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Posts for: SonnyE
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Jul 12, 2014 12:14:26   #
That's heart breaking!

I'm very new to this DSLR stuff, but old to digital photography.
Having survived in the computer world for over two decades, it's always back ups to back ups, and more.
It truly sucks that so much hard work and treasures can be gone in one error, one keystroke, or a hardware failure.
Believe me, been there, done that, and got the tear stains to prove it.
So I guess I'm a bit anal about my "stuff". Two computers, some online storage, and even thumb drives. In my early daze, 3.5" floppies from my Sony Mavica.
So I guess what I'm saying is use a lot of ways to try and save your treasures.
Nowadays, I favor the SDHC memory cards. No moving parts.

I do hope whoever has your drive has a heart and returns it.

What a hard lesson to learn.
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Jul 10, 2014 20:18:17   #
Hey, we can learn together and from each other.
We have very nearly the same start anyway.
Good shooting, Coolshot1. :D
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Jul 10, 2014 19:04:40   #
I donno.
What is politically correct?
Probably ought to ask somebody else, because I don't care if it is or not.
Is this?
Alaska...somewhere...

Over there, no, over there.

(Download)
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Jul 10, 2014 18:49:57   #
Beautiful Pictures! :thumbup:
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Jul 10, 2014 15:31:30   #
I almost bought the D3200, but then bit my lip and went for the D3300.
One time, one shot. :shock:
Or buy once, cry once. I'm retired and not made of money.

I'm slowly gathering that our cameras might be a little finicky about what we stick on them.
But this is a realm I'm really at a loss about. So I might get gun shy and run to Nikon for accessories like lenses or tele convertors.
I've been reading the posts referring to convertors and it appears to be a crap shoot.
For what I'd like to take pictures of the 55-200 lens seems to lack enough range. Even in the back yard.
So I sit and wait to snare my victims.

Two days ago there was two Mourning Doves on the wires out back. A few minutes after I went inside I saw one sitting in a planter on the patio.
I guess it's time, and the place is right....
Shhhhh... hatching in progress.
She doesn't seem to mind me puttering about.
The close up was taken from about 5-6 feet with the 55-200mm. About 10 feet from the back door.

Odd place to nest...

(Download)

But sitting she is...

(Download)
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Jul 10, 2014 14:19:54   #
coolshot1 wrote:
Great shots. I really like the ones with the higher shutter speeds. Keep it up. It does require some trial and error.


Thanks coolshot1.
The learning curve seems to be easy to me, but then I'm not looking at how many deletions I've made either. LOL!
The advice here is stellar.
The new camera has me up and around shooting.
I'm pondering lenses or tel-convertors now. If I could double my reach....
I think I'm sinking...
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Jul 10, 2014 11:17:13   #
gemlenz wrote:
I bought one of these ball heads for my Vanguard tripod. I love the action, stability and build of this unit. What I don't like is the fact that it does not have a quicker release from the tripod. I also have a pistol grip head that has a nice quick release to it, but it was not as stable as I wanted.

Is there a ball head that has both quick release and stability, or is there an adapter that I can get to get a better (quicker) release?


I call myself a rank amateur and I'm just getting back in the game.
But I went with a Sirui ball head on a Sirui carbon fiber monopod.
So far I really like the combo.
Shooting 4th of July, with the stick retracted all the way made a nice (albeit large) handle. And I found with a small amount of extension I could tuck it under my arm for more stability. And later used it as a monopod with the camera pointed upward for aerial shots.
It took the weight off and didn't get kicked around by the crowd like a tripod might have.
Very similar release with the dovetailed and clamp.
So I suppose I'm suggesting trying a monopod for a more universal fit (to you) than a pistol grip or a tripod.
Each has a place, but I think a monopod with a ball head can bridge a gap. At least, it does for me. ;^)
Hope that helps.
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Jul 9, 2014 17:26:20   #
jeep_daddy wrote:
Your first image is exposed perfectly for a bird that is not in flight and posing for you. But the fact is you should almost never use such a slow shutter when shooting anything that moves or could move especially wildlife and more especially birds. Hummingbirds should be shot with a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th. So you'd have to open up the aperture and increase your ISO to get the proper exposure at that shutter setting. The second and third images are at least 1 or more stops underexposed. When your subject is in the shade and you are using the metering mode that you used, you should think +1 or more on your exposure meter. Take a shot and check your histogram on the back of your camera and adjust accordingly. Sometimes when you need to get your shot off fast, you just guess what the exposure should be for a shaded subject, make that adjustment quickly and hope for the best. But almost always give it a +1 or more. If you use spot metering, then you'll need to practice and figure out what a shaded subject might need to be. But when using spot metering you need to have the center of the focus be on the subject when making changes to your exposure.
Your first image is exposed perfectly for a bird t... (show quote)


