cadman342001 wrote:
Had a go at some MF BiF at the bird sanctuary in Mysore using the 180ED and XT1. It was lucky that I didn't have a longer lens because the charge for cameras went up to R5000 for anything over 200mm !!!
Pelicans, Painted Storks, Egrets and Indian Cranes and a Spoonbill or two, all getting ready for mating, breeding plumage and colours and busy collecting nesting materials.
asiostygius wrote:
Welcome back master!!
Nice B&W panoramic.
For those here with experience with the legendary cream machine 200mm f/2 ED-IF:
I have a unique chance here in Brazil to get an AI version (not the last one, the f/2N ai-s) for reasonable to "cheap" (Brazilian standarts) USD 1,000.00; condition is not Rafael-like, I woud say between 8+ and 9. I would say I can get even a discount to ~920-950.00.
At ebay, all 3 or 4 I found were above USD 1,800.00.
What do you think?
Money wise buy it!
Better have some beautiful models. In wait. That is what the lens is for. Birds not so much.
asiostygius wrote:
Thanks for the replies.
George: Do you have the huge original UV filter in your lens? Is that necessary? I ask because the lens is without the filter.
I have the 122mm on my 400mm 3.5. Good protection. Not a must.
Ballard wrote:
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
I went to our local pro camera shop yesterday and had the rental equipment guy shoot a few pics with a Z6. He then loaded the files on a memory card for me to take home and play with. I am not financially ready to take the plunge, but I wanted to make sure that I can use the files that the Z6 produces. I generally shoot RAW and convert in LR5 and do any additional processing in Photoshop CS6. Like Curtis, I don’t intend to be skewered by Adobe’s pay-to-play business model, and the products I have (including InDesign CS3) have met my needs in the past.
As an aside I would add that a friend of mine used to run training seminars for various Adobe products. His stories about Adobe from the perspective of an insider have caused me to lose most of the respect I once had for the company.
Anyway, LR5 obviously will not recognize the Z6 since it predates the Z6 by a number of years. I tried using the latests version of DNG converter to convert Z6 NEF files to DNG, which could then be imported into LR5. But, as expected, there are no Nikon camera profiles, only the Adobe Standard profile which is pretty lame. It would be possible to use the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw on the Z6 files and then open in PS, but ACR is missing significant aspects of LR functionality.
I like the workflow I have with my current cameras using LR5 and PS CS6, so that’s what I’ll probably continue to use as long as I have those bodies. But if there’s ever going to be a Z6 in my future, I’ll need to find a workable RAW converter. Does anybody here have experience with ON1 Photo RAW 2019 or Capture One or anything else you might recommend? I think the Nikon software is a joke. ...Show more →
Ken, I use the “Joke” software and find it is fast, intuitive, easy and free. The latest version of Nx, either capture or view, allows me to host RAW files perform simple tweaks, crops and edits and convert them to JPEG most of which gets posted here. I don’t like to do a lot of PP probably because I consider it more artwork than photography. I use an old edition of Elements for creating panos and when needed for spot cleanups. YMMV !
Ballard wrote:
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
I went to our local pro camera shop yesterday and had the rental equipment guy shoot a few pics with a Z6. He then loaded the files on a memory card for me to take home and play with. I am not financially ready to take the plunge, but I wanted to make sure that I can use the files that the Z6 produces. I generally shoot RAW and convert in LR5 and do any additional processing in Photoshop CS6. Like Curtis, I don’t intend to be skewered by Adobe’s pay-to-play business model, and the products I have (including InDesign CS3) have met my needs in the past.
asiostygius wrote:
Welcome back master!!
Nice B&W panoramic.
For those here with experience with the legendary cream machine 200mm f/2 ED-IF:
I have a unique chance here in Brazil to get an AI version (not the last one, the f/2N ai-s) for reasonable to "cheap" (Brazilian standarts) USD 1,000.00; condition is not Rafael-like, I woud say between 8+ and 9. I would say I can get even a discount to ~920-950.00.
