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08/13/2007 08:57:12 PM · #2126 |
Originally posted by ephln:
The challenge for me will be to learn how to use the camera so I think I will try just the kit lense and maybe one other for doing very close up macros. |
See if you can find a second hand one of these? I did 'n I'm all happy... |
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08/13/2007 09:24:03 PM · #2127 |
 purpleflutterby13 I love the Madagascar photos you've posted so far! Keep them coming! (I'm so jealous I can hardly stand myself!)
And Jeb - thanks for the nice comment about my FS entry on the TS results thread :-) |
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08/13/2007 09:29:31 PM · #2128 |
Originally posted by JuliBoc:
Funny thing is that I care more about the score for the ones I don't like much, and they almost always do better than the ones I like. |
Those are the ones I get the best comments on, too.
I think that I am finally starting to attain the acceptance level I've been striving for since I hit Team Suck.....the one most of you seem to have.....and it's really nice to be okay with, and happy with, a photograph that doesn't score well but does what you want it to.
I didn't do really well in Shadows, but I put some deep, scary feelings into my entry and freed myself from some pain through it.
I got three terrific comments from Team Suck members during the challenge, and someone else nominated me for a Posthumous award because it really reached her.
Off the top of my head I don't even remember exactly what the score even was, but I can describe that shot in intimate detail.
The entry I have for Rural is a shot I'm most proud of as far as being able to achieve exactly what I wanted from a shot. I don't really care how it does, but I have a hunch that it'll do okay.
My Free Study is like that, too. Both my wife and daughter wanted me to submit another shot that I didn't like nearly as much, but I held firm with the one I wanted and it's doing okay. I really like it, too.
We'll see at rollover next week, eh?
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08/13/2007 09:42:46 PM · #2129 |
Originally posted by ephln:
I'm starting from scratch on an SLR camera so lenses are only an issue of finances at this point. The challenge for me will be to learn how to use the camera so I think I will try just the kit lense and maybe one other for doing very close up macros. |
If I might make a suggestion......
I had only the lens that I got with my camera for the first six months that I had it.
I'm *still* learning all kinds of things about it, and I have two lenses.(I actually have this other weird antique 500mm lens, but I bought it 'cause it amused me and I got it for $75.)
Don't get wrapped up too much in getting a lot of glass 'til you know what you can really do with what you have.
I am constantly amazed at how I can pick out small sections of a shot and bring them up to a decent size and still have them unerringly clean.
I just had a half dozen or so shots blown up really big for the cheerleading team that my daughter and I are on and I'm blown away with how crisp these shots are at 24 X 36......(I'm also a freakin' hero with the kids!)
I am constantly printing out 8½ X 11 prints and discovering things like spiderwebs, hairs, bristles, grain, and other miniscule anomalies that I didn't see on the monitor.
Go slow, save your money, experiment, shoot lots.......have a blast!!!
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08/13/2007 09:45:59 PM · #2130 |
Originally posted by noraneko:
And Jeb - thanks for the nice comment about my FS entry on the TS results thread :-) |
What comment? You mean the immature, pedantic one? 8>)
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08/13/2007 10:47:42 PM · #2131 |
Originally posted by rheverly:
Evelyn, since it looks like you're going with the xti, check compatibility with older lenses. Some people (I don't know you well enough to know if you're one yet) like to buy old manual focus glass and play around, especially as there is some very good old glass. The D40, or so I understand, won't even take non-"S" AF lenses, which seriously limits the eBay/flea market/auction approach to acquiring glass. I don't know about the xti, but I have a D50 that won't even do aperture priority with manual lenses on it, and I regularly find this annoying (though I'm happy to do manual settings, I would like the ability to rely on the camera sometimes). If you want to look at some old glass, try this one -- I have one of these for my Nikon (off of eBay for £24, about $40), but on the Nikon the distance from the flange to the sensor is wrong, and it won't focus to infinity; almost makes me want to buy a canon . . . almost :)
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Just a couple of things about this. First Nikon has one of the best backwards lens compatibility around, this includes the D40. You can use any Manual Focus (AI/AI-S) lens, Auto Focus (AF) Lens, and AF-S lens on the D40. Now here are the catches:
1) If you use anything but a AF-S lens on a D40, it is a pure manual lens (the autofocus does not work). AF lenses you need to focus by hand but they still meter.
2) While you can mount old Manual Focus lenses on a D40 (D50, D70, or D80), it won't meter. That means you have to know the sunny 16 rule or just guess and check.
