Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Model Train Photography
Page <<first <prev 3 of 3
Nov 10, 2019 11:40:28   #
Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
 
tnste wrote:
I am attending a model train show tomorrow as part of my photography club outing. The show will be indoors but I understand the lighting is not bright so either you need to crank up the ISO or use a tripod (was planning on using the manfrotto beefree if necessary). I checked some tutorials on taking photos of model train layouts and it is strongly recommended to use a tripod. Some opinions recommend using manual settings (shutter speed and aperture) and to use a high aperture setting (f32, f22). Others say AF is okay. I have three cameras and wondering the best camera and lens combination; either of the following: Canon 7DII with a 15-85 mm lens or 24-105 f4 L lens; Canon 6DII with a 24-105 f4 L lens or Lumix FZ1000 24-400 mm lens. I thought going with my 6DII full frame camera would be the best choice but I read not necessarily so for layout photography. My FZ1000 is the lightest and that of using that but the highest aperture setting is one f8. Is that aperture small enough to get the depth of field required? One tutorial suggested to use an off camera flash but others said no on camera flash did not mention about external flash. It was suggested to use a low ISO (100), f22-32 (for full frame especially), but nothing said about what metering to use (evaluative, spot, partial, center weight average). Is my Manfrotto beefee tripod okay for the 6DII and 7DII? I have two other tripods but they are heavier and since I am taking transit to go to the show I want to take the lightest tripod I can. I am not even sure if tripods are allowed at the show. If not then I would probably go with the 6DII as I believe it has the best low light capability. Would appreciate comments and suggestions from the UHH forum.
I am attending a model train show tomorrow as part... (show quote)


One thing that yu did not mention is WB. Since the lighting conditions and lighting sources are uncertain, go with auto WB.

My guess is hat every shot will be different so I am no sure that "generalized" advice will be that useful. As you are right to note, DoF will be critical so my suggestion is that you use aperture priority and let the camera take care of the rest.

I am not familiar with the performance of your lenses, but most modern lenses have a "sweet spot" (especially w/r/t edge to edge sharpness) that is a few stops wider than your minimum aperture. Just one more thing to keep in mind.

Sounds like a cool project. have fun and let us know what you learn.

Reply
Nov 10, 2019 11:57:27   #
russelray Loc: La Mesa CA
 
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
My mom lived in Palestine about 35 years ago. Was a MoPac town then if I recall...

Big MoPac town.

Reply
Nov 10, 2019 20:45:29   #
MoT Loc: Watertown, MA
 
Please be advised that though probably implied, photo stacking only works for stills. If the trains are moving use a flash with bounce capabilities and stopped down lenses. The wider the lens the better the depth of field. If you are using a flash and the area is well lite go with fill in flash and auto white balance to get the correct color temperature. If your camera does not have auto WB then you can correct in post processing if shooting RAW.

Reply
 
 
Nov 10, 2019 20:52:09   #
MDI Mainer
 
If you can get permission, a small bean bag to set the camera down on the layout at "model" eye level or as close as you can get there offers the best vantage point. Remember too that the art of model layout building is to create the illusion of a real world view. Hence in my judgement a softer focus in the distance adds to the illusion of distance, so focus stacking is not really an asset.

Reply
Nov 10, 2019 22:57:33   #
2666loco
 
I am a train and model railroad buff. I have taken my camera to shows but usually not. I would take my camera Nikon D700 with my walk about 99% lens Tamron 28-300 3.3x macro I think. The lighting at the shows where I go is usually in a venue large enough for good lighting. Usually I think you would take a shot of an area of the layout or the whole enchilada and close up worries and tripods are usually not necessary. If you want to get real close for a real close up or macro, then a tripod might be handy, but you can do an adequate job with your normal body and lens in my opinion. You won't need f22 or 32 except for macros with depth of field if you are experimenting for fun. My D700 has a very competent built in flash, so I wouldn't carry a flash unless your camera doesn't have one, and you probably won't need it anyway. The layouts at the shows are usually not great enough that I want photos, for they are modular to be moved around from show to show vs a layout in a home, where you would definitely want tripods, flashes etc. I hope this helps. The new cameras and their abilities should be very adequate for the show. Have fun.

