The DSLR Information Thread

[Indian]

@appus

I am nowhere qualified to comment on above posts. (About sharpening etc).

But what Manoj says makes sense, these days we see too much of photoshop than the actual photography. But on the other side when you think about it, may be that is not wrong. Because at the end you want to produce something nice. I think its style of work that's all. I rarely sharpen the pics(probably most of my pics look soft to me) but I do the exposure manipulation and cropping most of the times. Lately I started adding some clarity factor in LR.

.... They were taking all in Automode :)

I think, 90% of the general public who has DSLRs in tourist places are on Auto and for every pic the flash fires.

I think Indian had posted one image long back (some sky). Can you put the original photos without processing of these above images (full size without cropping). It will benefit atleast me in understanding the 'necessity' of lightroom/Photoshop/tools

Can you point me to the pic or explain me about that pic so that I can locate it? Hope I have the raw files.

@All, interesting discussion really enjoyed reading both HR and Manoj.

 

[Highway Ranger]

EDIT:
I actually wanted to see all pro guys photos as just RAW converted to JPG (before and after editing). No lightroom / no Photoshop etc.
We will get an idea how much enhancing we can achieve from original to the final image. I think Indian had posted one image long back (some sky). Can you put the original photos without processing of these above images (full size without cropping). It will benefit atleast me in understanding the 'necessity' of lightroom/Photoshop/tools

Hope the pro guys respond.

Meanwhile, I will show you the raw files of a couple of images posted above before any adjustment or cropping. Normally when you take jpg, the camera process the image as per the preset adjustments that you select. It applies sharpening, contrast, saturation, brightness, color, etc as per presets. We can also fine tune these and save them as our presets. But when you take RAW, camera does nothing of these and you have full control to process the image as per your liking. Mostly RAW images look a bit dull compares to jpg because of the above reasons.

In the second image, if you see the histogram, there is slight clipping of Blue and Green. Green is a concern as it will affect the leaves. While processing recover both the colors to acceptable level.

RAW...




Processed JPG...

RAW...




Processed JPG...

 

[appus]

Can you point me to the pic or explain me about that pic so that I can locate it? Hope I have the raw files.

.

Oops. I typed those lines together. I wanted to say. Indian had posted before & after photo once. Like that, others can also post it once so that we can understand the necessity of doing LR/PS etc. .

sorry for confusing you :D

EDIT: Thanks HR for posting before/after. I think the original image also looks sharp

 

[manojodungat]

D3100 : 505g
D5200: 555g
D7000 :780g
D7100 : 765g
505g < 780g, thus the former feels lighter.
With heavier lenses it only gets worse. Some prefer lighter where as others a bit heavier though.

My D3100 toy definitely feels small in my hands but definitely the ergonomics is not flawed that you can’t shoot pictures using it. The lightness is not a deal breaker with smaller/lighter lenses and only gets better when “gripped”[Battery grip]. It is “plasticky” and cheap unlike a D7100 as the latter is THREE times more expensive.

Having said that, even after having my D3100 toy gripped, when mounted to a 150-500mm, there is nothing to write home about. It simply is unstable. When handheld, the feel with a D7100 + 150-500 was better, but a Tripod is strongly recommended.

It was when I started using my heavier 10-20 and 150-500 on my D3100, the wanting for a better “feel” became more evident. Earlier I was using it with 18-55 , 50mm and 55-300 VR. The ergonomics wasn’t bad at all. Now that I have it gripped, 10-20mm isn’t a big concern but not for the Zoomer.

I would love to have a heavier body like a D7100 to be used with my current lenses, but will certainly have to wait for a while.

Nikon D90 DSLR Camera Rs.36933 Price in India - Buy Nikon D90 DSLR Camera Black Online - Nikon: Flipkart.com 36933 for a d90 body !

I would get a D7000 instead.

I rarely sharpen the pics(probably most of my pics look soft to me) but I do the exposure manipulation and cropping most of the times. Lately I started adding some clarity factor in LR.
I think, 90% of the general public who has DSLRs in tourist places are on Auto and for every pic the flash fires.

