Photography Thread - Camera, Stills, Video, HDSLR, Mirrorless, Etc.

[fooddude]

I did a search, and found there isn't a dedicated thread for photography yet. So let's start one here... it can be for both stills (meets, car shows, quick snaps, telephoto at the track, etc.) and also video (in-car(since HDSLRs/Mirrorless cameras aren't usually rugged like GoPros) videos, track, meets, etc.)

Let's discuss anything - your history, what you've used in the past, what you currently use, what you like/want/GAS for, new products, anything pretty much.

So I guess I'll start:

Been a photo nerd since 2006. My first was a Nikon D80, then Canon 5D, then 5D2, then 60D...then shortly after that, super compact mirrorless APSC cameras started coming out (compactness won me over, as they were much more versatile and convenient to me than having a big FF sensor)..so then I got a Sony Nex 5n, then went to an Olympus OMD (loved it's IBIS and got it mostly for that)...now, currently, I have the Ricoh GR, had it for about a year now. I truly love it and don't plan on getting any other camera (unless it is its' successor)..mainly because it is The smallest APSC camera currently available that fits in a front jeans pocket! ...I never will return to a bigger HDSLR nor Mirrorless camera. It's a fixed 28mm equiv lens; but I'd rather be stuck with 28mm and being able to pocket it, than to have a super large bulky interchangeable camera that is a hassle to carry around during travels or outings.

Been out of the car game since 2001'ish; but have unexpectedly & unforeseen'ly returned, only very recently, only because of the frs. Been stuck deep in the music & photography world ever since.

Anyways...now that I have a deep interest in cars yet again, and also that I currently have a pretty darn light camera that can take pretty decent hd video, I plan to double-up my Ricoh GR for both still and also video use. It is nowhere as rugged as a GoPro, lol. But, it is super light and small too, and can be easily mounted in the interior for in-car video with a suction mount. It is also very easy to use. The maximum video length capability in 1 sitting/shot is 25mins/4gb (whichever comes first); which, I think is more than sufficient in recording several laps and maybe even an entire session (though, some sessions might run a tad longer than 25mins...but at least it will capture the majority of each session).

For anyone looking for a new, high image quality, compact, big APSC sensor camera, that has a nice decent wide angle 28mm, can also fit in the front jeans pocket (great for night outings with friends, bars/restaurants/clubs/concerts, travels, etc., etc.), and can take decent video... I cannot recommend the Ricoh GR highly enough...my #1 favorite camera of all time (well, at least, from my experiences). I love it 1000x more than even my ex FF 5D, 5D2 and OMD... it's that good!

Anyways...enough about me and my chitter chatter, lol... let's hear your insight and experiences with photograhy

[leicaboss]

As my name implies, I'm a Leica enthusiast.

I used to work with a Leica M6 TTL (.85 mag). It was a great camera, but I wanted to ball out so I ended up purchasing a NOS Leica MP (.72 mag).

Over the course of the years I've owned all sorts of cool film cameras that I enjoy working with. I'm on my second Hasselblad 500cm kit, used to own a Rolleiflex 2.8F, and I've got a billion other goodies sitting around at home.

I'm a big fan of DIY, so I do all my black & white developing at home via a changing bag. After development, I'll scan and process them in my computer via an Epson V750 flatbed scanner + Lightroom/PS.

As far as digital goes, I used to own a 5D Mk 2 with a ton of lenses, but sold it after I got tired of digital. Film is where my heart's at. Also forgot to mention I've got an interesting film point and shoot, the infamous Ricoh GR21 (they are worth an amazing $1k). It's a tiny camera packing a 21mm wide angle lens - pretty rare unit I acquired a couple years ago.

[Creole]

I shoot with my iPhone5 camera.

It has an 8-megapixel iSight camera, Panorama Video recording, HD (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio, FaceTime HD camera with 1.2MP photos and HD video (720p), up to 30 frames per second, Autofocus, Tap to focus video or still images, Face detection in video or still images, LED flash, Improved video stabilization, Photo and video geotagging.

Gets the job done lol.


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[leicaboss]

iPhone 5 cameras are serious. I used to have one but the purple flaring and chipping of the lens was pissing me off.

[Creole]

Originally Posted by leicaboss

iPhone 5 cameras are serious. I used to have one but the purple flaring and chipping of the lens was pissing me off.

I thought the chirping was because I've dropped my phone so much. lol

The Leica sounds like a nice camera, I like the name. The Ricoh has a nice name too


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[leicaboss]

Bahaha, it's all about the names

[fooddude]

Leica is serious business

And nothing beats the colors, texture, vibe, feel and overall goodness of analog film

Was thinking about swoopin up an Oly Stylus Epic prime 35/2.8 ..looks like a nice, inexpensive, compact, street, film camera. Though, I dislike the time digitizing and retouching/restoring scanned film pictures. (I'm a professional retoucher and also occasionally do archival vintage film restoring..and I'd rather leave that at the work place than have to do it for my hobby photography at home too, hehe)

I think digital is still nice. Especially teamed up with old vintage RF MF lenses ....those dirt cheap russian lenses are decent too for low contrast colors and a vintage look, and are pretty sharp for the money. I also used to collect german anamorphic lenses for video (before they were more popular/known to the general consumer/prosumer). I made a decent buck selling them for thousands(2-4.5k each), when I bought them for pretty cheap for a few hundred, haha.

