Camera

[Shonver]

Nice! What is the location?

What lense are you using?

[oradba69]

Did you use a tripod?
Yes, thing is camera bodies you will always upgrade (every 3-5 years) but good glass will last a very long time.

[...]

Hi Shonver

I was in Potchefstroom.
Lovely town.
The lens I am using is a Sigma 18-200 mm. F3.5-6.3 with optical stabiliser (the last figure being the unimpressive one)

Ordaba

I used a tripod for the night shots as I kept the shutter open for exposure, it was pretty dark there.

[oradba69]

I used a tripod for the night shots as I kept the shutter open for exposure, it was pretty dark there.

Ok reason I asked is because your night shots are soft. Few things that can cause it like wind, not using your timer to trigger (or remote) not using mirror lockup or it is just not a very good tripod and head, illustrating exactly why a good solid tripod is so crucial for steady photos.

[Viagara]

not using your timer to trigger (or remote)

Our camera is not even close to anything you guys are talking about, but I have had the issue trying to take pics at night using a tripod, but pressing the trigger manually

[oradba69]

Our camera is not even close to anything you guys are talking about, but I have had the issue trying to take pics at night using a tripod, but pressing the trigger manually

Eish even point and shoots these days have timers.

[chipwelder]

Abe, if you have a mik&druk, and you don't go manual, the camera will still optimize iso and shutterspeed for handheld... so if you get the fuzzy/blotchy smeary images, that is usually it, if you just get shaken, not st!rred... photo's it is probably from not using the delay timer.

[...]

Ok reason I asked is because your night shots are soft. Few things that can cause it like wind, not using your timer to trigger (or remote) not using mirror lockup or it is just not a very good tripod and head, illustrating exactly why a good solid tripod is so crucial for steady photos.

I didn't do any of the above, I hit the switch manually (it's in that pressing of the button where the first shake was, every time), I am really trying to see what I can squeeze out of this lens at it's worst or best, I also only thought of using the timer the next day  
I want to get a remote, ultimately a better lens, I am looking at the Canon 70-300 mm. IS.
It was also quite windy (Friday evening), it's a pretty solid tripod, can't remember the name, it was around R 800 if I recall.
My logic is when I can get a desired picture with adding as little as possible, then I will reward myself with something else, so my next step, a better lens and a remote switch  
Oops, and a good course.

[Viagara]

Abe, if you have a mik&druk, and you don't go manual, the camera will still optimize iso and shutterspeed for handheld... so if you get the fuzzy/blotchy smeary images, that is usually it, if you just get shaken, not st!rred... photo's it is probably from not using the delay timer.

Yebo, a mik&druk with super zoom When I am big, I will get into the models where "Manual" mode means go fetch the manual

[chipwelder]

If you are lucky, it's a baby manfrotto (728?), SLIK or Vanguard something similar... on a dslr it is only good for short lenses... sorry I know...
Course is a good idea... and the best course ever RTFM, so you know the jargon before you do the course...

ways to use a cheap tripod are:
Use as little height as possible... i.e. don't extend legs all the way
Delay timer, 2second mirror up...
Hang a bag of sand on it...

Starting to sound like audio... Manfrotto 055 is about the cheapest you can hang a 300mm lens off - not fully extended. Vangaurd tracker is a cheaper alternative, but save the schlepp of carrying it around and buy the 055...

From what I see you photograph... get a nice wide-ish angle prime. hell you'll probably get two for the price of the 75-300 IS, which is not bad, but not really a high quality lens either... 18-250mm is a JVC AVR, 75-300 is a Yamaha AVR, short primes from canon are either a EAR 5 watt SET/ 25W single class A...  from Zeiss/Leica it'll be more like audionote / Firstwatt... Truthfully, you look like you want to take interesting photos, you'll get better results from short (in this case) primes

[Shonver]

Quick quiz, guys: what is your choice for a walk-about lense? That one lense you will find most usefull if you leave the rest at home.

[chipwelder]

Prime 55mm., would like a 35mm too...

[...]

If you are lucky, it's a baby manfrotto (728?), SLIK or Vanguard something similar... on a dslr it is only good for short lenses... sorry I know...
Course is a good idea... and the best course ever RTFM, so you know the jargon before you do the course...

ways to use a cheap tripod are:
Use as little height as possible... i.e. don't extend legs all the way
Delay timer, 2second mirror up...
Hang a bag of sand on it...

Starting to sound like audio... Manfrotto 055 is about the cheapest you can hang a 300mm lens off - not fully extended. Vangaurd tracker is a cheaper alternative, but save the schlepp of carrying it around and buy the 055...

From what I see you photograph... get a nice wide-ish angle prime. hell you'll probably get two for the price of the 75-300 IS, which is not bad, but not really a high quality lens either... 18-250mm is a JVC AVR, 75-300 is a Yamaha AVR, short primes from canon are either a EAR 5 watt SET/ 25W single class A...  from Zeiss/Leica it'll be more like audionote / Firstwatt... Truthfully, you look like you want to take interesting photos, you'll get better results from short (in this case) primes

Hahahahaha, I love the audio analogy's.
What wide-ish angle do you advise, I want crisp pictures, I like landscapes and as you noticed interesting thing, but I also want a bit of zoom function so it's a tough decision.

[oradba69]

I just love my 10-20mm sigma. Most of the photos taken in this thread was taken with it (http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=65873) for wildlife I love my 70-200 f2.8 sigma. I use it as is early morning when light is low. I then add a 1.4 converter as the light gets better.
Would love white lenses but the price is just out of my reach at this stage. For wildlife I am very much drawn towards the Sigma 120-300 f2.8.

[Rodney_gold]

17-85 Is is a great walkabout . 17-40L is not too shabby and a 24-105L is ideal if you dont need very wide angle.
Price wise the 17-85 is affordable