Introduce Yourself & Welcome Other Members (archive)

[Colin Southern]

oooh, I don't think I'd should, I just went Nikon, I'm not sure Colin has forgiven me yet ,

"Know" worries Dave - it might turn out that you and Nikon are made for each other

[John C]

Here's a post to say 'hello' to everyone here. I will give a little history of my photography experience.

I have been taking photographs for a relatively long time. After using Kodak instamatic cameras as a kid, I obtained an SLR in the 1970s. It was a Pentax MX. It could do manual, aperture-priority, or shutter-priority and had an internal meter. I only had three lenses - a 50mm/f1.7 normal lens, 100mm/f4 macro, and a 35mm wide angle. I mostly shot Kodachrome and Ektachrome slides but eventually shot a fair amount of print film. I learned to do a little black&white photo processing - resulting a small pile of dark, somber photos of bridge abutments. Many of my photos were of flowers and family events but I also took a lot of photos of family trips to the Rocky Mountains. Eventually, I got married and my wife had a Minolta camera and a set of lenses. She had a wide-angle, a couple of zooms and a 400mm reflex lens and a teleconverter. Most of the lenses were Sigma or Tamron, I think. We took a lot of photos of north Georgia flowers and from travels from around the United States. We filled a shelf full of albums with prints.

In 1998, I purchased a Sony FD-81, a floppy-disk camera. After a trip to Portugal, I upgraded to the Sony FD-91 another floppy-disk camera. Although less than 1 MP, these cameras were a revelation - the brilliant colors, the ability to edit the photos on a computer - the FD-91 had a 14X zoom with image stabilization and an articulating live view LCD - truly awesome technology. Eventually we sold the Pentax and Minolta equipment on ebay. I eventually replaced the FD-91 with a Sony F828. No image stabilization but a high quality Zeiss lens (7X), RAW capability, live view, and 8 MP. It also has night vision and takes movies - cool.

For a while I held back on buying a DSLR. I regard the DSLR as an anachronistic hybrid between the film and digital technologies. I think that eventually the mirror and prism will go away, probably along with the mechanical shutter. But there is the lure of interchangeable lenses.

In December, I finally caved in and bought a Sony A350 DSLR with live view and two kit lenses - 18-70mm and 55-200mm zooms - the deal at B&H camera was impossible to resist. I quickly bought a 500mm f/8 reflex - the wife said the 55-200mm did not have enough magnification. Who am I to argue? I also recently added a 50mm f/2.8 macro.

My initial reaction to the DSLR was disappointment - the photos were not as sharp and exposures not as good as with the F828. I have done quite a bit of reading, visited a few websites - including this one, and have taken a lot of photos. Lots of photos. I have been photographing the spring flowers, birds, and local festivals. My photos have improved and I have learned that the DSLR is less forgiving. I use a tripod a lot more now and I have gotten more familiar with the camera and lenses. When I get it right, the photos are clear and sharp.

I am planning a trip to the mountains in June and hope to take some landscape and wildflower photos.

That's my story for now.

John

[Dave Humphries]

Hi John,

I have just made the transition to DSLR from decent compact and still getting used to things.

You're right about unforgiving; yes the pictures will be sharper, but only if your focusing is accurate and you have the depth of field under control! As I am learning the hard way. The best shots are much better, but there's a greater ability to produce duds too.

We've both been used to a significant DoF with our compact (small sensor) cameras, with an SLR, it's no longer acceptable to just focus on, say the bird, you have to focus on the bird's eye, or it can look soft; that kind of thing is what catches me out.

Still, I'm enjoying the journey, but I was, thanks to CiC, fairly well prepared.
Now you have found us, things should only get better

Welcome to the forums from ...

[mrk]

I'm 59 , been in photography since college back in prehistoric days ( the '60's) . I shoot landscapes , bugs , wildlife , and some urban street photography (I still often use (gasp)film for the latter , developing the rolls and scanning them .Allows me to justify keeping some of my old gear . )For my non film work I use Canon gear ,a much abused 5D , G7 , and 5D mk2. I don't remember the 5d's purchase hurting as much as the mk2 , lotta hours of overtime to get the latter . Most but not all of my lenses are Canon , some are pretty old but they work for me.

[VeryImproperCharlie]

Hello, All...
I chose this user name because of it's aptness. Years ago I lived in Hong Kong and one of the first things this very-American was told was "..it's best not to introduce yourself as a "Charlie", and a brief explanation was given. After that well meant caution, of course I gleefully continued to introduce myself as "Charlie".
And, in this introduction I want to say "Thank You!" to the creators of this website. It's next to impossible for me to read "user manuals" and not walk away more confused, with more questions created.
--------------
I've been using a P6000 for several months now and found that trying to get flowers in focus from tips of stamens to the innermost center stem seems to indicate an extremely shallow DOF for this P6000 set to "macro" mode with the bloom icon indicated. Insects come out crisp and clear (sometimes) with the petal itself much less clear. Or, just the opposite. Bright sunlight hampers seeing the details in the display window. And, as this price range precludes a "pre" view, so a "post-view" has been indicated, then a retry. In other words, the camera is excellent for getting perfect images of a printed page.
Another poster here said that the geometry of these lenses in these point-and-shoot cameras generally yields overall sharpness when sometimes none is really wanted. Is there a contradiction here? What have I overlooked? Must I accept this as a given and work around it as best I can?
Any thoughts on flower photography will be appreciated.

