Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

digital_AM wrote in post #18791191
Looks like y'all had a great time. Nice images! We'll be out there next Saturday.

Think they just had rain so the dunes should be getting reset from footprints.

Quick suggestion at Badwater Basin you can still park in the parking lot but I would say drive just a bit beyond to where you go out on a point before a sharp left and park on the road there then walk out ...... Its about 1/2 mile faster to the clean salt circles.

mystik610 wrote in post #18790997
Fov is different between shots so he's taking multiple shots.

He's probably asking for permission to take photos. I had a friend who did something similar when he lived in the NE United states where you have a lot of dense metropolitan areas. That's an art in and of itself

He’s definitely asking permission. In the link I posted he says the challenge he set himself was to get to know a stranger and then show their character in 3 photos

eriet30 wrote in post #18791172
Ok back from Death Valley. Trip was cut short and started late. So I picked up my friend Brad at the airport and tried to make it to DV for Sunset......we were an hour off but the sky was on FIRE!!! of course the next two days were very blah for atmospherics. GRRRR!!!!. Frank (former park photog and Mo owner of Ace Photo) caught up to us that night at the hotel and we started of the next day at the dunes. Got to the parking lot just fine but no winds meant tracks galore in the sand. I then proceeded to try and destroy my A7r2 Im embarrassed to say what I did ...... Mo of course said... no problem I can sell you another and I'll buy that one for parts LOL. Getting back to the parking lot after the morning there was one Blue jeep.... mine no other cars and they were putting barriers up at the entrance to the lot. Two park rangers escorted me to the road and said we could park there but after that day the parking lot would be closed. They were the only 2 rangers on duty for the whole park. By the way traffic was light and we found no trash or bad things happening. Did breakfast at Stovepipe wells which is the best deal for food and gas in the park fyi. About this time a jet roared over head and we realized that the Star Wars canyon was active at Panimount Springs.... unfortunately it was not on our agenda and 1.5 hours away........ jets flew all day we could have made it. This is the canyon where you stand on the edge above the jets from China Lake and look down on them flying thru the canyon. Instead we went to the Charcoal kilns and a mine and some other things on Emigrant Road. Then to Zabriskie point for a project Frank is working on ..... sunset was blah. Back to the hotel in Beatty and then next morning hit the Badwater Basin for sunrise. Love this spot and never understood why for sunrise since it is at your back. Watching the sun race across the salt flat was awesome and got my one good shot of the trip. Then worked on Franks project the day hit the ghost town and had a bad sunset in Golden Canyon. Then we were done. If we had one more day we would have tried the race track. Lots of areas closed with no purpose but you can park on the road and walk in. I'm glad I got out for my first shoot of 19. Looking forward to the folks here pics we just didnt get much this trip.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2e74​t5d _DSC2241.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/S3D8​NY _0A97333.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2d5E​Wrj _0A97024.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2d5F​7hm _0A97127.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2d5F​1n5_0A97068.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

Nice Paul, brings back memories (although I didn’t get as nice images)

xpfloyd wrote in post #18789453
I done a bit of an experiment today. I took 16 shots in silent mode using my intervalometer and then stacked them in photoshop with median stacking mode to create a pseudo long exposure (smooth reflections app style). The minimum interval I could set was 1 second so I think the 1 second gap is what has caused the jittery effect in the water closest to the rocks. Not a bad result but not as good as smooth reflections app.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2ea7​LHV Falls of Falloch - 11.01.19 - Test.jpg by xpfloyd2, on Flickr

As a comparison the shot below is a single exposure taken with the Lee 3 stop soft grad ND, Lee CPL and Lee Little Stopper. Not an ideal comparison though as the exposure time is not comparable. I also couldnt get the white balance to match between each photo probably due to the colour cast from the filters

