The Photography Thread

[Greetings]

Cheers, will try that. This red does have a magenta tone to it which depends a lot on the lighting. It's not a typical red. Here's an quick example from the web. 

I was trying to make the images a bit more flat both in terms of detail and shadows/highlights is higher contrast what's recommended?

[Dman]

[DrEvil270183]

I haven't done very well with blogs this year. Need to get it sorted start of next year. Just done a Twenty Seventeen round up though if anyone fancies a gander.

http://www.stottandatkinson.com/twenty-seventeen/

 

[Tony Harrison]

17 hours ago, DrEvil270183 said:

I haven't done very well with blogs this year. Need to get it sorted start of next year. Just done a Twenty Seventeen round up though if anyone fancies a gander.

http://www.stottandatkinson.com/twenty-seventeen/

 

Some really good shots there.

[Herbertlemon102]

one of a few photos i took back in Norway. 

[MadManMike]

We went to home of TF's founder this weekend, to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Lovely place! (Tenby, for those who don't know)

 

[Herbertlemon102]

some from a night recently

[DrEvil270183]

I can't help but write "Horizons - straighten." For nobody in particular.

 

[MadManMike]

Not me I hope, I straighten mine in Lightroom... But my monitors are on a dual stand which is slightly on the piss, so possibly not perfect...

[Tony Harrison]

13 hours ago, DrEvil270183 said:

I can't help but write "Horizons - straighten." For nobody in particular.

 

First thing I look for in every outdoor photo I look at, including my own.

[CC12345678910]

(I'd like to run a hypothetical past the group, if you would.)

You would like/are willing to splash what is still rather strong money at this point in life going down the no doubt irreversible rabbit hole that is making the jump from your capable, loved, best you could afford at the time, but ageing bridge camera (F u j i  S  L  2  4  0) that you feel you are pushing the limits of, to a DSLR.

You are not even remotely Larry Chen but would like to take pretty pics of summer car and bike shows, motorsports (potential TT/MGP/Manx Rally trips etc.), the odd camera in bag wander to nowhere in particular (resulting in pint-on-picnic-bench shots, landscapes, sunsets, that kinda sh*te). I might even take piccys and HD video of them stupid bikes with no seats that need to oil their brakes, don't know if you've ever seen them or not.

So, as a starting point for your 1st big boy camera bag, do you pick:

A. Nikon D3400 w/18-55 kit lens (NOT VR). £329 out the door with a clickncollect voucher code for 100 pounds off but scared of being dissatisfied long term in a buy cheaper buy twice scenario. Scrubbed because there is no input for external mic. Forgot about that. Mirrorless will now be in the running also.

B. Nikon D5300 18/55 kit lens £549 

C. Eos 700D, 18/55 AND 75/300mm kit lenses (definite front runner I have to admit; Feels like the natural step from the 600D/T3i I have been handed the use of when "ere yar lad, film this for us yer" was being uttered in my direction a few years back) Also £549.

D. Eos 750D 18/55 kit lens. £599

All from the same high street retailer, 5 letters, blue and red livery, begins with A.

Looking into buying flash guns, batteries and a grip. a prime lens or 2, polariser/filters and possibly some fisheye action in the not distant future, but I need to take the 1st leap before all that carry on happens. Want this to be a "forever" purchase too, as I've outgrown the cam I have now [took the greater part of 5yrs I might add], and the stage after this (eos 5Dmk3 for example) is completely unobtainable for me at the mo - I'd have to setup a pay for prints FB business just to pay for the damn camera! 

Opinions please.

Cheers,

Ciaran.

Edited February 8, 2018 by CC12345678910

[Tony Harrison]

Not sure which of those I would pick, probably the D5300 but the Canon equivalent will be just as good.

I'd strongly recommend checking out the mirrorless options. I've seen great results from the Fujis.

[MadManMike]

I don't do filming, so can't really comment, other than why go to a high street retailer for £599 when you can get one for £459?

https://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-750d-kit-18-55-stm-3224-p.asp

Just picking on the 750d as an example.

[Herbertlemon102]

On 05/02/2018 at 8:23 PM, DrEvil270183 said:

I can't help but write "Horizons - straighten." For nobody in particular.

 

good point, i am still very much an amateur. ill look through my book of excuses and go with: im always drunk, looks fine to me.  

[CC12345678910]

On 2/8/2018 at 10:19 PM, MadManMike said:

I don't do filming, so can't really comment, other than why go to a high street retailer for £599 when you can get one for £459?

https://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-750d-kit-18-55-stm-3224-p.asp

Just picking on the 750d as an example.

Because idly flicking through said retailer's catalogs was the nub of the idea in the 1st place. Convenience of aftercare is a consideration also, but not the be all & end all.

