Camera gear discussions

Discussion in 'Photography and Cameras' started by Bill-P, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. adpo

    adpo Acquaintance

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    There's a certain magic you get from the combination of the 1Ds3 and those 90's-00's lenses that you don't quite get with sony-based sensors and modern glass; the combination of canon's color science with the imperfect-yet-lush rendering of the lenses really does it for me. If I ever do upgrade, I'd just want more of the same but with the high-iso and dynamic range you get from sony-based sensors.

    Anyhow, what gear are you guys lusting over right now? If you couldn't tell, I'm a fan of fast primes with unique rendering, so the 200mm f/1.8 will always be my dream lens. As for more realistic options, I've been considering a wider lens for a while, maybe something like a 24L or 20mm ART. Only thing keeping me from getting one is I have yet to really need it enough in my day-to-day work to justify the expense.
     
  2. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    A few years ago I sold all my old Nikon gear, including the lenses and original Nikon camera bag for almost nothing because I was frustrated and felt stuck. Almost everything with Nikon or Nikkor on it would be overpriced unless I wanted to buy a D3x00-series kit.

    Thing is at the time I knew Nikon was over-saturating the market already. Nowadays I sometimes glance and you can pick up a D700 for little money. Imagine a D700 with the old 50mm F1.8 AF or M, both are good and a 28-105mm. That kind of kit can be had for about 1000 Euros/Dollars with careful hunting haggling and is a lot of value for money. Add an old 70/80-200mm, preferably Manual and you can be done with DSLRs.

    Right now I do not think that is likely. Switching to Pentax made me realise that I am better off collecting Pentax A and M-series lenses, saving up for a K5/K3 and stop there unless I get lucky with a K1.
     
  3. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Wondering whether it's good to switch from XT1. Since we've got it, Canon 6D gathers dust. Go figure!
     
  4. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    I didn't know that Canon made a 200mm f.1.8!

    I just got the Nikon 200mm F2 which is a hunk of glass I've been after for a while. It's been a great addition to my gear.
     
  5. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    You guys don't plan to handheld the 1.8/200 or 2/200 right?

    @Deep Funk I had exactly the D700, 50/1.4G and 80-200/2.8 LOL. Very heavy, and D700 autofocus system actually feels lacking in today's standard.
    And yea collecting old glass is fun. I have some manual glass and hope to buy a mirrorless body and adapter someday.
     
  6. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    For certain sports I do handhold the 2/200, but it's a fracking beast. Not something you want to do all day long. I've never compared the specs, but I'd wager it weighs more than my 300mm f/2.8.

    It's a lot nicer to shoot it from a monopod.
     
  7. lac29

    lac29 Acquaintance

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    Unfortunately I can't give any good advice since this is my first real camera coming from using the compact Sony RX100 series for the longest time.
     
  8. adpo

    adpo Acquaintance

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    I got started into photography on a Pentax K-x and freelanced with a K-5 for years before going Sony when I started to really get into video production. There are definitely some gems from the K, M and A era, some standouts for me being the 50/1.7, 28/2 and the 300/4. I still keep the 50mm mounted on an old ME for the days I feel like shooting film.

    If I ever do get fortunate enough to own the 200/1.8, I'd most likely use it on a monopod. I'll handhold my RB67, but the 200mm on a 1Ds3 is definitely over what my current fitness level can handle.
     
  9. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    [​IMG]



    @adpo If you like butter smooth bokeh, you should try the Sony STF sometime. Between the STF and 135/1.8, I picked the f/1.8 because of autofocus. Now I kind of regret it...
     
  10. LFF

    LFF Friend

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    I use a A6500 and A7R2. The only sony lenses I have are the 50mm f1.8 and the A6000 kit lens. Everything else I use is adapted flea market finds.

    That said, I adore those two cameras.
     
  11. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Do you use the R2 for video, still or both? Just curious because I’m interested in a camera that can do both well (but mostly still) and I see a lot more deals on the R2 than the S2.
     
  12. adpo

    adpo Acquaintance

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    @Mdkaler I'd love to try an STF lens at some point, I just can't justify it now since the a6500 I'm using is technically the company's camera and not mine. That said, my current leanings in terms of lens choice go towards the ones that are like how the 35L gets when shot at f/1.4-f/2.5 within 5 feet of the subject. In headphone-speak, you could say that I like lenses with lots of plankton (microcontrast) and interesting/boosted bass (low frequency image data/bokeh). My favorite lens to use on E-mount thus far has been the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 M mount lens; it's got a fantastic look at close to medium subject-to-camera distances and the rangefinder focusing ring is a joy to use with such relatively small mirrorless bodies.

