The Official Photography Thread - Vol. 3

[tokes99]

Do any of you ride a motorcycle? I was wondering if you guys had any tips for carrying around a DSLR on one. I was also looking for an affordable tripod that I could take around with me. I normally ride around with a backpack so ideally I'd like to fit them in there.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

i have a cheap compact manfrotto from best buy that fits (fully collapsed of course) pretty easily in most of my backpacks i ride with (pretty much medium to large sized). i also have a benro monopod w/flip out legs (fairly sturdy too) that fits in my backpack if remove the head before packing it into the bag. as some one that uses a motorcycle as my main source of transportation, i learned to always ride with a decent sized backpack with a gang of pockets (you never know when you'll need it!), so i stash my camera & lenses in individual pockets and the tripod in the main compartment...

anyone messing with manual lenses? i've become really fond of shooting with older manual lenses, it is kind of a zen feeling to take a little more control of the camera recently picked these 2 joints for under $100 total, and because they're 35mm lenses on a crop sensor no vignetting and fairly crisp images from the center & the corners:

 

[ddh1122]

^^^ Hahaha nice lol. I imagine it's gotta be a fun, exciting, heartfelt experience photographing the little newborns

 

[leggomuheggroll]

everyones pictures are amazing.. heres one from earlier today.

 

[khankussionz]

 

[benzilla427]

http://www.costco.com/Dolica-Prolin...-with-Ball-Head-Bundle-.product.11746472.html

I'm using that right now.

I'm no expert on tripods, but I think it's solid. Guys over at PotN like it too.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I see that the specs indicate it comes in at 23.25 inches when folded. I was thinking of something a little more portable. If I didn't already have a basic tripod I definitely would've looked into picking up one of those. 

I ride my bicycle around with an InCase camera backpack and a peakDesign clip on one f te straps, google it, best thing EVER!!!

It uses an ARCA plate which is compatible with most tripods, except manfrotto I believe, who's tripod heads SUCK BALLS anyways...lol

Seriously look into PeakDesign and thank me later

That actually sounds mad cool, but I dunno if I'd trust that PeakDesign clip going 60+mph on the highways, no matter how well they're made. Thanks for your input though.

i have a cheap compact manfrotto from best buy that fits (fully collapsed of course) pretty easily in most of my backpacks i ride with (pretty much medium to large sized). i also have a benro monopod w/flip out legs (fairly sturdy too) that fits in my backpack if remove the head before packing it into the bag. as some one that uses a motorcycle as my main source of transportation, i learned to always ride with a decent sized backpack with a gang of pockets (you never know when you'll need it!), so i stash my camera & lenses in individual pockets and the tripod in the main compartment...

This is more along the lines of what I was looking for. Could you link me to the Manfrotto model? Also, how exactly were you packing your DSLR and lenses into your bag? Did you have them in a smaller bag? I already have a motorcycle specific backpack that I use that isn't the biggest, but it has a specific compartment for my extra helmet visor and a hydration pack, so I plan on sticking with it. Thanks.

 

[ksteezy]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I see that the specs indicate it comes in at 23.25 inches when folded. I was thinking of something a little more portable. If I didn't already have a basic tripod I definitely would've looked into picking up one of those. 

That actually sounds mad cool, but I dunno if I'd trust that PeakDesign clip going 60+mph on the highways, no matter how well they're made. Thanks for your input though.

This is more along the lines of what I was looking for. Could you link me to the Manfrotto model? Also, how exactly were you packing your DSLR and lenses into your bag? Did you have them in a smaller bag? I already have a motorcycle specific backpack that I use that isn't the biggest, but it has a specific compartment for my extra helmet visor and a hydration pack, so I plan on sticking with it. Thanks.

you are cutting yourself short by not investing in one of these clips, they are well built, also dont get a manfrotto tripod, those things are overpriced and the heads are basura....i got a MeFoto Globetrotter, they have different ones, i have the most expensive one in carbon because i wanted light travel tripod and that thing is awesome....you can probably get away with a cheaper one.

 

[tokes99]

I ride my bicycle around with an InCase camera backpack and a peakDesign clip on one f te straps, google it, best thing EVER!!!

