Comments made by prsjnb - Page 38

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Superb composition and lighting combined with wonderful DOF and spot-on exposure have preserved the beauty and fine detail of the petals, anthers and stigma.

A compelling counter argument to the recent suggestion that, with the right kit, anyone can photograph flowers .

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Yes!...another one! at 20/04/2011 - 22:10

I like the composition but, IMHO, the image would be improved by a little 'tweaking' (increased contrast, noise reduction and sharpening).

The lens is considered to be one of the better (some even say best of the) catadioptrics (check the lens database on the 'other place' if you haven't already done so, and BobAtkins.com link. The general consensus is that buying an used and cherished Tamron 500mm SP is a better option than buying one of the new third-party options.

Regards,

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Trying out an old lens at 20/04/2011 - 13:38

Blossom of the rare Malus metallurgis photographed in Hookeslaw Garden, Wiltshire

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5631417625_1e09b678b3_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Spring has sprung by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Entries for Fortnightly Competition #66 Spring has Sprung at 18/04/2011 - 18:16

Another vote (with examples) for a 50mm prime (M F1.7 in this case) with extension tube(s) and/or a reversing ring.

Unaided (minimum focus)

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5620190988_0cf7c49d35_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

At minimum focus by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

With 21mm and 31mm tubes

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5620189322_ced9ff871e_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

With 21mm and 31mm extension tubes by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

With 13mm, 21mm and 31mm tubes

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5620190040_a1cb445697_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

With 13mm, 21mm and 31mm extension tubes by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

Reversed

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5619602419_119a010454_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Reversed by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

Reversed with 21mm and 31mm tubes

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5620192456_f2d1f2e297_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Reversed with 21mm and 31mm extension tubes by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

Not bad for a total outlay of £80.00 (£30 for the lens and £50 for the tubes) and the tubes will still be of use when (if) you buy a macro lens; as will the 50mm prime

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Extension tubes or a second hand macro lens? at 14/04/2011 - 21:34

A big thank you to all for your comments and critique - I will endeavour to take them on board and do better next time, as I'm determined to produce at least one 'flower shot' before my light flickers out that succeeds technically and artistically and can be appreciated by all .

Apologies due to John R for my hasty response and histogram for the processed TIFF when I should have realised that what counts is the one for the camera raw, which did indeed have some 'blown' areas in the petals as others had noted .

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Ageing beauty at 13/04/2011 - 14:30

johnriley wrote:
The second is that the white petals are totally burnt out.

Normally, John, I wouldn't presume to contradict, but in this case I feel I must:

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5613401157_c3b4fce426.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Histogram for Ageing beauty by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

As noted by others, definitely no clipping of the whites/highlights (histogram from processed 16-bit TIFF file prior to JPEG conversion).

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Ageing beauty at 12/04/2011 - 18:53

Just another flower picture or something more? Captured with K20D and Sigma 24mm Super-wide II. Constructive C&C would be much appreciated.

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5613084595_0c064665c6_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Ageing beauty by prsjnb, on Flickr[/img]

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Ageing beauty at 12/04/2011 - 17:01

PentaxExpert wrote:
There seems to be lots of user photos of flowers and insects on this forum.
Now don't get me wrong, but IMHO this doesn't take much effort or imagination,
Simply bang your DSLR into AE mode, pop on a fancy/expensive lens and set to max aperture.
All resulting images will look impressive due to:
a} Quality of gear used £££££
b) Shallow DOF

It's a bit of a cheap thrill really for not a lot of skill.
But as I said at the start this is just my opinion (but I am sure there are others who share my view).

Were I an inveterate cynic, as well as being a photographer of, amongst other things, flowers and insects, I might suspect that the OP is 'trolling'.

Sincerely hope I'm wrong .

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Pictures of flowers and insects at 06/04/2011 - 15:27

Welcome to the forum, Orcadian.

If you are considering a third-party adapter I can recommend that made by Fotodiox. I bought one from Amazon UK link for about £12.00 inc. shipping from the U.S.A. (mine took about 10 days to arrive). Viewed in isolation (I have never seen the Pentax adapter 'in the flesh'), I was impressed with the quality of manufacture and have found it to work flawlessly and allow infinity focus, which not all third-party adapters do.

Regards,

Jon

Comment by prsjnb posted on Mounting Takumar screw mount lens to iST DL2 at 04/04/2011 - 20:58

Taken a few test shots this morning (below) using a monopod for support. Light could have been better but, nonetheless, the processed results good enough for my intended purposes. Have also discovered that better sharpness, contrast and colour rendition is obtained without the use of as rear filter.