If you want the ability to meter on old Manual Focus lenses you would need to at least get a D200 body or better. But... these old lenses still work on a D40.
With Canon you can not physically mount and Manual Focus Lens (FD) on any digital Canon body. Also if you get an EF-S lens this will not mount on a Full Frame Canon body. You can get an adapter for old Manual focuses lenses, but it does not work that well at all.
I'll think you will be find with a kit lens to start off with especially since it usually only costs $50 on the base price of the starter kits.
Also if you are looking for Zeiss glass on a Nikon body, take a look at the new ZF series (AI-S compatible) which is built for the Nikon mount. They are all manual focus lenses so they would not meter unless you have a D200 or better and they are quite pricey.
Though I am very tempted to go out and buy the Zeiss 50mm f2 ZF makro. That looks like a dream lens. If you are looking for a SUPERB old lens though, check out the 105mm AI-S 2.5 Nikon. It is a dream and my personal favorite out of the three lenses I own.
Hope that helps a bit. A little long winded, but people sometimes think that lenses don't "function" on a D40 when really the only thing missing is AutoFocus. |
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08/14/2007 12:02:19 AM · #2132 |
Anyone still awake that would like to help me pick an image for an open challenge? You have to swear, and promise not to vote on it. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Edit: Nevermind, I think I found one I like more than the others, which usually means something that'll land in the bottom 5%.
Message edited by author 2007-08-14 00:22:49.
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08/14/2007 06:03:16 AM · #2133 |
Originally posted by jaysonmc:
Just a couple of things about this. First Nikon has one of the best backwards lens compatibility around, this includes the D40. You can use any Manual Focus (AI/AI-S) lens, Auto Focus (AF) Lens, and AF-S lens on the D40. Now here are the catches:
Hope that helps a bit. A little long winded, but people sometimes think that lenses don't "function" on a D40 when really the only thing missing is AutoFocus. |
I was one of those people, thanks for a brilliantly helpful post. I didn't realize non-"S" lenses would work at all on the D40, though I wouldn't trade my D50 for one if you paid me (well, maybe if you paid me).
I will look at the Zeiss Nikon mount lenses, and watch for good prices. I am in Germany right now, and have seen 55-200 Nikon AF lenses (non-VR) go for 50 Euro because the seller mislabeled the auction and only corrected it in the q&a. I'll keep a watchful eye (I'm here for another week, let's see what I can find and convince my wife -- whom I need as a translator to make sure I'm not buying something broken -- we should buy). I've been having fun with the Zeiss 3.5/135, but I hate that it won't focus to infinity :/ It gets such beautiful images up close!
Thanks again for the really helpful post, Jayson!
Best,
Rob |
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08/14/2007 10:12:46 AM · #2134 |
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge!
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08/14/2007 10:47:47 AM · #2135 |
Originally posted by ephln:
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge! |
Heh...all your final scores are in the 5s, my dear...I'm only now just starting to score consistently in the 5s...and I love your flower pics! |
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08/14/2007 10:48:09 AM · #2136 |
Originally posted by ephln:
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge! |
I didn't get my 2nd "5" score until my 8th challenge, you're doing great! |
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08/14/2007 10:54:32 AM · #2137 |
Has anyone had any dealings with USAphotonation.com? They seem to have good prices on the Canon XT ($249 body only) and the XTI ($349 body only).
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08/14/2007 10:55:24 AM · #2138 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Originally posted by ephln:
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge! |
Heh...all your final scores are in the 5s, my dear...I'm only now just starting to score consistently in the 5s...and I love your flower pics! |
Thanks :) !
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08/14/2007 10:55:48 AM · #2139 |
Originally posted by meyers:
Originally posted by ephln:
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge! |
I didn't get my 2nd "5" score until my 8th challenge, you're doing great! |
Thanks :) !
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08/14/2007 11:01:58 AM · #2140 |
Originally posted by ephln:
Has anyone had any dealings with USAphotonation.com? They seem to have good prices on the Canon XT ($249 body only) and the XTI ($349 body only). |
I'd recommend posting a thread on this to the the main DPC population. Probably someone there has had an experience with the above and can give you some feedback. |
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08/14/2007 11:07:00 AM · #2141 |
Originally posted by noraneko:
Originally posted by ephln:
Has anyone had any dealings with USAphotonation.com? They seem to have good prices on the Canon XT ($249 body only) and the XTI ($349 body only). |
I'd recommend posting a thread on this to the the main DPC population. Probably someone there has had an experience with the above and can give you some feedback. |
Those prices are not market rates - if the price is too good to be true - be wary. |
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08/14/2007 11:14:16 AM · #2142 |
Originally posted by meyers:
Originally posted by ephln:
Still sucking after 83 votes...(sung to the tune of "Still crazy after all these years.")
