As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

Can't stop the [PHOTO]

13738394143

Posts

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    So, I’m thinking of trying to challenge myself in the new year, photographically.

    I have a bad tendency to just spray and pray with my shots, and then come back pull just a handful. So I think this coming year I am going to aim to be more selective in my shooting and try and shoot a digital “roll” every couple weeks (excluding the odd event or excursion). I’m planning to stick with a film simulation for each “roll”, and post the whole thing to Flickr or something.

    Honestly not sure how well I’ll manage, but would love to try and get better at this photography thing.

  • SublimusSublimus Artist. nowhereRegistered User regular
    Sounds like a fun challenge! I find I kind of swing back and forth between shooting too many, and being too picky about my shots. Finding and staying the sweet spot is hard haha.

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    I bought an X100V today, and OMG, the Classic Negative film simulation is awesome:

    50792708566_53816ed4a7_c.jpg976A8B3E-91B8-4751-AB5D-50B2E2B6C172 by Kenneth Hughes, on Flickr

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    edited January 2021
    Alright, so have been playing around with just shooting Classic Neg and taking straight out of camera. The results are here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTzyxjK

    The snow shots are from today, and I live in central Texas!

    50822227752_f5f9b29578_c.jpg
    by Kenneth Hughes, on Flickr

    oldmanken on
  • ProspicienceProspicience The Raven King DenvemoloradoRegistered User regular
    edited February 2021
    I hear ya @Sublimus I got burnt out on photography during 2020. I've taken the least amount of photos in the last 4 months than I have at any point in the last 10 years. I guess doing photography full time and as a hobby really can get to ya after a while. Doesn't help that I took 1300 photos on my backpacking trip and half of them I really loved. Editing those burnt me out pretty good I think, and I only ever share about 1/4th of what I really like. My infrared camera still brings me joy though.

    These photos are random from the last few months. I haven't even posted anything I've taken with my "new" XT4. Mostly because I think I burnt out right as I bought it, expensive time to get burnt out hahaha. Hopefully that'll change in the coming months. Think social media is burning me out a bit too.

    TLDR: here's some photos.

    Fave hawk pic I think I've ever grabbed.
    50788540587_d27b7f0def_b.jpgEye'll by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    love the motion in these three
    50788433706_db87deff03_b.jpgSee by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr
    50787676173_4bcba1f8e5_b.jpgYou by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr
    50788540567_cc2f87d345_b.jpgLater by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    Some IR:
    50846778032_538bb41f98_b.jpgRiver of Faeries 02 by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    50894787628_c6e88647a7_b.jpgOut West by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    And after saying everything I said about getting burnt out, I'm realizing that I'm honestly probably taking the amount of photos that's healthy now hahaha

    Prospicience on
  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    So, we've obviously had some proper snow down here in Central Texas, and thought these to shots were a good look at during and after (about 10 days apart).

    50985066718_28bdbdc457_b.jpgSnow Tracks by Kenneth Hughes, on Flickr

    50985066273_f51dd409ce_b.jpgFlattened by Kenneth Hughes, on Flickr

  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    A couple of Black-Capped Chickadees

    51012207328_f754cffb7e_c.jpg

    51012206903_c002d1c6a5_c.jpg

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    You either got really damn close or you have one hell of a telephoto. What lens did you use for that?

  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    Orca wrote: »
    You either got really damn close or you have one hell of a telephoto. What lens did you use for that?

    Was pretty close. Just a Pentax 55-300 PLM WR @ 300. That and being able to crop in tight for web since not planning on printing.

  • ProspicienceProspicience The Raven King DenvemoloradoRegistered User regular
    BladeX wrote: »
    Orca wrote: »
    You either got really damn close or you have one hell of a telephoto. What lens did you use for that?

    Was pretty close. Just a Pentax 55-300 PLM WR @ 300. That and being able to crop in tight for web since not planning on printing.

    Still crazy, I rock a 150-600 and can rarely get that kind of clarity even cropped. Does the pentax sensor adjust/move along with it's lenses similar to how it does for astrophotography?

  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    edited March 2021
    I'm pretty sure the adjusting thing is just with GPS for astrophotography.

    I think it might be a combination of:

    Pentax finally upgrading to a pulse motor for this lens from the old slow ass screw drive motor, so the focus is pretty damn fast (considering Pentax isn't exactly known for the best AF)

    Shooting in burst mode so I can pick the best one.

    I have the AA filter turned off (which they claim allows for sharper images, although there's a risk of moire)

    A very conservative use of sharpen AI.

    BladeX on
  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    I'm looking to get a DSLR with a lens that's capable of doing a little bit of wildlife photography (there are about four birds nests in a tree near my home office window including some blue jays, and a woodpecker nest nearby). I'm not looking to be too serious about it or really develop it as a hobby - basically cell cameras suck for anything more than 10 feet away and I want a solution to that.

