[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by sivadas

Sure, I will keept that in mind. But my question was between 35mm and 50mm prime lenses, which one will be better for landscape shots. In fact, I would be visiting Rajastan during 3rd week of October. Assume 35mm should give better span/coverage with a wider view angle.

Since you asked a simple question without ...the 35mm on a crop sensor for landscapes.

But there are many nuances depending on your style and current capability.

[sivadas]

Once again thanks architect and Nilanjan. I will mostly go for 35mm.

[nilanjanray]

D5 coming. 20 mp, 100++ better spread AF points, 15 fps (!!!). And another high end DSLR. http://nikonrumors.com/2015/09/28/up...ications.aspx/

A 7 FPS 42 MP D850/900 would be lovely. Or a 10-12 FPS high end DX body.

Wishlist for the other, rumoured camera:
High FPS
State of the art AF (close to that of the D5's)
Big buffer
Weather sealing
1000++ shots with a single battery charge
Silent shutter

Of course, state of the art image quality (incl. high ISO capabilities and dynamic range) is taken for granted for a high end Nikon

[nilanjanray]

A couple of photos using a combination of Photoshop and GIMP (GIMP for the canvas effect and border). Haven't tried to Google for canvas/border options in Photoshop. Each new software requires investment in time to learn.

Photoshop is driving me nuts. I learn something using free online videos, and forget after a couple of weeks (especially intricacies regarding layer masks). I think I will opt for some online class or book so that I have info at my fingertips.

And the Intel graphics card of my laptop keeps crashing once in a while. The AMD Radeon graphics card should kick in when I open Photoshop, not sure why the Intel one has to crash

The first photo took a lot of time to process. Was shot at 6.48 pm, near dark conditions, very underexposed in spite of ISO 3200 and 1/125s at 400mm. When I lifted exposure and shadows in pp, banding appeared (the D7100 Toshiba sensor is notorious for banding). Such a pain to manage banding and noise.

Waiting for Q1 Nikon launches. Something better than the D7200 or the D810.

[nilanjanray]

Too many of us take snapshots and think we are decent/good photographers. I am guilty too. Though my genre - wildlife - imposes many constraints - unwilling subject, a few seconds to shoot, luck etc. But I wish we would have more discussion regarding composition, techniques, managing constraints etc., rather than gear and software stuff that have been prevalent in the last couple of years.

I have gone through the original posts, some of the discussions were definitely more interesting than the ones that we have now.

It is important to keep learning and growing. The more one improves, the more one realizes that there is so much more to learn and master. I had an epiphany looking at some of Art Wolfe's photos and videos. And especially, his way of thinking. He shoots nature and wildlife and travel, but I strongly suggest that you Google him, even if you are into different genres.

I do realise that there are specialist forums that cater to photography, and that many folks move on once they have reached a certain level of competence. In fact, the best forums are those that cater to a specific genre of photography. But cars/travel/photography sort of go hand in hand, so it would be great if people - at least some folks - can start sharing insights regarding gear and photos.

"SHould I choose a Nikon X vs a Canon Y vs a Sony Z or a Olympus A" is not that important in the long run :-)

[nilanjanray]

I took the plunge and went for the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 AF-S

Quick feedback after some practice from the balcony:
1. Weighs 2.3 kgs with hood and tripod collar, but handholdable. I was able to get pretty sharp shots of static objects at 1/50s at 500mm (750mm equivalent). The VR is very nice
2. AF is slower to lock on, compared to the 80-400mm AF-S, or fast focusing lenses such as the 70-200mm f/2.8 or 300mm f/2.8. Hunts a little in challenging conditions. But once it locks on, it is accurate and repeatable. Haven't been able to try it on moving subjects yet, that will be important for me.
3. The lens is sharp. Sharper than the 80-400mm AF-S IMO. Definitely sharper than my old 70-300mm AF-S.
4. Bokeh is rather nice, for a f/5.6 zoom.
5. Walking around will be a pain. I am holding it in the crook of my arm (like carrying a gun), or resting the lens on my shoulder while walking.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I took the plunge and went for the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 AF-S

Great news !
Congrats.
I haven’t taken the plunge yet. I am thinking of getting the Nikon 1.4x III AF-S for more reach on my FX body, if there isn’t much compromise on the IQ.


How do you compare it with Tammy with respect to the colour rendition/AF speed and contrast. I assume it to be sharper and has better bokeh.
I assume your copy is already firmware updated for an AF correction.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Too many of us take snapshots and think we are decent/good photographers. I am guilty too. Though my genre - wildlife - imposes many constraints - unwilling subject, a few seconds to shoot, luck etc. But I wish we would have more discussion regarding composition, techniques, managing constraints etc., rather than gear and software stuff that have been prevalent in the last couple of years.

