Camera gear discussions

Discussion in 'Photography and Cameras' started by Bill-P, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    It is improved immensely with the optional grip, but well it's Sony...

    With GCam now for phones, I typically only take the DSLR (a relatively ancient D5200) or borrow my family's RX100iii if I know I'm going to be taking quite a lot of photos and don't want to worry about memory space left on my phone.
     
  2. Solrighal

    Solrighal Facebook Friend

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    I'd probably go for a good phone myself if I could only afford one. Do you know of any phones that shoot in RAW yet? That might be worth the investment.
     
  3. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    The Nexus series did with a third party camera app. I believe the current Pixels do.

    Frankly never noticed much of improvement with RAW out of a Nexus, I suspect there's only so much additional info you can eke out of a sensor half the size of your little fingernail.
     
  4. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Most android phones now have the ability to save as RAW except Sony for some inexplicable reason.
     
  5. Solrighal

    Solrighal Facebook Friend

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    Fair point.

    Sony never fail to miss an open goal.
     
  6. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    I tend to take pictures of random things. I don't think there's a specific field that i'm really interested in right now as I'm just trying out new things and learning. I also need to learn how to post process/edit photos as well.

    Here's a few pictures I took when I went hiking last weekend with my friend. I used the Nikon D40 with the 35mm f/1.8 DX.

    [​IMG]

    I liked how this one came out, but it was a tough shot to get because of the 35mm focal length and no live-view/tilting LCD on my D40. Bokeh isn't amazing on the 35mm f/1.8 but it came out okay.

    [​IMG]

    I tried taking some landscape photos and this was probably the best out of them, though I think it's just merely okay. I think it came out perhaps a little underexposed and the colors could be more vibrant?

    [​IMG] \

    Pretty cool millipede. Again, limitations of the 35mm focal length prevented me from getting closer.

    [​IMG]

    Shattered log in the forest. I liked my composition here but the bokeh again is a weakness of the 35mm f/1.8.

    Any tips/critiques welcome! There were more pictures but I don't think they're really worth posting. I'll be taking more pics during my hikes and maybe some occasional pictures in NYC if I feel like bringing my camera out to work or for an event.

    I tried out the X-T20 and X-T2 at B&H the other day and ended up ordering the X-T20 with the 18-55mm kit lens from Amazon (no sales tax & CC bonus). I liked the X-T2 more overall for the bigger EVF and better handling (bigger size) but it's so much more expensive than the X-T20. The X-T20's EVF is fine because it's comparable to my D40's OVF in terms of size. The smaller X-T20 will probably be nice for my hiking trips, and it feels almost as good as the X-T2 when I use a grip with it. It should be arriving tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited! I'll probably pick up a prime lens in the future. Kinda undecided but leaning towards the 35mm either F/1.4 or F/2.

    On a side note, the Peak Design Clip is pretty awesome when used on my Osprey Talon 22 and hiking. Makes it so much easier to store my D40 and take it off for quick pictures. It's merely okay on the belt, but I haven't tested that extensively yet.
     
  7. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Made me wonder what an extension tube would be like on my recently-acquired 30mm. Hmmm, not very good! Even a single 10mm tube gets me lens-touchingly close to a flower, Nothing worth showing. Just a five-minute experiment though, no tripod.

    Whilst macro photography is a whole other world, and a whole other set of skills, a set of extension tubes (get the ones with contacts, that still allow lens/camera communications) is a cheap and easy way of opening that door. And, even if you only give it a try occasionally, it is no big amount of money sitting on the shelf. Should be an early buy for every GAS photographer!
     
  8. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Thanks for the heads up! Gonna get the JJC 3rd party 11mm & 16mm extension tubes for $40. Way cheaper than the OEM Fuji ones that cost $95 each. Macro photography seems pretty cool, and is worth trying for just $40.
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Sold my M4/3 systems. An old EPL1 with 14-42mm and the EM5 mark 1 with the Panasonic 20mm.

