General Photography Chat - Page 17

toyota74 · #**321** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 10:54 PM**

guess your right flar...I suppose
when I first got the nikon d70 I found his
review first and then have been looking
through his whole site from which I have learned
alot ...I will diversify,thanks.

ue · #**322** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 11:09 PM**

flars advice is real good actually. Not how I'd put it, I don't really like Ken Rockwell though. Although admittedly I've looked at his sites for information on a couple things before.

I just think he has a lot of wonky ideas (he thought...I do not know if it's still there...that the D300 was no good because it was a few years old...yet worships the D40 even though it's pretty old now in the camera world, but because a camera is 3 yrs old does not make it no good) and is one you could read into, but if you're looking into his opinions, be sure to look at the other side of the story...that's a must.

Also for one who is often praised by beginners as professional, his photos don't look that great overall...but I guess that's more opinionated than factual.

Ramsayfarian · #**323** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyota74

Ive been learning about the nikon d70
on Ken Rockwells site and Im just wondering
what people think of him.....he says a lot of
'I dont bother with this and that' etc.....
..so Im wondering if his reviews and techniques
are bible.And I do know I have to go out and try
things for myself but just want to know your
opinions.......

I like how he pisses of the pixel peepers but I don't think his photos are very good. I much prefer Scott Kelby and strongly recommend his books and his blog.

If you want a laugh search dpreviews.com forums for Rockwell's name. He is a pariah over there. Actually, if you just want a laugh, just read the forums at dpreview. The hardcore pixel peepers never fail to make me chuckle. I think half of those folks never actually take photos for no other reason than to look at the image at 400% and complain about noise.

LSyd · #**324** Posted **Dec 19, 2009, 1:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulliver

^^ Ha ha! Rockwell.

I like him actually. He's got good practical common sense advice and such. A lot of folks hate on him because he 'tells it like it is' and pisses off all the gear wankers.

My opinion: I've found his info to be solid, and used both his D40 and D90 users guides as a starting point to figuring out my own thing. You just need to take him with a grain of salt as he is a joker at times...

agreed on Rockwell...i like his comparisons actually, and his almost admittedly "i'm a hack" gusto.

-

Robert Pence · #**325** Posted **Dec 19, 2009, 4:18 PM**

I check Ken Rockwell's site occasionally, but I seldom take his reviews at face value without checking others, too. I have trouble comprehending how he can do such exhaustive tests and reviews of so much gear and write extensively about them while keeping up with family responsibilities and all the other accomplishments he claims.

toyota74 · #**326** Posted **Dec 19, 2009, 4:50 PM**

Havent really looked at Rockwells gallery
just looking at his in camera settings and
lense reviews etc.

toyota74 · #**327** Posted **Dec 20, 2009, 4:24 AM**

so I guess photography is is to show
you how I see things,....

not mr ,rockwell

Aleks · #**328** Posted **Dec 21, 2009, 9:21 PM**

got my sb-600 today!

Aleks · #**329** Posted **Dec 23, 2009, 9:31 AM**

so now that i have a job i can save up money for a new lens! I can't decide on what to get though. I can only get one thing. The Tokina 11-16 is the one I REALLY want but I'd also like to trade my 18-105 for a better lens.

If I do sell my 18-105 I would get...
-Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC version
-Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 OS (aka VR)
-Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 Macro OS

So this time I really need as much advice as I can get since I plan on getting a lense in 1 or 2 months. Since now every penny is coming from my pocket and I'm beginning to go out on my own I really want to get something that's worth the money. I don't mind spending more on a lens if I know it will last me and it'll work perfectly. I'm considering things like speed, distortion, color, sharpness and build for a new lens.

I've heard GREAT reviews on both the Tamron and Sigma 50mm's but I rarely hear about the Sigma 70mm. So both 50mm's have GREAT ratings but the Sigma 17-70mm is macro which means I'd be able to use f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range (right?) and have more range at the same time. Hmmm... tough choice.

Ayreonaut · #**330** Posted **Dec 23, 2009, 9:42 AM**

Don't forget a Flickr Pro account.

vid · #**331** Posted **Dec 23, 2009, 6:09 PM**

Oh God, that.

It put 27 dollar in PayPal and at the time, it was enough to get the Flickr account. But you have to wait 8 business days (about two weeks in my situation, I deposited the money on Wednesday) and now, the exchange rate PayPal uses puts 27CAD at 24.91USD, so I am so fucking close but still so far. FOUR CENTS!

