sonya brady

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Anthony, I would reply more extensively to your comment but shun said it nicely "In this digital era, I too use very few filters now. All the color correction is done in post-processing." I do own ND filters which I use occasional when they are called for but what else do you need?. Filters were definately more essential to final results with film but good post production practices have almost (I stress almost)illiminated that need.....and I'm not even a photoshop wizard. I stand with what I said. Regards.

Hi Mike,

 

Really the only "must haves" for filters on a digital set-up are UV/protective and polarizer filters, everything after that is uneccesary and so its not so much to get one set for each size. That is just my personal preference. You see, I have lenses in 62mm, 72mm and 77mm and have a set for each so I don't have to worry about step-up rings, taking them off all the time and the lens hood issue that Shun pointed out. You only have the two sizes so it's useless to purchase the 77mm size (and its more expensive for those) so get a set for each .......unless the extra $100 really will break the bank for you. Take Care.

 

Sonya

Good Stuff Ted......Where did you learn how to clean a sensor? Everyone keeps saying its so easy but Ive not have anyone tell me how?

Good Plan Louise. As for the comment on the other forum...it sounded worse when I read it....I didn't really mean beaten up in a serious way......mreso Just jokingly. I do think there is a lot to learn by sharing information. It sounds like we have a lot in common in terms of equipment and travels. I look forward to sharing information with you in the future.

I agree with Shun's first comment. Has anyone ever been in a school gymnasium.....its like shooting in a dungeon ha ha. I also agree with the point that you have to decide based on the work you are expected to produce. If all you need is a few pics for the local black and white bulletin board and a "do your best" is good enough then go for it but if you are expected to produce high quality images, you will need to rent some equipment......and even then you might want to re-think taking a contract. You see I once went out to shoot an extreme bike competition for a friend. Although I had both the skills and equipment to shoot in those conditions, I was unhappy with the results as I just wasn't used to shooting sports photography..... I mean any good photographer can shoot a number of varied situations but I wasn't versed in sports photography and didn't always know the best place to place myself etc. I am picky but if that had been a paid job, I would have not been happy with the quality of the work....the point Im gettin at is the Im not sure what kind of contract they have going there but usually paid positions have a level of image quality expected and even with the right equipment in those circumstances that can still be very challenging to acheive. If it is not a paid thing and they just want a few images for internal use or something along those lines....then Id still say rent some equipment and go for it. Hope that helps....I just know sports photography sometimes takes a while to get the hang of even if its indoors.

Louise, I also have a 18-200 and have the exact same dilemma for when I go to the mediteranean....do I use my D200 and 18-200 or lug around the 17-55 every day for a month??? If you haven't tried your 17-55 yet you will be blown away with the results. Its just an amazing lens.....if only it weren't so heavy. It's really just not a "friendly traveller".

Thanks Gene. You are right, there are many world class pictures taken in the Carribean and Id like to have the opportunity to take some of my own. I will take my D200.......and the canon point and shoot for the beach! Take care.

Wow Kelly, that's an aweful lot of gear.......which I might consider taking with me if I was on a paid assignment but that's entirely too much equipment to carry for what is meant to be a relaxing vacation where I might get or only want to have SOME time to do some serious shooting. Plus, I travel alot and these days going throgh security at the airports with that kind of gear would just be my version of hell....unless again I was on assignment. I really just pick and choose which trips I want to focus on my personal photography. It's really wonderful that you have such a passion for your personal photography that you are willing to take so much. I thank you so much for your contribution. Reagrds

 

Sonya

Sorry John De Cristofaro, a D50 just wouldn't do it for me. Although I'm confident enough in my skills as a photographer to use any camera and get a decent image.....I am becoming increasingly demanding for better equipment for better results. You can't just say that I should sell my equipment to someone who will use it if you don't know for what purpose I am needing it for. I have a collection of equipment and choose what I want to use by the purposes for which I need it.......this is the only time Ive had second thoughts. Thanks for your opinion though.

I've also used it on my D200 and I agree with Robert.

I've also used it on my D200 and I agree with Robert.

Can anyone recommend a site that tells you how to properly clean digital sensors?

