DonSmith
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Posts posted by DonSmith
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I would like to see a firmware update to the A1 that would allow the same focus tracking in the viewfinder in video similar to the 7RV
Good wish JDedmon!
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I consider the A7R5 to be a very complete product lacking only ONE feature that would have of course elevated it beyond the A1 which no question Sony had NO desire to do. Obviously if it had a Stacked BSI sensor it would be near ultimate for ALL photographic exploits. I get it why they left that off. It leaves room to take the A1 to heights nobody else has. Like put an AI chip in it and rid it of any of it's weaknesses. THEN and only THEN will it be truly worth $6500.00. The A7R5 ends up a more sensibly prices option.
We can all wish dcisive...
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I would love to see a firmware update for the a1 and a7RIV with the Focus Bracketing feature!
That would be nice TrekRover but something tells me it won't happen...
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I would like an intervalometer that goes past 60 seconds. I want to do flower time lapses, but need the camera to click every 30 minutes or so. I know I can do that with a proper attachment, but it would be nice to do it in camera.
Would be nice - not sure if I would have a need for it with my type of photography but you never know...
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I believe that would depend on the scene you shoot. The process would be exactly as you replayed to Caroline. I learned a great deal of post-processing landscapes from The Phlog and also started using the TK8 panel (where was this 10 years ago!). You could have any ratio of capture vs process, it would depend on when you would be satisfied with the result. There are some images that I came back to several times, and each time I go in a different path and take different efforts to reach what I like.
And I agree, sports is simpler. Yet printing a landscape shot is more wholesome.
You make good points LensBrew. With my landscapes I am trying to impart a certain feel to the images - I see the completed work in my mind then set out to accomplish it. I just believe, the better your processing skills the better chance you have of completing your vision.
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When I was shooting sports Drew, I worked 30+ years at it. For my personal work I photographed landscapes. I created such a library that I was offered a contract from Getty Images back in the day when stock was profitable. From there, I turned my passion for landscape into teaching workshops and helping others. I still enjoy it even after Covid put a cabosh to it for a couple of years. Creating is the key element that lights my fire!
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I have not had time since September Tony but occasionally I like to assign myself a project to work on. A project can be anything you are interested in but more specialized. A former Sports Illustrated staffer and good friend of mine Ron Modra does this and did one on The Blues. A 20+ year project that even included covering BB King's funeral as well as images of him when he was alive and playing. It should be a book!
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A sturdy travel umbrella. I use one made by Repel. Just spent 3+ weeks shooting in Iceland and it is meant to protect my gear - especially the lenses from getting spotted with rain and/or wet snow. As long as there is not a ton of wind, it works great!
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Oh man....I have to use raw most of the time now, only because I have to modulate the highlights and shadows and color in everything I do. I wish I could do more in camera, but I like backlit images. 🙂
I hear you Caroline! Wish landscape was easier but it varies from image to image. Some I just need to do some minor adjustments in LR and others I am out to 20+ layers. I work a lot with masks in PS with the TK8 Panel
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I switched out of sports photography to 100% landscape photography about 5 years ago. With sports I shot mainly JPEGS but with landscape, all RAW. I believe it is a 50%/50% mix in creating a compelling image when it comes to capture/processing a landscape image. What would be your breakdown on this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Hey Trek, I had that discussion with some of the pro photographers from other outlets. They actually would be proud you shot a lot. the points I concluded from our conversation is fairly simple. Sports is very fast, and the moments flee in milliseconds. Out of a 100 you get 1 good shot, out of a 1000 you get 10. In the end, the game would have that 1 or 2 moments that you're either lucky to capture or unlucky to miss. And the final element to affect the image is the result. If you got the shot of the best moment, but the team loses, it becomes a normal shot. Therefore, Luck play a big role is sports, and mass shooting becomes necessary after great skills to increase the luck factor. In the end, memory is cheaper now and no restrictions apply.
You might be thinking of post work, and my advice is to review the images during the game when the play is paused for any reason. I have a custom button to star images as I review them, and usually I have a sense of which set of shots would have the best shot and instantly rate it.
This is image from the last women basketball game I shot and was the big moment shot (in my humble opinion). The coach rarely shows his emotions, but not during this game, and especially that this is the first time they beat Louisville since 1995. Only the last sentence (information) makes the image a lot more meaningful.
