Posts for: pendennis
Jul 26, 2017 19:04:20 #
I started buying from B&H from the time I first saw their ads in the photo mags. I stocked my photography needs from them since. Only once, around 1984, did I not get exactly what I ordered, and since I could use the item (light stand), I kept it rather than return it. Adorama and Cameta have, likewise been just as reliable and fair; and as someone mentioned, Roberts Camera in Indianapolis.
I know we like to use the acronym "ABC" as a term for fairness and reliability, and I think it could be improved by restating it to "ABCR".
I know we like to use the acronym "ABC" as a term for fairness and reliability, and I think it could be improved by restating it to "ABCR".
Jul 25, 2017 19:37:27 #
GeorgeH wrote:
I graduated from HS in 1961 in Chester, VA, near R... (show quote)
My cousin was originally from the Richmond, VA, area, and she had an accent which was distinctive, mostly Piedmont. That version of Piedmont is distinct from the plateau Piedmont of North Carolina.
As an aside, when I took music appreciation in college, we discovered that music from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky had a distinctive English "accent". It seemed so unlikely until my professor explained that English settlers brought their music with them, and settled there. There were few others who moved into the area, so the music didn't evolve.
Jul 23, 2017 08:45:10 #
FrankR wrote:
Thanks Mark. So tired of these clowns who are still fighting a war in their heads that they lost over 150 years ago. I wonder if it's all right to refer to them constantly as stupid crackers?
The north won the War of Secession, 1861-1865, but the "economic war" being waged right now, gives a clear edge to the south. Things like right to work, make a very hospitable environment for companies not wanting to deal with unions and the accompanying baggage.
PS - The War of Secession is probably the most accurate descriptor of the conflict. It was not a war between states; Massachusetts did not declare war on Alabama, and neither did South Carolina declare war on Pennsylvania. It also was not a civil war, since the southern states did not change the types of existing governments.
South Carolina attempted to peacefully secede from the Union. However, when they believed their sovereignty was violated by the Federal government resupplying Fort Sumter, they took up arms.
Now, just how you believe the war started, and the reasoning behind it, makes for great arguments and discussions.
Me? I prefer to have my Very Old Barton with a splash of water. Next to that, Woodford Reserve!
Jul 22, 2017 08:26:59 #
I'm a native of Louisville, which is the gateway to the south, literally. I moved to Michigan 35 years ago, but vowed to keep my accent. Successful to a tee.
My sister moved to Knoxville around the time I moved to Michigan, and her accent has deepened. A linguistics professor at U Tennessee, who attends the same church has studied the phenomenon. According to him, folks who move south will eventually develop an accent, even a mild one. However, when that person moves back north, the accent remains.
My wife and I drink brewed iced tea 365 days per year.
And for those who travel I75. When you cross the bridge into Kentucky, and get to Florence, note that the sign on the water tower states "Florence Y'all". When we see that, we know we're home.
My sister moved to Knoxville around the time I moved to Michigan, and her accent has deepened. A linguistics professor at U Tennessee, who attends the same church has studied the phenomenon. According to him, folks who move south will eventually develop an accent, even a mild one. However, when that person moves back north, the accent remains.
My wife and I drink brewed iced tea 365 days per year.
And for those who travel I75. When you cross the bridge into Kentucky, and get to Florence, note that the sign on the water tower states "Florence Y'all". When we see that, we know we're home.
Jul 18, 2017 09:57:00 #
Perspective control (PC) lenses only work to include imaging which resolves within the coverage circle of the lens. The film/sensor plane must stay parallel to the subject to keep lines from converging, but only to the lens coverage limits.
Once the film/sensor planes move from parallel to the subject, lines going away from the camera will converge.
The solution, as others have mentioned, is to use the editing software to change the convergence of vertical line.
The other option is to use a view camera and use the camera's movements to "adjust" the subject pre-exposure.
As others have stated, it depends on what you want your image to represent. The image is an interpretation of what you saw, not the instructor.
Once the film/sensor planes move from parallel to the subject, lines going away from the camera will converge.
The solution, as others have mentioned, is to use the editing software to change the convergence of vertical line.
The other option is to use a view camera and use the camera's movements to "adjust" the subject pre-exposure.
