[Rudra Sen]

A brand new addition.. 5D Mark II with power grip. Feels light still after tank like build 1Ds Mark II. Snap taken with 1Ds Mark II.

[Torqueguru]

So you finally went for the 5D Mark II Any video production plans?

[jacs]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

I need help with my D90's White balancing and Picture control. I find that most of pictures are too contrast not to my liking. Particularly if I am taking portraits, where most people skin won't come as natural. I set White balancing in auto, picture control to Vivid... I reduce the contrast in Vivid mode still colors too harsh. any recommendation which setting better for portraits?

I am no expert here but saw no replies and just thought of sharing. Vivid mode always try to saturate key colors little extra and adding extra contrast to make pictures feel more brilliant. Not very sure whether we can tweak the vivid mode template directly.

You may be able to clone the vivid mode settings to custom palette and change settings to your liking!

Mine is Canon so the picture modes would differ but my feel is one should shoot in original color mode and later edit to own taste during post processing.

Now let our experts give some light here (I am also a learner)!

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

A brand new addition.. 5D Mark II with power grip. Feels light still after tank like build 1Ds Mark II. Snap taken with 1Ds Mark II.

Congrats on the new camera Rudra da. I am sure we'll see some photo fantabulous photos with this new addition to your kit.

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

I need help with my D90's White balancing and Picture control. I find that most of pictures are too contrast not to my liking. Particularly if I am taking portraits, where most people skin won't come as natural. I set White balancing in auto, picture control to Vivid... I reduce the contrast in Vivid mode still colors too harsh. any recommendation which setting better for portraits?

Go to the Picture controls (Wrench symbol --> Shooting View ---> Set picture control) and set your camera to standard or neutral and check the results. This is Menu structure on my Nikon camera...I am not sure about the D90's menu but it should be similar.

Don't change White Balance unless you are sure of what you are doing. Best set it to Auto.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by Torqueguru

So you finally went for the 5D Mark II Any video production plans?

No boss.. None as yet. But you never know. I've seen a few videos (one from you too) and impressed.

R2D2, thanks brother.

[RaguHolla]

Thank you TaureanBull , amitk26, jacs , R2D2 for your inputs. I will try other picture settings to see if skin tone is better.

[Torqueguru]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

No boss.. None as yet. But you never know. I've seen a few videos (one from you too) and impressed.

R2D2, thanks brother.

The one you saw from me was not off the Mark 2. It was off a D3s. But I have done some work with the Mark2 and I am a die hard fan of the camera.

[TaureanBull]

@Rudra : Mind sharing the cost? Did you buy any additional lens with it or just the body?

[Ace F355]

Guys, I need some advice on Olympus Zuiko 18-180mm F/3.5-6.3 telephoto lens. The reviews of this glass are kinda mixed. If anyone using it here on TBHP, can you point out some of its observed weaknesses?

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

@Rudra : Mind sharing the cost? Did you buy any additional lens with it or just the body?

Body/power grip/extra battery = 145900/-

No I didn't buy any lens. Ordered something heavy duty. Should reach by Friday.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Ace F355

Guy, I need some advice on Olympus Zuiko 18-180mm F/3.5-6.3 telephoto lens. The reviews of this glass are kinda mixed. If anyone using it here on TBHP, can you point out some observed weakness of this lens?

Ah! Finally an opportunity for me to offer advice. Wait, let me feel the moment for a while....


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Ok, I would say don't bother with this lens. I know it sounds very juicy, but a 10X zoom lens is bad news in any dSLR system. Usually Zuiko lenses are extremely good, but even Zuiko can't pull a miracle with 10X. You'll only get ultrazoom P&S quality shots with this lens. If you want dSLR quality shots, pick either the excellent 14-54mm or the magnificent 12-60mm. Just imagine, you'll barely able to get AF to work at closer to 180mm, thanks to F/6.3 aperture. At full zoom, AF will work only during bright conditions. The 18-180mm is a very a convenient lens, but at the huge cost of image quality.

[Ace F355]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Ah! Finally an opportunity for me to offer advice. Wait, let me feel the moment for a while....


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Ok, I would say don't bother with this lens. I know it sounds very juicy, but a 10X zoom lens is bad news in any dSLR system. Usually Zuiko lenses are extremely good, but even Zuiko can't pull a miracle with 10X. You'll only get ultrazoom P&S quality shots with this lens. If you want dSLR quality shots, pick either the excellent 14-54mm or the magnificent 12-60mm. Just imagine, you'll barely able to get AF to work at closer to 180mm, thanks to F/6.3 aperture. At full zoom, AF will work only during bright conditions. The 18-180mm is a very a convenient lens, but at the huge cost of image quality.

Thanks for the quick reply Samurai. I appreciate it.

I see what you mean. That is exactly what I was thinking. At F/6.3, it is going to be terribly slow. I already own Leica D 14-50mm and Olympus 25mm F/1.4 pancake lens and both are serving me well. But now, I am looking into something more versatile and in telephoto range.

Anyway, I have an offer for this barely used 18-180mm for $120. And I was willing to take some advice before I jump at it. I will take some snaps and will check the images on my laptop before I decide about this lens. Thanks again for the quick advice.

If not this one, any suggestions on what should I get in ~ 300mm? I need this range for some wildlife photography. Any prime lens?

[Samurai]

Well, for $120 the 18-180mm is not a bad deal. When you start looking above 200mm, Zuiko starts getting real expensive. However, there is the 70-300mm which is pretty decent. The longest lens I have is 50-200mm, which is a terrific lens. I haven't considered 70-300mm since it is not a weather proof lens.

If you want above 300mm, there used to be some Sigma lenses. But they are discontinued. But you can consider 1.4x TC too.

[Ace F355]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Well, for $120 the 18-180mm is not a bad deal. When you start looking above 200mm, Zuiko starts getting real expensive. However, there is the 70-300mm which is pretty decent. The longest lens I have is 50-200mm, which is a terrific lens. I haven't considered 70-300mm since it is not a weather proof lens.

If you want above 300mm, there used to be some Sigma lenses. But they are discontinued. But you can consider 1.4x TC too.

Okay, I will test tomorrow morning how does this 18-180mm delivers in terms of image quality. I believe this lens is not weather proof either. I had my eyes open for 50-200mm too but no luck so far in used photo-gear market. Will post my decision tomorrow. Thanks again for your advice on 18-180mm, Samurai.

[Ace F355]

Update: I tested the Olympus Zuiko 18-180mm this morning on my oldie DSLR and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see the picture quality. It is a very good lens for ample bright conditions (Which is why I wanted this lens in the 1st place). Images were albeit on softer side at 18mm, but dramatically sharp at 150-180mm focal length.

As I own Leica D 14-50mm F/2.8-3.5 already that I use mostly for wide angle shots, I wasn't too bothered about image softness during wide open settings from this Zuiko lens. I tried to negotiate on price, but was only able to bring down the seller to $110. Closed the deal at that price and brought this beautiful glass home that will hopefully suit my needs, for a good price.

Lens came with box, front and back lens cap, lens hood, instruction manual and the original receipt of $605 in Dec 2008.