Official BeyondUnreal Photography Thread
- Thread starter BillyBadAss
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Some pics I took earlier this evening
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5983430892_753cd150d0_o.jpg[/screenshot]
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5982868451_be89c05967_o.jpg[/screenshot]
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5982867593_50dd689256_o.jpg[/screenshot]
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5983430892_753cd150d0_o.jpg[/screenshot]
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5982868451_be89c05967_o.jpg[/screenshot]
[screenshot]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5982867593_50dd689256_o.jpg[/screenshot]
I don't want to, but...
Right, I have a camera dilema that I'm hoping some of you guys could help me with.
A couple of years ago, to replace my trusty Canon A80 that I managed to lose, I got myself a Nikon D40. It's a great camera, but there have been a few things that have really started to nag over time, that makes me wish I had my A80 back. I've taken around 1,000 shots with my D40, and I'm still not comfortable with it. In retrospect, I should have seen some of these coming, but at the time they didn't really cross my mind.
One main problems is the viewfinder. I wear glasses, which causes issues with the viewfinder, because it's virtually impossible to get the whole frame in view. This causes me all kinds of issues, and it's really getting in the way of me shooting. Second issue is the camera size. The D40 is (obviously) a lot larger than my A80. This means it's not really an option to have it to hand as easily as the A80, which I could carry with my almost as an afterthought. I have to plan when I take my D40 anywhere, because I can't just clip to my belt like I could with the A80.
One issue I've also found that surprised me a lot was that the focus is a lot weaker on the D40 than the Canon. One thing my A80 did really well was focus sharply and quickly. Which is something that the D40 just doesn't do as well. Numerous times I've taken a shot which looks fine, only to come out wrecked when you take a closer look. Some of these are down to me, I'll put my hands up to that
But a lot of them aren't, and they're in situations where the AF should really have done the job without any issues.
They're all really minor issues, but those combined (and a few others) just make me not enjoy using the camera as much as I would like
So ranting over, my question. If I decide to replace my D40 for a non-DSLR, what are good alternatives? The Canon G series has always attracted me, but they're beyond my budget I think.
Right, I have a camera dilema that I'm hoping some of you guys could help me with.
A couple of years ago, to replace my trusty Canon A80 that I managed to lose, I got myself a Nikon D40. It's a great camera, but there have been a few things that have really started to nag over time, that makes me wish I had my A80 back. I've taken around 1,000 shots with my D40, and I'm still not comfortable with it. In retrospect, I should have seen some of these coming, but at the time they didn't really cross my mind.
One main problems is the viewfinder. I wear glasses, which causes issues with the viewfinder, because it's virtually impossible to get the whole frame in view. This causes me all kinds of issues, and it's really getting in the way of me shooting. Second issue is the camera size. The D40 is (obviously) a lot larger than my A80. This means it's not really an option to have it to hand as easily as the A80, which I could carry with my almost as an afterthought. I have to plan when I take my D40 anywhere, because I can't just clip to my belt like I could with the A80.
One issue I've also found that surprised me a lot was that the focus is a lot weaker on the D40 than the Canon. One thing my A80 did really well was focus sharply and quickly. Which is something that the D40 just doesn't do as well. Numerous times I've taken a shot which looks fine, only to come out wrecked when you take a closer look. Some of these are down to me, I'll put my hands up to that
But a lot of them aren't, and they're in situations where the AF should really have done the job without any issues.They're all really minor issues, but those combined (and a few others) just make me not enjoy using the camera as much as I would like
So ranting over, my question. If I decide to replace my D40 for a non-DSLR, what are good alternatives? The Canon G series has always attracted me, but they're beyond my budget I think.
Right, I have a camera dilema that I'm hoping some of you guys could help me with.
A couple of years ago, to replace my trusty Canon A80 that I managed to lose, I got myself a Nikon D40. It's a great camera, but there have been a few things that have really started to nag over time, that makes me wish I had my A80 back. I've taken around 1,000 shots with my D40, and I'm still not comfortable with it. In retrospect, I should have seen some of these coming, but at the time they didn't really cross my mind.
One main problems is the viewfinder. I wear glasses, which causes issues with the viewfinder, because it's virtually impossible to get the whole frame in view. This causes me all kinds of issues, and it's really getting in the way of me shooting. Second issue is the camera size. The D40 is (obviously) a lot larger than my A80. This means it's not really an option to have it to hand as easily as the A80, which I could carry with my almost as an afterthought. I have to plan when I take my D40 anywhere, because I can't just clip to my belt like I could with the A80.
