Test shots from Victoria, Australia

Post by **rcj** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:59 pm

New shots from Victoria, Australia...still trying to get used a new lens.

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:20 pm

I like the pelican!

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:32 pm

Hi Remus
Nice shots! You ought to get a good prime lens. Your shots would be even sharper than these. After you use prime lenses, you don't have the urge to use zooms anymore.. [smilie=admire.gif]

Zephyrus · Post by **Zephyrus** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:58 am

I love the Pelican and Emu. But compare to the previous photos you posted, these few seems to be a little inferior in contrast?

Post by **rcj** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:32 am

Hi Richard,

Really I used to, coming from the film background, I used to half a dozen of Nikon prime lenses ranging from 28 to 300, but sometimes it is a chore to bring so many and switch. I am still trying to experiment with the current zoom lenses technology, not a very avid fan of them many years back, but looking at how they have evolved through the years, it would be fun to try one out and see. Do you have sharp samples for viewing (and also direct from the camera with no digital sharpening!)? How much of a difference are we looking at? Also, all these shots were taken without a tripod, which I think I should bring one with me next time, but primarily this session was a trial to see how far the IS technology can bring without the need of a tripod, what more with the sanctuary closing in two hours (i entered late) and trying to cover everything within that time span. I am also trying to judge how good these new lenses are compared to the contax zeiss primes of yester-years.

Post by **rcj** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:29 am

Here are two more test shots of a bird (that i have forgotten the name!)...notice it's eye...

Clifford60 · Post by **Clifford60** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:49 pm

Very nice shots, however crop too tight. Like the Ibis and pelican are better.

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:43 pm

Nice shots Remus! Looks likes post cards the zoo gifts shop will sell...lol..
Btw, is the lens good shooting wide-open at F4 ?

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:34 pm

HI Remus
I too, like you, do not do any post processing..too lazy haha.
But do not have a comparison of images between zoom and prime. I did notice the primes were definitely sharper.
Also, if size is your thing, then you should not go for Canon. Pentax make the most compact and lightest lenses around. All my Pentax prime lenses make my DSLR look like a prosumer PnS camera!

My camera bag is a tiny Bagman bag the size of a small ladies handbag but I could carry the camera and lens PLUS 2 additional prime lenses. Here is a photo of a Pentax DSLR with the 3 DA Limited prime lenses that I have (21mm, 40mm, 70mm). I own the K200D currently.

Other samples :

To get the most of your zoom lenses, try to stop them down by 1-2 stops from wide open.

BTW, interesting you were actually patient enough to catch it blinking..haha

Cheers

Post by **rcj** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:32 am

Have not tried the lens at F4 yet...been shooting around F8 and beyond for greater sharpness, which apparently it did not work well somehow... i used to own a couple of prime lenses from Pentax, but those were for the K1000 film SLR, which admittedly are very well made and good value for money, but hard to find them used, in singapore. I'd reckoned if I were to get a Pentax lense again, it would be the medium format (P67) series if there is a way to mate it to the SBIG camera for wide fields, but this is for astrophotography. After spending thousand over for the lens, I don't quite fanthom the change to Pentax back again anytime soon. I have thought about using Nikon once again, but please don't ask or tell me why to change or not to change. I think most importantly whichever system one chooses, the user must ultimately feel comfortable with it, albeit the numerous reviews and exchanges seen in magazines and on the internet. After all, photography is an art form, which empirically expresses what the photographer wishes the world to see, and not so much specifically what equipment he/she uses. Like astrophotography, photography ( i think) requires 3 predespositions, patience, patience and more patience, what more imaging that involves living things!