    Would I likely be better served by a budget current gen camera or an older gently used camera like a Canon 7D? You can scoop the used ones up for not too much.

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited April 2021
    Doc wrote: »
    I'm looking to get a DSLR with a lens that's capable of doing a little bit of wildlife photography (there are about four birds nests in a tree near my home office window including some blue jays, and a woodpecker nest nearby). I'm not looking to be too serious about it or really develop it as a hobby - basically cell cameras suck for anything more than 10 feet away and I want a solution to that.

    Would I likely be better served by a budget current gen camera or an older gently used camera like a Canon 7D? You can scoop the used ones up for not too much.

    I'd recommend a gently used older camera + a decent-ish zoom telephoto for your purposes. One caveat: the 75-300mm unstabilized zoom lens that at one point was standard is pretty infamous for being a not good lens. The more recent 70-300mm IS USM and IS II is by my understanding decent. I would recommend a stabilized lens (IS in Canon parlance, VR in Nikon, and all the other manufacturers have their own term for it).

    I don't know how far away those birds are, so I can't say if a 70-300 is the right lens for you, but that longer reach is the first thing I'd reach for for any kind of wildlife photography. If that doesn't work out you can likely get the kit 16-55mm zoom which will nicely cover the wider angles for cheap and good enough quality.

    edit: I mean, really you could go either way. The budget cameras are really good these days. You just lose the physical knobs and whatnot. The sensors are frequently better than the older cameras, but you may miss out on the features. But if it's not a hobby do you really care about features you won't use anyway?

    Thinking about it since you don't intend for this to be a hobby, maybe a budget current-or-last-gen camera is a good choice. You can take advantage of the latest and greatest firmware and keep it on mostly automatic, and pair it with some older but still very good lenses, and you'll be good to go.

    edit edit: Canon, Nikon, and I've heard good about Fujifilm and Pentax would all likely be good choices. I hesitate recommending Sony if it's not going to be a hobby since their interface is famously poor, though they frequently have the best sensors on the market.

    Orca on
  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    That's all great info, thanks! I'll probably buy some used gear that I think will be okay, and then if I decide I need to do something else, I'll just resell it.

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    I've added some edits. These days the hardware is pretty fuckin' good so it's more a matter of finding what you like the best.

  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Like is this must be a pretty good setup right? I know it's not really a SLR, but I'm not sure I care about the distinction all that much,

    https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/pho/d/poulsbo-olympus-om-e-m10-mark-iii-with/7297424560.html

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited April 2021
    Oh yeah, that looks like a fantastic camera for your purposes. Plus, since it's a micro 4/3s it's going to be nice and portable.

    It's got the zoom most likely to be of interest to you, as well as primes down at the low end that will likely be good enough for your purposes. And if they're a bit too inflexible, I bet you can get a used kit lens for relatively cheap.

    Orca on
  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    I think a micro four thirds setup would be great for your needs, @Doc . Plenty of resolution, plus the whole kit is pretty portable. Cheaper lenses as well.

    Would not recommend Fuji, solely based on price. Excellent cameras and lenses, and it’s what I use, but pretty damn expensive.

  • DocDoc Registered User, ClubPA regular
    oldmanken wrote: »
    I think a micro four thirds setup would be great for your needs, @Doc . Plenty of resolution, plus the whole kit is pretty portable. Cheaper lenses as well.

    Would not recommend Fuji, solely based on price. Excellent cameras and lenses, and it’s what I use, but pretty damn expensive.

    The listing is expired, because I picked up that camera!

    It's an extremely gently used Olympus OM-D E-M Mk III (lol come on with the name), with 7mm, 17mm, and 40-150mm lenses, 6 batteries, and a couple of other accessories for $600. Great deal, and it'll suit my needs exactly.

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    Doc wrote: »
    oldmanken wrote: »
    I think a micro four thirds setup would be great for your needs, @Doc . Plenty of resolution, plus the whole kit is pretty portable. Cheaper lenses as well.

    Would not recommend Fuji, solely based on price. Excellent cameras and lenses, and it’s what I use, but pretty damn expensive.

    The listing is expired, because I picked up that camera!

    It's an extremely gently used Olympus OM-D E-M Mk III (lol come on with the name), with 7mm, 17mm, and 40-150mm lenses, 6 batteries, and a couple of other accessories for $600. Great deal, and it'll suit my needs exactly.

    That’s a great haul, and kind of covers you through a good chunk of the focal range. Good find!