One issue I've also found that surprised me a lot was that the focus is a lot weaker on the D40 than the Canon. One thing my A80 did really well was focus sharply and quickly. Which is something that the D40 just doesn't do as well. Numerous times I've taken a shot which looks fine, only to come out wrecked when you take a closer look. Some of these are down to me, I'll put my hands up to that
They're all really minor issues, but those combined (and a few others) just make me not enjoy using the camera as much as I would like
So ranting over, my question. If I decide to replace my D40 for a non-DSLR, what are good alternatives? The Canon G series has always attracted me, but they're beyond my budget I think.
Comparing point and shoots to DSLRs is like comparing apples to oranges. Not sure why the D40 is so slow. I have never owned one, but have you tried a firmware update? The size of it shouldn't matter. Did yours come with a camera strap? If not there is a lot of places to buy them and lots of nice custom made ones as well.
I really don't know what to say about the glasses thing. Maybe somebody here knows a way around it. I don't need them usually so when I shoot I don't wear them. Does the D40 have a live mode?
If you go back to shooting with a point your photos won't be the same quality. It's really comes down to the lens you are using. Any point and shoot lens is only meh in quality. Nothing is that special about them.
Right, I have a camera dilema that I'm hoping some of you guys could help me with.
A couple of years ago, to replace my trusty Canon A80 that I managed to lose, I got myself a Nikon D40. It's a great camera, but there have been a few things that have really started to nag over time, that makes me wish I had my A80 back. I've taken around 1,000 shots with my D40, and I'm still not comfortable with it. In retrospect, I should have seen some of these coming, but at the time they didn't really cross my mind.
One main problems is the viewfinder. I wear glasses, which causes issues with the viewfinder, because it's virtually impossible to get the whole frame in view. This causes me all kinds of issues, and it's really getting in the way of me shooting. Second issue is the camera size. The D40 is (obviously) a lot larger than my A80. This means it's not really an option to have it to hand as easily as the A80, which I could carry with my almost as an afterthought. I have to plan when I take my D40 anywhere, because I can't just clip to my belt like I could with the A80.
One issue I've also found that surprised me a lot was that the focus is a lot weaker on the D40 than the Canon. One thing my A80 did really well was focus sharply and quickly. Which is something that the D40 just doesn't do as well. Numerous times I've taken a shot which looks fine, only to come out wrecked when you take a closer look. Some of these are down to me, I'll put my hands up to that
They're all really minor issues, but those combined (and a few others) just make me not enjoy using the camera as much as I would like
So ranting over, my question. If I decide to replace my D40 for a non-DSLR, what are good alternatives? The Canon G series has always attracted me, but they're beyond my budget I think.
Alright Sel
I would say get a Canon G10 or G11...it sounds like the kind of camera that would suit you. There's an old saying in photography that goes "the best camera is the one you have with you" and if you're finding a dSLR less comfortable to carry around, then it's definitely going to get in your way/discourage you from taking it/make photography a bind. That being the case, the best camera on the market that you can just drop in your pocket (imho) is the G10 or G11.
I know where you're coming from because my main camera is a D3, which is probably four times the size and weight of your D40 (my back up camera is a D90, and that feels like a little plastic toy after the D3), and I don't take it out with me EVER unless I'm planning on photography.....Although admittedly, it's my passion as well as what I do for a living, so on a trip for example it never leaves my side.
When I go out socially, then I use the camera on my iphone...which is crap, so I'm also toying with the idea of picking up a G10 myself.
Power vs Control
I was thinking about the G series. They're expensive, but they do look like the right kind of usability that I'm after, with the benefit of better image quality than an A Series would give me. Might have to save up a bit, but it might be worth a shot By way of "bridging the gap" between the oh-so-shiny G Series and the A Series, how does the S Series compare? The SX120 IS lost out to the D40 last time, and I've always wondered if that would have been a better option.
It's not slow by any means, it's just slower than the A80. D40 is viewfinder only, so there's no option to use anything but it. I understand that the image quality won't be to the same level, but on balance, I'd take usability and feel over that to an extent. A shiny CCD that I'm not all that keen to use, or a less shiny CCD that I want to use all the time? It's a fairly clear choice to me.
I was thinking about the G series. They're expensive, but they do look like the right kind of usability that I'm after, with the benefit of better image quality than an A Series would give me. Might have to save up a bit, but it might be worth a shot
By way of "bridging the gap" between the oh-so-shiny G Series and the A Series, how does the S Series compare? The SX120 IS lost out to the D40 last time, and I've always wondered if that would have been a better option.It's not slow by any means, it's just slower than the A80. D40 is viewfinder only, so there's no option to use anything but it. I understand that the image quality won't be to the same level, but on balance, I'd take usability and feel over that to an extent. A shiny CCD that I'm not all that keen to use, or a less shiny CCD that I want to use all the time? It's a fairly clear choice to me.
