Photo of the Day August 2017

[mollyc]

I schlepped one of my tripods in my checked luggage last week because I wanted to try some of the long exposures of the water to get that ethereal look. Apparently I still need a neutral density filter for this type of shot. The sun was already below the horizon, my settings were ISO 50 and f/22 and I still could not get a long enough exposure to get that really glassy look. Oh well. At least I tried.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I schlepped one of my tripods in my checked luggage last week because I wanted to try some of the long exposures of the water to get that ethereal look. Apparently I still need a neutral density filter for this type of shot. The sun was already below the horizon, my settings were ISO 50 and f/22 and I still could not get a long enough exposure to get that really glassy look. Oh well. At least I tried.

View attachment 714461

That was brave! I always leave mine at home and wish I had one.

 

[mollyc]

That was brave! I always leave mine at home and wish I had one.

Well it was a travel sized one I bought at Costco. A Manfrotto, but I think it was only like $80.

 

[Hughmac]

I've just bought a Manfrotto Compact Light tripod; I'm quite surprised in how sturdy it is. I usually take a Manfrotto Pixi mini one out with me as it fits in a coat pocket.
I used to be in the 'tripods are for wimps' camp but it pays to be prepared

Cheers

Hugh

 

[mollyc]

Mine is a Be Free. It comes as an aluminum version or carbon fiber and I have the aluminum one. I also have a sturdy $300 range legs and ball head setup that I use if I am just shooting around the house. Much bigger and sturdier, but I wouldn't fly with it.

 

[kenoh]

Messing about with exposure. A habitual Aperture Priority shooter, finally accepting that full Manual is likely my destiny. - trying to dress up the reality which was "skulking round the woods messing about with the twiddly dials".

L1004650.jpg by Ken OHagan, on Flickr
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I've just bought a Manfrotto Compact Light tripod; I'm quite surprised in how sturdy it is. I usually take a Manfrotto Pixi mini one out with me as it fits in a coat pocket.
I used to be in the 'tripods are for wimps' camp but it pays to be prepared

Cheers

Hugh

Thats the starter for ten...

When you have bought enough of them to match outfits to them, yet you still moan about the cost of a Gitzo... you know you are stuffed... Also, we have to admit it, they make a difference dont they? - don't get me wrong, my horizons are still off by a mile but usually have less motion blurring...


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I schlepped one of my tripods in my checked luggage last week because I wanted to try some of the long exposures of the water to get that ethereal look. Apparently I still need a neutral density filter for this type of shot. The sun was already below the horizon, my settings were ISO 50 and f/22 and I still could not get a long enough exposure to get that really glassy look. Oh well. At least I tried.

View attachment 714461

You want about a 2 minute exposure going by Mark0's images...

If you start buying filters... buy proper ones because removing colour casts from cheapos is tedious at best.

I usually have my MeFoto Roadtrip in the luggage or the Daytrip in backpack, then a selection of heavy "can't be bothered to carry 'em, should really ebay them" options back home.

The challenge then becomes the steps needed... find a spot, do the left a bit, right a bit dance... left eye, right eye, choose a focal length, juggle the lens swaps, open the tripod, level it, move it to the left a bit, level it... put the camera on, put the other lens back on... add the filter adapter, meter, focus, I need a pee, meter again, try to memorise the settings, filter holder on, slide in the grad filter to get the line where it was hidden, drop in the stopper... fumble with the smartphone, damn it forgot the cable release... I still need a pee... oh forget the settings, filter holder off, meter, filter holder back on trying not to hit the lens with the filters, change the settings for long exposure, press the cable release for the long exposure.... countdown, occupy myself for two minutes doing something that doesnt involve touching the camera... spotted a bit of dust on the mode dial... MUST...... NOT..... touch it.... DAMNIT! moved the camera, now have to wait another minute and 45 to do it all again this time not touching the camera! lol..... just me then? oh...

 

[Hughmac]

Messing about with exposure. A habitual Aperture Priority shooter, finally accepting that full Manual is likely my destiny. - trying to dress up the reality which was "skulking round the woods messing about with the twiddly dials".

L1004650.jpg by Ken OHagan, on Flickr
[doublepost=1503664439][/doublepost]

Thats the starter for ten...

When you have bought enough of them to match outfits to them, yet you still moan about the cost of a Gitzo... you know you are stuffed...
[doublepost=1503664738][/doublepost]

You want about a 2 minute exposure going by Mark0's images...

If you start buying filters... buy proper ones because removing colour casts from cheapos is tedious at best.

I usually have my MeFoto Roadtrip in the luggage or the Daytrip in backpack, then a selection of heavy "can't be bothered to carry 'em, should really ebay them" options back home.

Don't care what colour they are - in fact the Pixi is pink - as long as they're cheap and do the job
Have a good set of Hoya NDs now, but for the moment I'm experimenting with sub-1 minute exposures. I learnt my lesson with that purple fringing Tiffen filter

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well it was a travel sized one I bought at Costco. A Manfrotto, but I think it was only like $80.

Add a 0 on the end of that and you are close to what I paid for my Gitzo!
Not something I'd check at the airport. But I don't travel by air all too often.
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Don't care what colour they are - in fact the Pixi is pink - as long as they're cheap and do the job
Have a good set of Hoya NDs now, but for the moment I'm experimenting with sub-1 minute exposures. I learnt my lesson with that purple fringing Tiffen filter

Cheers

Hugh

Ken shoots with Lea filters, but he has a Leica so you know the type!

I've also got some Hoya but they are a little off with colours.

 

[kenoh]

Add a 0 on the end of that and you are close to what I paid for my Gitzo!
Not something I'd check at the airport. But I don't travel by air all too often.
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Ken shoots with Lea filters, but he has a Leica so you know the type!

