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Don't be coaxed into an unwise decision.....(like me)

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  • Don't be coaxed into an unwise decision.....(like me)

    Hey all, just wanted to vent... so here goes..... So yesterday morning I'm looking at Clovis's Photos ( like I do every day ) and I decide that today is the day to get a little longer lens.... I look at His photos because no matter what he seems to touch it turns to gold!!! ( I think by far he's the guy in front of the pack! ) So I head off to the store and Im gonna pick up a Canon 75-300 III USM... I get there and Im checkin out the goods, then I tell the man I'll take it, and he says "you know, this lens here is just as good, and its a bit less expensive" Im like " thats ok, I got enough for the canon, so im gonna get it..." and he goes on and on and on about this lens and 20 somthing years and yadda yadda yadda.... so im like "Im glad you aint sellin cars cause I'd be trading my pinto in for a Viper after talkin to you" So I get this lens and I head off to work.... Im usin this lens and I think everything is goin well... till I got home..... I check the photos and EVERY ONE is softer than an old guy who lost his viagra... anyway, should I bring it back? or should I swallow it and chalk it up to experience?? I could use this lens for other things than aviation photography..... And Clovis, If you read this, next time your in NY you think you can swing up to smALBANY, and teach me how to use this camera I got?? ( im kidding, but I think your an Aviation Photo God..)

  • #2
    Don't be despondant. Aviation photography is a tough test of any lens; you're dealing with very detailed subjects with well defined geometry. And..they move. The first time you try a zoom - any zoom - it's a bit of a shock.

    Three pointers for you:

    1) Use AV or aperture priority mode and keep the lens at F8 or above. Most 'consumer' zooms are soft wide open. Avoid F5.6 unless you're taking portrait shots of your wife/girlfriend

    2) Keep your shutter speed high. For starting out, above 1/500, preferably 1/800 - 1/1000. This reduces the consequences of camera shake; a major issue when you first learn long lenses. As you get more experienced with the lens you can go lower. Do you have a battery grip? The extra weight of one of these is a wonderful stabiliser.

    3) Try and avoid the focal length above 200mm..you can get good results but more often than not, the performance of the lens drops off substantially, especially at the long end. This isn't just a Canon thing - it's on all of them, bar 'L' glass.

    You can get terrific results with most lenses. I've seen it myself. Practice, practice, practice.

    Edit: All the shots I have here with the exception of the last handful were with a Sigma 100-300; that's a comparable lens glass-wise to the EF 75-300, but cheaper still. My early sessions were - frankly - heartbreaking. But..with practice..I was able to improve. Also, my friend borrowed the same lens and he was also able to get some great shots with it.

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    • #3
      ok im not clovis so obviously i cant take a good photo, but imo you sound like you got a crap lens there. you didnt happen to mention what lens you got? Simple thing to do is take it back. Say its crap and get the Canon lens. Thing is this generation of DSLR's have a tendency of producing soft ish photos that need enhancing in PS. might not totaly be the lenses fault. But if it really is that bad like i said take it back. The canon 75-300 is a good quality lens for those on a budget.

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      • #4
        Dan, I didnt mean it to come out that way, I admire everyones work on here..... and I appreciate everyones help in making me a better spotter... Im gonna go shoot today with some diffrent settings and see what I come up with, and Just so every one knows, Im trying out everyones suggestions on settings and whatnot.... Ive got a Canon Digital Rebel ( Ill bet everyone saw that comming!) so any advice given, will be advice taken into account on the field.... Thanks again you guys and Again I admire everyones work, because even if its a point and shoot... Theres a little more to it then taking pics of cars when it comes to planes.... -JJR

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        • #5
          Re: Don't be coaxed into an unwise decision.....(like me)

          [quote=" I check the photos and EVERY ONE is softer than an old guy who lost his viagra... [/quote]

          LMAO!!!

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          • #6
            sorry forgot to put the nessery " " in my post. Basicaly its been summed up really its really all about practice. If you have a half decent lns/camera kit combo then just work it to the limits. Best thing you can do is find someone else with the same lens and ask for some tips to get you started. settings etc are always fun to play around with until you find the best ones for differant situations/lighting. Practice, practice, practice

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            • #7
              Originally posted by JJR
              Dan, I didnt mean it to come out that way, I admire everyones work on here..... and I appreciate everyones help in making me a better spotter... Im gonna go shoot today with some diffrent settings and see what I come up with, and Just so every one knows, Im trying out everyones suggestions on settings and whatnot.... Ive got a Canon Digital Rebel ( Ill bet everyone saw that comming!) so any advice given, will be advice taken into account on the field.... Thanks again you guys and Again I admire everyones work, because even if its a point and shoot... Theres a little more to it then taking pics of cars when it comes to planes.... -JJR
              1) AV mode on settings dial. You want F8.

              2) Shutter speed at least 1/500, preferably higher. If the light doesn't allow this, go up to ISO200. The decrease in quality is neglible but you'll get a big bump in speed.

              3) Take comparitive shots at different focal lengths of still subjects. See what works and what doesn't.

              4) Burst mode is your friend.

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              • #8
                ok im not clovis so obviously i cant take a good photo,
                You're learning Dan...it will take time but you will get there.

                -C

                P.S. thanks for the grossly unwarranted compliment

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                • #9
                  yeah....anyway
                  You got the 10th off Clova? im gona be in LA from about 3pm when my VS flight lands

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                  • #10
                    10th is..... Thursday? I may be able to make it out in the afternoon, but I have school the next day.

                    What are you doinf that weekend?

                    -Clovis

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                    • #11
                      Vegas baby!

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                      • #12
                        I wanna go to Vegas...

                        I still have an America West flexipass...would be like 40$ RT...since I cant fit in ChrisK's tiny car

                        -Clovis

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