Photographer's thread

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Just picked up a Sigma 135 f/1.8 ART and hoping to use it for a wedding in Vegas later this year. Took it out yesterday and I'm not mad it.

The bokeh on the 135 is nuts:



Part of me is really hoping I can use this 2.6lb monster to replace my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 but a bigger part of me knows how useful that lens is even at 2.8 with VR. Photographer problems amirite?

Nice complement to the telephoto zoom even if the VR (3 to 4 stops?) on your zoom kind of defeats the one stop you save.
Acceptable DoF in focus begins to be quite shallow at 135mm.
Enjoy.

As much as I will never sell off my zooms I do appreciate old primes for the weight & bulk savings..
A few years ago I got a gently used 135 F 2.8 AIS and it became my go-to Outdoor evening concert lens
for use in the crowds close to the smaller stages along with a 85 F 1.8.
Quite poketable compared to any 70 200. Also forces you to reflect on your viewpoint to subject if you can
move around you should not miss the zoom by much.

About that nutty bokeh…
Since the Elija juice is much gone I would not have much accuracy to focus by then either even with AF.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Wally86

I need as much low light capabilty as I can get (which is why 2.8 is the slowest of all the lenses I own). Shooting weddings is fun but you need the stops when you can get them. Nothing like the light you can gather at 3200ISO at f/2 or faster And I say this as an OCF whore lol. Even the couple pictures above have a Godox flash, camera right.

My hat's off to anyone who does weddings and makes it work. I, ... , well I just don't take many pictures of people. None for payment. I have a rudimentary OCF kit. I use it so seldom I forget how between outings. I'll stick with landscapes, wildlife, and motorracing ( when I can). People are too unpredictable and likely to turn on you and bite.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

My hat's off to anyone who does weddings and makes it work. I, ... , well I just don't take many pictures of people. None for payment. I have a rudimentary OCF kit. I use it so seldom I forget how between outings. I'll stick with landscapes, wildlife, and motorracing ( when I can). People are too unpredictable and likely to turn on you and bite.

People have a rhythm to them and you just have to find it to really grab great images.

For OCF, a couple of triggers and a boat load of lights are the way to go. I have half a room of modifiers on top of that. It's a lot of work and a good time.

Landscapes and wildlife are boring to me but the people that love it make it look amazing.

Originally Posted by The Red One

Nice complement to the telephoto zoom even if the VR (3 to 4 stops?) on your zoom kind of defeats the one stop you save.
Acceptable DoF in focus begins to be quite shallow at 135mm.
Enjoy.

As much as I will never sell off my zooms I do appreciate old primes for the weight & bulk savings..
A few years ago I got a gently used 135 F 2.8 AIS and it became my go-to Outdoor evening concert lens
for use in the crowds close to the smaller stages along with a 85 F 1.8.
Quite poketable compared to any 70 200. Also forces you to reflect on your viewpoint to subject if you can
move around you should not miss the zoom by much.

About that nutty bokeh…
Since the Elija juice is much gone I would not have much accuracy to focus by then either even with AF.

LOL. It's just ECBP, nothing magical. I dont' think the proof is over 140 so it's all good

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

I'll stick with landscapes, wildlife, and motorracing ( when I can). People are too unpredictable and likely to turn on you and bite.

I love street photography especially at street events and festivals, just watch out for the Karens with kids
they call on the cops way too easily on you just because you have a camera!

Same here Cars, landscape, travel and going(getting) to the Birds.

After my cousin asked me for her 3rd wedding(differend guy) shoot I kind of retired from that along with using film...

[Capt Spaulding]

Lol. For me. Working with people is like working with bears and wolverines. Everything is fine, until it isn’t. Lol. Good for you though. I’m still a tyro. Good thing my livelihood never depended on my photographic skills.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

Lol. For me. Working with people is like working with bears and wolverines. Everything is fine, until it isn’t. Lol. Good for you though. I’m still a tyro. Good thing my livelihood never depended on my photographic skills.

In a dozen years of shooting weddings I've only had one person give me any problems and it was a psychotic mother of a bride who was living vicariously through her daughter on the big day. Big ooof.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by The Red One

I love street photography especially at street events and festivals, just watch out for the Karens with kids
they call on the cops way too easily on you just because you have a camera!

A friend of mine was taking some long exposures of a merry-go-round. That is, no faces were identifiable, they were a blur. He was approached by a father of a kid on the merry go round. My friend showed him the pics he had taken but the father wasn't convinced. My friend left the scene.
The strange thing was, the father didn't approach any of the people who were there shooting memories with their phone.

Weird, and not in a good way.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

A friend of mine was taking some long exposures of a merry-go-round. That is, no faces were identifiable, they were a blur. He was approached by a father of a kid on the merry go round. My friend showed him the pics he had taken but the father wasn't convinced. My friend left the scene.
The strange thing was, the father didn't approach any of the people who were there shooting memories with their phone.

Weird, and not in a good way.

For a society so willing to share its most intimate details on Facebook and Instagram we have a pathological aversion towards anyone who actually looks at us. We cry out for people to pay attention us but we can’t accept being seen.

It’s a form of mental illness.

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

A friend of mine was taking some long exposures of a merry-go-round. That is, no faces were identifiable, they were a blur. He was approached by a father of a kid on the merry go round. My friend showed him the pics he had taken but the father wasn't convinced. My friend left the scene.
The strange thing was, the father didn't approach any of the people who were there shooting memories with their phone.

Weird, and not in a good way.

