Photography Showcase

[nickyr]

Can we see the before photoshop pic?

you'll find one of them here in Joe's sunset video

Exodist Photography Blog

(outdated link removed)

 

[nickyr]

Just got hold of a Sigma 18-250 HSM OS Macro etc. lens for my Nikon D5000 after reading all the reviews, and sold the kit 18-55 and 55-200 to make the £££ back.

Also a 35mm Nikon F1.8 prime for low light stuff.

I think the reviews were pretty accurate as the Sigma seems even better than either of the other two.

First, a shot of the moon, bearing in mind shot hand held at 250mm, ISO 400, 1/80, f6.3 ...

... followed by a closeup of a butterfly on our Buddleia bush, ISO 400, 1/1000 at f6.3

Comments always welcome.

Cheers

Hugh

for moon shots, try the f11 rule: set aperture to f11 and then set the ISO and shutter speed to match (e.g. ISO 200 and 1/200th) (it doesn't always work mind!)

there's a super moon tonight as well

 

[hugtheslug]

for moon shots, try the f11 rule: set aperture to f11 and then set the ISO and shutter speed to match (e.g. ISO 200 and 1/200th) (it doesn't always work mind!)

there's a super moon tonight as well

Thanks, I'll remember that tip

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Exodist]

Can we see the before photoshop pic?

Sure, keep in mind these were not photoshopped. Just exposure and minor color adjustments done in Lightroom 5. Actually glad you asked, so many people ask what is better, Aperture, Photos(speculatively) or Lightroom. This is a great way to show it power and functionality.

 

[Exodist]

for moon shots, try the f11 rule: set aperture to f11 and then set the ISO and shutter speed to match (e.g. ISO 200 and 1/200th) (it doesn't always work mind!)

there's a super moon tonight as well

Good info Nick..

Just to piggy back on this, keep in mind even though its night outside, the moon is in daylight since the sun is shinning on it in full force.

I personally set my shutter speed to exceed my focal length. Say a 300mm lens at 300mm on a Canon Rebel series up to the 70D and 7D are all cropped sensor cameras and 1.6 ratio in size. So you say 300mm x 1.6(Canon), 1.5x(Nikon) and gets you 480mm(Canon) and 450mmm(Nikon) equivalent. So you want to set your shutter speed to 1/500sec to prevent camera shake. This however doesnt take into consideration of Image Stabilization, which can allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds and still get sharp images. I have the lens you mentioned and its IS/OS is about 2 stops at most. So you can go down to 1/250 sec, but I would keep it at 1/500 just in case.

The aperture since you shooting at such at long distance is not as important as your not worried about a Depth of Field when shooting the Moon and Stars. However Aperture still can effect your lens sharpness. On this particular lens f/6.3 and f/7.1 are you sweet spots for sharp images. But you can go down to as small as f/11 as Nicky mentioned, but I would not go any smaller as you image quality will start to drop quickly.

As far as ISO, ISO100 should be all you need since the moon is in daylight.. I would prioritize opening the aperture up to the max f/6.3 on that lens before raising the iso any at all.

Another quick tip is to use your center focusing pixel on your camera, but if you camera happens to act silly and not want to focus (which is shouldn't) just set your lens to the Infinity Mark. Sigma sets their focal markings on their lens at the tele end. So you will find your infinity mark is fairly accurate at the tele end, but not at all on the wide end.

Hope this helps.

 

[hugtheslug]

Oh yes, you have both really helped me, thanks

I've only been a DSLR user for 6 months or so and have a lot to learn.

I shall take on board your comments about Lightroom, and it's nice to know you have the Sigma as well.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Exodist]

Oh yes, you have both really helped me, thanks

I've only been a DSLR user for 6 months or so and have a lot to learn.

I shall take on board your comments about Lightroom, and it's nice to know you have the Sigma as well.

Cheers

Hugh

I have a small collection of cameras and lens.

Canon Powershot G12, Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i) and Canon EOS 70D.

