Boston POTN Meet

OMG those are great. Phil really did have a great personality! He was fun to shoot. I'm trying to get another male model for the end of the month...

Jen D.

mai_lin wrote in post #7623605
Ya, I've been reading the T1i hype but I really don't want video... I think its an odd addition to a traditional digital camera. What I really want is better AF and lower noise at higher ISOs but I can't afford a 5Dmkii right now. I think I"ll hold out for the 60D/7D whatever it ends up being but I'll need a couple of big print orders for that!

Jen D.

I noticed an improvement in reduced noise when I switched from the XTi to the 40D, esp at higher ISO's. I can only imagine the 50D is even better with that.

I'm beginning to think that HD video in a dslr is going to be a standard feature within 5 years.

Oh man, Ken, those are great! I was lol at some of his shots when I was going through them all.

bryanj87 wrote in post #7623669
I noticed an improvement in reduced noise when I switched from the XTi to the 40D, esp at higher ISO's. I can only imagine the 50D is even better with that.

I'm beginning to think that HD video in a dslr is going to be a standard feature within 5 years.

Really? I'm not terribly disappointed with my XTi in regards to noise as long as my light is decent but last weekend I shot a model in an abandoned fort and some of the interior rooms were DARK and my 430ex wasn't cutting it... noise is an understatement! I'd like a way to clean that up...

I really think video is odd in a dslr... am I the only one?

Jen D.

mai_lin wrote in post #7624044
interior rooms were DARK and my 430ex wasn't cutting it... noise is an understatement! I'd like a way to clean that up...

Sounds like underexposure? Or if you push it over ISO1100, you'll probably get lots of noise too. Try Noise Ninja or Noiseware photoshop plugins if you haven't (if you're running Gimp, you can try the GMIC plugin).

Bryan: we should have an outtakes thread next time

p.s., I think video will eventually be in all DSLRs as well. The 5DmkII shows what can be done (narrow DOF effects w/ DSLR lenses) when it gets better. It's lots of work though.

Jen - I shot a ton of stuff with an original Rebel (300) in all kinds of lighting situations including clubs for bands and I got some really good results using my old 420EX.

If you don't mind me asking what are / where you using for settings?

bryanj87 wrote in post #7623690
Oh man, Ken, those are great! I was lol at some of his shots when I was going through them all.

Hey! When are we going to do a local shoot! Been a long time. I have "Landscape Lust"!

My settings were, in manual, ISO 1600, f/1.8, ss/50 on my 50 and they were still dark (big room, the 430ex just wasn't powerful enough)... so I'd boost in LR and the noise was awful... which was a shame as the shots in that room were the only ones where the model looks ok (her posing is awful, she's a new model).

Jen D.

mai_lin wrote in post #7625808
My settings were, in manual, ISO 1600, f/1.8, ss/50 on my 50 and they were still dark (big room, the 430ex just wasn't powerful enough)... so I'd boost in LR and the noise was awful... which was a shame as the shots in that room were the only ones where the model looks ok (her posing is awful, she's a new model).

Jen D.

Well the settings seem like they should have worked for very low light. Heck even candlelight seems like it should have worked at those settings

I assume the flash wasn't straight on. Probably straight up with a high dark ceiling - Yuck!

That is why I always have some white foam board with me so I can bounce the flash off of them in situations like that.

The scary thing is that the 580 isn't that much more powerful than the 420 so that might not have even cut it without some help in these conditions

funhouse69 wrote in post #7625929
Well the settings seem like they should have worked for very low light. Heck even candlelight seems like it should have worked at those settings

I assume the flash wasn't straight on. Probably straight up with a high dark ceiling - Yuck!

That is why I always have some white foam board with me so I can bounce the flash off of them in situations like that.

The scary thing is that the 580 isn't that much more powerful than the 420 so that might not have even cut it without some help in these conditions

It's funny you should mention that - we were doing alot of shooting on the outside of the fort so I brought a whole bunch of diffusers and scrims etc. not even thinking I'd need to INCREASE light.