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/S23v​nW Falls of Falloch - 11.01.19.jpg by xpfloyd2, on Flickr

eriet30 wrote in post #18791172
Ok back from Death Valley. Trip was cut short and started late. So I picked up my friend Brad at the airport and tried to make it to DV for Sunset......we were an hour off but the sky was on FIRE!!! of course the next two days were very blah for atmospherics. GRRRR!!!!. Frank (former park photog and Mo owner of Ace Photo) caught up to us that night at the hotel and we started of the next day at the dunes. Got to the parking lot just fine but no winds meant tracks galore in the sand. I then proceeded to try and destroy my A7r2 Im embarrassed to say what I did ...... Mo of course said... no problem I can sell you another and I'll buy that one for parts LOL. Getting back to the parking lot after the morning there was one Blue jeep.... mine no other cars and they were putting barriers up at the entrance to the lot. Two park rangers escorted me to the road and said we could park there but after that day the parking lot would be closed. They were the only 2 rangers on duty for the whole park. By the way traffic was light and we found no trash or bad things happening. Did breakfast at Stovepipe wells which is the best deal for food and gas in the park fyi. About this time a jet roared over head and we realized that the Star Wars canyon was active at Panimount Springs.... unfortunately it was not on our agenda and 1.5 hours away........ jets flew all day we could have made it. This is the canyon where you stand on the edge above the jets from China Lake and look down on them flying thru the canyon. Instead we went to the Charcoal kilns and a mine and some other things on Emigrant Road. Then to Zabriskie point for a project Frank is working on ..... sunset was blah. Back to the hotel in Beatty and then next morning hit the Badwater Basin for sunrise. Love this spot and never understood why for sunrise since it is at your back. Watching the sun race across the salt flat was awesome and got my one good shot of the trip. Then worked on Franks project the day hit the ghost town and had a bad sunset in Golden Canyon. Then we were done. If we had one more day we would have tried the race track. Lots of areas closed with no purpose but you can park on the road and walk in. I'm glad I got out for my first shoot of 19. Looking forward to the folks here pics we just didnt get much this trip.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2e74​t5d _DSC2241.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/S3D8​NY _0A97333.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2d5E​Wrj_0A97024.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2d5F​7hm_0A97127.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2d5F​1n5_0A97068.jpg by Paul, on Flickr

Thanks for the report and images.
What happened to the camera.

Sony will announce new product within 48 Hours according to Sony Alpha Rumors!

I'm really hoping the 35mm f/1.8 is announced

Dlee13 wrote in post #18791306
Sony will announce new product within 48 Hours according to Sony Alpha Rumors!

I'm really hoping the 35mm f/1.8 is announced

Indeed. The money for my FE35/2.8 has just landed

Dlee13 wrote in post #18791306
Sony will announce new product within 48 Hours according to Sony Alpha Rumors!

I'm really hoping the 35mm f/1.8 is announced

Looks like it’ll be an a5200, 5300-5800. Whoever names these Sony cameras should be sent back to school to learn their numbers. How they went from a6000 to 6300 to 6500 and now a potential a7000 without a 6100, 62, 64, and everything in between, lol.

TMaG82 wrote in post #18791366
Looks like it’ll be an a5200, 5300-5800. Whoever names these Sony cameras should be sent back to school to learn their numbers. How they went from a6000 to 6300 to 6500 and now a potential a7000 without a 6100, 62, 64, and everything in between, lol.

I kinda like the form factor of the a5xxxx cameras. Would not mind owning one. Problem with Sony APS-C is the lack of quality fast aperture aps-c glass. I've looked into a few times, but it doesn't add up for me because the glass is not there.

That and the controls on sony aps-c bodies are lacking. Fuji cameras and the RX1 cameras prove that you can have small bodies with full fledged controls.

Fuji is attractive as a compact aps-c system because its a compact system that isn't gimped for entry level type photographers.

Beautiful sunset overhead, loved how the clouds at the bottom looked like a soft treeline.

mystik610 wrote in post #18791380
I kinda like the form factor of the a5xxxx cameras. Would not mind owning one. Problem with Sony APS-C is the lack of quality fast aperture aps-c glass. I've looked into a few times, but it doesn't add up for me because the glass is not there.

That and the controls on sony aps-c bodies are lacking. Fuji cameras and the RX1 cameras prove that you can have small bodies with full fledged controls.

Fuji is attractive as a compact aps-c system because its a compact system that isn't gimped for entry level type photographers.

Sony went the Canon route with APS-C, they sort of abandoned it and expect you to get their FE glass instead. It's not totally unreasonable, but not optimal either. Most of the wider stuff already exists but just not a whole lot of options as Fuji. Sigma's 16, 30, and 56 1.4 do a lot of gap filling as well. The system can exist on its own, but pretty clearly aimed for aps-c users to transition to FF.

only way I'de go back to aps-c is for much lower prices AND size. Pancake zooms, super small super telephotos (fuji 100-400 but 600-800g), I would definitely consider if that was an option. telephotos in general, always a sore topic. I understand that m43 has those issues resolved, but havent really looked due to sensor size.

