Misc Nature Photo's Thread

[2wheelsagain]

First topic message reminder :

Nice photo bomb by the spider too truck

[2wheelsagain]

None of the majors make a crap camera these days so I'll be no help at all except to point out a few things that are worthy of consideration in my priority order to anyone thinking about cameras.

1. What size gear are you prepared to lug around? You can get great 3/4s size cameras.
   
2. What is your realistic up and running budget? Consumer DSLR's are often cheaper than the smaller bodied 3/4s.
   
3. What subject do you think you'll shoot the most? A top end point & shoot will deliver good landscapes while it takes good gear and knowlege to make fireworks look spectacular with a DSLR.
   
4. Are you prepared to do any post editing? If yes select a camera that has RAW shooting as an option.
   
5. Good lenses will outlast several camera bodies. I still dont know why Nikon lenses are twice as expensive as Canon!
   
6. A shite lens on a top body will deliver shite photos. Put any savings into a lens that you will use the most.
   

If I was starting out and didnt already have an investment in Nikon gear I would seriously have a close look at the [url=http://www.sony.com.au/productcategory/slt-dslr-camera?cid=Alpha|B:GoogleAu:AdGroup1&mkwid=sarBBB1ar&pcrid=16502872973&kword=alpha camera&match=b&plid=]Sony Alpha[/url] range because their "mirrorless" design is the way of the future and doesnt induce mechanical movement for long exposure shooting.

[mtbeerwah]

What happened to the start of this thread? I thought I'd seen a few posts where various DSLR's were discussed. My better half is interested in purchasing a DSLR and a "beginners" all-rounder lens/lenses. The point n shoot has served us well, but when you see the quality of shots over various distances......Wow! 
....And err.... I may have to borrow it from time to time for car/bike shows!!
So, any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I've passed on your facebook link Chris.
Thanks in advance,
  
sb1250

I probably won`t help you to much here, I`m no pro photographer, but there`s a few on here that are.

 But about 13yr ago, I started getting into it, and I DO still like it, but was really into "film" photography. Canon was the choice I used(which means nothing) and had a few 1.2L lenses, which are Canon`s quality lenses, but are absolutely useless to me now, as they don`t fit DSLR`s, which sucks, cause they weren`t cheap.

I`ve got an old lower scale DSLR, which you may as well say is obsolete by to days base standard, and haven`t brought my self to by another one.   If I did, I would want a full size sensor, that takes advantage of good lenses, and light capture, but we`re talking money here..to much.

My personal solution, will be a good compact. Don`t discredit some of these things, as its amazing what some of the point and shoot cameras can do. There`s a lot of shit ones out there, but some good ones too. You don`t have to worry about a bag full of shit to carry around, which does work of cause, that's why a pro chooses to use one!! but time and place is the factor, or profession of cause .

Like I said, I probably can`t help you with your solution, but something to think about.

[sb1250]

Thanks again lads. All info posted has been considered, or brought to the better halfs attention!

[Ross.]

[Cal]

Some recent shots around my area.


Lightning strike just up the road, Nikon D700, Sigma 12-24mm "Bulb" - 40sec exposure f4.5. You just have to wait for the lightning to come to you!

Nikon D700, Sigma 12-24 "Bulb" 1 min exposure f4.5 1600 iso. LED torch waved over the old house and forground to "paint" light into the image. Looking south.

Same as previous image but pointing North East.

[Cal]

I still dont know why Nikon lenses are twice as expensive as Canon!

Hi 2wheels, not sure what lenses your talking about here. Nikon and Canon are pretty much on a par as far as lens prices go. it's hard to compare the equivalent lens that each manufacturer has due to the designation of the lenses. If you look at the pro range, Canon have a distinct series in the "L" line up but the Nikon lenses you need to look at the f stop the coating on the lenses and if they have alloy bodies or not. Nikon make it harder to define there lenses as "pro" or "normal". If you need some help selecting lenses let me know. And don't discount other brands such as Sigma and Tamron, there are some great lenses that are made by these two.

Not sure if I have posted this link before, it's my website: http://www.realviewphoto.com.au/

[Hammy]

I still dont know why Nikon lenses are twice as expensive as Canon!

Hi 2wheels, not sure what lenses your talking about here. Nikon and Canon are pretty much on a par as far as lens prices go. it's hard to compare the equivalent lens that each manufacturer has due to the designation of the lenses. If you look at the pro range, Canon have a distinct series in the "L" line up but the Nikon lenses you need to look at the f stop the coating on the lenses and if they have alloy bodies or not. Nikon make it harder to define there lenses as "pro" or "normal". If you need some help selecting lenses let me know. And don't discount other brands such as Sigma and Tamron, there are some great lenses that are made by these two.

Not sure if I have posted this link before, it's my website: http://www.realviewphoto.com.au/

Nice site Cal. Very envious of your talent.  If I may ask.  If you could choose one lens to go to a track with to shoot some bikes from the grass. What would it be ?

[Cal]

Thanks Hammy, probably value for money would be the Sigma 150-500 at around $1200 it is sharp as you would need without the expense of a pro 500mm for $10,000+. You may want to try pre focusing on a spot in manual focus and shoot for that one point as focus tracking can be an issue with some lens/camera situations. Max f 6.3 is all you get at 500mm as opposed to f4 on a pro lens. This makes a difference to focus speed also. Some of the later bike pics on my site were taken with an old manual tamron lens with a bit of fungus for good measure. Shots are still sharp for a $300 second hand 40 year old lens.

[paul]

Top site Cal ...................some really great shots . 

[Cal]

Thanks Paul. I may have a new job by the end of the week. Shooting Real Estate again. Got my fingers crossed and would be good to get off the postie bike too.

[paul]

That's great news mate , being a postie can suck big time sometimes .

[Cal]

Yep it can, sux when it's stinking hot and when it's freezing cold!

[Cal]

A few snaps from Victor Harbor

[Cal]

[Hammy]

Very Nice.

[Cal]

Thanks Hammy!

[sb1250]

That's the best shot of Granite Island I've seen Cal .....and the quietest!! Nice  

[Cal]

Thanks SB, end of holiday season makes the difference to the traffic on the bridge!

[Cal]

[paul]

Is that at Victor as well ?

[Cal]

No Paul, Strath.

[Hammy]

Found these cuddly little critters in a gum tree.

[Cal]

And how did they taste Hammy?

[Hammy]

And how did they taste Hammy?

Yummy  !   

[Re-Cycled]

Graphium Sarpedon, commonly known as the Common Bluebottle or Blue Triangle.

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