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    As I stare enviously at the Z7 II, I am reminded of what someone said a few days ago elsewhere:
    In retrospect it was bold of me to think that my hobby was photography and not cameras

    I see you, random person on the internet, and I understand

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    Orca wrote: »
    As I stare enviously at the Z7 II, I am reminded of what someone said a few days ago elsewhere:
    In retrospect it was bold of me to think that my hobby was photography and not cameras

    I see you, random person on the internet, and I understand

    I had to constrain myself by selling out of my Fuji setup, and just going down to an X100V, otherwise I would have just kept buying lenses I wouldn't really use.

    I will have a moment this month though, when a lead bonus I am getting from work will have me contemplating the GFX series. I must remain strong and not succumb.

  • ProspicienceProspicience The Raven King DenvemoloradoRegistered User regular
    Would love that new GFX system, have to refrain. Been looking into FPV drone stuff, but I've come to realize video editing is not a favorite thing of mine so I may back out of that "hobby"...

    51108032873_5ff773d645_b.jpgEl Shack by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    51108032808_de53b11f16_b.jpgWeird by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr

    House I took a photo of off the side of the road, and I probably should have read the sign before stopping for 5 minutes to take photos "Prayer is the best way to meet the lord. Trespassing is faster." - with an illustration of a gun pointed at the reader. Yikes.

    51108906905_cdd86b44ff_b.jpgPrayer by Lee Stonehouse, on Flickr


  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    It's been so nice out, surprised not many photo posts!

    51219027076_824570ddaa_c.jpg

  • AntonioMabsAntonioMabs Registered User regular
    Beautiful beautiful work! The birds are really something ❤️❤️

  • RothgarrRothgarr Registered User regular
    Would you guys mind helping with a DSLR camera recommendation?

    Background: In addition to 360 virtual tours, drone work, etc., my wife also makes videos for a Realtor she works with. For the videos she primarily uses an iPhone 12 Pro Max on a DJI gimble and has a DJI Osmo 2.

    But she wants to step up the quality of her videos. She's looking for a simple DSLR that will allow her to do quick depth-of-field video shots. She's not interested in learning all the minutiae of a camera, rather hopefully something with a touch screen that allows her to tap what should be in focus and the camera does the rest. She will also get a new gimble for the DSLR.

    It's not real estate, but the types of effect in the video she's looking to do are from time stamp 10s - 16s and again from 1:18s - 1:26s (foreground and background are blurry)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08QtsBKAbf8

    I don't mean to make it sound like she's looking for an easy out when it comes to a camera being easy to use and mostly automated, but with the market the way it is, homes sometimes sell in a day before she even gets a chance to finish shooting and editing. So it's critical to have something that's got a fast workflow for recording.

    Not married to any brand (Canon, Nikon, Sony, whatever). As for budget, not sure what to say. She really just needs whatever entry-level DSLR has automated depth-of-field video...

    Thanks for your help!

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    edited June 2021
    I can only speak to the cameras (or systems) that I have used, and I would think the Fujifilm X-E4 might be a good option. I never delved too far into the video features of my old X-E2S, but from a size and feature perspective, the newer X-E4 looks pretty great.

    I owned an X-H1 for a while, which is a heftier beast and only now available used, but it was the video focused Fuji with in body stabilization, before the X-T4 was released, and it was brilliant for video (and everything else). If you can find a good one with the battery grip (my local camera store always has a couple used) and a good lens for it (the 18-55 ‘kit’ lens maybe), it’s a really good option for cheap (they go for about $800 for body only).

    If you have more money to spend, the X-T4 is a good option too. Fuji is likely to release and X-H2 sometime in the near future as well.

    All I mentioned have touch screens, and while the X-E4 is not as video focused as the others I mentioned (no IBIS), it has largely the same video features but is much smaller, which may be attractive to your wife.

    EDIT: Here’s a link to the DPReview review of the camera:

    https://m.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-e4-review-small-size-big-image-quality

    It also mentions the X-S10 as an option as well, and like the X-T4 and X-H1, it has IBIS.

    oldmanken on
  • RothgarrRothgarr Registered User regular
    oldmanken wrote: »
    Super helpful info

    Thanks for the tips! I'll check those out! Even though she'll use a gimbal with it, IBIS is probably still a good thing to have, I imagine.

    Do you know what's the process of setting up depth-of-field, or bokeh pics/video? I ask because I have a really old Canon DSLR and it's so complicated and convoluted that I never ever use it. Is it a simple setting on today's modern cameras?

  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    edited June 2021
    So, I went down a well of watching DPReview videos last night after I posted that, and particularly Jordan and Chris’ ones, and they have said a lot of good things about the X-S10 as a good entry level video camera. Bigger than the X-E4, but still small, has IBIS and the latest sensor.