 

I attempted it on my own way back when I had my Fuji S2 but I didn't really care if it didn't work or ultimately ruined the camera because the camera was on its last legs anyways. I didn't see any improvements so I think I did it wrong.

Thanks Kevin - I have a great little 6MP Canon A700 Powershot......its coming along regardless. Thats what the hubby uses cause he was tired of feeling left out of the picture taking process and scared to touch my equipment! Ha Ha.

 

Shun - You are right. Good quality equipment is built to be used (if that's what the focus of your trip is.

 

I think I will mesh the two ideas and take the D200 on days I can do some serious shooting and won't have to leave it alone and then snatch the point and shoot for fun photos at the beach.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sonya

Thanks for the great advice. I've heard alot of good stuff about the velvia (maybe thats just my dealer's personal preference)but have heard you need to be right on in exposure to get good results......Im on vacation and don't want to be fiddling with bracketing functions and too much exposure compensation. I think Mark has the right idea.....Ive got the d200, my 1g card and the blower....now I just need the corona....or a shot of some good Carribean Rum! Besides, I just got a good beat down on another forum for even thinking of taking the F100 when I have a fantastic digital setup going on.........Im just not so sure where Im going to stick the camera when I want to go parasailing or snorkeling.......Its not the kinda thing you just stick under a towel if you know what I mean. Anyways, I welcome anymore suggestions. Thanks

 

Sonya

C. Andrew - Yes I would have the ability to scan.

 

KL - I just knew someone was going to come along and say "why would you pay all that money for a set up and not use it". That is the biggest part of why I am asking my question because I too feel this way. However, I do a lot of traveling and have the opprotunity to shoot in many places. In the winter I generally take "tropical" location vacations that include me doing many activities that do not allow me to always have my camera with me such as snorkeling, parasailing etc. This means that I have to leave my camera under a towel on the beach sometimes......Im not sure how long a D200 would sit unoticed if you know what I mean.....these trips are more for relaxation and casual shooting rather than focusing on hard core shoting I mean I want to get a few nice pics, but at what expense. In the summer however, I take trips that are more conducive to serious shooting. This summer I will spend a month in the Meditteranean and will have my camera on me at all times.....I will definately have it with me then and have the time to use it properly. Part of the focus of that trip is to get some spectacular images. So you see, while it is easy to say don't buy it if your not going to use it, it doesn't always work out to fit my needs. Hope that helps others in helping me decide. Thanks for any respenses.

 

Sonya

I Just bought a brand new D200 which I will pair with my 17-55 DX lens. I am

going to the Carribean in less than a month and can't decide if I should take

my D200 with me.....It just freaks me out to think of subjecting my new

digital camera to fine sand! It just costs so much to send cameras away (I am

in Alberta Canada) to get the sensors cleaned and even then its never the

same. I don't plan on chaning the lens so technically it will never be open

but that stuff just seems to get in there anyways. If I had the money Id get a

second body and use one for bad weather conditions and keep the other for

good.....unfortunately I don't have that luxury and was seriously thinking of

cracking out my F100 film camera instead and going that route.

 

I am really torn by this decision. Can anyone be a sounding board for me with

this issue? Will I regret taking my F100 if I choose that option or my D200 if

go that way? Thanks

 

Sonya

I need Help!! I am going to the carribean at the end of January and think I

might like to crack out my F100 but.......... Ive not used it in ages and am

totally out of the loop with film these days. I'd like to focus on two areas

1. Scenic....I really want to capture the vibrant Aqua blues of the water

there. 2. The people, I want to capture as much detail in the faces of the

people there but also still show the vivd color in their

clothing........bottom line, I want good quality, scannable prints with tons

of vivd color. Ive not even ventured to see what my dealer has in the fridge

but thought I'd get some suggestions before I go. I will have access to pro

grade film....not sure what brands though as Ive read we have a shortage of

reala and such here in Canada (not sure if that's true). I will be shooting

mostly in sunny bright conditions. I prefer nice crisp clean images with

little grain.

 

I have a D200 which I just bought and am freaked out to subject it to fine

sand its first major shoot.....it just costs so bloody much to send it away to

get the sensor cleaned and even then its never the same........will I be

making a big mistake by taking my F100 instead of my D200?

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Sonya