At ebay, all 3 or 4 I found were above USD 1,800.00.
What do you think?
Ken Hill wrote:
Ken, I use the “Joke” software and find it is fast, intuitive, easy and free. The latest version of Nx, either capture or view, allows me to host RAW files perform simple tweaks, crops and edits and convert them to JPEG most of which gets posted here. I don’t like to do a lot of PP probably because I consider it more artwork than photography. I use an old edition of Elements for creating panos and when needed for spot cleanups. YMMV !
Ken, I don't mean to disparage your use of the Nikon software. It's just that having worked in both color and B&W darkrooms in the days of film photography, I find the tools in LR and PS intuitive to use (at least after the initial learning curve). The Nikon software products feel clunky in comparison, and I'm always fighting with them to get the results I want.
Also, I don't consider my photography to be artwork, but my darkroom experience has influenced the way I approach images. The camera produces an “objective” recording of a scene. The human visual system does not render an objective recording of anything. There is a vast amount of neurological processing of the “objective” information produced by the retina before that scene reaches our conscious awareness. Frequently darkroom—or post-processing in the digital age—is required to get the rendered scene to approximate what we “saw.” JPEG or TIFF images from the camera already have a lot of processing applied using generic algorithms that work for the majority of scenes. But that generic algorithm may not be what I want from an image. That’s why I prefer to work with RAW files which are the unprocessed information from the sensor.
Also, I sometimes revisit an image and process it quite differently. Ansel Adams, with his background as a classical pianist, refered to the negative as the score and the print as the performance. Any score can be interpreted quite differently in different performances. BTW, I’m not in any way comparing myself to Adams. I’m just a clumsy amateur trying to have some fun with a hobby.
RAW files lend themselves to post-processing in ways that TIFF and especially JPEG images do not. The latter will often show severe banding in gradients when subjected to post-processing.
So, Ken, if your approach works for you, I say “go for it.” I like working with RAW files, and I don’t want to plunk down a big chunk of change and then find that I’m not able to use the RAW files from the Z6.
Just a few thoughts from the other Ken. BTW, I like seeing pics from your road trips. I miss the road trips David and I took together.
Reagan, Are you trying to be the right arm of the Devil's adjutant?
Ballard, just my 2 cents:
I convert Z (raw) files using the manufacturer software from which we can get intact and original data from the camera.
I use the humbe VNX-i to open files, then, if necessary, make little adjustments at Capture NX-D and then convert/save a tiff 16bit file for further work at CS6.
I am happy with this workflow, even with older cameras whhose RAWs can be converted by ACR: I found the VNX-i or CNX-D conversion is at least slighlty better.
Okay, with my raws from the Z7, I convert to DNG in Iridient X-Transformer then open in Lightroom 5. It is an extra step, but it allows me to keep using LR5 on an old mac pro for which I'm unable to update the OS - thanks Apple - and upgrade LR even if I wanted to. Works fine and is an inexpensive solution that allows me to keep my workflow which includes dropping into Photoshop CS6 after LR5.
Don't know about the others or any LR alternatives and don't care to at this point.
Regards,
Joe
Thanks. I was unaware of Iridient X-Transformer. I'll see what info I can find on the web about it.
Would, if I could. Although, I do shoot a bit on a Z7, I haven't been using Nikon lenses. I shoot mainly rangefinder lenses, CV Minolta, and the like. One of the reasons I check out you guys is to see what Nikon lenses might interest me enough to buy. I wish there was a forum for shooting manual lenses only on any system. There isn't is there? I have a couple of Leica lenses and can't even show on the Leica forum 'cause I don't shoot them on Leica cameras. Simply can't seem to fit in, lol.
I quit using LR/PS at the beginning of this year. I’m now using On1 photoraw 2019 and DxO Photolabs 2 (my preferred raw converter). I replaced PS with Afinity Photo. I still need to get used to it but I used LR from the beginning (1.3 or so). DxO is very good at lens correction, noise reduction and has U-point technology. I expect them to integrate NIK-software in the future. There’s no DAM functionality and some basic searching.