Votes: 83
Views: 126
Avg Vote: 5.1566
Comments: 5
BUT...at least its doing better than my first challenge! |
I didn't get my 2nd "5" score until my 8th challenge, you're doing great! |
I popped my "5" cherry on my third challenge...and it took many more challenges til I made 6!
PS: I shot a ton of pics over the weekend of birds of prey at a show by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy - a Harris hawk, a Prairie Great Horned Owl, an immature RedTail Hawk, an American Kestrel, a Golden Eagle (with the apt name of Sasquatch)and last, but not least, an ADORABLE 3.5 week-old Snowy Owl chick, who waddled happily around and tugged at people's laces...got pics of all the birds in flight and/or landing...
And they announce a Wings challenge NOW?! :-p That really sux! Oh well I'll just have to put these new pics in my portfolio...
Message edited by author 2007-08-14 11:20:58. |
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08/14/2007 11:17:05 AM · #2143 |
Some reliable sources for camera equipment:
B & H Photo
Adorama Camera
Calumet Photo
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08/14/2007 11:22:35 AM · #2144 |
| Thanks Mary. I may be in the market for a DSLR real soon. Sggestions, anyone? Should I do a transition camera, like the D40, or just make the leap to, say, a Nikon D200? |
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08/14/2007 12:12:22 PM · #2145 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Thanks Mary. I may be in the market for a DSLR real soon. Sggestions, anyone? Should I do a transition camera, like the D40, or just make the leap to, say, a Nikon D200? |
I'm also in the market to upgrade to a DSLR. I went to a local camera shop and "handled" many different camera models in Canon and Nikon to get the feel of them. I was going to go with a Nikon D40x but it seems the options for lenses are better with the Nikon D80 and higher and the Canon xti. For me...the weight of the camera also was an issue between the D80 and the XTI (the canon being lighter) and the size of the LCD. I've also been paying attention to my favorite photos that are posted to DPC and what ca/lenses they were shot with.
Hope this helps....
Eve
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08/14/2007 12:14:46 PM · #2146 |
Originally posted by quiet_observation:
Originally posted by noraneko:
Originally posted by ephln:
Has anyone had any dealings with USAphotonation.com? They seem to have good prices on the Canon XT ($249 body only) and the XTI ($349 body only). |
I'd recommend posting a thread on this to the the main DPC population. Probably someone there has had an experience with the above and can give you some feedback. |
Those prices are not market rates - if the price is too good to be true - be wary. |
Thanks for the advice - posted in the general section and found out USAphotonation is NOT reputable and in fact - sells chinese models!
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08/14/2007 12:27:18 PM · #2147 |
| Just a forewarning - it appears the Canon digital SLR kits are sold with EF-S lenses. Canon EF-S lenses are not compatible with higher end Canon cameras (like the 5D) or Canon film cameras. If you want a lenses that is compatible across the Canon line look for EF lenses. |
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08/14/2007 12:39:16 PM · #2148 |
I submitted one of the Madagascar photos to JPG (the theme was 'Passport - travel off the beaten track', it was too tempting). Having seen some of the competition, it stands, like, no chance of getting published. However, if anyone feels like being nice to me and voting for it, go here
It's not against the rules or anything - JPG encourages friend voting, it gives them extra publicity. |
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08/14/2007 12:58:50 PM · #2149 |
Originally posted by purpleflutterby13:
I submitted one of the Madagascar photos to JPG (the theme was 'Passport - travel off the beaten track', it was too tempting). Having seen some of the competition, it stands, like, no chance of getting published. However, if anyone feels like being nice to me and voting for it, go here
It's not against the rules or anything - JPG encourages friend voting, it gives them extra publicity. |
Voted for it! lol it looks good to me and I would think it would have a good chance of being selected. Good luck!
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08/14/2007 01:06:22 PM · #2150 |
New pictures from Kuwait are in my portfolio. At some point, I'll also post pictures from Iraq, but so far most are work related and the rest are all taken in very harsh sunlight, which seems to predominate around here for some reason. Still, some interesting sights, since this once was Saddam Hussein's compound of sorts, or so I hear.
Jelena, it looks like you had a blast!! |
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