    In about three months I am going to buy a Pentax DSLR (K5 or K50) and be happy with it or go for a new M4/3 system (Panasonic G-series + 12-32mm) similar to the EM5 + 20mm.

    I can work with my old Pentax K100D Super, for now.

    I am not interested in the latest of the latest. I prefer something that works well for its intended use. If you have recommendations, let me know.
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    If your pictures are that good with a 6MP camera you can do much better with a more up-to-date sensor. Well done.
     
  11. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    This question may be out of the scope of this thread, but does anyone have any recommendations on an everyday carry / commute backpack that can also hold camera gear? Something that's primarily a commute backpack first and photo gear backpack second is key (so no Lowepro packs).

    I'm using a Peak Design Everyday Backpack now, which I *want* to like because of how well thought out the design is, but it's just so uncomfortable. The straps are stupidly designed, especially for husky dudes like myself. The straps are too thin/hard, the shoulder pivot points move the straps toward your outer shoulders, and the chest strap hooks in the middle so it pinches the inside of the straps toward your chest. I have the 20L and 30L and neither are comfortable.

    I normally carry my work laptop, bluetooth headphones (Sony WH-1000), sunglasses, USB battery, a mirrorless camera (Fuji X-T3) and *maybe* an extra lens (but usually not). So really not a ton of stuff on a daily basis.

    Mainly looking for comfort first, features second, and adult-looking third (I wear this to work, and prefer something that's not too colorful, or something that came off an Army ranger).

    I like the F-Stop Dalton, and it's side-access to the camera section, but wish it came in black (though, not a dealbreaker and what I'll ultimately end up getting if no other options). I like the Aer backpacks as a commuter option, but it doesn't really have a spot for easy-access for my camera. I'm sure there are other good options that I haven't come across yet.
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Do you carry your laptop too?
     
  13. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    Yup, most days. Macbook Pro 13 for work, but bonus points if it can carry my Surface Book (which is stupidly thick because of that hinge).
     
  14. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I can ship you my PD 10L everyday sling to take for a test drive. I prefer it vastly to the backpacks (I mostly have the 30L for plane travel). It might still be uncomfortable for you (I love it but I know fit is personal).

    I have a full dyneema truce designs clamshell too but I think it's lack of internal organization would drive you nuts.

    Might make sense to hit up @CEE TEE and see what baller bags he has around to try out.
     
  15. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    @Questhate Would a regular backpack (something along the line of Osprey or Timbuk2) with a camera insert (such as the Temba BYOB) work? Won't give you quick access to your camera but would be MUCH more comfortable than the photography oriented bags.
     
  16. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    Ravi, thanks but I also have the 5L and 10L sling (I love PD stuff). The 10L is my fave of the bunch, but won't actually fit camera and headphones unless I have nothing else in there. I do use that most days, but sometimes want to carry more.

    (And to keep with the thin padding theme with PD, the padding on that also getsl bit uncomfortable when I load it with camera+laptop. If only they swapped their Travel Backpack shoulder straps onto the Everyday Backpack, I'd be happy. Hoping for a an EDBPv2 one day...)

    And @thegunner100 I've thought about going back to that. I actually really loved my Osprey Momentum commute pack, and used to just stuff my camera in there. Was just hoping that there was an amazing photography oriented everyday carry pack that I've overlooked.
     
  17. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    Oh man, I so need a decent pack. I've been thinking about this one for awhile, but I'm still not sure about it. I will use it for MBP, camera + 2/3 lenses.

    I don't want a well-known camera brand pack, or anything that looks like a camera bag, because who wants to be a thief target?
     
  18. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Have you looked at the Mindshift Rotation 180 series? I'm currently using their Professional model because I tend to use my camera outfield, but if comfort is similar their smaller models may be a good fit.
     
  19. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    How about Evergoods? The CPL looks good based on what I'm seeing online.
     
  20. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Not sure if they still do but Mountainsmith used to have bags with removable camera inserts as well and I like my MS a lot. Great all-around backpack that is very adjustable and versatile.
     

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