Lens envy [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 19:56

We did KR the photo shoot for the Boulevard 1800 übercruiser this afternoon.
Decided on an urban setting so went down around the auckland waterfront.
At one stage Osborne wanted the fence by the oil tanks to fade through the shot.
"I'll use the big lens'" he says.
'Fark' says I 'What does all that add up to?' I enquire as he pulls something looking like the conduits you would see on the roof of a plumbers van attached to a high end Cannon body.
'Oooooh...about 800mm.'

Bastard.

paturoa

25th May 2006, 20:14

so his is bigger than yours?

cowpoos

25th May 2006, 20:21

so that explains it...you suffer from small lens syndrome.... buy a gixxer and your problems will be over.....and you know it!!!!

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 20:22

only the camera

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 20:25

so that explains it...you suffer from small lens syndrome.... buy a gixxer and your problems will be over.....and you know it!!!!

Possibly my least desirable motorcycle on the market.

paturoa

25th May 2006, 20:27

Possibly my least desirable motorcycle on the market.

ahh, you have a narrow field of view too

Skyryder

25th May 2006, 20:31

Did a little bit of photography in my younger days and can always remember the female teacher holding up two lenses a common 50mm and I think it was a 210mm, saying..............."It's not the size that counts but the way you use it."

Skyryder

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 20:32

ahh, you have a narrow field of view too

Not at all. I've been on a suzuki all week and really like it.
I'm just over 300kph road bikes. They are bad design when it's illegal to use half of it and you have to be careful that you don't.
Apart from that I don't fit on them by about 6". - That's 6" too much btw.

paturoa

25th May 2006, 20:36

That's 6" too much btw.

lol - still, that would leave u 650mm short of 800 which is where this whole thing started?

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 20:41

lol - still, that would leave u 650mm short of 800 which is where this whole thing started?

If we were at the pub I would now say: '12" - but don't use it as a rule.'

cowpoos

25th May 2006, 20:44

Possibly my least desirable motorcycle on the market.
in denial huh! your not the first.....time will cure your dithering ways my friend...

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 21:01

in denial huh! your not the first.....time will cure your dithering ways my friend...

Denial is a river in Africa - I just don't like 150hp litre sports bikes on the road - period.
:nya:

cowpoos

25th May 2006, 21:33

Denial is a river in Africa - I just don't like 150hp litre sports bikes on the road - period.
:nya:
you could get a 750 like mine or a 600....121 and 108 respectivly....

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 21:48

you could get a 750 like mine or a 600....121 and 108 respectivly....

One for each buttock?
There is some angles of me on the Boulevard 1800 today where it looks like a 250.
Even this could be bigger:

cowpoos

25th May 2006, 22:00

One for each buttock?
There is some angles of me on the Boulevard 1800 today where it looks like a 250.
Even this could be bigger:
looks like a rocket three to me......but yer....you look like a bohemouth....time to buy a bowflex from lil trashy fella maybe?

paturoa

25th May 2006, 22:02

looks like a rocket three to me......but yer....you look like a bohemouth....time to buy a bowflex from lil trashy fella maybe?

shouda used the maga short lens for that shot!

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 22:05

looks like a rocket three to me......but yer....you look like a bohemouth....time to buy a bowflex from lil trashy fella maybe?

Yes - I was meaning that it's even bigger than the zook.

A bowflex won't make me any shorter (not that I'd want to be) - and besides that WT is ghey.

cowpoos

25th May 2006, 22:10

and besides that WT is ghey.
he is.........

riffer

25th May 2006, 22:13

Pah - that's not a big lens.

I was thinking of this sucker for my T-90...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-FD-Mount-650-2600mm-Lens-for-AE-1-A-1-T-90-NEW_W0QQitemZ7620547954QQcategoryZ4687QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 22:16

sAsLEX

25th May 2006, 22:18

riffer

25th May 2006, 22:40

Not good - f8 - f16.

Not to mention the ghastly chromatic aberration on one of these.

Only worth the bragging rights really...

Big Dave

25th May 2006, 23:06

Not good - f8 - f16.

Not to mention the ghastly chromatic aberration on one of these.

Only worth the bragging rights really...

I'm still stuck on Amityville.

Full sun or stationary targets only huh.

Beemer

26th May 2006, 15:22

I used to envy photographers who could afford (or had them paid for by their employer) long lenses like this but the truth is, you can live without them! I took great motorsport shots (that were published in Kiwi Rider and daily papers) using a Nikon F301 camera with a 75-150mm F4 lens, backed up by a 400mm F5.6 telephoto.

