Went to the zoo today.... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

04/19/2006 04:16:09 PM · #1

...with my new camera

Any comments please?
Will try my best to return any, been in the commenting mood after getting back to some CC activity

Thanks in advance
Kirsty

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/19/2006 04:28:07 PM · #2

Just a guess, but Marwell?

MattO

Nikon D4

04/19/2006 04:33:50 PM · #3

Which of your two lens were you shooting with? I will assume based on my experience at zoos that most of your shots were with the 40-150. Which is a very respectable lens. The kit lens that you have is the newer one that usually is just in the kit not in the US. reviews of it seem to be that its a bit soft do you agree with that? What were your setting for most of these shots. Shutter priority, APeture priority, Pmode, or manual. I like the DOF of most of the shots, however a few of them seem a bit dark to me. I wonder if you intended those to be done like that, if they were underexposed or if your monitor needs calibrated. I do like the composition and the feel of these shots. Later tonight I will try to commit to commenting on them individually.

MattO

04/19/2006 04:45:21 PM · #4

Mainly I used my old OM 70-210 lens, plus an extension tube for the lizard. Only used the Zuiko lenses for shots that need AF for moving subjects, for example or when I was struggling with MF because of light(lemur springs to mind)

The kit lens was partly an accident tbh, the cheapest way for me to buy the camera was in a big package deal, which included that rather than the more common kit. Didnt realise til just before I bought it, but the better kit wasn't really worth the extra money. I haven't used it enough yet to comment on softness, I've found myself using the OM lenses as I'm so comfortable with them.

I'll go through and put shutter, aperture etc - mainly Aperture priority, auto ISO, auto White balance, plus lots of exposure compensation when the OM lenses confused the lightmeter.

I think you're right about many being too dark, although part of it is my dumb montior - believe me, I've tried calibrating

Thanks guys

AJAger - yes, it was Marwell. You know it? Or did you just deduce from other photos?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

04/19/2006 05:06:49 PM · #5

Lightened a couple as per your suggestions

MattO

Nikon D4

04/19/2006 05:19:19 PM · #6

Originally posted by kirsty_mcn:

Lightened a couple as per your suggestions

OK I got a few minutes so I played with one of your shots, I hope you dont mind. You have done a great job capturing the shots. That to me is the hard part. Post processing a good shot is a whole lot easier. Here is my attempt at processing your shot. To me yours seem a bit dark(which you worked on) but they also seem a bit flat. Which is in your processing. It gets alot better and your doing great.

And here is yours.

What I did was a few easy layers adjustment levels everything legal and quick for basic editing challenges. To me it has more pop and stands out a bit. Your doing great keep up the good work.

MattO

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

04/19/2006 05:41:49 PM · #7

Thanks for the help - please do play with my shots

Done AJAger, will leave you (MAttO) some comments but only got 10mins before I'm off to bed, so may continue tomorrow

edit- coupl'other people who've commented, I will be back tomorrow to repay. Thanks

clarifying

Message edited by author 2006-04-19 17:47:18.

MattO

Nikon D4

04/19/2006 09:11:24 PM · #8

OK I played with a few more of them tonight, again basic editing just using Photoshop Elements 4.0.

I wish I had some original files to play with but I did the best I could with them. I actually wish any of the photos were mine! Lately I'm learning alot of post processing lately, but my own photos are uninspired and sucky. But on the good note, getting to re-edit some of my ones that I think are good, its making a huge difference. dSLR's take more Post processing then a point and shoot. Like I said you have a great eye and once you get better at out of camera work you have great potential. There are thousands better at helping you then me, they dont seem to be here today to do it. So I'll do my best. Us Oly users need to stick together! Congrats on the E500 and if I can be of any help to show you how I got from your photos to the versions I uploaded just let me know.

Edit to note, I may have gone a bit far on a couple of these. And I think your WB may be a bit off on the first photo I have on this post.
MattO

Message edited by author 2006-04-19 23:42:16.

04/20/2006 09:18:12 AM · #9

Wow, thanks for the time you put in Matt.
If you want any originals, I've got them all full size and some of them as RAW.

I'm gonna go away and edit them myself tonight, then I might come back and ask you for comments if thats ok.

Thanks again, and btw, your photos aren't sucky! But you should definitely put more in your portfolio for us to see.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/20/2006 09:25:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by kirsty_mcn:

AJAger - yes, it was Marwell. You know it? Or did you just deduce from other photos?

I rather like Marwell, it's quite a nice little zoo. I've dropped in there a couple of times when travelling to and from a site in Southampton. The membership scheme at Colchester extends to include Marwell, too, so I can get in there for free. Now that's my sort of price.