Digital SLR / DSLR Camera Question / DSLR Thread 2

[Charles R]

ok, similar shot but this time did it in B&W. played around a lil more in photoshop this time, i think he looks more 'separated' from the background now

lol. you're working on white backgrounds... and I'm working on black backgrounds.

Actually, I'm learning what I can throw into service, since I have a serious lack of equipment. This was lit with two halogen work lamps

 

[Cycle61]

Damn, son, guess who owns a camera again? arty

D40x, baby. That's right, I'm a fucking baller.

Despite the very limited number of external controls, I've got it set up to where I can adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO without having to look at the camera or open a menu. That's all I really need.

Tiny little thing looks funny dangling off the back of the rental 70-200. Like a slightly enlarged rear lens cap.

 

[VeloceMoto]

Damn, son, guess who owns a camera again? arty

D40x, baby. That's right, I'm a fucking baller.

Welcome back!!

Tiny little thing looks funny dangling off the back of the rental 70-200. Like a slightly enlarged rear lens cap.

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[drizz]

Pics or it didn't happen.

+1

 

[VeloceMoto]

Still waiting...

 

[VeloceMoto]

While we're waiting, I'll ask a question, as I am known to do!

Choose one:
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 prime
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom (NON-VR)

As I recall, Cycle61, you rented that 200mm f/2 and said you didn't miss once having 70-199mm. From that perspective, maybe a used 180mm prime would be better, save a couple of hundred bucks (saw one on CL for $550), get a sharper lens, etc.

 

[Cycle61]

Actually, I'd go with the 80-200 non-VR. I've rented the 180 prime, and wasn't tremendously impressed with it.

Speaking of lenses: D40x on the back of a 70-200.

And some shots with the combo:

.

 

[VeloceMoto]

Actually, I'd go with the 80-200 non-VR.

Ahh yeah, that was the one I was thinking of. Without the VR. About $900 iirc.

Speaking of lenses: D40x on the back of a 70-200.

I love it.

And some shots with the combo:

Those look fantastic! The bokeh is, naturally, excellent. Noise looks good at ISO 800. Did you shoot the whole event at 800 with VR and no flash?

 

[Cycle61]

Those look fantastic! The bokeh is, naturally, excellent. Noise looks good at ISO 800. Did you shoot the whole event at 800 with VR and no flash?

Thanks. And whatchoo talking about no flash? Plenty of flash in all of those pictures. They're on lightstands, as always. Shot most of the event with this camera at ISO 800, F2.8-4, and 1/200th. Ambient light was ugly (and dim) fluorescent, so ramped up the shutter speed to totally squash it. I didn't dare go above ISO800 with the D40x, 1600 comes out pretty crunchy from what I've seen.

 

[drizz]

Well... I took some nice pics this weekend at my cousin's wedding... unfortunately they're all gone. The photographer's camera had an Err during the daddy-daughter dance that it never came back from (poor 1d Mk. II). In the process, it corrupted the card. She managed to save the pics she'd already taken, but the card was no good.

She didn't have another body OR any other cards apparently, so I donated my camera and card to her for the rest of the wedding. The downside was losing all of MY pics, but I guess it's better for the greater good, right?

Poor photog would have been totally screwed had I not brought my 20D and 24-70L though.

 

[VeloceMoto]

Thanks. And whatchoo talking about no flash?

I guess that's a compliment in disguise.

...and one question leads to another. What kind of light modifiers are on the strobes? The light looks nice and soft.

Plenty of flash in all of those pictures. They're on lightstands, as always. Shot most of the event with this camera at ISO 800, F2.8-4, and 1/200th. Ambient light was ugly fluorescent, so ramped up the shutter speed to totally squash it. I didn't dare go above ISO800 with the D40x, 1600 comes out pretty crunchy from what I've seen.

Yeah, 1600 looks pretty gross, from what I've seen, too. Good idea on killing the fluorescent lights. Couldn't you just use a green gel on the strobes or was it hard to match?

 

[Cycle61]

The downside was losing all of MY pics, but I guess it's better for the greater good, right?

