Any photographers amongst the AC-ers?

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Hi there.

I'm just curious on whether we have photography enthusiasts amongst our community.

When I'm not chatting, posting comments on AC's blogs and forums or moderating, you'd probably see me snapping photos of whatever I could find outdoors.

My main camera is a Sony Alpha a6000. I've had it since 2014 and recently started to deck it out, with a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN lens (alongside a Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS which I borrow from time to time), remote and tripod, along with an extra battery. I frequently shoot in Sony's proprietary ARW RAW format and edit them using Capture One on my laptop.

I'm curious on what you guys use to shoot. Perhaps I'll share some of my favorites.

 

[ManiacJoe]

I started shooting film SLRs back in the 1980s. Switched to digital SLRs in 2006.

My current kit is a full-frame Nikon D700 with 70-200mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 pro lenses. I have a "family vacation" kit of 70-300mm and 24-85mm lenses for the smaller and lighter carrying.

During the summers I am on the beach almost every weekend photographing the adult and juniors beach volleyball tournaments. I end up covering many of the high school volleyball matches in the fall due to knowing many of the kids from the beach tournaments. I will probably upgrade may camera next summer due to the dark gyms I frequently find myself in.

Landscapes and cityscapes tend to fill the rest of the year.

I currently have a huge backlog of photos I need to be processing... The $10 per month subscription bundle of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop is hard to beat.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I started shooting film SLRs back in the 1980s. Switched to digital SLRs in 2006.

My current kit is a full-frame Nikon D700 with 70-200mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 pro lenses. I have a "family vacation" kit of 70-300mm and 24-85mm lenses for the smaller and lighter carrying.

I'm quite fond of your setup. Full-frames are kind of my dream to own someday.

Although I have to ask. How's your D700 holding up? Any signs of the oil spots on the sensor which was an issue back then?

 

[ManiacJoe]

For the oil spots, you are probably thinking of the D600, which Nikon fixed and renumbered as the D610.

The D700 is the older body, literally a D3 in a D300 body. Since I am down on the beach so much, I need to clean the sensor 3-4 times a year for dust. It is easy enough to do yourself. The big thing I have noticed lately is that the large D3 batteries I use in my battery grip are slowly losing their life span after 5-6 years since I am over 170K photos on them.

 

[Guytronic]

Got into mirrorless cameras a while back.

Started with a used Sony NEX 5n (needs to be repaired)

My first SLR was the Canon A1 I received for Christmas back in 1982.
These days I try to shoot with either the Sony NEX6 or my Fuji X-E1.

Thanks for this thread!

 

[LeoRex]

My desire and passion for photography far exceeds my disposable income available to indulge.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Been tempted to get into this. Just not sure where to start.

 

[Guytronic]

Been tempted to get into this. Just not sure where to start.

B&H Photo used camera department

Pretty good deals for cameras in great shape from them.
I've bought 2 from B&H Photo so far pretty happy.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

B&H Photo used camera department

Pretty good deals for cameras in great shape from them.
I've bought 2 from B&H Photo so far pretty happy.

This. B&H is a seriously great place to start hunting for camera gear.

They sell unlocked phones too, although we know B&H mostly as a camera store.

 

[ManiacJoe]

My desire and passion for photography far exceeds my disposable income available to indulge.

I hear that. The saving grace for digital is that you no longer need to keep buying more film. However, the cost in processing the images has moved from cash to pay the lab to time spent on the computer with the editing software.

My two major hobbies are photography and firearms. Neither are cheap....

 

[Golfdriver97]

Meant to reply last night. There is no BH near me. I do have a couple smaller camera shops that sell used, and might check there.

 

[Almeuit]

Look at you and your fancy camera D1EH4RD . I am a n00b when it comes to that stuff .. But am amazed at what people can take with a real camera when they know what they're doing .

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Look at you and your fancy camera D1EH4RD . I am a n00b when it comes to that stuff .. But am amazed at what people can take with a real camera when they know what they're doing .