For me i'm following the Oly EM1...

TRhoads wrote in post #18791279
Thanks for the report and images.
What happened to the camera.

you had to go there.


Ok so I am sitting on a sand dune after hiking about a mile in. I didnt like the angle the guys were at so I trodded off to another dune. Pulled up the A7r2 and Lox 21 snapped some test shots and EWWW I have a dust speck the size of texas dead center. Try the inbody clean mode no help. Take stock of the situation. I am alone with no wind and time because the sun hasnt done any magic yet.

I know.... why on a sand dune would you take off the lens. BUT I had a nylon blanket out and no sand was on it.... SAND was not the issue. The issue is I wrap my jacket around the camera and lens pull it off and grab my blower. blow blow blow put it back on and still have the speck. Ok first time wasnt disaster so why not be brave again and test the camera gods. Lens off Blow Blow SLAM!

I say "slam" here because the sound echoed thru my brain and body I tried to comprehend what I had just done.... in my effort to blow really hard i somehow pushed my hand down when clamping down on the blower and thus the nose of the blower SLAMMED into my sensor. ....... leaving a mark about 1/4 inch long.

I just stared at it. Blew some more put it on and yeah now I have a huge mark on the sensor. I cry a little try and talk myself thru this.... its not a new camera.... Im sure its a sub $400 fix i mean really has to be right sure right..... ok so I can get thru this. The photographer kicks in.... light is starting to happen so I go fine.... the A9 is going to have to pull all the duty on this trip. So i put the Lox on the A9 and shoot away...... 60% of my brain is not focused on my shots but on what I just did. I go back thru my stupidity and then reason that it wont be that bad and then sadness that these shots that need dynamic range will not have it and resolve that 2019 is a failure and I need to just sell all my gear and forget this photography thing.

Getting back to the guys only made it worse......Mo offering to buy the camera for parts and sell me another used one ..... but telling me not to buy new because the 60pmx sony will be out this year LOL and then the barrage of "how stupid are you" as sympathetic friends are.

Shoot the dunes not really focused and get back to the jeep. Have to move the jeep because the park rangers are closing the lot...... but in the jeep I have a Cleaner swab kit...... just for emergencies I have only ever cleaned a sensor 1x....... open the package shaking going great I am still in a bad environment to do this but what can i loose. Swipe the swab once......dont see much change... turn the swab over...... swipe again and half of the mark goes away.... now your never supposed to use the swab again but I am out of swabs and still have the mark...... swab it one more time and the mark goes away.

Look thru the sensor and shoot f22 at the blue sky..... no lines some dust still but all looks good.

I didnt trust the camera the rest of the trip so most pics are on the A9 but the A7r2 looks like it survived I am going to send it in under Sony Pro to check all aspects.

I did miss that 42mpx though

So there is .... I am a stupid idiot post.

That's the reason i prefer zoom lens for landscape. I don't wanna be changing lenses outside.

eriet30 wrote in post #18791471
you had to go there.

Ok so I am sitting on a sand dune after hiking about a mile in. I didnt like the angle the guys were at so I trodded off to another dune. Pulled up the A7r2 and Lox 21 snapped some test shots and EWWW I have a dust speck the size of texas dead center. Try the inbody clean mode no help. Take stock of the situation. I am alone with no wind and time because the sun hasnt done any magic yet.

I know.... why on a sand dune would you take off the lens. BUT I had a nylon blanket out and no sand was on it.... SAND was not the issue. The issue is I wrap my jacket around the camera and lens pull it off and grab my blower. blow blow blow put it back on and still have the speck. Ok first time wasnt disaster so why not be brave again and test the camera gods. Lens off Blow Blow SLAM!

I say "slam" here because the sound echoed thru my brain and body I tried to comprehend what I had just done.... in my effort to blow really hard i somehow pushed my hand down when clamping down on the blower and thus the nose of the blower SLAMMED into my sensor. ....... leaving a mark about 1/4 inch long.

I just stared at it. Blew some more put it on and yeah now I have a huge mark on the sensor. I cry a little try and talk myself thru this.... its not a new camera.... Im sure its a sub $400 fix i mean really has to be right sure right..... ok so I can get thru this. The photographer kicks in.... light is starting to happen so I go fine.... the A9 is going to have to pull all the duty on this trip. So i put the Lox on the A9 and shoot away...... 60% of my brain is not focused on my shots but on what I just did. I go back thru my stupidity and then reason that it wont be that bad and then sadness that these shots that need dynamic range will not have it and resolve that 2019 is a failure and I need to just sell all my gear and forget this photography thing.