I've also got some Hoya but they are a little off with colours.

Here we go... I am not biting... I know you love me really...

Yes I aspire to have a Gitzo tripod like you.... (genuine)

The filters are Mark0's fault remember.... he pointed me at FFordes...

I have a selection... B+W circular filters, I have a few Hoyas, great bang for buck and minimal colouring... then I have the new gear....

Lee Foundation with a 16 stop Firecrest, Lee Big Stopper, Lee 0.9 hard grad, 0.6 soft grad and quite frankly?

shag all idea how to use it all properly.....

Sometimes I am ashamed of myself...

 

[Hughmac]

I've also got some Hoya but they are a little off with colours.

It's those cheap lenses you use

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

Don't care what colour they are - in fact the Pixi is pink - as long as they're cheap and do the job
Have a good set of Hoya NDs now, but for the moment I'm experimenting with sub-1 minute exposures. I learnt my lesson with that purple fringing Tiffen filter

Cheers

Hugh

Pink you say? nice... makes your eyes shine...

 

[Hughmac]

Pink you say? nice... makes your eyes shine...

No no, pink Manfrotto Pixi tripod

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

No no, pink Manfrotto Pixi tripod

Cheers

Hugh

I know... I was being cheeky...

 

[mollyc]

Pink is my favorite color!
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Messing about with exposure. A habitual Aperture Priority shooter, finally accepting that full Manual is likely my destiny. - trying to dress up the reality which was "skulking round the woods messing about with the twiddly dials".



You want about a 2 minute exposure going by Mark0's images...

If you start buying filters... buy proper ones because removing colour casts from cheapos is tedious at best.

Your exposure looks great! I'm too much of a control freak to shoot in anything but full manual.

I looked through some more of my long exposures from that night and got as long as 10 seconds....will post one of those tomorrow, but still wasn't really what I was going after. Will have to start looking at filters and put them on my Amazon wishlist for Christmas.

 

[kenoh]

Pink is my favorite color!
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Your exposure looks great! I'm too much of a control freak to shoot in anything but full manual.

I looked through some more of my long exposures from that night and got as long as 10 seconds....will post one of those tomorrow, but still wasn't really what I was going after. Will have to start looking at filters and put them on my Amazon wishlist for Christmas.

Thank you, for your kind words... I suppose I have been lazy with the whole aperture priority shooting. In theory I know how to dial it all in, just like I say, been lazy..


I think the water effect you are going for is deffo a minute plus... Maybe look at a Hoya circular polariser and a 6 or 10 stop ND? they are relatively cheap before you get into the Lee square filters. Lee are great but very expensive but then you only need one set for all of your lenses. The Hoyas can be had for about £20 each depending on size... worth a play...

 

[mollyc]

Thank you, for your kind words... I suppose I have been lazy with the whole aperture priority shooting. In theory I know how to dial it all in, just like I say, been lazy..


I think the water effect you are going for is deffo a minute plus... Maybe look at a Hoya circular polariser and a 6 or 10 stop ND? they are relatively cheap before you get into the Lee square filters. Lee are great but very expensive but then you only need one set for all of your lenses. The Hoyas can be had for about £20 each depending on size... worth a play...

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! We only go to the beach once a year, so I wouldn't get much use out of them anyway.

 

[kenoh]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! We only go to the beach once a year, so I wouldn't get much use out of them anyway.

You would be surprised how often you use them. The polariser for example is great for removing reflections from shiny surfaces and removing the glare form water and windows etc. in general. Worth getting one to try it out. Polarizers dont work properly on wide angle lenses wider than 18mm though as they cause inconsistent effects across the field of view.

The NDs, at least a 3 or a 6 stop allow you to shoot wide open with fast glass during the daylight when otherwise it would be too bright to shoot them wide open. Certainly in the US where you live where the intensity of light is greater than we get here in Scotland.

the thing is once you start getting into them, you then want a set of filters for each lens diameter you have or at least a few of them, then the Lees start to look like a good investment

Just make sure you get multi coated ones as it is a crime to put a cheap uncoated bit of glass in front of a beautifully crafted lens...

 

[mollyc]

I'll have to check. My two most favorite lenses are the same diameter, so I can most likely make do with just one.

 

[Hughmac]

I've managed to work it so nearly all my lenses use 58mm filters

Cheers

Hugh

 

[TheDrift-]

Step up/down rings can also be pretty useful for making expensive filters fit smaller lenses

 

[mollyc]

My 24-70 and 70-200 are both 77mm so I could make them "smaller" I guess for my other lenses?

 

[kenoh]

Step up/down rings can also be pretty useful for making expensive filters fit smaller lenses

Good call but wider they are more chance of vignetting... though vignetting can be seen as artistic to some... (me)...

 

[jaduff46]

Took the night ferry to Ireland for a late-summer jaunt. I'm in Rosie's Bar, in Ballydehob; go west and the next stop is the USA! Here are some whale-watchers heading out from the harbour in Baltimore. I'll hopefully have some better pix to share over the next week or two...

My sister and her husband are living there. Never heard of it before they moved.

 

[kenoh]

My 24-70 and 70-200 are both 77mm so I could make them "smaller" I guess for my other lenses?

nope.... would be like looking through a toilet roll tube... you need to use step up rings on the smaller ones... and 77mm bump up the price to £75 on Amazon... :-( you can get a Lee little stopper 6-stop ND for £95... see how the Lee stuff isnt that far out there all of a sudden.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Check out the options for the gorgeous Nikon 14-24mm from Lea. Makes me poor just thinking about it!

Mind you I did get s bonus....