AM I BECOMING A 'TWITCHER'?

Post by **Grandad** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:11 pm

Fingers crossed for some good light tomorrow Horus. I have been playing around with the new optic this evening and it is looking rather impressive. TV was boring but I was focussing on the screen and checking quality at different ISO's. I noticed something strange?????

Can I call upon your knowledge of physics for an opinion on this? We know that an image in a mirror is as far behind the mirror surface as the object is in front. Well, does that still apply to TV LCD screens. I was finding that if I focussed on a face that was almost filling the screen and then the TV camera panned back, my image went out of focus. I would need to re-focus but the camera shots tended to change too quickly for my manual focus.

Sorry this is boring to anyone else but do you think the mirror rule DOES apply equally to TV screens???

Post by **Horus** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:31 pm

That's an interesting question Grandad

if ever I take a picture of the TV I usually have the auto focus on so I have never noticed the problem you describe. However, I would assume that if you were using manual focus then the TV and everything else would remain in focus once it was set, but that anything that changed within the screen would be unaffected as it is all at the same distance. Maybe it is more to do with the level of light being detected, or is it actually just out of focus in that small area of the screen when the picture changes? Food for thought, Mmm, now I shall be thinking about this for ever!

Post by **Grandad** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:01 pm

I am afraid that I have drifted this thread way off topic but just to close off the lens thing here is an update.

We went to the National Trust visitor centre at Dover this morning, a regular morning coffee run, hoping that visibility would be good. Unfortunately with a clear sky and sunshine it was quite hazy so the French coast was almost invisible.

I did take a few pics with the new mirror lens and, for the cost, I am not disappointed.

This is a ferry about 20 minutes after leaving Dover so about 6 or 7 miles distant. This is the whole frame.

In this one a ferry is approaching the dock and the other has just left. They are about 2 miles distant and appear closer to each other than they were which is caused by the telephoto compression. This is also whole frame.

I am still waiting for the day that Calais clock tower is clear and I can get a good shot and maybe tell the time....

As I have mentioned, this lens has no sensing with the camera body so all settings must be manual. Using a light meter I don't find that any problem. The most difficult thing is manual focussing. This is VERY sensitive with a shallow DOF. I used a monopod but still sat at a picnic table so I could rest my left elbow otherwise I could not hold it steady to focus. I used 1/1000 or 1/2000 sec exposure to help compensate for any camera shake.

Accepting all the downsides I am happy with my 'cheapy' alternative to a very expensive lens and I know I shall have some fun with it in the future.

Post by **Horus** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:09 pm

Then that's all that matters Grandad, if your happy with it, that's all that counts

I often reckon it adds a bit of enjoyment in having to overcome the inherant problems with using the less expensive bits of kit, sometimes we rely too much on technology and forget that there is another way to do things.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:18 pm

My 'new found' nature reserve is fast becoming a favourite place to visit

I went there this morning, it was quite cold and there had been a frost but it was sunny and bright and a really nice morning. There is a distinct lack of birds because the resident migrants and also those visitors on their way south have all left now. Just the usual moorhens, coots, ducks and cranes.

There is another that stays here all year, the Bittern, which is increasing in numbers in this reserve....its numbers were becoming threatened. They are very difficult to see because they live in the reedbeds but I counted myself lucky to catch this one in flight.....a bit of camera shake but it is distinctive by the way it pulls its head right back and trails its legs....typical of all herons.

There is a very good boardwalk through some of the reedbeds and this is a small bridge over some still water along the boardwalk.

Getting desperate for something to snap I resorted to withering vegitation and this is one I liked most of a dead thistle head.

And the bullrushes with their 'cotton' heads.........

Post by **Horus** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:42 pm

Nice pictures Grandad, I see you and that new lens are getting out and about.

When I first saw the Bittern picture I thought to myself "Grandad is cracking up, that's a young Swan" then I looked closely and saw the wing shape was wrong

it was then that I realised I was looking at the picture back to front.

what I thought was its neck was the trailing legs.

Oh dear, time for some new glasses.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:16 pm

Glasses of what Horus, a nice Shiraz I suggest

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:20 pm

Terrific photos Grandad and I do "LIKE" that new lens. I got another advert last night from an online camera store and was browsing through all the big lens and $9,000.00 is nothing for a big Nikon lens

AND if I ever win the lottery am sure I'll buy mega gadgets I'll never figure out how to use (cept in my dreams).......

Great photos! I actually like the dying thistles. I like shots like that one.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:46 pm

Actually folks I took the mirror lens but could not hand hold steady enough. I had not taken a mono or tripod.

Focussing is SO fine that it needs to be supported for longer range shots and the light only allowed me 1/500 sec. I am happy with it though and being a firm believer in 'you get what you pay for' at £79 I shall have a lot of fun for a very small outlay.

So I put the 200mm on and used the single point focus.....still not easy to follow a bird in flight though. One day I will ask one of the guys with the BIG lenses to let me try taking a shot to see how they compare with my lenses. There was nobody there this morning so I sat in one of the hides all alone just watching the ducks and a grey heron.

This is the view from Reedbed Hide, one of 5 hides around the reserve.

Edit: Forgot to mention H, Mrs G saw the same image as you and said thats not a heron, that's a swan

Post by **Kiya** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:53 pm

Lovely pics Grandad I like the dead thistles & bullrushes, wish I could find some hide outs here to sit wait watch & snap.........saw my 1st robin yesterday morning......it was lovely with the snow background

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:21 pm

Thought just occurred to me, 'Why are you posting at this time of day LLL?' Not working???

