Photographer's thread

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Absolutely no idea as it was on the other side of the kitchen window. Just as well as it looked very hungry and was giving me weird looks.

What does a “weird “ look from a critter like that look like?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

What does a “weird “ look from a critter like that look like?

Every look a critter gives me is weird.

[The Red One]

… every pictures tells a story, Let me tell some stories about my pictures.

I have been getting into this birding thing more for the sense of accomplishment and for the challenges to get a great shot. I was not doing this type of photography just a few years ago and avoided it, but now im totally going to the birds. I will only for the most part take a pict if it will fill half or more of the viewfinder.


I find owls in my part of the world very hard to spot and rare but find those patient and quite approachable when I do come across them, perfect bird model when you see them close up.









Heron’s & Egrets are quite abundant when you know where to look, the problem with them are as they age they quickly fly away at close human presence. I had been to a spot near by and there were many photographers talking about what was there 20 minutes ago but nothing was in close when I got there, When one complaining photog started to give a fashion demo of her vest she had just bought I knew it was a spoilt spot. I moved on and came back 20 minutes later, this time only one seasoned old photog was present no word was said between us. His eyes told me to look left and saw this guy very close by waiting to show off. The old guy also gave me a lecture in patience, said the walking on the platform we were on made noise and scare the fish around it. So the big birds have to hunt further out.









Saw a bird on a rock close to shore, there was another photog walking the shoreline trying to approach it but still a ways off, I kept to the trail that shadowed the shore a little beyond where the rock was. I had time to sit down and drink something I had with me and pre-focus about where I would think a bird would fly to escape from being hounded… Bingo got myself another BIF*




I still can’t name 90% of the birds I see but some no longer get called the big white one and the little shits.


I still have fond memories at my favourite race location about the time the digital change had begun, two Photogs were engaged in comparing their new DSLR’s and just about then an accident sent 2 participants out of the race, they both looked at me as I was the only one that was following the action(and strange racing lines) and sensed something bad was coming up… I had to wait to get them developed but was spot on anticipating the action.

*Bird in Flight. For those of you who are thinking dirty!

[Capt Spaulding]

@The Red One

You mentioned sitting down on a rock and prefocusing. Did you shoot these on film? It's been years since I thought about prefocusing. Used that all the time with my Minolta SLRs - at motorraces, airshows, kids' sports, etc. but since I picked up my first DSLR and learned some of the "stupid autofocus tricks" I haven't given that much thought.

[Capt Spaulding]

For the birds.

The poor trout is thinking 'oh man. I am so fucked.'

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

@The Red One

It's been years since I thought about prefocusing. .

Im old, I have habits that are hard to let go… Specially the ones that serve me well.

I first got into the habit around 1981 when I got a 300mm 4.5F and foolishly mated it with a 2X. Could not see much in the dark viewfinder but always had it pre-focused on larger pebbles or Grass close to the racing line at the local F1 races. That was the only solution back then.

This bird was taken with a 10 yr old D7000 that I still drag out when it rains, it’s aught –to-focus was great back in the day but far from what I get with the new stuff. There really was no need to pre-focus just habit and low contrast Overcast does not help the focusing anyway… and I had the time to do it. The lens I had on it a 70-200mm Zoom was very capable of keeping up by itself.

I do have a longer focal length 200-500mm lens that is notorious for being slow to acquire the subject initially and shoot a lot with it and have found my keeper rate goes up if I can pre-focus and give it a better chance, but once it acquires focus it is very tenacious at holding on to the subject. I always get comments about it being a “slow focusing lens” Im not quite sure what they are talking about!


And sometimes there is no reference to pre-focus and just trust the technology.

[Capt Spaulding]

Is your 200-500 the Nikkor 5.6? That's what I shot the Osprey with, mounted on a D7200.

That combination works well for me. Those D7xxx bodies have life left in 'em. That said I'd like to get a D500 body before Nikon bails out of the DSLR business, and probably a D850 body as well. My D750 is great at somethings (low light is high on the list) but pixel lust can be strong. My son has taken to mirrorless. I think I'm too old to make that jump and certainly too poor.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

and probably a D850 body as well.

From what little I have read the D850 is a bit of a legend?... ummmm.....The camera to which others are compared to?.... Top of its class?..... How about an awesome camera?

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

Is your 200-500 the Nikkor 5.6? That's what I shot the Osprey with, mounted on a D7200.

That combination works well for me. Those D7xxx bodies have life left in 'em. That said I'd like to get a D500 body before Nikon bails out of the DSLR business, and probably a D850 body as well. My D750 is great at somethings (low light is high on the list) but pixel lust can be strong. My son has taken to mirrorless. I think I'm too old to make that jump and certainly too poor.

I just love my D500 pared with the N200-500 5.6.
I was on a pre-order list for that one and have not lusted for any more new cameras since!
The unlimited buffer is amazing, it will just never slowdown even writing to 2 cards;
If you have any old AF-D lenses it will give them a new speedier life as well.
I like to shoot low light concerts and have no issues with using a high ISO. It feels always ready. A baby D5.

I very seldom print bigger than 8x11 so a full frame has not tempted me as much yet.
Till I can use my AF-D lenses and keep the auto focus functional A mirrorless switch is not a consideration,
Besides my phone is mirrorless. But I do like what Fuji is doing.

If I would be starting out with nothing -> go Mirrorless no question!

Since I retired my piggy bank ran out of the room and locked the door!

[Captain Snooze]

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[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by beltax90

random stuff from around town

Any more information about that?

[Captain Snooze]

Hong Kong 2010, Panny TZ7, tweaked with DXO 3 and Topaz Denoise.

[thomasmryan]

the Forrest...

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by beltax90

Someone doesn't know how gutters and downspouts, or masonry Chimneys are supposed to work/look