I have another $50CAD going through but it probably won't clear until January because I deposited it last week.

Ramsayfarian · #**332** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 12:01 AM**

Check out my lens after my 6 month old Mastiff cross got a hold of it.

Luckily for him, it still works fine.

LSyd · #**333** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 12:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyota74

so I guess photography is is to show
you how I see things,....

not mr ,rockwell

hell yeah.

-

LSyd · #**334** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 12:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleks

so now that i have a job i can save up money for a new lens! I can't decide on what to get though. I can only get one thing. The Tokina 11-16 is the one I REALLY want but I'd also like to trade my 18-105 for a better lens.

If I do sell my 18-105 I would get...
-Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC version
-Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 OS (aka VR)
-Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 Macro OS

So this time I really need as much advice as I can get since I plan on getting a lense in 1 or 2 months. Since now every penny is coming from my pocket and I'm beginning to go out on my own I really want to get something that's worth the money. I don't mind spending more on a lens if I know it will last me and it'll work perfectly. I'm considering things like speed, distortion, color, sharpness and build for a new lens.

I've heard GREAT reviews on both the Tamron and Sigma 50mm's but I rarely hear about the Sigma 70mm. So both 50mm's have GREAT ratings but the Sigma 17-70mm is macro which means I'd be able to use f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range (right?) and have more range at the same time. Hmmm... tough choice.

if you don't have one, get a wide angle. it's like getting an awesome new camera. 6 months later and i'm still in love.

-

ue · #**335** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:20 AM**

I also have a question, although it probably won't be any relevance to those in the South or even Pacific Northwest/mild wintered places sorts...but how do you guys deal with cold weather and stuff like condensation?

I was out and about today and I took some pics outside and then when I went inside to take more pics I noticed my camera was A) really cold, B) a little moist (especially the battery, because I wanted to check because I know it has the most problems with condensation, and what do you know there were little beads of water). Everything on the camera seems to be working perfectly fine right now, but I think I just got lucky with that one, so I'd like to know some tips on how to keep the cam more safe from ruin during cold months? Especially when I will be taking pics outdoors + indoors.

thanks!

flar · #**336** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 2:36 PM**

^^do you have a case for your camera? A lot of camera bags are padded which provides a bit of insulation. Throw some of those silica gel packets (like in shoe boxes) in to absorb moisture. When you come in from the cold, just leave your camera sealed in the bag so it warms up slowly.

toyota74 · #**337** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 3:06 PM**

When ordering large prints on Flicker...

POSTER means poster paper or poster size?

Robert Pence · #**338** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSyd

if you don't have one, get a wide angle. it's like getting an awesome new camera. 6 months later and i'm still in love.

Ditto that. I picked up a used AF Nikkor 28mm 1:2.8 for $100 at the local camera shop, and it's just about perfect for the way I shoot a lot of urban scenes. I can walk around all day with the camera and just that one lens (and a polarizer in my pocket, just in case), and not feel too limited. Besides, that short prime lens attracts less unwanted attention than a big zoom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flar

do you have a case for your camera? A lot of camera bags are padded which provides a bit of insulation. Throw some of those silica gel packets (like in shoe boxes) in to absorb moisture. When you come in from the cold, just leave your camera sealed in the bag so it warms up slowly.

... and if you're dealing with extreme temperature differentials, or going into a very humid indoor space, you can add a layer of protection by sealing your camera in a zip-loc bag before going inside, and leaving it there until it warms up some. They make the bags in sizes up to 2 gallons, so even with a zoom lens you probably can get one that fits.

SomeFormOFhuman · #**339** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:32 PM**

Sorry for my ignorance, too bad I'm not too informed about photography articles online, but who or what is Ken Rockwell?

He sounds familiar though. I generally play the camera more than I read stuff. haha. Thanks though.

Robert Pence · #**340** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 7:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeFormOFhuman

Sorry for my ignorance, too bad I'm not too informed about photography articles online, but who or what is Ken Rockwell?

He sounds familiar though. I generally play the camera more than I read stuff. haha. Thanks though.

Check his web site at KenRockwell.com. He reviews many new products from major camera and accessory makers, and publishes his findings. Some people regard his reviews as authoritative, and others denounce him.

When researching a possible equipment purchase, I often check his site. I don't stop there, though, because I'm skeptical. Unless he has a secret time-travel device that allows him to find 48 hours in a day and 700 days in a year, I don't know how he manages to do all the exhaustive tests that he reports, along with keeping up with the family he boasts about and creating all the exhibits he does.