Pandora's Box

swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
edited December 9, 2007 in Cameras
When I got really serious into photography years ago, I asked my uncle (a professional photographer) for some guidance on good gear. He gave me some suggestions and I told him that I was convinced that would be all the gear I needed. My wise uncle sat me down and said "Jonathan, you need to realize that you have opened pandoras box. You will never have everything you need. There will always be something else you 'need'." I of course didn't believe him.... MAN WAS HE RIGHT!
It's like an addiction. I think we should start something called "Cameras Anonymous":rofl
Jonathan
http://www.jonathanswinton.com
http://www.swintoncounseling.com

Comments

  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2007
    So true... So true... Also, don't ever get caught into MF prime lenses. With many of them so much cheaper than AF lenses, and the quality so much better (IMPO) when it comes to landscapes, it can be an endless pit and all of the sudden you have 20-30 lenses!!! ...but only 2 eyes! :cry

    Then you think OK, which lens will I need today and haul 20lbs of glass to cover most situations you may encounter. <sigh> But on a positive note, it does keep you in shape!!! <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

    So many lenses, so little time... <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/eek7.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >
    Sux to git old...
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2007
    Yeah but. . .
    The older I get the crappier my eyes get, so it don't matter so much how sharp a lens is or isn't. I can't see the diff. We photogs are the only ones who look that close anyway.mwink.gif
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • CuongCuong Registered Users Posts: 1,508 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2007
    "Camera Anonymous". I second that. Now we understand why women love to shop.

    Cuong
    "She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
  • TommyboyTommyboy Registered Users Posts: 590 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2007
    Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .
    "Press the shutter when you are sure of success." —Kim Jong-il

    NEW Smugmug Site
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    Tommyboy wrote:
    Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .

    I laughed out loud when I read that. Thanks.
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    You got GAS.
    Gear Aquisition Syndrom.
    Don't it stink?
    :)
    My Gallery
  • Glenn NKGlenn NK Registered Users Posts: 268 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    Seymore wrote:
    So true... So true... Also, don't ever get caught into MF prime lenses. With many of them so much cheaper than AF lenses, and the quality so much better (IMPO) when it comes to landscapes, it can be an endless pit and all of the sudden you have 20-30 lenses!!! ...but only 2 eyes! :cry

    Then you think OK, which lens will I need today and haul 20lbs of glass to cover most situations you may encounter. <sigh> But on a positive note, it does keep you in shape!!! <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

    So many lenses, so little time... <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/eek7.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >
    Sux to git old...

    Small question - where do you find MF primes?

    I'm using a 100 mm f/2.8 macro, but AF lenses require very little turning of the focus ring to change focus, whereas manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking.
    "There is nothing that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man’s lawful prey". John Ruskin 1819 - 1900
  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    Glenn NK wrote:
    Small question - where do you find MF primes?
    eBay, Craigslist and a few sites I frequent. I'll drop you a PM...
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    << manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking. >>

    Most of the stacked (macro) images that I've seen have been done by altering the distance between camera/ lens setup and subject - leaving lens focus / mag on the same setting - therefore altering the focus plane...

    Some of the gear that one truly superb 'stacker' uses is described here -

    http://www.photomacrography2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2825

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
  • JovesJoves Registered Users Posts: 200 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2007
    Yes it is a Pandoras Box. I have sold children for glass. Wait I dont have any to sell. :D Yeah it is a vicious circle.
    I shoot therefore Iam.
    http://joves.smugmug.com/
  • Glenn NKGlenn NK Registered Users Posts: 268 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2007
    puzzledpaul wrote:
    << manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking. >>

    Most of the stacked (macro) images that I've seen have been done by altering the distance between camera/ lens setup and subject - leaving lens focus / mag on the same setting - therefore altering the focus plane...

    Some of the gear that one truly superb 'stacker' uses is described here -

    http://www.photomacrography2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2825

    pp

    Ah yes, I see what you mean, and that works well for a "round" object like a bug's body.

    However in many cases, moving the camera in/out will change the lateral relationship between objects that are not on the optical axis. A petal or leaf that is off-axis may be partially hiding one behind it; moving in/out will reveal more (or less) of the leaf behind it. Quite simply, moving the camera changes the three dimensions geometry.

    Mind you, changing focus results in the same problem. I tried multi-focusing a spiked plant with a total DOF of about three inches - it was a disaster.

    It seems that the longer the focal length, the less the problem will be; at infinity there is no problem. Does anyone know of a 1,000 mm macro?<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

    Still, using the lens focus method would be easier with a MF lens that requires more turning to change the focus. Right now with the 100 mm lens, the amount of turning from focus point to focus point is miniscule and hence difficult.
    "There is nothing that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man’s lawful prey". John Ruskin 1819 - 1900
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2007
    Tee Why wrote:
    You got GAS.
    Gear Aquisition Syndrom.
    Don't it stink?
    :)

    rolleyes1.gif
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • nightspidynightspidy Registered Users Posts: 177 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2007
    Lmao
    Tommyboy wrote:
    Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .

    Ahhh, that's great. You just made me laugh so hard :lol4
    Canon 30D & REB XT (thinking of converting to infrared), Sigma 10-20mm, Tammy 17-50mm 2.8, Canon 24-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 IS, Tokina 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 1.4 ext, and Sigma 4.5 fish eye along with a Bogen by Gitzo Tripod, Manfrotto Ball Head, MacBook PRO, several HOYA filters and a 2GB & 8GB San Disk, 160GB Sanho storage device (really cool btw)......wishing for a Canon 100-400mm. :wink
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