***DSLR/Photography MegaThread***

FlyBoeingJets said:
I don't know if you guys are doing this or not (I think PM is...):

After creating the HDR and tonemapping it in Photomatix (or whatever it is you use), save the file and run it through Lightroom's (or PS's for that matter) noise reduction. It makes for a much smoother image.
Click to expand...

Funny, when I started I did that on a couple of images, but I forgot all about it. :)
 
FlyBoeingJets said:
I don't know if you guys are doing this or not (I think PM is...):

After creating the HDR and tonemapping it in Photomatix (or whatever it is you use), save the file and run it through Lightroom's (or PS's for that matter) noise reduction. It makes for a much smoother image.
Click to expand...

OK, I just did that and added a ton of sharpness.
 
Here is the plane that buzzed the LB Grand Prix yesterday.


flyover_original.jpg
 
dollfactsmall.jpg


The Doll Factory - Home of the LA Derby Dolls

Did this last night. I used the timer and sure enough it took all three bracketed photos. That rules!
 
Okay, guys. The tax return should be deposited in the account some time in the next week. I am in the market for a tripod and head, and I'm looking for recommendations.

I have a Canon 40D that won't have anything larger than a 300mm tele on it on the regular. (I have an 85mm and a 135mm, as well.) I may rent a 400mm some time, but that may be a once a year kind of thing. (Like the Red Bull Air Race next month, which I unfortunately will miss this year.)

So, to recap, the max load will be:

Canon 40D with Battery Grip
300mm w/ the Occasional 400mm
580XL

I'm looking at two price ranges:

Realistic: Up to $600
Daydream: Up to $900

What say you?

TIA,

Corey
 
I very much agree with what RinkRat posted. When I was looking for a tripod a while ago I read that very same article and thought to myself "naww, I won't need anything that sturdy / expensive, the $300 range for legs and head will work fine" and now a few years later guess what, I am regretting my decision and am thinking that I need both new legs and a new head.

In addition to the Gitzo recommendation (with no center column), I would recommend Really Right Stuff ball heads as well as their L brackets. If you are thinking about renting the 400mm or anything bigger, having a gimbal head is going to be a huge advantage. The gold standard for those types of heads is the Wimberley Head II, which are very expensive, but a more reasonable alternative that was recommended to me was the #3421 gimbal head by Bogen. One of the reasons I'm not renting big glass this year for Red Bull is that I am questioning my tripods abilities to handle it.
 
rinkrat said:
Gitzo

Read this
Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan
Click to expand...


ValleyFan said:
I very much agree with what RinkRat posted. When I was looking for a tripod a while ago I read that very same article and thought to myself "naww, I won't need anything that sturdy / expensive, the $300 range for legs and head will work fine" and now a few years later guess what, I am regretting my decision and am thinking that I need both new legs and a new head.

In addition to the Gitzo recommendation (with no center column), I would recommend Really Right Stuff ball heads as well as their L brackets. If you are thinking about renting the 400mm or anything bigger, having a gimbal head is going to be a huge advantage. The gold standard for those types of heads is the Wimberley Head II, which are very expensive, but a more reasonable alternative that was recommended to me was the #3421 gimbal head by Bogen. One of the reasons I'm not renting big glass this year for Red Bull is that I am questioning my tripods abilities to handle it.
Click to expand...

Thanks to both of you! I'll read the article later today. I figure, by the time the money is there, I can fit in a few trips to the shop and check out what I've been reading.

Thanks!
 
Wow, that is a pretty dynamic result for a one shot HDR, nicely done!
 
Okay. It looks like I'm going to have to mow a few more lawns this week to get the the sticks and head I want. ;)

I've got it down to a few that I will check out this week. Once the cash is in my account, I'll be picking them up. So, that give me a good 4-6 days to romance the wife. :)
 
Since we're talking tripods, I'm going to throw in the fact that I am EXTREMELY impressed with my Manfrotto 190X Pro. Great set of legs.

The ball-head, though it's great quality, isn't as user-friendly as I'd like it to be. I'm thinking I'll eventually replace it with a pistol-grip type ball-head that is more-quickly adjustable.
 
WOW!!! That is kick ASS! I love it. I would give you karma but I need to spread some around blah blah blah. I think the only thing I find distracting is the haloing at the top edge of the windshield near the sides. Big size available perchance?
 
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