D90 User Group (thread II)

[skylover]

I am just trying to ensure I have the minimum setup or gear to start with on the landscape. The main reason is that I cant always go out at night or early in the morning to shoot picture.

I'm currently using Tianya filter set. For a start is it very gd or bad set but as you go on. You may need to upgrade to a better set like Lee all these.

 

[pasay]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but at 3-4+ of the day the sky is pretty bright, and it will be unlikely that you can use a lower shutter speed to smoothen water surfaces, so a ND can be used to drag the exposure longer.

If you're taking pics with a very big contrast between the sky and ground, a GND can be used to balance out the exposure between the 2 elements. I was told GND does not work well when taking pictures of cityscapes with buildings, but i cant remember the explanation behind it : X

coz GND graduation line is straight (horizontal) while city skyline with buildings is not. if you use a GND to try to properly expose the sky but there are numerous buildings sticking out, chances are those buildings will have the upper part dark while the lower part will be brighter. not good to look at, right? when using GND, it's best for when you have a straight horizon like those sunset shots with the sea.

just my 2 cents

 

[Ghaz1]

I am just trying to ensure I have the minimum setup or gear to start with on the landscape.

Then all you need is a camera and a tripod.

 

[skylover]

coz GND graduation line is straight (horizontal) while city skyline with buildings is not. if you use a GND to try to properly expose the sky but there are numerous buildings sticking out, chances are those buildings will have the upper part dark while the lower part will be brighter. not good to look at, right? when using GND, it's best for when you have a straight horizon like those sunset shots with the sea.

just my 2 cents

To add on. Best to have your spirit level with you also. The darker part is usually above the water while the part where you wan more light to go through will be at the bottom or the other way around depending on what you hope to achieve. :angel:

 

[jeezuinn]

coz GND graduation line is straight (horizontal) while city skyline with buildings is not. if you use a GND to try to properly expose the sky but there are numerous buildings sticking out, chances are those buildings will have the upper part dark while the lower part will be brighter. not good to look at, right? when using GND, it's best for when you have a straight horizon like those sunset shots with the sea.

just my 2 cents

To add on. Best to have your spirit level with you also. The darker part is usually above the water while the part where you wan more light to go through will be at the bottom or the other way around depending on what you hope to achieve. :angel:

Thanks guys, shall keep your advices in mind :bsmilie:

 

[Ongoinglearner]

Then all you need is a camera and a tripod.

you're right actually but when i try to take pictures during 3/4 pm+ i tend to overexpose my pictures especially when the sun is very bright.

 

[skylover]

you're right actually but when i try to take pictures during 3/4 pm+ i tend to overexpose my pictures especially when the sun is very bright.

increase ur shutter speed to let's say 1/320++. and EV maybe -1 depending on your situation.

 

[jeezuinn]

you're right actually but when i try to take pictures during 3/4 pm+ i tend to overexpose my pictures especially when the sun is very bright.

What mode are you taking the pictures in? In A mode the pictures normally turn out ok for me. Can make use of the EV compensation if you find that pictures are over/under exposed. If in M mode following the metering should be fine.

 

[Smiles88]

you're right actually but when i try to take pictures during 3/4 pm+ i tend to overexpose my pictures especially when the sun is very bright.

THAT'S whr GND comes in. :devil:

 

[skylover]

What mode are you taking the pictures in? In A mode the pictures normally turn out ok for me. Can make use of the EV compensation if you find that pictures are over/under exposed. If in M mode following the metering should be fine.

I presume TS is using M not A. So the setting will have to be manually change to fit the situation he is in.

 

[iandao]

afternoon brothers~

can i know the difference between the normal cone shaped lens hood & the petal-shaped one?

 

[wuminlee]

haha! Spreading poison is fun. Seeing people get poisoned is fun as well. Do join us for our outings, but remember to install anti virus, or else you end up like smiles.....:bsmilie:

note taken. lucky my equipment already poisonous enough. think i am quite qualified to poison others .. haha

 

[jeezuinn]

I presume TS is using M not A. So the setting will have to be manually change to fit the situation he is in.

Yea i thought so too. Can make use of the metering loh, just make sure its in the centre. If still feel that its overexposed can increase shutter speed or increase the F stop accordingly :bsmilie:

 

[jeezuinn]

note taken. lucky my equipment already poisonous enough. think i am quite qualified to poison others .. haha

Haha you have quite a poisonous range. If you come for the outings don't bring everything, or we'll have to stay away.

 

[skylover]

Yea i thought so too. Can make use of the metering loh, just make sure its in the centre. If still feel that its overexposed can increase shutter speed or increase the F stop accordingly :bsmilie:

but of course there's a limit a normal lens can do. So this is where all the filters will come in. Like what Ghaz1 mention. There are really really gd filter which will cost a bomb while there are filters that are average not so bad but they haf their pros and cons.

Average filter like Tianya will have color cast at certain angle so there is a need to be becareful of that. Very rare I had this problem except for ones when I shot with Ghaz1 and another guy. then the color cast appear. If not usually I shoot I don't have color cast cause it depends on the angle you are shooting at. :sweat:

 

[pasay]

afternoon brothers~

can i know the difference between the normal cone shaped lens hood & the petal-shaped one?

usually cone shaped hoods are used for tele lenses while petal hoods are for the wide angle lenses. since you're using nikon, just use the ones supplied with your lens

 

[Ghaz1]

you're right actually but when i try to take pictures dur
ing 3/4 pm+ i tend to overexpose my pictures especially when the sun is very bright.

Use matrix metering. Set to Aperture Priority. Lowest ISO. Stop down the lens to maybe f8-f13. Then bracket your shots ie. for every scene, take a shot at 0, -1 stop and -2 stop. Shoot RAW. That should cover most situations of bright lighting.

 

[Ghaz1]

Average filter like Tianya will have color cast at certain angle so there is a need to be becareful of that. Very rare I had this problem except for ones when I shot with Ghaz1 then the color cast appear. If not usually I shoot I don't have color cast :sweat:

Yes. I have that effect on filters! :devil:

 

[iandao]

oicc..supplied with my kit lens? dun haf wor..:what:

what about prime lens? what kind of hood is more suitable?

usually cone shaped hoods are used for tele lenses while petal hoods are for the wide angle lenses. since you're using nikon, just use the ones supplied with your lens

 

[skylover]

Yes. I have that effect on filters! :devil:

yap yap.. but i like e color cast at times.. it looks juz nice.. especially when sunset and a little purple merge together beautifully.. :angel: