paolo_sagullo

<p>Very nice! Justin has always been great on these forums.</p>

<p>Don't know if this is possible. My guess is that since the flash sync speed is 1/180s it disables any flash when you try to go to higher shutter speeds. </p>

<p>Could the threads for the small primes please stop...the last two lenses I've bought are zooms, and I miss the small size =(</p>

<p>Just curious Jim...do you have the Vivitar matched 1:1 adapter?</p>

<p>I have a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5. Supposed to be one of the sharpest around (one of the top 10 as rated by photodo). It's is the equivalent to the Tokina Nick mentioned, but easier to find in my experience and also better build quality. Funny though, I happened to find the adapter for the Tokina but not for the Viv S1...<br>

GREAT lens.</p>

<p>I'm with Justin, buy some flashes and radio trigger/optical slaves. Learning off camera flash will greatly improve your pictures...that is if you're into that kind of thing.</p>

<p>I am happy with my Powerex 2700mah + Maha C204 charger. Eneloops and all the hybrid NiMH batteries work great as well. I just happened to try Hybrios. </p>

<p>All the advice above is great. Use the same 4 batteries for the flash, always charge them together and never mix. If one of the set dies, then split the set into two batteries and just have a single battery for something else.</p>

<p>There is a lot of advice online. I went through a similar process when I became interested in strobist stuff not too long ago. Also, another happy customer with Thomas Distributing.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Yea he always got the board active, one way or another...hope hes doin well!</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. Don't mind the C&C at all, only helps to get better. The shot really wasn't planned, just a quick shot while I was out at the park. I particularly agree with the comments about the pedestrian in the background, either wish she was all in the frame or not at all. And good point on the base of the fountain jet, definitely something to keep in mind when composing a shot.<br>

Tom, to answer your question, it was taken at Discovery Green in downtown Houston.</p>

<p>Here is mine, K10D + 77ltd. <br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/3057982768_8530ff1dd9_b.jpg" alt="Fountain @ Discovery Green Houston" width="1024" height="685" /></p>

<p>If you plan on going strobist, I agree with Justin and the Vivitar 285hv.  Just buy them new from a respectable dealer so you know you get the newer models that won't fry your camera.  I've suddenly become intrigued with off-camera flash and I will probably end-up buying one as well.</p>

I have the AF-360 FGZ is and it is a good flash. I'm still learning much about flash myself, but for basic event shooting, it's done well. You can also trigger it wirelessly via the pop-up flash. You might be able to find one used for cheaper than $165 if you search around or on forums.

I bought a K-m for my sister. But since it's going through me, I will give it a quick informal test. From what I've read on other forums, the focus is noticeably faster than the K10D especially in low light situations. I really hope this is the case. If it is, I would seriously consider buying one for myself and a DA40. On ebay you can get them for around $400.

I have both the 50/1.4 and the 77ltd. While I love my fast 50, I don't think it's on the same level as the 77 ltd. From quality to build, the 77 wins on all fronts. The speed difference isn't really much but can make a difference with DOF. Size wise, the 50 is bulkier but the 77 is longer. The reason I keep my 50 is probably for the focal length. Often times the 77 is too long to work with. I say, if you're willing dish out the extra money go for the 77. I was also dying to own a limited lens and when I got mine, I was not disappointed.

Just wanted to share my similar experience...

 

I have both a 77 ltd and a 50-135 and they are both good lenses. REALLY good. I couldn't help but acquire them both, even though the DA* covers 77mm. I used the 50-135 at first, much more, just because of the quality of the images I got coupled with the zoom versatility. Just this past weekend, I left the big zoom at home and brought only the 77. Only then did I start to see how good this lens is and how to use it properly. The speed and size is a great plus.

 

My only problem with the 77 (and it is very slight at that) is the CA wide open and large apertures. Stopping down helps alleviate this problem, and is mostly noticeable when pixel peeping.

This isn't exactly photography related but I just had to ask...

 

Has anyone had a dream in where their camera was stolen? I had one last night where for some reason I brought my

camera bag to the movies and when I was leaving, the bag was nowhere to be found. It was a K10D with my 77

attached. The first thing I thought was what I would replace it with. I thought K200D but I couldn't live

without the front e-dial. Then I was sad that my 77 was long gone. Why couldn't I have only packed the cheaper

50/1.4? I'd be sad too, but at least I could replace it for cheaper. Thank goodness I woke up. I can only

imagine what it is like to have it stolen for real...

I agree, if you've been shooting a 50mm on film, you would probably feel more comfortable with a 35mm (1.5x crop factor). That being said, you have the FA 35, DA 35 limited., or FA 31 limited. The obvious benefits of a prime are speed and size.

 

The 16-45 has received many favorable reviews and can be had a quite a good price. You might also consider the DA* 16-50 which costs considerably more. I -haven't used it, but I do own the DA* sibling 50-135 which is an outstanding lens. Some oher solid zooms (bang for buck) are the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and the Sigma 24-60/2.8 to name a few.

 

I shoot a lot inside so I like the extra speed :)

Before anything else, I like the pictures and I think your application of filters work well. If I had some filters to play with, I'd definitely do so!

 

I agree with Justin on the the digital side of things and that the most useful filters are ND and polarizer. Having learned more Photoshop in the past few months, I am starting to see how valuable a tool it is in creating the picture you want. Sometimes its purely to help improve the picture (exposure, etc), other times it may be a creative decision.

 

It comes down to you way of doing things. Some people like getting it as close to perfect in the camera, some would rather post process and get the look they desire. The former being more traditional, obviously.

 

One question, @ Justin. You say that polarizers are best for landscapes? I've often read that its not favorable to use circular polarizer on wide angles because you may get uneven skies? Can you elaborate?

Lets see some pictures!! I'm curious to see how the lens performs especially when not used at macro distances.

i cant wait to own a limited... just because its called limited, makes me want one even more :(

I have had a G9 for almost a year now and I think it is a great camera. It doesn't get very much use nowadays, and I'm thinking about selling it, but I always tell myself it will have its uses. After carrying around a K10D all the time, the G9 hardly seems that big, even though it is large for a P&S. You are going to need some loose pockets if you want to carry it around with out thinking it will break in your pocket. High ISO performance isn't great but I have some good shots with it in low light situations. Macro is very usable as well. I did like the zoom capabilities, which allowed for some nice shots if you have a steady hand. All in all I like the G9 a lot, I just wish I used it more.

Great set! I just recently got a DA 12-24 this is making me wish I chose the Sigma 10-20 (though I have been very happy with the 12-24).

 

Just curious...did these images come straight from the camera or if there was much PP afterwards? Also, did you use any sort of filters/CPL?

I also like primes vs. zooms, but maybe I have yet to use that one zoom (maybe the DA* 50-135??). That being said, I do own two zooms, the DA 12-24 and the Tamron 70-300. I also picked it up at a good price and like the lens for the value. I don't see myself going that long but its nice to have when you may need it for a quick shot. It was also my first taste of macro photography but I have picked up a dedicated macro lens.

 

I used the 70-300 at a preseason football game and was happy with the results even at ISO 1600. The one thing I didn't like was the amount of CA especially at the further end of the lens (I'm not even sure if focal length affects this). Anyways, for $75 the lens is not a bad deal at all.