As others have stated, it depends on what you want your image to represent. The image is an interpretation of what you saw, not the instructor.
Jul 16, 2017 14:30:02 #
Not saying that I've been around for a long time, but I purchased mine directly from M. Louis Daguerre.
All kidding aside, my first was a Nikkormat FT. Then switched over to Pentax Spotmatic SPII M42 mount. Went to K mount in the 80's, then back to Nikon via the F3HP, and I've been in the Nikon stable since.
For medium format, a Minolta Autocord, then to Mamiya "C" series.
Large format, a Busch Pressman Model D, then Toyo, Omega, Kodak, etc., in 4x5.
All kidding aside, my first was a Nikkormat FT. Then switched over to Pentax Spotmatic SPII M42 mount. Went to K mount in the 80's, then back to Nikon via the F3HP, and I've been in the Nikon stable since.
For medium format, a Minolta Autocord, then to Mamiya "C" series.
Large format, a Busch Pressman Model D, then Toyo, Omega, Kodak, etc., in 4x5.
Jul 12, 2017 08:42:13 #
MtnMan wrote:
Good thing no one was following too close!
Amen to that! Traffic was strung out pretty well, with everyone moving at around 70. Just shows how one idiot can mess up things.
Jul 11, 2017 19:07:38 #
I lease a new vehicle every two years, and the last three have had back-up cameras as part of the "safety and security" packages. They've become indispensable as part of my awareness of what's going on around me. My Escape has sensors which cover 360 degrees, and let me know where vehicles are, especially in "blind spots".
In the past six years, there have been quantum leaps in the technology. The first camera gave you a very good idea of the distance until you made contact with something. Now, on my 2017, the camera has a much wider view, and I can actually see the license plate frame. The distances are down to the inches, and the scene is well-lit at night.
If I had one complaint, it's that the camera lens gets really dirty, especially in wintery slush, and I have to insure that I wipe it clean before starting out.
And there's one other. My Escape also has "smart" cruise control. On my very first trip, it probably saved me from a bad accident. I was driving south on I75 in the left lane in a line of a number of cars. I always watch the mirrors of other drivers to see if they signal a move. In the right lane, and around 20 feet in front of me, a driver suddenly swerved into my lane; no warning at all. I started for the brake pedal, but the vehicle stood on the brakes for me in less than a third of my reaction time. I'm sold.
In the past six years, there have been quantum leaps in the technology. The first camera gave you a very good idea of the distance until you made contact with something. Now, on my 2017, the camera has a much wider view, and I can actually see the license plate frame. The distances are down to the inches, and the scene is well-lit at night.
If I had one complaint, it's that the camera lens gets really dirty, especially in wintery slush, and I have to insure that I wipe it clean before starting out.
And there's one other. My Escape also has "smart" cruise control. On my very first trip, it probably saved me from a bad accident. I was driving south on I75 in the left lane in a line of a number of cars. I always watch the mirrors of other drivers to see if they signal a move. In the right lane, and around 20 feet in front of me, a driver suddenly swerved into my lane; no warning at all. I started for the brake pedal, but the vehicle stood on the brakes for me in less than a third of my reaction time. I'm sold.
Jul 10, 2017 09:44:42 #
Abe's of Maine has had a crappy reputation for many years, not just since changing ownership. And even before the internet came along, they were reported to various consumer agencies, especially in New York, as using bait and switch tactics in selling cameras and lenses.
One of the things they would do would be to use the "800" number for sales only. If you tried to get any info, they'd tell you to call the regular number, then hang up. That's how cheap they were. They seemed to never have the items in stock that appeared in the magazine ads (Pop Photo, Modern, etc.). However, if you were willing to spend X+ dollars on "extras", they'd get the item out to you. However, it always came the cheapest route, taking many days to arrive. You paid through the nose to get any type of "express" shipping (UPS, FEDEX).
They had huge numbers of complaints, but the magazines wouldn't stop taking their ads. However, the "grapevine" at the time make their practices known. As P.T. Barnum allegedly quoted, "There's a sucker born every minute".
