mpmendenhall wrote:
- radio flash triggers
- set of ND grad filters
- Contax 67-86 step-up ring for lens hood(s)
- Canon MT-24EX macro flash
- Oly Zuiko 50/2 macro
- Contax Distagon 21/2.8
and, most importantly, time and good light to go take photos with all the camera junk I've accumulated
I need to update my list... because I just got what I really wanted:
An Asus 1005HA-P netbook running OS X 10.6.1 w/ 8+ hours of battery (they say 10.5. hours, but that's not happening).... and it actually manages to run PS 4 and Aperture 2.0 (at emergency speeds, of course). For travel-- particularly backing up cards while I'm on assignment overseas.
hi steady, it's a great idea of your post.
I would like to shoot birds, but I don't know which cameras and lens are better to do that, please recommend one for me, and that's what I want for my list.
justruss wrote:
I need to update my list... because I just got what I really wanted:
An Asus 1005HA-P netbook running OS X 10.6.1 w/ 8+ hours of battery (they say 10.5. hours, but that's not happening).... and it actually manages to run PS 4 and Aperture 2.0 (at emergency speeds, of course). For travel-- particularly backing up cards while I'm on assignment overseas.
Nice.
I have on my "Extended Wish List" a laptop with 5-8 hours of battery life.
I am really tired of lugging extra batteries and having a laptop in the field go down due to lack of power.
The ability to provide REAL time, say more than 4 hours of use, is what I want.
I have seen some that were "tested" by users and getting 8 hours!
Stephan Wei wrote:
hi steady, it's a great idea of your post.
I would like to shoot birds, but I don't know which cameras and lens are better to do that, please recommend one for me, and that's what I want for my list.
Hi Stephan.
I understand your desire.
As I see it, there are two choices or "paths" and it helps if you make a decision on which of those paths you want to follow FIRST. This FIRST decision can save you lots of money too.
The TWO Paths:
1. I want to photograph a stationary bird (e.g. sitting on a branch or feeder)
or
2. I want to photograph a Bird in Flight (BIF). (e.g. photographs of the bird actually moving and flying across a scene)
_____________
The gear needed for #1 (STATIONARY) can be basic, minimal, and inexpensive.
The gear needed for #2 (BIF) can be basic, minimal and inexpensive.
However, in either case, some people will spend a LOT more money, because they CAN. Some BIF photographers may spend $20K or much more on their gear.
But, not everyone CAN spend a lot, and so some people learn to get by without spending thousands of dollars and they STILL enjoy the photos they take of birds.
________________
BUT....the people who get involved in BIF photography generally find themselves wanting FASTER, LONGER, BETTER when it comes to camera bodies, lenses, and gear.
So, first determine your desire for which of the above you will find most satisfying, THEN, determine what budget YOU can spend on the gear.
When you have determined those TWO choices, THEN post a thread in either the Canon Forum or the Nikon Forum or...the Wildlife Forum here.
The people in those forums will be able to provide you with MANY suggestions based on their experience.
Just be SURE to tell them the limits of your funds/budget AND clearly indicate your desire for either 1 or 2 above.
Stephan Wei wrote:
hi steady, it's a great idea of your post.
I would like to shoot birds, but I don't know which cameras and lens are better to do that, please recommend one for me, and that's what I want for my list.
Hi Stephan,
Those who consistently capture excellent photos of any wildlife usually have one thing in common, a really good understanding of their chosen subject/s. Though I suppose this could be said of any photographic endeavour.
Knowing what species will be feeding where, at what time of day and year and so on will provide the best framework for capturing great images. For example when the particular animal may be breeding, in this example it may be best to avoid some animals, either for fear of scaring them, or for fear of personal injury (if you go after large mammals etc). Also Patience will play a big part, waiting for even a tame bird to be in a photogenic location takes a lot of patience.
Equipment is important to a degree (I second Steady's post), but I'd strongly recommend seeking out a book on the birds and other wildlife that visit your region.
Know and respect your subject, have patience, and good luck
Those who consistently capture excellent photos of any wildlife usually have one thing in common, a really good understanding of their chosen subject/s. Though I suppose this could be said of any photographic endeavour.
Knowing what species will be feeding where, at what time of day and year and so on will provide the best framework for capturing great images. For example when the particular animal may be breeding, in this example it may be best to avoid some animals, either for fear of scaring them, or for fear of personal injury (if you go after large mammals etc). Also Patience will play a big part, waiting for even a tame bird to be in a photogenic location takes a lot of patience.
Equipment is important to a degree (I second Steady's post), but I'd strongly recommend seeking out a book on the birds and other wildlife that visit your region.