There is nothing wrong in using the available tech and doing AF shots IMHO. But only that, you have a lot more potential to “grow” up on and experiment as a photographer in manual mode. Having said that, shooting the likes of BIF, not availing the AF-C is stupidity.

BTW, Indian, please do try processing the sharpening part as per my previous post. You will definitely be surprised to see the output. “RAW” needs some sharpening job.

we can understand the necessity of doing LR/PS etc.

Definitely nowhere close to a Pro, but will express my views for sure.
Can you convert a RAW to JPEG with no processing ? I can’t post RAW images here for any fair comparison with its JPEG.

Post processing is not a sin. Good skills in post processing is as important as shooting for a good photograph. If one can’t process it well, let the camera do it for him = JPEG.

“RAW” needs to be processed unlike a JPEG. If RAW, I always tweak a bit, saturation[not every time] and sharpening apart from highlights/Shadow recovery.

Managed to click this, just before it took off. Some more natural light would have helped though. Definitely missing my Tripod here with the Zoomer.

​

 

[edios]

@Nickandre,
Thank you for the suggestion. I'll try to get hands on both the lenses.

@HR,
I really like to get the D7000 instead of a D5200 (earlier I wanted the D5200 because of its better video and quality.
But my budget constraints make me impossible for me to go for D7000. If it was 40K, I'd have sure gone for it.
It is like a gift, so I can't tell him to increase the budget (don't ask me why, lol).

I was really inclined toward the D7000 because of its professional feel (looks like a high-end one). I had seen the D5200 body and it is no different than my 1100D in the looks and feel (a bit better). I felt its so small. But I have no option. Neither it is a poor body. I'm not a real photographer (although I try to be one), I won't feel the difference between a D7000 body and a D5200 body.

IMO, a D5200 is better than a D90 with respect to the image quality. I

@Manojodungat,
I'm by no means a photographer, I never told you so.

What I meant was that, with a with a DSLR, I can minimise the use of any editors. Maybe it is because I didn't use any good P&S (I used the 11 year old DSC T1 only and a 10.1 MP Handycam Sony HDR CX12).

I'd like to know the cost of that 'grip' you bought.


95% of the time, I use the 'P' mode. Haven't really used the other modes. Now don't blame me because I told 'I used my camera to its limits'.

Last month when I was on an school trip, I was unable to get good portrait shots. Most of them had no contrast and saturation.

One more thing, I was the only one with a DSLR then. Some of them asked me to shoot birds that were a bit far away and that too while on a moving bus (it was impossible with my 18-55 lens ). To them (14 years old), every DSLR is the same, so they expect to get pictures like the pros take (they don't know that lenses matter for zoom, I guess it's because they're used to P&S). I was a little ashamed because I was not able to take killer pics.

Anyway, the discussion going on here is simply awesome. Thanks to everyone who posts here.

 

[manojodungat]

I'm by no means a photographer, I never told you so.

You definitely are and a good one too. Please do keep the interest alive and do continue to shoot and excel.

The battery grip for a D3100 will cost around Rs.5k and the cost depends on the Body.
Find some here: Camera Accessories - Buy Camera Batteries, Lens Cleaner, Tripods, Camera Bags online | Snapdeal

To them (14 years old), every DSLR is the same, so they expect to get pictures like the pros take (they don't know that lenses matter for zoom, I guess it's because they're used to P&S). I was a little ashamed because I was not able to take killer pics.

Off Topic !
According to me a Nikon P510 or similar will make more sense. It is not a DSLR but a very capable camera.
You can capture amazing / "Killer" pictures with it from 24mm all the way up to 1000mm.

 

[Highway Ranger]

@HR,
I really like to get the D7000 instead of a D5200 (earlier I wanted the D5200 because of its better video and quality.
But my budget constraints make me impossible for me to go for D7000. If it was 40K, I'd have sure gone for it.
It is like a gift, so I can't tell him to increase the budget (don't ask me why, lol).