150 beans off though is quite a chunk off a cam I'd ideally have but I thought was out of range £££wise. That 70-300mm offered with the 700D as well as the usual 18-55 was what drew me in to be honest, I think I'd be happier long term with the 750D, but again thought I couldn't stump up the coin. 

Have you used that site then @MadManMike or was that just off google? And would you recommend??

(Hear that? That's a sound of shit getting real way too fast and the part of my brain that goes "arrgh f*** it you know you want to" winning the powerstruggle that is my head )

Edited February 10, 2018 by CC12345678910

[MadManMike]

I haven't used them personally, but they're a legit company with good reviews on Google, so can't see it being a problem. They're also a camera shop, rather than a we-sell-everything kinda place like Amazon, so you should in theory get better service / advice, should you need it.

It was purely me grabbing one of your model numbers and having a quick search... Most of those you listed will probably be much cheaper online.

Personally I buy a lot of my cameras as grey imports as you save BIG money, but then after care could be a nightmare - that's a gamble I've always taken and so far haven't come unstuck.

[DrEvil270183]

If I was starting again with the kit, I'd go second hand. So many people buy a camera and slowly stop using it. Then sell it cheap online.

I see a lot of facebook groups with  Canon 5d MkII or even better the 6d mk1 or Nikon d700's (just checked and these are under £500. full frame beast.) for £500/600.  Pick up a 35mm and you're away. Grips just make cameras heavy so sack that off and invest the saved money in a lens.

I remember I bought a basic slr camera after a bridge, then plastic 50mm. Then a massive shit zoom. Then a fisheye. Then a Macro Lens. Then flashes. Upgrade camera to something mid range. Better zoom lens. Switch fisheye for wide, more practical. Invested in better 50mm. Upgraded to full frame. Sold zooms and bought all primes. As well as all the cheap trigger, old flashes, macro filters etc. I'm pretty sure this is what a lot of people do. Speed up the process, save the money long term and don't do this.

If I could do it again, I would invest in a full frame asap and go for a nice 35mm or 50mm. This limits you a little but you can really hone your skills until you can afford different lens. Then save like mad and try to only buy the best lens you can afford, don't be tempted with cheaper stuff as it won't perform when you need it too. That's the bit you'll never change and the important part really other than your eyes. I've got all my lens and I'm happy, I'd only replace one if it breaks.  My camera shoots 100,000 plus images a year, get them serviced once a year and I'll only upgrade when I see massive changes in the camera bodies.

A couple of years ago my 5d MkIII died mid-shoot, went to my back up mkii and was a little worried about the results but the images were still spot on. Way better than any entry level camera. Limited a little in low light but nothing to worry about.

If this is still above budget, I go second-hand midpoint like a 7d. I used to shoot Canon so know the older range fairly well and the 7d was a great camera. Better than an entry-level new camera I'd say. I shoot Nikon now but I've never looked at the range so no idea what's what.

As mentioned, a slight curveball and not something up to full frame yet but closing the gap with different advantages are mirrorless. (lighter, silent,) I know so many people jumping to Sony or Fuji but to be fair, its usually the fuji xt-2 or Sony a9 so pretty pricey. 

Worth a thought.

 

 

 

[Duncy H]

Wise words ^^^

 

I was lucky enough that my dad had a lot of high end stuff and good gear for me to use when I was getting into it. When it came time for me to actually purchase myself I went full frame with 5D iii and got a sweet 50mm. Three years later it’s still my go to and only real setup and I’m still really happy with it. 

If I’d have had to do the stage of buying lesser stuff originally and then upgrading later I’d have been peeved off a bit.

6d would be real good buy now, I think there’s a new version now so it’s probably come down in price I would have thought? I don’t really know much about what stuff goes for what prices these days though.

 

 

[Duncy H]

Wise words ^^^

 

I was lucky enough that my dad had a lot of high end stuff and good gear for me to use when I was getting into it. When it came time for me to actually purchase myself I went full frame with 5D iii and got a sweet 50mm. Three years later it’s still my go to and only real setup and I’m still really happy with it. 

If I’d have had to do the stage of buying lesser stuff originally and then upgrading later I’d have been peeved off a bit.

6d would be real good buy now, I think there’s a new version now so it’s probably come down in price I would have thought? I don’t really know much about what stuff goes for what prices these days though.

 

 

[CC12345678910]

 

19 hours ago, DrEvil270183 said:

If I was starting again with the kit, I'd go second hand. So many people buy a camera and slowly stop using it.

I see a lot of facebook groups with  Canon 5d MkII or even better the 6d mk1 or Nikon d700's (just checked and these are under £500. full frame beast.) for £500/600.  Pick up a 35mm and you're away.

Grips just make cameras heavy so sack that off and invest the saved money in a lens.

Battery grip want was based off the (loose) idea of spending 10+ days camping on the IOM with no leccy supply and up to 10hr long race days of pics and now fancypants DLSRtastic video. S'pose I could just take a shit load of pre-charged amazon batteries and have em kicking round in the cam bag.