C.


Later....I believe I've just read the answer to the above...it's from "Colin Southern" ..


"....Many aspects of protography revolve around managing competing issues, like how getting closer to the subject allows the camera sensor to record more detail, but also how the closer you get, the less depth of field you get - so the backgroung gets blurry..."..

So...I guess I'll live with this physics which I can't change <; )

[fauxbird]

Suzanne here and Hi to everyone,i came across this website when looking up more information on ND filters,as i am making a trip to niagra falls next month and learned from the site DPS how to get those cool falls photos,im in the usa on long island in new york working with a NIKON D90 using the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM VR lens,the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55MM VR lens and a sigma APO DG 70-300MM MACRO lens,i do plan on getting a better macro lens thoughmy photography trip started in middle school we had to take photos in b&w and develope the film ourselves,i did not get a camera till i was 18 a vivatar pull zoom,my first digital at 30 an olympus then at 40 a canon powershot s3 is,i just got the NIKON in march,a family member on husbands side works for NIKON so for my birthday i chipped in half for and picked the NIKON D90(for my first SLR)i mostly take pictures of animals,flowers,architecture,landscapes and such,as i also grow orchids so get ready for lots of orchid flower photos

[crisscross]

Welcome Suzanne - enjoy your trip to the falls, I didn't have a camera at all when I went, tho maybe my daughter did, but lost negs. As well as the falls, do have a look at that vast body of water moving towards them on the US side and see if you can capture it somehow

[Dave Humphries]

I'm 59 , been in photography since college back in prehistoric days ( the '60's) . I shoot landscapes , bugs , wildlife , and some urban street photography (I still often use (gasp)film for the latter , developing the rolls and scanning them .Allows me to justify keeping some of my old gear . )For my non film work I use Canon gear ,a much abused 5D , G7 , and 5D mk2. I don't remember the 5d's purchase hurting as much as the mk2 , lotta hours of overtime to get the latter . Most but not all of my lenses are Canon , some are pretty old but they work for me.

Hi mrk,

Welcome to the CiC forums, if you have any questions to ask, even if it's how to do something here, just post them and of course the same goes if you have any pictures to show us.

If you could let us know your first name that would be great, as our forum discussions are more akin to conversations and it always seems odd having one of those with a username

Good to have another member, welcome from ...

[Dave Humphries]

Any thoughts on flower photography will be appreciated.

Hi Charlie,

We do currently have a thread started by Chris (crisscross), one of our founder members I believe; Photographing flowers, but it is by no means the only one, have a look through the Nature and Architecture forum for more.

Colin (Southern) and I share the moderation here in the forums, but in terms of thanking the site's creator, that rests solely with Sean McHugh (McQ).

I seem to recall we have another member with a P6000 somewhere, keep an eye out for them.

Anyway, welcome to CiC from ...

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Suzanne,

A fellow Nikon user, I've just bought a D5000, a sort of cut down D90 and I'm just getting used to it. There's quite a few D90 owners here, so plenty to share notes with.

If you have any questions, just ask away and do post some orchid pics, we have a few members with a liking for them. If you can find an Orchid thread, feel free to add to it, or just start a new thread yourself.

You have quite a range of subjects there, I have to say I do that too, a little of everything.

I did 'the falls' back in 1977 with my sister, we were driving a hire car from Detroit to NY city to get the flight home. There's been a lot of water over the edge since then!
The falls is a truly breathtaking place, but if you go on the boats (recommended), be sure to keep the D90 dry.

Welcome to CiC from ...

[AngM]

hello.

I hate these 'tell us about yourself' things but I know it helps to fill in some details so you know who you're talking to.
I'm hoping this place will help me learn a lot and show me where I'm going wrong, though I also suspect I'll be here more to chat than anything.

My name's Angela but I hate that, so Ang, Ange or even moo (a family nickname) will suffice.
I live in Cheshire UK and am married with two daughters (no longer kids - they had both left home at one point, though the youngest is back with us while she finishes uni).
I'm extremely shy in real life, though I doubt you'll guess that from seeing me online, and I'm completely addicted to the internet so a new addition to my sites can't help with my attempts to cut back. But from what I've briefly seen I think I'll be visiting you a fair bit in the future (though possibly not so much tonight as it's already getting late).

