jamespjones

Hey Guys,

Just a follow-up. Picked up the Tamron. Debated a slightly less expensive Promaster

(supposely the same lens as the Tamron w/ a lifetime warranty), but opted for the

namebrand (offbrand?).

Used it the same day for a shoot. It allowed me to do what I wanted to be able to do.

Good amount of light in a dark room, sharp photos. I ended up needing the added wide

angle over the 28-70. Shot some with strobes at f4.5 but looking at the results, I think

this still beats the kit and was worth it. The constant aperture over the entire zoom range

was the key. Using manual flash ratios, didn't need to worry about the F changing over

the zoom range.

Hi Guys,

I shoot a lot of film, but I have a Canon DRebel with kit lens that I'm thinking of getting new lens for. The

kit lens is too slow, so I want to get a faster lens at a reasonable price. I have the 50mm f1.8. I'm looking

at the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and the sigma 28-70 DG f2.8. I have an EOS film camera that I don't use

much but if I did get the sigma I believe I could use it.

Functionally, I have the 18-55mm range covered with the kit lens. If I'm shooting really wide I could still

use the kit. I'm concerned with image quality wide open primarily.

Anyone use these lenses? Any thoughts?

Popphoto has a hands on:<br>

<p>

<a href="http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4701/hands-on-olympus-e-3-digital-

slr.html">http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4701/hands-on-olympus-e-3-digital-

slr.html</a>

</p><br>

James

Although this camera isn't exactly super light weight, the concept is that a 4/3 camera

could be smaller and lighter than the equivalent 3:2 camera. With a 2x crop factor on a

fast lens like their 90-250mm f2.8 you could have a really fast 500mm f2.8 equivalent

lens.

I like the idea of the light weight, not so sure about the increased DOF and the effect it will

have on portraits. For some it may be a bonus. I recall somebody shooting photos in Iraq

with all point and shoots who was using the small sensors to get incredible DOF images.

I think the system is interesting, another option to consider. As with everything, its about

the right tool for the job.

James

Interesting note - no info about the product on the Japanese homepage. An unusual move

for a Japanese company.

amazing folder - check out the whole set.

James

So,

Yesterday I picked up a used magic arm. I noticed that the optional camera platform has a 1/4 20 thread

on the far corner. What do people typically use this for? Seems unnecessary - but I'm guessing it has

some good uses.

James<div></div>

I was reading a Japanese photo mag in which one of the Nikon marketing guys was answering

Q&A. If I read it correctly he observed that the D300 is the best DX format camera that Nikon

has produced. D3 is the best FX format, D300 is the best DX format. food for thought.

James

Sorry David,

not sure why it doesn't work for you from the link above.

James

Some flat bed scanners come with slide and film holders. You can get decent scans this way.

Otherwise your best bet is a dedicated film scanner; as far as scanner options go anyway.

James

The list price in Japan is 33,000 yen with shipment expected around now.

James

open up the lens means setting it for the widest aperture. The widest aperture is

represented by the lowest f number. f2.8 is your widest aperture. R Jackson explained the

issue you may be having, as caused by depth of field. When you shoot wide open, you can

use a faster shutter speed because you are allowing the most light in at once. But, you

depth of field (imagine a football field) is the shallowest this way. For instance you may be

shooting from the end of a field with a wide aperture, f2.8, and everything from the 20

yard line to the 30 yard line is in focus. But, if you use f16, maybe the whole field is in

focus.

When you start focusing closer to you, 5-6 feet away, this effect is compressed so that

people standing in rows may be in and out of focus depending on your depth of field.

look into aperture and depth of field in any of those field guides you see for cameras at

your local book store.

James

photographyri.com

Don't bother with a G3 ibook; if you don't want to deal with a second screen get a G4 ibook

or above. If you have a second screen kicking around then get a mac mini used or new. this

is the cheap solution anyway.