Know and respect your subject, have patience, and good luck
As I see it, there are two choices or "paths" and it helps if you make a decision on which of those paths you want to follow FIRST. This FIRST decision can save you lots of money too.
The TWO Paths:
1. I want to photograph a stationary bird (e.g. sitting on a branch or feeder)
or
2. I want to photograph a Bird in Flight (BIF). (e.g. photographs of the bird actually moving and flying across a scene)
_____________
The gear needed for #1 (STATIONARY) can be basic, minimal, and inexpensive.
The gear needed for #2 (BIF) can be basic, minimal and inexpensive.
However, in either case, some people will spend a LOT more money, because they CAN. Some BIF photographers may spend $20K or much more on their gear.
But, not everyone CAN spend a lot, and so some people learn to get by without spending thousands of dollars and they STILL enjoy the photos they take of birds.
________________
BUT....the people who get involved in BIF photography generally find themselves wanting FASTER, LONGER, BETTER when it comes to camera bodies, lenses, and gear.
So, first determine your desire for which of the above you will find most satisfying, THEN, determine what budget YOU can spend on the gear.
When you have determined those TWO choices, THEN post a thread in either the Canon Forum or the Nikon Forum or...the Wildlife Forum here.
The people in those forums will be able to provide you with MANY suggestions based on their experience.
Just be SURE to tell them the limits of your funds/budget AND clearly indicate your desire for either 1 or 2 above.
Good luck and I hope this helps you and others. ...Show more →
Hi Steady,
thanks for your comprehensive advise.
actually, it is great challenge for me to photograph birds. Because it need a lots of experience. and my experience is "zero".
obviously, as for the limited of my funds and skills, I may consider the first path.
anyhow, just enjoy the fun of photography.
Those who consistently capture excellent photos of any wildlife usually have one thing in common, a really good understanding of their chosen subject/s. Though I suppose this could be said of any photographic endeavour.
Knowing what species will be feeding where, at what time of day and year and so on will provide the best framework for capturing great images. For example when the particular animal may be breeding, in this example it may be best to avoid some animals, either for fear of scaring them, or for fear of personal injury (if you go after large mammals etc). Also Patience will play a big part, waiting for even a tame bird to be in a photogenic location takes a lot of patience.
Equipment is important to a degree (I second Steady's post), but I'd strongly recommend seeking out a book on the birds and other wildlife that visit your region.
Know and respect your subject, have patience, and good luck
Hi
That's a great advise.
I 100% agree that patience is very important for photograghing wildlife.
it just like fishing, sometime I have to wait for a whole day to get only one fish.
And as what you mentioned, in order to capture a good image, I have to understand my gear and the objects very well. So there still a lot for me to learn.
Thank you!
Wish list:
Mac book pro & 24" monitor
P45+ & Mamiya AFDIII
Mamiya 300mm
Mamiya 120mm Macro
Horseman Apo-Sironar Digital 55mm Lens Unit for SW-D
My "when pigs fly" wish list:
A ULF field camera & lenses.
New house with studio/darkroom in separate building.
Permission from wife to build darkroom. (she agreed to the high cost of digital gear based on me not having a darkroom).
Time to use the gear I've got.
Skill to use the gear I've got.
A exo-skeleton to help carry the gear.
SLane wrote:
Wish list:
Mac book pro & 24" monitor
P45+ & Mamiya AFDIII
Mamiya 300mm
Mamiya 120mm Macro
Horseman Apo-Sironar Digital 55mm Lens Unit for SW-D
My "when pigs fly" wish list:
A ULF field camera & lenses.
New house with studio/darkroom in separate building.
Permission from wife to build darkroom. (she agreed to the high cost of digital gear based on me not having a darkroom).
Time to use the gear I've got.
Skill to use the gear I've got.
A exo-skeleton to help carry the gear.
This list really got me.
I chuckled at the "Permission from wife..." line.
The point about "time to use the gear I've got" is a good one too.
My Simple Suggestion: Make more and better portraits of your wife (and kids) and her parents...and she will likely be happier to see you invest more time and money in your hobby.
All very real wish list for gear that would make my life easier for my wedding business but which my business cannot begin to afford (the current gear does the job).
*2X 1Ds mkIII (to replace my dying 5D's, couldn't care less about megapixels, want pro features such as weather proofing, all cross sensor off center focusing and spot metering tied to focus point on a FF camera.) *70-200L f2.8 IS (I rarely need one but when I do...) *4X Elinchrom Quadra 'A' heads and 4 seperate packs (to replace my four dying AB800's). *New top speced i7 Computer system with Windows 7 64 bit running on a Raid 0 pair of Intel SSD drives (to replace an aging 2.2ghz dual core, 8gb RAM system running XP64)
