Hello from Maryland: Hello, I've never heard about Ugly Hedgehog until an amazing gentleman named Hershel told me about it at the B&H's Depth of Field conference in NYC this past...

JohnMilleker Loc: Baltimore, Maryland USA

Hello, I've never heard about Ugly Hedgehog until an amazing gentleman named Hershel told me about it at the B&H's Depth of Field conference in NYC this past Tuesday/Wednesday.

I'm excited to learn more about the group, I haven't really been a part of any communities or forums since Yahoo ruined Flickr a long, long time ago.

My full time job is photography and instruction. Primarily with darkroom processes and nearly every single one except Daguerreotypes (though I now have the equipment to start working in it, the Missus didn't want me breathing fumed mercury). We demonstrate and offer sittings for real, authentic Tintypes at many of the Civil War themed events in the area and surrounding states.

Digitally, I was always a die hard Canon fan, however yesterday my die hard status died. After poor performing offerings for still photographers the last few years, good Nikon gear, and unattentive Canon reps but amazing Nikon reps at the conference, we invested in all new Nikon gear. I'm a little excited, a little worried, a little recharged. As a full time 'pro' I don't get to shoot for myself much, I let myself lose a little passion for photography. Not once did it prevent me from being in the moment for clients, but the excitement to go out and shoot for myself wasn't there. I think that's going to change.

I used to like shooting with other photographers, there's a film group I joined for awhile and while everyone in the group is a great photographer, they never really wanted to go out and shoot collectively or for a project.

FJT Loc: Delaware

Hi John,
I'm from just east of the Mason-Dixon Line in Delaware. Hope you'll post some of your film work, especially some of the tintypes.
Welcome to UHH
Frank

JohnMilleker Loc: Baltimore, Maryland USA

FJT wrote:

Hi John,
I'm from just east of the Mason-Dixon Line in Delaware. Hope you'll post some of your film work, especially some of the tintypes.
Welcome to UHH
Frank

Nice to meet you, Frank and thanks for the warm welcome! When I was an active HAM I was up at Ham Radio Online in New Castle religiously. We try to make it to Bombay Hook Preserve now and then, but haven't been in a few years. Being that close, do you visit the preserve?

Sadly I fled from Flickr after Verizon bought them not knowing what would happen with images, it had a lot of my tintype work there and I'm notoriously bad at updating my web page or even facebook page.

Probably my favorite tintype that I still own is of an event last year. 121 people, it was starting to rain, ladies in silk ball gowns were starting to freak out. Do or die when you're talking a tintype. At least three minutes sensitizing in Silver Nitrate after pouring, then insert in a holder, walk to the camera. Lens is about f/4 on a 4.5x5.5" plate. Adjusted the tilt of my camera to make sure the layers of people were all in focus. Yelled my warning that if you can't see the lens, the lens can't see you and took a four second exposure.

Get back to 18x18' replica 1860's tintype photographer parlor tent and portable darkroom/darkbox and develop the plate. Bring it out to the few that braved the rain to come see and poured on the fixer. Potassium Cyanide. The image popped to life and created this plate - the most pressure I've ever had making a plate and the most people. I kept the original and just made tintype and print copies of it on my copy stand.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

JohnMilleker Loc: Baltimore, Maryland USA

Longshadow wrote:

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Welcome to the UHH. It's a shame Canon does not make a good performing DSLR that meets your needs. I'm curious though, because the 1DX II is not only a pretty good performer, in most reviews it rates higher than the D5 and it costs less. Now don't get me wrong here. I have no problem with Nikon gear or Canon gear or Sony gear or any manufacturers gear. They all make pretty good stuff.
Thing is, I too grew up on Canon, although my first SLR was a Konica, then a Minolta, but after that it was all Canon. My first digital camera was a Sony, a Mavica CD 300 I purchased around 18 years ago. Still have it and it still works. My first DSLR was a EOS 10D. Still have it, still works. In fact, over the years I continued to upgrade with each subsequent release up to the EOS 80D. Still have all of them and they all still work. I've also managed to pick up a 5DSr, 5D IV, 6D and 7D II, so I'd say I'm somewhat familiar with what Canon makes.
I also have a Nikon D500 and a Nikon D7200, both of which are great cameras, and several Nikkor lenses.
Here's my opinion; when used properly the 5DSr blows away anything I've used or seen when it comes to DSLR image quality, anything. Both my Nikons will probably beat it at ISO 100 dynamic range, but the 5DSr does like a lot of light, so shadows aren't really a big deal.
I truly like my Nikon DSLR'S but I find the Canon's have friendlier ergonomics and are simply easier to operate.
Did you really purchase all new Nikon gear because it is superior to anything Canon has or did you make the decision based on who was more attentive to you.
Bottom line, again welcome to the UHH. Looking forward to future communications and learning from you.

