Hello from San Francisco - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

11/24/2008 06:45:01 PM · #1

Greetings. Only recently found this place. My first post so thought it should be here.

I photographed seriously for many years, starting around 1969. In those days I used 2 1/4 square (Mamiya TLRs), a Calumet 4x5 view camera, a 2 1/4 x 31/4 Speed Graphic, some 35mm slrs etc. B&W/Color darkroom. Favorite kind of non-commercial photography back then was B&W of "outdoor still lifes". Buildings, detail shots, cemeteries etc. I eventually got out of photography and only recently have I felt the desire to create photographs, rather than just the P&S travel type photos.

Did a lot of research and handled a lot of cameras and opted for the Nikon D40. Got it with the 18-55 and 55-200 (both are VR lenses) and the 50mm 1.8D. Have had it less than a week. The lack of autofocus doesn't bother me on the 50mm. I spent my entire photographic life manually focussing (LOL). I also love the A/M swicth on the lenses. I think I'd go nuts if I was not able to manually focus an SLR if the need arose.

I haven't gotten anything worthwhile to post as yet. Have just been reading, getting a feel for the camera and for DSLR photography in general VERY different in some respects to film photography. I feel like a neophyte!

Anyway, that's about it. Happy to see this place and see the opinions, advice and banter. I've been on a lot of message boards over the years but this one, even within the Canon/Nikon "feuds" has a good vibe!

hihosilver

Nikon D200

11/24/2008 06:50:41 PM · #2

Welcome, Michael, to DPC...;-)

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/24/2008 06:51:02 PM · #3

Welcome to DPC. It is a really great community. Stick around for a while and you will see why!

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

11/24/2008 07:00:36 PM · #4

Thanks hiho and mp.

I have a quesiton already. I looked in the faq and searched on Search to no avail. Is there a way to change the time zone for my profile so the date of the posts jive with Pacific Time? Checked My Profile and Preferences but could not find anything there. Thanks!

Message edited by author 2008-11-24 19:00:57.

Bear_Music

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

11/24/2008 07:56:09 PM · #5

Originally posted by Canopic:

You don't want that. The whole site needs to be on a standard time reference or chaos ensues, as it is literally worldwide in its membership. The site runs on EST and everything is automatically logged to that reference.

R.

JMart

Nikon D80

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

11/24/2008 07:59:37 PM · #6

Welcome Michael! I look forward to seeing your photos.
I'm so jealous of you people in the bay area. :-/

11/24/2008 08:04:48 PM · #7

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Canopic:
Thanks hiho and mp.

I have a quesiton already. I looked in the faq and searched on Search to no avail. Is there a way to change the time zone for my profile so the date of the posts jive with Pacific Time? Checked My Profile and Preferences but could not find anything there. Thanks!

You don't want that. The whole site needs to be on a standard time reference or chaos ensues, as it is literally worldwide in its membership. The site runs on EST and everything is automatically logged to that reference.

R.

Thanks for the info. I regularly post to two internatinal message board that allows user profiles to specify their time zone. Not sure how chaos ensues. It is just a local setting on one's profile. No impact to the message board server itself.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/24/2008 08:56:54 PM · #8

Well, say,

Canopic, welcome to San Francisco.
There is quite a thriving DPC community in and around San Francisco
so keep your eyes open for the next DPC GTG.
It's been awhile, so we must be due to have one.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/24/2008 09:32:20 PM · #9

Thanks SFAlice! I chuckle as I did a search on SF and found the get together threads maybe three hours ago. I've only had the camera out one day so far - actually just a couple of hours - in Japantown the day after I got it. Made a few candids of the folks around the Peace Plaza. It was getting dark about 30 minutes after I started. The VR definitely helped as all hand-held. I just added a few to my portfolio. They are, I think, interesting as candids but I think they reveal the novice digital user. Lots of noise and exposure issues etc. I still cannot get over how different this dslr is from the cameras I used to use! But having a darkroom in your computer is a tremendous kick!

Message edited by author 2008-11-24 22:07:47.

dagordman

Canon EOS-30D

11/24/2008 11:24:32 PM · #10

Canopic, Hello and welcome to DP, for I am a newby to this site as well, I am a vet of photo.net check it out some time . for now you sound like you have benn stuck in the emulsion realm for some time like I? well thank god for the dig realm though it has benn allot of work converting, it is never less the fun of the emulsion world of photography. I have noticed that you realize the noise going on in your photos and that you are converting to the D40, Quite the camera by the way. Now the dynamic range of luminance values that your or any dslr captures is limited to what it captures in high contrast subjects , weather dark lit or brightly lit, So a solution to this problem would be to shoot in RAW. to take maximum advantage of the dynamic range. You see jpeg inevitably clips some data from the compression process wile raw retains everything the sensor records. you must use your rgb histogram not the set jpeg histogram. rgb histogram will give you more information about the range of tones in your image then in post prosessing you can change the tonal values like in photo shop or noise ninja? Or you can learn the new hip craze of HDR shooting process. by shooting several images two stops down and two stops up you then can merge them together in post processing. By a book on HDR like I have done and it will make a world of difference, It has for me and don't think about using this procces with moving subjects, LOL. Good luck and welcome aboard ! If you need more info my friend feel free to contact me at grdnholman@yahoo.com. By now GH.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

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

11/25/2008 12:48:36 AM · #11

Originally posted by Canopic:

The "chaos" (probably too strong a word choice on my part, LOL) potential is derived from the fact that we are primarily a timed competition site with deadlines at midnight EST for our competitions. As it is set up now any member need only look at any page on the site to see where s/he stands in relation to these deadlines. But I admit to more than a trace of hyperbole in my original statement.

I'm a California native myself, an emigré to Cape Cod for my retirement, and I was just in the Bay area visiting family in mid-October. You'll probably recognize this location :-)

Good to "meet you and welcome aboard!

R.