I love taking photographs and will be asking some very basic questions once I've had a look around - for now please be gentle with me.
Mark pointed me over here by the way - thanks Mark, I'll try not to embarrass you.

~Ang

[Bill44]

Suzanne here and Hi to everyone,i came across this website when looking up more information on ND filters,as i am making a trip to niagra falls next month and learned from the site DPS how to get those cool falls photos,im in the usa on long island in new york working with a NIKON D90 using the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM VR lens,the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55MM VR lens and a sigma APO DG 70-300MM MACRO lens,i do plan on getting a better macro lens thoughmy photography trip started in middle school we had to take photos in b&w and develope the film ourselves,i did not get a camera till i was 18 a vivatar pull zoom,my first digital at 30 an olympus then at 40 a canon powershot s3 is,i just got the NIKON in march,a family member on husbands side works for NIKON so for my birthday i chipped in half for and picked the NIKON D90(for my first SLR)i mostly take pictures of animals,flowers,architecture,landscapes and such,as i also grow orchids so get ready for lots of orchid flower photos

Hi Suzanne and welcome. It would seem we have a few things in common, for a start see my signature. Secondly orchids, my wife is a keen orchid grower and if you look at this post
Slipper Orchids you will see one of her currently flowering items.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Ang,

No worries and do give my regards to Mark.
Well you did alright for someone that doesn't like these things, but you're right, it is easier to not be shy online.

On the principle that there's no such thing as a silly question, you go for it girl; post away and we'll do our best to help. If you'd like to post some pictures you are unhappy with, but can't work out why, we do that well too.

Could I enquire what camera you have and what you like photographing.

Anyway, welcome to the CiC forums from ...

[fauxbird]

dont worry dave i bought a camera rain coat for the falls

[AngM]

Hi Dave, thanks for the welcome.
I use a Nikon D40 most of the time and I also have a small Nikon Coolpix L10 which I find surprisingly good considering it's just a point-and-shoot. I carry them with me constantly. I also have an old Kodak camera that uses film (which is current relegated to the cupboard since I love the immediacy of digital but I'll get it out one day soon for old times sake). I also have a Fuji Instax 200 (recent eBay purchase) - bulky but fun.

I am not fussy what I take photos of - I have only really been as interested in photography to the passionate extent that I am currently for the last couple of years, so I'm still learning (and haven't even read the manual for the D40 which I've had about 18 months).

We tend to go on city breaks when we go away so I love wandering around looking for anything interesting. I love graffiti particularly. I have two cats so they make good subjects and the one daughter still at home is very photogenic so I get some good portrait practice with her as the subject. Unlike me, she's not shy in front of the camera.
I post most of my photos on flickr and have just started using Gimp and Irfanview for basic processing (never had photoshop).

(Edit: Is there any reason why my profile pic doesn't show on these posts? Or does it, and I just dont see it?)

[fauxbird]

thats cool bill and yes i have a few slippers.been growing for twenty years,still kill one once in a blue moon shh dont tell LOL!

[Colin Southern]

Another poster here said that the geometry of these lenses in these point-and-shoot cameras generally yields overall sharpness when sometimes none is really wanted. Is there a contradiction here? What have I overlooked? Must I accept this as a given and work around it as best I can?

Hi Charlie,

With regards to depth of field, one mans drink is another mans poison. The small sensor on compact cameras gives a large depth of field, which is great if that's what your wanting, but obviously not so great if that's not what your wanting (I'm sure that there's a better way to write that!).

For flower photography - if you want a large depth of field, and all you have is an SLR, then essentially all you can do is stop-down the aperture as much as possible, and shoot it from as far away as possible.

Hope this helps

PS: Great to have you with us!

[Colin Southern]

hello.

I hate these 'tell us about yourself' things but I know it helps to fill in some details so you know who you're talking to.
I'm hoping this place will help me learn a lot and show me where I'm going wrong, though I also suspect I'll be here more to chat than anything.

My name's Angela but I hate that, so Ang, Ange or even moo (a family nickname) will suffice.

Hi Ang,

I hate talking about myself too -- so your braver than I am!

Great to have you with us - just be sure to sing out if we can help with anything!

[Dave Humphries]

(Edit: Is there any reason why my profile pic doesn't show on these posts? Or does it, and I just dont see it?)

Hi Ang,

It isn't showing.
The reason is we have two picture holders;
Avatar (which does appear in the posts), and
Profile (which, you guessed it, doesn't)

If you want the picture to appear in posts, just go "My Settings" (top left banner link on every page), then click "Edit Avatar" in left panel and put the picture file in the box.

Once done, I believe it will appear retrospectively in all your posts so far.
If you get stuck, let me know; I should be able to do it from this end.

Regards,

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Charlie,

Anton (aia21) posted a reply here to help you out with DoF on flower shots, but I have moved it here.

This post, with link, is just to re-associate the two of you.

Regards, Dave