Wait, so when you got your card back it was empty? :|

I guess that's a compliment in disguise.

...and one question leads to another. What kind of light modifiers are on the strobes? The light looks nice and soft.

I'll take the compliment. Light modifiers? None. The indoor pics, the strobes are bounced off the ceiling, with a slight forward tilt and the bounce card extended to provide just a touch of direct light. In the outdoor pic, I have one light set up high and off to my right. If you look closely, you can see a little catchlight in their eyes. Without that strobe, they're in the shade just like the wall behind them.

Good idea on killing the fluorescent lights. Couldn't you just use a green gel on the strobes or was it hard to match?

I probably could, but I'm lazy. And the gel absorbs some light, maybe 1/2-2/3 stop? Lighting a big room with a pair of speedlights like that is already a delicate balance of flash power (=lower ISO or smaller aperture) and recycle time/battery life. I ended up with one flash at 1/2 power with PW attached and the other at 1/4 power using the optical slave. This let me put a PW on each camera, but it meant that my 2nd flash was triggering off of everybody's flashes. Went through three sets of batteries in that one before the night was over. Adding gels would have meant slowing my recycle time OR shooting wide open OR bumping up the ISO to 1600. Not compromises I was willing to make.

 

[drizz]

Wait, so when you got your card back it was empty? :|

I haven't gotten my card back yet, so I guess some could have survived. I only had space for 34 more shots on my card when I gave it to her. As she needed more, I agreed (after arguing with myself about it) to let her delete to make space as she needed, as I had some pics of the ceremony etc. that she had as well.

We'll see when she mails me my card back this week what ends up on there. She was a sweet enough girl, and her pictures that I saw looked like decent enough quality, but she wasn't quite as experienced as most wedding photogs I've met in the past. As long as my cousin is happy with the pics, I'll be fine.

 

[Cycle61]

people that don't have spares of critical gear at a wedding

Also, you're kinder than I am. I would never let somebody else borrow a card that I had photos on. But I always carry extras.

This makes a strong argument for the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" thing. I have a bunch of 4GB cards. Usually end up with 12-16gig from a wedding, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to bet everything on one enormous 32gb card or something like that.

 

[Baptistro]

Nice work Nick

Is it worth it to get a used 5D? Or save my pennies and get the 5D MII?

The little lady is liking the XSi so much, I am finding the need for a second body.

Any thoughts?

 

[drizz]

Nice work Nick

Is it worth it to get a used 5D? Or save my pennies and get the 5D MII?

The little lady is liking the XSi so much, I am finding the need for a second body.

Any thoughts?

5d will run you about $1k. 5dII will run you about $2.5k

It's a tough call. The MKii gets you lots of extra goodies, but the 5d is on my list to consider as I want something full frame. I guess it all depends on priorities.

 

[Cycle61]

I'm hoping for a D800 or D700s to push down prices on used 700's.

 

[VeloceMoto]

5d will run you about $1k. 5dII will run you about $2.5k

It's a tough call. The MKii gets you lots of extra goodies, but the 5d is on my list to consider as I want something full frame. I guess it all depends on priorities.

Since your photos with the 40x and pro glass look great, tell me: what do you miss the most about the D700?

High ISO and AF speed?

...and maybe FX? (does it really matter much?)

(I'm resisting the Ken Rockwell mantra, "all anyone needs is a D40")

 

[Cycle61]

...what do you miss the most about the D700?

High ISO and AF speed?

2 out of 3, right there. The last one would be the external controls. I would really love to have a second control wheel again, as well as ISO and WB adjustments that didn't involve a trip into the menu system.

And it really should use CF cards. I don't like SD.

 

[VeloceMoto]

2 out of 3, right there. The last one would be the external controls. I would really love to have a second control wheel again, as well as ISO and WB adjustments that didn't involve a trip into the menu system.

And it really should use CF cards. I don't like SD.

And I bet things like dynamic range is better, etc. But eff, 5x the price and no lens! Doesn't the D90 get you 95% there?

I should really just shut up and reflect on the principle of diminishing marginal utility.