I have a D60, which is nearly the same as a D40. If you have issues with the autofocus it's not the camera-body's fault only:
The D40 (as the D60) has no build-in AF-engine. Canon always builds the engine into the lense, Nikon does not. The bigger Nikon-Bodys like the D80 / D90 or the D200 / D300 have build-in AF-engines, they are focusing very quick and accurat! The smaller bodys like D40 need a AF-engine in the lense, and if this engine is not the best, the entire AF of the body is also not very good.
I don't like the 3-Point-AF of the D40/D60, the D90 has 11 points with cross-sensors, the D300(s) has 54 (!) points (and the very best AF-System of all Nikon DX-Bodys).
Go for a used D90!
It's got a bigger viewfinder, a better AF-system with a build-in engine (so you can use also non AF-S lenses), better high-iso-performance (but no native iso 100), a few more megapixels so you have more possibilities while cropping afterwards, live-view if you need.. But the body itself is bigger, heavier and the buttons are set up totaly different than D40.
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This one I made with my D60 two days ago, HDR out of three pictures:
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Just not quite sharp enough...
I think that's another issue with the D40, the 3-point AF. My A80 had 9-point AF, and that was 5 years older than the D40.
I think that's another issue with the D40, the 3-point AF. My A80 had 9-point AF, and that was 5 years older than the D40.
Picked up a couple rolls of Velvia 50 tonight to shoot over the next few weeks while friends are here. Looking forward to seeing what I get.
Alright, I've got two photos here and I cant make up my mind which is better. They are both excellent but only one of them will be used as a promotional photo in an upcoming project.
I took these photos yesterday at the coast. The project and the primary reason for doing this shoot failed due to some unfavorable weather conditions. (overcast, fog, not enough wind) but I wasn't going to let that stand in the way of getting some excellent shots while we were there. I'll revisit the idea again in the future.
Which one do you favor more?
1.
2.
I took these photos yesterday at the coast. The project and the primary reason for doing this shoot failed due to some unfavorable weather conditions. (overcast, fog, not enough wind) but I wasn't going to let that stand in the way of getting some excellent shots while we were there. I'll revisit the idea again in the future.
Which one do you favor more?
1.
2.
They are both great photos Mike. I would probably go with the first photo, though make the sand a little more visible or something. It's almost as if all you can see is her skin and hair.
Did you stop writing on that photo news blog thing? I actually enjoyed it, though I never got around to commenting on anything.
Did you stop writing on that photo news blog thing? I actually enjoyed it, though I never got around to commenting on anything.
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The first one and don't change a a thing. The sand and everything is perfect. I love the pose too. That photo has a whole dreamy feel to it and by making anything more colorful you are going to bring it back to the world of normal and that's boring.
The second photo seems like it looked good on paper, but I don't think it worked out. As it was said before I don't think the pose worked well here. It's a bit cliche. It's a nice shot, but it doesn't stand out like the first one does.
The second photo seems like it looked good on paper, but I don't think it worked out. As it was said before I don't think the pose worked well here. It's a bit cliche. It's a nice shot, but it doesn't stand out like the first one does.
Thank you for the feed back everyone. It was very foggy on the coast so there isnt much viewing distance on the beach. I had to add a lot of contrast just to get any blacks back into the scene.
Rambowjo: Its a high key shot, but you should be able to see everything except for what is in the background (due to fog)... and even that isnt white. Only spots on her dress are a bit overexposed.
Yes, I had to take a break for Rawphotonews because I got way too busy! I will be back Next week with some new articles and odd ball photography news. Stay tuned.
Lovebug: Sorry the sand looks just like it did on the beach. If I add more color it will look brown. Yes, we have light brown sand at our beaches.
BillyBadAss: Your right, the 2nd one was based off of my original theme, but with out enough wind to blow the shawl and dress into the air more.. it just didn't work out. Yes, it is a classic pose and a great expression so I kept it.
Rambowjo: Its a high key shot, but you should be able to see everything except for what is in the background (due to fog)... and even that isnt white. Only spots on her dress are a bit overexposed.
Yes, I had to take a break for Rawphotonews because I got way too busy! I will be back Next week with some new articles and odd ball photography news. Stay tuned.
Lovebug: Sorry the sand looks just like it did on the beach. If I add more color it will look brown. Yes, we have light brown sand at our beaches.
BillyBadAss: Your right, the 2nd one was based off of my original theme, but with out enough wind to blow the shawl and dress into the air more.. it just didn't work out. Yes, it is a classic pose and a great expression so I kept it.
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