It uses an ARCA plate which is compatible with most tripods, except manfrotto I believe, who's tripod heads SUCK BALLS anyways...lol

Seriously look into PeakDesign and thank me later

dope, it looks like it would be super convenient & functional, i think i'd be mad conscious that my camera is hanging off my backpack exposed though

Could you link me to the Manfrotto model? Also, how exactly were you packing your DSLR and lenses into your bag? Did you have them in a smaller bag? I already have a motorcycle specific backpack that I use that isn't the biggest, but it has a specific compartment for my extra helmet visor and a hydration pack, so I plan on sticking with it. Thanks.

link to tripod:

being 2 wheel transport the majority of the time, i always rock with backpacks that have a bunch of compartments, for example a few of my bags have (enclosed) compartment on the sides for water bottles that happen to work well for lenses (i should say it isn't like i'm a pro photog that would need a crazy amount of lenses with me, max 3-and one would be one the camera) and i would usually put the camera (which i should also mention is a mirrorless, so not nearly as big a dslr) in the back pouch. everything fits pretty snugly, nothing bouncing around

 

[benzilla427]

you are cutting yourself short by not investing in one of these clips, they are well built, also dont get a manfrotto tripod, those things are overpriced and the heads are basura....i got a MeFoto Globetrotter, they have different ones, i have the most expensive one in carbon because i wanted light travel tripod and that thing is awesome....you can probably get away with a cheaper one.

Hmmm, that video definitely piqued my interest. I guess I was just hesitant about keeping my camera exposed during rides, but you seem to be pretty confident about how well it works. I'll probably pick one up, even if I don't end up using it on the motorcycle.  As for the tripod, carbon fiber is most definitely above my price range, but some of MeFoto's other tripods do catch my eye. Thanks for the advice, never heard of MeFoto before your suggestion. 

dope, it looks like it would be super convenient & functional, i think i'd be mad conscious that my camera is hanging off my backpack exposed though
link to tripod:

being 2 wheel transport the majority of the time, i always rock with backpacks that have a bunch of compartments, for example a few of my bags have (enclosed) compartment on the sides for water bottles that happen to work well for lenses (i should say it isn't like i'm a pro photog that would need a crazy amount of lenses with me, max 3-and one would be one the camera) and i would usually put the camera (which i should also mention is a mirrorless, so not nearly as big a dslr) in the back pouch. everything fits pretty snugly, nothing bouncing around

I'm in the same boat as you; nowhere near pro, more of a hobbyist. A DSLR hanging off my backpack strap does worry me, especially since I'm on a sport bike rather than a cruiser. I wouldn't want it banging into my tank while I'm in the tucked position at higher speeds. Definitely a cool idea for more relaxed rides though. 

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll spend the next couple days figuring out what will work best for my needs. 

 

[Nawzlew]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I see that the specs indicate it comes in at 23.25 inches when folded. I was thinking of something a little more portable. If I didn't already have a basic tripod I definitely would've looked into picking up one of those. 

That actually sounds mad cool, but I dunno if I'd trust that PeakDesign clip going 60+mph on the highways, no matter how well they're made. Thanks for your input though.

This is more along the lines of what I was looking for. Could you link me to the Manfrotto model? Also, how exactly were you packing your DSLR and lenses into your bag? Did you have them in a smaller bag? I already have a motorcycle specific backpack that I use that isn't the biggest, but it has a specific compartment for my extra helmet visor and a hydration pack, so I plan on sticking with it. Thanks.

you are cutting yourself short by not investing in one of these clips, they are well built, also dont get a manfrotto tripod, those things are overpriced and the heads are basura....i got a MeFoto Globetrotter, they have different ones, i have the most expensive one in carbon because i wanted light travel tripod and that thing is awesome....you can probably get away with a cheaper one.

Does anyone know what bag that is in the thumbnail?

