Photography

[CurtPutnam]

Since travel and photography are inextricably linked, I'd like to ask of you all about how & if & with what gear you pursue image capture while traveling.

For example I enjoy landscape photography but I'm generally too lazy to deploy my tripod and ball head. I up the shutter speed to compensate for my essential tremors. I've been using a Canon 40D and clearly need more pixels - especially for the crops wildlife shots seem to make inevitable. I have a 28 - 135 lens, a 70 - 300, and a nifty 50. The 28-135 gets about 98% of the total use.

I recently bought a Canon Powershot 190 IS P'n'S. Bad move. It's a competent little camera for the pocket but I cannot see the screen in sunlight or without my glasses or with sunglasses on. The second problem is that it is a cell phone type shooter - held away from the body rather than braced against as would be the case with a viewfinder. Grumble.

Beginning to contemplate upgrades to my tripod (it's heavy), DSLR body, and sling bag. Of course, I always dream about some new lenses. Recent constraints to my mobility will force some of the changes.

Post processing is done with Lightroom/Photoshop as well as Topaz Studio and DxO. Have enough RAM to keep them all happy (24 GB.)

So what do all you photographers do?

[Teetime]

The last 35mm I had was an OM10 when my kids were growing up, but just use the simple cameras and cell phones today.

I miss being able to control the depth of field and capture that perfect shot, but things have gotten too easy.

Sure glad to still see serious photographers though.

[clarkbre]

My three tools of the trade are:

Convenience: Cell phone... Samsung J7
Durability: Ricoh WG 4... Waterproof, Coldproof, Crushproof & Shockproof ... It's for my "It might get wet but I still want awesome pictures" camera
Quality: Nikon D5000 ... 35mm f/1.8 prime lens takes 95% of the pics ... 18-55 & 55-200mm lenses take the other 5%

I hate to say that for me the convenience usually wins out and I take shots with a crappy cell phone. But, I am making a priority to carry either of the other 2. Both can shoot down to f1.8 and have more functions than I know how to work. But, I've been carrying one or the other at places we visit and have been getting some good shots.

[boondocking]

I use a Canon 5D MKII and the lenses I travel with are the Canon 17-40mm, Canon 28-70mm, Canon 70-200mm and a Tamron 150-600mm. The 28-70 gets the most usage and the 17-40 comes in second.

I also use Lightroom and Photoshop, mostly Photoshop.

[ProCharger]

I know nothing on the subject but I do know my wife uses a Canon 5d mark III. She has 5 lenses in total but I am pretty sure the "short" one gets the most use. She does a lot of weekend photo shoots and edits using lightroom as well. If she had to do it all over again she would probably get a Canon 5d mark IV with wifi.

[chaps2018]

Nikon d90, 18-200mm lens

[TwoMile]

When I'm serious about getting quality shots that I might want to hang on the wall I pack my DLSR. It's a pain and it's heavy if I'm hiking but the photo's are worth it. I started out with a 40D, and similar lenses, like the 28-135, 18-55, and 55-200, all of which I still have. I found getting the best glass you can afford is a pretty big deal, at least to me. There is a huge difference in the quality of the photo's.

My current setup is an older Canon 50D, 50mm(f1.8) , 17-40L (f4), 70-200L(f4), and a fairly light tri-pod. All of the lenses I bought used or from the Canon refurb store which saved me some big bucks. Would love some f2.8 lenses but just can't justify the cost.

I use lightroom for post processing.

[AudiDudi]

Nikon A900. Equivalent of about a 16x zoom or about 840mm in 35mm language. Good enough zoom to get a photo of 3 of Jupiter's moons.

[Chief T]

I've always loved photography. Started with a Minolta Maxxum 5000, then a 7000. Upgraded to a Sony DSLR a few years back. Got a 18-55 lens, 35-70, 70-210 and a 500. Kinda been out of it since our last family vacation in 2010, but wife recently took it with her to the Wild Wolf Sanctuary and got some great pix. Guess I've been spoiled with the ease of my smart phone. That's gotta change.

Safe and happy travels.

[timfromma]

I dabble in astrophotography. I lug around a decent size telescope and wait for a clear night. Here is a photo of my scope plus a sampling of some of my photos.

[boondocking]

Very Nice Tim !

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by timfromma

I dabble in astrophotography. I lug around a decent size telescope and wait for a clear night. Here is a photo of my scope plus a sampling of some of my photos.

<snip photos>

Awesome pictures!!

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

Awesome pictures!!

X2

[timfromma]

Thanks for the kind words.

[CurtPutnam]

Tim, is that a Celestron scope? Camera mates with a T mount? 30 some years ago I saw Saturn thru the big scope at Griffith's Observatory - was about the same apparent size but no color visible.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Tim, is that a Celestron scope? Camera mates with a T mount? 30 some years ago I saw Saturn thru the big scope at Griffith's Observatory - was about the same apparent size but no color visible.

Yessir.

The camera is far more sensitive than the human eye to color and detail which is why there is a higher levels of both than if you just peered through the eyepiece.

[TwoMile]

Wow Tim! Nice shots. That is a little more than a dabble! lol

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Thanks for the kind words.

Tim - is there any chance you were in an RV Park near Caldwell, ID just before the eclipse last year? I saw a very similiar setup.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

Tim - is there any chance you were in an RV Park near Caldwell, ID just before the eclipse last year? I saw a very similiar setup.

Nope.

I watched and photographed the eclipse from Kentucky Dam State Park in Calvert City, KY.

[CedarCreekWoody]

There are some great digital SLR out there and I would love to have one. But remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. They do you no good if awkward to carry or use. Hence the popularity of the cell phone cameras. The key element to great shots is the person taking the shots. Study your subject, frame the shot, and use the cameras capabilities.