I'd turn up at Manfeild and some of the photographers (not Euan Cameron, he's lovely) would look down their noses at my gear, but it did the job.

I upgraded to a Nikon F5 and 24-120mm and 70-300mm lenses but it didn't change the quality of my photos - I was just able to zoom in closer.

I've just bought a Nikon D200 digital with the 18-200mm zoom so I'm looking forward to giving that a test at a race meeting or at Wanganui this year. The conversion factor means the 70-300mm lens will effectively give me a 105-450mm so that should cover me for everything!

DemonWolf

26th May 2006, 15:40

What are people's pick for Digital SLR camera's ?? Good points etc and recommendations?

Big Dave

26th May 2006, 16:09

So cool. The photo isn't bad either. :blip:
For the edition after next.

Matt Bleck

26th May 2006, 16:18

Dids you guys have a couple of beers before hand... that pic is on the piss!!(pt)

sAsLEX

26th May 2006, 16:22

So cool. The photo isn't bad either. :blip:
For the edition after next.

could of done your jacket up

Big Dave

26th May 2006, 16:32

What are people's pick for Digital SLR camera's ?? Good points etc and recommendations?

I liked my Konica - but Sony corp liked it so much they bought the company.

Most professionals use Cannon bodies. Anything up to $20,000.

Matt Bleck

26th May 2006, 16:38

What are people's pick for Digital SLR camera's ?? Good points etc and recommendations?

I got a Nikon D70s 6.1 mp great camera but there is the D200 now which is 10 mp
or if ya got the cash a Nikon D2x 12 mp.

Dave do you prefer Canon over Nikon??

Badcat

26th May 2006, 16:44

So cool. The photo isn't bad either. :blip:
For the edition after next.

that's a brilliant pic.
is the shooter a KR regular?

Big Dave

26th May 2006, 17:21

I got a Nikon D70s 6.1 mp great camera but there is the D200 now which is 10 mp
or if ya got the cash a Nikon D2x 12 mp.

Dave do you prefer Canon over Nikon??

Never owned either - Had a Yashica 35mm and Kodak and Konica digitals.

My purchasing decision has primarily revolved around minimal impact when carrying it on a motorcycle and touring - so compact size has been paramount, without compromising the opticals too much. My kit all fits in a bum bag.

That and $ of course.

And I'd love a big Canon body, or a Nikon, - You can't have too many motorcycles, cameras or computers.

Big Dave

26th May 2006, 17:24

that's a brilliant pic.
is the shooter a KR regular?

Yep - Mr Geoff Osborne is the staff photographer. His work is widely known in bike mag the industry - contributes to Classic Bike in the UK and others. He da man.

Big Dave

26th May 2006, 17:28

could of done your jacket up

Icebreakers! You onto them? Best thermal gear going. I had one thin icebreaker on under my leathers. And I was boiling.

http://www.icebreaker.co.nz

Skyryder

27th May 2006, 13:33

You can't have too many motorcycles, cameras or computers.

Ain't that the truth.

Skyryder

twinkle

27th May 2006, 14:10

I got a Nikon D70s 6.1 mp great camera but there is the D200 now which is 10 mp
or if ya got the cash a Nikon D2x 12 mp.

A couple of lecturers at uni start frothing at the mouth and going all wild-eyed when you talk to them about how many megapixels a camera has. Apparently there hasn't been a ccd made yet which is capable of more than 4mp.
To get the extra pixels the camera stretches the image and fills in the gaps that appear due to the stretching by interpolating the pixels. This is a really easy thing to do, I have to write the code to do it as part of an assignment by next friday.

So when someone sells you a 12mp camera, you are buying a 4mp camera and some software to convert it to a 12mp image(which takes about 1/2hr to write). Although you probably get some extra gadgets on the camera for your money.

Badcat

27th May 2006, 14:16

A couple of lecturers at uni start frothing at the mouth and going all wild-eyed when you talk to them about how many megapixels a camera has. Apparently there hasn't been a ccd made yet which is capable of more than 4mp.
To get the extra pixels the camera stretches the image and fills in the gaps that appear due to the stretching by interpolating the pixels. This is a really easy thing to do, I have to write the code to do it as part of an assignment by next friday.