Afinity is not as refined as PS, but it’s more than enough for me.
Ballard wrote:
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
I went to our local pro camera shop yesterday and had the rental equipment guy shoot a few pics with a Z6. He then loaded the files on a memory card for me to take home and play with. I am not financially ready to take the plunge, but I wanted to make sure that I can use the files that the Z6 produces. I generally shoot RAW and convert in LR5 and do any additional processing in Photoshop CS6. Like Curtis, I don’t intend to be skewered by Adobe’s pay-to-play business model, and the products I have (including InDesign CS3) have met my needs in the past.
As an aside I would add that a friend of mine used to run training seminars for various Adobe products. His stories about Adobe from the perspective of an insider have caused me to lose most of the respect I once had for the company.
Anyway, LR5 obviously will not recognize the Z6 since it predates the Z6 by a number of years. I tried using the latests version of DNG converter to convert Z6 NEF files to DNG, which could then be imported into LR5. But, as expected, there are no Nikon camera profiles, only the Adobe Standard profile which is pretty lame. It would be possible to use the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw on the Z6 files and then open in PS, but ACR is missing significant aspects of LR functionality.
I like the workflow I have with my current cameras using LR5 and PS CS6, so that’s what I’ll probably continue to use as long as I have those bodies. But if there’s ever going to be a Z6 in my future, I’ll need to find a workable RAW converter. Does anybody here have experience with ON1 Photo RAW 2019 or Capture One or anything else you might recommend? I think the Nikon software is a joke. ...Show more →
Adobe DNG convertor is what I am using. And then load DNGs in LR6 that I have. I would have preferred to load NEF directly into LR6 but Adobe ended support for that just before Z 6 launched.
Anyhoo, the DNG convertor is not too bad except I get worried sometimes when DNG files are roughly 1/2 of the size of NEF sometimes even smaller.
You didn't ask but one trick to make DNG convertor faster is to set "jpeg preview" to low or medium size. I had it set to full size and while converting about 600 files my computer slowed down to a halt and took almost half an hour- which was surprising since it is quite modern with mid to high end specs. Just reducing preview size made the conversion process a breeze if I have to guess I can covert 600 NEFs to DNGs in about 3 minutes now. Strange. I think the program isn't very optimized/well coded.
I tried capture 1 pro but couldn't handle learning curve and left it. IMO If you are used to LR6 NEF to DNG to LR6 flow is worth it.
Ballard wrote:
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
Chris Dees wrote:
Afinity is not as refined as PS, but it’s more than enough for me.
True. I use Affinity on my iPad pro and its very comprehensive but a little buggy. After getting Z 6 though I can't import pictures directly into iPad. With SD card it was so easy and Apple Pencil does help a lot.
Ballard wrote:
Ken, I don't mean to disparage your use of the Nikon software. It's just that having worked in both color and B&W darkrooms in the days of film photography, I find the tools in LR and PS intuitive to use (at least after the initial learning curve). The Nikon software products feel clunky in comparison, and I'm always fighting with them to get the results I want.
Also, I don't consider my photography to be artwork, but my darkroom experience has influenced the way I approach images. The camera produces an “objective” recording of a scene. The human visual system does not render an objective recording of anything. There is a vast amount of neurological processing of the “objective” information produced by the retina before that scene reaches our conscious awareness. Frequently darkroom—or post-processing in the digital age—is required to get the rendered scene to approximate what we “saw.” JPEG or TIFF images from the camera already have a lot of processing applied using generic algorithms that work for the majority of scenes. But that generic algorithm may not be what I want from an image. That’s why I prefer to work with RAW files which are the unprocessed information from the sensor.
Also, I sometimes revisit an image and process it quite differently. Ansel Adams, with his background as a classical pianist, refered to the negative as the score and the print as the performance. Any score can be interpreted quite differently in different performances. BTW, I’m not in any way comparing myself to Adams. I’m just a clumsy amateur trying to have some fun with a hobby.