 

[219elite]

def appreciate all the info on iso, and exposure time guys. revisited and shot another one. this time shot at iso 100, 10 second shutter and f/11 to compensate. think this came out a tad sharper looks like a better "night" shot. earlier Bean pic was at 3200 iso

 

[khankussionz]

def appreciate all the info on iso, and exposure time guys. revisited and shot another one. this time shot at iso 100, 10 second shutter and f/11 to compensate. think this came out a tad sharper looks like a better "night" shot. earlier Bean pic was at 3200 iso

Try to white balance it. It's so warm. I understand that the lights are like that but it would look alot better.

 

[Fong$tarr]

I shot the Bean at night and it was really hard to compensate with the white balance. By the end of it, I got the photo below. Building lights are still really yellow but it's still toned down a little. I don't know why but i had a lot of noise in my photo too with the sky even though my ISO was at 640.

 

[goste187]

^ what were all your settings?

 

[ksteezy]

Why did you shoot at f11 at night?....

 

[goste187]

def appreciate all the info on iso, and exposure time guys. revisited and shot another one. this time shot at iso 100, 10 second shutter and f/11 to compensate. think this came out a tad sharper looks like a better "night" shot. earlier Bean pic was at 3200 iso
 

Ok a few suggestions (and this is under the assumption you attempted to handhold that shot):

- You're going backwards with the ISO..if you're handholding  you need to pump that ISO up to compensate..forget about the noise..get a sharp as possible picture

- Pumping the ISO up will reduce that 10 sec shutter you have going on = sharper picture

- If you're going to shoot at f/11 @ night, you almost positively have to be on a tripod. No one can handhold a 10 sec exposure and return w/ a sharp picture.

If you had pushed that T3i to  3200 ISO and used a lower f-stop you that could have been a relatively hand-holdable shot (not going to do all the math) and would have been much sharper.

 

[ksteezy]

Forget the ISO lol...he could have shot at f4 and probably 1/60th shutter with a steady hand while keeping the ISO low and gotten probably the same results if not better

The thing with ISO when shooting stuff like this, bridges, landmarks, buildings and at night, if you push your ISO and your camera is not fit to handle it all that well, he will lose ALOT of details on the buildings...if you are going to be doing this type of photography, better invest on a tripod, is the only way IMO...

 

[goste187]

at a 10 sec shutter..he's still at least 6-7 stops from legit handholding with his kit lens. Push the ISO up and the f stops down optimally. But the notion of reducing the ISO to the minimum, handholding, at night, is absolutely the wrong direction.

 

[ksteezy]

at a 10 sec shutter..he's still at least 6-7 stops from legit handholding with his kit lens. Push the ISO up and the f stops down optimally. But the notion of reducing the ISO to the minimum, handholding, at night, is absolutely the wrong direction.

Oh no, for sure...at handheld is definately shoot higher ISO than 100 with my MKIII I'll max out at 3200 with a rebel I wouldn't go passed 1000, not for these landscape night shots...too many details will be lost at the end.

 

[goste187]

Oh no, for sure...at handheld is definately shoot higher ISO than 100

with my MKIII I'll max out at 3200 with a rebel I wouldn't go passed 1000, not for these landscape night shots...too many details will be lost at the end.

Agreed. Hand holding with the propoer settings will be ok I think in his case. But if you truly want to bring it out, a tripod is absolutely necessary, like you mentioned before.

 

[ksteezy]

Yeah man, I ised to think tripods were not nessesary till I invested in a travel one, thing is compact and light, easy as hell to assemble, now I carry it everywhere with me and barely noticed is strapped to my camera bag.

Btw here is the peak design clip I recommended a few pages back, attached to my incase camera bag.

 

[goste187]

Semi scary; we have the same camera bag 

 

[ksteezy]

I loooooooooveeeer this bag!!!!!!....I got like 3 camera bags, got a fancy leather one from HoldFast and two ThinkTanks, one is a roller/backpack, it's pretty big and the other one is over the shoulder hipster joint, but this incase is

 

[goste187]

It is quite nice. I only have this one and a smaller one for when I'm just packing one other lens with me. I get a ton of compliments w/ the incase bag tho 

 

[ksteezy]

Nicely stores my MBP and GQ mag

 

[2morrowbegins2day]

Testing out some strobe work on my roof. Anyone else mess with strobes?