*OFFICIAL* Snapshot of the Day (one image per post please) #2

dcstep · 11-28-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamondblackcars

This is the first time that I have spotted this thread.

This is a couple of photos that I took of a UK Garden Tiger Moth in July 2014.

It landed on the inside of my front room window at midnight when I left the windows and doors open while decorating.

I did not even know that it was laying eggs until I put the photos on my PC.

I placed a piece of A4 paper on the outside of the window to get a clear photo and the Moth let me get within an inch of it to take the photos in macro mode.

Welcome.

Great, sharp images.

You made only one noob mistake, we try to keep each post to one image. Don't edit what I've already done, just a note for the future.

Look forward to seeing many more of your posts.

Dave

dcstep · 11-28-2018, 09:38 AM

This pink twilight only lasted a minute or two:

Twilight Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr

Terry989 · 11-28-2018, 10:37 AM

My first capture of a White-tailed Kite. My longest lens, a 70-200mm just isn't enough for birding. I had to crop deeply just to get enough Kite in the image, sacrificing quality to do it. I hope Sony releases a 300/400/500mm F4 soon:

dcstep · 11-28-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry989

My first capture of a White-tailed Kite. My longest lens, a 70-200mm just isn't enough for birding. I had to crop deeply just to get enough Kite in the image, sacrificing quality to do it. I hope Sony releases a 300/400/500mm F4 soon:

Great shot, particularly considering the crop.

The FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is an exceptional lens. Combined with the FE 1.4x teleconverter, it'd be great for this kind of shooting.

Of course, the FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS is even better, but that's an investment most aren't willing to make. I'm afraid that f/4 long lenses are a year or two out in the future for Sony. I'd probably buy an f/4 600mm in a flash and sell my 400mm.

Dave

bosstones · 11-28-2018, 11:15 AM

Haven't posted anything in a long time. In spirit of having to replace a bad processor on my motherboard:

Itsed65 · 11-28-2018, 10:44 PM

Fancy Man by lennycarl08, on Flickr

dcstep · 11-29-2018, 09:50 AM

Ed, handsome pheasant cock, in great light.

allachie9 · 11-30-2018, 02:33 PM

Yesterday was an awful day with heavy rain and dark clouds until shortly before sunset. The rain stopped and the clouds started to clear from the west, so it looked as though we could be in for a good sunset. I went out about 15:00, as sunset was at 15:35 here, a walked down to the river estuary. It was high tide as well.
I have used HDR for sunsets in the past, but usually using only 5, or sometimes 3 shots.
Yesterday I tried 7 shots in my Fuji X-T2 from -2 to +2 stops (at 2/3rds stop intervals).
Below is the result. Bear in mind the camera was hand-held and the shutter speeds were from 1/30th down to 1/3rd second !
So, either I'm not such a doddery old sod after all, or the lens stabiliser system really does it's stuff.

Seatown Sunset_29.11.18 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

dcstep · 11-30-2018, 02:46 PM

Alan, great shot(s).

I'm moving away from HDR and trying to take advantage of my a7RIII's dynamic range. I wanted to stay at this lens' sweet spot of f/8, so I ended up at ISO 200 and 1/15-sec. handheld. I know that the dynamic range of the RAW file exceed the DR of the in-camera preview jpeg by around one stop, so I purposely over expose the highlights, but less than a stop. In post, only a slight adjustment is needed to pull down the highlights. I would have rather shot at ISO 100, or less, but I think that I was near the in-body-stabilization's limit. I raised Contrast in post to show off some of the dark cloud details. This is approximately how the scene looked to my eyes:

Twilight Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr

Another stop or so of native dynamic range and I don't think we'll need HDR. Sorry for the repeat image, but this one had the most DR of any of my recent shots.

allachie9 · 11-30-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstep

Another stop or so of native dynamic range and I don't think we'll need HDR. Sorry for the repeat image, but this one had the most DR of any of my recent shots.

Thanks Dave. I looked closely at your image earlier, so to have you explain in detail your thoughts behind creating that particular image has been really appreciated.

I also agree with your thoughts on native DR, although I suspect we may be a few years before we see another such major advance in sensor / processor capabilities.
Yesterday the light was so extreme that I wasn't even sure that HDR would give me what I wanted.

Incidentally, 2 of my pals here have moved up to Sony a7RIII's. One was already a Sony user and the other Fuji, both are absolutely delighted.

dcstep · 12-01-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

Took a photo of Maui from the top of Haleakalā

Very neat.