One of the things they would do would be to use the "800" number for sales only. If you tried to get any info, they'd tell you to call the regular number, then hang up. That's how cheap they were. They seemed to never have the items in stock that appeared in the magazine ads (Pop Photo, Modern, etc.). However, if you were willing to spend X+ dollars on "extras", they'd get the item out to you. However, it always came the cheapest route, taking many days to arrive. You paid through the nose to get any type of "express" shipping (UPS, FEDEX).
They had huge numbers of complaints, but the magazines wouldn't stop taking their ads. However, the "grapevine" at the time make their practices known. As P.T. Barnum allegedly quoted, "There's a sucker born every minute".
Jul 9, 2017 00:07:54 #
Apaflo wrote:
Wrong. It depends on the film size. To get the same DOF on a 35mm full frame sensor and an 8x10 sheet film camera means f/8 on the former and f/64 on the later.
Nobody has ever thought f/64 would be sharp with a FF digital camera.
Nobody has ever thought f/64 would be sharp with a FF digital camera.
I wasn't comparing 35mm and 8x10 (or larger) D-O-F. My comment was to note that smaller apertures are not necessarily better when it comes to image sharpness.
In the 50 years I've shot most formats, I learned early on that small lens apertures bring their own problems to the table, regardless the format. There are issues with light passing through small apertures, regardless the format. LF lenses don't have to resolve as finely as 35mm lenses, since an 8x10 needs no enlargement, and 35mm needs 53 times to get 8x10 images.
With large format, there are camera movements which 35 mm cameras can only dream. It now takes software packages to do the things that view camera movements have always been able to perform before the shutter is tripped.
And, it still does not change the fact that camera lenses of all formats don't perform as well at wide-open apertures than they do when stopped down.
Jul 8, 2017 21:12:32 #
Stormrider wrote:
Well, being an FNG, I was not sure if the replies were humor ir a means if telling me nit to bitger real photogs with my annoying beginner queries. I never take folks for granted. Thanks for the courteous heads up.
Please, only take the posts as humor, and not an attack on your question. Folks sometimes forget that people in these fora aren't static. They come, go, stay for a while, etc.
I've been taking photos for over 50 years, and not a day goes by that I don't learn something new, either analog or digital.
As a tyro, I asked some very naive questions, and the best answers were those which included some humor, even pointed criticism. Each answer entered my mental database.
I can remember the same subjects being covered almost ad nauseum in the photo mags, and how boring they got after the third or fourth article of the same "How much grain is acceptable with Tri-X vs. Panatomic X", or "Should I use Microdol X, D76, or Agfa Rodinal?". Somewhere out there someone didn't know the answer to that question and needed the knowledge.
Jul 8, 2017 21:00:42 #
Rongnongno wrote:
A 'group 64' made with a few photographers, including Ansel Adams.
Ironically, it was thought that f64 provided the sharpest of pictures. However, as lens testing and development progressed, it was discovered that most lenses had the "sweet spot" at around two stops down from maximum aperture. F64 actually cost a bit of sharpness.
Jul 8, 2017 20:28:22 #
bull drink water wrote:
does a birding lens have to be a zoom? I have some 400 and 500mm lenses that reach way out there. also they are fx lenses that I also use on dx cameras. ther are a number of long lenses on the used market.
The single focal length lenses are superior, because they're a bit simpler to make. For the same weight, you can usually get a faster lens than any of the long zooms. The other advantage is that they work better with teleconverters.
While I have a Nikkor 200-500 f5.6, I really like my 300mm f4 AF-S. It's a bit short but tack sharp, and one stop faster.
When you get into the faster 300 f2.8, 400 f2.8, 500 f4, etc., then you start getting into REAL money.
Jul 8, 2017 20:15:19 #
amfoto1 wrote:
You can use a white hood after Memorial Day, but shouldn't after Labor Day.... according to the fashionistas.
In the Bluegrass state, white is acceptable from Derby Day, through Labor Day.
Jul 1, 2017 16:36:21 #
I find that it all depends on what the photographer is trying to accomplish with the photo. I've seen it done and over-done in many ways. I get compliments both ways.
This particular photo was from a 645 transparency taken at Marblehead lighthouse on Lake Erie. "Angel hair" wouldn't have brought the same feeling of the scene.
This particular photo was from a 645 transparency taken at Marblehead lighthouse on Lake Erie. "Angel hair" wouldn't have brought the same feeling of the scene.
