Camera specific challenge(s) - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

02/12/2009 04:37:31 PM · #1

Run challenges that are camera specific.. minimizing some (if any there are at all) differences in final results due to equipment limitations one might have due to budgetary constraints.

Let apples sit with apples, and mangoes with mangoes, for a challenge at least;-)

bassbone

Nikon Z8

02/12/2009 04:40:35 PM · #2

How is this going to work? For DSLRs, do you need to have defined lenses to be used as well, so that all are using the same optics?

Last time I looked, there are more than a couple of hundred cameras used on DPC...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/12/2009 04:41:37 PM · #3

Good point. To start with, same body, any lens? :-)

It could just be one challenge per week (along with the others), with camera body changing every week.

Just a thought...

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 16:43:33.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/12/2009 04:44:40 PM · #4

Originally posted by Prash:

....To start with, same body, any lens. :-)

In my eyes, that is still total fruit salad. So far, you only eliminated other food groups.

I think it would be much closer if you had the same lens, any body.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/12/2009 04:46:36 PM · #5

The only logical distinction is Nikon vs Canon ... ;-)

02/12/2009 04:47:29 PM · #6

Originally posted by Beetle:

Originally posted by Prash:
....To start with, same body, any lens. :-)

In my eyes, that is still total fruit salad. So far, you only eliminated other food groups.

I think it would be much closer if you had the same lens, any body.

Oh you mean same focal length/aperture ratings?

Hmmm.. I did think about it. But then lenses arent standardized across brand names.

I like the idea though.. its growing on me.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

02/12/2009 04:48:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by GeneralE:

The only logical distinction is Nikon vs Canon ... ;-)

(( Sees the spark and runs to the ArtRoflmao-safe hut ))

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

02/12/2009 05:07:07 PM · #8

That still won't compensate for the mismatch of someone else that uses a Rebel XT with an L lens, while mine is using the 18-55 kit lens. Besides, I know too many people on this site that kick butt with lesser equipment.

EOS 350D:

Olympus C70:

Rebel EOS 300D

And my own highest scoring shot, taken with a Powershot S5:

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 17:08:41.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/12/2009 05:31:59 PM · #9

This is a fairly ridiculous suggestion. You *might* be able to make the case that it's hard to do well on DPC with an older point'n'shoot (I'm not sure you can, but...) but once you get into modern cameras, and especially dSLR models, there just isn't any excuse except the photographer. Sure, some cameras have better noise performance at high ISOs, for example, but realistically who's forcing you to shoot at high ISOs if you don't like the results? And at the 640-720 pixel range,t here's just no real difference between sensors and optics for all practical purposes.

The reason there may SEEM to be a correlation is because as people get better at their photography they tend to trade upwards to better equipment.

R.

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 17:32:11.

eamurdock

Pentax KP

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited AF

02/12/2009 05:39:03 PM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

The reason there may SEEM to be a correlation is because as people get better at their photography they tend to trade upwards to better equipment.

What he said.

Adamsw216

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

02/12/2009 06:10:41 PM · #11

I agree with

Bear_Music on this one. I think the idea of shooting at the same aperture may be interesting... but then we could just look to the "shallow DOF" challenges or something like that. In my opinion, it's really not the camera body that has much to do with the final result. Okay, I am certainly hardly qualified to make any assertions about photography... but from what I've concluded, this is my basic hierarchy of important elements in photography:

1. Skill/Experience - basic understanding of the elements and principles of design that will grow over time
2. Light - light is the entire basis of photography, understanding and working with/manipulating it is key
3. Lens - a good lens is next in line. a nice lens on a cheaper body can still work wonders
4. Camera body - a good body will have more customization options and can be a great asset to a skilled photographer

Just generally speaking of course. So I kinda think this challenge idea is moot.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/12/2009 06:14:16 PM · #12

I am not referring to 'why' people with better equipment 'normally' get better pictures, technically.

I am talking about comparing equipment to equipment. Then let it be that one person with a cheaper camera blows the rest away in his/her camera category, great!