    So, DoF is controlled by aperture, and On Fuji lenses, most of them have aperture control rings directly on the lenses (al the XF lenses, not the XC lenses). So that means you don’t have to hunt for it in the settings, you just turn the ring on the lens. I tend to shoot aperture priority (everything auto except aperture) and that’s because I am most concerned with getting the DoF I want.

    Once I get settled on my computer, and am on some mindless work call, I’ll chuck you a few of the videos I watched via DM.

    oldmanken on
  • djmitchelladjmitchella Registered User regular
    Rothgarr wrote: »
    Do you know what's the process of setting up depth-of-field, or bokeh pics/video? I ask because I have a really old Canon DSLR and it's so complicated and convoluted that I never ever use it. Is it a simple setting on today's modern cameras?

    On any camera it should just be a matter of saying "select 'control aperture' mode and make the aperture as small as possible".

    (I have olympus cameras, there it's 'turn the left wheel to "A"', then 'turn the top right wheel anticlockwise' and that's it, and I would be very surprised if it's any more complicated on other brands)

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited June 2021
    Finally got a few photos I thought were worth sharing and not simply snapshots of interest only to me.

    wyrzzbqos3wl.jpg
    r18hz1zm27ux.jpg

    I need to simplify my workflow--editing is more of a pain than I want to deal with most of the time.

    Orca on
  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    Mom and Calf @ Algonquin Provincial Park

    51265844730_c88898ac6a_b.jpg

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited July 2021
    Has anybody sold equipment back to e.g. KEH, Adorama, etc? I have gear that I'm no longer using and would like to get some money for it, but don't want to go through the scam concerns/time inevestment of Ebay.

    If the price is too low I may as well just hold onto it.

    Orca on
  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    The prices I’ve from KEH seem pretty fair, and generally better than my local shop ( though I still sell to them because I like the convenience). I can’t say how fair they are with their grading though, but have heard good things.

  • BladeXBladeX Registered User regular
    A common loon!

    51372838885_aa70fc0eee_b.jpg

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited August 2021
    Started putting that new camera and lens to use:

    l4d611868vo7.jpg
    gunubgjyendu.jpg
    8z63frfjrlyh.jpg
    wjta3u0tokxb.jpg
    iwb7k3zh48nd.jpg
    xsexsygsvpgv.jpg
    ifie2meqia62.jpg
    qajal31rkkr4.jpg
    1qh9nd31qvi9.jpg
    3vd25o1pbrn8.jpg
    aa6fyo31dgw2.jpg
    58jgwlswjo31.jpg

    Orca on
  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited August 2021
    And since that's a metric ton of photos, I'm looking for critiques on anything you see, particularly as it relates to composition and lighting.

    Mostly just about straight out of the camera + cropping + brightness and profile adjust. No masking, healing brush, or any of that fun stuff.

    Orca on
  • oldmankenoldmanken Registered User regular
    @Orca These are great! What are you shooting with?

    Your composition is great, and I particularly like the first two and last two.

  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited August 2021
    oldmanken wrote: »
    Orca These are great! What are you shooting with?

    Your composition is great, and I particularly like the first two and last two.

    Thanks! Sunsets make everything better :D

    * Airplane sunset: Z7 ii + 24-200mm Z lens @ 200mm, f/6.3, 1/2500s, ISO 1800
    * Power lines sunset: Z7 ii + 24-200mm Z lens @ 200mm, f/9, 1/200s, ISO 400
    * Insects: Z7 ii + 24-200mm Z lens @ 200mm, most around f/8 to f/11, around 1/400s, varying ISOs
    * Ball flower, address numbers, leaves on gravel, worm-eaten apple: Z50 + 105mm VR f/2.8 G F-mount macro lens, most around f/8-f/11, 1/200-1/640s, varying ISOs.
    * Falling water: Z50 + 50-250mm Z DX lens @ 200mm, f/5.6, 1/4000s, ISO 500
    * Sunset dock: Z50 + 50-250mm Z DX lens @ 50mm, f/6.3, 1/800s, ISO 720
    * Mt. Shasta: Z50 + 50-250mm Z DX lens @ 250mm, f/8, 1/160s, ISO 125

    Orca on
  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    edited August 2021
    FYI if you want to get that same shot of Shasta yourself, there's a lookout on i5 south near Siskiyou. If you're headed northbound, it's worth turning around for. I happened to come across it while driving southbound and was lucky enough it was right around sunset. The lookout itself rises above the highway a little bit, enough that it falls away beneath you so you can focus on the long plain and then mountains in the distance.

    Absolutely gorgeous, and a perfect place to stretch your legs and marvel at the view. There's several other impressive mountains nearby--it's a great lookout.

    Orca on
Sign In or Register to comment.