So when someone sells you a 12mp camera, you are buying a 4mp camera and some software to convert it to a 12mp image(which takes about 1/2hr to write). Although you probably get some extra gadgets on the camera for your money.

jesus - don't let the camera shops hear you talking like that.
the megapixel myth (and their revenue as no-one buys film anymore) might get a shake up.

amateurs always grab hold of one measurement they understand and make that the most important part of their buying descision.
excellent post twinkle, nice to see you are getting some good tutors.
Ken

Edbear

27th May 2006, 14:19

So is there any point in buying more than a 4 mp camera? Or does the software make a difference worth buying?

DemonWolf

27th May 2006, 14:24

But aren't most SLR camera's using CMOS instead of CCD??

hmmm... goes and looks it up

twinkle

27th May 2006, 14:34

cheers Badcat.

Buy a higher mp camera by all means, just don't use the number of mp as a buying guide. Buy a camera that does what you want it to, like one with a fast shutter response time, loads of memory, good battery life...

Since its all digital the pictures can be manipulated on computer easily and for free. (the catch is you need a computer, and need to know how to use it)

Matt Bleck

27th May 2006, 15:42

A couple of lecturers at uni start frothing at the mouth and going all wild-eyed when you talk to them about how many megapixels a camera has. Apparently there hasn't been a ccd made yet which is capable of more than 4mp.
To get the extra pixels the camera stretches the image and fills in the gaps that appear due to the stretching by interpolating the pixels. This is a really easy thing to do, I have to write the code to do it as part of an assignment by next friday.

So when someone sells you a 12mp camera, you are buying a 4mp camera and some software to convert it to a 12mp image(which takes about 1/2hr to write). Although you probably get some extra gadgets on the camera for your money.

I think the D2x is CMOS not CCD, does that make difference??

smokeyging

27th May 2006, 15:51

What are people's pick for Digital SLR camera's ?? Good points etc and recommendations?

stick to a popular product, like canon or nikon. it also depends on what you need the camera for. you might not need an 8 megapixel camera unless you need photos the size of a house. a 3 megapixel will get you a nice A4 size photo. i learnt something the other day, i brought a 8 megpixel panosonic with a 12x zoom,[480mm] it took magic photos of the warbirds in wanaka and the focas system seemed to keep up with the planes. but my 6 megapixel canon with a 300mm lense could take a sharper picture. i would'nt take too much notice of this megapixel bullshit if i were you. in other words the canon has a bigger image sensor even at 6 megapixel. at least, thats how i understand it

twinkle

27th May 2006, 17:47

I think the D2x is CMOS not CCD, does that make difference??

I've heard of a 5mp and an 8mp CMOS chip, but I haven't been able to find any reliable info on either of them :( so they may or may not exist.

DemonWolf

27th May 2006, 17:53

I've heard of a 5mp and an 8mp CMOS chip, but I haven't been able to find any reliable info on either of them :(

Yeah.. I've found some info.. but its given me a headache on it.. info-overload. Basically CCD and CMOS are relatively at the same level.. just using differing techniques giving slightly better options in both sensors. Depending on what you want the camera for.. then depends on which technology you can go for.. man.. I think I'll leave it for alittle while then come back to it once the info sinks in.

Matt Bleck

27th May 2006, 17:55

interesting stuff, what are you studying twinkle??

twinkle

27th May 2006, 18:01

computer science. One of my papers this semester is image processing, that was just a bit of background info they gave us at the start of the semester. I learnt some pretty interesting stuff about optics in physics too.

Matt Bleck

27th May 2006, 18:07

cool, thanks for the lesson :niceone:

twinkle

27th May 2006, 19:38

no worries, hate to see people being misled. :stoogie:

Virago

27th May 2006, 20:03

.......Most professionals use Cannon bodies. Anything up to $20,000.
A Cannon body - with a long lense? Why didn't you say so?

We dug this up in Dunedin a couple of weeks ago.....:yes:

Ixion

27th May 2006, 20:22

Hey, cool!:cool:

An Armstrong gun. Where'd that come from. Wodda they gonna do wiv it?

Big Dave

27th May 2006, 20:57

A Cannon body - with a long lense? Why didn't you say so?

We dug this up in Dunedin a couple of weeks ago.....:yes:

That big bore reminds me of Motu.

riffer

27th May 2006, 22:52

.......Most professionals use Cannon bodies. Anything up to $20,000.

I'd have to admit that if I was doing it for a job the Canon EOS5D would be top of my list at present.

Much lighter than the 1D, with the full frame sensor enabling you to use the wide format lenses without the magnification factor.

Dave - have you checked out the Hasselblad H2? I realise it's a medium format camera based on the good old H1 645 camera, but with the possibility of using either the film backs or the 22-megapixel digital back, using Adobe's latest DNG "Digital Negative" output format?

