I've gotten fairly good at LightRoom 5, but I found that CaptureOne does a much nicer job of the Raw conversion and seems to have more powerful tools.
I would like to learn more about CaptureOne, and have looked at a number of video tutorials that for the most part are sketchy or primarily ads. Does anyone know of a good overall tutorial that takes you through all the features and workflow in a coherent logical progression?
I've also tried (very briefly) DxO Optics 10 which also seems to do a better job than LightRoom at raw conversion. I would also like to find a good overall tutorial on it as mentioned above for CaptureOne.
Any experience or insight into the relative advantages/disadvantages of these products as to their ability to process raw files would be very welcome. LightRoom seems to be the clear winner in organizing images.
Thanks in advance. You guys are a great group.
Would I be better off with something like this or a regular color checker like the Xrite Passsport?
Dbez1 wrote:
Is this a good (albeit artsy) photograph or does it need trashed? My wife and I have opposing opinions. What is yours please and why? Thanks.
I don't care for it. Seems muddy and requires close inspection to figure out what it's about. Please note, this is an emotional reaction to the image, not a critique of technique, etc.
amfoto1 wrote:
Go "old school" and buy a copy of Brian Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure".
Read it a few times, study it, learn it. You'll be able to use any camera very well.
Totally agree. A must for anyone serious about learning photography. Great book!
robertjerl wrote:
Just checked their site. Current "sale $79" is Nat Geo "Masters of Photography", examples, tutorials etc by 12 different Nat Geo Photography contributors. Sometimes you can find coupons that even apply to sale items.
I did a little more of a search on the national geo site and the Fundamentals course is on sale for 79.95 as well. Says for members but they allow anonymous checkout.
Edmund Dworakowski wrote:
I'm wanting a new Nifty Fifty to replace my old Nikon 50 f1.8 D, to use on my Nikon D800. I've read and viewed all of the reviews, and keep asking myself if it's really worth twice the price of the Nikon 50 1.4 G...
My question to those of you who have shot this lens boils down to: Is the bokeh if the Sigma really that much better than my Nikon 50 1.8 D, or the Nikon 50 1.4 G ?
I'm shooting my nieces 2,3 and 4th birthday parties tomorrow, and Uncle Puncle want to knock everyone's socks off with some stunning pictures of the event...
I'm wanting a new Nifty Fifty to replace my old Ni... (
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I found this very amusing. Compares the IQ of Otus 85 to a Sony RX100 III (not a very serious comparison, but interesting nonetheless).
http://randolphimages.com/otus/
rta1023 wrote:
Hello all, I have been reading the Hog for a while, but this is my first question. I am a hobbyist just learning (and loving) the intricacies of digital photography and I have an opportunity to pick up a used Sigma 50-500mm 1:4-6.3 APO EX DG HSM for a very good price, about $600. I will primarily be using this lens for sports photography, particularly swim meets, and eventually wildlife.
My issue is that I cant test it out on my camera before I purchase it and once purchased, its a final sale. Although maybe foolish, given that it is such a good deal, I am considering (yet undecided) taking the risk nonetheless. I have read on Dyxum, however, that there are issues with this lens and the a77. Apparently, Sigma announced that auto focusing does not work properly when some older Sony fitting Sigma lenses are used with the Sony a77 and that they will be supplying a free update to their customers.
Has anyone experienced this and if so, how was it resolved? I am not sure what a free update actually means. Any advice is very appreciated.
Hello all, I have been reading the Hog for a while... (
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This is not a lens specific answer, but I have an A77 and the best money I ever spent was getting Gary Friedman's ebook on the A77.
http://friedmanarchives.com/alpha77/index.htm
BigMan wrote:
I have a number of LumoPro items and like them a lot. I have 3 LP-180 speed lights, several stands and a background support system. They are all well-built and have been durable so far. What initially attracted me to them was their warranty (up to 5 years for some item, which is a lot better than most).
