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Madison Motorsports
The Photography Thread - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: The Photography Thread (/showthread.php?tid=11458)

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The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

Since we have threads about meat, beer, video games, electronics, pc building, watches, etc. I figure we might as well have a dumping ground to discuss photography and gear.

I used to be kind of a huge photography nerd in high school, my first camera was a some form of Canon Rebel 35mm (that's film, kids), maybe a K2. Circa 2004-2005 I picked up a Rebel XTi which was pretty much the cutting edge of DSLR technology for the time and my budget. I sort of forgot about the hobby during college and since then have had a desire to pick it back up, but wasn't super motivated to do it with outdated gear. Then Nikon went and offered 50% off on a couple models this month. So, I guess I'm back.

My gear:

-Nikon D5500
- 18-55mm kit lens
- 70-300 telephoto
- 0.43x screw-on macro/fisheye adapter for 18-55
- Standard UV + Polarizer filters for both lenses
-Cheapo camera backpack from Amazon with partitions for lenses 'n' whatnot

I'm also planning to grab a pair of lens hoods, a couple spare batteries and a nicer strap, but I'm stuck trying to decide between the regular Peak strap and the wrist strap. I've always wrapped the standard straps around my wrist, but largely because the OEM straps are too small to put over your shoulder. I'd be interested to hear people's preferences.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Leash-Camera-Strap/dp/B011XMVW2S/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1495552183&sr=1-2&keywords=peak+camera+strap">https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Leas ... mera+strap</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Camera-Wrist-CF-2/dp/B0115FC0B0/ref=pd_bxgy_421_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0115FC0B0&pd_rd_r=B2J9YV34R0MFB5YASR6M&pd_rd_w=pXLj3&pd_rd_wg=PJrcP&psc=1&refRID=B2J9YV34R0MFB5YASR6M">https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Came ... MFB5YASR6M</a><!-- m -->


I've been having a lot of fun jumping back in but there are some settings that go completely over my head. Auto-bracketing? Active-D lighting? Metering? (The last one might having something to do with how it does the auto white balancing?)

I'm curious to hear what setups you guys have and how you shoot. I've been using the "programmed auto" mode or "aperture priority auto" and then manually adjusting iso and exposure compensation as needed. I've been shooting directly in JPG and leaving the color mode in "standard" for the most part.

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Re: The Photography Thread - Apoc - 05-23-2017

D610, 50mm f/1.4, 18-200mm

I also have a 12-24mm and fisheye, but I use the above two almost exclusively. I think I've had my prime lens on the camera for the last year and I use aperture mode near 100% of the time I do. I used to carry a lot of shit and have been through a lot of bags, but now I just use a neoprene hand wrap and a bag that only fits the camera with the 18-200 attached. I got a condenser mic for Christmas to use for kid videos and concert clips. My main problem there is I don't currenly have the energy to edit video.

strap: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/170180-REG/OP_TECH_USA_6701242_Grip_Strap.html">https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... Strap.html</a><!-- m -->
bag: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2qRF0k2">http://amzn.to/2qRF0k2</a><!-- m -->
mic: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2qd02Xn">http://amzn.to/2qd02Xn</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.derecola.photo/">http://www.derecola.photo/</a><!-- m -->
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Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

Old kit was:
D800
D3
D7100
Sony A6300

Tokina 16-28 2.8
Nikon 28-70 2.8
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Nikon 50mm 1.8d (get this lens!!! $75 on craigslist)
Nikon 80-200 2.8
Nikon 300mm F4
Tamron 150-600
Rokinon 12mm F2 (Sony mount)
Sony 50mm 1.8

(Other camera I've owned: D60, D3100, D5100, D7000, D600)

I've done some downsizing to pay off some of the move to California and now use:
D500
Tokina 11-16 2.8
Nikon 17-55 2.8
Nikon 70-200
Sb700
Anything else I need for a gig I rent for now.

