Forum Replies Created
Pete,
David had advised all of us to get his system of graduated filters before we left on the trip. i ignored him, as I recalled how bad the old resin filters I had when I had a 6×7. I figured I would just do HDR post processing, or exposure blending.But in the first five minutes of photographing with David, he pulls out his GLASS graduated filter system. He demonstrates how he eliminates the blown out highlights in the sky in 15 seconds as opposed to post processing time of ten minutes. I tell him I made a slight mistake in not buying them before. I purchase a set from him in the wilds of New Hampshire. Even faster than the internet. Then everybody buys the system. He has to air freight in more.
I get this picture 5 minutes after seeing the system. BTW I did take the shot with two planes of focus, but I am not sure I need to use a focus blend.
JackA report back from the Fall trip:
First, a quote from David Farkas, “I have already checked out all the alternatives with exhaustive testing. I know that what I end up with is expensive, but if you follow my recommendations you will have saved money skipping the intermediate steps on your quest for what works best for you.” I had to laugh, but he is correct.David recommended the really right stuff quick release system. I got it before the trip and was very pleased. Interestingly everybody had this mount, 90% with the lever release closure rather than screw tightening closure. It made for fast borrowing of others tripods too. It is the first quick release system that gave me confidence that there would be no accidental unwelcome release.
As you can see from this thread, David was recommending a Gitzo 3 series. In our van we had four tripods, all Gitzo, but the range included a #1, #2,#3, and #5. I had the #2 and it worked fine, but when I borrowed Joe's #3, I found that the extra height was a plus for me. However I am 6'4″. The #5 would only be necessary if one were shooting with a 400mm lens that weighed a lot. Well, Mark was. The #1 was OK, but height limited. My #2 fit in my carry-on luggage perfectly with the ball head removed, and I will be willing to take it on casual trips, but the #3 can probably be carry-on too, if the top peeks out of my back pack.
Several people had Really Right Stuff Ball heads, which worked quite well. You can see two versions of it in the tripod photo from the back of the van. After trying them versus David's Gitzo ball head, shown in the photo, I decided I preferred the Gitzo, as long as it had the panorama head attached. My old Gitzo off-center head was a bit harder to use in comparison to more modern equipment. A bit too light for an S2, was wonderful for my M and I will move it to my #1. I will duplicate David's set up going forward, including the #3 tripod. And yes Josh, I will buy it from Dale.
As you can see from the photo, David prefers using the head sideways for vertical shots rather than the Really Right Stuff L bracket. He determined in his testing that the L bracket was not stiff enough for rigid support of the 180mm. I saw his point, but I hoped it was not as big a problem for my 120mm. Otherwise the L bracket is wonderful for the 35mm. It allows for near instantaneous switching from horizontal to vertical.
Finally, as to when to use a tripod: I am not one who feels a tripod is necessary for all landscape shots. But when one is shooting in the dusk, you just can't get the shot without one. The dusk shot shown elsewhere could not have been done without one. And of course, for rushing water to be captured with the “cotton” effect, that can't be done hand held.
Jack
http://www.dalephotoanddigital.com/_e/dept/05-002-009/Panoramic_Heads.htm
JackBy the way, the tripod for that shot was loaned to me by Joe Donovan. He has a very nice panoramic leveler on the Gitzo 3 XL. So he gets his name on the photo as “tripod by Joe”.
But more importantly, he demonstrated the lighting technique two nights earlier. The best fall shots are taken after the sun has set. The shutter speed on the shot was one and a half seconds. Joe taught us all to shoot long well.
Thanks JoeJackNot that cold yesterday, but windy.
Sun out today, color at peak.
Yesterday we were shooting in rain for an hour and some of the best images came then.JackRoger,
You guessed right. It was my idea to take the group shot at the start of the trip, as I will be sleeping in my clothes as the week progresses.JackNice work, especially since you said you were not in the mood. I look forward to seeing your work when you are in the mood.
JackDavid,
Looks like USB3 may be coming to mac.“Next year’s Ivy Bridge will bring more Display options to Macs (and likely USB 3 since the controller is built into the Intel chipset).”
JackIn my decision is the fact that I have already owned the #2 since before S2
and spending another $800+ for the #3 isn't motivating. On David's trip I may learn otherwise. If I were starting fresh, I would buy the #3.JackI will try the test at those speeds tonight if it is clear. The star trails in a way help seeing the movement as one is observing any deviation from a straight line. Unless the camera motion happens to be on the same axis as the star movement. I'll see.
JackOf course there is a difference in height with a larger than #2 tripod which may make a difference in getting the angle one wishes.
JackRoger,
After telling you to do a test, I decided I should also. Especially after David expressed a bit of surprise that I would be going on his fall trip with such a light tripod as the Gitzo#2
Maybe if I had a 180mm I would go for the #3.I merely did an 8 second test shot of a star on a very heavy tripod that I would never hike with followed by the same shot with the Gitzo #2, also shot with a two second delay that flips the mirror first , and then a third shot on the #2 with no two second delay, merely pressing the shutter release directly. This is with a 120mm. The three insert enlargements are 6 times the full field shot that is the background. Without using the 2 second delay in the third shot, I can see a slight very slight wiggle in the middle of the tiny star trails.
A tribute to the damping of the S2, the differences are hard to detect. I feel I am safe with the #2 when using the 2 second delay.
JackJackRoger,
I suggest you do a little testing yourself with the tripods and lenses you have. Shoot with your 5 vs the 3 and see if for your S2 lenses you notice any difference.
Recall that David has shot time exposures with truely compact tripods.
I have a series 2 Gitzo which does fit in carry on luggage. I have seen no gains using a heavier tripod with my 120mm or certainly a 35mm lens. but if I were shooting a 400mm lens I would want something much heavier and drag out my old medal Bogen. I would not be hiking with that, but I don't have a 350mm or 400mm.Jack
