carstenw wrote:
Nice pop in those, Martin. So, what is the tripod?
Thanks! I think I misfocused the first one a tiny bit, because DOF should be deeper at f/8, but perhaps that made it pop a bit more.
The tripod is a Benro C-298n6 with a KJ-1 head. I had to get something a bit sturdier than my previous Manfrotto 190 to be able to support my Pentax 67, but I also wanted it to be as portable as possible. I seems like a good choice even if I suppose I'll keep a low position with heavy stuff on it.
The only quirk I can find is the rotation lock screw of the head, which moves the ball a tiny bit when tightened. Not ideal for accurate compositions in portrait mode, but not a problem when the camera is horizontal (because then you can use the ball to adjust rotation too).
pingflood wrote:
Martin, those are excellent shots! Not just the lens, but the processing, so take some credit for that part.
Adding another dog picture (they are tolerant models) that I really dig the bokeh/OOF areas on. Really different from the Sigma 50/1.4 I had which made everything out of focus ultra smooth; the Zeiss gives it a bit harsher, more industrial look without looking nervous and ugly like the Canon 50/1.8...
I'm using RPP for my editing, and I'm finding the A25 B&W conversion very useful.
Just careful RGB adjustments need to done.
The rest is Zeiss magic I suppose
Kyle, very nice shot with the Sonnar 1.5/50. I am thinking about getting that lens for a long time. Problem is I would need to buy a camera to screw it on also. Lovely!
Martin, I like those heavy black tones. No.3 is fantastic, great light and it looks as if those trees are moving forward ... dancing.
pingflood, that's a great perspective and the b/w looks very real and natural.
rji2goleez, nice to see you again. That's a great exposure, very realistic but moody at the same time.
Martin & Todd, impressive pictures from the ZF1.4/50.
More than a few great showcase of planar 50 1.4 's strength on this page. Wonderful.
Bernd - Thanks for giving the secret ingredients Another great portraits. Love the uplight from white sheets. Great capture of mood on the second portrait. Really interesting choice of pose against wall and overall composition, adding subtle drama. Beautiful work.
hmzimelka - Beautiful B/W trees. Second one is my favorite. Great composition. BTW, EXIF says they are all shot in f2
pingflood - Majestic portrait of dogs. I like B/W conversion too. This shot would not have worked if it was all smooth and mushy.
Bob - Great lighting on the statue. It feels like they are some sort of monsters coming out from the darkness. Was it shot with flash?
Makten - Masterpieces. Beautiful color, perf composition. Second shot is just amazing. What a color.
Todd - Super details on that night shot. Great shot. I like the composition too.
Alkanphel - Beautiful. My fav is second shot
Carsten - Great color and texture on those prickly ones. Once again, vertical troica really works. I like them all, but I am most drawn to the second one as it feels more unusual and breaks the pattern.
Thanks guys! Actually I overdid the colors a bit since my screen profile was temporarily f*cked up, but it seems to have turned out good anyway.
Carsten, I find #1 good but perhaps a little bit "weak", "2 is great regarding composition but needs some more DOF, but #3 is very good! 3D combined with graphics isn't an easy task.
Hehe, interesting how different we all are. I find #3 the weakest and #2 the strongest.
When I took these, I was there for the first time, and was just grabbing anything and everything interesting. I am certainly going to go back now and do a more focused cactus study, so maybe I can reshoot some with more DoF.
carstenw wrote:
Hehe, interesting how different we all are. I find #3 the weakest and #2 the strongest.
When I took these, I was there for the first time, and was just grabbing anything and everything interesting. I am certainly going to go back now and do a more focused cactus study, so maybe I can reshoot some with more DoF.
Yeah, I'm finding myself doing the same; namely to just compose and shoot things that appeal to me. Usually the results are OK, but some more technical planning and a tripod can make a decent shot to a very good one.
I find them quite okay. I used to hate them, but I have come to really appreciate what it can do for my photography. Without a tripod I often can't get enough depth of field, especially up close or in dark places, even with the D3. I have a Gitzo 3541XLS which is a monster, but very stable when used right. I might add a smaller one too. I might try one of the RRS tripods, I am not sure yet.
I do have a good monopod, so I might try bringing that as a compromise.
Interesting discussion. I myself am not a big fan of tripod, mainly because I get confused with difference between my instinctive composition and whatever happened due to the tripod height, location etc. It seems, for someone like me, I need to decide on the shot handheld first, then recreate the composition with tripod, but that is quite painful. Great tool, but hard to harness. If only I could hold camera absolutely still for 30 seconds, I would not need any tripod