Actually, I seem to recall you mentioned that you were still using OS9 for your Mac and haven't made the upgrade to OS X yet. At work we're using the latest G5s with OS 10.4.6 and Adobe's Creative Studio 2. We're finding more and more of the photography we commission is coming in raw camera formats which enables us to do our retouching in 48-bit RGB for much better image control.

You'd be amazed at the difference in quality.

Oh - and what you said about never having too many bikes, cameras or computers? You forgot GUITARS... :rockon:

Your photography is excellent, however. I'd kill to have your compositional skills for the raw shot. I'm forever recropping in PS.

Big Dave

27th May 2006, 23:38

Yuh have seen them - frankly I get the results i want with the Konica. I' ain't doing national geographic. Main applications are interweb or web press so jpegs saved at 8 is as high end as i need to go. seriously (but I use 11)

Anyway - my last computer upgrade I spent on motorcycles. it ain't broke (although my monitor is looking terminal) so i ain't fixing it.

When you are adjusting the raw images - try converting to lab colour and do any sharpening in the brightness channel - even better results.

When it comes down to it tho - i'm the art director and the designer - the photography is just part of the gig, as is the design, typography, pre press and arguing with mackay - not to mention writing a fair bit, promoting and testing...and pimping all the brands and gear.

'If there's anything bigger than my ego around - i want it caught and shot immediately' - Zaphod.

Beemer

28th May 2006, 13:21

I tested an Olympus AZ1 a few years ago, about 3.2 megapixels and the shots were great - very good camera for carrying around with you everywhere.

I looked at the D2H but the fact is, they are so big and heavy and so expensive that I couldn't really justify it. I was seriously tempted by the Canon 5D but then fell in love with the D200. I only got it last week so I haven't tested it properly yet, but its layout seems very similar to my F5. And it wasn't a bad price either, about $5500 including the lens, spare battery and the SB800 flash unit. The 5D was $5400 without any lenses or flash units and every review I've read rates them almost identically - with the Nikon usually edging ahead on value for money.

Big Dave

28th May 2006, 14:26

And in 2 consecutive posts I forgot to mention guitars.:gob:
Upper cut self administered.
I am trying to learn the Bolero (it's in the 'life's work' dept) and would love a wide old neck classical with a feather action

riffer

28th May 2006, 14:35

it ain't broke (although my monitor is looking terminal) so i ain't fixing it.

I guess you won't appreciate a look at what I'm installing at work today then ...

Big Dave

28th May 2006, 14:53

I guess you won't appreciate a look at what I'm installing at work today then ...

Nice.
Dell has some cheap ones too. Right now you've got me thinking i need a new guitar more.....:yes:

Eurodave

28th May 2006, 15:10

Hey, Big Dave, heres an easier one for ya::rockon:

Big Dave

28th May 2006, 16:04

Hey, Big Dave, heres an easier one for ya::rockon:

I have the 'pool room' edition!

Eurodave

28th May 2006, 16:05

Hey,look Dad,a Nikkor 28-1000mm f1.8 lens..............'Tell eem ees dreamin!"

Edbear

28th May 2006, 16:07

Upper cut self administered.

Ouch! You's a big bloke, musta hurt some...:blip:

SPORK

29th May 2006, 18:33

I guess you won't appreciate a look at what I'm installing at work today then ...
How much does a G5 system go for these days?

And right now I'm getting my head around some gentle acoustic bits from some Opeth songs. Mixed in with a bit of shred for good luck :)

How are you finding the Opeth, Riffer, by the way?

Big Dave

29th May 2006, 20:42

Hey, Big Dave, heres an easier one for ya::rockon:

And I just 'note' is also has that #F that #ucks me up everytime in the Bolero!

SPORK

29th May 2006, 23:26

And I just 'note' is also has that #F that #ucks me up everytime in the Bolero!
Get with some tablature, man! Ew, oldies and their "notation" :bleh:

riffer

30th May 2006, 08:27

How much does a G5 system go for these days?

And right now I'm getting my head around some gentle acoustic bits from some Opeth songs. Mixed in with a bit of shred for good luck :)

How are you finding the Opeth, Riffer, by the way?

http://www.magnummac.co.nz/G5/G5.html

To be honest Nick, I haven't been in the sleepout in a couple of days, so I've completely forgotten about those songs. I went in there last night and discovered my wife's scored a drum kit for Timothy. cool...

I must have a listen to those tracks though ...