I have gone through the original posts, some of the discussions were definitely more interesting than the ones that we have now.

It is important to keep learning and growing. The more one improves, the more one realizes that there is so much more to learn and master. I had an epiphany looking at some of Art Wolfe's photos and videos. And especially, his way of thinking. He shoots nature and wildlife and travel, but I strongly suggest that you Google him, even if you are into different genres.

I do realise that there are specialist forums that cater to photography, and that many folks move on once they have reached a certain level of competence. In fact, the best forums are those that cater to a specific genre of photography. But cars/travel/photography sort of go hand in hand, so it would be great if people - at least some folks - can start sharing insights regarding gear and photos.

"SHould I choose a Nikon X vs a Canon Y vs a Sony Z or a Olympus A" is not that important in the long run :-)

I agree sir. A TBHPian explaining a few basics can always do a world of good than reading stuff from google. Now that you have started it, can anyone help with Zone system. I read this term on this thread a couple of pages back and did read some stuff on the internet as well. Somehow couldn't manage to understand everything or rather many things like:
1) Why would you use it?
2) In which kind of scenarios to use it?
3) What is it?

Any easier to understand links would be helpful too.

Rachit

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by M35

How do you compare it with Tammy with respect to the colour rendition/AF speed and contrast. I assume it to be sharper and has better bokeh.
I assume your copy is already firmware updated for an AF correction.

Yes this is AF corrected. AF seems to be equal, but the Nikon has a little better contrast + colour, I feel. I have played with it for just one hour, need more time.


D7100 + 20-500mm AF-S. 500mm, ISO 317, f/5.6. This butterfly was about 20-25 feeet away. This is a 33% crop. Slightly sharpened in Photoshop.

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Now that you have started it, can anyone help with Zone system. I read this term on this thread a couple of pages back and did read some stuff on the internet as well. Somehow couldn't manage to understand everything or rather many things like:
1) Why would you use it?
2) In which kind of scenarios to use it?
3) What is it?

Any easier to understand links would be helpful too.

Rachit

LInks: Google is your guide. You would do well to ping or quote the person who had written a number of posts about the Zone system

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Attachment 1428033
D7100 + 20-500mm AF-S. 500mm, ISO 317, f/5.6. This butterfly was about 20-25 feeet away. This is a 33% crop. Slightly sharpened in Photoshop.

Beautiful bokeh= a reason to get one at this price point, I feel.
Now will wait for more shot from you.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by M35

Beautiful bokeh= a reason to get one at this price point, I feel.
Now will wait for more shot from you.

Any long lens at that focal length would have given a similar bokeh. There was gap b/w the butterfly and background, good enough for any lens at 500mm.

Will take a few more days for feedback about moving subjects. I might be going on a long wildlife roadtrip next week.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Any long lens at that focal length would have given a similar bokeh. There was gap b/w the butterfly and background, good enough for any lens at 500mm.

I meant the ‘quality’ of background blur = good bokeh, not just the shallow depth of field.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by M35

I meant the 'quality' of background blur = good bokeh, not just the shallow depth of field.

I get the quality part. But I didn't feel the bokeh was 'better' (w.r.t competition at same focal length) for this particular photo. Besides, with selective sharpening and noise reduction, things can be controlled to some extent. A different matter if one is comparing to the long primes

I am more concerned about AF than bokeh, frankly.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Any long lens at that focal length would have given a similar bokeh. There was gap b/w the butterfly and background, good enough for any lens at 500mm.

Will take a few more days for feedback about moving subjects. I might be going on a long wildlife roadtrip next week.

Since now we have an in-house Nikkor 200-500 user, we don’t have to keep searching for reviews/pictures elsewhere.
Please do give us regular updates and pictures as you spent your time with it.

Have you ever used it with the AF-S 1.4x iii TC ?

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

"SHould I choose a Nikon X vs a Canon Y vs a Sony Z or a Olympus A" is not that important in the long run :-)

Isn't that so very important?

I keep seeing talks about upgrade. More often than not upgrades are for the sake of upgrade.
It is something like - I couldn't do it because I didn't have that camera/lens. So I've to get it.

I know someone who shoots with more than a decade old camera and produces excellent images.
I still miss my 1Ds Mark II especially when I go through my old files. Yes, I'm also a victim of this trend.

This thread is getting too technical. Yes, upgrade is important only if it makes a significant difference.