James

photographyri.com

Alessia,

There is a brochure available for Bogen Elinchrom light modifiers shot by Joe McNally. It is

a neat brochure of how you can use different lighting setups to achieve different effects. It

may help just give you some quick ideas for lighting and model positions.

email Bogen and ask for it; it is a beatiful large print brochure.

James

photographyri.com

scanning then printing works well. Get a good scanner though; ideally a 35mm film scanner

if that is all you shoot.

James

photographyri.com

despite the obvious chellenges, I have done quite well with a large coffee can as my mixer/

container and portioning out Microdol-X. Is it perfect? I don't know. But it does what I want

it to. More on that buried somewhere on my website.

James

photographyri.com

Thank you Garry. For sake of clarification:

who are the moderators for the News section? Currently listed are

News - Bob Atkins, Patrick Hudepohl

If it is incorrect, then the information listed under the "about us" link at the bottom of every

page is incorrect. I guess, as a general concept - how should I rephrase this post to make it

acceptable in a more general form?

I am of course concerned that my post is to be deleted.

The member who submitted the news (Bob Atkins) is one of the two moderators for the

News section - which presents an interesting issue in this case. He is also an official

contributing editor (1 of 3), as well as the official technical editor for PN.

I don't have a problem with Mr. Atkins, and I certainly don't want to create an unintentional

animosity. I find his writing amusing at times and his knowledge to be very helpful. But, I

have strong opinions about the reporting of news - and this is an important issue to me.

It is somewhat inevitable that reviews will have opinion - I tend to read the conclusions of

reviews first. But, news is a different animal and so that is why I post my concern.

as a subscriber for the past year, I am concerned that this site seems to have a bit of a Canon system bias.

I don't speak of the clientele, but rather of the reviews and now the news.

"Nikon catches up--finally adds VR to their telephoto lenses"

This isn't a news headline - it's tabloid journalism.

It would be like saying "Ford catches up - finally adds power steering to car." It makes assumptions that

may or may not be true. It assumes VR is a necessity and not a feature; and that by not having it the

lenses have been somehow deficient.

Now, this may or may not be true - it is a matter of opinion. But, that isn't the point. The headline should

read "Nikon adds VR to new telephoto lenses."

Don't shrug it off - consider the impression you are giving your readers. You should be reporting the

news, not interpreting it. That's what the rest of the forum is for. Join in the discussion if you want; but,

let the news stand on its own.

note: I use a Canon DSRL for most of my work, and Nikon & Hasselblad for fun. So, I don't want to be

accused of being a Nikon proponent either. My choice of primary camera could change tomorrow (and

may); whatever does the job well is the right camera.

Hi William,<br><br>

I wrote this while back and it may be of help for you;<br>

<p>

<a href="http://www.photographyri.com/index.php?

title=ev_made_simple&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1">http://www.photographyri.com/

index.php?title=ev_made_simple&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1</a>

</p>

<p>

James<br>

PhotographyRI.com

screen cap:

NASA image:<div></div>

This is a list of cameras used by ISS and shuttle according to:<br><p>

<a href="http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/metadata/camera.htm">http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/

sseop/metadata/camera.htm</a> <br><br> Also, a screen cap from the site: Copyright

NASA</p>

<p>

this information on the ISS: from <a href="http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/Health/

shuttle.pdf">http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/Health/shuttle.pdf</a><p>

The International Space Station (ISS) has an average altitude of 407 km (220 nautical

miles) with an orbital inclination of 51.6?. The U.S. Laboratory Module on the ISS will

have a window, with a clear aperture 50.8 cm in diameter, which will be perpendicular to

the Earth?s surface most of the time. The window?s three panes of fused silica give it

?optical quality.? Instrumentation for Earth observation will include, but not be limited

to, Hasselblad, Linhof, and Nikon hand-held cameras, plus sensors and imaging systems

still to be developed.

</p>

<br><br>

James P. Jones<br>

photographyri.com