I just realized how good you guys really are

[GaryE]

But, they'll get better... And a lot better...

 

[Anchor]

So, last summer I was trying to reacquaint myself with my camera. Nikon D70s.. so you should have an idea how old. Using a kit zoom 28-70 and a 60mm macro lens. As I was just getting reacquainted with reefing and saw a lot of nice pics on here.. I chose to walk around my yard and take pics. After reading this thread, I think this is my "dry" subject. I have never been very good with manual but took a shot at it.. I went with aperature priority on this camera as I used to have a nice Konica.. But here are some results.. Mind you , I found NONE of this has helped me with UW photos so far. But I am getting depth of field down.. and after taking a lot of photos with my phone.. I found... Phones suck.. These were HQ Jpegs. I have yet to get aquainted with RAW.. Mind you, Chasing butterflies is an exersize. especially after bypass surgery... but It was a good day for them and I figured they might be closer to taking fish pix.. I shot maybe 500 pics that day. These are the best, IMO, of what I shot in 2 hours time.. if I remember right..

In order: Black Swallowtail, Comma, Tree frog, Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Fly on Bluebells.

So, I have a question, I dont have a lot of money but would like to improve on my camera body.. the D70s is limited to 6.5 ? mega pixels?? I want to upgrade.. suggestions needed. Lenses too.. if you have any thoughts on it.. I cant afford the 100/105? Nikkor.. so go from there.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

So, last summer I was trying to reacquaint myself with my camera. Nikon D70s.. so you should have an idea how old. Using a kit zoom 28-70 and a 60mm macro lens. As I was just getting reacquainted with reefing and saw a lot of nice pics on here.. I chose to walk around my yard and take pics. After reading this thread, I think this is my "dry" subject. I have never been very good with manual but took a shot at it.. I went with aperature priority on this camera as I used to have a nice Konica.. But here are some results.. Mind you , I found NONE of this has helped me with UW photos so far. But I am getting depth of field down.. and after taking a lot of photos with my phone.. I found... Phones suck.. These were HQ Jpegs. I have yet to get aquainted with RAW.. Mind you, Chasing butterflies is an exersize. especially after bypass surgery... but It was a good day for them and I figured they might be closer to taking fish pix.. I shot maybe 500 pics that day. These are the best, IMO, of what I shot in 2 hours time.. if I remember right..

In order: Black Swallowtail, Comma, Tree frog, Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Fly on Bluebells.

So, I have a question, I dont have a lot of money but would like to improve on my camera body.. the D70s is limited to 6.5 ? mega pixels?? I want to upgrade.. suggestions needed. Lenses too.. if you have any thoughts on it.. I cant afford the 100/105? Nikkor.. so go from there.

Dude... that 4th pic... I dunno.. it just jumped out at me. Really nice!

 

[Anchor]

Dude... that 4th pic... I dunno.. it just jumped out at me. Really nice!

Cool, I didnt think any were all that good.. But I was getting what I wanted though everything kept flying away as I clicked the shutter.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Cool, I didnt think any were all that good.. But I was getting what I wanted though everything kept flying away as I clicked the shutter.

I need to start trying more shots like that. I stay too overly focused on taking pics of my tsnk

 

[Anchor]

I need to start trying more shots like that. I stay too overly focused on taking pics of my tsnk

I dont know where you live but, bugs are all over. and they move.. It is an easy dry subject with a moving target. Flowers for corals. Try it on a mildly windy day..

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

But, they'll get better... And a lot better...

That pic of mine you just liked was... sort of manual... the shutter speed was manual : ) That took a lot of tries to get : )

I spend more time setting up the shot now.

 

[GaryE]

Picked up a couple new critters today.. for my current DT:

Obligatory FTS. Added 40lbs of dry rock yesterday.

And a few baby's for my next 75 gal DT which will be mostly Anemone/clowns.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Picked up a couple new critters today.. for my current DT:

Obligatory FTS. Added 40lbs of dry rock yesterday.

And a few baby's for my next 75 gal DT which will be mostly Anemone/clowns.

Very cool! I am still stuck in the horrible.... be patient and let my tank mature phase. I promised myself no new livestock for 6 months.. yeah, it’s only been 1!

Some good news though. I saw new coraline on some of my rock!

I am curious Those frags you bought. How long does it take for them to get say... baseball size?

really cool frags btw

 

[Cherub]

loved this post, I just seen it and haven't read through it. It does take mad skills. It would be nice if the photo contests actually judged skills. I stopped joining in once I realized people judge the coral they like, not the skills of the photographer. Still lots of fun to watch. If you have any questions I can do my best to answer. I shoot with canon cameras

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

loved this post, I just seen it and haven't read through it. It does take mad skills. It would be nice if the photo contests actually judged skills. I stopped joining in once I realized people judge the coral they like, not the skills of the photographer. Still lots of fun to watch. If you have any questions I can do my best to answer. I shoot with canon cameras

You Rock Cherub! Thank you : )

 

[GaryE]

Very cool! I am still stuck in the horrible.... be patient and let my tank mature phase. I promised myself no new livestock for 6 months.. yeah, it’s only been 1!

Some good news though. I saw new coraline on some of my rock!

I am curious Those frags you bought. How long does it take for them to get say... baseball size?

really cool frags btw

I'm not sure. Hopefully quickly.

 

[GaryE]

loved this post, I just seen it and haven't read through it. It does take mad skills. It would be nice if the photo contests actually judged skills. I stopped joining in once I realized people judge the coral they like, not the skills of the photographer. Still lots of fun to watch. If you have any questions I can do my best to answer. I shoot with canon cameras

I did a photo contest once, back in 1985. Did ok...

Since then I stay away from them. To me they're just an ego trip. I know which of my photos are good and which suck. I usually don't show anyone the ones that I think are less than my best effort. No point in it.

 

[Anchor]

I did a photo contest once, back in 1985. Did ok...

Since then I stay away from them. To me they're just an ego trip. I know which of my photos are good and which suck. I usually don't show anyone the ones that I think are less than my best effort. No point in it.

We are very different.. ALL MY PHOTOS are GOOD.. that is why I delete the Blurry, the ones of my feet, the ones that are all black.. cause they are so good.. I dont want people to get jealous.. I think I have kept 15 in the last 20 years..

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

How did I do on this one? : )

 

[GaryE]

You're getting there!!!

That looks awesome. Only thing I see is that this was not a straight on shot. Anytime there's an angle when shooting into water, you have a bit of blur..

Otherwise, spot on.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

You're getting there!!!

That looks awesome. Only thing I see is that this was not a straight on shot. Anytime there's an angle when shooting into water, you have a bit of blur..

Otherwise, spot on.

Straight on is easy with corals lol... dang fish are quiiiiiiick. Haha

thanks

 

[GaryE]

Straight on is easy with corals lol... dang fish are quiiiiiiick. Haha

thanks

Yes sir they are...

 

[Anchor]

I think this is my best fish pic so far.. and it is blurry all over. I think it pixilated due to enlarging.

 

[GaryE]

I rented a lens to take some photos for my brother this weekend. It's a 70mm f1.8 prime. in a micro 4/3 that's equivalent to a 150mm.

It's pretty awesome.. On the fish pics, I only adjusted color balance and exposure. Plus a touch of noise reduction.