And as usual thanks for your comments folks. TBH, Mrs G was having her hair done this morning and I prefer not to be around when her hairdresser calls so I got myself out of it

Was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms anyhow, hadn't taken a snap for days.

A bit of fun tomorrow though...young grandson Louis 2 years and 10 1/2 months has his nativity play at nursery school......he didn't get to be Joseph but has a supporting role as, yes you've got it, a shepherd.

More shepherds than sheep I have no doubt. But happilly this nursery school takes a very liberal (or should I say enlightened) view of picture taking at childrens events. Video or stills, everything goes......

So nice as a grandfather not to be a 'possible' paedophile......

Post by **Horus** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:47 pm

So nice as a grandfather not to be a 'possible' paedophile......

Don’t get me started on that one Grandad! I am ashamed to say that sometimes I walk to my mothers house about 3 miles away and I always take a camera with me as I go through the countryside to get there. Near the end of my walk as I enter the village there is a nursery and shame on me I always make sure my camera is back in its bag before I pass by, just in case someone thinks I am a perv of some description, what a bloody sad indictment of our modern society.

Mrs G saw the same image as you and said that’s not a heron, that's a swan

See! I was correct Grandad, give that lady a drink.

I also like taking pictures of dry winter flowers, the other day I made a special trip to take some B & W shots of some Bulrushes, but unfortunately they didn’t turn out as good as I had hoped.

Kiya, keep feeding the Robin with breadcrumbs, they soon become very tame and you can get lots of pictures.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:44 am

Shhhhhhhhhh Grandad!

I WAS working today but had some field work to do. I realized that I'd be passing my house on the way back to the office so I stopped at home for a quick bite of lunch.......AND what better way to pass a quick few minutes than to grab the latest on E4U!

Love the photos of your new lens. Love to try one like that myself but I highly doubt I'm smart enough to understand all the settings and to get the light right. Great photos!!

Post by **Kiya** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:04 am

Horus I've no idea the life span of robins but I have been told the same robins return to our gardens each year ??

I was inside when I saw the robin on the rooftop of my neighbours extension, if I'd opened the window it was sure to fly, it sure did look healthy in weight though.

Should have camera at the ready at all times

Post by **Horus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:49 pm

Kiya, some sources say that Robins can live 6 to 8 years, but others sources say that only about 85% survive their first year, if that is so then it cuts the lifespan to about 1.5 years otherwise we would be overun with Robins.

They are exremely teritorial and will kill any other male that ventures into their area. Having said that, if food is plentiful then I reckon they must tolerate each other because in a local park I have seen several Robins all in the same small bush happily waiting for people to feed them.

Post by **Grandad** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:07 pm

But happilly this nursery school takes a very liberal (or should I say enlightened) view of picture taking at childrens events.

Nothing to do with 'twitching' but what a joy it was to take some pictures at this sweet and innocent event.

Apparently ALL the parents had agreed to picture taking in advance and I applaud them for their sensible decision.

This is some of the audience; note videos, cameras and mobiles....

And Louis performed very well with his pillow case with slits for head and arms, one of mummys' scarves tied around his waist and the inevitable tea towel on his head......

This is a small group of the kids with faces pixelated, all except our boy.

Post by **Horus** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 7:37 pm

Great pictures Grandad

I notice though that even shepherds wear their long sleeved shirts under their galabaya's

Post by **Kiya** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:53 pm

Awe so sweet

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:20 am

I'm seconding Kiya's "awe so sweet"!! Great photos and I am really glad the school and parents allowed you to openly take photos of the kids. Must've made them feel like movie stars with all the flashes going off!

I too, at times, get real nervous about taking photos of people and particularly children. I sometimes see kids doing really cute things and I'd love to capture this but am scared that somebody is going to think I'm some sort of "perv" for even looking at a child with a camera in my hand. God forbid too that you'd take a photo of a child and then have the parents or a relative see that you're published their child's photo without permissions and proper authorization. Sad commentary on our world.

Post by **Grandad** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:04 pm

Just an update on things that have been discussed earlier in this thread.

Remember that mirror lens that I bought? Well I sent it back for a full refund (Amazon even let me print a prepaid return postal label...what great service

)

I gave it a good try over about 3 weeks, nearly always on a tripod but, to be honest, I wasn't satisfied with the results and would rather put the money towards something better. But then I started thinking.....do I REALLY need another lens????

I have a superb 35mm f1.8, plus an 18-55 and a 55-200, all AF-S DX VR Nikons and all capable of excellent results. SO, perhaps I should stop coverting those beautiful big optics that I really can't afford, and stop looking for CHEAP alternatives that will never 'cut the mustard'

As an aside, my son has just bought a Panasonic gf3, 4/3rds camera. The kit from Jessops comes with a 14mm lens and a 14-42mm zoom. I must say that I am most impressed with the results but without any kind of eye level viewfinder it is not something that I would like to have. All controls are on the 'touch screen' so very few controls on the body.

Looking at some of his pictures on his laptop I was really struck by the quality and became a little concerned that my own pictures never look so good on my computer screen. This afternoon I copied some of my pictures to a memory stick and plugged it into the USB socket on the TV......Happilly my confidence was restored because they looked superb....simple answer, my 22" computer monitor was only £110 so, as I have often said, 'You only get what you pay for'.

End of todays epistle...