Current Setup (tank-thread-esque ) :
Sigma SD14*
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro
PG-21 Power Grip
Gitzo G1178M Ballhead

*The camera is a Sigma SD14...a camera known for all sorts of malfunctions, terrible ISO, and downright silly white-balance...which is exactly right. I ended up choosing this camera despite the terrible wrap it gets, because when used together with sharp lenses, this camera is able of producing images with excellent texture, color and film-like bokeh. It has a Foveon (APS-C size) sensor rather than the Bayer mosaic style, which is simultaneously the source of it's many many weaknesses, and what few strengths it does have.

I'll add photos as I take them...can't wait for this spring!
MR.FEESH

Interesting choice, can't wait to see what all you can do with it.

Nice shots!

I too just got my first DSLR as well and I Looooooovvvveee it!

I got the Nikon D5000 with 2 lenses. I cant wait to get some fish and stuff to take pictures of. only so much to look at with just live rock and sand....

Enjoy your new camera!

-John

I'm pretty excited to get out into the real world with this guy!





Nice! Originally I was going to get either the D5000 or a D90...I hear good things about both! I wish I had a reef to take pictures of but they aren't too conducive to moving around every few months with me in college. Enjoy the new camera and post some pics!

I'm definitely trying to use my camera to take the most realistic pictures possible...no tampering with colors, and as sharp as they would be to the human eye. With that said, these sunsets are a lot more realistic than the 'cool' ones where people just blow out all the colors. I certainly appreciate the subtlety of the hues in these images-- each scene is very believable. Gradation is also a lot smoother than what I'm used to seeing and taking with Bayer sensors.

All were taken at ISO 50, F/5.6-- RAW files processed via Sigma Photo Pro









MR.FEESH

My girl-fran <3



MR.FEESH


edit: I can't waaaait till I have my close up lens....and a ring-flash for that matter...if only the latter weren't so damn expensive

Also, did this guy as a tonal piece. The obviously shifted colors and tones are supposed to convey the emotion of the dog. Did it work? Maybe...I'm still working on it, lol.

Have I ever mentioned how much I like the sharpness/detail and color of the foveon?

As usual, crocus are first on the scene when it comes to spring!
I'll be ordering my close-up lens tomorrow or Friday-- I can't wait!





Edit: Manual focus ftw? I think yes. It's my first time shooting with a camera that has true manual focus, and honestly I don't think I'm ever going to take any of my lenses off the M setting...Is that a thing? That people with SLRs do? I feel like it should be a trend for sure.

Nice shots.
What lens are you ordering?

Fanks!
It'll be the Sigma 70mm F/2.8. With the Foveon 1.7 crop it's almost 120mm. At true 1:1 though, I'll be pretty close to my subject, so I'll be using it mostly for flower shots...it is also for this reason that my next lens will likely be Sigma's 150mm macro for the purpose of shooting arachnids and insects. I can also pick up a tele-converter on the 150 and use it as a tele. My school, American, is part of a national arboretum group i.e. the government pays to put flowers everywhere. The whole campus will explode with blooming stuff in the coming weeks so I should have some nice flowers to report back re: the 70mm!

Spring is a great time to be a new camera user





The 70mm is being delivered on Monday

Happy first day of spring to everyone!!!!!!

The Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro came in today!
IT'S SO EFFING FANTASTIC!!!
The perfect focal length for flowers, my all-time favorite shooting subject.


ISO50, camera 'cloudy' white balance, F/5.6, no editing






I have a lot of school work as for this exact moment, but there will be many more pictures to follow!

The tulips.
They bloom.








With my new 70mm macro.

First day home from college=take pics





Loving the 70mm.
Elby

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Edit:

Nice sharpness with the setup you're using. I like it.


Lalani, that cat avatar cracks me up. Is there an internet video it came from?

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...t&p=2897462

Thanks, you Swedish person!

Yeah I like the combination of body and lenses I have so far. Glad to hear it! ^_^






I'll be studying abroad in Sweden in two years time...any chance you're a local, Swede? I'm trying to compile a list of places I should visit while there...

Yes i am, just ask away and i'll answer as best as i can. Where are you going to study?

I always wanted to visit Sweden. I don't really know what there is for vacationers there.

I'll be in Göteborg, and studying at the university thereof. Obviously I'll want to go to Stockholm. I'm curious about traveling northward, though. I understand the cities thin out and things get very natural very quickly. Don't know anything about any mountains or hiking locations, biking trails etc. Need some scenic places to treat my camera gear to

Guess it's totally depends on what you are interested in, it's a big, small country, we don't have the huge monuments and majestic landscapes. But the different parts of Sweden are quite diverse anyway.



I'm not so good at Gothenburg and it's surroundings, since I'm from a bit further north (Gävle). But when it comes to hiking/biking trails, there are a lot of it in Sweden. In the Gothenburg area there are a trail called Bohusleden, 370 kilometers of hiking. Never walked it myself, but i think you can find some nice places for the camera. The good thing in Sweden is that we have public access to the country, anyone can walk/bike on private land, as long as it is not a garden. It is also allowed to pick berries, flowers and mushrooms or pitch a tent without permission. So access to nature is very easy and laid back. As long as you don't destroy the nature, it's basically OK. So if you are out driving and see a nice place, just stop the car and start to walk, no worries about trespassing.

In Gothenburg i also suggest you to go out to the archipelago, very nice and scenic. In town itself you have as i see it two big attractions, Liseberg, the amusement park, and Universeum a science center, with aquarium, reptiles, rainforest and different science experiments and exhibitions. To take photos of flowers, go the Botanical garden .

Mountains you will not find in Gothenburg, closest ones, and most spectacular are in Norway, so i definitely suggest you to take a trip there, going there in a couple of weeks myself (will post photos). In the north of Sweden it is far between towns as you said yourself, there are lots and lots of forest in this country. Don't expect so much snow in Gothenburg, but there are lots of skiing resorts in the north part.

If you have possibility i also recommend you to go to Gotland, the big island on the east coast, in August every year there are a medieval festival which is quite spectacular, and the island itself is very nice also.