The Photography Thread

[winky]

looking to buy a 5DMkii with 24-105 kit lens, just need to find somewhere with them in stock at a reasonable price.

Cant wait, its been a while since I treated myself!

[HaHaUK]

A few different shots from me:









I also bought a pack of macro filters to test out, and for the cheapness, I think theyre pretty good value:

[Rossco]

Nice ones Haha! You say macro "filter"? I seen some macro filter thing for 30 quid before, is that like a cheap alternative to a proper lens or something then?

My cameras been delivered now, just charging the bad boy up! Hoping its done before the sun goes away so I can go out a walk with it!

[SmokeMeAKipper]

There was a lovely rainbow out tonight - I just managed to catch it...

[Rossco]

So here's my first set of shots, couldn't be bothered going a walk anywhere decent so just mucked about in the house and the garden while trying to get used to the camera and the settings! Took loads of shots just clicking away trying different things and after some Photoshop touching up, these are the nicest ones I think.











Criticise away!

[PeteJ]

All good Rossco, I particularly like the abstract second shot. The last two are slightly underexposed but nothing major.

Macro filters are pretty good, especially for the price. They are basically magnifying glasses you screw onto the end of the lens. Not as good as a proper Macro lens but an ideal way to see if you like the magical world of small things.
Taken with macro filters:


Winky, I'm minutes away from orderig a 50D but if I could afford it I'd go for the 5DMII! The 24-105L is a fantastic bit of kit too, you'll have a wonderful setup with that combo.
Looking to get the sigma 120-400 too...

[SmokeMeAKipper]

Do you need a particular macro filter for a particular lens size or camera? For example I've got a Sony Alpha 300 with the standard kit lens.

[winky]

HaHa I love that shot of the springer with what looks a fence post

SmokeMeAKipper: nice, you got two rainbows. I like the light and dark in the picture. As for the macro filters they will screw onto the filter threads on your lens so you just have to buy the right size of filter for your lens. If you know what lens you have this will be detailed somewhere on the manufacturers webpage

Rossco I envy you having a new box to open. Hopefully I will be in the same position next week

Some more insect macros, including weevil sexy time

[PeteJ]

Perv.

[winky]

Perv.

I got up this morning at 7 to go out snaping bugs while they were cold. I was approached by 3 guys at about 9 who wanted to check out what I was upto becuase they have to due to 'Child Protection' laws (they were responsible for organising football matches in the adjacent field)

I know I look suspicious lying in the grass with my green waterproofs on and a camera and I explained that I was taking pictures of insects and the camera can only focus at 4inches from the front of the lens. The whole thought of someone approaching me for the reasons above left me with a bad taste, so I packed up and went home

I had been there for hours, did they think I was camping out to steal the soul of the kiddies . Im sure if I wanted to I would be allowed by law in a public space to take pictures of the kids anyway.

[HaHaUK]

Do you need a particular macro filter for a particular lens size or camera? For example I've got a Sony Alpha 300 with the standard kit lens.

The filters are dependant on the size of the lens, not the camera. So if youve got a 52mm lens, any 52mm filter will work on it.

Lovely insects winky, what lens are you using for your macro?

[PeteJ]

Looks like the MPE-65, not many other lenses can get in that close. They are amazing macros. Do you have a ring-flash setup too Winky?

[Rossco]

Oh man they are amazing winky! I really want a macro lens now!! But I also want a proper zoom one too! I was out in the garden for an hour this morning trying to photograph all the birds that fly by but couldn't get any decent shots with the normal lens as it's just too far away!

Starting a new job now so should be into a bit of money so will treat myself to a lens next month but really don't know whether to go macro or zoom or how much to spend on it.

Where would the best place to be to get a decent cheap macro filter to keep me happy until then?

[browngirl]

i got some macro lens filter things from abay +1 , +2, +4 and a +10 one for £16, have to say i was thinking it would be £16 down the swanny but they work quite well, have since splashed out on a sigma 105mm dedictaed macro lens which i got for a worryingly bargain on ebay for £150, worth atleast £250 second hand and its immaculate condition, when i won at that price i was worried with what id get delivered, but its mint, got to get a flash now, any recommendations? budget of say £200

[PeteJ]

Canon? You can get the 430EX for less than £200 and it's a great flash, though as with most things you can probably pick up a Sigma equiv for half the price that works just as well.

Just don't do what I did and leave the batteries in it for six months, only finding that they leaked inside and shorted it on the day of your first wedding shoot! It was pretty awesome though, it worked but would randomly go into strobe mode at the worst possible moments!

edit - was wondering why I was suddenly getting loads of hits on my flickr - http://gin2win.com/blog/?p=138
They didn't even ask At least they have given credit I suppose.