Thanks for the data. I found that their gear was also considerably less expensive than comparable equipment even with expensive shipping (about $40.00 for me to get a C Stand, Arm and a couple of accessories). Another person mentioned that Amazon sells it and I did see 3 or 4 things listed there.
Apaflo wrote:
But it is absolutely essential to get the basics correct and not confuse people with the many erroneous myths that are often passed around the Internet.
Repeated statements that lens focal length is responsible for perspective distortion is one myth that should be quashed every time anyone repeats it. It leads beginners down a path that is very difficult to get out of. Look what happens when someone spends decades thinking it is true!
The Ad Nauseum comes when someone refuses to learn. In particular if they won't learn not to post Ad Hominem as a response.
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Apaflo/Floyd,
Frankly, I've found most of what you've written difficult to understand and of little practical use.
I agree that correct definitions of technical terms are very important. Something that WOULD be helpful would be a set of clear and concise definitions of terms that are misunderstood along with images that demonstrate the misconceptions and correct concepts.
I fear that the good-hearted people on this forum who are obviously trying to help those of us who need it will be worn down by being baited, criticized, and nit-picked.
I'm certainly no expert in photography, but I am an expert in my own technical field and I've trained quite a few programmers over the years. If you want to get anywhere, you must work with people at their level of understanding and help increase that bit by bit until they too are experts. A good example of this the the frequent recommendation of Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure". You can't teach someone about the intricacies of photography if they don't understand exposure so getting novices to read and understand this book is real help.
From what I can see, the only person who enjoys what you're bringing to the table and how you're serving it is you. If your intention is to help the people on this forum, perhaps you could think of a more effective approach.
Gene51 wrote:
Bob, a little further up in this thread, I posted a couple of images. One was shot with an ultrawide - 14mm on a D800 - and the other was shot with a 24mm, D800 - and you can see for yourself the differences in perspective distortion. The ultrawide has considerable volume anamorphosis, you can see the round planter on the right is oval shaped, and there is a mailbox on the left that just looks "wrong" - dramatic, but wrong. And of course the depth in the scene is exaggerated in the 14mm shot.
The 24mm shot even offers a wider view, but considerably less distortion, and no deformation of circular objects. I use this technique often when doing interior shots. But sometimes, a room is so small, like a powder room, that the ultrawide may be the only way to go. It's best to have lots of tools and the knowledge of when to use the best one for the best results.
Bob, a little further up in this thread, I posted ... (
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Thanks Gene. I missed your comparisons earlier but they are very instructive. Glad you took the time to demonstrate the point.
Gene51 wrote:
This lens, along with the similarly priced but older Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 are very popular among RE guys and gals. Both are sharp, and both produce really crisp and contrasty images.
My personal preference is to shoot a longer focal length, with the camera in portrait orientation, and create a 2-4 shot pano. Longer focal lengths will give you a more natural perspective (front parts of the image in proportion to objects in the back), and if you need wider, just add another shot, overlapping each at least 50%. Photoshop and PT/GUI make short work of the stitching process, and your images will have a look that is a cut or two above the images taken by everyone else typically using ultrawide lenses.
This lens, along with the similarly priced but old... (
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This is an excellent idea/suggestion. Never thought of it, but makes perfect sense. Thanks!
Gene51 wrote:
There stuff is a pretty good value. Haven't tried their speedlights, but their stands and accessories are nicely made and seem to last.
Thanks. Appreciate the data.
I saw this equipment highly recommended on the Strobist. There's only one US outlet. Gear LOOKs very good. I'm mainly interested in their C Stand and associated arms, clamps, etc.
chapjohn wrote:
Phase One is the free software for Sony. It is from a third party and works well.
CaptureOne from Phase One is excellent! You can upgrade it to the Sony Only Pro version for $30.00. I did a raw conversion and no processing for the same image using both LightRoom5 and CaptureOne. CaptureOne raw conversion was noticably better. Sharper, more contrast and better color.