Posts for: CSI Dave
May 1, 2012 19:52:38 #
docrob wrote:
We have good taste!
We have good taste!
Agreed!
:thumbup: /pats self on back/
I do think their quick release plates are very good - very solid and secure. I think you'll be happy with it. If you figure out a clever way to keep the screw from getting lost when the plate's not on the camera, let me know.
May 1, 2012 18:38:51 #
docrob wrote:
I'm in the market for a new ball head. The Acratech Ultimate Ball head looks quite good - anyone here own one - or have experience with one?
If so love to hear your thoughts
If so love to hear your thoughts
I bought one about six months ago, and so far I really like it. It's my first ball head of this price/quality, so I don't have any direct experience comparing it to other reputable heads like Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss. I do a fair amount of hiking, so I liked that the Acratech is lighter, but still well made, smooth and sturdy. Note that it isn't sold with a quick release plate, you'll have to add that to the price if you don't already have one (it wasn't clear on their website when I selected my quick release clamp option). I don't like the screw on their plate, it doesn't have a retaining clip so it can get lost easily. They claim it's stronger that way, but if you don't like it, any Arca Swiss style plate will work.
Apr 26, 2012 18:38:05 #
MT Shooter wrote:
VERY limited production batteries (February and March 2012 dates). Most of them were shipped with the D800 and J1 cameras in March and April. I have 3 and none of them are involved in the recall.
True, and my two batteries weren't part of the recall, either. But I'd hate to hear about someone on UHH run into a problem with their brand new D800 - better to do a quick check than have a really bad day, IMHO.
Apr 26, 2012 12:34:26 #
I read that Nikon is recalling certain batches of the EN-EL15 battery that is used in the D800, D7000 and Nikon 1 V1. Supposedly some batteries can short circuit and fry your camera. Nobody wants that to happen! Here's a link to the Nikon website for more information.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/h0ndzaip/EN-EL15-Battery-Recall-Service-Advisory.html
http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/h0ndzaip/EN-EL15-Battery-Recall-Service-Advisory.html
Apr 25, 2012 15:41:53 #
ziggykor wrote:
I use it quite often, and it does an excellent job. Another option is Topaz Labs Black and White Effects. I believe that it can be purchased for around $60.00 and it is as good as, or better than the NIK program.
Interesting. I've also been considering NIK, but I'm not familiar with Topaz. I'll have to check it out, thanks for the tip.
Apr 24, 2012 13:21:13 #
Erv wrote:
Very nice Dave!! Now I have to go make a fire and try it. :-D
Erv
Erv
Thanks, Erv. It makes me want to go out and play with a campfire, too. You are correct that the low power flash will help the subject from getting blurred as much. I see that my practice shots here look much worse on my non-calibrated monitor at work (oh, did I just say that out loud? Don't tell my boss.). It reminded me to mention that they were shot at ISO 200, using relatively small aperture, so the settings were far from optimized for low light. There's a lot that could be improved in post, also, such as white balance and lifting the shadows, if necessary.
Apr 23, 2012 23:29:35 #
And two more...one using ambient light, the other using remote flash. This time, both shot with Sigma 10-20mm lens, f/5.6 @ 0.6s
No flash
With remote flash
Apr 23, 2012 23:27:26 #
CSI Dave wrote:
quote=jeep_daddy I played with this for a couple ... (show quote)
Yes, I'm quoting myself here, just want to clarify with some examples what I was talking about. [This is the first time I've tried to post pictures, so hopefully I won't screw it up.
Here are some images I was experimenting with to achieve the 'campfire' effect the OP was asking about. First, my fireplace with ambient light, no flash. The glow of the tree is the predominant lighting in this one. The next has the same settings (Nikon D300 w/ 35mm f/1.8, set to f/7.1, 1.0 sec, remote flash mode, SB600 flash with warming gel set near the hearth of the fireplace) Notice that the source of the light in the "with flash" picture takes on more of the glow of the flames, rather than the tree lights.
All were shot in RAW, converted to JPEG in Photoshop with no post processing.
No flash #1, f/7.1 @ 1.0s
With remote flash, f/7.1 @ 1.0s
Apr 23, 2012 15:36:55 #
I also thought that alkalines would give the fastest cycle time. However, I just recently got some of the Sanyo eneloop NiMH 2000mA batteries based on all of the attention they've gotten lately. I put them in my SB600 and was surprised how quick they recycled. Now I know why!
Apr 23, 2012 14:13:32 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
I played with this for a couple of hours without any success. Try everything you read here and let us know what works. I've seen some nice images of fire but I just can't figure it out.
Here's a more advanced method that can work quite well, but it takes some practice to dial in and a little extra equipment, which I'm not sure if you have yet:
You'll need a speedlite, preferably with wireless capability.
The XSi doesn't support wireless flash out of the box, but you may be able to pick up a cheap transmitter. (You'll have to research this, since I do not have this camera - mine has built-in wireless flash control.)
Place a warming gel (orange/amber color) over the speedlite, you want to match the flash output color with the campfire glow. You can pick up sheets of these gels really cheap at a craft store, usually comes in a variety of colors.
Place the speedlite low and angled up towards the faces of the campers, so that it mimics the direction of light from the campfire.
You'll want to dial back the power of the speedlite to pretty low output, something like 1/64th or even 1/128. This is where the experimentation comes in. TTL settings work ok, you could also dial in manual exposure settings.
Try to hide the flash behind an object, such as a log or rock, so that the source is hidden from the camera.
With a little practice, you will be able to adjust the flash output to enhance the campfire light while still looking very natural.
Apr 20, 2012 17:16:08 #
photo guy wrote:
Welcome to UHH. Post some photos when you are ready.
Thanks for all of the greetings. I'll be certain to chime in with comments from time to time. As far as posting photos, I never claimed to be any good, just an enthusiast. :) I'll put some up if they are relevant to a topic, though.
Apr 19, 2012 17:24:26 #
Hi, my name is Dave and I'm a photoholic. Well, a hobbyist and enthusiast anyway. I've been lurking for a little while, and it looks like this is a pretty good group of people.
Just a bit of background: I'm in Phoenix, Arizona. I started in photography about 25 years ago as a teenager shooting 35mm Pentax gear (various models), then learned darkroom techniques in college photo classes. I prefer landscapes, abstracts, and wildlife, but interested in expanding and learning new subjects. About 3 years ago I jumped into digital with both feet, sold my Contax film equipment to do it (still sad sometimes). I currently shoot mainly with a Nikon D300. I also have been experimenting with a Sony NEX 5n so I can play with all of my old legacy lenses, especially the Topcon and Zeiss collections I have from my grandfather.
Enough for now, cheers!
Just a bit of background: I'm in Phoenix, Arizona. I started in photography about 25 years ago as a teenager shooting 35mm Pentax gear (various models), then learned darkroom techniques in college photo classes. I prefer landscapes, abstracts, and wildlife, but interested in expanding and learning new subjects. About 3 years ago I jumped into digital with both feet, sold my Contax film equipment to do it (still sad sometimes). I currently shoot mainly with a Nikon D300. I also have been experimenting with a Sony NEX 5n so I can play with all of my old legacy lenses, especially the Topcon and Zeiss collections I have from my grandfather.
Enough for now, cheers!