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  1. #16
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    Any tips on the focal length of lenses?

    I'm looking at investing in some primes - the kit zooms produce pretty ordinary results.

    And I don't suppose there's any point in going for a prime macro for bowls etc?

    Advice appreciated.

    Added: already have a 50mm prime manual focus; on the digcam that ends up at about 80mm effectively so = short tele

    Looking at a 35mm which should yield 'natural' proportions on the digcam. And at a 70mm macro which would also be useful for portraits (if the girls stop screwing up their faces or closing their eyes) and landscapes.
    Cheers, Ern

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  3. #17
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    On the DSLR I've a 17 - 85 zoom with a lot better glass then the usual/standard lenses which come with the specials. I read a lot of reviews before buying it.

    I've had a look at the past photos of bowls and suchlike I've taken with it and noted that most photos are between 50mm and 80mm (which would equate with approx 70 - 110 in 35mm speak). For example the shavings in my avatar photo were taken at 50mm.

    I think it gets down to what I'm comfortable with at the time and how I've gone about framing the shot. Also if it's on the tripod then the focal length will vary considerably, with different sized bowls.

    Looking at that I'd use both the 50mm and the 80mm to take photos of my creations. Primes supposedly have better glass.

    As for the girls screwing up their faces, can't help with that
    candid shots can work. One of my sons is a real pain to take photos of, so I tend to do a burst and usually manage to get a half decent one out of about a dozen. Group shots of boys sporting teams are the worst as there is usually one blighter sticking his tongue out, picking his nose or something equally as obnoxious

    I've been meaning to take some photos to illustrate my original posting but am having trouble finding the time

    cheers

  4. #18
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    Thanks SD. Burst mode sounds good for self-conscious subjects.

    So effectively you ended up using short tele lengths for your pics.

    Yeah, the performance of the primes is way better than most zooms (least the ones I have or could afford) but then to cover a fair focal range and kit up with filters you end up paying for the privilege and lugging around more lumps of glass.
    Cheers, Ern

  5. #19
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    Yeah, I think my big zoom cost almost as much as the body.
    The weight factor was big in my deliberations as I like to carry almost everything, especially when hiking. So I tend to rely on the two zooms.

    Was thinking of getting an attachment to the viewfinder to allow waist high shots for the candid photos of people. Haven't quite justified it to myself yet.

    But I have to get a remote release as I noticed some blur or ghosting on longer exposures on the weekend. So do I get the simple shutter release or the more fancy one which allows more control of shutter speed, aperture etc. Will have to start laying the foundation for a fathers day pressie I think

  6. #20
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    You prob know this SM but you can use the camera timer to reduce blur - I set mine to 5 secs. I also have an ebay remote that cost about 10 bucks but never use it.

    As for focal lengths, I think I'll opt for another prime: a Pentax 70mm f2.4. It's tiny and so good for walking and skiing with and on the digicam will be a useful length for portraits and landscapes. Given up on the macro idea since they are big lumps. Might get some auto extension tubes instead down the track.
    Cheers, Ern

  7. #21
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    Dec 2001
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    Hello Ern,



    I use a Nikon 19-70mm zoom some of the time for photographing my pieces, usually around the 50-60 range of the zoom. I have a really nice 100mm macro that I use sometimes. A 50 or 60mm macro would be perfect, the 100mm is a bit long. The question needs to be asked - what will the image be used for. Most images I use now is for posting or a quick email photo for a gallery so exceptional lens quality, meaning a very expensive lens is not necessary. I'm sure images from the zoom would also be fine for a publication. The macro was a very expensive lens and I must admit it is a bit crisper than the zoom but it was almost twice the price of the zoom and it wasn't cheap.

    BTW started my digital photography classes yesterday, got 19 students, none left at halftime and they all want to come back next week. Must not have "waffled on" too much, much relieved.

    Peter

  8. #22
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    LoL - well done. (My students aren't allowed to leave so I need to find other ways of telling whether I'm connecting).

    Thanks for those tips.

    Yes, I looked closely at the Sigma 70mm macro but having owned a Tamron 90mm in film days and not getting a lot of use out of it for macro applications opted for the Pentax 70mm prime. Which has turned out to be a terrific portrait lens; good focal length, great optical performance and natural skin colours. Not cheap but should last my lifetime (at least until we get full frame digital sensors at which point I'll have to sell a kidney).
    Cheers, Ern

  9. #23
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    Default Re: Photographing your masterpiece.

    Hi,

    I read your post, it is very helpful for me. Please keep up the good work.

    --------------------------------------------------
    George Bush

    I challenge you to a game of trivia! Click here to battle against me online at ConQUIZtador. Let's see who's the winner... https://www.conquiztador.com/?a=26041

  10. #24
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    Looking for a hobby after the White House GB? ;-}

    Welcome to the madhouse btw.
    Cheers, Ern

  11. #25
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    GB
    welcome to the Forum, glad to be of help.
    is the new hobby woodworking or photography


    LF
    I think I have to agree with your comments on lens quality. Most of my photography is for personal (and family) enjoyment. However I like to get a nice crisp image posted on the forum or other places like ePay. A lot of this comes down to the sensor size. IMHO lens quality has some bearing. I think I'm starting to get sick of some of the mobile phone shots, fuzzy, blurry and little detail, especially on ePay, but then that could be deliberate

    rssr
    I think nikon do a full frame sensor. It'll probably need your soul as well as the kidney, and maybe a first born son. Canon do one as well. Whilst I like photography I simply cannot justify that amount of loot. Which doesn't stop me trying to convince SWMBO that I need an EOS 5D

    and you blokes teach I feel like I'm commenting to the pope on how to say mass

  12. #26
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    Oh well, a wait of 10 years will see full frame sensors in your mobile phone ;-}

    (Yeah I teach, but not photography.)
    Cheers, Ern

  13. #27
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    I have just put a couple of photographs into my album, i would appreciate views on the photos, such as focus as I am no photographer
    It!s not what you got it!s what you do with what you got .

  14. #28
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    G'day.

    I'm not a pro when it comes to photrography but I'll have a look anyway.

    Natural light is good BUT... I think you have just a bit too much concentrated on one side.
    Maybe try adding light from another direction or set up some big & white on the over side to reflect side light back onto the dark side.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  15. #29
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    Cliffroy

    As Cliff says maybe a tad too much lighting from one side. What Cliff means is that you need more diffuse light and maybe some of it from another angle. If you can reflect it off a large sheet of white paper or something similar, good. You may have seen that when they interview newsreaders etc outside they have a reflective surface just out of camera shot to get rid of some of the harsher shadows etc. Same idea here.
    However it seems to be in focus. and I'd say probably better then 50% (maybe even 75%) that get posted on the forums. It looks to be a nice bowl, post it where everyone can see it

    and welcome to the forums

    cheers

    Nick

    PS I'm no expert either

  16. #30
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    Jan 2006
    Location
    Wollongong
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    Thumbs up Bowls are a tricky photo

    Bowls are hard to take this one I have done out side before so today I did it inside my setup as I do Sport Photos and Landscapes, studio work is very funny and the most thing I find is ( Adamant Light) it is the good and evil in all photography

    Get your light right and 90% of photos will take them self's Iv read all these pages and the tips are all there and well posted.

    I use a rang of gear Camera: Canon 30D Lens: 18mm-to-55mm std, 24mm to135mm (is usm) and my big lens 70-200 f/2.8L IS

    Cheers!

    I will put a link to the photo soon.
    Last edited by NGX; 4th October 2008 at 03:29 PM. Reason: no photo

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