MikeF · 12-02-2018, 10:50 AM

Nice looking car

P1 · 12-02-2018, 09:31 PM

Sunday walk...

dcstep · 12-03-2018, 11:29 PM

Sunset Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr

Sony a7RIII, FE 12-24mm f/4 G, at 24mm, f/9, ISO 100, 1/125-sec. handheld.

shay2nak · 12-04-2018, 02:20 AM

Small tangent here...Best Buy is selling the Sony A7ii for $999. Is this a great price? IIRC, $600 off regular price. I mean, is it worth buying? I'm still using my Canon XTi from 2005. lol I want to be able to use my 15-85 IS lens with the Sony. Thank you

dcstep · 12-04-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Small tangent here...Best Buy is selling the Sony A7ii for $999. Is this a great price? IIRC, $600 off regular price. I mean, is it worth buying? I'm still using my Canon XTi from 2005. lol I want to be able to use my 15-85 IS lens with the Sony. Thank you

There are quite a view improvements from the II to the III, mainly in battery life and AF. The dynamic range of the III is competitive with the RIII, the a9, the Nikon 850, the II is close, but not quite.

It will be a HUGE step up from you XTi. If you're not big into video (battery) and you haven't been frustrated with the focusing of you Canon, then I say, "Go for it." I suspect that you'll be very happy with the II.

Dave

Itsed65 · 12-04-2018, 12:10 PM

Late Afternoon at the Pond by lennycarl08, on Flickr

shay2nak · 12-05-2018, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstep

There are quite a view improvements from the II to the III, mainly in battery life and AF. The dynamic range of the III is competitive with the RIII, the a9, the Nikon 850, the II is close, but not quite.

It will be a HUGE step up from you XTi. If you're not big into video (battery) and you haven't been frustrated with the focusing of you Canon, then I say, "Go for it." I suspect that you'll be very happy with the II.

Dave

Thanks. I forgot to mention I'm also thinking of getting the 80D. Comparing between the A7ii, which sounds more appealing to you? Going for the same price right now.

dcstep · 12-06-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Thanks. I forgot to mention I'm also thinking of getting the 80D. Comparing between the A7ii, which sounds more appealing to you? Going for the same price right now.

Oh, the a7II is still winner, due to dynamic range and AF performance. Compared to your old camera, either is a significant improvement. Mirrorless is where everything is headed.

Dave

Megabrode · 12-06-2018, 04:05 PM

Friendly wood stork in my (former) back yard. Nibbled bread out of my hand.

Itsed65 · 12-06-2018, 11:38 PM

Tis the season...for cookies! (low quality phone pic)

Sweet ans Salty Christmas by lennycarl08, on Flickr

dcstep · 12-07-2018, 09:49 AM

Another cross-fox shot from my trip to Churchill, Canada. A cross-fox is merely a red-fox with dark coloring, such that a cross is formed at the shoulderblades.

Cross Fox Sinks In Snow by David Stephens, on Flickr

11-28-2018, 09:38 AM	#11816
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	This pink twilight only lasted a minute or two: Twilight Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 4 Terry989608.00 jmg19436.50 allachie91332.00 xander_g1077.00

11-28-2018, 10:37 AM	#11817
Terry989 First Lieutenant 608 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 2019 X1 xDrive M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Salish Sea iTrader: (0)	My first capture of a White-tailed Kite. My longest lens, a 70-200mm just isn't enough for birding. I had to crop deeply just to get enough Kite in the image, sacrificing quality to do it. I hope Sony releases a 300/400/500mm F4 soon: Attached Images
	Appreciate 3 Itsed652612.50 shay2nak1066.50 xander_g1077.00

11-28-2018, 11:15 AM	#11819
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1260 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	Haven't posted anything in a long time. In spirit of having to replace a bad processor on my motherboard: Attached Images __________________ - Jeff bosstones' flickr
	Appreciate 4 M_Six19545.50 Itsed652612.50 shay2nak1066.50 xander_g1077.00

11-28-2018, 10:44 PM	#11820
Itsed65 Brigadier General 2613 Rep 3,535 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 28i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midcoast Maine iTrader: (0)	Fancy Man by lennycarl08, on Flickr
	Appreciate 6 allachie91332.00 M_Six19545.50 Arsonism161.00 shay2nak1066.50 P111735.00 xander_g1077.00

11-29-2018, 09:50 AM	#11821
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Ed, handsome pheasant cock, in great light. __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 0

