Here is a shot which I don't necessarily find beautiful, although I guess it isn't ugly either. I am just not a flower photo guy. The reason for the post is the funny edge effects the 100MP has given the image. I recall Richard brainiac talking about this in the old days, in the 3D thread. He felt that this helped give the image a 3D look. I am not sure if I agree, but thought I would post the shot since it is so obviously present here, both bright and dark edges where you don't expect them:
carstenw wrote:
Very nice, HM, and welcome! I prefer the first shot. The texture is unbelievable. I thought it was a leather sofa first! How do you scan?
carstenw and fracas - really appreciate input on MF.
carstenw - thanks for elaborating. And yes, the increased MP of 5DMkII is both a blessing and also a drawback in this circumstance. Tripod is not my way unfortuantly, as of now at least. I realize that the incresased pixelcount (or put more accurately: increased pixel-density) is a challenge for the AF, and with any highspeed-lens such as the native EF50/1.4 (which is a sharp one) the DOF at e.g. small distances is so small that I continue to be amazed how well AF performs. In that case the wide-open DOF is down to a few mm's. And another thing, for web-resolutions such as 1280 on the wide side, images even with shallow DOF that has a slight OOF can quite easily be saved and still look dead-sharp. Maybe it's in vain to believe that MF can do as well or better than AF, I dont know (?).
fracas - thank you too. Yes, that may very well be the way to go, borrow or rent a lense and try it with different MF solutions. I am aware of the Ee-s screen, what I dont like is that i makes the viewfinder dark for normal-speed lenses which I am likely to continue to use.
So, what about split-image screens? With a 85/1.4 at 2 m the DOF (with normal definitions) are some 4cm on a FF/35mm. That distance would be good for a face portrait. Anyone tried a split-image and found it better than any of the other methods of MF?
Hope you dont mind me bringing this discussion into this thread, reason being simply that I believe the the most hardcore MF-focusing folks attend this thread and I'm sure that other people are also interested :-)
wfrank - I tried the Brightscreen split-image screen . MF is very easy, but spot metering is gone (the only one I use, don't have tested what happens to other metering modes) and the viewfinder becomes darker. KatzEye does not produce a split image screen for 5dmkII, there are other minor producer (mainly in China), but I didn't test their screens.
fracas wrote:
Bob - I like very much your HDR shots ... only a question: I see some grain... is it an effect you decide to add to the photos or a drawback of Nik?
Thanks and sorry for my late response on this. The grain in #2 and #3 was intentionally added. In the first, I shot at high ISO and I decided to just leave it.
I've been in Miami this week on business and while I have been unable to do much shooting, I was able to grab this shot from my hotel room using the 35/2. My 'tripod' for this 15 second exposure consisted of a table topped with a trash can topped with a small flat tray. My card reader case sat under the lens to prop the camera to the right vertical angle and I used a two second timer on the camera. Where there's a will, there's a way.
hmzimelka - welcome to this forum. I love your B&W shots!
bob - thanks for your answer. did your try also other Nik products (Silver Efex or Viveza, in particular)? I am interested in trying them (as soon as I have time) and would like to have your opinion ...
congrats for your miami shot! I have recently bought the 35ZE, after having looked at photos on this forum and expecially at your night shots ... I am very satisfied of my first tests with this lens and will post some shot in the next few days
fracas wrote:
bob - thanks for your answer. did your try also other Nik products (Silver Efex or Viveza, in particular)? I am interested in trying them (as soon as I have time) and would like to have your opinion ...
congrats for your miami shot! I have recently bought the 35ZE, after having looked at photos on this forum and expecially at your night shots ... I am very satisfied of my first tests with this lens and will post some shot in the next few days
francesco
Thanks! I really like the 35/2 and find it on my camera as my walk around choice. You will love it.
I have the entire suite of NIK products. I'm just now learning to use their HDR Efex pro. While typically not a fan of the over the top HDR images, I do like the effect on occasion. My favorite is Silver Efex Pro and version 2 was just released. I also use Viveza and Color Efex but not as everyday tools . . . but I like them as well. I really don't use Dfine or their sharpener much since Lightroom 3 came out as it does such a good job of sharpening and noise reduction when needed.
rji2goleez wrote:
I have the entire suite of NIK products. I'm just now learning to use their HDR Efex pro. While typically not a fan of the over the top HDR images, I do like the effect on occasion. My favorite is Silver Efex Pro and version 2 was just released. I also use Viveza and Color Efex but not as everyday tools . . . but I like them as well. I really don't use Dfine or their sharpener much since Lightroom 3 came out as it does such a good job of sharpening and noise reduction when needed.
Thanks. Do you have the Nik Lightroom edition or are you using Nik as a photoshop plugin?
Great photos everyone, and thanks for your comments.
Bob - Enjoy seeing your experiment with HDR. I like the 2nd one. On the contrary to the grainy HDR, the Miami shot is pristine clean. I enjoy the contrast. Great shot.
Martynas - Once again, beautiful works. Your photos are so satisfying to view them in a volume. Immersing to a body of work is very nice. Great shots, great pp. Bravo.
Lotusm50 - I really enjoy the shot with 100 MP. Great detail and texture.
fracas - Lovely shots with 85 planar. Very lovely OOF rendition. I enjoy them all, but 1st and last really stood out for me.
Hugo - Beautiful color and bokeh. Great macro shots.
carsten - Surprised by the subject, but they are very pretty. Nice shots. Very well composed.
alkanphel - Texture of water is very beauitfully captured.
rsolti13 - Beautiful shots with ZM18. First and second are my favs.
Almzss - very sweet. Sign of spring, very nice.
hmzimlka - your B/W shots are just beautiful. The cloud on the first of the B/W series is quite amazing. Great composition.
akul wrote:
Bob - Enjoy seeing your experiment with HDR. I like the 2nd one. On the contrary to the grainy HDR, the Miami shot is pristine clean. I enjoy the contrast. Great shot.
Thanks akul. Like you, I prefer the clean realistic use of HDR but it is fun to play. I like the fact that I can di this with a single image as well.
I see you like to shoot BW in camera versus PP. Any reason?