Again, its about latting apples play with apples:-)

Its a controversial concept, so let it be that way. But it needed to be out there, so it did:-)

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 18:16:39.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

02/12/2009 06:19:00 PM · #13

If you want to compare cameras, there are plenty of measurebator sites out there that do exactly that.

Originally posted by Prash:

02/12/2009 06:21:47 PM · #14

I dont think you got it right.

The whole point is about NOT comparing different cameras... to minimise that difference.

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

If you want to compare cameras, there are plenty of measurebator sites out there that do exactly that.

Originally posted by Prash:
I am not referring to 'why' people with better equipment 'normally' get better pictures, technically.

I am talking about comparing equipment to equipment. Then let it be that one person with a cheaper camera blows the rest away in his/her camera category, great!

Again, its about latting apples play with apples:-)

Its a controversial concept, so let it be that way. But it needed to be out there, so it did:-)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

02/12/2009 06:26:17 PM · #15

Valid point, Steve!

Still it eliminated possible variation in result quality due to difference in camera bodies.

I dont think there can be a perfect solution to this. But there can be one thats close.

Plus the examples you cited may have grown their skills over time.. or have a born talent. They may be exceptions, or still follow the norms. I dont know.

It was just a thought about how to compare an apple to another apple. Simple in speech... but very stirring I see.

Originally posted by yospiff:

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 18:26:59.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

02/12/2009 06:31:22 PM · #16

Prash - The only solution to this problem that you have is for you to purchase about 200 of the same camera and lens and distribute them to 200 phototgraphers on the site and all have them shoot for the same challenge with them.

What you will find is that it is not the camera, it is the photographer...

Being honest now - This is a goofy and not well thought out idea.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/12/2009 06:33:58 PM · #17

Originally posted by bassbone:

Thanks for being upfront.

Hmm. It started out crude (the idea) and turned out goofy, but I wanted to put it out there at least.

Anyways, thanks guys for the notes!!

(( runs to get a coffee now ))

ETA: Closing note: Wonder why people keep upgrading if its not the camera;-) lol

Message edited by author 2009-02-12 18:35:49.

Five_Seat

Canon EOS-6D

02/12/2009 06:34:53 PM · #18

Originally posted by bassbone:

However, the idea of Prash buying 200 Cameras and distributing them on DPC...

I am in full suupport of this idea, and I suggest that our first challenge should be the Canon 1Ds mkIII w/50 1.2.

=)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

02/12/2009 06:34:55 PM · #19

Does the D90 group on Flickr do any weekly themes or contests? I know the Powershot S5 group does, and that certainly makes for an apples to apples comparison, since everyone has the same non-changeable lens and is shooting the same theme. Not unlike DPC, except you know who the entries are from and who votes for what.

Kind of along a similar apples to apples idea, one thing I really enjoy is meetups in my local area. It's interesting and educational seeing what different people do with exactly the same scene at the same time of day.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

02/12/2009 06:36:27 PM · #20

Originally posted by sjl2116:

I am in full suupport of this idea, and I suggest that our first challenge should be the Canon 1Ds mkIII w/50 1.2.
=)

Canon is not my preferred vendor, but I could be persuaded to having it as my backup camera...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/12/2009 06:37:57 PM · #21

You posted the bolded comment below...

Originally posted by Prash:

I dont think you got it right.

The whole point is about NOT comparing different cameras... to minimise that difference.

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
If you want to compare cameras, there are plenty of measurebator sites out there that do exactly that.

Originally posted by Prash:
I am not referring to 'why' people with better equipment 'normally' get better pictures, technically.

I am talking about comparing equipment to equipment. Then let it be that one person with a cheaper camera blows the rest away in his/her camera category, great!

Again, its about latting apples play with apples:-)

Its a controversial concept, so let it be that way. But it needed to be out there, so it did:-)

02/12/2009 06:39:05 PM · #22

Originally posted by yospiff:

I like the idea abt meetups. I will ping the local guys again...

Abt the Flickr group, they dont have weekly challenges, but my small group does.. but its all with same camera. Now you know where its coming from lol!