11-30-2018, 02:33 PM	#11822
allachie9 Grumpy Old Man 1332 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: G30 520i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: North East Scotland iTrader: (0)	HDR Sunset Yesterday was an awful day with heavy rain and dark clouds until shortly before sunset. The rain stopped and the clouds started to clear from the west, so it looked as though we could be in for a good sunset. I went out about 15:00, as sunset was at 15:35 here, a walked down to the river estuary. It was high tide as well. I have used HDR for sunsets in the past, but usually using only 5, or sometimes 3 shots. Yesterday I tried 7 shots in my Fuji X-T2 from -2 to +2 stops (at 2/3rds stop intervals). Below is the result. Bear in mind the camera was hand-held and the shutter speeds were from 1/30th down to 1/3rd second ! So, either I'm not such a doddery old sod after all, or the lens stabiliser system really does it's stuff. Seatown Sunset_29.11.18 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr __________________ Alan
	Appreciate 2 M_Six19545.50 xander_g1077.00

11-30-2018, 02:46 PM	#11823
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Alan, great shot(s). I'm moving away from HDR and trying to take advantage of my a7RIII's dynamic range. I wanted to stay at this lens' sweet spot of f/8, so I ended up at ISO 200 and 1/15-sec. handheld. I know that the dynamic range of the RAW file exceed the DR of the in-camera preview jpeg by around one stop, so I purposely over expose the highlights, but less than a stop. In post, only a slight adjustment is needed to pull down the highlights. I would have rather shot at ISO 100, or less, but I think that I was near the in-body-stabilization's limit. I raised Contrast in post to show off some of the dark cloud details. This is approximately how the scene looked to my eyes: Twilight Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr Another stop or so of native dynamic range and I don't think we'll need HDR. Sorry for the repeat image, but this one had the most DR of any of my recent shots. __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 2 Itsed652612.50 M_Six19545.50

12-02-2018, 10:50 AM	#11826
MikeF Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW X3 3.0 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Hatboro, USA iTrader: (0)	Nice looking car
	Appreciate 0

12-02-2018, 09:31 PM	#11827
P1 Lieutenant General 11735 Rep 11,191 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Sunday walk...
	Appreciate 2 Itsed652612.50 Arsonism161.00

12-03-2018, 11:29 PM	#11828
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Sunset Over Cherry Creek Reservoir by David Stephens, on Flickr Sony a7RIII, FE 12-24mm f/4 G, at 24mm, f/9, ISO 100, 1/125-sec. handheld. __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 3 M_Six19545.50 shay2nak1066.50 Itsed652612.50

12-04-2018, 02:20 AM	#11829
shay2nak smoke if ya got 'em 1067 Rep 2,177 Posts Drives: F80 M3/Lotus Exige/500 Abarth Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calipornia iTrader: (0)	Small tangent here...Best Buy is selling the Sony A7ii for $999. Is this a great price? IIRC, $600 off regular price. I mean, is it worth buying? I'm still using my Canon XTi from 2005. lol I want to be able to use my 15-85 IS lens with the Sony. Thank you
	Appreciate 0

12-04-2018, 12:10 PM	#11831
Itsed65 Brigadier General 2613 Rep 3,535 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 28i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midcoast Maine iTrader: (0)	Late Afternoon at the Pond by lennycarl08, on Flickr
	Appreciate 3 P111735.00 shay2nak1066.50 xander_g1077.00

12-06-2018, 04:05 PM	#11834
Megabrode He's experimenting with something... 335 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Shockoe Bottom iTrader: (0)	Friendly wood stork in my (former) back yard. Nibbled bread out of my hand. Attached Images __________________ Analog 2011 e92 M3 \| Jerez Black \| Black Novillo \| 6MT \| CF roof \| No iDrive, Nav, M button, ZCP, EDC, or center hump \| ZHP shift knob \| OMP 1010 pedals \| K&N filter \| Dinan engine tune \| OEM exhaust mod (bypass) \| EAS exhaust tips \| shaved front bumper \| 19" Apex EC-7 \| 12 mm rear spacers
	Appreciate 4 dcstep1298.00 Terry989608.00 Grumpy Old Man6470.00 xander_g1077.00

12-06-2018, 11:38 PM	#11835
Itsed65 Brigadier General 2613 Rep 3,535 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 28i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midcoast Maine iTrader: (0)	Tis the season...for cookies! (low quality phone pic) Sweet ans Salty Christmas by lennycarl08, on Flickr
	Appreciate 2 dcstep1298.00 Grumpy Old Man6470.00

12-07-2018, 09:49 AM	#11836
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Another cross-fox shot from my trip to Churchill, Canada. A cross-fox is merely a red-fox with dark coloring, such that a cross is formed at the shoulderblades. Cross Fox Sinks In Snow by David Stephens, on Flickr __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 7 Itsed652612.50 slalomfever1120.50 Terry989608.00 Grumpy Old Man6470.00 shay2nak1066.50 xander_g1077.00 P111735.00