The Photography Thread

[MartyG]

I'm using a Tamron AF 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 LD DiII - it cost £69 new - considering the cost, it's giving some impressive resuts - there's some colour abberation on high-constasting backgrounds, but nothing I haven't seen on other more expensive lenses. I'll test some low light shots on the way home.

That L glass is on the shopping list though, just need to put a few quid away the next couple of months first.

[Alastair]

Kerso on ebay sells brand new 70-200 f4L's for under 400 quid now!! Tempting?

[PeteJ]

I recommend using Kerso too, I used him for my 24-105 and 580ex flash. Email direct and he may be able to offer cheaper than ebay.

Impressive results on the 10d, I've used the 20d a few times and love the extra size and features over the 350d. Very tempted to get the 40d, though not for a few months yet.

Still looking at compacts too, had a go on a Pannasonic Lumix today, the screen is so clear. Unfortunately it seems the top of the range Lumix compact only has 3x optical zoom, where as one down the line slightly (with less features) offers 10x. Hmmm.

[Ginger Tosser]

I spent a fair amount direct with Ian Kerr (kerso), he does knock a few quid off for non ebay/paypal use.

Anyway, take care on the roads Alastair. Especially as all this strange white stuff is coming.

[Number45]

Guys, I'm in the processing of getting a Panasonic TZ3 (I'd love an SLR, but I won't use it enough to justify the expenditure!). Can anyone recommend SD cards? Says it supports SD and SDHC - I'm going to get a pretty large one but I want to make sure I get one that's of good quality and provides quick performance.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Magnakai]

Just get a 2 or 4GB Sandisk one from somewhere like dvd.co.uk. That'll set you up for longer than you'll use it.

Something like this: http://dvd.co.uk/Hw/Sandisk-Ultra-II...duct.htm?sr=sp

SDHC is just the name for the high capacity version of SD. So if you see an 8GB one, it'll label itself an SDHC card.

[MartyG]

I mostly use Sandisk Ultra II - with a 2 GB card in the D50 ( 6MP ) on JPG Fine I can get over a thousand shots, so the TZ3 at 7MP will fit a few less - even when I'm shooting all day long I rarely get close to filling the card up, never had a problem with any of them.

[Number45]

Two for Sandisk, good start. I use a Sandisk Ultra II pro duo on my PSP and it's always been fine.

Is performance an issue at all? Transfer speeds etc? Notice some cards stating speeds (60x etc...).

[MartyG]

Only if you're sticking the camera in a USB1 slot - but your bottle neck there is then USB1 - not really worth worrying too much about. Most modern cameras have buffers big enough for card speed not to be an issue at all - so you can spend the time composing instead

Edit - and a pic for today - abstract time ...

[Number45]

Holy crap that dvd.co.uk is cheap!

http://www.dvd.co.uk/Hw/Sandisk-eXtreme-III-SD-4Gb-Card-SDHC/SDSDRX3-4096-E21/product.htm

Think I can stretch to ~£25 for 4GBs!

[Ginger Tosser]

Picstop had a promotion (from Sandisk) on the extreme III CF 4gb. £17.99 + P&P So I bought 3. They charged the P&P on each item though. Still was very cheap for a 4gb card. Just remember to order from their Jersey site to get the Vat free Items.

They are now out of stock (I've had 2 of them though). Someone from PicStop posted a message about the stock levels on Eos-forums. They are getting more in, just at the moment they've all gone. Existing orders will be supplied and the surplus sold once they've cleared the waiting orders.

[Number45]

Thanks for the heads up.

They've also got the SDHC equivalent for only £23.99 plus shipping.

[winky]

Good to see this thread still going strong. I would also recommend Kerso. Bought my 50mm f1.8 from him and he was super quick and had great comms.

Funkydan that is an excellent picture, I really like the textures, its fantastic. It 'feels' right, great shot.

Marty glad your enjoying your new toys, like the shot of the antique shop but I don't 'get' the abstract shot, it doesn't really do anything for me (apart from wonder what the hell it is )

Finishing early tomorrow so I am going to take my camera into the city again and get some shots of the buildings there. Hopefully it wont be too dull or wet.

I did some experimenting tonight and took this shot below. I really want to go back to this and do it outside with good light. I took it in the kitchen under the spotlights by getting my partner to chuck an ice cube in a glass. Her hand casts a shadow over the worktop but overall I was very surprised by the result.



If I do it outside it will have a nice grey background and next time I will use crusha for pinky goodness!

[MartyG]

I don't 'get' the abstract shot, it doesn't really do anything for me (apart from wonder what the hell it is )

Then you do get it

[MonkeySteve]

I love that shot winky! I know it wasn't how you ideally wanted to take it, but I think the colours and texture of the wood work really well. The splash of white milk is also very striking. Pink on grey should be interesting too