laith

When EXACTA introduced SLR in mid fourties as i remembered , the SLR cameras thad take a great part of Photography. Now i think that they may still take the same thing at least for the next 10 years

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I have three small sensor super zooms, love the convenience. Each has it custom purpose. No changing of lenses, no dust, no extra baggage. For practical purposes, all take very good photos, but with some short comings.

If one considers the magic engineering that goes into super-zoom lenses there is no reason that a fixed super-zoom in front of a large sensor can not revolutionize photography and soon. Yes, physics dictates that the lens would have to move out further to give the larger image. BUT! that is because we are use to the thin box with a lens on the front.

With smoke and mirrors,, of course and prisms,,, the light can be bent to offer a longer path, hence larger image on a larger sensor. The result would appear more like older small tape video cameras. Put your eye at the end, or see a swing out screen. Lens is at the other end expanding along the way til it is large enough to fill a large sensor. Probably already exists, I just can not afford it and so do not look.

The advantage, one camera, one lens, 14X range with at most an in the shirt pocket add on lens to put on the end of the snout for extra-wide or added tel-x. My Kodak DCL4800 had those add-ons, worked well. aaaaah, the future, is almost here!! But some times I think the future is at the end of the stick, like the carrot, so we will upgrade several times before we get the prize ideal camera.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Bets, I used a Sony A900 (Full Frame w/ over 24 MP) with a Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens. Truth be told, it took me a while to learn how to do this. By the time I figured it out the birds had migrated South. It has very little to do with the camera or lens, and more about mastering how to use flashes. I used five flashes to take the picture of the hummingbird and I could have used one more.

Heimer

One reason for non DSLR cameras becoming popular is the need for motion capture by photojournalists. Newspapers demand that the shooters who used to do nothing but stills now shoot motion for the newspaper's online multimedia windows. Carrying a still camera and a motion camera is awkward.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

David who Hikes, Call me crazy,if so you and I are blessed by the same mania, being proponents of multi-flashes. As a great man one said, "I used five flashes to take the picture of the hummingbird and I could have used one more."

THE RANT: In a Ugly-Forum the topic starter ask which flash shall I use for gatherings, action sports, but stopped short of wanting that one flash to illuminate the moon.

I had the audacity to suggest that for group gatherings that low cost low out put multi-flashes were ideal to have a smoothly lit photos. Even mentioned a flash on a stick to get lite where you wanted it holding it up or to the side. And, yes, sure, a powerful one for sports. But, the concept of mult-flashes seemed foreign to the participants. Low cost was unclean! I have 4 low cost slaves with switches for ignoring multi-pre-flahes of some cameras!

Further, I confused the issue with flash delay for cameras having pre-focus flash and red-eye flashes that would falsely trigger slave flashes. Education by reading, calculating, and thinking outside the standard one does all mind set is key to solving problems. ---- Enough of my quiet rant.

PRAISE FOR YOU: Your photo is a fantastic stop bullet in motion type shot, wings so clear!! a bird, wings like solar sails, blasted backward by the force of photons from those many flashes!
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THE QUESTION: How did you arrange the array? Suggestions for as you say is most important, the "mastering how to use flashes"? Did you use calculations of distance and guide number to set camera? Were they low power flashes? Educate us or write a book on flashes and send Bets and me an autographed copy, please.
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SONY ?? : Sony, indeed, your a heretic to the Canon/Nikon boys. I ordered a Sony 330, but will bounce it back when it arrives and order the Sony alpha 33. The 33 has inoperative, resurrected from the 60's mirrorless technology and all 3 of my 1980s Minolta-Maxxum lenses fit.

MORE PHOTOS: Please publish more of your great photos, we will all enjoy them. Or tell us when to look for them on a contest award page or in National Geographic.

bsmiley Loc: KY

Dave, your picture is just AWSOME!!!! I love hummingbirds anyway. I wish I had had that opportunity! :-)

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

AS A GIFT FOR THE HIKING MAN DAVID WHO LOVES HUMOR:

Good morning all it is 4:45AM in always too hot Florida. I do not feel rested. I dreamed of hummingbirds!! At 2;30 AM I awoke from a dream where that long beak was in my left ear looking for nectar or brains-live-brains like in the George Romero's movie; it found none. Then again at 4:30 AM from a nightmare of one of those Chef programs on PBS that have saturated all the multi-PBS digital channels. A Chinese guy (from Brooklyn for sure) was dipping Hummingbirds in batter to deep fat fry as a side dish Birds Nest Soup; you know Chinese soup alone always leaves you hungry.

B. Smiley, I agree with AWESOME, but there is a limit to life like especially with a God's Toy like these birds. There are some photos that are so real they should be hidden in some archive at the Vatican or by our Government like the area 51 photos until we, the public, can handle them. I believe that only God is meant to actually see the stilled wings of a living Hummingbird.