Bracketing:
This is where the camera will take different EV steps (you can set). For example it'll take a picture -1, 0 and +1. That way, theoretically, you have a full range and no blowouts. It's common with HDR and astrophotography. I use it as a backup in case (you'll want a tripod for this)

Active D-lighting:
It's a Nikon thing that is used in high dynamic ranges. It'll bump shadows and bring down highlights if I had to guess. I would just shoot RAW and edit in Lightroom and you could achieve the same if not better image.

Metering:
Metering is how the camera reads the light. If you have it set to 0EV and metered for the whole image I believe it takes the average to guess the correct exposure. If you have it on a single point (like I do) it'll take what your focus point it and ensure that that is metered at 0EV (or whatever you keep it at). From my research and in the field I almost always keep it at -.7 or -.3 EV.

Some more advice: Take it off Auto and strictly use aperture priority. You'll learn quickly. With people don't let it lower than 1/200 SS, sports/fast moving things 1/800, handheld still 1/80 or so *depends on how steady of a hand you have*. On the D5500 try and keep it under ISO 1600. SHOOT RAW.. trust me. I also use a mix between the hand grip and a sling strap.

I'm also selling a Nikon 17-55 2.8 (an extra one I have), Nikon 70-300 (for cheap), Dakine camera backpack and maybe some other stuff.

Website: garretthughesphotography.com
Facebook: facebook.com/garretthughesphotography
Insta: instagram.com/garrett_hughes

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Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

I'm jelly of f1.8, I might eventually pick up a faster lens for indoor/low-light stuff. I think the max ISO on my XTi was like 4000 so this one is definitely a lot better about low-light but not quite as good as I'd like.

Nice shots!

Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

Yeah, I'm telling you get a 50mm 1.8d. You'll love it (double check that the D5500 has an internal focusing motor) if not then get the 1.8g. Max ISO and useable ISO are two different things. I wouldn't take the D5500 more than 2000 even though the max ISO is probably 25600. The max ISO on the D500 is 1,640,000 but I won't take it higher than ISO 8000.

Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

ispoonwithmugen Wrote:Bracketing:
This is where the camera will take different EV steps (you can set). For example it'll take a picture -1, 0 and +1. That way, theoretically, you have a full range and no blowouts. It's common with HDR and astrophotography. I use it as a backup in case (you'll want a tripod for this)

Active D-lighting:
It's a Nikon thing that is used in high dynamic ranges. It'll bump shadows and bring down highlights if I had to guess. I would just shoot RAW and edit in Lightroom and you could achieve the same if not better image.

Metering:
Metering is how the camera reads the light. If you have it set to 0EV and metered for the whole image I believe it takes the average to guess the correct exposure. If you have it on a single point (like I do) it'll take what your focus point it and ensure that that is metered at 0EV (or whatever you keep it at). From my research and in the field I almost always keep it at -.7 or -.3 EV.

So if I use bracketing without HDR turned on I'll get 2-3 seperate image files every time I press the shutter?

Sounds like I want to leave ADL alone and mess with metering and see what gives me the best results.

I'm mostly just shooting stuff directly to share, I don't know if it's worth the disk space of shooting raw if I'm not really planning on doing crazy editing. I also don't have a work computer with photoshop anymore, so I'm doing all my editing in GIMP. I guess I can just set it to capture both file types, I've got 2 64GB cards for it.

I'll check out those 50mms, probably gonna wait and cool off a bit before i start blowing money on lenses.

Re: The Photography Thread - Ken - 05-23-2017

I'm interested in learning a bit more. Toni and I just got a Sony RX100 IV off our wedding registry. While obviously not the DSLR that you guys mention below it should suit our needs pretty well, i just wanted something that has the potential to take some pretty good photos and not be cumbersome to lug around. I see all these new moms lugging this big ol' DSLR around and then just use it purely as a point and shoot.

Anyway - going to try and play around with the Sony and see what i can and can't do. I'll probably have to start at the basics and play around with iso and exposure settings. I have such a basic understanding of what it all means, so a "for dummies" blog or book is probably first step.

Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

SlimKlim Wrote:
ispoonwithmugen Wrote:Bracketing:
This is where the camera will take different EV steps (you can set). For example it'll take a picture -1, 0 and +1. That way, theoretically, you have a full range and no blowouts. It's common with HDR and astrophotography. I use it as a backup in case (you'll want a tripod for this)

Active D-lighting:
It's a Nikon thing that is used in high dynamic ranges. It'll bump shadows and bring down highlights if I had to guess. I would just shoot RAW and edit in Lightroom and you could achieve the same if not better image.

Metering:
Metering is how the camera reads the light. If you have it set to 0EV and metered for the whole image I believe it takes the average to guess the correct exposure. If you have it on a single point (like I do) it'll take what your focus point it and ensure that that is metered at 0EV (or whatever you keep it at). From my research and in the field I almost always keep it at -.7 or -.3 EV.

So if I use bracketing without HDR turned on I'll get 2-3 seperate image files every time I press the shutter?

Sounds like I want to leave ADL alone and mess with metering and see what gives me the best results.

I'm mostly just shooting stuff directly to share, I don't know if it's worth the disk space of shooting raw if I'm not really planning on doing crazy editing. I also don't have a work computer with photoshop anymore, so I'm doing all my editing in GIMP. I guess I can just set it to capture both file types, I've got 2 64GB cards for it.

I'll check out those 50mms, probably gonna wait and cool off a bit before i start blowing money on lenses.

Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, yes, it appears you'll get 3 shots. Check this link out: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dummies.com/photography/cameras/nikon-camera/how-to-bracket-exposures-on-your-nikon-d5500/">http://www.dummies.com/photography/came ... kon-d5500/</a><!-- m -->

Bingo on the ADL.

Even shooting to share. I'd look into Lightroom (it's fast and easy) to just quickly import and shove photos around. You can get the license on Amazon fo cheap. I hardly use Photoshop unless I'm doing some hardcore editing. You can accomplish most everything in Lightroom. You'd be amazed at the results you can get from it. Check this timelapse out here:
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<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf619pNFdOQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf619pNFdOQ</a><!-- m -->
Hear ya on that. Gear envy is a real disease.

Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

Ken Wrote:I'm interested in learning a bit more. Toni and I just got a Sony RX100 IV off our wedding registry. While obviously not the DSLR that you guys mention below it should suit our needs pretty well, i just wanted something that has the potential to take some pretty good photos and not be cumbersome to lug around. I see all these new moms lugging this big ol' DSLR around and then just use it purely as a point and shoot.

Anyway - going to try and play around with the Sony and see what i can and can't do. I'll probably have to start at the basics and play around with iso and exposure settings. I have such a basic understanding of what it all means, so a "for dummies" blog or book is probably first step.

That's an insanely powerful camera. You'll be very happy with the results. I've played with them a few times.

Re: The Photography Thread - Apoc - 05-23-2017

+1 on RAW + Lightroom

If you aren't using RAW, you don't need a dSLR.

Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

Why is jpg bad tho?

Raw format snobbery strikes me as similar to people who get themselves all out of joint because someone else buys an automatic sports car. If I'm snapping a photo of something I know I'll want to edit heavily, then I can & will flip it over to raw. If I'm just snapping photos at a car show that I'm going to upload directly to FB or here, I don't see the harm in shooting directly in jpg. :dunno:

ispoonwithmugen Wrote:Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, yes, it appears you'll get 3 shots. Check this link out: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dummies.com/photography/cameras/nikon-camera/how-to-bracket-exposures-on-your-nikon-d5500/">http://www.dummies.com/photography/came ... kon-d5500/</a><!-- m -->

Bingo on the ADL.

Even shooting to share. I'd look into Lightroom (it's fast and easy) to just quickly import and shove photos around. You can get the license on Amazon fo cheap. I hardly use Photoshop unless I'm doing some hardcore editing. You can accomplish most everything in Lightroom. You'd be amazed at the results you can get from it. Check this timelapse out here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kycqOtcSsFY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kycqOtcSsFY</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf619pNFdOQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf619pNFdOQ</a><!-- m -->
Hear ya on that. Gear envy is a real disease.

I'll have to check out those links after work.

Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

Raw formatting is bringing out the full potential of imagery. It'd be like owning an 400hp M5 but only driving it on 25mph residential roads. I'm not at home but if you google the difference between raw and jpg you'll get a grasp on why.

Re: The Photography Thread - Apoc - 05-23-2017

SlimKlim Wrote:Why is jpg bad tho?

because your camera is deciding everything for you and compressing the images. a better analogy than auto vs. manual transmission is having 3 gears vs. 5 gears... or fax vs photocopy. if you don't want the ability to fine tune images with the information captured directly from the sensor, then jpeg is fine... but you're unnecessarily limiting yourself.

start at 7:48 here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.slrlounge.com/workshop/dynamic-range-and-raw-vs-jpeg/">https://www.slrlounge.com/workshop/dyna ... w-vs-jpeg/</a><!-- m -->

edit: i shoot both and use jpeg if i'm uploading direct to social media, but that's because i already know their compression algorithm is gonna hose it. if my phone could handle raw, i would use exclusively that.

Re: The Photography Thread - ispoonwithmugen - 05-23-2017

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://photographyconcentrate.com/10-reasons-why-you-should-be-shooting-raw/">https://photographyconcentrate.com/10-r ... oting-raw/</a><!-- m -->

Great summary

Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

ispoonwithmugen Wrote:It'd be like owning an 400hp M5 but only driving it on 25mph residential roads.

That's like half of MM. :lol:

I'll definitely use raw for anything I intend to edit heavily or get artsy with. I guess I could set it to shoot both, but it just seems like a lot of wasted disk space if it's stuff I know I'm not really going to mess with. :dunno: Then again I can get like 1,100 shots per card even doing RAW+L, I'm not used to having so much storage to work with.

It is a little more convenient to get rid of unwanted photos with this one because I can just stick the SD card right into my computer and clean them all up. I'm surprised you can't just do it in the smartphone app where you download the photos, but it's still better than digging out a USB cable like I had to with the XTi that took a CF card.

Re: The Photography Thread - Apoc - 05-23-2017

I use this to get photos onto my phone direct from the camera: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2qMaAPK">http://amzn.to/2qMaAPK</a><!-- m -->

My camera is dual card and I have it split RAW and JPEG on different cards, so I don't have to wait for the phone to read a shit ton of big files to find the one I want to instagram.

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Re: The Photography Thread - V1GiLaNtE - 05-23-2017

I shoot the D3300 with the Nikkor 35mm F/1.8g for like 99.9% percent of the pics I take. Keeps things simple and makes me learn the camera. I need to learn more about metering and such.

Most everything on my Insta is with that setup.

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[Image: 31036343996_4ce6508910_k.jpg]DSC_0079 by Cabell Spicer, on Flickr

[Image: 28812440745_9b4bcd0b19_k.jpg]DSC_0803 by Cabell Spicer, on Flickr

[Image: 30957922151_295a72873e_k.jpg]DSC_0015 by Cabell Spicer, on Flickr

Re: The Photography Thread - Ken - 05-23-2017

Speaking of which - what's the best "light user" software to get? I was looking at PS Elements 15?

Short of that, is there any way to view/edit RAW files?

Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

Oh cool, having dual cards would definitely be a nice feature. I've really been loving the wifi transferring, I could go from DSLR to instabooks in like 15 seconds if I wanted to.

I just ordered 2 spare batteries, a lens hood for each lens and both of the stupid Peak straps because I couldn't decide which one I wanted.

Re: The Photography Thread - SlimKlim - 05-23-2017

Ken Wrote:Speaking of which - what's the best "light user" software to get? I was looking at PS Elements 15?

Short of that, is there any way to view/edit RAW files?

Check out GIMP, it's basically an open-source photoshop. I had heard about it but never used it until recently because I've always had a work computer with PS, or back in the day I had "educational" copies. I've only messed around with one image in it but it's been fairly intuitive and does everything I'd want it to.

There's a plugin for it that should allow you to work with RAW: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://howtogimp.com/raw-photos-with-gimp/">https://howtogimp.com/raw-photos-with-gimp/</a><!-- m -->