Lens are Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 mark III, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 mark II, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM Contemporary Macro, Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Macro, Sigma 50mm f/2.8 DG EX Macro (arriving in about a month) and Tamron SP 70-300 f/4-5.6 VC Di USD.

I am however selling off the EF 75-300, EF 28-135 and EF 50mm over the next few months.

My main lens when traveling is the Sigma 17-70mm and the Tamron 70-300.
My EF-S 10-22mm mainly gets used for indoor interior or my video podcast. I use it a lot for video since it does not suffer from lens breathing.
My EF 85mm is mainly a portrait lens.
My Sigma 50mm Macro will arrive serve dual purpose as a Macro (1:1 ratio) and family/group portrait lens.
The Sigma 18-250mm stays on my 600D as a backup camera and lens.
My G12 will soon be used as my diving camera for underwater photography by this Christmas.


Been considering getting the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art Lens. But at $900 US dollars, thats already half of what a Canon 6D full frame camera cost.. But if Sigma comes out with a new 70-300 sports lens that is as sharp as their Art lens line has been doing, then I will be sticking with my 70D for a lot longer.

 

[Exodist]

Wanted to share some photos from Singapore trip my family and I went on this week.. Enjoy..

These are not finals, just quickly processed them to share.. But fairly close..

 

[Exodist]

Just got hold of a Sigma 18-250 HSM OS Macro etc. lens for my Nikon D5000........

Hugh

That is a great lens. I keep it on my Canon 600D, its not as good a pro glass, but no lens is with that zoom range. But its better then most kits lens and has a larger zoom range. So its one I highly recommend.

 

[Exodist]

Pretty sure I haven't posted this one. Took it a few days before my Singapore trip here.

This is where I live..

 

[hugtheslug]

It's been a long time since anybody posted in this thread, so here's what I have been up to recently...

(outdated link removed)

Lemon Drop by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

 

[RavingMac]

Very nice!

 

[Exodist]

Haven't posted in a while.. Been so darn busy.. Here are two new photos..

 

[hugtheslug]

Fantastic heron - what lens / distance away etc.?

Another fruit drop...

(outdated link removed)

Fruit Salad by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

 

[nickyr]

This thread has been dormant way too long.

I don't get out much at the moment to indulge my love of landscape photography but here's a photo from the first dawn of 2016 captured at the Mumbles near my home. God willing I intend to return on new year's eve to capture the very last sunset of 2016. A slight departure from the usual "a photo a day" challenge but I'm too lazy for all that!!

 

[hugtheslug]

↑↑ Superb !!

There's been a change of tack in my gear lately - I've sold all my Nikon stuff and bought a Sony NEX 6, with Sony 16mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm and 60mm f/2.8.
I also have the Sony 55-210mm for longer range.

That 16mm is brilliant for low light shots...

(outdated link removed)

Rochester Cathedral by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

 

[nickyr]

Nice photo Hugh but.............selling all your Nikon gear???!!!

 

[hugtheslug]

Yup, nearly all gone now. I had a pair of D300 DSLRs, with a multitude of f/2.8 lenses + a couple of f/1.4s, but I was finding myself more concentrating on getting better and better lenses than actually taking photos, and I was snapping crap as well.

So, considering myself near enough addicted to upgrading I decided to step back and take the pressure off myself.

I now have one neat little camera, a few decent lenses, and I'm hopefully going to take some better photos just for me.
The quality of the pictures so far have been better and I'm more happy having clawed back most of the money I've spent.

It's a good camera with in my view better output than the D300 in terms of IQ, and far more portable and less obtrusive when out on the streets.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[RavingMac]

Very nice pic, Hugh.

I understand completely about the complicated (and heavy) gear getting in the way. Kept mine, but added a Nikon 1 kit and have been delighted with it.

 

[MacGandalf]

Taken with my Nikon D500 while testing the camera. Details in the EXIF.

Jackdaw in garden, taken from upstairs window.

(outdated link removed)