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Comment by Northgrain posted on Another pointless thread at 27/04/2011 - 16:01
techno-terminator wrote:
- 'cos I could not equal these
- 'cos I could not equal these
Probably just beginners luck - stand by for "difficult second album" syndrome
But serious thanks for all the comments - the forum's been inspiring for starting up with all this.
Comment by Northgrain posted on Trees and woods at 27/04/2011 - 15:07
In mid March I spent a day on the moors just south of Simonsbath in the middle of Exmoor (the access land between Five Burrows Hill and Squallacombe) and there were Hen Harrier around. Spent some time just watching these amazing birds ranging at low level across the moor. Got no photos unfortunately (no telephoto with me).
But quite a drive from Minehead - and of course the merest hint of a location recommendation almost guarantees they'd be elsewhere if you made the effort
But quite a drive from Minehead - and of course the merest hint of a location recommendation almost guarantees they'd be elsewhere if you made the effort
Comment by Northgrain posted on Wildlife tips needed for Minehead area please! at 27/04/2011 - 11:36
Many thanks for the encouraging words, folks. Really enjoying 'proper' digital photography with decent kit, but getting to grips with the more technical stuff can be daunting at times - so reassuring to have some positive comments
Quote:
Yellowslacks eh, I was reading about that part of Bleaklow a few days ago, think I might make a visit next time i'm up in Derbyshire. Never been on Bleaklow before, although i've done Kinder several times.
My local stomping grounds (so ironic my first proper series is mostly from southern woodlands). I think Bleaklow landscapes are a bit less 'obvious' than Kinder - which has wonderful rock formations and dramatic slopes - but lots of possibilities (the Yellowslacks and Doctor's Gate areas are like true highland glens. Alport Castles (SE) is an amazing tangled landslide system. Black Cloughs (north side off the Woodhead Pass) another location with great potential).Yellowslacks eh, I was reading about that part of Bleaklow a few days ago, think I might make a visit next time i'm up in Derbyshire. Never been on Bleaklow before, although i've done Kinder several times.
Comment by Northgrain posted on Trees and woods at 27/04/2011 - 11:12
chrism_scotland wrote:
Hehe nice to see someone else has the same problem! I love my 40mm and the compactness is whats made me keep my Pentax system really and ideally I'd like a 15 or 21 next rather than either of the Sigma's its just price thats the issue really!
Do you think the quality of the 21 is similar to the 40?
The 21 is just great, but personally it hasn't had the same instant impact as the 40, which when I first used seemed truly astonishing. But I think this is simply because the 40 was the first really high quality lens I've used, and also after this my expectations of the 21 were naturally v. high. I've taken a couple of scenes with both, and the 21 certainly matches the IQ of the 40. Just need to learn to get the best out of the wider perspective now Hehe nice to see someone else has the same problem! I love my 40mm and the compactness is whats made me keep my Pentax system really and ideally I'd like a 15 or 21 next rather than either of the Sigma's its just price thats the issue really!
Do you think the quality of the 21 is similar to the 40?
Comment by Northgrain posted on Wide Angle - Prime v Zoom at 27/04/2011 - 10:37
My first fumbling attempts at landscape photography seem to have focused exclusively on trees, so I thought I should post for some C&C. First the pics, then some of my thoughts. All comments / criticism / suggestions for improvement very welcome - please don't hold back!
1) Yellowslacks (f6.3, 1/100, ISO 100)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/YellowslacksTree.jpg[/IMG]
2) Lightening Tree (f10, 1/60, ISO 100)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/LightningTree.jpg[/IMG]
3) Hazy Exmoor Woods (f5, 1/125, ISO 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Exmoor%20Trees/ExmoorTrees-1.jpg[/IMG]
4) Quantock Plantation (f5, 1/80, ISO 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Exmoor%20Trees/ExmoorTrees-2.jpg[/IMG]
5) Cotswold Beechwood (f6.3, 1/125, IS) 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/CotswoldsTrees.jpg[/IMG]
My own comments/thoughts
Most of these were taken with the DA40 Ltd - which I've been taking out on hikes as a compact setup. All were handheld. They've been through Lightroom - which is also all very new to me and tempts over-fiddling - so any comments on whether over-processed would be welcome.
1 - Was taken with the 50-200 WR at 58mm on a day I struggled with the light. Should probably have had the confidence to use higher ISO (?)... but at that point I was in a 'keep ISO as low as possible to reduce noise' mode. Yes. Quite.
2 - Maybe some of the branches of other trees peeping over the horizon are distracting?
3 - Tried to capture these wonderfully tangled backlit woods.
4 - Ditto with backlighting, plus tried to make an interesting composition given the shapes. Some cropping here, but still not sure about the composition. Probably needed a wider lens to get more of the trunks (more height).
5 - Probably the shot I like the most (admitting this automatically invites contradiction :lol. I've just got the DA21 Ltd and took it out especially to photo these woods. So inevitably, the 40mm was the right length for this particular shot.