Haha, it's never too late to learn some basic photography, even with a smartphone.

I hear that. The saving grace for digital is that you no longer need to keep buying more film. However, the cost in processing the images has moved from cash to pay the lab to time spent on the computer with the editing software.

My two major hobbies are photography and firearms. Neither are cheap....

Yeah, photography can become quite an expensive hobby over time.

Suggestion for newcomers is to set a strict budget for your gear and never go over. It's easy to be tempted by cameras like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Sony Alpha a7R Mark II, Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GH-5 and Fujifilm XT-2 alongside their lenses and accessories, but you have to ask yourself do you need such expensive gear for what you're doing?

Full-frame cameras are great, and if you can afford the body and its accompanying lenses, I'd say go for it. But if you're just starting out, I'd probably recommend a good crop-sensor starter.

Buying used is also a good way to save cash, though don't hesitate to ask how many shutter cycles are on the camera.

 

[Guytronic]

Yeah, photography can become quite an expensive hobby over time.

For comparison I bought:
Fujifilm X-E1 (body only) in the box used looking new with 342 shutter activation's for $259.00 usd from B&H.
Canon and Nikon manual focus lens adapters $40.00 usd from Amazon US.

Purchased a couple of manual focus AF-D Nikon/Nikkor lenses for the Fuji.
Most recently was the Nikon/Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AF-D "F" mount used from B&H for $64.00 no tax/free shipping usd.

Where I lose it is with accessories such as ball mounts, Arca plates, grips, filters, straps etc...
Amazon loves me

Gunning for the Sony Alpha A6300 when I can scratch up enough money.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

For comparison I bought:
Fujifilm X-E1 (body only) in the box used looking new with 342 shutter activation's for $259.00 usd from B&H.
Canon and Nikon manual focus lens adapters $40.00 usd from Amazon US.

Purchased a couple of manual focus AF-D Nikon/Nikkor lenses for the Fuji.
Most recently was the Nikon/Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AF-D "F" mount used from B&H for $64.00 no tax/free shipping usd.

Where I lose it is with accessories such as ball mounts, Arca plates, grips, filters, straps etc...
Amazon loves me

Gunning for the Sony Alpha A6300 when I can scratch up enough money.

Damn, you've got some great deals.

And yeah, the a6300 is great. I'm looking at the a6500 due to the IBIS, but I'll probably hold off on upgrading.

 

[HiiPower]

Photography is just a hobby for me, I am no professional. I have a Canon SL1 that I got for graduating high school from my grandparents and I just shoot for fun. Being a techy person, I love looking at Sony A7's, Canon 5d, the works, but can't justify buying those. Guess I'll just wait till I am through college. Anyway here are a few of my shots

 

[HiiPower]

Wow, what did you use to shoot the pictures of the a6000? Super clean

 

[Mooncatt]

My two major hobbies are photography and firearms. Neither are cheap....

I'm into photography and RC helicopters. I'll wager the helis could put up a good fight in the cost dept. Lol.

I usually shoot my V20 because it's handy and better in many ways than my DSLR. That is a 10yo Olympus E-500 8MP Micro 4/3 sensor. Bought it and two kit lenses for $90 on Craigslist, so can't complain. It does great in good light, like this. It's one of my favorite photos.

But it really suffers in low light. Considering I love light painting, that's a bad thing. Lol. This was shot on the DSLR:

And this on my V20 (with an assist from a speedlite off to the side)

Notice the difference in image noise.

 

[Mooncatt]

Meant to reply last night. There is no BH near me. I do have a couple smaller camera shops that sell used, and might check there.

I think B&H is physically only in NJ, but they sell all over online.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Wow, what did you use to shoot the pictures of the a6000? Super clean

You might be surprised.

A nearly 10-year old Canon IXUS point-and-shoot.

It's mounted on a tripod and the ISO set to its lowest and the exposure turned down.