RAW files lend themselves to post-processing in ways that TIFF and especially JPEG images do not. The latter will often show severe banding in gradients when subjected to post-processing.
So, Ken, if your approach works for you, I say “go for it.” I like working with RAW files, and I don’t want to plunk down a big chunk of change and then find that I’m not able to use the RAW files from the Z6.
Just a few thoughts from the other Ken. BTW, I like seeing pics from your road trips. I miss the road trips David and I took together.
I too do all my editing in raw and rely on the free Nikon software to do this. Quoting from the post below, Jose sums it up for me very well
“Ballard, just my 2 cents:
I convert Z files using the manufacturer software from which we can get intact and original data from the camera.
I use the humbe VNX-i to open files, then, if necessary, make little adjustments at Capture NX-D and then convert/save a tiff 16bit file for further work at CS6.
I am happy with this workflow, even with older cameras whhose RAWs can be converted by ACR: I found the VNX-i or CNX-D conversion is at least slighlty better.”
I admire your analogy to Ansel Adams but thats not what I seek!
We’re on the road again soon. Driving the Vette from Florida to Seattle. Meeting my kids, grandkids and cousins for an Alaskan Cruise where Nikon camera and MF glass is all I’ll have with me. Hope to have some good shots to share!
I too do all my editing in raw and rely on the free Nikon software to do this. Quoting from the post below, Jose sums it up for me very well
“Ballard, just my 2 cents:
I convert Z files using the manufacturer software from which we can get intact and original data from the camera.
I use the humbe VNX-i to open files, then, if necessary, make little adjustments at Capture NX-D and then convert/save a tiff 16bit file for further work at CS6.
I am happy with this workflow, even with older cameras whhose RAWs can be converted by ACR: I found the VNX-i or CNX-D conversion is at least slighlty better.”
I admire your analogy to Ansel Adams but thats not what I seek!
We’re on the road again soon. Driving the Vette from Florida to Seattle. Meeting my kids, grandkids and cousins for an Alaskan Cruise where Nikon camera and MF glass is all I’ll have with me. Hope to have some good shots to share! ...Show more →
Ken,
Alaskan cruise - awesome!
Got room for one more?
I like LR therefore pay for it.....
One day I will try out ON1 again but previous experiences have not been good due to buggy software.
Back in the day when CD players were the in-thing I bought a really expensive Sony CD player. 1 day after the 12 month warranty it failed. Sony refused to accept my claim. For the last 35 years I have never bought a Sony badged product. Go figure Brand loyalty works both ways.
cadman342001 wrote:
Had a go at some MF BiF at the bird sanctuary in Mysore using the 180ED and XT1. It was lucky that I didn't have a longer lens because the charge for cameras went up to R5000 for anything over 200mm !!!
Pelicans, Painted Storks, Egrets and Indian Cranes and a Spoonbill or two, all getting ready for mating, breeding plumage and colours and busy collecting nesting materials.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Ken,
Alaskan cruise - awesome!
Got room for one more?
I like LR therefore pay for it.....
One day I will try out ON1 again but previous experiences have not been good due to buggy software.
Back in the day when CD players were the in-thing I bought a really expensive Sony CD player. 1 day after the 12 month warranty it failed. Sony refused to accept my claim. For the last 35 years I have never bought a Sony product. Go figure Brand loyalty works both ways.
Colin
I agree totally with brand loyalty! BUT... Sony has been good to me so it’s all I buy TV wise. I’ve used Nikon for 40 years. I almost bought Canon but a buddy said they’re OK but if you leave it on you dash it will melt!
My cruise advisor, (Reagan) has filled me in on the tips and tricks. My daughter has my CC# so all I have to do is show up and of course pay.
I’ve used Nikon for 40 years. I almost bought Canon but a buddy said they’re OK but if you leave it on you dash it will melt!
Though Canon has produced some fantastic products over the years, they don't have a good track record maintaining backward compatibility. That one of the benefits of owning Nikon.