Thanks Jeep Daddy,
I agree about the under exposure. I'll try and see if I can figure that out. I don't have a light meter, other than what's in the camera display (I think).
I did find how to do the speed, aperture, and ISO changes.
By upping the ante I think things improved some.
(Of course I did a chunk of deleting, as well. :roll: )

f/5.6, 1/3200s, +2.0EV (exposure Comp)

Hover Feeding 2

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Hover Feeding 1

(Download)
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Jul 9, 2014 12:47:36   #
SonyA580 wrote:
Using a monopod may not give you the stability required when you are shooting at 200mm. Any little wiggles, even just pushing the shutter button, show up as soft focus. Ideally, a tripod with remote shutter release (mirror locked up if possible) and fast shutter speed are your best guarantees against blur.


Hi, yeah, but my only tripod (right now) is an old antique movie camera tripod. And it is kind of limited in height. (Only the legs, no stem)
The mono-pod has more height and, I think, let's me move around better as the birds come in to the different feeders.

I've been trying both (blurred and freeze). Sometimes I like the blur for the "action" in the picture.

These were with the continuous shooting mode, same bird.

Thanks, SonyA580. All suggestions appreciated.

Blured, coming into the feeder

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Nearly stopped frame

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Jul 9, 2014 12:31:41   #
Thank You, Bill.
Auto was getting a bit frustrating while waiting for the camera to set up, or it would decide that over there (<^>) was the subject... wrong!
I think using other than auto will help get the pictures I really want.
The AF is still working (good idea for me probably) in "M" mode.

But Auto, Auto-no flash, and now Manual is all I've really dabbled with. Oh, and I tried out the movie mode briefly.
Maybe I should go shot some stationary things in various light to figure it out more?

I just watched a tutorial about aperture shooting, 1/3-2/3rds, and Horizontal/Vertical Camera.

This is a long ways from my beginnings with a Yashica Mat 124 twin lens reflex as a teenager. :shock:
And I do use my delete a lot more frequently... :oops:

Thanks again. Back to your suggestions...
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Jul 9, 2014 10:59:16   #
Hi. I'm just starting out with a new DSLR.
One of my favorite subjects is my patio as I have 6 large Humming Bird feeders and a parade of subjects willing to briefly pose for me.
I'm reading Brian Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure", Manual Mode, so I'm delving into that with the camera.
So I wondered if any pointers might be had from my obviously more experienced peers here?

While Auto has been fun, it isn't getting what I was hoping for.
I guess I wanted something more specific, something clearer, more defined.

Thank You for any constructive criticisms.

Nikon D3300, Lens: VR 55-200mm @200, Mono-pod.
1. 1/160s, f/6.3, ISO 100
2. 1/200s, f/5.3, ISO 100
3. 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Small Female

(Download)

Fusia Fuel

(Download)

Shy Male in the Shadow

(Download)
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Jul 8, 2014 01:13:00   #
http://dailycaller.com/2014/07/06/not-the-gingers-global-warming-zealots-now-claim-redheads-will-soon-disappear/#ixzz36o2qim6s

OH NOOOoooooooo!
Not the redheads!

:lol:
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Jul 7, 2014 12:44:35   #
hondo812 wrote:
APA should be the APS.

Thank you Nagy for proofreading. It seems as if that is about all you are good for though. Be sure to keep that dictionary handy to alert me to any spelling errors I might make too!

You seem like an intelligent person. Unfortunately you are not very smart.


:thumbup:
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Jul 7, 2014 12:40:54   #


Yep. yep,yep,yep.
Cara LOW HA! We called it out at the store in Alaska and got free beaded necklaces. (yeah, sometimes I'm easily entertained) :lol:

If the bamboo grows so fast and free, why is the product so expensive? Does it take that much to produce the fabric from it?

And is hemp nearly/comparatively as soft?
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Jul 7, 2014 12:31:09   #
Pepper wrote:
Remove the "s" and your link is clickable


That's good to know, Pepper. Thank You for pointing that out.

I always worry that a secure link might not work (https:), seems it is a crap shoot sometimes.
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