Getting back to the guys only made it worse......Mo offering to buy the camera for parts and sell me another used one ..... but telling me not to buy new because the 60pmx sony will be out this year LOL and then the barrage of "how stupid are you" as sympathetic friends are.

Shoot the dunes not really focused and get back to the jeep. Have to move the jeep because the park rangers are closing the lot...... but in the jeep I have a Cleaner swab kit...... just for emergencies I have only ever cleaned a sensor 1x....... open the package shaking going great I am still in a bad environment to do this but what can i loose. Swipe the swab once......dont see much change... turn the swab over...... swipe again and half of the mark goes away.... now your never supposed to use the swab again but I am out of swabs and still have the mark...... swab it one more time and the mark goes away.

Look thru the sensor and shoot f22 at the blue sky..... no lines some dust still but all looks good.

I didnt trust the camera the rest of the trip so most pics are on the A9 but the A7r2 looks like it survived I am going to send it in under Sony Pro to check all aspects.

I did miss that 42mpx though

So there is .... I am a stupid idiot post.

I’ve almost done the same with a rocket blower. When you squeeze it the red nozzle can sometimes move about more than you expect if you aren’t careful. I’ve been close

eriet30 wrote in post #18791471
you had to go there.

Ok so I am sitting on a sand dune after hiking about a mile in. I didnt like the angle the guys were at so I trodded off to another dune. Pulled up the A7r2 and Lox 21 snapped some test shots and EWWW I have a dust speck the size of texas dead center. Try the inbody clean mode no help. Take stock of the situation. I am alone with no wind and time because the sun hasnt done any magic yet.

I know.... why on a sand dune would you take off the lens. BUT I had a nylon blanket out and no sand was on it.... SAND was not the issue. The issue is I wrap my jacket around the camera and lens pull it off and grab my blower. blow blow blow put it back on and still have the speck. Ok first time wasnt disaster so why not be brave again and test the camera gods. Lens off Blow Blow SLAM!

I say "slam" here because the sound echoed thru my brain and body I tried to comprehend what I had just done.... in my effort to blow really hard i somehow pushed my hand down when clamping down on the blower and thus the nose of the blower SLAMMED into my sensor. ....... leaving a mark about 1/4 inch long.

I just stared at it. Blew some more put it on and yeah now I have a huge mark on the sensor. I cry a little try and talk myself thru this.... its not a new camera.... Im sure its a sub $400 fix i mean really has to be right sure right..... ok so I can get thru this. The photographer kicks in.... light is starting to happen so I go fine.... the A9 is going to have to pull all the duty on this trip. So i put the Lox on the A9 and shoot away...... 60% of my brain is not focused on my shots but on what I just did. I go back thru my stupidity and then reason that it wont be that bad and then sadness that these shots that need dynamic range will not have it and resolve that 2019 is a failure and I need to just sell all my gear and forget this photography thing.

Getting back to the guys only made it worse......Mo offering to buy the camera for parts and sell me another used one ..... but telling me not to buy new because the 60pmx sony will be out this year LOL and then the barrage of "how stupid are you" as sympathetic friends are.

Shoot the dunes not really focused and get back to the jeep. Have to move the jeep because the park rangers are closing the lot...... but in the jeep I have a Cleaner swab kit...... just for emergencies I have only ever cleaned a sensor 1x....... open the package shaking going great I am still in a bad environment to do this but what can i loose. Swipe the swab once......dont see much change... turn the swab over...... swipe again and half of the mark goes away.... now your never supposed to use the swab again but I am out of swabs and still have the mark...... swab it one more time and the mark goes away.

Look thru the sensor and shoot f22 at the blue sky..... no lines some dust still but all looks good.

I didnt trust the camera the rest of the trip so most pics are on the A9 but the A7r2 looks like it survived I am going to send it in under Sony Pro to check all aspects.

I did miss that 42mpx though

So there is .... I am a stupid idiot post.

Hehe I had my idiot moment when I destroyed the shutter on my a7riii. Still with precision being worked on.

It sucks but it's kind of like driving a car...you cam only baby these things so much if you're getting out and actually shooting. Sh!t is going to happen from time to time.

That's what I keep telling myself to feel better anyway lol