I now mention when im with people that know me when taking pictures of their kids, on how last time I tried taking pictures of kids
I got detained 45 min or so by 6 brave cops because of some Karen that did not like my brand of camera…
My Sister in law always starts laughing hysterically at that one when she hears it…

Very degrading to be in that position in public…

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by The Red One

I got detained 45 min or so by 6 brave cops because of some Karen that did not like my brand of camera…

I'm not familiar with the law over there; on what grounds were you detained? What was the Karen's complaint?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Me thinking out loud. Well, not really "out loud" but putting thoughts to print.
I've been thinking about travel quite a bit of late. Not that it's going to happen any time soon but I've been considering the camera strategy.
The plan was 2 Olympus bodies with permanently attached lenses because the very concept of changing lenses while out and about is a complete anathema to me.

Not that I would be taking two cameras everywhere I went (I have the Sony RX100vi for everyday pics) but I'm now thinking that's quite a bit of weight to be carrying, they require more care, perhaps a bigger theft risk, just more hassle.

Now I'm thinking I'll just take the little Sony. I have done a lot of travel with just a compact and I'm happy to use a tripod with same (even though I think it looks a little weird lol *shrug*).
The biggest disadvantage of plan is lost opportunities but having said that I would have to work within the limitations of the camera which is something I've always done.

The advantage is the camera is small enough to be pocketable and would always be with me as would a pocket tripod which I have used to great effect. (I would also have a larger lightweight tripod for night excursions.)

My prominent thought is I'm a tourist with a camera, not a photographer out on assignment.

I'm thinking the reduced worry would be worth the loss of some quality and opportunities. It would be easier all round.

I had been sure for about 5 months that when the time came I would just take the little Sony. No doubts, I had considered all the pros and cons and given the length of time I had been considering this there was no room for changing my mind.

Until I saw this guy's work. Omg!! https://www.flickr.com/photos/neobit/

I am not for an instant saying I am in the same league as him but it reminded me of how often I take pics inside galleries, museums, old buildings and churches. I want/need all the image stabilization I can get.
Sooooo, I've changed my mind again *sigh*. I might have accidentally upgraded my OM-1 M2 to a M3. It has some nice features that maybe of benefit but really it was just a case of G.A.S. I also accidentally bought an 8-25mm lens. The versatility of that lens is crazy.

So, I'm all set. I'm just not sure for what.

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I'm not familiar with the law over there; on what grounds were you detained? What was the Karen's complaint?

Some of the story was already posted here.

Taking pictures in public places is allowed here. No consentement or permit required if not for commercial use.

There was a big Halloween festivity happening on a Sunday morning with food, music & shows especially for the kids. Very high participation with both Adults & kids dressed up. It’s an Open area dedicated to where our yearly Jazz fest and winter carnivals happens.
The area has a capacity of over 40,000 people for summer concert events. There was even a security bag check where they never refuse camera or any recording equipment no warnings that it was not allowed.

I had walked around without taking pictures when I had first got there to familiarise, it was only a few minutes after I had taken a few of an adult witch couple that I was surrounded by 6 Of Montreal’s finest inquiring what I was doing here? Told them I was taking great pictures!
Right off I knew they had no right to harass me but I went along figuring it was a new experience and they were being professional at this point, they demanded to see the pictures I had taken, At the moment I could have declined but was aware that could escalate this stupid incident. Kept asking to keep my hand out of my pockets all while onlookers were taking pictures of the detention. They let on that a parent reported me and was uneasy with my motives seeing my camera around as I was not accompanied with any child. I objected, what about people taking photos with their phones all around. After 40 minutes or so they escorted me off the site not having found anything online (I don’t do Facebook nor Instagram) Nor any historic police records except for parking tickets.

I still walk around in the city and refuse to let this tamper my joy at taking pictures of people I don’t know. They sometimes will act for the camera with out any input on my part.

I went back in time at a 1700 French market for these this summer :

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by The Red One

That hurdy gurdy looks BALLER.

[Clipdat]

Originally Posted by The Red One

Some of the story was already posted here.

Taking pictures in public places is allowed here. No consentement or permit required if not for commercial use.

There was a big Halloween festivity happening on a Sunday morning with food, music & shows especially for the kids. Very high participation with both Adults & kids dressed up. It’s an Open area dedicated to where our yearly Jazz fest and winter carnivals happens.
The area has a capacity of over 40,000 people for summer concert events. There was even a security bag check where they never refuse camera or any recording equipment no warnings that it was not allowed.

I had walked around without taking pictures when I had first got there to familiarise, it was only a few minutes after I had taken a few of an adult witch couple that I was surrounded by 6 Of Montreal’s finest inquiring what I was doing here? Told them I was taking great pictures!
Right off I knew they had no right to harass me but I went along figuring it was a new experience and they were being professional at this point, they demanded to see the pictures I had taken, At the moment I could have declined but was aware that could escalate this stupid incident. Kept asking to keep my hand out of my pockets all while onlookers were taking pictures of the detention. They let on that a parent reported me and was uneasy with my motives seeing my camera around as I was not accompanied with any child. I objected, what about people taking photos with their phones all around. After 40 minutes or so they escorted me off the site not having found anything online (I don’t do Facebook nor Instagram) Nor any historic police records except for parking tickets.

I still walk around in the city and refuse to let this tamper my joy at taking pictures of people I don’t know. They sometimes will act for the camera with out any input on my part.

Sorry to hear about that unpleasant experience, unlawful detainment, and invasion of your privacy. Very disheartening.