Reply
Nov 10, 2019 23:23:39   #
Texagander
 
I, too, am into model railroading and have attended many shows over the years. Quite often club layouts will have plexiglass sheets surrounding the layout to protect it from little hands from grabbing a shiny locomotive off a moving train. Those sheets might interfere with photography. Good luck.
John

Reply
Nov 11, 2019 00:35:42   #
russelray Loc: La Mesa CA
 
2666loco wrote:
I am a train and model railroad buff. I have taken my camera to shows but usually not. I would take my camera Nikon D700 with my walk about 99% lens Tamron 28-300 3.3x macro I think. The lighting at the shows where I go is usually in a venue large enough for good lighting. Usually I think you would take a shot of an area of the layout or the whole enchilada and close up worries and tripods are usually not necessary. If you want to get real close for a real close up or macro, then a tripod might be handy, but you can do an adequate job with your normal body and lens in my opinion. You won't need f22 or 32 except for macros with depth of field if you are experimenting for fun. My D700 has a very competent built in flash, so I wouldn't carry a flash unless your camera doesn't have one, and you probably won't need it anyway. The layouts at the shows are usually not great enough that I want photos, for they are modular to be moved around from show to show vs a layout in a home, where you would definitely want tripods, flashes etc. I hope this helps. The new cameras and their abilities should be very adequate for the show. Have fun.
I am a train and model railroad buff. I have take... (show quote)

Come to California and I'll take you to a couple of shows where the layouts are huge. It's fun to be a volunteer at a show and watch them put these huge layouts together. Some of the organizations hire a dozen people to put them together. It's pretty awesome.

Reply
 
 
Nov 11, 2019 12:14:48   #
k2edm Loc: FN32AD
 
the problem I had with model train photograpy was depth of field. I actually made a pin hole camera out of a shoebox..[this was in high school in the fifties].......worked! Ed

Reply
Nov 14, 2019 01:31:57   #
bnsf
 
If I would have seen this earlier I would have helped you out and told you to take a monopod not a tripod when you go to a train show to take photos. It is lot easier to carry and just put it down and you are ready to shot. I used a monopod when I traveled to Trainfest in Milwaukee, Wi. It worked great. Took a baby stroller to hold the trains I purchased and it also worked good for the monopod. Set the camera at 60 on the lens and the A setting at 60. Turned out nice with the lighting inside the room. Use a 18 75mm lens. Great shots. Good luck. Let us know how you did at the railroad show.

Reply
Nov 14, 2019 10:05:37   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
tnste wrote:
I am attending a model train show tomorrow as part of my photography club outing. The show will be indoors but I understand the lighting is not bright so either you need to crank up the ISO or use a tripod (was planning on using the manfrotto beefree if necessary). I checked some tutorials on taking photos of model train layouts and it is strongly recommended to use a tripod. Some opinions recommend using manual settings (shutter speed and aperture) and to use a high aperture setting (f32, f22). Others say AF is okay. I have three cameras and wondering the best camera and lens combination; either of the following: Canon 7DII with a 15-85 mm lens or 24-105 f4 L lens; Canon 6DII with a 24-105 f4 L lens or Lumix FZ1000 24-400 mm lens. I thought going with my 6DII full frame camera would be the best choice but I read not necessarily so for layout photography. My FZ1000 is the lightest and that of using that but the highest aperture setting is one f8. Is that aperture small enough to get the depth of field required? One tutorial suggested to use an off camera flash but others said no on camera flash did not mention about external flash. It was suggested to use a low ISO (100), f22-32 (for full frame especially), but nothing said about what metering to use (evaluative, spot, partial, center weight average). Is my Manfrotto beefee tripod okay for the 6DII and 7DII? I have two other tripods but they are heavier and since I am taking transit to go to the show I want to take the lightest tripod I can. I am not even sure if tripods are allowed at the show. If not then I would probably go with the 6DII as I believe it has the best low light capability. Would appreciate comments and suggestions from the UHH forum.
I am attending a model train show tomorrow as part... (show quote)


You will need macro capability for closeups.

Reply
Nov 15, 2019 21:20:00   #
tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC
 
bnsf wrote:
If I would have seen this earlier I would have helped you out and told you to take a monopod not a tripod when you go to a train show to take photos. It is lot easier to carry and just put it down and you are ready to shot. I used a monopod when I traveled to Trainfest in Milwaukee, Wi. It worked great. Took a baby stroller to hold the trains I purchased and it also worked good for the monopod. Set the camera at 60 on the lens and the A setting at 60. Turned out nice with the lighting inside the room. Use a 18 75mm lens. Great shots. Good luck. Let us know how you did at the railroad show.
If I would have seen this earlier I would have hel... (show quote)


I took a tripod and went early so I got some shots without too much problem. However, many of my shots were disappointing. I used a Canon 6DII and 24-105 mm lens. However, even though aperture was f20 I made the mistake of zooming my lens to around 100-105 mm to get the composition I wanted and I did not get the depth of field I wanted (foreground was sharp but background was soft). I switched later hand holding my camera and using flash but again results were disappointing.

Reply
Page <<first <prev 3 of 3
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.