Ya...those old film Ricoh cameras are sexy!



.

[Sarlacc]

I've gone the opposite direction of OP... :-)

Started as a kid with 35mm film compact, went compact digital with the Nikon Coolpix 3200 and got seriously hooked. From there I've had Canon 350D, Canon 50D and now Canon 5D Mark III with a collection of lenses. I usually take with me the EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM and a Manfrotto monopod.

[leicaboss]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Leica is serious business

And nothing beats the colors, texture, vibe, feel and overall goodness of analog film

Was thinking about swoopin up an Oly Stylus Epic prime 35/2.8 ..looks like a nice, inexpensive, compact, street, film camera. Though, I dislike the time digitizing and retouching/restoring scanned film pictures. (I'm a professional retoucher and also occasionally do archival vintage film restoring..and I'd rather leave that at the work place than have to do it for my hobby photography at home too, hehe)

I think digital is still nice. Especially teamed up with old vintage RF MF lenses ....those dirt cheap russian lenses are decent too for low contrast colors and a vintage look, and are pretty sharp for the money. I also used to collect german anamorphic lenses for video (before they were more popular/known to the general consumer/prosumer). I made a decent buck selling them for thousands(2-4.5k each), when I bought them for pretty cheap for a few hundred, haha.

Ya...those old film Ricoh cameras are sexy!



.

Truly right about the film aspect though. Honestly tons of good cameras out there, but I'm a sucker for rangefinders (RF). I guess the best way I can describe using a quality brass-laden Leica is that of a car with a crisp, tactile shifter. Everything is precise, and feels great - certainly very German. Feels almost overbuilt.

Lots of good RF alternatives out there, and a lot of mirrorless work well with the M mount lenses from Leica! I can't believe I don't have an adapter for my NEX yet.

Dude, I hear you on the retouching. It can be a PITA - I try not to alter the photos in order to retain their film-ness but it's hard to nail the calibration of the colors at times. Lots of trial and error. I've taken a break from it all!

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

I've gone the opposite direction of OP... :-)

Started as a kid with 35mm film compact, went compact digital with the Nikon Coolpix 3200 and got seriously hooked. From there I've had Canon 350D, Canon 50D and now Canon 5D Mark III with a collection of lenses. I usually take with me the EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM and a Manfrotto monopod.

Nice set up!

Ya...I guess, just like car parts, it really depends on your intended uses. Telephoto and UWA, then you defo need an interchangeable lens DSLR

...I'm stuck with a 28mm and on occasion I wish I had an interchangeable lens for those many telephoto moments I miss. I guess my cam and uses is just for travel, fun snap, food and street cam..which I am content with the majority of the time. But for anyone needing telephoto for sports (cars on the track, birds, etc.), then a DSLR is mandatory

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

I've gone the opposite direction of OP... :-)

Started as a kid with 35mm film compact, went compact digital with the Nikon Coolpix 3200 and got seriously hooked. From there I've had Canon 350D, Canon 50D and now Canon 5D Mark III with a collection of lenses. I usually take with me the EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM and a Manfrotto monopod.

Ditto but didn't make it as far as the 5DIII (money) and went T3i but got the Ravelli pod, fluid drag head, steady cam, RODE mic and battery grip so I can use 2 batteries at a time. With the 1.6 crop of the APSC the 55-250 is a pretty good zoom lens but when it come to getting "close" I am lining up to buy the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC lens which is incredible @ F1.8 from 18-35 for under $800, remarkable value.

A friend of mine has a 500mm Zoom lens which I plan on borrowing and using later this year. I got some use during a documentary shoot at ThunderHill but we didn't weight the tripod and at those distance any vibration shows up in the video.

[sshole]

I'm waiting for my father-in-law to "lend" me his Canon 200mm f/1.8L. I say "lend" because if he let's me have it in my hands, he'll never get it back.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Ditto but didn't make it as far as the 5DIII (money) and went T3i but got the Ravelli pod, fluid drag head, steady cam, RODE mic and battery grip so I can use 2 batteries at a time. With the 1.6 crop of the APSC the 55-250 is a pretty good zoom lens but when it come to getting "close" I am lining up to buy the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC lens which is incredible @ F1.8 from 18-35 for under $800, remarkable value.

A friend of mine has a 500mm Zoom lens which I plan on borrowing and using later this year. I got some use during a documentary shoot at ThunderHill but we didn't weight the tripod and at those distance any vibration shows up in the video.

Yeah, It's an expensive hobby. Your setup sounds great for shooting video! I haven't really done much video myself. But I think that at 500mm even a weighted tripod will transport vibrations from the ground to the camera, so you'll probably need some active dampening?

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

Yeah, It's an expensive hobby. Your setup sounds great for shooting video! I haven't really done much video myself. But I think that at 500mm even a weighted tripod will transport vibrations from the ground to the camera, so you'll probably need some active dampening?

If nothing else at least some type of shelter (EZ up with sidewalls) to block wind.