I take pictures all week, but the pace is different, or the location on a weekend.

I usually make my photography fit into the activity that I am doing instead of the other way around. Although a certion portion of the activities are well, dedicated photography.

 

[stmv]

well, I tried for a few months the reversal of the light meter of the D800,, and nope, I just cannot get used to it, So,, Menu -> custom Setting Bank -> F12 and you can in less then a second
reverse to the classic mode,,

ahhhh,,, so much more natural for me,, you turn the wheel to make the bars go in the direction that you want, not sure what the heck Nikon was thinking of reversing the direction, Now it
matches my other Nikons and after one time out, got to say,, happy to return it. So, my advice, reverse it right away, and not wait.

 

[stmv]

I was traveling around yesterday, and was looking thru my lens for some zooms, typically I use a 75-150 or the venerable 80-200 F4, but my eye came across the ancient 75-300 F4.5, which is built like a tank, but still not that large.

Actually not a bad lens, you have to remember to close it down to F11 or so out at the FAR range, but for a budget tele, fun lens to have. Decent specs, and the price is around 200 dollars used, but with careful shopping you might find one for around 150.

 

[stmv]

when you think of you equipment, they are tools and and investment. Having the right tool for the job can be key to the success of the adventure. On the otherhand, lots of the lens tend to overlap quite a bit, especially in the mid zoom range.

but, I find that a slow and steady building is the best, consider for example an Amazon credit card, If the purchase is over 500 dollars, no interest for 12 months, then that is you budget of say 50-70 dollars a month. or save for 10 months 25 dollars, and then buy the lens. continuing the 25 dollar payments. Whatever your budget, a slow purchasing over an extended time, and eventually the dream kit will be yours.

On the other hand, you can choose the mimimalist approach, of say 4 primes and be done. so,,, I would say..


20 mm for wide angle

50 mm for mid (or 60 mm macro)

105 (with macro)

200 (with 2X converter) for the zoom range.


complete kit, compact, and ultra high quality. end of thought process.


me,,, I like both zoom and prime,.

 

[stmv]

Fall will be coming soon, and the window of chasing changine colors will occur. Over time, I start building a catalog of spots. It always sounds so easy,, so many trees, but I find that the spots are not nearly as easy to find.

Years ago, I drove to one of those famous spots (I forget where now), where there was the perfect old farm house, and this amazing tree, and the uncluttered green, and almost a dozen photographers were framing away. Almost comical, but over time I appreciate that rarity of the spot, and wish I remembered how to get there, but I bet the tree is dead now, and the beaton down house torn down,, maybe a condo there now.

 

[stmv]

well, I was out on my boat taking some lake shots, and was using the 55-300 lens, and it does a pretty good job,

Where it suffers is speed of focus, I wonder why they have to make the focus so so slow, I am surprised that this really saves them that much money building the lens, but compared to a pro lens, it is glacier slow. but not glacier slow getting out of focus