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Digital SLR / DSLR Camera Question / DSLR Thread 2

Here are some really awesome photographs that made the front page of Digg.

Explosions of Color as Air Rifle Pellets Hit Objects (PICS)
IMAGE — telegraph.co.uk (Arts & Culture)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5049293/High-speed-photographs-by-Alan-Sailer-capture-the-moment-a-pellet-fired-from-an-air-rifle-hits-an-object.html

It is interesting to note these were taken with a Nikon D40. So yeah, the more I learn about photography, the more Ken Rockwell is right in saying: "The Nikon D40, its kit lens, and maybe a separate flash, are all anyone really needs for anything."

This incredible photograph by Alan Sailer captures the moment a pellet fired from an air rifle hits a paintball
 

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Cool. I've wondered how to get the timing right for something like that. That they did it with a D40 makes me think it's not *too* hard. :eek:)
 
mosquito said:
Cool. I've wondered how to get the timing right for something like that. That they did it with a D40 makes me think it's not *too* hard. :eek:)
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I think I read somewhere in the article he did it with a $300 flash or some kind of flash setup with a laser trigger.

He's also using a pellet gun which is considerably slower than say a 7.62mm @ 3000 fps. (I'm thinking of that classic Doc Edgerton bullet/apple photo)

stopping-time1.jpg
 
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mosquito said:
Cool. I've wondered how to get the timing right for something like that. That they did it with a D40 makes me think it's not *too* hard. :eek:)
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Sound activated trigger for the flash. Dark room, open shutter. Set flash to a very low value, say 1/64th or less. Flash duration is in the 1/10,000 second range, will pretty much freeze anything. Use more flashes if you need more light.
 
cycle61 said:
Sound activated trigger for the flash. Dark room, open shutter. Set flash to a very low value, say 1/64th or less. Flash duration is in the 1/10,000 second range, will pretty much freeze anything. Use more flashes if you need more light.
Click to expand...



The guy actually says that 1/10,000 is still too slow. He had to build a setup that flashed in the 1/1,000,000 of a sec range according to the article.

The 4th pic in the article shows his laser trigger.

grape-laser_1372288i.jpg
 
Cool. I think the SB-800 is as short as 1/32,000 at minimum power. I've never tried to shoot anything that was too fast for that, although I can certainly see how a bullet would still be blurred.
 
[topic derail]
How expensive is it to rent lenses? I really want to try out the new 35mm/1.8 AF-s on my D40 at my friend's Bday this weekend, but if it's expensive, I'd rather put it towards a purchase of the lense itself. Anybody rented lenses before?
[/topic derail]

Thanks!
Steve
 
Checkout Borrowlens.com They are in San Mateo and you can pick up from them or they will ship to you. The prices are pretty reasonable. Depending on the lens it can be as little as $20 for three days up to $250 for a monster super telephoto. I have used them a half dozen times without any problems. They have been very good with my last minute rentals and order changes.:thumbup
 
MtnRacer said:
[topic derail]
How expensive is it to rent lenses? I really want to try out the new 35mm/1.8 AF-s on my D40 at my friend's Bday this weekend, but if it's expensive, I'd rather put it towards a purchase of the lense itself. Anybody rented lenses before?
[/topic derail]

Thanks!
Steve
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Renting lenses is, comparatively speaking, dirt cheap. Especially when you get into the higher-end stuff.
 
Are there any real bargain Nikon lenses that allow for a really shallow DOF with a decent bokeh? Obviously the 50mm f/1.8, but are there others? Used prime lenses? Because I used the term "bargain", I'll automatically assume that excludes anything with auto-focus...
 
froride1 said:
Checkout Borrowlens.com They are in San Mateo and you can pick up from them or they will ship to you. The prices are pretty reasonable. Depending on the lens it can be as little as $20 for three days up to $250 for a monster super telephoto. I have used them a half dozen times without any problems. They have been very good with my last minute rentals and order changes.:thumbup
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Bummer, they didn't have the lense I wanted to try. I'll take a look around for other shops. :thumbup

Steve
 
VeloceMoto said:
Are there any real bargain Nikon lenses that allow for a really shallow DOF with a decent bokeh? Obviously the 50mm f/1.8, but are there others? Used prime lenses? Because I used the term "bargain", I'll automatically assume that excludes anything with auto-focus...
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craigslist....
 
Have you gone into any shops to see what they have available used? Anyone know of a list of all Nikon lenses?
 
mosquito said:
Have you gone into any shops to see what they have available used? Anyone know of a list of all Nikon lenses?
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I guess I was just looking for something along the lines of, "The old 110mm 2.8 macro is the bomb diggity and they're so cheap now because they're manual focus and used" or somesuch.

Ken Rockwell does that with many lenses on his site, particularly the old stuff.

I thought there might be some gems that are just common-knowledge with the hardcore photography set, but maybe not. It was just a question. :)
 
VeloceMoto said:
Are there any real bargain Nikon lenses that allow for a really shallow DOF with a decent bokeh? Obviously the 50mm f/1.8, but are there others? Used prime lenses? Because I used the term "bargain", I'll automatically assume that excludes anything with auto-focus...
Click to expand...

105/2.5 Ais. It's a manual focus prime, and it was one of the best portrait lenses in the business for many years. Can be found under $200 most of the time. Check Adorama's used department, or KEH.com. I wish I hadn't sold mine. :(

Check it out. That's a huge hole through the middle of this thing.

p895843244.jpg

p955140854.jpg
 
cycle61 said:
105/2.5 Ais. It's a manual focus prime, and it was one of the best portrait lenses in the business for many years. Can be found under $200 most of the time. Check Adorama's used department, or KEH.com. I wish I hadn't sold mine. :(
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Just the thing I was looking for!

AIS, what does that mean in terms of metering? Will I need to shoot at full-manual all the time?

So why DID you get rid of it? :toothless
 
nikon archives all their lenses on their website too if you want to see everything.

You will have to shoot manual focus with that 105mm. I'm pretty sure it won't meter on your body though, but since it's digital, keep taking shots till it's right :)
 
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