I was really inclined toward the D7000 because of its professional feel (looks like a high-end one). I had seen the D5200 body and it is no different than my 1100D in the looks and feel (a bit better). I felt its so small. But I have no option. Neither it is a poor body. I'm not a real photographer (although I try to be one), I won't feel the difference between a D7000 body and a D5200 body.

IMO, a D5200 is better than a D90 with respect to the image quality.

I understand your situation. Never mind. You have your whole life ahead of you. Surely you will improve your skills and go on to own and use the very best of cameras to come.

BTW, I still have no issue with the image quality of D3xxx or D5xxx. Just enjoy your time with your camera and post some killer shots here, in the forum.

 

[Indian]

...
In the second image, if you see the histogram, there is slight clipping of Blue and Green. Green is a concern as it will affect the leaves. While processing recover both the colors to acceptable level.
....

HR, really liked your explanation, especially on clipping of green! I hardly note these things on histogram! . My PP is what I see in the screen!

Oops. I typed those lines together. I wanted to say. Indian had posted before & after photo once. Like that, others can also post it once so that we can understand the necessity of doing LR/PS etc. .

sorry for confusing you...

No need to say sorry buddy, yes before and after pics definitely would help understanding the process and the settings better.

...
BTW, Indian, please do try processing the sharpening part as per my previous post. You will definitely be surprised to see the output. “RAW” needs some sharpening job.
...

Thanks Manoj for the valuable input, definitely I will start playing with the sharpness here after.

 

[Highway Ranger]

HR, really liked your explanation, especially on clipping of green! I hardly note these things on histogram! . My PP is what I see in the screen!

In the first image, if you notice, I have recovered the details in the front part of the bird while processing.

in the second image I have recovered some green to the leaves and a bit of blue on the right above the bird.

In both the images I have not manipulated the look and feel of the original scene. My PP are just what is required to project the subject well, in short, subtle changes to bring the best under the circumstances.

I apply sharpening after cropping and resizing the image. I don't add colors to the sky to make it look psychedelic.

I PP all my shots as I take only raw. But the PP is different for each shot.

You should also process your shots, if you are taking raw. And for sharpening, try out the different methods. For me the values are never constant for all the shots. Some need very little sharpening and some a bit more.

 

[appus]

D3100 : 505g
D5200: 555g
D7000 :780g
D7100 : 765g
505g < 780g, thus the former feels lighter.
With heavier lenses it only gets worse. Some prefer lighter where as others a bit heavier though.

My D3100 toy definitely feels small in my hands but definitely the ergonomics is not flawed that you can’t shoot pictures using it. The lightness is not a deal breaker with smaller/lighter lenses and only gets better when “gripped”[Battery grip]. It is “plasticky” and cheap unlike a D7100 as the latter is THREE times more expensive.

Having said that, even after having my D3100 toy gripped, when mounted to a 150-500mm, there is nothing to write home about. It simply is unstable. When handheld, the feel with a D7100 + 150-500 was better, but a Tripod is strongly recommended.

Oh. 7000 is heavier than 7100. Great

After seeing your battery grip, I was sure that you might have got a better grip/comfort.

Sorry Manoj. When I held that red color, i did not like that color & body. That is what i shared. Do not take it otherwise. In fact, after seeing your uploads - my respect towards d3xxx increased.

Thanks for the other explanation.

@edios,
brother, tell your uncle (normally uncles are the one who gifts) that you will give the balance amount- so please get a 7100/7000 body. That may work.

 

[manojodungat]

Got this from desktop. One of her photo taken with 50mm few months back (Not the best one).

Your little angel rocks.
Get rid of the brightly lit background for better and softer “bokeh”.

Oh. 7000 is heavier than 7100. Great

After seeing your battery grip, I was sure that you might have got a better grip/comfort.

It feels solid with lighter lenses, so far. But you never know what is in store with these non OE stuff. Not so abuse friendly with 150-500 mounted, for that matter even the D3100 is not. A sturdy and quality Tripod with a ball head [which I have]should do well. The grip comes with a IR remote which should come in handy for long exposure shots though.

Sorry Manoj. When I held that red color, i did not like that color & body. That is what i shared. Do not take it otherwise. In fact, after seeing your uploads - my respect towards d3xxx increased.

