I have an Epson 2880 and just printed the show I am having in march with it. PRints look fantastic. Just finished printing, mounting, matting, over matting and framing the show. Approx 18 X 12 prints on 20 X 24 white 4 ply archival museum board in 20 X 24 flat black metal frames. I could never trust the process to anyone else.
Werner, is this your first post of an HDR image here? I can't seem to recall seeing one before, anyway the result is really good and it doesn't look HDR to me. I've never been good at HDR myself so am curios if you find it easier in some way to work with b&w images for this and what software you're using for it.
Though you didn't ask me, I'll weigh in on the HDR question... A good execution of HDR, IMO, such as Werner's example, is one where it isn't obvious, unless one was to see the original scene and realize the dynamic range was well beyond that of the sensor's single shot ability. Maybe the MM could have pulled this one off in a single shot, but then it might have meant extreme pushing of shadow values that would just result in a lot more noise. The common problem with HDRs, it seems, is they're done for scenes that don't really benefit from the process, or the tone mapping is done specifically to achieve a somewhat surreal effect.
There were so many people wandering around NYC with these 'selfie sticks'
Joakim - I have done a fair number of HDR's with the M240 but it is not quite as easy as on a DSLR and other cameras. The main reason is that most HDR software rely on the aperture values to combine and process the HDR image. As the M series only provides wonky approximations of the aperture, it can cause issues. The workaround (I have found) is to export full size TIFF files and ensure that EXIF is stripped. Then upon import to the HDR software, one can manually specify the aperture value difference between frames and combine as usual. And I agree with Ron - Werners' image is an exellent example of HDR (for my taste anyway).
jojomon11 wrote:
Very nice recent images above again! Love this thread for all the deferent styles of shooters here
Edwards those zeiss images have awesome colors and pop! Can't wait for the Zeiss 35 1.4 to be released
Phil
Thank you Phil! Awesome sky in your shot!
The new distagon seems to be awesome judging from Lloyd Chambers tests and comparisons. However, I am still hesitant whether to get it or not. I find the biogon size and weight to be perfect for the Leica M and I am also concerned about VF blockage. I will try one on my camera before I decide.
There are some HDR BW'S posted before, the last one was on top of page 1110, i forgot to mention it there.
Yes, i think it is easier and better to work in BW with HDR's. The result will in most situations look more "natural" than in color (thats not to say you can not achieve this in color, i tried a lot and hopefully succeeded sometimes).
With the MM, when the highlights are off they are gone, nothing to recover in PP and pushing the blacks to far (when underexposing) gets you grain. That's where HDR can help if you are on a tripod. I don't really like having the MM on tripod with the 21 e.g.. it is difficult to frame exactly the external OVF.
As software i am exporting out of LR to NIK HDR Effex 2 or to Fotomatic.
Any other questions are very welcome.
Cheers
Werner
I recently came back from a trip in Nepal. Had a really nice time there and met some amazing people during my trek, can't wait to go back some day. Here are some pics to share:
Oh wow, I am jealous... Nepal is very high on my bucket list. I've always wanted to visit Kathmandu and make the trek to the foot of Everest. I don't think I would ever wnat to do a climb, but I'd like to at least see the Khumbu icefall in person.
Would you mind sharing your body/lens combos for the photos you posted?
Thanks for the kind words guys ! My setup was an M and M8 with a 21SEM, 35 lux and 90 cron. Most of the images are taken with the M8/21 combo. I'm a 35mm guy but there was so much traffic in the cities I couldn't get the right distance with a 35 so I used 28 most of the time. Fast Shadow, I think I'm leaning towards EBC for my next visit in Nepal. I'd also love to cross the Khumbu Icefall but you will probably need to bribe the ACAP and have the right guide to negotiate with the check post to get you through. You'll also need decent equipment and ropes if you're planning to go to camp 1. If you're interested in hiring a guide let me know and I can give you a recommendation for a really good guy. Hope you go some day it would be an amazing experience . Here's a few more pics to share
A good execution of HDR, IMO, such as Werner's example, is one where it isn't obvious, unless one was to see the original scene and realize the dynamic range was well beyond that of the sensor's single shot ability. Maybe the MM could have pulled this one off in a single shot, but then it might have meant extreme pushing of shadow values that would just result in a lot more noise. The common problem with HDRs, it seems, is they're done for scenes that don't really benefit from the process, or the tone mapping is done specifically to achieve a somewhat surreal effect.
Nice job!