I started my career as a sports photographer 46+ years ago before auto-everything. A standard take on an NFL game (I shot for 26 years) was 40 rolls (chrome) per game. That is 1200 images. Don't shoot less, just shoot don't shoot meaningless images. Action and Emotion are what needs to be shot in most cases and you did a great job here of capturing the emotion. If you are shooting with an a1 at 30fps, it's pretty easy to rack up a large number. It will vary from sport to sport. You said it was your first event? Study you edit and see where the "non-keepers" are coming from. You should always be learning through your edits. The will teach you a lot about what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.
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Very cool, did you use Photoshop or another program to assemble the photos?
Tony - yes, PS can composite and also Helicon Focus. Must Align photos first in PS before stacking where Helicon is all one click.
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I love it and have been using it regularly over the past 3 weeks here in Iceland. So happy we get the RAWS!
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The A7R V is an amazing camera. There are a couple tweaks that would be nice, especially for it's video production.
1) I use manual focus lenses to shoot videos, and often want to punch in to check focus. Unfortunately all the buttons make a slight clicking noise when pressed that can be picked up through my mic. So I would love if, while in video mode, with manual lenses, half pressing the shutter button would zoom in to check focus.
2) Built in GPS...If my watch can have it, my camera should be able to have it. Photo mechanic automatically ingests my location so this is more useful now.
3) The Audio levels indicator shouldn't all be green, when I get close to peaking it needs to turn orange, and red when peaking. All other Sony cameras do this, I wonder why they removed that simple color code on the rV.
4) The tally light should be hidden under the eyepiece on the rear screen. Add it somewhere else so that when the rear screen is folded up I can still look down and see it.
All great ideas - thanks for sharing. Let's hope Sony is monitoring this thread.
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I'd like to see in camera compiling of time lapses into a high res video file. Focus stacking brought to the A1. illuminated buttons for night shooting.
I understand wanting bot. Don't think I would use either (maybe time lapse). I want access to RAW files for focus stack and not a JPEG. Good to share these ideas.
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In camera multiple exposure and a built-in radio module to trigger Sony flash
In-camera multiple exposure would be fun not doubt Tony. I no longer use flashes after 40+ years of use - I can understand why you want it.
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I would like a 5 seconds pre-shot capturing. I've missed several sport shots by 1 or 2 seconds. I would love to have the camera pre-shoot before I depress the shutter.
How would they do that LensBreew? A sensor built into the shutter? Interesting concept.
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It would take me too long to explain how I got into photography but it has been my career for most of my adult life. I write this on a break from co-leading 2 tours in Iceland. Could not think of a better way to have made a living and feel very blessed. My cameras have led me to incredible places and have met awesome people. Follow your passion and be willing to have a strong desire to succeed.
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I have been in Iceland for the past 19 days working with the new Sony a7RV photographing landscapes, auroras, waves and waterfalls. What an awesome camera! Sony added two huge features that I love - Focus Bracketing and a Bulb Mode that I can set without the need of a cable release. What new features would you like to see Sony add in future cameras? My wish list has been met but would love to hear yours.
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I started using Sony cameras 9 years ago for one reason - dynamic range was best in industry - stiil is.
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Nice Work MuhammadRadi. I totally get what you are saying. I have worked my entire career as a photographer and now my youngest son is trying to make a go of things with his music. I don't care what genre of art one goes into, it is a struggle, perseverance, dedication and a ton of passion are a must - even then, that does not equal success. Hang in there and keep believing in yourself. I would also recommend contacting a stock agency such as Getting Images or Alamy. Best of luck!
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Don, if you're going as far as Australia, why not add New Zealand and French Polynesia to the same trip. It's a long flight to each from the US, I would recommend to do them in one shot if possible.
Personally, I want to go to Antarctica and Panama Canal. They are a one-time visit locations, so I want to cover them while I'm still young.
I will have just concluded a winter workshop on the South Island of New Zealand before going this June.
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Within China, I would like to make it to Inner Mongolia. Outside of mainland China, I would like to go to Iceland and/or Thailand. This summer I'm heading back to the US for a couple weeks and I plan on roadtripping through the south. Not sure what to do yet, but soon, very soon...
On my bucket list also Horn
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Two lenses - a 14mm and 24mm tilt/shift for us landscape geeks 🙂
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Universe
What was your pivot during covid?
in Photography
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I started re-processing some older landscape images with new skills using the TK8 panel in PS. Got very proficient at building masks.