camera upgrades what are yall shooting

[M.R.GT]

Man I love a lively discussion.

Both of you are right and that's what makes it cool.

I'm of the mind set of I2sm " that even an old blind hog gets an acorn now and then ". Meaning that if take 100 pics odds are 1 or 2 will be good.

lifer is a professional. If I made a living with it I would want the best. The camera is no more than a tool. It's the skills of the operator that makes art. in that case I wouldn't bat an eye at dropping 5K.

Im leaning toward the Canon strictly based on simplicity. I doubt I would ever change lens. I had the photography bug years ago in the days of manual fstop and double exposure. So that's over. I'm more into document the experience. it's the flaws that are the expressions of life or some other Zen crap. OH and it's a pretty good bang for the buck.

appreciate all the feedback
peace
GT

 

[ydijadoit]

I guess I should have mentioned that I am a complete noob to anything more than point and shoot. This Nikon 3200 is overwhelming right now, for me, even though it is touted in some review as a "entry level DSLR".
I am slowly learning some of the manual features, and trying hard not to use the "Auto" setting...
Not the kind of thing you just go from 0-60 on, but I think I can get used to it, and hopefully turn out some semi-pro pictures one of these days.
If you have the time and interest, this would be an awesome platform, if not, it would be a lot of $, just to shoot on "Auto".
Best regards.

 

[Lifer]

I'm actually nothing more than a hobbyist photographer who sees slightly above average work (for the gear being used) coming out of a photo session.

To put things into perspective - A real pro would be using this;

Camera body - Hasselblad H5D-50 http://www.hasselbladusa.com/products/h-system/h5d-50.aspx $27,000

Lens - Hasselblad 120mm Macro http://www.hasselblad.com/products/h-system/lenses/hc-4120mm-ii.aspx $5,100

Lighting - Profoto Pro-8A Generator http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/709387-REG/Profoto_901004_Pro_8A_2400_Air_Power.html $13,000

Lighting - Profoto Pro-B Flash Head http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183380-REG/Profoto_900725_Pro_7B_Lamphead.html $1,025 x 4

I'll stop there as you get the idea... $5k is play money or a couple months rent for a nice studio in a good location.

Just consider me a cannabis photo quality activist. With my honest opinion being that 90%+ of the photos on this site are not worth looking at.

Since you're online to brag about your work being 'the best' you may as well put in the effort to make it look so. And if you're not here to brag or get an ego fix, log-off until you can admit that fact and revisit the previous sentence.

Or not, blend in with the 90% and settle for 'good enough' in your opinion - just remember the pride in those plants you pour months into isn't shared with the viewing population when it's displayed in a blurry HPS tainted snapshot. No matter how good it may be in your bong.

That's just my take on it.

 

[Lifer]

There's no better way of explaining light has everything to do with a photo than to show what Nikon's D800 does in Auto mode with and without the built-in pop-up flash. Surely if their latest $3k camera body can't get it right, nothing lesser will.

No flash, auto everything;

Flash, auto everything;

Shucks, better adjust the White Balance manually since Auto is fail;

Not bad for that particular shot, most would probably call that good enough and give up.

Here's some other shots to show it doesn't always pan out to looking good though;

Just bleh... and that's with the latest sensory and image processory goodness.

Don't put your faith in Auto, invest ~$500 in an off-camera light kit to make your hard work come across correct!

 

[Lifer]

Here's pretty much the same shots, but with the flash drug into the room to sexy things up.

The HPS lights are burning at 1150w, the flash simply has more output in the 1/250th second timeframe - providing accurate colors.

No Photoshop/Lightroom post-processing. So these only take me about 5-10 minutes to take and upload, maybe a little longer if you factor in a few bong rips for inspiration's sake.

 

[M.R.GT]

digging the manual white adjustment that will make me happy.

I enjoy most of the shots on here. The good and the bad. The guy's that are hyping tend to brag but only the ones trying to sell there latest cross of something made by someone else 20 years ago.

The best ones are from a newbie who is sporting there first grow. They aren't bragging but just proud and amazed at a glorious lady that they have had a small part of bringing it into the world. More like a proud poppa more than a hyper. Doesn't matter if the shots are taken with $50 point and shoot or 5k Nikon.

I believe most of us are about sharing. Those cheap point and shoots have sure kept me from falling into the hype trap in the past and pointed at some amazing strains.

peace
GT

 

[Lifer]

I have nothing for sale, trade or rent. Small scale grower promoting better looking photos and danker weed.

Enjoy what you enjoy. I see no harm in not caring how things look, icmag gets its ad based and seed sales income all the same and offers the platform free of charge. As you've been inspired with those point & shoot photos, I've been bored to death. It's not a matter of bragging, but taste.

I'm to believe this thread was simply you looking for positive review of two specific camera models (you read some on Google by professionals), which is all too 'needle in the hay stack' for this sub-forum or website or culture altogether. I went on to provide additional information not based on your interest, but other's in PM/Rep comments.

The information's free, take it or leave it and have a great day bro.

 

[M.R.GT]

The info was most helpful, Thanks brother.

 

[Lifer]

I tried to find cheaper options for off-camera flash as price seems to be a big limiter for most.

Total success! All of the below was bought for ~$250 and gives 2 light sources and cheap light shaping tools to work with wirelessly.

Obviously you could skip the second flash and light shaping tools to bring the price even lower.

 

[M.R.GT]

I'm going have to invest in a flash unit. you've made a believer out of me. That and manual white adjustment seem to be the ticket for overcoming HPS light. You definitely proved that.

So all that for $250?

 

[Lifer]

You'll start a trend with the SX50 and flash kit. People will be asking how you did it well under $1k.

And everyone stands to benefit with more hobbyist+ photographers on sites like this. Ultimately it makes cannabis itself look more acceptable to the masses when it's not strictly cell phone/p&s snapshots.

We need to catch up to Tomatoes at the very least, check these guys out; http://tomatotown.org/

 

[M.R.GT]

Your right bro. Seems we are always playing catch up. Im still going to have to pick your brain on the external flash units. You just keep pilling the homework on. lol

hitting ebay this week to see what's the best deal I can come up with on the SX50. should come in under $500 then we can move onto lighting.

 

[Lifer]

That plate of herb on red velvet you took a picture of says you have what it takes to nail it in a heartbeat.

Just imagine taking the same shot but with a flash to your right or left, experiment with a few shots adjusting the flash strength and distance from the subject until you have the look you're going for and presto - High Times cover shot.

 

[M.R.GT]

See I do listen. prettied that up just for you. Your right about the tripod and trigger as well. A stable base would improve my focus skill dramatically.

 

[Lifer]

For sure, you can even do some wicked stuff without a flash if you have a tripod and a flashlight. It's called light painting, here's a demo on how to get studio results with a flashlight; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp1tsPEwYGc

Everyone viewing benefits when you give it a little extra effort, remember that!