B Smiley, now that I have seen those wings, my life is ruined until I see more. You and I would be so transfixed we would reach out and touch the wings of a living humming bird captured, as my father suggested we captured any bird, by putting salt on it's tail!!

Surly our fate would be the same as if we were to see the Arc of the Covenant, we would touch it and be struck dead by God himself!! Please David-Who-Hikes hide them, destroy them, and send that 24 megpix Sony to me for safe keeping so you will take no more.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I joined a local photo club last week, you know a real brick and mortar place with live people. I recently moved to Pennsylvania and don't know anyone. I'm actively trying to make new friends. I brought a small canvas print of a hummingbird to introduce myself. They made me feel very welcome and marveled at the time stopped photos of my humming birds. They asked how I managed to stop the wings. I told them I use a little salt. Everyone laughed and thought I was going to tell them the story we tell kids, about putting salt on a birds tail. I explained that I put the salt in a bird feeder so the water conducts better along with a 12,000 volt potential that stuns the birds. I went on and told them that I hang the unconscious birds from thin strings next to flowers and take their picture. Everyone was looking at me slack jawed and in shock, until I laughed and explained that it's a very complex procedure involving five flash guns that I could explain when they have have more time. I invited them to hike a trail I cut in my forested property behind my house to take photos of the changing leaves and animals on the farms around me and have some snacks at my house. They accepted my offer and I expect to make some new friends soon.

bsmiley Loc: KY

OK Davethehiker, you took an amazing picture also!!! You can even see the feather that is out of line on the outer wing. That in itself is great! I love my humming birds. I am just now getting into my real photography comfort zone. I have always taken lot and lots of pictures and some are really great (Even if I say so myself. :-) Poor dog that does not wag his own tail ya know)LOL Anyway, I am starting to try new things and am learning a lot from Ugly Hedgehog and the threads. I really do appreciate all the info and web links. I am going to try Humming Birds next spring!!

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

You can even see the feather that is out of line on the outer wing.

I think that feather is a tail feather seen behind the wing. It's amazing how they can twist their bodies and heads! Notice the white tip on that feather, that's the way the tail feathers look.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

"You can even see the feather that is out of line on the outer wing."

I think that feather is a tail feather seen behind the wing. It's amazing how they can twist their bodies and heads! Notice the white tip on that feather, that's the way the tail feathers look.

bsmiley Loc: KY

Oh how gorgeous!!! You make my heart melt with these. :-) Even thou you were talking about the tail feather, I was even seeing the smaller one below that. Yet, it is a tail feather also if you look closely enough. You can also see his tail feathers through the shadow of its little wing. How marvelous is our God to create such a wonderful little creature that can move so fast and graceful. In love with your pictures. Thanks for sharing and look forward to many others.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Don't have a seizure or ulcer over this. Your Nikon D7000 IS one of the most awesome cameras on the planet - when you use premium glass. It is NOT a mistake!

I doubt this new format has anything up on your Nikon that you actually need except higher resolution. When moving from 16MP to 24MP, you may not see a significant difference for most work. If you were a professional doing wall size murals you might see it (although even that would be limited by printing ability).

Enjoy your Nikon D7000. It's likely more quality than you'll ever need. If you want more quality than you have already (and even that's awesome) move from your kit lens to one of Nikon's higher level lenses and you'll gasp at the output of the camera you already have.

So take some Pepto-Bismol and relax with your new purchase!

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

My Sony Alpha 55 has 16.2 MP, up to 10 fps shooting, AVCHD™ 1080 HD movies, APS-C size sensor, sweep panorama, auto HDR, and 18-55mm lens. The only thing it doesn't have is Tru-Finder™ OLED electronic viewfinder. So what's the big deal? I don't see anything that is so impressive that it requires trashing my dSLR. And there's a new Alpha 77 dSLR with higher resolution that's just out so it doesn't look like Sony thinks so either.

I think your guy with the photo business is just a blowhard trying to impress you to death.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I agreed, Marco, It gets to the point like the old muscle cars, who needs 500 HP to go the the 7-11. Recall when Computers were very expensive, in today's money a one meg video card would be a $1000, I paid $2800 for a 8 meg speed mono-CPU, not dual or quad, mono!! It turbo at 12 meghz, Computer with perhaps 128 meg of memory. Cameras will get to the point that with the existing tech they can go no further and so the cost will be the driving force in competition. Until,, well what can they do for the next show.... ?

At this point how could Hiking Man's photos be any better?? The answer we agree is none better. Ok, well the last shot could have auto layering for depth of field and could be in 3D. Then what?? and So What!!

I venture Man-who-Hikes could sell prints for a goodly price. No competition is around for these photos.

Camera Club,,, hay, real people,, I am a member of Tampabay Camera Club, mytbcc.com and have learned so much from the other members. Meeting twice a month is wonderful, a family of mutual friends and mentors. Good for the mental health and well being. If not a member, join one, if none to join, start one. Enjoy.