    @DigMe I've previously owned the a7s, am currently using the a6500 and have a friend who actively shoots with an a7r. They're all fantastic cameras for stills and I don't see the a7r2 being any different in this regard. IDK if it's from the larger photosites or something, but the rendering of the a7s in stills is reminiscent of the look you'd get from a medium format body. From the reviews I've seen, the a6500 and a7r2 in super 35mm are roughly identical in video performance, which is a great thing since I find the video from the a6500 outstanding. Feel free to ask if there's anything you'd like to know.
     
  13. JoelT

    JoelT Friend

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    Any favorite alt-lenses you've adapted? Using adapted lenses has been one of my favorite aspects of shooting mirrorless.
     
  14. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Neewer 35mm f/1.7 arrived from China for Sony a6000. I'd buy their 50mm f/2, but seems to be discontinued for e-mount.

    Oh, wait... Meike brand is available. I think they are one and the same. Anyway, should be around the same affordable-just-for-fun Aliexpress sort of thing.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017
  15. adpo

    adpo Acquaintance

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    There's also that Chinese 50mm f/1.1 (that is not a typo) for E mount that's super cheap right now. I think the brand was called Kamlan or something like that
     
  16. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I think so too. I think I've come across it on net wanderings. I've even come across an f0.95 lens, although I don't think that it was dirt cheap, just a fraction of what not-from-China would cost.

    The "Kamlan" (I can't recall the proper name either, except it certainly wasn't Kunlun!) youtube review I came across was ok but didn't inspire me to rush out and buy

    EDIT: I had to check the youtube history on my phone.Kamlan was right! :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017
  17. LFF

    LFF Friend

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    Both I use for stills. The R2 is my main camera for stills...landscapes, macro, portraits, events, etc. The 6500 is my sports camera for sports, wildlife, etc.

    Yeah. I have some medical macro lenses that I adapted for Sony E-mount. AFAIK, I am on the only one to adapt these kinds of lenses to Sony E-mount and they are Zeiss sharp in quality. If you want one, drop me a line. I have a few extras I made that I'm not using.

    Besides that one, I've really enjoyed Canon FD glass for the longest time. It's affordable and fairly sharp. They aren't the most resolving lenses but they do produce fantastic images, even if some of them aren't tack sharp. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a super sharp lens, but I always go for the "feel" of a picture rather than focusing on sharpness.

    My goal, since I started taking photography seriously, is to produce images that I love and hopefully someone else will too. I grew up around Fuji Velvia, Kodak Gold, and Kodachrome so that's what I try to reproduce in the digital domain. It's only taken me 3 years of on and off work to reproduce the feel and look of Kodachrome. :eek:
     
  18. Solrighal

    Solrighal Facebook Friend

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    As much as I love my D200 I have to admit it's getting old. It's more because of it's poor low-light performance that I want to get something new. I'm torn between getting a high-end compact and buying a D5600 body. If I go the dSLR route I'll be able to use my existing glass but still be stuck with a relatively cumbersome camera. I started out in Scotland doing mainly landscapes so I always had at least a jacket on at all times. Now I live in the south of France and generally cut about wearing shorts & a T-shirt. No pockets for all the stuff a dSLR user needs to carry around.

    Decisions, decisions...
     
  19. Chris1967

    Chris1967 Friend

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    I got a Nikon D7100 (at a knock down price), to replace my very old and trusty D100 at work.

    I am absolutely amazed with this camera, together with my AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor
    105mm f/2.8G IF-ED takes absolutely outstanding pictures.
     
  20. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Quick question... Some quick questions have quick answers!

    I bought a tripod. It isn't posh, but it is sturdier and heavier than of the flimsy ones I've had in the past. I've also fixed on what I want to keep on the bottom of the camera most times, actually the bottom part of a custom L plate (because I can, lens allowing, still stand the camera flat on it, and also there's a place to keep my Peak Design tie-on thingy).

    The plate does not exactly suit the QR clamp on the tripod. the security pin does not allow me to get the plate off again! (I got it off: the pin is removable from underneath)

    I want to replace the QR clamp only with one that has a pin retract button. There are lots of clamps available, but... how do I know they will fit!

    The tripod is a Vanguard Alta Pro 2, 263AB100 AB100 is the ball head. Disassembled, the parts look like this:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The shaft is 15mm diameter.

    Sorry, the question turned out to be not so quick. Perhaps the answer will be quicker!
     

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