The other photog I was shooting with brought OCF stuff... he shoots nikon. I'm envious of their CLS. But I like to be able to set my WB in one step


Jen D.

mai_lin wrote in post #7626308
It's funny you should mention that - we were doing alot of shooting on the outside of the fort so I brought a whole bunch of diffusers and scrims etc. not even thinking I'd need to INCREASE light.

The other photog I was shooting with brought OCF stuff... he shoots nikon. I'm envious of their CLS. But I like to be able to set my WB in one step


Jen D.

The only other time I've had some issues is when the flash bounces off of something reflective and that in turn "Fools" the camera in to thinking that it got enough light. That happens a lot when I shoot bands, I catch a reflection off of something like the chrome of drum head or a mic stand and the shot is WAY too dark. I've also had this happen with jewelry as well but only with on camera / TTL flash otherwise with Studio Strobes it doesn't happen as they are set differently. The good news is that I shoot RAW and with a low ISO I can usually fix the shot somewhat easily through DPP.

I know this is completely after the fact and I'm not really familiar with your specific flash but I wonder if you set the flash manually as well if it would have made a difference. It still doesn't seem right, I think that the flash should have been able to handle it.

The other question would be is if you flash is truly compatible with your camera. Maybe you could check you manual just for the heck of it. The reason I say that is someone was asking about a sync issue in another thread and they said that the only flashes that are fully compatible are the 430EX II and the 580EX II. I don't know if what would also apply to older bodies or not.

funhouse69 wrote in post #7626388
I know this is completely after the fact and I'm not really familiar with your specific flash but I wonder if you set the flash manually as well if it would have made a difference. It still doesn't seem right, I think that the flash should have been able to handle it.

The other question would be is if you flash is truly compatible with your camera. Maybe you could check you manual just for the heck of it. The reason I say that is someone was asking about a sync issue in another thread and they said that the only flashes that are fully compatible are the 430EX II and the 580EX II. I don't know if what would also apply to older bodies or not.

I wish that hot shoe flash settings were added to the EXIF data. I was shooting ETTL so I'm pretty sure it was firing full on. I don't think I would have had better results on camera even in manual. The room was traingular in shape with the model at the top and camera at the base - although it should have been enough the ceiling was high and there was ALOT of broken cement around the room that may have caused a disruption in the light. I'm getting some strobist stuff soon and then I'll hopefully not have to worry about this again. Plus, I don't plan on shooting in a room that dark ever again - it was so dark I could barely see the model at the other end of the room. Now if I had an alien bee with me it would have been a great shot


Jen D.

funhouse69 wrote in post #7510574
Thanks - The Stone Zoo is Tiny compared to Franklin Park but well worth the visit.

I can't wait to make it to the grand daddy of them all the Southwick Zoo. That is over 300 Acers where Stone is 20+ and Franklin is 70+. Unfortunately it is closed for the season but will be opening back up in mid April which thankfully isn't too far away

Maybe I will try and arrange an outing!

I'm game. I didn't get out there last year so I'm looking forward to all the new things they've done to the joint.

I work the graveyard shift also so any day is pretty good, although it gets pretty busy on the weekends obviously. I've been there some days during the week and I'd say there were less than thirty cars in the lot.

20DNewbie wrote in post #7686115
I'm game. I didn't get out there last year so I'm looking forward to all the new things they've done to the joint.

I work the graveyard shift also so any day is pretty good, although it gets pretty busy on the weekends obviously. I've been there some days during the week and I'd say there were less than thirty cars in the lot.

The Southwick Zoo opens this Saturday, April 11th and I can't wait to go and check it out. I will however avoid opening weekend and since I also have most of my days free I will wait until we get a nice day during the week to go and check it out.

Cool, if you want to head into the deer forest anytime in the near future I'd suggest hiking/work boots. With all the recent rain I imagine it's going to be a bit squishy for at least a week or so.