JohnMilleker Loc: Baltimore, Maryland USA

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Welcome to the UHH.

Thanks for the warm welcome! I was Canon poster boy for my whole career. Canon film bodies, my first digital was a 10D. It felt right in my hand and the Nikons felt oh so wrong. When asked, I always tell people to hold them both, one will feel right. That's how Canon was for me. Not that one or the other is better for the end result, and back in the days it seemed like Canon did best one year, Nikon the next. I slowly started seeing Canon almost seem to focus more on mirrorless and video. Things I don't care about.

**WALL OF TEXT WARNING**

This year, I wanted to upgrade my 5D MKii and 50D which was my rarely used backup body. I have a ton of Canon glass. Every range including the 400mm 2.8 IS and the specialty 28mm TS-E. CPS started disappointing me, so I stopped sending gear to them. Warranty service was OK and out of warranty service was terrible. Of course, that's my opinion and I know that many more thought the same about NPS.

I bought the Canon 6D MKii.. Twice. And both times cancelled. I bought the 5D MKiv once and cancelled it. I want a camera that is better than what I have, if I'm spending the money it's got to be top of the line and I don't want to lose anything. I was seriously thinking of the 1DX, but I guess I was spoiled with the 5D MKii before Canon figured out the formula to not give away everything in one body and cripple the others to make you pay. I didn't want to spend $6k on a body when my lenses are starting to wear out and I knew I needed that on glass. Also, I'm primarily not a digital photographer. So I can't justify the cost when I make a living on an 1870's English Tailboard camera.

When I saw Canon at the conference I was looking for a shred of hope. Prove me wrong or tell me to wait. I wanted someone at the Canon table to tell me it was going to be OK and that the next series of cameras would be everything I wanted it to be. Everything reviewers of the 6D MKii and the 5DMKiv were complaining about. They arrogantly wanted to argue with me, that is, once they acknowledged my existence from their smartphones. All three of them. Their tones were condescending. It wasn't what I needed to hear. I walked away. Here, this Canon fan-boy with Canon hat, Canon umbrella and at home countless Canon branded things, CPS Swag, I bought things close to Canon white with red stripes... I was addicted to the brand and here I was deflated.

Next I was in one of the rooms of the conference and was having a hard time hearing the speaker so I left a little early and wandered to the very busy and alive Nikon table. I explained my situation, they emphasized with me, took the time to understand my situation, what I shoot, what I do and step by step held my hand through their bodies and lenses. Answering my questions. They weren't selling me a camera, they weren't pushing me, they even told me if I did decided to try a switch, to keep my Canon gear just in case I didn't like it or as backups.

Now, I did put a Nikon D5 in my hand and everything about the feel is what I hated about Nikon so long ago and why I went Canon. But the D850 and D500 even with the grip felt different. The buttons no longer seemed to be wrong for how I shoot. Maybe it's just the difference between learning a system from the start and knowing cameras generally like the back of your hand.

I did look at the 5DSR but was turned off with the reports of higher ISO not being as clean as the Nikon or Sony offering. Not that something that small is going to completely turn me off. It looked like a good tool, a fine carbon fiber hammer with anti-vibration head. Yeah, the technical aspect is great. The specifications are great. But I'm bored. This Nikon spoke to my soul. I know it sounds silly but I got excited about photography again in the two hours I played with the camera, shot with it. At the end of the day, I'm not someone who can be woo'ed into a $20k decision, it was a long time coming. Maybe if I were in the same boat and bored with Nikon the Canon would have done the same. I can't say why I made the decision at the end of the day other than it felt right.

I still love Canon. My friends and family are in awe. Cameras are tools. And my decision may have been just for a racing stripe on a Kitchen-Aid mixer. it makes me excited for photography again.

Sorry for the wall of text, but I really appreciated your question. I'm the most surprised in all of this, and I think I figured things out in my own shock by thinking of the answer in the way you asked the question. Either way, I am going to shoot-out with my older gear and the newer stuff. I may even rent a 5DMKiv or 5DSR. Or not. I may open the box, put the lens on and take a walk, never to touch a Canon body again.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

J

JohnMilleker wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome! I was Canon poster boy for my whole career. Canon film bodies, my first digital was a 10D. It felt right in my hand and the Nikons felt oh so wrong. When asked, I always tell people to hold them both, one will feel right. That's how Canon was for me. Not that one or the other is better for the end result, and back in the days it seemed like Canon did best one year, Nikon the next. I slowly started seeing Canon almost seem to focus more on mirrorless and video. Things I don't care about.

**WALL OF TEXT WARNING**

This year, I wanted to upgrade my 5D MKii and 50D which was my rarely used backup body. I have a ton of Canon glass. Every range including the 400mm 2.8 IS and the specialty 28mm TS-E. CPS started disappointing me, so I stopped sending gear to them. Warranty service was OK and out of warranty service was terrible. Of course, that's my opinion and I know that many more thought the same about NPS.

I bought the Canon 6D MKii.. Twice. And both times cancelled. I bought the 5D MKiv once and cancelled it. I want a camera that is better than what I have, if I'm spending the money it's got to be top of the line and I don't want to lose anything. I was seriously thinking of the 1DX, but I guess I was spoiled with the 5D MKii before Canon figured out the formula to not give away everything in one body and cripple the others to make you pay. I didn't want to spend $6k on a body when my lenses are starting to wear out and I knew I needed that on glass. Also, I'm primarily not a digital photographer. So I can't justify the cost when I make a living on an 1870's English Tailboard camera.

When I saw Canon at the conference I was looking for a shred of hope. Prove me wrong or tell me to wait. I wanted someone at the Canon table to tell me it was going to be OK and that the next series of cameras would be everything I wanted it to be. Everything reviewers of the 6D MKii and the 5DMKiv were complaining about. They arrogantly wanted to argue with me, that is, once they acknowledged my existence from their smartphones. All three of them. Their tones were condescending. It wasn't what I needed to hear. I walked away. Here, this Canon fan-boy with Canon hat, Canon umbrella and at home countless Canon branded things, CPS Swag, I bought things close to Canon white with red stripes... I was addicted to the brand and here I was deflated.

Next I was in one of the rooms of the conference and was having a hard time hearing the speaker so I left a little early and wandered to the very busy and alive Nikon table. I explained my situation, they emphasized with me, took the time to understand my situation, what I shoot, what I do and step by step held my hand through their bodies and lenses. Answering my questions. They weren't selling me a camera, they weren't pushing me, they even told me if I did decided to try a switch, to keep my Canon gear just in case I didn't like it or as backups.

Now, I did put a Nikon D5 in my hand and everything about the feel is what I hated about Nikon so long ago and why I went Canon. But the D850 and D500 even with the grip felt different. The buttons no longer seemed to be wrong for how I shoot. Maybe it's just the difference between learning a system from the start and knowing cameras generally like the back of your hand.

I did look at the 5DSR but was turned off with the reports of higher ISO not being as clean as the Nikon or Sony offering. Not that something that small is going to completely turn me off. It looked like a good tool, a fine carbon fiber hammer with anti-vibration head. Yeah, the technical aspect is great. The specifications are great. But I'm bored. This Nikon spoke to my soul. I know it sounds silly but I got excited about photography again in the two hours I played with the camera, shot with it. At the end of the day, I'm not someone who can be woo'ed into a $20k decision, it was a long time coming. Maybe if I were in the same boat and bored with Nikon the Canon would have done the same. I can't say why I made the decision at the end of the day other than it felt right.

I still love Canon. My friends and family are in awe. Cameras are tools. And my decision may have been just for a racing stripe on a Kitchen-Aid mixer. it makes me excited for photography again.

Sorry for the wall of text, but I really appreciated your question. I'm the most surprised in all of this, and I think I figured things out in my own shock by thinking of the answer in the way you asked the question. Either way, I am going to shoot-out with my older gear and the newer stuff. I may even rent a 5DMKiv or 5DSR. Or not. I may open the box, put the lens on and take a walk, never to touch a Canon body again.

Thanks for the warm welcome! I was Canon poster bo... (show quote)

I hear you and I understand where you're coming from.
I agree, cameras are tools and if one knows how to use their tools, they will get good results.
I never intended to get the 5DSr but I had the opportunity to use one and I was amazed by the detail in the images. It's not a general purpose camera even though many people use it that way. It enjoys a lot of light.
My general purpose full frame is the 5D IV and crop frame is my D500 or 7DII, depending on what size lens I'm using. For example, I took my dogs to the dog park and I took my 7DII with an EF 70-300L attached. I got a few good shots of one of them with all 4 in the air.