DSL vs Smartphone
Mar 8, 2021 21:52:56 #
Photography inside the US Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
About two years ago I visited the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I took my Nikon D-80 while many of my companions had their smart phones.
The lighting inside those big hangers is extremely variable. They are illuminated by lights mounted high in the ceiling resulting in a brightly illuminated area on the floor, directly under the light, separated by darker areas well beyond the dynamic range of the Nikon D-80. The end result was that the photographs that I took were poor whereas the ones taken by my companions’ smart phones were really very good.
I realize modern DSL cameras have a wider dynamic range than the old D-80 but I would appreciate advice on what would be the best way to tackle this type of problem.
About two years ago I visited the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I took my Nikon D-80 while many of my companions had their smart phones.
The lighting inside those big hangers is extremely variable. They are illuminated by lights mounted high in the ceiling resulting in a brightly illuminated area on the floor, directly under the light, separated by darker areas well beyond the dynamic range of the Nikon D-80. The end result was that the photographs that I took were poor whereas the ones taken by my companions’ smart phones were really very good.
I realize modern DSL cameras have a wider dynamic range than the old D-80 but I would appreciate advice on what would be the best way to tackle this type of problem.
Mar 8, 2021 22:08:44 #
Took a bit to figure out what a DSL camera was.
(All I could think of was Digital Subscriber Link.)
(All I could think of was Digital Subscriber Link.)
Mar 8, 2021 22:12:05 #
Whenever I see vs. there is an agenda. Use whatever skills you may have with whatever devices amuse you.
Mar 8, 2021 22:20:06 #
You could try bracketing your exposures if to can hold the camera steady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YVsqrUfX2k
I think that is how the SmartPhones do it.
Flash, if allowed, can also be helpful. Off camera flash would be best.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YVsqrUfX2k
I think that is how the SmartPhones do it.
Flash, if allowed, can also be helpful. Off camera flash would be best.
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Mar 8, 2021 22:24:57 #
quixdraw wrote:
Whenever I see vs. there is an agenda. Use whatever skills you may have with whatever devices amuse you.
The "compared to" definition works for me.
Mar 8, 2021 22:33:17 #
mmcgavin wrote:
Photography inside the US Air Force Museum at Wrig... (show quote)
You should present a few examples, being sure to store the JPEG files as attachments. There are likely some corrective actions you can take with your DSLR such that you're capturing better overall images vs a phone. By attaching some examples, we can 'see' the camera and lens settings used when the images were created.
Our community member James58 posted some images of the Memphis Bell at the Dayton Museum. His Sony is a similar cropped camera as your D80, although newer by a few years. His exposure parameters might give some ideas for settings, or for a faster or wider lens where James was able to work at ISO-100 and f/2.5. Link: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-552219-1.html
Mar 9, 2021 00:31:12 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
mmcgavin wrote:
Photography inside the US Air Force Museum at Wrig... (show quote)
You used DSL twice, once in the title and once in the body of you message. Assuming it was just a typo, I wanted to confirm that you knew the proper acronym for a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera is DSLR. DSL is a Digital Subscriber Line which allows high speed internet access via phone lines.
Mar 9, 2021 07:55:43 #
mmcgavin wrote:
Photography inside the US Air Force Museum at Wrig... (show quote)
Thirteen years difference in digital technology would be hard to tackle.
Mar 9, 2021 08:10:11 #
Some thoughts- Dynamic range has improved a lot especially at higher ISOs, which I am guessing you were using inside. Exposing to the right, ie for highlights can help if you cannot do HDR. Shooting in RAW if you are not doing that gives you more flexibility in post. You don’t mention lenses but a fast prime, even a 50mm f1.8 gives a lot more light (allowing for a lower ISO setting which gives more dynamic range) compared to a zoom.
Mar 9, 2021 08:22:37 #
This probably isn't true for anyone else, but I find holding my phone still while taking a picture really hard to do. The mere act of pushing that button moves it. My "baby digi" (a Canon SX50) has a "museum" setting on it that I use inside such places. It actually takes a series of shots and merges them - an automatic HDR. It has worked quite well in many instances.
Mar 9, 2021 09:54:47 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Your ISO tops out at 1600. That’s where a decent camera phone will beat you hands down. Use the highest ISO for those available dark shots and your widest aperture. Most camera phones are set at 1.8, some may be wider. Shutter speed would be the lowest you can go but avoid too much shake. I like to prop against a wall of other support when I can. And keep in mind that most new camera phones have an HDR mode, your's doesn’t. You could also set your camera to Auto ISO if it has that ability. Spot metering on the brighter parts of the scene might help too.
Mar 9, 2021 14:55:56 #
I have five Nikon DSLR's ranging from a D-70 to a D7500. They will all take a decent picture at noon on a sunny day. As the hours pass and the day darkens, the quality of the pictures drops off, one by one, technological advance at a time.
(but when it gets REALLY dark -- and I don't have a tripod -- I put my Nikons down and pick up my Olympus)
(but when it gets REALLY dark -- and I don't have a tripod -- I put my Nikons down and pick up my Olympus)
Mar 9, 2021 17:03:51 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
AzPicLady wrote:
This probably isn't true for anyone else, but I find holding my phone still while taking a picture really hard to do. The mere act of pushing that button moves it. My "baby digi" (a Canon SX50) has a "museum" setting on it that I use inside such places. It actually takes a series of shots and merges them - an automatic HDR. It has worked quite well in many instances.
why not set the delay timer for 5 seconds and press shutter and the hold camera still
Mar 9, 2021 17:06:05 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
why not set the delay timer for 5 seconds and press shutter and the hold camera still
Does my phone have a time delay possibility?
Mar 9, 2021 17:21:27 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
AzPicLady wrote:
Does my phone have a time delay possibility?
The newer ones all do with a couple three choices.
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