I remember I bought a basic slr camera after a bridge, then plastic 50mm. Then a massive shit zoom. Then a fisheye. Then a Macro Lens. Then flashes. Upgrade camera to something mid range. Better zoom lens. Switch fisheye for wide, more practical. Invested in better 50mm.

As well as all the cheap trigger, old flashes, macro filters etc. I'm pretty sure this is what a lot of people do. Speed up the process, save the money long term and don't do this.  Read and noted. I'm hardly going to be grabbing accessories like it's a trolley dash, still a valid point though. Fisheye idea was for videoing of trials/MTB/Mototrial in a tight corner with no other access. No need? And what to use instead?? 

Still want to do remote flash stuff though. That and copious amounts of fisheye video so everything is like 2006era TGS  

If I could do it again, I would invest in a full frame asap and go for a nice 35mm or 50mm. This limits you a little but you can really hone your skills until you can afford different lens. For artsy stuff like car shows sure, I'm doubtful I can do the "walk more, shoot primes" meme thing holed up in a Manx hedgerow. Should think I'd need zoom for such situations. 

My camera shoots 100,000 plus images a year, get them serviced once a year and I'll only upgrade when I see massive changes in the camera bodies.

A couple of years ago my 5d MkIII died mid-shoot, went to my back up mkii and was a little worried about the results but the images were still spot on. Way better than any entry level camera. Limited a little in low light but nothing to worry about. Surely anything is going to be an upgrade at this juncture? 

If this is still above budget, I go second-hand midpoint like a 7d. Budget? What Budget!?? 

I used to shoot Canon so know the older range fairly well and the 7d was a great camera. Better than an entry-level new camera I'd say. Again, noted.

As mentioned, a slight curveball and not something up to full frame yet but closing the gap with different advantages are mirrorless. (lighter, silent,) I know so many people jumping to Sony or Fuji but to be fair, its usually the fuji xt-2 or Sony a9 so pretty pricey. 

Worth a thought.

Certainly is worth a thought. Mirrorless also suits the travelling requirements rather well, size and weight wise it's like a better version of my bridge cam i guess?

 

[MadManMike]

If you're planning on doing video, you'll probably need a lot of batteries. My D750 eats batteries very quick in video mode. I don't often film, but I did some clips of drifting at Castle Combe and was surprised how quickly they drained.

[Tony Harrison]

21 hours ago, DrEvil270183 said:

If I was starting again with the kit, I'd go second hand. So many people buy a camera and slowly stop using it. Then sell it cheap online.

I totally agree with this. My last three bodies were bought secondhand and they've all done me well. Look for a seller who seems genuine, took care of the kit (good sign if it's boxed with original accessories and they're a bird watcher or train spotter) and cameras with a low shutter count. I felt like I got way more for my money than if I'd spent the same amount on something new.

[CC12345678910]

All your comments are being taken on board lads.

I want to have a setup that has the capability to produce this (even if I can't)

©Stephen Davison

but have the budget for something that could be described as this.

 

I jest...

Ultimately I'm wanting to do prada on an asda budget, as an Irishman I know would say. I'll get there though. Shame Aldi don't do copy canons eh? 

Edited February 11, 2018 by CC12345678910

[DrEvil270183]

It's really hard to not go out and buy a shit long lens, but trust me. It will be just that, shit and blurry. I'd be looking for at least the 70-200 f4 L, not super fast but L so it's nice and sharp.

The car one looks to be a 35mm or 50mm at a guess. Again, it's worth investing in a good one as the plastic is okay but I never found one reliable to focus every time.

Based on what you've said, I'd be looking for a 7d or similar, then a Canon 50mm 1.4 over the plastic 1.8. It means shooting at 1.8 will be more accurate. Then forget about a zoom lens for the time being and experiment with what you have. Maybe in a years time or so, invest a good amount in a decent zoom.  You might even find you don't want a big zoom and go down a different route.

[Luke Rainbird]

Loosely related, though on a lower budget:

My parents go away a few times a year in their campervan, usually once skiing, once in the UK and once somewhere sunny. They normally bring back a few phone photos to show where they've been, but I think mum would quite like to get a decent but cheap DSLR to take some better shots with and maybe learn some basic photography skills too.

I always remember BITD the likes of Westlake/Purdon and a few others using Canon 550Ds for video duty and occasional stills, and they seemed to give a decent result to my untrained eye. They can be picked up second hand for around £200 with an 18-55 (IIRC) kit lens. Would something like that fit the bill, or would funds go further with something else?

I'm aware the 550D is a relatively old model now, and presumably tech has moved on so there may well be something entry-level for that sort of outlay or less offering better value for money. Her birthday's coming up this summer so it'd be a good excuse to treat her, and if she doesn't end up getting into it then I can always pinch it for car/bike/homemadeporn stuff.