There was nothing in your post to feel sorry about and I completely agree with you on your observation. Having said that, I wouldn’t blame my D3100 but only me, for any shortcomings in my pictures. There is a long way to go until I outgrow my current set-up. Feels good when somebody as informed as you thinks my pictures deserve a thumps up.[ Yes, I am not talking about the “thumps up feature”]. Please feel free to CC on any of my pictures posted out here on TAI.

P.S:@appus,iIf any of my posts/words has hurt you if at all, please accept my sincere apologies as they were never intended to be so.

 

[Highway Ranger]

The difference in Auto focus mechanisms for D90, D7000 and D7100 are that D90 has only one cross type AF sensor (situated at the center), D7000 has 9 and D7100 has 15.

The main advantage of the focusing system of D7100 is that the center cross type AF sensor will AF even with the minimum aperture f8. This means one can even use a 1.4x tele-converter to a f5.6 lens and a 2.0x tele-converter to a f4 lens and the camera will still AF.

On the subject of Autofocus, all cameras perform well in normal lighting. Using autofocus does not mean the camera automatically focus where it wants. That is a misconception. The user controls where the camera should focus and the camera does a good job. It is only when the lighting/contrast conditions are bad the camera falters. Those are the conditions when I use manual focus. The results of the photos taken with autofocus and manual focus will be the same as the idea is to get the focus on the right spot.

When using manual focus, one has to be careful to get the focus spot-on, else one ends up like the turtles and egrets. While shooting a bird, the focus must be on the head and the eyes. A bird shot with head/eyes in focus will look more appealing than a shot with its back in focus.

 

[manojodungat]

Tele-converter:

It is for a reason why Nikon doesn’t offer TCs combatable with zoom lenses that are slower than f2.8. The likes of 70-300 f/4.5-5.6mm + TC [off brand like Kenko/Sigma available] is simply NOT worth it be you have a DX body like D7100 with whatever number AF-points available, be it the centre or elsewhere. With a 2.8 F zoom or a f4 300mm prime will fare well even on a D90/D7000 with lesser AF points.

I did try most of these permutation combinations before went on to buy a dedicated super zoom. A cheaper D90/ D7000 + 300mm f4 D or G prime is excellent even with a 1.4x TC. For a skilled hand any additional AF points doesn’t give any advantage.

It’s shame that people misconceive beautiful sunset skies as poor PP job instead of appreciating the output thanks to certain excellent manual exposure in-camera settings. A broader vision beyond bird eyes and Rule of thirds will help.

One can’t insist everybody around him to shoot the way one likes it to be, especially when it is about a subjective affair. Having said that, I too prefer to get the focus on the eye of a bird if feasible. There is also no harm in getting a wider shot from behind to get a different perspective. Some find the eyes appealing but for some others it will be the back. Can’t complain as these are purely subjective.

Edit: A useful link on list of AF-S/AF-I lenses compatible with Nikon AF-S Teleconverters : http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/en_US_Comp_chart.html

 

[Highway Ranger]

Focus - It is very convenient for a skilled hand to call a badly focused shot as a different perspective. Discussions can go on and on. But I feel in the end one has to be positive about his shots - convinced that his shots are good and stop giving excuse for each and every shot. Reminds me of a old saying about a workman and his tools.

Basic requirement for a photo is that the focus should be spot on. I too miss the focus on some shots. But instead of posting it and justifying saying it is a different perspective, I use [Shift+Del] and move on.

I don't remember seeing any great sunset picture here in the recent past.

This is my last post on these subjects as my views are considered as insisting everybody and I am moving on.

 

[manojodungat]

I remember a post from an “expert” which says “I got the focus where I wanted”.

I definitely get the focus where I want and in this picture I wanted it on the “bird” and the rest blurred. The line [fencing] in the frame gives me a nice feel as well. What I wanted was not just the eyes, but the eyes, the back and the entire body in focus as part of the composition.

​

Learning how to focus is too boring for me now and would have been useful had it been a few years back.