1) Yellowslacks (f6.3, 1/100, ISO 100)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/YellowslacksTree.jpg[/IMG]
2) Lightening Tree (f10, 1/60, ISO 100)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/LightningTree.jpg[/IMG]
3) Hazy Exmoor Woods (f5, 1/125, ISO 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Exmoor%20Trees/ExmoorTrees-1.jpg[/IMG]
4) Quantock Plantation (f5, 1/80, ISO 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Exmoor%20Trees/ExmoorTrees-2.jpg[/IMG]
5) Cotswold Beechwood (f6.3, 1/125, IS) 200)
[IMG]http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk206/Northgrain/Assorted%20Trees/CotswoldsTrees.jpg[/IMG]
My own comments/thoughts
Most of these were taken with the DA40 Ltd - which I've been taking out on hikes as a compact setup. All were handheld. They've been through Lightroom - which is also all very new to me and tempts over-fiddling - so any comments on whether over-processed would be welcome.
1 - Was taken with the 50-200 WR at 58mm on a day I struggled with the light. Should probably have had the confidence to use higher ISO (?)... but at that point I was in a 'keep ISO as low as possible to reduce noise' mode. Yes. Quite.
2 - Maybe some of the branches of other trees peeping over the horizon are distracting?
3 - Tried to capture these wonderfully tangled backlit woods.
4 - Ditto with backlighting, plus tried to make an interesting composition given the shapes. Some cropping here, but still not sure about the composition. Probably needed a wider lens to get more of the trunks (more height).
5 - Probably the shot I like the most (admitting this automatically invites contradiction :lol. I've just got the DA21 Ltd and took it out especially to photo these woods. So inevitably, the 40mm was the right length for this particular shot.
Comment by Northgrain posted on Trees and woods at 26/04/2011 - 20:41
+1 for #2 as the standout.
Comment by Northgrain posted on Wrens Weekend - Westmorland at 26/04/2011 - 19:47
I fear I have the same affliction as Chrism (i.e. started with the DA40, loved it, but then wanted something wider...). So I just got the DA21 and after playing around with it last week on a break to the Cotswolds am very impressed and happy. Just such a joy to use such wee, well made lenses.
In my case it's definitely becoming a case of lens quality/cost > talent, and if I were completely rational/sensible about this I'd have stuck with the kit lens for longer whilst properly learning the art. But I've been carrying the K7+40mm routinely on hikes when I might not have taken a less compact set up, and have deeply enjoyed the experience of using this kit. So the Ltd prime thing is sucking me in. And now this, with a fellow addict throwing down the gauntlet of a 15+21 combo...
Tim
In my case it's definitely becoming a case of lens quality/cost > talent, and if I were completely rational/sensible about this I'd have stuck with the kit lens for longer whilst properly learning the art. But I've been carrying the K7+40mm routinely on hikes when I might not have taken a less compact set up, and have deeply enjoyed the experience of using this kit. So the Ltd prime thing is sucking me in. And now this, with a fellow addict throwing down the gauntlet of a 15+21 combo...
Tim
Comment by Northgrain posted on Wide Angle - Prime v Zoom at 26/04/2011 - 19:41
Smeggypants wrote:
Simply AF on a pattern or print on something at an angle and take a shot at the widest aperture of your lens. look at the shot and see whether the intended target is in focus or areas in front or behind are in focus. A tape measure is a good item to snap. Take several shots to allow for variations.
If after taking several shots you are getting the sharpest results on what you are actually focussing on your lens needs no calibration
If it's either back or front focussing then go into the camera's AF adjustment settings and make a compensation adjustment and reshoot, repeat until you are satisfied.
Thanks Smeggy (and Don) - clear and simple advice. Much appreciated.Simply AF on a pattern or print on something at an angle and take a shot at the widest aperture of your lens. look at the shot and see whether the intended target is in focus or areas in front or behind are in focus. A tape measure is a good item to snap. Take several shots to allow for variations.
If after taking several shots you are getting the sharpest results on what you are actually focussing on your lens needs no calibration
If it's either back or front focussing then go into the camera's AF adjustment settings and make a compensation adjustment and reshoot, repeat until you are satisfied.
Comment by Northgrain posted on How common are 'duff' lenses? at 15/04/2011 - 18:12
Quote:
Just out of curiosity, as this is the first time I ever heard of AF calibration, How do you know if this needs doing and secondly how do you check then thirdly how do you do it.
Thanks for all the responses folks - useful and interesting - but I second Frogherders question - What's the best way to tell if AF needs calibrating for a particular lens? Sorry to be so green... Just out of curiosity, as this is the first time I ever heard of AF calibration, How do you know if this needs doing and secondly how do you check then thirdly how do you do it.
Comment by Northgrain posted on How common are 'duff' lenses? at 15/04/2011 - 17:18
Whilst my spouse plonks herself in front of the TV all day for the crown pleaser, I'll have (for once) unfettered permission to take myself, my K7 and my vaguely republican leanings off wherever I choose. Although I'm likely to have a dog and 12 year old in tow... depending on how they feel about constitutional monarchy.